4 miles. I was a little nervous about this run but the weather was perfect this evening. I’m down to the wire now and have to get my miles in or I’ll never complete the 1/2 marathon. I’ve put in too much time to let it slip away at this point.
The first mile was pretty shaky and it took a while for my breathing to get comfortable. I felt lots of unusual aches and pains that lasted only a split second. The last mile was also a little shaky in that I was starting to feel some of the muscles that had cramped on Saturday. I’m happy that it was only four miles on the schedule as I wouldn’t have wanted to go much further. I’m also glad that I did this one. It has helped me regain a little of my confidence back after the Saturday failure.
Ran 9.75 miles and then walked 2.75 miles to cover 12.5. Started running at 9:08 a.m. and it was already hot and humid. I went out six and a quarter miles and started back. I got my last drink at the West State Street park and headed past the hospital and the university golf course. That is a four mile stretch without much protection from the sun and not a water fountain in sight. I made it half way through it and my arms started to tingle.
That was a new sensation for me. By then it had gotten up to 86 degrees and was over 60% humidity. Rather than risk a heat stroke, I stopped running and started walking thinking that I’d cool off a little and then start up again. I walked a half mile and will admit that I was very tired and it wouldn’t have taken much for me to lay down and rest for a spell. That didn’t sound like such a good idea so I kept moving.
After half a mile I felt that I had cooled off enough and only had a mile and a half to go for water and started running again. That only lasted a couple hundred yards before my legs started cramping on me. Another new sensation that is very unpleasant. I ended up walking back to the truck with cramps in my legs and toes every so often.
I drank my usual bottle of water and bottle of Gatorade, took a shower, and headed off to Amelia’s first birthday party. My urine was darker than normal the first two times so I expect that I simply dehydrated. Lesson learned.
11.25 miles. 2 hours, 6 minutes, 12 seconds. This was a mile further than last week and my overall pace was a little faster than before. Very lovely weather again. Beautiful sunshine and a nice breeze during most of the run.
4 miles. This was a very pleasant evening to run. The weather was near perfect! This one was a joy to be outdoors and running.
5 miles. Who would ever think that I would consider five miles a short run?
10.25 miles. 2 hours, 47 seconds. Feeling pretty good about it as I really didn’t much feel like running when I started.
4 miles. Ran with a slightly longer stride tonight. I didn’t time anything but feel like I might have ran a little faster as a result. I know it made my breathing a little more noticeable.
9 miles. Coach Cyndi and I ran this one together. I had to stop and walk a little several times. I suspect it is because her normal pace is much faster than mine. Either way, the distance was covered.
I had asked Cyndi when last fall to run with me when I got to 10 miles and give me the go or no go on the 1/2 marathon. Due to her schedule, it was more convenient to do it at 9 miles. I’m happy to report that she said I should go ahead and run in the 1/2 marathon. It really wouldn’t have mattered to me at this point had she said otherwise as I’ve already figured out that I can complete it. It is just a matter of how long it will take.
It was enjoyable to spend the time running with another. Normally, my runs are solitary and I listen to music. Today was a treat for me.
4 miles outdoors. I’ve watched as the cornfield down the road sprouted from seed and matured. Today was hot and the sweet smell of the tassels was in the evening air. I ran through that section 3 times. 
