12 miles

I heard a person at the courthouse (I work with the municipal court and have a cubicle there even though I don't work for the city) talk about The Bridge of the Gods run over the Washington/Oregon border, then the next day someone I know on facebook said they were going to do it.  So now I'm thinking about it.  However, it's on August 12th, which is my Mom's birthday.  I have been planning on spending that weekend with my Dad at his house, but I talked to him and he's going to look into campsites for his 5th wheel and maybe we'll spend my Mom's birthday there.  It may be a good distraction.  Besides, (this is super selfish) it's really hard to spend time at my parents' house nowadays. 

Well, I am continuing with marathon training.  I'm not sure if it's a great idea or not, but I'm doing it.

It's been very hot here (for western Washington).  We've had more above average days in July than in recorded history, and the last week has been 85 degrees and above (yesterday was 90 and above).  The average for this time of year is 77 degrees.  It makes it hard to go run.  I've been telling myself I'll run in the morning, but then I don't drag myself out of bed.  Last week I did do a run on Tuesday in the evening, but then couldn't get the gumption to go on Thursday.  I did go on Friday, but it was a late run.  I think I started at 8:30pm.  Saturday I ran on the treadmill.  That's been my Saturday normal lately.  Chris and Damian both work Saturdays now and I don't want to wait till they get home.  I set up 2 fans facing me, turn the airconditioner on and the ceiling fan, and it hasn't been too horrible.  Well, the treadmill is inherently horrible, but not too hot. 

Sunday remains my long run day.  2 weeks ago I ran 8 miles and was up really early, just woke up, :and was out the door by am.  Last week I ran 10 miles but didn't leave till 9am.  I don't think it was as hot last sunday as it was yesterday.  I wanted to get up early yesterday, but when my eyes opened at 5:15, I couldn't drag myself out of bed.  I didn't get up until 6:15, then I have to drink coffee and water and eat, so again it was almost 9 before I left.  By the time I got back my shirt felt like I had soaked it in a sink, it was so hot. 

But it was a good run. 

 Do you remember 3 years ago when I was chased by bees?  Well, I went on a new-to-me road yesterday and found that I was running next to a bunch of hives.  I calmly stopped (to take a picture) then started running again, saying outloud "I'm not here to hurt me, don't fly into me, please!"  Thankfully I did not get stung or "swarmed."

I have a (slightly irrational) fear of stepping on manholes and other covers on the sidewalk or road.  I passed this one, and thought, yep, that's why I don't step on them.  I'm afraid the lid won't be on tightly and I'll either fall into one or break my ankle. . . People laugh at me when I go for walks with them, but I'll be the one laughing if they fall through.  ; )

I am not doing good on pace runs.  In fact, the farthest pace run (under 9.09 min/mile average) is only 3 miles, and I'm supposed to be doing 6 miles.  I guess I just need to try one, but I know I'm slow and I'm scared of failing.  Last week I did 3 miles at an average of 9.03 min/mile and it just about killed me.  I'd rather do hills, but I'm not doing that either . . . If I want to break a 4 hour marathon I need to be working on speed.  =/  My 12 miler yesterday was actually spot on for a long run, but without the speed work, I won't get faster than that.  Last year, my last run in July (13 miles) averaged 9.28 min/mile and my 6 mile pace runs were under 9 min/miles (closer to 8:30 min/miles), but then I took 2 weeks off to heal my hip (who would have guessed it was arthritis) and never got back into the swing of marathon training, so became super slow. 

I guess we'll see how my August goes.  I should do a pace run this Saturday . . .