Success.

Tonight's 400 calories in 38:00 on the (beloved) T-mill was a success.  I barely noticed that I was even running.  It was still about 80 degrees, but the heat barely registered.  I've been blaming everything on hydration (and stepped up water consumption; I at least a liter of seltzer a day before I run (or bed if I'm taking a day off)) and the heat.  What I changed today was eating a snack about a half hour to 45 minutes before my run, which is terribly unusual for me (I like to run on an empty stomach or at least wait two hours after eating).  Could this be the lynch pin in my summer training?

I'm still calorie conscious as I've dropped exactly ZERO lb. these few weeks (while running 12-ish miles and netting about 1400- 1800 calories daily).  The birth control won't be out of my system (or even begun to be flushed) for another month, so maybe it's still affecting my metabolism.  I've taken to checking my body fat percentage a few times a week to see if my muscle mass is increasing.  So far, just establishing a baseline (about 30%).

Will put in paperwork to the gym tomorrow!  I hope it goes smoothly (as the membership is for us, but the funds are from a parental unit whose last name no longer matches mine), smoothly enough for an afternoon swim before dinner with the Spanish teacher!

Outdoor!

Sorry about the kitten.  She's just so cute, and I think image-heavier posts tend to hold everyone's interest.  Moving on.

So I have done TWO outdoor runs since I last posted!  They both kind of stunk (literally, as they are in the valley, which smells of sewage).  I went out with the Towpath Turtles on Sunday to Sand Run, and it was hot.  I ran with two others and we did okay (we strayed from the path, but we think about 3 mi. total).  I find I feel kind of sloshy in the heat; today I felt it in my lungs.  I DO, however, think I'm doing a much better job of hydrating throughout the day.


Tonight I stuck to the path and did about 3.5 miles, some walking (usually about half a minute to a minute).  I felt sluggish in the heat, but mostly okay.  I wish I felt better about it, but not every run has to be a victory.  I think the Sand Run jogging trail is 6 miles total, so it may become my near daily run (since the path is just a couple miles from home).  My plan is to run with some SARC people twice a week (poky run on Sundays, track workout Tuesdays?), run on the (beloved) T-mill twice a week (easy mileage or speedwork, depending), and then do 4-7 miles outdoors at either my mother's or the Sand Run path (the former when school starts again). 

We are also joining a GYM!  My mother is gifting us a membership!  It has two pools, and access to lap lanes is open most of the time, so I can get back to swimming!  Also, one of the SARC ladies is a member and will meet up with me to lift weights.  Better break out the weight-training books.

Maybe, MAYBE will run the towpath half marathon on 10.10.10.  I think if I build mileage these next couple of weeks, then finagle a training plan that includes a couple of ten-milers and lots of cross-training (SWIM!), I might be able to fit to run it by October.  Probably won't PR, but it might feel pretty good to feel closer to my former fitness (a la me and Liz at the 2008 Hermes 10-Miler!):

Crap.

Too hot, I guess.  I like to run pretty empty-stomached and had finished eating by about 2:00 today.  Around 8:00, I had a fruit leather.  So by 10:00, I was sure I wasn't too full of food to run.  I set the (beloved) T-mill at 400 calories over 38 minutes, and felt pretty strong until just after the first big interval.  Queasy!  I hopped of with ten minutes to go.  Boo. 

Tomorrow, my window to run is something like 3:30-4:30 (garage sale clean-up/husband time, AM; James Taylor and Carole King with my mom, PM), which is likely to be HOTTER. 

Today's problems and tomorrow's solutions:

1. Heat- Okay, I can't fix the weather.  But maybe I can convince the Writer to haul out a box fan and position it for me.  May also try wetting my hair before I run.

2. Hydration- I had a couple of drinks last night (as I do every night lately, because I don't have to work!) and may not have properly re-hydrated throughout the day, especially for this kind of heat.

3. Sloshy belly- Eat more throughout the day.  I had a small breakfast and was STARVING by lunch, of which I then ate a ton.  I'd also been feeling some digestive upset in the morning; perhaps eating something gentler (or taking some Pepto) would have helped.

Still not feeling very confident about running on the roads, or about joining the running club.  Their next meeting is Tuesday, so I may just show up and ask some questions (and join the pre-meeting run?).  I could use some solidarity, I guess...they also have a slower division/sub-club.  They might turn out to be my people!

Now to shower off my shame...

10 and 10 by 10/10/10

I am aiming to lose 1o pounds and knock 10 minutes off my half marathon time by 10/10/10. Today I went to my first track workout since April. I'm going to be sore tomorrow (in fact, am super sore right now) but am excited to finally have some time to devote to running, yoga, and going to the gym.

2.5 miles warmup

A2 workout: 600-1000-1000-600-1000-600, 4x150 hills

2.5 miles cooldown