The Verdict…

…is still out.

There are a couple of things that regularly seem to happen in my life: I hear what I want to hear and I don’t hear what I need to hear. Now this doesn’t happen all the time but occasionally and sometimes when it happens it is a royal bummer.

Thursday I had an appointment with a trainer. I was excited to just pick her brain for a minute and I really wanted to talk nutrition and fueling with her. I showed up for the appointment and she was great. She runs, a little. She has a half marathon under her belt but her main thing is weight training and getting people into shape. She asked me what I needed from her. Easy. I need a few things. I need someone to hang out with me all day to hand me healthy snacks at the right time, the perfect snacks to feed my muscles and to keep me from storing calories. I need someone to create a perfect training plan for me that integrates ALL my key (social) races. I need a 24/7 personal assistant/trainer. Can you do that? “What do you mean NO? What kind of business is this?”

In all seriousness I have a few issues.

1) I train. A lot. I work out hard and burn countless calories. On my Dailymile I see that I have burned 50 pounds of fat,  burned over 964 donuts, gone over 1,414 miles (biking, swimming and running), done 286 workouts, gone .06 around the stinking world (I’m on my way people!). So why on earth do I have 24% body fat? How is that possible? Not saying I have anywhere near 50 pounds to lose, I would be gross and sickly, but I do have some extra poundage that is preventing me from performing at my full potential. I am not at my ideal race weight.

2) I don’t know what to eat and when and I feel hungry all the time.

3) I feel like I lack direction with my workouts and training. I need a yearly plan and that is hard considering I love to race. It is my hobby and it makes me happy.

To these issues she told me, “You need to cut back. You’re doing too much. Your body is in shock. Your calories are too low. You are not eating enough of the right calories and you body is breaking down muscle. When you do eat your body stores it. You need to back off.”

I was mad. Hot. Steaming. Seething. Boiling. Angry. I stopped listening. I mean I listened with my ears but I was no longer processing what she said. I did not blog last night because I needed to re-hear what she had told me and I needed to think about it. I needed to sit with it. How can I be doing too much? I feel fine. My body is fine. I’m not injured. I am doing what I love! How is this too much? How is this bad? How is my  exercising making me store fat? What is going on? What does this mean? I work out too much therefore I can’t lose 10 pounds? This is ridiculous! Absurd. Redonkulous! Heart breaking. Sad. Anger-inducing. How do elite athletes do it? There has to be a way. It is some people’s job to work out 8 hours a day. Not mine but they can do it, why can’t I? I didn’t go there to hear that I needed to cut back. I went there to find out how I can eat better so that I can continue to do what I am doing. Is this not hearing what I need to hear? Hearing what I want? Was I taking it wrong? I came home in a rotten mood.

But realistically I know she is right. Kind of. She said I was eating about 1000 calories too few. I need to eat more of what I am already eating. My 6 meals a day is working. I have lost 2 pounds since beginning that. I just need to eat a little bit more and the right mix of protein, fat, and carbs.

Overall, yes.  I need to rest more but really running 4/5 times a week, swimming 2/3 times a week and biking maybe 1/2 times a week is not too much. It just isn’t.  I was crushed to hear that someone is telling me to back off. Can you tell a dog not to fetch a ball? A grandma not to knit? A painter not to paint? A gardener not to weed? This is what I do. This is my hobby. I enjoy it and want to keep doing it. It’s like telling someone to cut back the booze, or cut back smoking…. Only cut back exercise. ????  I am not injured. I don’t really see any immediate risk to my health. Although last night as I sat, with my back to the laundry room door, head on my knees, I cried. How could something that we have always been told is good for us (people as a whole) be not working? I started exercising to lose weight, and then to keep it off. I don’t wont this to come across wrong, I am truly happy with my current healthy weight, BUT with that being said I am only a few pounds under my healthy weight. Even a 10 pound loss would put me a few pounds above my lowest healthy weight. I want be at a healthy, lighter race weight. But as I sat, having my own pity party crying The Hubs pointed out that maybe, just maybe this is how overtraining manifests in me. Maybe I am overstrained and the result is an emotional burst?

It boils down to this: What started out as a means to lose weight is now preventing me from losing weight. I need to eat and fuel better and train smarter. Bottom line.

Now I just need to figure out HOW to manage it. How to safely do it and how to do it in a healthy manner. I take rest days. I took Saturday and Sunday and Thursday off! That is three good, quality rest days. The trainer of course said I needed to implement at least 2 days of strength training. Yeah. How does that fit in with my doing too much? Hm…I know she is right. I do need strength training. Muscle burns fat even when at rest. But how do I fit in yet another TWO workouts when I am already over-taxed?

Here is my answer:

I will seek out the right kind of trainer for me. Someone who can incorporate all my key races into one plan that combines running, biking, swimming and weights AND nutrition. The trainer I met with was great. She just wasn’t what I am needing. I am floundering and I need direction.

Beginning in Jan 2011 (I know, that is far out. but keep in mind these are long term life changes) and now when I can I will plan my race calendar and not race because there is a race, it’s close and I want to. I will put them methodically on my race calendar and train properly for each one,  or use them within training (like race a 10 mile before a half marathon) whether it be a running race or a tri it matters not. As of now I have races all over the place: Half marathon, sprint tri, Olympic tri, full marathons….it is impossible to do all those plans at once and to train properly for any of them.

So I have decided to cut back just a little bit. Today I swam 2600 meters. That is all. No run. No bike. Just swim. Tomorrow is rest. Sunday is an easy 8-10 miles run. And if you know of any online training and nutrition coaches pass the info along…

What are your thoughts on this? Do share. I just felt so defeated and frustrated. So give it to me, the blunt, the truth, and your experience.

10!

10 is the number of 400 repeats I did today!

Although I didn't see his comment until AFTER my run, I feel like I should say THANK YOU to Mr. Running Man Wannabe for his light kick in the behind regarding all my whining as of late….So Andrew, there you go: Thanks. BUT, guess what? I’m still gonna whine. And yes, I would like some cheese please!

Sarah and I decided to meet at 9 AM despite the heat advisory and the High Ozone Alert. Right now (as I write this) we are sitting at 99 degrees. Someone tell me when I actually moved to the SUN? Anyway, how do you prepare for an hour of speed work at the track when you know it is going to be unbearably hot?

With a frozen water bottle, two water bottles with ice water, an empty shaker with protein powder waiting for water for after the run, and a bottle with frozen AMP in it. I learned that if I put my performance drink in the freezer the night before it is perfect for the morning workout! By the time I am ready to drink some it has melted just enough. And it slowly melts but stays refreshingly cool! SCORE!

I had 10x400 repeats on the plan for last week but I quit after 6. I was hot and felt like I couldn’t breath. Today, when I met Sarah at the track I told her I wanted to do 10, but would be happy with at least 7.  I got started and quickly lost count. With my Garmin set to Interval training I don’t really have to keep track, it tells me when to go fast and when to slow down and best of all it tells me when I am DONE. With my recovery laps I jogged mostly but I was not too proud to walk. It’s just not smart to over do it in those high temps.

I also re-evaluated my “5k race pace”. The plan says to run 10x 400 at a 5k pace. I generally run these at what I wish my 5k pace is, anywhere from a 6 min/mile to 7 min/mile pace. Today I tried to bring the pace up mainly so that I could complete all 10 repeats. It worked. My fasted lap was my first and 1:41 (or 6:45 min/mile pace) my slowest fast was repeat #6 at 1:57 (or 7:49 min/mile pace). I would be thrilled with a 5k at a 7:49 min/mile pace.

I am hoping my last ditch effort with speed work will make a difference come June 25 when I toe the line to Rock N Roll Seattle because apparently, when I registered for this race months ago I had HIGH hopes for a serious 4 min PR! I got my confirmation sheet today and this is what slapped me in the face: Predicted Finish Time: 1:51. Uhhhh…..ok? I guess I’ll be racing!! I’m actually kind of excited for my first ambulance ride! Who’s with me?

Anyone else in corral 7?

Here I am, in my I Just Completed My Speed Workout pose:

After the speed work I skipped my swim workout. There was no way I could do it…Tomorrow though is a bike ride and I wont skip my swim.

Life is simple when you are oxygen deprived…

Have you ever noticed how when you are working out the only thing you really have to worry about is breathing, not tripping, pace, time, mileage, energy exertion and the such? So much simpler than the real-life, grown up jobs, big girl decisions, parenting, day care issues, grocery lists and the dinner menu that occupy my thoughts most of the time these days.

Dude…I am sore and tired. It almost feels like I am in the thick of marathon training. But I’m not. It’s that soreness where your body is like what is going on here? And your muscles are in shock. I am so tired that I literally go! go! go! all day then lay down in my bed and BAM! Next thing I know it is 6:15 AM. I have been sleeping so well, it’s nuts.

What is different? What have I changed?

Hmm, funny you should ask. I have in fact changed a few things. For starters, take a gander at my Weekly Mileage over to your right. I have upped my weekly running mileage, a little. It’s still not where I would like it to be but you can’t go 0 to 30 in one week. That, my friends is a fast ticket to injury. 10% increase per week is a good rule of thumb. I have also been doing weekly speed work. Speaking of speed work I will be hitting the track in the morning with my buddy-ole-pal Sarah. I will be making another attempt at 10x400m. The last two weeks I have only eeked out 6 due to heat and humidity and fear for my life. Tomorrow I will do at least 7 but hopefully 10 400 repeats with a recovery lap between.

Today started out to be one of those days. You know, the kind where I should have just stayed in bed. I seemed to have lost my mind lately. They say (not quite sure who they are but they say it nonetheless) that one can only remember seven things at a time. So if you are trying to remember your to-do list you’re better off just writing it down. I have a lot on my mental to-do list having to do with training, miles, swims, runs, bike rides, meeting times and places, times to drop off and pick up LB, new schedules, trips, races, travel, work, work trainings, new jobs, quitting old jobs….just a LOT floating around inside my head. That is why I am almost frantically hitting my workouts. I need them. During the hour or two that I am running, swimming or biking (if I would ever get around to it) I don’t have to think about anything. I only have to think about running, paces, mile splits, form, or my stroke, kick, pull, breathing. Life is simple when I am working out.

When I am working out it doesn’t matter that I have to put in my two weeks notice to my current employer. It doesn’t matter that I have a ton of stuff to do. At that time the only thing that matters is me working out. But soon enough it is over and I have to come back to reality.

Today I went for a run at around 10:40 AM. I wanted to hurry so I could make it to Masters Swim by 11. I headed out on my run WAY too fast for the heat and humidity. My first mile was 7:48. Oops. I felt good but there was no way I could sustain that…or was there? My second mile was 8:15. Not too shabby. I had to run into a gym to get a drink of water and lost some time but my last two miles were pretty awful. Not gonna lie, I walked. It was so hot. I was dripping wet with sweat and felt like I was going to spontaneously combust at any moment, but I was too wet so I would actually just smolder like an old, wet hay bale (any farmers reading my blog?).

I made it to the pool and was so happy at the thought of jumping in the cool water. Boy was I wrong…that water was 86 degrees. Ick. That just tells you how hot it is. It did feel good though. better than running. The swim coach had the workout posted: 2500 meters. Oh boy. The pool is a 50 meter pool. You wouldn’t think so but it makes a huge difference swimming in a 50 meter pool vs. a 25 meter pool.  She tore my stroke apart, in a good way and was correcting a lot of old habits. Hopefully it will make me a faster, more efficient swimmer.

So, right now, at this very moment I am tired. My body is tired and my mind is tired. I just want to go to bed, and get up tomorrow and do it all over again…while I still can. Full time job begins July 1. No more mid morning runs. No more Masters Swim, no more, no more, no more…

Saucony and Onlineshoes.com Winner!

It is time to pick the winner of my Saucony shoes giveaway courtesy of Onlineshoes.com!

The lucky winner is Mandi with an “I”!!!

Here is the winning comment:

So Mandi, I hope you enjoy your ProGrid Xodus 2.0 in Black and Pink of course!!  Email me ASAP so I can get you hooked up (email is found in the contact me tab above right)! And Jess @ Blonde Ponytail…darn the luck! Her winning comment is nestled snuggly in between all of Blonde Ponytail’s…look at the times, all three of those at 9:41 AM.

Thank you all for entering! I so wish I had a pair to give everyone! We all could use $100 to put towards our running habit. But alas, I only got one pair to give away…..

I’ll be back tomorrow to tell you all about my first day of Masters Swim!! Can you say 2,700 meters swam? I can and I am heading back for more tomorrow-after my run of course!

Racing Vs. Running-Secret of the Elite…

….from a not-so-elite.

Do you run or race? Is there a difference?

Dude, that 10 mile race tore me up! I am sore. What happened? I ran hard, yes. Probably harder than I have in a very long time. My ankles are sore, my legs are sore, my shoulders are sore…my body is sore. It’s good I guess since I have RnR Seattle in just 3 short weeks. I’m still undecided about how I will run this race: Race it? Run for fun? Race for fun? Shoot for another PR (it holds my current 13.1 PR of 1:55). I’m not sure I really know how to race a 13.1. Sure, I know how to run it but actually race? What does it mean to race anyway?

To me, racing is where I leave it all out there on the course, where I very well may collapse at the end (or sooner for that matter) and need to be drug to the hotel (or ER). Where my body hurts and my brain is screaming at me to slow down, but despite all that I push harder! Where my body tells my brain to shut it’s trap and pushes against the pesky brain who is screaming to just let off a little bit. Where I know I have never run a sub 8:20 pace for an entire 13.1 but the race is the time time and place to do it so I do it and I run faster than I have ever trained and harder than I thought possible….yeah, that is racing! I don’t know if I can do that. I don’t know if I have ever really done that, not even in HS x-country. It is hard to push yourself to those limits, to purposely put yourself in pain. It is hard to overcome the mental side of racing, where my brain tells me my body hurts and I can just slow down. Where my brain says, “What’s the point? You’re not an elite. You’re not going to win. Just save yourself the pain and slow down.”

It’s true. I’m not an elite. I am not winning Overall or even Age Group. BUT….but I was reading the blog of the woman who got second in Iron Man Texas, Kelly Handel, and it is clear that there is not much difference between her and I, other than her “comfortable” 6:50 min/mile marathon pace (and all her sponsors and her awesome tri bike, muscles, 0% body fat, shall I go on?). One difference is she knows how to race and she does it. Well. She knows how to push her body and exceed her limits through pain. She knows she will not die if she pushes to extremes. She has a strong mental game. She can push her body. I bet she trains to do that. It takes experience to know your limits and the line that you should be crossing in a race. Can I do that?

I’m certainly not saying I want to be an elite Iron (wo)Man, that just might be crazy, but I would like to scale the wall in my brain that eerily resembles the Great Wall of China, so that I can improve and push my own limits. It almost seems that the elites are some sort of super-human athletes. But are they? Or do they just have super-human mental abilities? Yes, physical fitness and prowess is key but in order to make it to that level of fitness and competing it takes a strong mind, a mind that says, “I can do this. I WILL do this.” and “The pain will not last forever.” And mostly, a mind that can shut out all common sense that says the human body should not feel pain and should not be able to swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles, then run 13.1 miles…the strong, elite mind says the body can and should do it and not only that but it can and should do it fast, faster than anyone else, better than anyone else…Go out, do it fast, get it over with and WIN.

I have unlocked the secret of the elite…….you’re welcome.

**And lastly, if you haven’t already, enter my Saucony shoe giveaway courtesy of onlineshoes.com! Contest ends tomorrow so do it now! click HERE!

Army Birthday 10-Miler

Done and done….

I like this racing on a Friday morning business. Now I have my long run for the weekend out of the way which leaves tomorrow morning open for a possible 5k. I said possible…

So for some reason I was nervous before this morning’s race. I don’t really think I was this nervous before my 70.3 a few weeks ago. Don’t get me wrong though, I was nervous before that but it hit about 10 minutes before the start. I actually had a hard time sleeping last night due to some nerves. Was it because the 10 mile race distance is new? Or the fact that I knew I would be trying new fuel and hydration during this race? The weather, heat and humidity? Or it could have been that I haven’t really had a good, solid run over 8 miles since March 20 when I did Tobacco Road half. I have been off lately. But not any more folks…..I’m baaaaack!

I got to the the start and parked at about 6:05 AM. I texted Sarah and headed to our meeting spot. At about 6:20 she and Rachel showed up…strolling in 5 Mile Style, fashionably late. We hit the restrooms and had time for a quick picture.

It was time to head to the start so we made our way to the crowd. We said our good-byes and good-lucks and I headed up to the 9 min/mile pace marker. I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I thought a 9 min pace could be pushing it for me.

Before I new it we were off and running. 10 miles, no biggie. Just 10. 10 is where I usually have a mental bonk in the half marathon, that last 3.1 just stinks. So today I just kept my head full of confidence boosting thoughts, positive thoughts.  I listened to my iPod, Rea asked me in a comment last night why headphones and iPods aren’t allowed. Honestly I don’t know, usually there are a plethora of reasons. Some say it is unsafe (and safety is a huge issue in the military) because you can’t hear traffic or warnings. The course was completely closed so there was no danger of a random car coming out of nowhere. Some say it takes away from the comradery and chit chat among athletes. Sorry, not racing to make friends, although I’m not adverse to it. I train to make friends, run and have fun to make friends but I race to race. I need to focus and music helps me do that, sometimes. Not saying that sometimes I wont go sans headphones but I like to have that option. So I ran with my music knowing that if I were to win age group or anything I could very well be DQ’d. Oh well.

So I had my music on and the miles were passing by. I had my Nathan Handheld full of Cytomax (fruit punch flavor). For the first 5 miles it tasted pretty good and went down easy. I avoided the water stops which were a nightmare. At the mile 7 water stop I poured some fresh water into my water bottle just to cool it off and to dilute the last little bit of Cytomax I had left. It was starting to taste like liquid jell-o. It was starting to not be good. But…BUT I could tell it was making a huge difference! I felt good! My legs were great and I had energy! I hadn’t had a run like this in weeks. I am sold on performance drinks. Now I just have to find the perfect one!

I am really happy with my times. Too bad I couldn’t hold out in miles 3, 4 and 6 to keep a sub 9 pace but in my defense, check out the elevation. Hmm….uphill miles 3, 4 and 6. Ok, ok. I won’t beat myself up. Too much. What is a 100 feet elevation gain anyway? Is that a lot?

In the last 4 miles I was just checking people off. Passing them one by one. People were slowing on the uphill of mile 6, and I was too but they were slowing more. So I would pass them. I would set my sight on a ponytail and catch it,  as The Hubs put it in his tri “Smoke’n Alien Heads” (they wear those crazy alien-looking helmets).  I set my sights on a female up ahead, she was wearing the bright yellow tempo shorts with dots, bright neon yellow shirt, knee high socks bright yellow with green and orange stripes at the top, and a bright yellow Under Armour headband. She was mine. Mostly because her bright colors made her a target. I caught her…only I realized there was no ponytail. In fact it was a dude. Oh….snap. Sorry dude but I just chicked you because I thought you were a chick. I was thoroughly confused as to why I thought he was a chick. Maybe because he was wearing female Nike Tempo shorts? And a female headband? And girly high knee socks? And he had great, shaved legs that were quite slender and feminine? Sorry man.  It was obvious once I was right there that he was a dude. That was strange. So I set my sights on a more obvious female, clear pony tail, hips, and pink and black shoes. I passed her…..

Not a single female passed me in the last 4 miles UNTIL about mile 9. I was mad but I just didn’t have much fight left in me when the female I had passed earlier came back for revenge, with her pony tail, hips and pink and black shoes. As she went by I thought maybe she was kicking too early and maybe she might slow. I kept her close and held out for the last minute pass. With about .5 left a dude jumped in to run with her. Dang. She had a pacer and a finishing partner. I needed that. I needed The Hubs to jump in right then and yell at me to run faster and to get her. But she upped her pace just a bit and I knew I could not catch her. Although at the last 100 yards my pace was a 6:36 min/mile. I had some kick but not enough. She beat me.

I made my way through the finish line to the finish area. I was feeling the effort of my run in my legs but walking helped. I was handed my Commemorative Coin, instead of a medal, and grabbed some water. I’m not sure how I am going to put this on my medal display but trust me, I will find a way.

Sarah and Rachel finished and I found them in the finishers area! We watched a little bit of the awards and were blown away by the finishing times. Seriously, some of these 10 miles times are faster than my 12k. I wish I were that fast…guess I would need to train a little lot harder.

Here we are, still smiling, before heading home.

Overall I am happy with my run and I really like the 10 mile race distance. I wish there were more of those around! Have you ever done a 10  mile race? And how many kilometers is 10 miles?

Racing on a Friday?

Who ever heard of such craziness?

Well apparently it happens every now and then! Tomorrow Ft. Bragg is celebrating the Army’s birthday by hosting a 10 mile run. This will be my first 10 mile race. I have always thought 10 miles would be a great race distance for me. Long enough but not too long….I’ll see how it goes.

Here is my pile for the morning!

Not pictured is my Garmin, iPod (which technically isn’t allowed, undecided about what I will do about that), and Body Glide.

With the heat and humidity the race start is a starling 6:30 AM. I think it should be below 80 degrees and lets hope the humidity is below 80% as well!

I am carrying my Nathan Handheld tomorrow (it is chilling in the fridge with Cytomax in it) since I have been experimenting with hydration  and performance drinks like AMP and Cytomax. So far, unbelievably, I see a difference. I know, imagine that? The AMP (Amplified Endurance Booster) tastes like straight you-don’t-want-to-know. It is gross. Strangely though when I am mid workout and dying of thirst and heat it is bearable. It is the 30 min before exercise that kills me. But I am working with Cytomax as well and it tastes much better. After my 70.3 run bonk I am sold on performance drinks and their use and importance during extended periods of exercise. What took me so long? Duh….Seriously, I have no idea. I’m creeping out my GU Chomps box and seeing what else is out there! Do you regularly train with performance drinks? What do you like/dislike?

The AMP boasts some impressive results in clinical research:

• Clinically Shown to Improve Finish Time by Nearly 5 Minutes.
• Maximize Energy During High Intensity Exercise.
• Loaded with Electrolytes, Carbohydrates, BCAA & Hydrolystates to Rapidly Replenish Glycogen Stores.

You can read more HERE….but like I said it tastes nasty. Other than that, when consumed as directed so far I have seen a difference.

Anyone else doing an Amy Birthday Run tomorrow? I think they are being held all over.

Sorry for the short post but I’m off to bed!

Happy National Running Day!

Did you run today?

Get your Badge HERE…today only!

I had grand plans of 9, count them NINE 400’s at a 5k pace. Yeah, um I tried. It was so hot and humid I couldn’t breath. I ended up with 6x400’s @ much faster than a 5k pace with a recovery lap between. All said and done with the warm up and cool down I hit 4 miles. I’m ok with that. I need to save my legs any way for Friday mornings Army 10 miler.  I’m excited to be working on some speed. I have no idea where I stand pace-wise anymore. I am all over the place with my times. I am thinking it is this crazy weather BUT the weather isn’t going anywhere so this is how my running is now. I have to accept that.

After my run I hit the pool for a swim.  I met a lady who is running a new Master’s Swim program that meets from 11-1 daily!! Score!! Only I have been offered two different full time jobs which will drastically change my workout routine…11-1 swims will be out of the question, as will mid day runs and workouts. Soon I will be begging you all for tips on juggling full-time employment, running, family and fun. Seems impossible!! But I know many of you all do it every single day and MY HAT’S OFF TO YOU because it is seeming ominous and impossible right now.

I ran twice while on the Beach Vacation! I am quite proud of myself! I was actually excited to get up at 6:30 and hit the road by the beach!  Saturday I got up and out the door excited for my 10 miler. I made it 8 miles. It was so hot and humid. I sound like a broken record. I was running by 6:40 and it just got worse and worse…the air was so thick I had to karate chop my way through it.

Here is a surfer dude hitting the gnarly waves as I was heading out…

Self-time pic of me before my run…

I made a small jaunt off the road and found this cute path along the beach. It was amazing to run along the beach and to just take in the beauty!

But, alas all good things must come to an end. The trail suddenly turned into sand and I knew I was not about to go sand-running at that point.  I turned around and decided that was a good point to head back.

I ran out of water at about mile 5. I stopped to put my face in a sprinkler just as an ambulance was driving by. I saw them as they laughed at me. I thought, Go ahead and laugh…you’ll be back for me in 10 min. Who will have the last laugh then…huh? I made my way back, taking in all the beautiful beach houses and their fun colors. Even though I was hot and suffocating it was so awesome to have new scenery!

I ran into J-Ninja who was heading out for her morning run and turned to run with her for literally 2 minutes before I knew I had to turn back around and head to the house.  Once I got the the house I headed to the back yard, to the pool…I kicked off my shoes (because they are still new), took off my Garmin and tossed my iPod to the side and just walked right into the pool…It felt so good!

If you look closely LB is in the right hand corner, swimming already. That kid knows how to live it up on vacation! The Hubs was up and waiting for me to get back so he could go for a ride on his new tri bike.  So we traded lifeguard duty, which was fun with me. I stayed in the pool for about 30 min just cooling off.

Sunday morning I decided to go three miles. About a half mile into that hot and muggy run I got calf cramps in both legs. I thought about turning around and walking home but did some stretching and funny walking then started running again. I’ve never really gotten cramps like that before. It was strange and painful to say the least.

Tomorrow I have an easy swim and yoga on the agenda so that I can be prepared for Friday’s race.  How about you!? What is on your agenda for the day and any races coming up?

Did you run today in celebration of National Running Day????

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to enter my Saucony Shoe Giveaway HERE!! It’s not too late!!