Giving away 2 Fleet Feet coupons

Hi all,

I have two Fleet Feet coupons that I will not be using. One is for 15% off a sports bra for the ladies (of course) or 15% off apparel for men. The other is 10% off the "hydration system of your choice" which includes Fuel Belt, Ultimate Direction, Nathan, Gatorade Endurance, Ultima and Endurolytes. I will be glad to give these to anyone who can use them, just let me know via email at cvutera@ent.umsmed.edu.

Saturday's run was better than my last few runs. My feet still hurt, the balls of my feet more specifically, but it wasn't as bad as it had been. I did 9 miles and had permission to do up to 15 but since I was hurting I felt I would wait to really push myself until the big one. My Sole Custom Inserts should be arriving today and I have high hopes for them. We'll see.

I am getting extremely excited about Chicago and it's all I can do to stay focused at work. Yall's blogs lately have been making me shed many tears. Who would have thought this whole thing would have been so much more than just running? I love you guys! See you all Saturday for the last group run (boo hoo)!

Christa

Shoe/feet update

I saw Wayne the Magic Man yesterday and let me tell you that I feel excitement about this whole thing again! It had been gone for over a month at least and honestly, I was pretty much ready to throw in the towel, but I once again have hope that I can get through this! Wayne watched me walk and had me do other exercises and he said that since I don't have an injury and since I am having a different problem on different parts of my feet each time I try new shoes, the problem is not with my feet but with my shoes. I brought in the old Filas that I was going to get a new pair of and the Sauconys that I was going to return. He said he doesn't like Filas because they are made more for tennis than for running. He traced the Filas and the Sauconys and showed me that the Filas were about a centimeter narrower than the Sauconys and that the outside bones were hurting in the Filas because they were too narrow. The balls of my feet were hurting with the Sauconys and he said that could probably be remedied with the Fleet Feet inserts that I had in my Filas. So he put the Fleet Feet inserts in my Sauconys and they felt fine this morning when I ran, but they always do until I get to a longer run. I guess the real test will be Saturday. I ordered the inserts Lisa Davis told me about even though Wayne said they may or may not help. I also talked to Wayne about not having done a 20 or 22 miler and about having walked the last 7 of my 18 and feeling like I haven't done enough long distances and he said he would talk to Mark about me doing a longer run on Saturday, maybe 14, 16 or 18. So, Mark emailed me before Wayne talked to Mark and I told him the whole story and Mark said...

"As far as doing more this Saturday, I'm not sure about that. Yes, you walked the last seven miles. I walked my last 8 miles two years ago and got a medal. The biggest thing is do you think you are mentally tough enough to gut out an extra 8 or 10 miles from you longest run? I'm not sure that the extra miles will do anything more than boost your confidence but might add more fatigue on the back end. If you need the boost go for it. If you can psyche yourself to leave it all on the race course, I would do 10 miles and rest for the race. I've done two marathons with 16 miles being my longest run. It was hard and it was a mental battle but I did it!"

Mark is so incredibly awesome as you all already know!!!!! That is all I needed to hear! So I replied and said...

"Right now, my confidence is in as bad of shape as my feet are. But I know I'll be able to do it mentally on race day, as long as I'm physically prepared for it. If I have 2 good runs each of the next Saturdays, then that will boost my confidence tremendously. If you think that physically I have done enough, then I am fine with that and I will just do the last two Saturday runs as planned and not risk getting over tired. "

So that is my plan. I share all of this with you because I know of MANY of you out there that are in a similar situation as me. If we can maintain our current physical ability and boost our confidence up to where it needs to be, then we can do this. I know that is harder said than done for those of us dealing with "physical issues," but this is it. There is no more time left. It's do or die and this is what we've been shedding our blood, sweat and tears toward for these last eight months. This is the mental battle that will stop us like a brick wall or keep us moving forward. To anyone who is having issues, I say do what you can for the next two weeks and then run like hell come marathon day! I really do think that our "pain" will be different somehow on that day! See you all Saturday you awesome marathoners you!

I NEED HELP, PLEASE!!!!

I am having serious problems with my feet and shoes and I need advice, please. Let me give you all as brief of a history of my problems as I can:

July 21, 16 miler: The bones of the outside of my left foot felt like they were being crushed starting around mile 15. Limped back to Lakeshore that last mile. Foot sore for a day or two afterward.

August 11, 9 miler: Same problem same place, started at the end of the 10 mile run. Foot sore again for a while.

August 25, 20 miler: Same problem same place, started at about mile 11, walked/limped back to Lakeshore having run only about 11. Went to Fleet Feet and they explained that I was probably wearing the wrong type of shoe. My shoes had too much support in them and they did not allow my feet to move they way they wanted to. They put me in the cushiest pair of Nikes they had that were neutral support.

September 8, 10 miler: New Nikes, only made it about 4 or 5 miles before I got a new pain in a new part of my OTHER foot. Cushy Nikes felt really comfortable until I could see my right foot pronating and felt pain (obviously from the pronating) at mile 4 or 5. Finished 8 miles but foot was VERY sore afterwards. Went to Fleet Feet again and they gave me medium support Sauconys.

September 15, 22 miler: New shoes again, made it about 5 miles before toes and pad of left foot started hurting/cramping badly, then the sore spot on the other foot from the 10 miler the weekend before that was already sore to begin with started hurting much worse. Gave up running shortly after the turn around at Foxbay, walked back to the intersection where Sheila picked me up (THANK YOU Sheila!) .

Okay folks, I'm TOTALLY frustrated and VERY concerned and don't know what to do. The pain doesn't start until mile 5 or 6 so I NEVER have it during the week. I only know on Saturdays what my feet/shoes are going to do. I've changed shoes 3 times and at this point the only thing I know to do is go back to my original shoe (Fila) and try that again because it got me the farthest distance (18 miles) and I'm quickly running out of time here. I wonder if maybe the Fleet Feet inserts I had in my Filas where bothering my left foot 'cause it only hurt in that one spot in those shoes. Lisa Davis (the horn playing turtle), gave me a website that sells really good inserts/soles (Sole Custom Footbeds) that are heat moldable. She said she had bad feet problems her first year and doesn't wear anything but these in her shoes. So right now my plan is to order those inserts and go back to Fleet Feet and get my original Filas and just hope for the best. I haven't seen Wayne or anyone about this because I don't have an injury I just have random pains in my feet. Any advise on my problem would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! Thank you all!

Christa

Feet don't fail me now!

Hi all,

I am so sorry for not having blogged in such a long time and for not showing up for the Saturday run, again. I had great intentions to but my stomach had other plans. I was horribly ill all Friday night and I got up Saturday morning and got dressed but my stomach decided it was not a good idea. After all the fun I had in the woods at Foxbay the last time I just didn't have the guts to chance it. So I went back to bed and felt horrible all day but made it to the meeting and was so glad I went. That really made me excited and nervous, didn't it you guys too? I did 8 miles on Sunday and was planning on doing all 10 but damn it if my feet and/or shoes are not cooperating. I was wearing my brand new super cushy Nikes, and they felt really comfortable except that I could see my right foot pronating and it began to hurt at mile 4 or 5. I toughed it out and finished 8 but my foot was soooooooo sore and I was absolutely frustrated afterwards. I have been having foot problems since the 18 where it felt like I was crushing the outer bones in my foot. After I was only able to do 14 of the 20 I went to Fleet Feet for a shoe change and they gave me these Nikes which were not as structured as the Filas I was wearing, and they felt great and super cushy and did not hurt the one spot on my foot that hurt before, but they are obviously not stable enough to support my other foot that pronates. UGH! I asked the guy if anyone has ever worn 2 different shoes and he laughed at me. So anyway, now I'm in a pair of Sauconys (sp) and I'm anxious to try them out tomorrow. I'm nervous though 'cause I'm running out of time to find the right shoe. This seems crazy that I still have not found the right shoe.

So, I'm anxious for Saturday since I feel like I have not been a very good marathoner for the last couple months. I've not been training during the week well or enough, not blogging and responding to blogs, not eating right, and not hydrating enough which leads to not running very well on Saturdays (duh). Did everyone read Matt's blog? Whoa, that hit home for me. Sometimes I think that I purposefully sabatoge myself. That's insane, I know. I realize though that for whatever reason, I have not done a very good job in my training for Chicago, but it will motivate me to do better next time now that I know what I'm up against and how impossible it is to "just get by." You all need to know though that your encouragement, support and friendship has been the most important and vital part of my training. Really you guys, you all are what has gotten me this far. I PROMISE that I would have dropped out a long time ago if it wasn't for my new MM friends pushing me and encouraging me when times got tough. You all are so dear to me and I can't thank you enough for all that you give. I better stop now before the water in my eyes starts dripping. See you all Saturday!

Took a break!

I'm sorry I was a no-show on Saturday but I decided Friday night that I was just very, very tired and that I needed a break. So I went to bed without setting my alarm and I slept until 9:30. It felt good to sleep in but yes, I felt guilty afterwards. I rested all weekend and am ready to get back into the swing of things. It was nice to take a break but I miss running and I am worried about losing my momentum. Most of all I missed seeing you guys. Really, the Saturday group runs are what gets me through the week. I'm looking forward to this Saturday and to the Chicago meeting. That will make it all the more real! Keep up the great work guys! You all are the best!!!!!

Really bad day and TMI!

Saturday was a nightmare from the moment I woke up, late. I was house sitting Friday night and I miscalculated my route and drive time to Lakeshore Park. So I got there 5 to 10 minutes after you all had left. That made me mad at myself, but it gave me energy to get going and try to catch up, which I did, somewhat. So I was going along fine through Foxbay when all of a sudden I had to make an emergency pitstop in the woods. It was humiliating and miserable, as some of you know from experience. So I got going again but felt drained and weak and tired, but I kept on for a while until I had to make another emergency pitstop in the woods. At this point I was feeling pretty horrible and I was contemplating going back to the intersection to go back to my car but I decided to push myself and keep going to the boat launch again. Just then Mark and Cookie passed me and Mark asked how I felt. Well, somewhere back in the woods I lost my ability to censor my thoughts and I told Mark exactly how I felt, and it wasn't pretty! Talk about TMI! I am so sorry Mark and Cookie! Please excuse my vulgarity! So I kept going and was feeling okay until I got back to the intersection when all of a sudden I was feeling a horrible pain on the outer bone of my left foot. I honestly felt like I was crushing the bones in my foot. And worse yet is that this happened at the end of the last two long runs. Luckily Robin was there checking on water and she said that I should go to Fleet Feet and have them check it out and then go to Wayne if they couldn't help. So I walked with a limp back to Lakeshore and called it done. Feeling mad, discouraged and totally disappointed, I went to Fleet Feet and a wonderful man there explained that I was probably wearing the wrong type of shoe. My shoes had too much support in them and they did not allow my feet to move they way they wanted to. It totally made sense and I was instantly relieved and encouraged. So go figure, I've been wearing the wrong shoe all along. Since my foot is still sore I didn't run this morning to test out the new shoes, but I think I'll be able to run tomorrow. And depending on how I feel by the end of the week, I'm thinking about trying to do 20 next Saturday instead of 10. I just feel like I need to get that mileage in. So, that's my pathetic story and I'm looking forward to having a better report next week. I must say though that I am so proud of you all and you all looked great out there. I really missed being there with you all before the run and at the start and mostly during the run. You guys are awesome and really are the only thing keeping me motivated. I love you guys, you marathoners!!!

It's ALL mental!

Okay guys, I realized something on Saturday (another epiphany?). At this point in our training, it is ALL mental! Really, it is! I know that because I went to bed Friday night with the intention of having a really good run on Saturday. I woke up Saturday morning with that same intention and guess what??? I had a great run! In fact, I had my best, fastest run yet. And I did this because I thought after the 18 that I was done for so I knew I needed two great, short Saturday runs in preparation for the 20 this coming Saturday. And I did. And it happened because I told myself that I was going to do it. So see guys, at this point, it really is a mental battle. Physically, we can do this. We are perfectly able to do it. It's the mental battle that we need to make a conscious decision to fight and win! Go marathoners, go, fight and win!

Epiphany!

I just had one, no kidding!!!! I just realized that we have a mere two long runs left. Although they will be tough, LONG runs, there are only TWO left!!!! Do you all know what that means? It means that we are almost there!!! It means that if we had to, we could run Chicago tomorrow!!!!!! Yes, granted the time frame is about six weeks or so, but really, if you think about it in terms of having to get through the really hard, strenuous and difficult times, there are ONLY TWO LEFT! We can do this guys! All we have to do is maintain what we've got now by keeping hydrated and nourished and DOING OUR WEEKLY RUNS, and we'll be there! Come on everybody, just hold on, keep the vision (watch that video) and next thing you know, we'll be flying north! I can hardly wait! I love you guys, you marathoners you!

I found my mojo!

I though I lost it at mile 11 or so of the 18 mile run. But nope, I found it. Actually, I had it with me all the time, I just thought I'd lost it. (Sound familiar Austin Powers fans?) Really though, after the 18 I though I was done. But I felt great Saturday and had a really good run. Thanks Christy, Shelley and Carol-so glad I FINALLY got to meet you! I had a weird foot pain that started at the end of my run and I limped through Wal-Mart afterwards. It felt like I was crushing the outer bone in my left foot. But I went home and iced and stayed off of it all weekend and it is better today. I'm hoping it was just a fluke thing; I didn't run this morning to give it a good extra rest. Although I'm struggling to get in my weekly training, I'm really getting excited for Chicago! I know that I'll have to keep up the training in order to do what I need to do at the marathon. Like many others of you, I may slip in a treadmill run every here and there just to get a break from the killer heat. Many of us are struggling and/or lacking in motivation right now and I think it is probably somewhat normal. After all, it is 100+ degrees outside right now, the long runs are really hard, and um, LONG these days, and we have been doing this for ~six months now and the newness has sort of worn off. But my suggestion to anyone who is struggling is to watch the Chicago video (also posted on the forum): http://www.chicagomarathon.com/cms400min/Chicago_Marathon/inspiration/video/FeaturedVideo.aspx?id=764. If this doesn't motivate you, nothing will!!!! Keep on keeping on guys! We are marathoners!!!!!

WIPED OUT!!!

WOW!!!! Those 18 miles almost did me in!!! Let me first say though that I was a bad marathoner last week and I didn't train for a whole week, I ate a bunch of junk and I was not nearly as hydrated as I should have been. I was expecting a pretty crappy run but it was MUCH worse than I expected! I started out a little rough but I got into a rhythm after a while and did okay for about the first 11 miles. Then after the 2nd stop at the Fannin Boat launch I just ran out of steam and started to hurt and I just gave up really. I was running with Heather and we just decided to walk the rest of the way. That was the longest 7 miles of my life! It felt like it took FOREVER!! Luckily, Heather is a chatter bug and was able to talk the rest of the way. I tried to maintain conversation but I know I got pretty quiet those last 2 or so miles. I truly struggled with myself and with this goal and I wondered if I was going to be able to complete this challenge. I was especially disappointed because I was able to do intervals for all but about the last 1/2 mile of the 16. I spent all Saturday afternoon and evening in bed (I HATE that I missed the party) and I was on the couch most of Sunday (planned to go to yoga but didn't quite make it) but it gave me a lot of time to reflect. I know that everyone is entitled to a bad day and with my bad week before and with the heat and humidity, I should be proud for not quitting when I easily could have at the Lakeshore gate. No one ever said this was going to be easy. I also know that I have GOT TO TAKE THIS MORE SERIOUSLY!!! The marathon is a mere 2 months away and I MUST train every day, eat right, sleep well and hydrate. I have not been blogging or responding to blogs either but I promise to do better. Actually, I promise to be a better marathoner all around everyone, I promise!!!!!

16 mile run

All,

One of our MMers, Christy Tucker (seeyainthewindycity) is having childcare issues with tomorrow's 5:30 start time. She asked me to post a message asking if anyone else is planning on starting later, at 7:00 or 7:30 a.m. or so. She wants someone to run with since the pack will be so far ahead of her by then. OR, is anyone planning on doing the run any other time on Saturday or on Sunday even. If you are interested, please call me at work by 5:00 p.m. at 601-984-5167. After 5:00 please call her cell phone at 601-405-4909. Thanks.

Christa

Stuff

Hi all,

Long time no blog again. I hate excuses but I'm really busy at work these days and I don't have internet access at home.

I've only run twice this week and I could kick myself for it and I KNOW I'll be kicking myself on Saturday (IF I have the energy and IF my legs will cooperate). I am really struggling to get out of bed at 5:00 a.m. these days to do my run or XT. But on Saturday I am bouncing off the walls. I think it's the lure of you guys, I really do! So, I will be making a VERY conscious effort to improve my weekly training. I have to!!! Those 26.1 miles will be here before we know it.

I'm going to St. Louis on Sunday and I'll be there for a week so I'll miss you guys on the 28th. But I promise I'll train during the week while I'm gone and I'll do the 8 miles while there.

I'm already getting excited/anxious for Saturday's 16. I sure hope it rains!!!! (not sarcastic)

Run on marathoners!

Still high from Saturday

I'm a little slow in writing, but can I tell you all how much I absolutely loved Saturday's run? It was may favorite run yet and I hope it rains like that every Saturday from here on out! Okay, I'm weird. I'm one of those people who loves a rainy day, even storms. But really, I felt like a 10 year old out playing in the rain and it was beautiful! Thank you Kayra for being my rainy day playmate. I just love running with you, and I'm so darn happy that we are such good friends! My knee was surprisingly cooperative during the run too. I felt it, but it didn't hurt by any means. Of course, my whole body was hurting after the run and my legs were sore until yesterday. Cindy has convinced me I have got to try the ice water thing. Brrrr. I can't wait for that. (sarcasm) So, I hadn't done any exercise until this morning when I ran, if you can call it that, and I hate being off schedule but that 15 took a whole lot out of me. Plus, I went on a really crappy blind date Saturday night and was out in a smoky bar way too late and that made me ill, in many ways. I'm better now and looking forward to a good run tomorrow and a great day off from exercise on Friday, and a nice short run on Saturday. Like many of you have said before, life is good. Thank you Marathon Makeover!

Knee update

Well, I've got good news and bad news. The good news is: I ran yesterday and this morning! The bad news: yesterday I was only able to do it for 16 minutes before I became exhausted, and this morning I was only able to do it for 30 (I walked another 15). Now, keep in mind that I have not run since the 1/2 marathon and that yesterday I tried to do it at 11:00 am (stupid), but I have lost a lot of my conditioning. Amazing how fast that happens. Yesterday, my knee did not hurt at all! YEA! But today, it stiffened up after I stopped and now it is hurting. I've been icing it and eating ibuprofen and that should help. Going home to do my exercises tonight in hopes of being at 100% on Saturday, but if not, I can at least walk the 15 miles. I will try to run as much as I can but I will not push it. I am excited for 15 though regardless. See ya'll Saturday! We are marathoners!!!

Woe is me!

Well, I'm dealing with some funk again. About a week before the half marathon I started feeling discomfort (not pain) in my right knee. It wasn't enough to stop me from doing the half and really didn't bother me much during the run. I honestly just thought I was overdue for new shoes. But a couple days after the half my knee became very sore. I went and got new shoes thinking that would help, but I still took all of last week off from running to give my knee a chance to rest. So Saturday morning, I went to Clinton with my new shoes on anxious to run. Well, I got to Maude Edith and tried to run and I absolutely couldn't. My knee was hurting now and both legs just felt off. I kept trying several times to run but I just couldn't. So I turned around and joined the curb crew back at ground zero. Sheila, Mark and Matt looked at it and all three said, "Go see Wayne." So I called him first thing Monday morning and got in to see him at 3:00 that afternoon.

Let me just say that Wayne is wonderful in many ways. I sat down on the table and he started talking to me about MM, running and triathlons and other non-injury stuff and he was manipulating my knee and leg the whole time and before I even told him what kind of problem I was having and what kind of pain I was in, he already knew what the problem was. AMAZING! He said my knee is not moving straight when I run. It's going crooked and rubbing bone on bone. So he gave me some exercises to do to strengthen my inner quad that should help straighten it out. The weirdest thing was that he told me to run. He asked what my pain was on a scale from 0 to 10 and I said a 4 and he said that unless it's a 7 or an 8, go ahead and run. I said I was worried that there was something wrong and I didn't want to aggravate it but he wasn't worried about that at all. I was so relieved. He is awesome and I wish I had just an ounce of his energy and drive! He told me to call him in a couple days and let him know how I'm doing. I didn't run this morning and probably won't get to tonight either so I'll probably do a short run tomorrow and my regular one on Thursday and take Friday off as usual. I will just die if I can't do the 15 this weekend. It was soooooooo hard to sit on the sideline on Saturday and watch. Kudos to you Sheila for being able to do that!

So, I'll keep ya'll posted on my goings on. Back to Saturday, Heather is my hero. You guys read Cindy's blog about the kitten. Seeing Heather walk up with a dirty, sweaty, cute and adorable kitten under her arm was the sweetest thing I'd ever seen, especially since she's highly allergic. She said she just couldn't leave it behind. Heather, you really are my hero for rescuing that kitten like that. You have a heart of gold! And I'm so glad Cindy adopted the kitten because it was obvious that it was love at first sight. This all is just more proof that MM participants are truly amazing people, in many more ways than the obvious!

Happy 4th everyone! I'll see you all Saturday, sidelined or not.

I am so happy and proud of us I could cry!

I can't believe we did a 1/2 marathon! I still can't believe we even attempted to do a 1/2 marathon, much less actually completed a 1/2 marathon! You guys are all so awesome and it is the team camaraderie that I enjoy the most about this whole thing. No kidding! It is so wonderful to have the encouragement and support of the group and I know for a fact that I wouldn't have gotten this far if it weren't for the help from my fellow MMers! I love each and every one of you! Thank you all! And Mark, Robin and Matt, you three are priceless and I can't thank you three for all you continue to do for us. You guys are so special and giving and it's because of you that this thing is what it is. (I'm tearing!)

I didn't do as well on the run as I would have liked. I had severe stomach problems Friday night (I ate bad Thursday and Friday---DUH!) but luckily my problem took a hiatus during the run on Saturday. My stomach was very sour and I thought a few times I was going to have to make an emergency pit stop in the bushes. Luckily I avoided that! I did take several bathroom breaks, every chance I could though and that took up a lot of time. And then I had severe toe cramping that I'd never had before so I wasted a lot of time stopping to stretch my toes. So, the majority of my problem was my own fault but I learned my lesson. I'd never had that before and I promise that I won't eat like crap before a run ever again! STUPID! And I'll stretch my toes from now on beforehand too. It's time for new shoes for me and I'm excited. I know I'll feel a difference and my "fat knee" will be a lot happier.

The party Saturday night was just awesome and I love seeing everyone in a social setting. I must admit though I was really tired and not very lively that night (even after a 3 hour nap), but I had a great time regardless. The food was delicious but overwhelming and I wish my stomach was larger so I could have tasted more than just that on the first table. I missed Matt's singing and I hate that! I did hear Mark's Ring of Fire though and that was fun and cute. Caroline is a doll and was great entertainment! Again, you guys are the best!

Sunday was a worthless day for me and I gave myself permission to do absolutely nothing. I figured I earned it. I actually feel okay today and am looking forward to the next big run.

Have a great week you all! Remember what Mark said before we ate Saturday night: "The rest is all between your ears!"

Christa

Excited for Saturday!

Hi all,

I can hardly wait for Saturday! Not so much for the running, but to finish and to be able to say that I've done a half marathon! Can ya'll believe we are actually doing this? I still cannot!

Saturday's "short" run was awesome! What a nice break only 6 miles was. But I made a mistake. I ran the 2nd half with Cookie and Donna and they are FAST!!!!! I did not run my own race, I ran theirs, and it was tough, tough, tough. I couldn't catch my breath and I was exhausted afterwards! Thank you Cookie and Donna for pulling me, but I cannot keep up! You guys are awesome!

I didn't run yesterday (I have a fat knee right now) so I did my 55 minutes this morning. It started raining just as I was heading out to the track so I turned around and went to the crappy treadmill in my crappy apartment gym. It just wasn't the same and I didn't feel like I was getting a good workout, so I kicked up the speed some and that helped. I missed being outside though.

Have a great week everyone. See ya at the starting line!

I've become a bad blogger!

I don't know what my problem is but I will try to get better.

So, Saturday was awful but how great did it feel to finish the 12 miles???!!!! I hadn't been doing so well with my training (and my eating) for the last few weeks since my trip, but I am SO glad to report that I have been "doing the right thing" since Saturday. I've trained every day as required and I'm back to eating the superfoods. It's amazing how much better and stronger I feel. DUH!!!!!!! A note to all my fellow MMers who feel dead on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. I drank Endurox after Saturday's run and I really do think it helped! Of course, I was still tired and I took a nap on both days, as usual, but I didn't feel brain dead and clumsy like usual. I'm sold!

So, that's about it. I'm excited for the 1/2 marathon 'cause I can't wait to tell people that I've run a 1/2 marathon. Who would have thunk it???!!!!!

Run on ya'll!

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE GIRLS!!!!!

Read this article from the Sunday edition of the Clarion Ledger:

RIDGELAND
Woman attacked on exercise path
Police are looking for a man who attacked a woman on the Ridgeland Multipurpose Trail on Sunday morning.
Around 10 a.m., a man came from behind the woman, knocked her down and began to physically assault her, police said.
The woman was able to escape and get help.
The suspect indicated he had a gun but never displayed one, Ridgeland Police Department Lt. John Neal said. The motive of the attack is unclear, he said.
Police said the suspect, wearing a white T-shirt and dark-colored nylon wind pants with a white stripe along the leg, ran toward Harbor Drive and Rice Road.
Anyone with information on the attack is asked to contact the Ridgeland Police Department at (601) 856-5210.

Be careful out there everyone, especially us girls!!!!!

I'm back from vacation!

First, can I say how much I missed you guys? I felt totally out of the loop while I was away and I didn't like it at all! I did well with my training though; I got in all but 2 or 3 days of running or cross training, but I was very active the whole time (cleaning out my mom's house, taking my friend's dog on long walks, playing a lot with small children). I did both of my long runs and did them well, except for some sunburn which I didn't plan for (duh). I ate a whole lot of junk food and enjoyed it very much at the time but I'm feeling unhealthy now and anxious to get back into my routine. Overall, my trip was good and I enjoyed being with my friends and family again. I miss them and St. Louis in general very much. Boo hoo! But now back to the swing of things here...

Of course I'm absolutely swamped at work and am still trying to dig out. I've been slowly catching up on blogs and have about 50 to read still. I'll get through them but I probably won't comment as much. Sorry guys but I'm overwhelmed.

And today I'm feeling VERY guilty. I did my weekend long run on Sunday and haven't run since. I did not crosstrain on Monday since I drove for 7 hours and I turned off the alarm yesterday and this morning too, and I hate myself for it. I have GOT to get up tomorrow and run or else I'll be crawling my 11 miles on Saturday. I've set another alarm to go off tomorrow so that should help. I'm just exhausted and need to rest but need to run also. I cannot wait for Saturday as that day will be the start of my serious training again! I'm needing it, bad! Seeing all you guys will help tremendously too! Can't wait!

Christa