TWELVE!!

I feel kind of guilty when I tell people about my running: how far I've gone, my new speed records (which aren't much), my awesome new Garmin Forerunner that Sean got me for Christmas. I get so excited about it all and fail to remember that in general, people really don't care that much. Hence the need for a space to blab about my runs, how I felt during and after, what I eat--all the stuff that normal people really don't want to hear. Like, for example...

Today, I ran twelve miles. By myself. In the 77-degree Florida heat and oppressive humidity.

I RAN TWELVE MILES!! That's a lot of miles!! Especially without Sean (currently skiing in Michigan while I live out the last few days of my southern vacation), who is usually my sanity and motivation on long runs.

This week, I ran 22 miles. That's my greatest mileage yet. Next week the total mileage will be lower, but the end result will be greater: we're going for the full half-marathon length. And I. Can't. WAIT.

I've been thinking that I'm not really energizing enough before long runs (and I've never done long runs before the past two months, so I'm kind of unfamiliar with how it all works). So this morning, I had a bagel and a banana about 45 minutes before I left. I could totally tell a difference in my energy level as compared to last week's eleven-miler; I pushed through my usual six- or seven-mile wall and made it to about nine before I really wanted out. Of course, the last three miles were done at noontime with no shade on a flat and boring path, so that could have had something to do with it as well, but I could definitely feel that I was more energized in the beginning.

I also brought water on this run (first time I've done that) and boy, I would have died without it. Possibly literally died. I don't have a special belt or anything, so I just carried it in my hand and drank it all between four and eight miles. I have never been thirstier than when I arrived home after my last three miles in the blazing sun--my voice was almost a whisper, my throat was so parched. Ate some Saltines and drank a ton of water while icing my feet, as my arches have been acting up during long runs (probably should get some new shoes soon). My right hip hurt at points, but there's no residual pain. I got a lovely farmer's tan as well. Should probably have stretched more, as I've been pretty sore all day, but it's nothing too painful and I can tell it'll go away with more movement tomorrow. I took a bath after the run, and soaking my legs and feet in hot water was AMAZING. My left pinky toe also didn't hurt as much today, but I am developing a lovely callus on the tip of the toe and should probably cut down the nail soon so it doesn't snag and fall off completely (again).

I'm going to take it WAY easy this week and hopefully get a lot of recovery and rebuilding in before the long trek next Sunday. Also need to start thinking where to go for victory dinner...