My First Blister

I was so concerned about todays run - after a week out of town, I just didnt know how my body would react! I didnt follow training, didnt eat right, etc. In addition, although today's high is supposed to only be 83 - it was 60+ degrees humidity when I left. It often the humidity that kills us, not really the heat ... although the heat isnt exactly something to forget about either. Training Log
Time:  2:55:23 time  Distance:16 miles   Pace:  10:58 min/mi
I think the three of us (Patti, Becca & Myself) that are left in my pace group had the same thing in mind today - we started off slow...and for the most part kept our slow pace the whole run. This helps save energy on a long run, but I also learned something else - I didnt get the cramping I have been getting recently. Patti and I talked about my cramping when we did our (Saturday) run last Friday. She and I ran a bit faster than normal, and my cramping was pretty severe. There are a host of things that can be the problem, including diet, stride/running style, and breathing. We thought it could possibly be my breathing, and the fact that we were running faster made that even more likely. Although my body felt good at the faster pace, it appears that my breathing was not right at that pace. When we slowed down today, I think that my normal breathing was appropriate for that pace - and voila! no cramps :)

The run was hard ... but easy. I didnt cramp, my stomach didnt bother me, etc. So some of the obstacles I have faced in previous runs were just not there. But, I did get very tired, my knees and ankles hurt, and I wound up with a blister. These I think are typical challenges a runner encounters, and thus I am quite happy with the run.

Rest of Today

I am doing my best to relax. I iced the knees ... and took a walk to Starbucks for a little pick-me-up. We have to leave for a Cubs game in a few minutes and tonight are heading to a friends house for a bit of a barbeque. Its a busy day, and I am hoping that my body can keep up with me. I have to admit, I am totally exhausted. I think I know what it feels like to be 90-years-old now!