Race Ready

My alarm is set to go off at 3:50AM tomorrow for me to get ready for the Louisiana Half. Of course, I'm super excited. I love race day. So as not to wake the entire house or forget anything, I like to layout all of my gear. That way my brain does not have to immediately jump into action.

I think I've got everything, except my garmin, who is charging. Hold on...let me go add that to my pile. Ok.
Let's see. I have all my favorite gear:

• thriv tank
• brooks skirt
• balega socks
• brooks shoes
• chocolate GU
• water bottle (in the freezer) 
• bodyglide
• my backup bodyglide
• personalized race bib
• morning meds
• advil, just in cases
• running sunglasses
• headband
• Mardi Gras half hat
• ipod (fully charged)
• zensha compression leg sleeves for after
• change of clothes
• cash & ID

I'm pretty sure I've got it all but my morning peanut butter sandwich. But I just realized I don't have any sunscreen or lip balm. As soon as, I'm done with this post I'm going to pre-set my coffee maker then go to bed early.

Did I miss anything else?

Good luck, to everyone else who is racing. Check back tomorrow for a quick race status and to see what I eat the night before a race.

Pre-race Tradition

Warning, this maybe TMI for some people. So if feet gross you out, stop reading here. 

I used to have a pair of very cute, well cared for feet (except for that one wonky toe but that genetic.) Toes always polished and never callused heals. But like most runners, my feet suffer for my sport; half missing toenail, blisters, calluses, scars. I have it all. Running more than, say, 8miles makes my big toenails feel bruised. No matter what I do, the wonky toe gives the one next to it a blister.I seriously doubt my shoes are at fault. Multiple running shoe professionals have sized me and outfitted with many different brands.  I used to think because I was heavier than I should be my feet took more of a beating. But I'm less than 10lbs from a "normal" weight for someone my height. Maybe my form needs improvement.

Because of the sad state my feet after half marathon training, I like a pre-race pedicure. There is no way I'd ask an aesthetian to deal with my terrible tootsies. So I do it my self. I do the whole shebang. Remove the polish. Soak in Epsom salt. Trim my nails as short as possible. Trim my cuticles. Buff the dead skin and calluses away. But I don't repolish. Just don't see the point.

My formally pretty feet are reduced to the mangled specimens you see below.

before the pedicure - long nails and calluses and all

my tools of choice

after the pedicure - not going to win any contests but they feel better

Hmm...I just realized running has changed how I feel about my feet. They are no longer accessories to make shoes look cuter. But as utilitarian parts of my body. They get me where I need to go. Like 13.1 miles. I wonder if that's how men always think about their feet.

And speaking of feet, last week I read about phantom foot pains during tapering on two separate blogs. This is a new one on me. Then yesterday the ball of my right foot started hurting. Like I stepped on a rock barefoot. I did wear heals yesterday but they were comfy boots not stilettos. Not like I did a lot of walking yesterday. So strange. Apparently, my feet a hypochondriacs. Phantom foot pains! How silly!

What a difference a year makes

This time last year, I was about to run my very first half marathon. (My race recap from last year)  The race was at the end of October and I started getting jittery on October 1st. The week before I barely slept. I stopped drinking alcohol two weeks before and downing water every chance I got to be sure I was sufficiently hydrated. I ran every mile of my training plan. I made a list of all the paraphernalia I needed to bring. Tested my race outfit on two long runs. My playlist was full.  Every scenario I could think of, I practiced; without music, on an empty stomach, on a full stomach, tired legs, etc. I knew my goal time and my splits. When I'm nervous, I over-prepare.

As of today, my first half of the fall season is 5 days out. I'm not nearly as prepared as I would like to be.  It's not like I slacked on my training. I just cut back to let my ITBand rest. But I got in a few decent length runs. Still, I may have to walk this one. My garmin and ipod have not made it to the charger yet. But I have Gu and my water bottle is in the freezer. Not sure what I'm wearing yet or if 60deg weather warrants a jacket. All this lack of preparation and I'm not freaking out. And, I'm sleeping just fine.

The  difference is that I know what to expect. Racing is old hat now. The Louisiana Half on Sunday will be my 4th half. I know I can do it. I know my legs can get me to the end. I know I can push self-doubt into a small corner into my mind and ignore it. And above all, I know I will finish. Plus, there's bling waiting for me.

I guess the difference is that I'm excited not nervous.

Half Marathon Training Wk11

Oops...This is a day late. Oh well.
Warning! Treadmills are Dangerous!  
Only if you are as uncoordinated as I am.
There was a definite hampering of my training this past week.The cause is the large bruises and road rash on my right side. Please feel free to laugh, pee your pants, whatever, at the following story. Well, it's not road rash so much as treadmill rash. I can't really put my finger on how but I off (on to) my treadmill. I think what happened was, while running hill repeats early Tuesday morning, I put my foot down on the edge off the belt. And all of a sudden my feet came out from under me and I hit the wall behind the mill. The noise was loud enough to wake the Big Man sleeping upstairs. For few seconds, I couldn't move. So I just lay there stunned sanding off my leg skin with the belt, taking inventory of all my pieces parts. Over all, no serious injury. Just a wrenched left shoulder and missing right leg skin. No idea how wrenched my left arm but landed on my right side.

The funniest part of this story is that this is the second time I've fallen of a mill. But this time, luckily, I wasn't in a gym with 5 other people to see me do it. Ay! I'm sooo clutsy!

This weeks half-marathon training plan:

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
08/22	08/23	08/24	08/25	08/26	08/27	08/28
Rest	Spin bike Lunges	30min run	Spin Bike   Lunges	Lunges	5mi run	rest

But I did manage to run a not-so-stellar 8.5mi with Chrisy last Friday. So I'm good on long runs for a this week. I am hoping to tag along for an 11miler with some friends on Sunday. Apparently, I'm not following a set schedule anymore. I'm just running long runs willy-nilly.


Has anyone else had an unfortunate incident with a treadmill? Or is it only me who is uncoordinated enough to fall of a treadmill. Twice.

Half Marathon Training Wk10

For the last few years, I've been slowly losing weight. Total now of 38lbs. I've worked hard to get here. But there are two things that will always be my trouble spots...My legs. They are too big. Always will be. I run. I cycle. I eat healthy. The muscles get bigger the fat stays. WTH! It's genetic, even the skinny people in my family have big legs.

When I was heavier, I only ever wore pants. Even in the summer. Seriously. But I've more or less made my peace with my legs. I wear dresses and skirts, all the time. So much cooler and easier. Still no shorts, though. Too difficult to fit.

Then 5 Miles 2 Empty tossed up a challenge:  "Take a photo of your legs, those powerful running legs of yours!  Post it on your blog saying that you accepted this challenge. And for the hard part: Do lunges at least 3 times a week from tomorrow, Aug. 10 until Sept 10." And to post pre-and post-challenge legs pictures. Well, this was my comment. "I'd be more comfortable taking a pic of my naked, saggy, mom boobs and posting it on the internet than my legs. My big ole thunder thighs have have been the bane of my existence my whole life (Ok. that's a bit dramatic but you get the point)" It's true. I would. But I like a challenge. So I'm signing up. I'm already a week behind. And I do plan take before pics but I'm not going to post them until I can post them with my after shots.


I guess everyone has a body part they hate. Make me feel better. What's yours? Why?

This weeks half-marathon training plan:

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	T hurs	Fri	Sat
08/09	08/10	08/11	08/12	08/13	08/14	08/15
Rest	Spin bike Lunges	30min run	Spin Bike   Lunges	Spin Bike Lunges	4mi run	Bike Ride

Above is my planned schedule for the week. I may change it up and run a true long run on Friday. Depending if Christy is feeling better and wants company for a long run on Friday. Believe me, it is much easier to convince myself to get out there in 90deg heat if someone else will be there.

Paid Race Registration and Group Training for Rock'n'Roll Mardi Gras Marathon

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Half Marathon Training Wk9

So... last week I slacked. On a run and on a spin sessions. Yep. I slacked. Got lots of excuses, if you wanna hear. Anyway, the real reason is I couldn't get my sleepy booty out of bed. But to make up for it, I decided to do this weeks long run with my friend and DetermiNation teammate Christy who didn't have to work until 11AM on Friday. She's training for the Philly half in September and two with me in October.

Two weeks before, I had such a rough run in the heat I swore I would do my long runs in on the mill until the heat broke. But given the option of having a running buddy and the heat/humidity or running alone. I chose someone to talk to. It's been months since I ran with anyone. And I was happy to have company on what I knew was going to be a hard run. Like everywhere else in the county, NOLA is under a heat advisory.

We ran in a part of the city I've never really explored, up the Bayou St. John to the lake. Lots of interesting houses. Every other house seemed to have a pool which was so tempting. If anyone offered us a swim, I'm sure we would have ditched the run. The first bit of the run went well. Keeping a good pace. The weather started to get to us. We started walking more and more. By then end, it was all we could to do to finish. But we did. And crazy Christy went to work a full shift. Not sure how she did that. The most I could manage was eat the PB sandwich I had waiting in my car. Then stumble in to the shower and crawl into my bed.

The funny thing about it is that even though we struggled thru that run,we plan to do it again this Friday. Both of us were raised in the Gulf South. And the heat is part of who we are. So wear hats and drink lots of fluid. Oh and I always run with my phone. Just in case.

This weeks half-marathon training plan:

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	T hurs	Fri	Sat
08/09	08/10	08/11	08/12	08/13	08/14	08/15
Rest	Spin bike	30min run	Spin Bike	Spin Bike	9mi run	Red Dress Run

The Red Dress Run is this Saturday. Nanny Goat and I will be out with 4000 other fools running a total four miles from one bar to the next. It's going to be awesome. We'll have the best outfits out there. I made us tutus.  There will be lots of pictures to come.

Half Marathon Training Wk8

Last week's training went well but I kinda feel like a slacker. I only ran 8mi last week but I did three days of spin bike. It's weird how your perspective changes. Not that long ago, I'd have been amazed to run one mile much less eight. I try to remember this when I'm beating myself up for a bad run or being slow.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to take spin on my road bike in weeks. Three days of waking before 4AM each weeks does not make me want to wake early on the weekends. Thankfully, no pre-planned fun this weekend. So I'm hoping for a little bike time. Now that school is almost in I'm hoping for a few free weekends.

This weeks half-marathon training plan:

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
08/02	08/03	08/04	08/05	08/06	08/07	08/08
Rest	Spin bike	30min run	Spin Bike lift upper body	Spin Bike	3mi run	Bike

How's your summer going? Have y'all been busy or taking it easy?

Half Marathon Training Wk7

Last Friday, I decided to run this weeks 8miler instead of this week. (I've appointments this Friday and I didn't want to just skip it.) Even though I knew there was a heat advisory that day and temps would reach into the mid-90s, I wanted to run outside. Because I bring the girls to school, I can't hit the streets until 8AM when its already 85deg and 90% humidity. Running outside in the heat is part of the training. My race is in October and it can still be in the mid-80s that late in the year.

But I tried to be smart about running in the heat and humidity. I hydrated well the day before. Carried extra water. Ate a PB sandwich before and carried fuel. Wore a hat and tried to be in the shade as much as possible.  None of it seemed to help. I was feeling the effects before I finished two miles. At 5miles I was done. But I had to get home, two and half miles. More than once I thought about flagging down strangers for a ride.  This is the reason I bought my road ID. If I pass out on the side of the road, whom ever finds me will know where to drop me off. I don't know what more precautions I can take to avoid this happening again.

My only options are running inside or pushing my long runs to Saturday when I can get out there at 6AM. The idea of run 9-10mi on the treadmill. Yuck. And I like having Fridays to myself to rest after a long, hard run. Plus we are usually so busy on the weekends.


This weeks half-marathon training plan:

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
07/25	07/26	07/27	07/28	07/29	07/30	08/01
Rest	lift upper body Spin bike	30min run	Spin Bike lift upper body	NOTC Free For All 2mi	Spin Bike / Road Bike	Bike

Any ideas to help me run in the high NOLA heat and humidity? Should I drink more than just plain water on long runs?


Don't forget to enter my CSN Giftcard Giveaway. 

Half Marathon Training Wk6

I'm in the sweet spot of my training. Far enough in to be in a grove but the long runs aren't too long yet. I feel strong and confident. No worries (yet) that I can't finish a long run. 

Last Friday, I ran my 6.5mi on my mill. A full mile farther than I've ever been able to last on a mill before. Usually, I pass out from boredom. There wasn't much of a choice. I kept the girls home with me so we could go do something fun later in the day. So it was mill or nothing. Actually, the time flew by. I netflixed a show and started running. Not a bad way to spend time. 

I am now the proud owner of my very own new (to me) spin bike. Nanny Goats gym upgraded their bikes and sold the used ones for $150. I'm sooo excited. I no longer have to be the selfish B at my work gym during lunch. (My work gym only has one bike and since I have a nice boss I leave for lunch early to nab the bike before anyone else.)  And the Big Man set up a TV in the spare room so we can watch while we run or spin. My front room was supposed to be the extra TV room for the kids. But now I guess it's my home gym. Yea!

My new toy

My training schedule for this week isn't too bad.  Only 3mi for my "long" run. Although, the more I think about it. I might run the 8mi that's scheduled for next week's long run. I have a few appointments next Friday. I doubt I can squeeze in 8mi too. Or should I just skip the 8mi? Well, I'd run some that day just not the full 8.

This weeks half-marathon training plan:

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
07/18	07/19	07/20	07/21	07/22	07/23	07/24
Spillway Classic	lift upper body Spin bike	30min run	easy walk lift upper body	spin bike	3mi	bike

Should I run 8mi this Friday? Or run my scheduled 3mi and run as many as I can next Friday?  
What are you excited about this week?

Training Wk5

I got some nice running in this week. The unseasonably cool weather we had last week made my Tuesday evening run very pleasant. Not too hot or humid. I didn't even carry water. (I almost always have water.) Instead of running my 2.5mi on the treadmill Friday. The Big Man for a family walk. Li wanted to run so I left her run ahead as I followed.  But she has my grace and wiped out after a block. Poor baby landed on her hands and knees. She got a nice little bloody scrape on each. MM wanted to run too since her big sister was out of the stroller.  So cute. Running the way 2yr olds do. We had a nice evening.

Saturday, I wore new kicks to an event (a post on that to come). I like to save my good running sock for long runs so I wore my cheapy ones. Those new shoes tore up my heals. Then Sunday like an idiot I wore the same kind of sock on my run. Blood on the heals of my Newtons! I'm so mad at myself. Wednesday, I'm going to by more good socks.

My Battle Scarred Newtons

And of course, I've now added more scars to my heals to match the semi-missing big toe nails. I can't decided if I should paint my toe nails and wear sandals or hide my poor runner's feet. 

I'm excited and nervous about this weeks plan. I have run anything more than 5mi since April . Gosh, two and a half months. That was so long ago. Oh well. Time to get back on the ball.
This weeks plan:

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
07/11	07/12	07/13	07/14	07/15	07/16	07/17
30min run	lift upper body bike	30min run	easy walk lift upper body	bike	6.5mi	bike

How do you feel about your poor scarred, blistered runner's feet? Ugly and deformed and should be hidden? Or badges of honor to be shown off with pride?

Training Wk4

I know it's been a good week of running and other fitness activities when the doorway if filled with clothes on hangers to dry. Actually, that's more than a weeks worth but you get the point. I sweat so much when I run or bike. I can't use gym clothes more than  once.

Last week's training went well. Friday morning, I woke up early to knock out my 5miler.  It was still dark when I left. After a mile and a half I realized I was sweating not from exertion. The humidity was causing me to slow down which is annoying. Once the sun came out, it burned of some of the humidity making my running easier. So strange.

This weeks plan:

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
07/04	07/05	07/06	07/07	07/08	07/09	07/10
30min run	lift upper body	30min run	easy walk lift upper body	bike	2.5mi	bike

   What's on tap for your week?Do you hang your gym clothes or stick them in the dryer?

Training Wk3

Last weeks training went well. Nothing super exciting to report really. My 4 miles on Friday was done on the treadmill. The bee lady was at our house. (We had a hive in our ceiling.) I should have run outside. By the time she was finished, it was 10AM and 92deg.  But four on the mill while watching an episode of Season 2 True Blood wasn't a bad way to spend time. In fact, I'm thinking of doing it this week. But I really should get outside. Part of my training is training in the heat/humidity.

This weeks plan:

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
06/20	06/21	06/22	06/23	06/24	06/25	06/26
30min run	lift upper body	30min run	easy walk lift upper body	bike	5mi	bike

I realized last week I realized I hadn't added any cross training on my schedule. I was doing it. Just forgot to post it. We didn't have any thing plan for Saturday morning. I got to spend an hour by myself on the bike just riding. I had the best time.

What's on tap for your week? What's your favorite activity you have planned for this week?

Training Wk2

I love that I'm back in training. I feel more grounded. There's a plan for my (fitness) life.  I am best I have a solid goal to meet. Now thru next March I will running with a goal.

Last week went well. My legs feel fine after a run. My lungs felt like I hadn't taken a break. The only trouble is my belly. Re-training my stomach to handle Gu hasn't been fun. Staying near a potty and hydrating well are necessities right now. But y'all know all about that I'm sure.

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
06/20	06/21	06/22	06/23	06/24	06/25	06/26
30min run	off	30min run	easy walk	off	4mi	off

I really am enjoying this plan. I love the idea of an easy walk day instead of another run. During the week I get up at 3:45AM to run. Two days in a row is really tough. But an easy walk I can do at lunch.

Yesterday, I made the mistake of looking ahead at the next few weeks in my training pan. For what ever reason, I panicked at the idea of running 6.5mi in a few weeks. What a silly rxn?! I've run/trained for 3 half marathons. Which means, I've run 6mi or more at least 20 times. I know I can do it. In fact, I know that if I had to run a half this weekend, I could do it. It wouldn't be fun but I could do it.

What's on tap for your week?Do you ever panic about something you now rationally you can do?

It's hot and I love it

It's mid-June and for the past week NOLA has been under a heat advisory, temps reaching 93°F with a heat index of 105°F. For most people, all that means is sweating while walking between two well air conditioned locations. But for me it means it's time to start training. Most people would not even consider training outside in this weather. But I love it and am looking forward to sweating so much I look liked jumped in a swimming pool.

The first of two halfs I'm registered for in October 19wks away (on 10/10/10). The Louisiana half should be fun. The course is in shady, historic Mandeville, an hour north of NOLA and the entry fee was $40. How could I pass it up?! But now, I need to get my but into gear and start running regularly.


Since I am semi-injured, I decided to use Jeff Galloway's plan. Not too many miles. And I start off slow this week to ease back into to my schedule.  Here's my plan for the week.

Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
06/13	06/14	06/15	06/16	06/17	06/18	06/19
30min run	off	25 min run	easy walk	off	3mi	off

I'm very excited (or at least I'm trying to make myself be) to start running again.  I enjoyed my training last year so much. I can't wait to be running with a purpose again.

What's on tap for your week? How do you feel about running in the heat/humidity?

ING Georgia Half

In 6 days, I'll be flying to Atlanta with Nanny Goat to meet up with Barb in Atlanta. I'm so excited. Sad to say but I haven't been on a girls trip since I got married. We had one planned, but Katrina got in the way. Then I had babies and was busy with work. Y'all know how life can get away from you when you're busy.

But my kids are bigger and work has settled down. So I'm off to Hotlanta to run the ING half on Sunday with my girls. Right now the weather looks like it should be perfect for racing. I'm hoping for a better race than my last but I haven't trained for hills. So we'll see.


There's still time to enter my St. Patty's Day Virtual 10k. I've got plenty of ducks to mail out.

Rock & Roll Mardi Gras Marathon Race Report

I've been dragging my feet, not writing this post. Seriously, I've come to this post 4x without writing a thing. The race didn't go as I had hoped. I was so excited about it and the disappointment has gotten the better of me. My time was 10mins slower than my previous half and about 20mins slower than I should've been.

The only thing that I can put my finger on as the cause was I was tired. We didn't get much sleep the night before. Nanny Goat and I got a hotel in the French Quarter (near the start line) the night before. This was a bad idea. Drunken fools hollered all night walking past our hotel. There was a lull from 2AM-3:30AM.  Literally, slept an hour. I could feel how tired I was the whole race. Oh well. I can't change anything. Ok. Enough whining. I'm done with disappointment.

Nanny Goat and I met up with the team in training people at 5AM to second line over to the start line which was about 1.5mi away.  The race didn't start until 7AM. Needless to say we had a lot of time checking gear, waiting in the cold, using the port-a-pottys, and trying not to think about the race.  I drank a litter of water. We had time to take cute pre-race photos.

 

Dana, Pam, Jennifer, Me, Nanny Goat, Christy, other Megan

When it was time, we headed over to the corrals. I had to say bye to Nanny Goat since she was in corral 4 and I was in 18. And other Megan was in corral 16 so we wished her luck and sent her off. But the rest of us are similarly tortoisine so we got in corral 22. (Christy had no idea what her finish time might be when she signed up. ) Because of the wave starts, it  was 7:45AM before we crossed the start line. I understand why they do this. But it really messes with the race anxiety.  But finally, we were off and running.

I'm sure my Garmin can tell me my splits. But I've never figured it out. So this is what I remember.... The first few miles we steadily passing people. Just running, watching the bands as we passed. Every few miles of the course, there were Mardi Gras floats and statues you could take you picture with. I didn't because I have tons of pictures of floats.
At mile 3-4, I realized I had drank an entire bottle of water already. Uh oh. I'm going to have to pee at some point. Usually, that this point, I find my rhythm and feel like I could run forever. But I didn't that day. Then at the half way point, I checked my GPS, 1:30ish. Dang! I should be WAY faster than that. Mile 8-9, I thought "Why do I do this to myself? I could be chillaxin at home" more than once and I had drank another bottle and still didn't need to pee. Then at 10mi, I told myself it's just a 5k. It's a comforting thought. So I ran the last 3mi slowly and drank most of another bottle.  And I didn't have to pee until got home at noon. That's 4.5hrs and approx 2 litters of water without peeing. Apparently, I was a camel that day.

My finish time was 2:57:38 (I think). Not stellar. But waiting at the finish line was my family.

It was so nice to see my girls, my mom & dad, and the Big Man. Cheering me one to the finish line.

Here are a few pictures:

Me about to cross the finish line

I like this one. Think it makes me look fast.

After with my girls, Li & MM

The whole family

Look at all the crap on my wrists.

This makes me realize how far I've come with my running.

Not long ago this would a have driven me insane. But now, not much bothers me. 

Nanny Goat & I 

The Big Man, MM, Li, Pam and other Megan at the TNT Victory Party after the race.

Race Day

I can believe it's here. I'm so excited! Right now, I'm milling around at start. Doing normal pre-race stuff. I'm not really nervous, I've done this once before. Last time I ran by myself the whole time.  This time I have Pam & Christy to run with. Nanny goat is running too, but she's too fast for me.

The weather is going to be perfect today. Right now, it's in the low 40s and the sun is coming out. When I finish, it'll be in the 50s. My momma, the girls and the Big Man will be at the end waiting for me. Cheering me on as I pass. 

Months and months of training are behind me. I'm ready to run.  I've raised a decent amount of money for Team in Training. I've made a lot friends. I'm ready.  Game on, y'all!

Allons!!!

Race Day Check List

Now that my race is only a few days (4! Wahoo!!!) away, I've started laying out the things I need.  I like to have things planned out but I'm also super forgetful. Hence list making. Can y'all read over my list and see if I've forgotten anything?

Race clothes
· shoes
· tights
· skirt
· socks
· bra
· shirt
· running jacket
· arm sleeves

Gear
· water bottle
· iPod (charged) & headphones
· Garmin (charged)
· bondi band
· sunglasses
· sunscreen

If you a suggestion for a good sunscreen, I'd appreciate it. I'm not planning on wearing a hat. And all of the sport sunscreens I've tried sweat off and drip into my eyes.

After
· compression leg sleeves
· shirt
· bra
· sweater
· pants
· crocks
· recovery chocolate milk
· PB&J sandwiches

When NOTC hosts a race, you know that there will be beer and food (and plenty of it) at the after  party. But that's not guaranteed at all races. I'm bringing PB&J to be on the safe side.

Music:
My iPod has more than enough music  for me to listen to for the 2.5hrs I'll be running. But I'm always looking for more. Do you have any suggestions of songs for me to add to my playlist? Which songs keep you moving for the distance?

Oops I Did It Again...

I went and signed up for another half marathon. I did this last time. I signed up for the Mardi Gras half before I even ran my first half (the Jazz half.) When I started training for the Jazz half, I figured this would be a one and done kinda thing. But during my first 8mi run, I knew I hooked.

My sister and personal running guru (Nanny Goat) our friend (Barb) and I are running this half together.

Me, Barb, & Nanny Goat

This will be the first time I travel to a race.  It's exciting. And it makes me nervous. I'm such a creature of habit. I wake up super early to calm my nerves and eat the same thing for breakfast before a run. But I need to learn to be more flexible in life. So I'm jumping outside of my comfort zone. I'm running a race with 20k people, in a city I don't know. Wahoo! Look at me growing!