Cool breeze vacation

Ahhh, feel the cool breeze of the mountains. Well, I guess it can't last forever, especially in the middle of summer. I'm back in B'ham visiting my Mom, after spending a few days with N.C. sister and brother-in-law. Will be back in Jackson tonight. I've got back to play patriotic music all weekend at my church and at another. Thanks to the influence and encouragement of dance studio owner sister, I did do something that resembled exercise a couple of days, while I was up there. Remember, she lives in the mountains outside of Boone. If you want to train on hills, Boone is the place to go. They say Lance Armstrong trained on the mountains around Boone for the Tour de France. I can believe it. Tuesday, we walked (mostly uphill) two miles. Breathing wasn't too bad, considering the elevation is around 3000 ft higher than Jackson. Wednesday, I walked/ran three miles up the same hills. Glad I did it. I won't be there for another long run. My Mark and son are still in Canada with other Boy Scout troop members canoeing fifty miles and won't fly back until Sunday afternoon. Eight year old, Natalie wouldn't appreciate getting up and going on a long run with me. Sounds like the half marathon, and party was a huge success. It's great getting to read all about them through you faithful bloggers blogs.
just to clarify my "tired of being of a turtle" post on the forum: Being my third year of M.M., I wanted to see if expert runners like Randy had any advice on how I can work on improving my marathon time at Disney in January, compared to my 5:59:26 and 5:56:01 in Chicago. I'm not out to set any speed records, but it would be nice to improve my running pace. Check out Randy's great answer on the forum. Thanks Randy. And to Bonnie's comment: No, I'm not a pro; I'm just a crazy person that's doing this a third year. Thanks for the compliment, though. And to namesake Lisa (the other one) Davis, we'll have to do lunch or coffee sometime to see who else we both know. Hope everyone has a great short, long run tomorrow.

Summer Bum

Been off the wagon ever since the 12 mile run. Things got busy with the B'ham trip and wind symphony rehearsals and concerts. Plus, I couldn't make myself get out of bed to run with the 5:30am bunch. I'm such a bum, at times. The angel and devil on the shoulders really hit me this morning.

Angel: "Go run. ".
Devil: "No, go back to sleep."
Angel: "No, come on, you know you'll feel better if you'll just get the running clothes on and get out there."
Devil: "Nah, go back to sleep. All you've got is the half marathon in a little over two months, then nothing until January. You've got plenty of time."

Well, the angel won this morning. Got out around 7am and wogged 3 1/2 miles. I felt like: Those who snooze, lose. I've lost some endurance, but it still felt good doing the 2:1 interval. Hope all of you have a good half-marathon. Natalie and I leave Friday night for B'ham and then we head for the mountains of North Carolina on Saturday. Keep puttin one foot in front of the other.

The Dog Days of Summer

Yep, it's hot, hot, hot!!!!!! I wish I was a morning person, it sure would help with my training. I just can't bring myself to set the alarm before 5am and meet the Tues/Thurs crew. I am a bum.
It's difficult fall in to the trap of the marathon training schedule when I'm only doing the half in September. Good example....................
Saturday, I set out to do seven, yes seven. Well, peer pressure set in. Besides, the heat setting in, I was having a good time running with with Jody and Fran. Between Jody, Fran, and (I'm so bad at names) I'm not sure who it was at the Fannin Landing turnoff saying, "Do 12, do 12!!!!" And then Fran saying, "You're already out here, what's another 5 miles". Ha! I gave in and thought, what the heck. Whew! The last three were especially rough. But the feeling of accomplishment after the run was nice.
Here's a good reason to hydrate all week: Saturday afternoon around 4pm, I started to feel nauseus and got a headache. Couldn't have been anything I ate, cause all I had for lunch was a pbj sandwich. Could this be a delayed dehydration reaction from the run? Hmmm. After downing two bottles of Propel, I started to feel better. Wish that hadn't happened, because we had a friend and his wife over for dinner. They cooked steaks and burgers on the grill, brought baked beans, southwestern dip, and homemade pie. None of it smelled good to me, because of my stomach. Didn't feel like eating anything until late that night. Bummer. Well, I'm off to B'ham this weekend, so I'll miss the only six mile run. Congrats to everyone for surviving 12 miles. It's a big accomplishment, especially in this heat.

Blah not as much today.

Woo Hoo!!!! My old college friend, who I inspired after my first marathon to start running again, just found out that she's in for the Disneyland Half. She had been put on a waiting list. Jackie lives in the five county area of Disney and they only had a certain number of spots for those residents in order to leave spots open for out of towners. Well, those spots got taken very quickly; so today was first come, first serve for those people on the waiting list. What a relief. Now we get to do the marathon together. Haven't seen her in over twelve years. Labor Day weekend will be so much fun. Went to the Y with swimming hubby, Mark this morning. I'm concerned about my IT band near right knee, so I thought it would be better to do thirty minutes on the elliptical instead of pounding the pavement with the gals this morning.

Blah, blah, blah!

Isn't it amazing how much pull people in administrative postions can have on our lives and they probably don't even realize it? Oh yeah, I'm sure some do and love having that kind of power. ARGH! I've been waiting for a call from a certain college in the area to set up an interview for a new teaching job for over three weeks now and haven't gotten a call yet. I know it's down to me and one other person, but I guess we're waiting on the higher ups to schedule an interview for both of us. I just wish I knew something; good or bad. I really want this job and will be crushed if I don't get it, but I know life will go on and it won't be the end of the world. There, I think I feel better now that I've whined to you blog reader marathoners.
I wanted to make the trek to Clinton for the long run Saturday, but there was much to be done at home that morning, so I met some old LMM alumni at Lakeshore Park and did the nine miles to Fox Bay and back. Last Thursday, I rekindled a love/hate relationship with an old friend at the Y........the elliptical. Ah yes, it didn't take long for my thighs to remember how much they love thirty minutes on the elliptical. What a great workout without the pounding of the feet. I hadn't been on the elliptical since before the marathon last October.
(Please don't take any recommendations I have like I know a whole lot. What little I know, is from trial and error, and have found they work for me as far as LSD running/walking is concerned) Since the group is starting to get in to some major long distances, I'd like to share something (whether it is a mental thing or not) that helps me not feel so blah after a long run: Endurox recovery drink. I've found I feel less drained after the run and the next day, if I drink it within an hour after I run. The cheapest place I've found to buy it is GNC. If you want to try it out Fleet Feet has it in single serving packets. Fruit punch is the best tasting to me. Hope to see everyone this Saturday. Hang in there, it's worth it.