Sigh

Ugh. I love warm weather. But this is ridiculous. The first day with students yesterday and it was 100+ degrees. I had 28 students, 13 are still 4 years old, 2 cried the ENTIRE DAY, literally. And I still had to run at 6:30. Didn't even cross my  mind to skip, though. Must be the enormous stress of the day, and the desire to run away from it.

Jennifer came with me, she is also training for her first 1/2, the Nike one in SF two weeks after mine. We met Stephanie and Coach James, which was nice because I don't see him often. He is too busy running every single Rock and Roll marathon in the country this year (14), as well as coaching a TNT group and us. I was able to pick his brain after our run regarding my stomach issues, and the fact that I am sick to my stomach after each and every run. I have tried eating different things (yes, the watermelon was stupid and now I can't even look at my favorite fruit anymore), and yesterday I went on an empty stomach. Seemed to work, I had very little nausea last night.

I think it was still about 90+ when we met. James led us a different way, around the back side of Hotel Sofitel and Oracle, around the lagoon where it was  bit cooler (I suppose - still pretty damn hot to me!) The first grassy area we ran past was freshly cut and while I love the smell, I have been known to be allergic so immediately I had trouble breathing, plus my throat started to burn. Had to walk way more than usual, which was a bit embarrassing since Jen was running with me for the first time. She and I are pretty much at the same level, though, so she said she didn't mind keeping at my pace. Steph and James ran ahead of us. The heat was brutal; people today told me it was not smart to run, but this is coming from non-runners who I think can't believe I am running in the first place. I had my electrolyte drink, I walked when I needed to, and pushed myself at the end like I usually do, and still did just under 4 miles. So whatever to the naysayers who don't know what they are talking about.

James filled us in on the run this Sunday. He said since I am at 7 miles, I should do 9 on Sunday. 9??!! NINE??? CRAP!! I thought a mile a week increase was hard. He said I should shoot for nine, then the week after back down to 6 or 7, then increase again. He wants me to get to 10-12 a couple of weeks before the event, then back down right before to recover. Not to increase more than 2 at a time. This weekend we are running at Rancho San Antonio Park. We can do the PG&E Challenge, which is an endurance challenge up a hill (sounds HARD!!) or just run the trails. Supposed to be a BEAUTIFUL place to run, one of the greatest in the Bay Area. So, I guess I am running for 9 miles. Well, he said if I do 8, that's okay since there are hills. Oh my goodness.....Never in my life!!

The good news is I seem to be getting stronger, recovering from these Sunday runs much faster than before. Just weird that I have lost no weight. Not stressing, just an observation. Whatever. Now my goal before Sunday is to find an electrolyte gel replacement since I gag at the texture. Will have to take a trip to the running store and find something to chew instead. James said some people do peanut butter, in the little individual servings that you can buy. Something with some carbs, little protein and easy to digest. Who would have thought there is so much that goes into planning to run 13 miles?

What in the world have I gotten myself in to? Feeling a bit like I am in over my head.....but I am in it so I better just get with it! And thankfully, only two more days of school this week......*SIGH*