I. CANNOT. MOVE. RIGHT. NOW.

Yikes. I was all geared up to do 12 miles today. Then this week threw me for a loop. Cassie got sick (well, her asthma kicked up and with her cough, I kept her home for 2 days for treatments) and I didn't run on Tuesday, or Wednesday. Thursday was Alex's Back to School night so I didn't run then. Friday, Steph and I met in Woodside hills, up near  Huddard Park, for what was to be a beautiful short 3 mile run. And as soon as I get out of the car, my stupid hip flexor starts nagging me, and so we started walking, and it just got worse. We had to turn around at a mile and go back because it started spasming. I was SO upset. Good thing Steph is a tall girl; I was prepared to just run through it and she wouldn't let me. I can't even express how pissed, and worried I was, that I wouldn't be able to do my 12 today.

at the 5 mile marker

just past the 5 mile marker - great view!

at the end...holding up 10 fingers but I really went 10-1/2 miles!

I rested, iced, took advil, stretched, rolled, etc. Took care of it and yesterday it was much better. So I figured, okay, why not try to do at least 10 and not push it to 12 so that I don't injure myself more.

Spent some time talking to my sister in law Olga, who walked the San Diego Rock n Roll full marathon this past June and got some advice regarding my nutrition. I think I was limiting my water/electrolyte drink intake because of the fear of being able to go to the bathroom, so that could have contributed to my extreme nausea after every run. I also wasn't eating anything after, since by the time I would finish, pick up the kids and get home, get dinner, it would sometimes be an hour or two by the time I got something in my stomach. I also was chewing the shot blocks but maybe not enough during the runs. So all this together, plus eating very little before. All I know is I have to figure this out SOON since the race is in 3 weeks!

So this morning, I ate a hard boiled egg white (even though I was told not to eat protein but I do every morning so I thought why not) and a small bowl of steel cut oatmeal. Made sure it was a full hour before my run. Made sure to drink some water before. Went to the bathroom at home, then at the beginning of the trail, then at the .75 mark, the 3.5 mile marker, and again at the 3.5 marker on the way back. Sheesh. Good thing there are port a potties along the race route. I brought a protein bar with me to eat in the car right after. I never finish both my 10 oz water bottles that I carry on my belt; today I made sure to finish them both. I also ate 4 shot blox over the whole run.

So the plan was to go as far I could go, paying attention to how my body was feeling. I felt great, no pain, so we ran, and walked, and ran, ran, ran.  Of course, had to walk but I am feeling stronger and able to run longer. My pace is slower, though, and at times I get so frustrated with my slow pace but I am finding I can go longer if I pay attention to my own pace rather than Steph's, and we run with our music and just find a groove. I still am not able to hold much of a conversation without getting winded.

I have never gone past the 3.5 marker; I was excited to do that today. I was breaking new ground! Immediately past it, the trail got very green and the scenery was beautiful, more hilly than the rest of the trail. We hit the 5 mile marker, and went up the hill past it and on one side, was the water; the other side, the hills and dry area. The rest of the way to the 6 mile mark was uphill. I just didn't think I could do it today, because at that point, my hips and lower back were starting to ache and I knew I had to make it all the way back. So we went another 1/4 mile until the point where it started to climb; turned around and went back.

By the time we got to the beginning, I was floored that I did 10.5 miles! We walked for a bit, talking, but ran to the end. I was sure feeling it then, physically.

And now, at 9:30 pm, I can hardly walk! I am so incredibly sore. I have pain in both shins, my heel, my knees, my hips, my lower back.......but even though I have never gone this far, I have been recovering faster after these long runs, so I am banking on that so I can walk tomorrow!

The day after the race (in 3 weeks, oh my god) Stephanie and I are planning a spa day in Santa Cruz.....1-1/2 hour hot tub, 1-1/2 hour massages, lunch.......a great reward for my first ever 1/2 marathon! I am hoping, since we did 10-1/2 miles in exactly 3 hours (with a lot of potty stops and walking) that I will finish the entire 13 in 3 hours. We shall see. Steph made me promise today that after this race is over, I will not stop running. I can see myself running twice a week, and FOR SURE getting back to my Body Pump classes, most likely at 24 hour fitness since they are going to be launching them in October. I sure do miss my Alex and Kimi, though, and will have to go crash their classes. I don't even know if I can keep up with them anymore (not that I ever did!!) but running is so different. Looking forward to truly cross training. I am even contemplating what races I can sign up for next - like maybe a couple of 5K's, and most likely for sure the 1/2 in Reno that my niece Amanda wants to run with me. Gives me plenty of time to train!

But right now - I. CANNOT. MOVE. or at least, not very fast, or very well......nighty night!