I've been back for a week from China, I climbed to the top of the section we were at, probably almost as hard as a half marathon. (I still think my Garmin is whacked because it says I only burned 153 calories, but I'm not buying it!) We walked most places and I was on my feet for several hours a day teaching conversational English for 8 days, and I lost 4 pounds while we were gone. I packed my running stuff (hoping I'd be able to fit in some running) but other than the Garmin and my retiring short distance shoes, the rest of it stayed in the suitcase.
I did two short runs during the week, oh they were not pretty. I had to get in a long run today because I'm 11 weeks from The Rock N Roll Marathon, Savannah, my first full marathon. With the help of some friends I've got my training plan hammered out, adding in additional mileage during the week. I did my 12 miles today, slowly but surely.
So, get to the point Steph, what are you learning...getting there. My running buddies are dropping like flies. I've learned that having a running group that is large, even if I don't know everyone super well, is invaluable! The running group I started running with in January has several runners that are training for various marathons and half marathons, so they are running and they are running similar distances to me.
Pace buddies, especially on a day like today when this is my first long run in a month, are a big deal. If you don't have someone you pace with, you are running in the dark, and it's extremely early in the morning, it's a bit awkward at times. Thankfully I grabbed my ipod and headphones this morning before heading out because I've noticed that some of the runners that I would likely end up running near typically wear headphones. The issue is I'm at an in between pace today, not as quick as several runners and yet faster than the next group, I'm stuck in the middle. As long as I had someone near me, I was fine.
Music playlists should be updated regularly, even when you aren't using them. Thankful I had my music, I haven't ran with music in months, but I started playing it towards the end of the run, when I was already tired and most of my music is really fast paced, note to self-mix in some more medium paced songs for training. I did get a kick out of some of the songs that I haven't listened to in months.
My ears are small, not just a little, they are really small. Most earbuds pop right out and I have a hard time finding headphones that are comfortable running in. I found some a long time ago, that I can only order online now, that work and aren't expensive, but I'm either having an ear problem on my left side (totally possible) or the left side is going out on this pair too. I'm debating, break down and buy really good headphones or stick with the cheapies and replace them as needed. Or since starting this post, make sure you had them on right. Problem solved.
I also learned today that with the increased heat, there is a need for Body Glide. The last time I was running distances like this it was cold. Sweat wasn't as much of an issue, but so not true after today's run.
The last 2.75 miles I ran by myself as I didn't need the full distance some of the group was running. It wasn't bad, I had to push myself to keep running, but I finished it. It felt good to be at 12 miles. In the next couple of weeks I'll be surpassing my half marathon max distance, which is strange, yet really exciting as I work towards that 26.2 number.
I wonder what else I'll learn on this journey.....
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