My new mantra seems to be "suck it up princess" - I say this alot when it gets uncomfortable - day 2 of my dont-hold-anything-back-routine. I almost lost it 2 times this morning - one just after 6 miles and the second time was 1 mile away from home. Mile 6, I thought "dang it, its hot...I am so far away, etc etc". I hate being so fragile! Anyway, got it done, and the discomfort for 30 or so minutes does not compare to the sense of satisfaction that I went further today than I have in awhile. There used to be a time when I could crank out 20 miles without a second thought - I just havent done big mileage in SO long and fear has set in. It needs to go....it needs to go....

15.5 miles this am. It took me 130 minutes. I jogged/walked barefoot in the grass for 5 minutes after just to cool down.

Triple play and hydration.

The heat annoys me - my face looks constantly flushed, especially after for a few hours after a workout and doesnt dissapate till the end of the day! I did not run yesterday - did nothing in fact. All the accumalated aches and pains surface when one takes a day off. I watered down 2 litres (yes, you read that right) of mango juice and drank that the entire day instead of water. I also ate alot of Asian food doused in soy sauce because I lose 6-7 lbs in water every single run - this is no good - dehydration is a recipe for disaster! It paid off for my workout this morning. Something that usually should take 150 minutes, took me only 120 minutes. Good times!
1200 single (600 double) stair repeats with all the windows shut.
15 repeats of 500m. 7 kms - just over 4 miles.
30 lap swim. (this took me 20 minutes)

I have become too complacent and comfortable with my routine. I have become too safe - even as a person - that isnt me AT all. I have fear even when I run nowadays - this is me being completely honest with myself and something I hate admitting. When I run "safe", my thought process is "safe". I'm not going to be that person - no way. From this day on, I am going to be braver, a little less fearful and a little kinder - to myself.

I took an anti-inflammatory 2 nights ago and it has helped with the soreness I felt after the massage. It would be infitinately better if I just took a week or so off. I always intend to - just never get around to doing it. Ran 9 miles yesterday am.

This morning was strong - the late fuel last night must have helped - I dont usually like eating that late and then running the next day. Anyway...

1000 single stair repeats (500 doubles). I looked like I had a shower at the end of it!
Just a touch under 6kms to loosen up the legs after.

Monday

I read something this morning while getting ready to run - an article at the Little Rock Marathon where a 26year old runner died after crossing the finish line. The cause of death is unknown - could be heart problems (alot of endurance athletes suffer from Arhythmia - and dont even know it!), dehydration, other impairments. Majority, if not all distance runners have to deal with aches and pains that come with pushing your body through grueling training. It is also what makes it so wonderful!

It is scary though. The kid is my age. I am amazed that he could make it to the finish line without collapsing prior. For a few mornings now, with the dreary weather I usually wake up to, I actually thought about dying while running. This was before I read the article. I was running in the middle of nowhere and thought "What if my body or heart just gave out?". I would be screwed. No one knows I am out here. I dont leave a note of my route because its something I decide when I step out. But thats what I like - the SOLITUDE. I would rather be running in solitude before eventually going into eternal solitude, then I could say I went out doing something I love doing. I am in pretty good shape but this news was pretty startling. Of course, one could also die crossing the street or getting into a car - however, they are so commonplace today that they dont have an effect on us, unless we have some connection to the person.

Anyway, I got a massage yesterday after a very very long time and the stocky 180lb guy dug his entire elbow into my hamstrings and lower back. Goodtimes! I slept like a baby for a whole 6 hours! Woke up sore but managed 7.7 miles this am in a pathetically slow time but enjoyed it totally.

Its threatening to rain again :-)

Clocked in 300 stair repeats and a 5km run, followed by 25 laps in the pool yesterday. The water was so cold and it felt great for a couple of hours after. However, I dont think my immune system is very strong at the moment because I keep getting icky this week. Now I have the beginning of the flu. The best remedy? If the symptons are all above the neck, then sweat it out - if its body ache - sweat out a minimum of 3 miles :-)

I woke up after an hour of 'going-to-bed' - very irritating! My legs and feet; more sore and achy than usual, carried me through a really strong 10.5 miles this morning.

It took 80 minutes.