weightlessness is a beautiful thing

When I was a kid, I imagined that I would grow up to be an astronaut. I remembered one of the compelling reasons today. Weightlessness. I ran 14 miles - 14 miles of SWEAT - today. It was a different route that I decided on as I ran, but it was a good one. The fact that its about 95 bagillion degrees outside meant that 14 miles was just about all I could muster today (although it is about 7 more than I intended to run when I set out). I really enjoyed seeing a part of my city that I don't visit too often (which is ridiculous since I live in the middle of this area!). I ran from my house downtown, around Centennial Olympic Park (went up and down a lot of streets around there) and then on and around Georgia Tech. They are apparently having some sort of Robot competition there today, and all sorts of kids and their parents were there showing off their latest and greatest robots. That was sort of fun, too. Eventually, I made my way to North Avenue, and then made a wrong turn, and headed west - away from the city. I realized the error of my ways, but thought that I'd explore a bit. I eventually got pretty bored with that - so industrial - that I turned around and headed back to Midtown. I ran up Peachtree for a bit and then headed over to Piedmont Park. I was also amazed that they have already done so much setting up for the Peachtree Road Race. I know that its a really big deal, but it isn't till NEXT Wednesday!

The best part, though, and the reason for the title of this, was that the pool was irresistable to me when I got back to my neighborhood. So I hopped in, in my running clothes, and felt like I had reached nirvana. Feet and legs that had been pounding for 2 hours suddenly were suspended in coolness, wrapped in glory. It was the best thing ever! Now, though, I don't think I'm going to be able to not do that more often! Oh well... It sure did feel good!

Speaking of next Wednesday... This is the 1st time since I started running that I've been both in the country and NOT signed up to officially run the race. Not wanting to feel left out (but also really not wanting to run so much by myself), I've decided to run from my house to Buckhead and then back with other runners. I hope that that doesn't make me look like I'm trying to unfairly take advantage of the race or other runners, but... It'll be fun to have 50000 people doing a long run with me! I figure that will be my really long run for this marathon. I'm plannning on doing 20+ on Wednesday... we'll see. I hear that its going to be a little less hot then, too...

oops, I did it again

I set out this morning, thinking I would do a VERY short fun - like 1.5 miles or 2. But... I got lost - a bit, and it turned into 3.8. Which is better, in terms of the milage that my imaginary program would tell me to run, but less good in terms of resting up for a long run tomorrow. Oh well... It was a fine route - in Buckhead among the super duper mansions with nice rolling hills - but it was SO freaking humid! Seriously. Thats just gotta stop! I know its weird for a runner to dislike sweat, but I do. And yet I still sweat. A lot. How long till winter? Not that I mind summer - I really like it, but I just want to run in something that pulls me to run faster, not makes me nauseated!

2 days of training to report

On Tuesday, I ran 8.04 miles from my house out to Va-Hi, over back and around Piedmont Park, then up 8th street (getting ready for those San Francisco hills!) and back home. It was a fun run, a good route, and to my overwhelming delight, I ran into MW on my way into Piedmont Park, so I had company. A very good day of running indeed...

This morning, I ventured up to Buckhead for my run. I ran 6 miles in the Chastain Park area (also quite hilly) - up Dudley to Mt. Paran, back down Powers Ferry, around the Hillside-Broadland loop, and then back around the golf course. Not nearly as entertaining as yesterday, but I do enjoy noting how much stronger I am than I was at this time last year! Running that course certainly takes me back to the beginning days of marathon training. My goodness, last year, I'd never run longer than 12 miles. Now I've got 3 marathons under my belt and #4 is a mere 4.5 weeks away! Wheeeee!

records.

I'm going to try and do a better job of logging the running / training I do. Here.

This morning: 3.5 miles, fast. 20 minutes. :-)

sniff, sniff

What is it with boys and getting sick? Or is it me? Seriously. I'm starting to wonder... Or is it just boys who run? Or boys who run with me? I don't know what it is, but its starting...uh, not really just starting, but it gets on my nerves. my health isn't that great, but good lands a living... In the last 3 months, I think that I've only had a buddy to run with on Saturdays like 2x. Maybe 3. I really don't think that this one is a flake, I think - believe - that he's sick, but I'm still sad for me. boo. poor me. pity party!!!

So. I'm frustrated. Maybe its a good thing. That's what I'm going to keep telling myself. At mile 16. and 17. and 18. and 19. and by 20, given the heat that we're having, i hope i'm still coherent enough to talk to myself! Anyway... it looks like a solo 20 miler pour moi. :-( I got a new water bottle, though, so maybe that will be fun. It can hold my nano, thus eliminating the need for a sweaty arm band. That's a good thing. And it'll be good to prove to myself that I can do it by myself. If I can do it by myself. Aye. We'll see. San Francisco is only 5 weeks away, so I could potentially put off the 20 miler until next week, but that doesn't seem like such a good idea. I ran a 20 miler and then went to a pool party last year, and that was near disaster. Of course, I'm a much better runner now than I was then, so I can handle such things a little easier, but I sort of feel like that's one that I should knock on wood about...