Running Resolutions: A Month-By-Month Guide

Runner's World - January 2013

As I said in my last post, 2013 is going to be about finding the fun again in my running.  Boy oh boy is that a big, fat, huge goal that needs to be better defined.  Which is why I love the idea of breaking down a large yearly goal into more manageable monthly ones, like in the article in the January 2013 Runner's World magazine entitled "A Month-By-Month Guide to a Fitter, Faster You."  

Although a "fitter, faster me" is not my actual running goal for 2013, I certainly wouldn't mind if it happens to be a by-product of finding the fun again.  And small, mini-goals can help me get to my "fun" goal.  Therefore I plan to use the monthly guide as a go-by for my upcoming year, because I like the concepts presented in it a lot (make sure you read the whole article):

January: Plan Your Race Year
February: Commit to Cooking
March: Build an Injury-Proof Body
April: Spring Clean Your Gear
May: Sneak in Speed
June: Strengthen Your Brain
July: Overcome Aches and Pains
August: Rediscover Your Mojo
September: Master the Long Run
October: Go Gadget-Free
November: Stay Fit Through the Holidays
December: Share the Love

See?  It's all logical, simple stuff that when spread out across the year should be manageable.

So there they are, in black and white.  My 2013 New Year's Running Resolution(s).

What have you committed to for 2013?

Don't forget that TriandTrue and Running Halfway Around The World are co-hosting a new January Challenge!  Get a jump start on the New Year! Pledge to log at least one running or walking mile every day in January - yes, every day!

Join the Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/JanuaryJumpStartChallenge/

Challenge DAY 31 - Last Day & Happy New Year's Eve

Today is Day 31 of the Run Halfway December 2012 Challenge!  Which means it's the LAST DAY of the Challenge!  It's also New Year's Eve, and I can't think of a better way to finish out the year strong - so go get that last mile in!

Once you've logged your mile on DAY 31 of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours, and it will be available to share on both FB and Twitter!

• Get your Facebook Accomplishment Badge HERE.
• Tweet this badge and your accomplishment using #RunHalfwayChallenge!

Don't forget that TriandTrue and Running Halfway Around The World are co-hosting a new January Challenge!  Get a jump start on the New Year! Pledge to log at least one running or walking mile every day in January - yes, every day! Part of the Challenge is fitting the activity into your daily life, so no skipping. 

Join the Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/JanuaryJumpStartChallenge/

Challenge DAY 30 - Thrilling Thirties!

Today is Day 30 of the Run Halfway December 2012 Challenge, and we're into the thrilling thirties!  That's thirty days straight of logging at least one mile every day, with only one more day left to go!

Once you've logged your mile on DAY 30 of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours, and it will be available to share on both FB and Twitter!

• Get your Facebook Accomplishment Badge HERE.
• Tweet this badge and your accomplishment using #RunHalfwayChallenge!

Don't forget that TriandTrue and Running Halfway Around The World are co-hosting a new January Challenge!  Get a jump start on the New Year! Pledge to log at least one running or walking mile every day in January - yes, every day! Part of the Challenge is fitting the activity into your daily life, so no skipping. 

Join the Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/JanuaryJumpStartChallenge/

Revolutions Lead to Resolutions

365 earthly revolutions make a year and we're nearing the end of this one.  Which means it's time for ... resolutions!  The start of a new year gives us a clean slate with a bright shiny new beginning.

2012 taught me that I can run marathons, but that I prefer halfs.  That I can go the distance, but that I don't need to.  And, sadly, that I sacrificed  the fun in the pursuit of a few big goals.  Running stopped being enjoyable this training season, and I want that fun and enjoyment back.  Don't get me wrong, there were some fun times to be had while running this year.  But running itself was not fun anymore.

While I'm not normally a huge fan of New Year's Resolutions, I do like the idea of a new plan and a new goal for a new year.  And for me, that means my goal for 2013 will be a goal that's not centered around a particular length of race or even a certain number or type of race.  

2013 for me will be about finding the fun in running again.  

Which is a very broad and sweeping resolution, I know.  So I do need to commit to some smaller and more concrete goals for the year.  While reading an article in Runner's World on the plane ride home to visit my family a couple weeks ago I came across the perfect way to do this.  Anyone else read the January issue and already know what I'm talking about?

Well, I'm leaving you with a cliffhanger here, and I'll follow up in my next (non-Challenge-related) post.  In the meantime, I've got a couple questions for you:

• Reflecting back on your 2012, did you have running triumphs? Running regrets?
• What are you looking to change next year?
• Have you started thinking about your 2013 New Year's Resolutions yet?

Tell Me About Your 2012

Fellow blogger H Love over at Keep on Keeping On had a great post earlier this week about recapping her year of running with a short survey: Tell Me About 2012.  I liked the idea so much I asked if I could do the same.

So here's my 2012:   

Best race experience? There were SO many good ones this year.  But I think I'll have to go with the obvious, which was my FIRST MARATHON!  The Disneyworld Marathon in January validated me as a runner.  A marathon runner.  It was hard, there were tears, there were friends, there was family, and there was Mickey bling.

Dad, BFF, & me after Mickey 2012

Best run?  Again, so many good ones to choose from. Too many, really.  So, I'm going to go with a really general "run" - training runs with my Galloway Girls.  My pace group helped keep me motivated and on-track, helped keep me moving on the hard runs, and kept my mind occupied on the boring ones.

"Lost in Pace" after our 21 Miler

Best new piece of gear?  Well, this one honestly couldn't be more obvious, lol.  It's gotta be my SparkleSkirts.  LOVE. THEM.  2012 was the year I started running in SparkleSkirts, and I've said it before and I'll say it again - there's nothing better for a long run!  They're fun, functional, and stylish!

Berry Smoothie SparkleSkirt

Best piece of running advice you received? "Start out slow and back off."  This is a joke from my friend Megan (remember her blog?), but still it strikes a chord with me.  She said it prior to what we knew was going to be a tough race, and it takes me back to that moment when running was about the company and not the miles or the pace.

Megan & Me at The Patriot's Challenge

Most inspirational runner? My friend Allison.  She was new to our running group this year and fit right in.  Allison was diagnosed with breast cancer just before her big goal race this fall, which she didn't run, and immediately started treatment.  Her positive outlook and determination during this fight, which she partially attributes to her running journey, are a true inspiration to us all.  And she's already planning her running comeback once she's in remission! 

Celebrating Allison's Bday with the Galloway Girls

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?  Friends & bling.  That's truly what this past year of running has been about for me.  My running friends - both in "real life" and online - have kept me going and have helped me do more than I dreamed this year.  And 2012 was the "Year of Bonus Bling."  LOTS of bling this year - and I love it all!!!

So that was my 2012 in a nutshell.  I'm looking forward to what 2013 brings - stay tuned for more on that!

Want to do a "Tell Me About Your 2012" of your own?  Post a link to your blog post about it in the comments below - I'd love to read about your year!

Challenge DAY 28 - Four Weeks Finished!

Today is Day 28 of the Run Halfway December 2012 Challenge!  That's four weeks finished, which means we only have a few days left.  Let's power through to the end, everyone!!!

Once you've logged your mile on DAY 28 of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours, and it will be available to share on both FB and Twitter!

• Get your Facebook Accomplishment Badge HERE.
• Tweet this badge and your accomplishment using #RunHalfwayChallenge!

January Jump Start Challenge

The RunHalfway Mile-A-Day December Challenge is going very well, but is coming to an end.  So my friend Kim over at TriandTrue and I are hatching a plan for a January Jump Start Challenge.

Get a jump start on the New Year! Pledge to log at least one running or walking mile every day in January. Part of the Challenge is fitting the activity into your daily life, so no skipping, BUT - everyone gets one (1) "Grace Day" at any time during the month to miss a mile without breaking your streak!

It's super easy and follows basically the same rules as the December Challenge with one new little twist.  Kim's triathlon training calls for us to include biking as an option for January's Challenge - so trading 3 biking miles for your daily running or walking mile is acceptable in this one.  

So, are you ready to pledge your mile a day?  If so, here's how:

1. Join the FB group here.
2. Share the Challenge badge on FB, Twitter (follow @RunHalfway and @TriandTrue and use #JanuaryJumpStart), or on your blog.
3. Complete at least one mile on your feet every day. If you choose, 3 biking miles can occasionally be substituted for running or walking a mile.
4. After you've logged at least a mile each day, check into the Facebook group to record your mileage and get each day's badge!
5. Visit both blogs for motivation and updates throughout the month!
   - http://triandtrue.net/
   - http://www.run-halfway.blogspot.com/

Post-Christmas Blues ... and Another Challenge?

Post Christmas Blues are here...  The day after Christmas means back to work and "normalcy," and that it's time to start thinking about putting away Christmas decorations.  Boo.

However, that does mean that New Year's is next week and WDW Marathon Weekend is right around the corner!  Wuhoo!!!

With the new year, my friend Kim (check out her blog here) and I are going to host a joint mile-a-day challenge for January!  Stay tuned for more details...

Challenge DAY 25 - Merry Christmas!

Today is Day 25 of the Run Halfway December 2012 Challenge!  It'll be a tough day to complete because it is CHRISTMAS DAY and there are lots of other things  going on in our lives today!!!  See if you can encourage any family or friends you may be spending the day with to complete your mile with you.

Once you've logged your mile on DAY 25 of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours, and it will be available to share on both FB and Twitter!  Did you notice the little "add-on" for today's badge?

• Get your Facebook Accomplishment Badge HERE.
• Tweet this badge and your accomplishment using #RunHalfwayChallenge!

Challenge DAY 24 - Only One Week Left!

Today is Day 24 of the Run Halfway December 2012 Challenge!  Happy Christmas Eve everyone - only one week left to go!

Once you've logged your mile on DAY 24 of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours, and it will be available to share on both FB and Twitter!

• Get your Facebook Accomplishment Badge HERE.
• Tweet this badge and your accomplishment using #RunHalfwayChallenge!

Challenge DAY 21 - Three Weeks Through!

Today is Day 21 of the Run Halfway December 2012 Challenge!  We are three weeks through the Challenge!  I'm so impressed by everyone's resolve and dedication with getting the miles in every day.  Y'all are doing great!

Once you've logged your mile on DAY 21 of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours, and it will be available to share on both FB and Twitter!

• Get your Facebook Accomplishment Badge HERE.
• Tweet this badge and your accomplishment using #RunHalfwayChallenge!

Challenge DAY 20 - Entering the Twenties!

Today is Day 20 of the Run Halfway December 2012 Challenge, and we are officially entering the twenties!  That's twenty days straight of logging at least one mile each day - what a great thing!

Once you've logged your mile on DAY 20 of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours, and it will be available to share on both FB and Twitter!

• Get your Facebook Accomplishment Badge HERE.
• Tweet this badge and your accomplishment using #RunHalfwayChallenge!

Challenge DAY 16 - More Than Halfway!

Today is Day 16 of the Run Halfway December 2012 Challenge!  Which means we are MORE than Halfway there!  Keep going strong - only 15 days left!

Once you've logged your mile on DAY 16 of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours, and it will be available to share on both FB and Twitter!

• Get your Facebook Accomplishment Badge HERE.
• Tweet this badge and your accomplishment using #RunHalfwayChallenge!

Challenge DAY 14 - Two Weeks Complete!

Today is Day 14 of the Run Halfway December 2012 Challenge!  Two weeks of the Challenge are complete and everyone's still going strong.  Let's keep up that momentum!

Once you've logged your mile on DAY 14 of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours, and it will be available to share on both FB and Twitter!

• Get your Facebook Accomplishment Badge HERE.
• Tweet this badge and your accomplishment using #RunHalfwayChallenge!

Challenge DAY 10 & Double Digits!

Today is Day 10 of the Run Halfway December 2012 Challenge.  Which means we have officially hit the double digit days of the Challenge!  Pat yourself on the back if you've made it this far with daily miles.  And guess what?  Only 3 weeks to go!  Everyone's doing great!

Once you've logged your mile on DAY 10 of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours, and it will be available to share on both FB and Twitter!

• Get your Facebook Accomplishment Badge HERE.
• Tweet this badge and your accomplishment using #RunHalfwayChallenge!

Challenge DAY 7 - One Week In & A Reminder

Today is Day 7 of the Run Halfway December 2012 Challenge!  We are one week in, and everyone is doing GREAT!  Keep going strong!!!

Just a reminder - it's a DAILY Challenge!  For those of you that have had to skip a day, I appreciate the intent behind "making up" mileage, but remember that the point is to get out there every day in December.  If you've missed one day, don't give up - start the streak anew and see how many days in a row you can get - hopefully you can keep going until the end of the month!  Keep posting on the event FB page, just re-start your day count with whatever your first day back was!

I'm so impressed and encouraged by y'alls participation.  Seeing everyone's accomplishments each day is awesome and I'm so glad we're all on this journey together!

Once you've logged your mile on DAY 7 of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours, and it will be available to share on both FB and Twitter!

• Get your Facebook Accomplishment Badge HERE.
• Tweet this badge and your accomplishment using #RunHalfwayChallenge!

My Medal Tree

The idea of Christmas "Medal Trees" has really boomed this year, but I attribute my first knowledge of the trees to my friends Steph and Dana, who have been doing their own medal trees for a while now.  I really wanted to create my own last year, but didn't have enough medals to cover the tree.  This year, thanks to the "Year of Bonus Bling" I had the amount I needed.  

I also ended up supplementing the medals with 4"x4" bib ornaments that I made out of my 20 favorite race bibs.  I think it turned out really well, and I'm so proud of it that I had to share!

In placing each medal on the tree, I realized that there's not a huge variety of race locations represented by these medals, and that I should probably branch out a bit (pardon the tree-related pun):

• 6 Texas medals
• 6 Florida medals
• 5 California medals
• 4 Virginia medals
• 1 virtual race medal

Looking at my race calendar for next year, I'll be adding 2 more Florida medals, 1 California "medallion," 1 Washington State medal, and 1 Maryland medal.  Apparently I have a "thing" for racing on the coasts if I'm not racing at home.

Believe! 2012 Race Recap

When my grandma accepted my invitation to come visit me the weekend after Thanksgiving, I knew I needed to find some kind of fun run or walking event we could do together so that she could really get the feel of what my running life is like.  I found the Believe! 2012 event in a nearby city, which included a 1 Mile fun walk on Saturday morning - it was perfect!  So I registered us both and picked up our packets early that week.

Looking at the weather forecast on Friday evening, we realized it was going to be much colder than my grandma had expected, so I loaned her quite a few of my cold weather gear running items (including my compression pants that fit her like normal pants - she's tiny!) to layer underneath and on top of her outfit for the next morning as well as a scarf and hat set.  After watching Spirit of the Marathon, we both headed to bed early because it had been a long day of traveling and we needed to get up early the next morning for the race.

Saturday morning dawned clear and cold at 29°!  We headed out about 7am, and after parking a few blocks away in a designated lot, Grandma and I walked to the City Square where the start & finish lines were.  There was quite a bit of activity for a relatively small race, and the race mascot was out taking pictures with everyone, so of course we grabbed a quick pic with him.  We cheered on the 10K runners as they started their race and watched the kids to the Santa Chase, then lined up behind the 5K runners to start our walk.

While we waited at the start, Grandma kept telling me that if I wanted to take off and run then I should, but I reassured her that I wanted to do the race with her, and we'd go at whatever pace she felt comfortable.  So off we went and we were quickly left in the dust at the back of the pack with the families with kids walking, which actually made for a great race.  None of us realized that it was actually quite a hilly course - with one monster hill (for our area) on both the out-and-back portions!  Just as we were finishing the 1 Mile, the speediest 10K finishers were coming through, so that was fun to see and cheer them on to their finish.

We didn't stick around very long after we finished because even though it had warmed up considerably with the sun rising, it was still cold!  So we walked back through the square and stopped in at a small cafe we'd seen earlier to grab some breakfast and coffee to "refuel" after the race and warm up.  Grandma was a fast believer in splurging on a  post-race breakfast!

It was a fun and well-organized race and next year I think I'll do one of the longer distances - I'll just need to remember to train for those hills!

Day 1 of the Challenge!

Wuhoo!  Did you see yesterday's post about The RunHalfway December 2012 Challenge?

Wanna join in?  It's not too late!  Today is Day 1 of the Challenge.  Simply RSVP to the FB event here and then get out the door and get moving!  

Once you've logged your first mile of the challenge, this Accomplishment Badge is yours!  It is available to share on both FB and Twitter!

Who's up for a Little Challenge???

I've been debating since before Thanksgiving about setting a goal for myself of getting in 1 mile a day during the holiday season.  Quite a few of my friends are participating in the RW 2012 Holiday Running Streak, (check out my friend Kim's post about it here) but I knew based on my Thanksgiving weekend travel schedule that I'd be starting off having to skip a couple days, so I didn't start.

Of course, since then I've been kicking myself for not pledging to do the streak and not finding a way to get in the mileage on those days.  So, I've been thinking all week long that I should do a shortened version of that and create my own mini-streak of logging at least 1 Mile every day of December.

It's Friday, November 30th.  Tomorrow is December 1st.  Decision time.  I've had enough fence-sitting and and am jumping in.  Soooo...Run streak here I come!  There will be days where I don't want to get up early to do it, or get home from work exhausted and it will be so much easier to flop on the couch and relax.  Sundays after a Saturday long run will be the hardest, I think, and will be the days I'll be most tempted to skip.  But it's a challenge.  Keep up the streak.  No skipping allowed.

Would anyone else like to jump in with me that's not already doing a run streak challenge (or, if you'd like to participate in two, I'd love to have you!)???  It can be running or walking (or even biking, for that matter, I'm not picky).  Whether 1 Mile is "easy" for you or a challenge to complete, are you willing to test yourself and your resolve to see what you can accomplish?


If so, let's do this!  Here's how:

1. RSVP for the FB event here.
2. Share the Challenge badge on FB or Twitter (follow @RunHalfway and use #RunHalfwayChallenge) or your blog.
3. After you've logged at least a mile each day, check Facebook, Twitter, and this blog to record your mileage and get each day's badge!

Hug a Runner

It's National Hug A Runner Day! Not sure of the origin of this one, but hey, I'm all about hugs!  So, as a friend of mine said this morning: "Share the love, share the stink!"

https://www.facebook.com/events/122032791283423/

Believe!

I am so excited that my grandma is coming to visit us over Thanksgiving weekend!  It's been over four years since she's visited here (it's easier for me to go to her than for her to come to me), and I can't wait to show off the "new" house and to have her meet the "new" cat.

She is 89 years old, but still very physically fit and surprisingly spry for her age.  So, of course, while she's here we are registered to do a 1 Mile Fun Walk together to ring in the Christmas season!  The Believe! races are in a nearby town and offer a distance for everyone.  From a Family 1 Mile to a 5K run/walk and a 10K run. 

My grandma has heard all about my racing, but has never had a chance to be there when I do, so this gives us an opportunity to participate in one together, which will be totally awesome!  And...I *might've* gotten us matching stand-up christmas tree headbands to wear during the walk that morning.  This should be a VERY interesting look which hopefully will result in a great time had by all.  LOL!


Q4U (Question For You): Do you participate in running/walking events with "non-runners" in your life?  Whether it's family or friends, do you drag others into your running world on occasion?  

A Year End Bonus

I don't know that I ever came out at the beginning of the year and announced that it was going to be "The Year of Bonus Bling," it was just something that happened.  And as the year progressed, my friend Megan (remember Megan? Have you checked out her awesome blog yet?) and I just pronounced that it was.  And boy was it.  I'm afraid I'm going to be terribly cliche here and use the phrase where has the time gone?  But really, where did this year go?  

I'm running Rock'n'Roll San Antonio this weekend, and it is my last scheduled race of the year.  It's also the perfect endcap to the "Year of Bonus Bling" since it will earn me my last bonus medal of the year.  I've got great plans to do an awesome post at the end of the year with a quick recap and pictures of all the Bonus Bling, but that will have to wait for that last medal to arrive in my mailbox...(they say 6-8 weeks - I hope it's faster).

I haven't decided what my race "goal" for next year will be yet, or if I will even have one, but I'm suddenly feeling very nostalgic about this one as it's reaching it's conclusion.

Marine Corps = Hard Core!

I finished the Marine Corps Marathon!  It was incredibly hard, but incredibly awesome.  My friend Janice and I barely made it through the gauntlet, and only beat the bridge with a couple minutes to spare, but we made it!  A full race recap will be up soon (hopefully), but I wanted to share that I finished!  I have this picture from after the finish to tide you over until I am able to post again.

Janice (left) & me (right) in front of the Marine Corps Memorial after finishing MCM.

Also, yes, thanks to Hurricane Sandy, I did get stuck in D.C. until Wednesday at noon, but finally made it home safe and sound and unscathed!

New Skirt - Disco Style!

Emma totally photobombed the pic.

That's right, Leah over at Sparkle Skirts has done it again!  Here's yet another fun new print - the Disco Skirt. As a fun treat to psych myself up for the Marine Corps Marathon, I used my birthday gift certificate from my parents to purchase this new skirt and it arrived tonight!

This picture doesn't do the Disco justice at all. It looks INCREDIBLE in person. I feel bad even posting this terrible in-the-mirror camera phone pic, especially considering I've got some serious post-mexican food bloat going on. But I was so excited getting it and trying it on that I wanted to share immediately. The small clear sequins (although I hesitate to call them sequins - they're like small clear dots on the fabric) add the perfect amount of shimmer when the light hits them with movement.

I tried it on with the following colored tops:

• aqua
• blue
• pink
• raspberry
• purple
• green

Each top highlighted that color in the skirt and really pulled it out to make it seem like the dominant color in the skirt. It looked great with all of them, but my favorite two were this aqua one and the raspberry color (but these are usually my two faves anyway, so I'm definitely biased on that).

I'm going to wear it on my TM run tomorrow and try to remember to snap another pic then to share.

*****Ok, I know what you're thinking at this point - she talks about these skirts A LOT.  She's got to be getting something in return, right - money, skirts, something?  Wrong.  All my Sparkle Skirts were bought and paid for by me.  So why all the hooplah?  I just really love the skirts.  They fit better than any other running skirt I've ever worn, they're made in the USA, and the owner, Leah, is one special lady whose customer service is phenomenal.  So I like to give them/her a little shout out whenever I can.  If you haven't tried a Sparkle Skirt yet, give them a try.  They are worth every penny! *****

Be CHEERful: A Follow-Up Post

You may remember my rather tongue-in-cheek post last month titled What To Do When You're NOT Running a Race That All Your Friends Are?.  It was about your options for dealing with FOMO when all your friends are running a race that you're not, which, in this instance, was all my ROTE friends participating in the runDisney Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler.  This is just a quick and funny follow-up to that post.

In response to that post, my friend Megan (check out her great running blog here: Elbowglitter) tweeted me the following pic of her cat, Pippin, telling me I needed to convince the cats to cheer with me:

Megan's cat, Pippin, "cheering on" our friends Katie & Kim from afar.

Which, of course, sparked an idea...what if I could come up with some funny signs for the cats that I could then text/tweet to my friends as they were running?  And, what if I could convince others to join me???  That's when another friend, Kim (check out her great running blog here: TriAndTrue) stepped up, volunteered her dog, Flynn, and helped me start planning.  Here's what we came up with:

My cat, Junebug, "cheering."

My cat, Emma, "cheering."

Kim couldn't get Flynn to keep his signs on long enough to snap a picture, so we "doctored" a few old pics of him to send.

Overall, I think we did a pretty good job of virtually cheering!  Kim and I worked out a schedule where we alternated sending our pet cheering pics to our friends throughout the night, and from their responses, I'd say we were a success!

It just goes to show that FOMO can turn into something fun, funny, and helpful.  Even though I wasn't running the race, I still had a good time that night tracking and cheering!

• Have you ever virtually cheered on friends/family when they run out-of-town/state/country?
• Do you take any of your pets along when you are physically there to spectate/cheer a race?

21...and Done!

Saturday morning was my last truly long run before MCM.  21 Miles.  Wowsah.  While I was not exactly looking forward to a run that long, I knew I could do it, with 20 and 16 milers under my belt in the last 6 weeks.

So, in the 5am darkness on a muggy, rainy, morning, my group and I took off.  Although the humidity was brutal, the first loop around the lake was no big deal.  Then we turned off the lake and went up into the neighborhoods and hit the hills.  (And this particular area has a set of hills known as "The Dolly's" in reference to Dolly Parton's rather generous...curves...ahem.  LOL.)  Still, we persevered and made it back down to the lake at mile 12.  We took a quick bathroom and re-fueling break, then headed back out for one more loop of the lake...and yes, it was still raining.

I hit a really rough spot mentally around mile 18, and I found myself fighting back tears.  I was tired, soaking wet, cranky, and seriously doubting my ability to run the first 20 miles of MCM at the needed "beat the bridge" pace.  However, my awesome group got me through it and we continued on, finally getting back to our cars and post-run golden oreos (yum!).

3 of my group members & me post-run...and dripping wet (even though it doesn't look like it in the pic)!

Photo proof!  21 done!

I got home, examined my new blisters (even with tons of lube, with all that rain, blisters were inevitable), took an ice bath, and put on my recovery/compression gear.  We opened the doors to the now rain-cooled temperatures and let the cats explore the backyard a bit while I relaxed on the couch.  I spent the rest of the afternoon watching a couple movies and the Longhorn football game, virtually "cheering" on a bunch of my friends running the Disney Tower of Terror 10 Miler, and finally I crashed hard around 11pm and got some sleep.

So, now those super-long runs are done for this particular training cycle!  It's taper, taper, taper from here on out!  The next 3 weekends call for 12, 10, and 8 milers, respectively.  Thank goodness - those are going to be some very full weekends anyway, even without trying to squeeze long runs in!

• Do y'all ever have trouble mentally pushing through a run when you know your body can do it?
• How do you deal with race-related fears?
• Any helpful ideas for coping with the stress I'm feeling worrying about pace for MCM?