I hurt

I had no idea running would hurt this much. I've been trying to add more mileage and hopefully some speed, but I'm not so sure my goal is reachable.

I'd like to finish this crazy race in 2 hours, or running slightly under a 10 minute mile, which is doable. Provided my hamstring holds up. And my toenail stays on.

Is 40 really a magic age? Or is it simply a milestone and an excuse to have a maudlin party. Friends say, "40 is just a number", "40 is a state of mind", "the bod just dies at 40". What's a girl to think?

While shopping at Hollister is outta the question, both in style and shape, The Gap and Old Navy are still attainable. 40 should be fine; not be a scary age.

Feet

Who knew?

Seriously, who knew? I had no idea my (OK - this gets a little gross) toenails would try to come off once I started doing longer mileage. I hit my first 9 mile run (actually, 9.25 miles - go me!) yesterday and my second right toe started to swell and bulge. Not at all attractive. The toenail is literally trying to separate from the nailbed and the other 3 edges are all swollen and sore.

Icky - where was this note in my training materials? I have no guidelines in my running and nutrition info about toenails trying to leave my feet? I'm going to have to speak with someone about this. If the information is not in the training 411, the disaster shoudn't happen, right?

So, no running for me today. Nope. Instead, Team Runnermom went to Whales Tale Waterpark. Yup, the temperature hit a balmy 65 degrees in the North Country, but we're hardy New England stock. And we had to use our free passes before they expired tom'w.......

St. Charles Children's Home 5k tom'w - Race Day!

I'm baaaack....!

School started. Again. The whole thing puts a serious crimp in my social calendar and training schedule. I've been really exhausted after a summer of serious loafing...hee, hee! In all seriousness, getting back into routine of 4:30 wake-ups, prepping lunches, clothes, lesson plans, etc. is startlingly hard. I've managed to fit in some running, but last weekend was dreadful.

I thought I'd been hit by a bus. I could barely manage to get outta my own way. On Saturday, I gathered everything I needed for errands, except my wallet. I had coupons, library books needing returning, dry cleaning to drop off, recycle bags for groceries, grocery lists, EVERYTHING. I drove alllll the way uptown to Fiddleheads and completed my produce shopping only to discover NO WALLET. Fortunately, the nice kids at the cheese shop held onto my wares while I zoomed back to get my purse. Honestly...... My run was non-existant, since after 2 miles my legs cramped up. I then finished my cardio time on the ArcTrainer. I had planned on 9 miles, but ended up with 60 minutes of cardio. Oh, well.

The week's beginning has improved with the passing of each day. 6.25 miles flew past me on the Shredder in 60 minutes. Not bad for someone w/stumpy legs!

Today takes the cake. SwimGirl KICKED MY BUTT. You got it folks - my 9 year old did what amounted to a 4.5 mile sprint, telling me I need to improve my times. Good thing she's cute or she'd be toast. I CHASED her for our entire run, which truly was UPHILL BOTH WAYS. Ugh.

What was I thinking when I introduced her to running? I thought I'd found a nice, little way for us to spend time together away from phones, computers, etc. But, noooooooo..... She really LIKES running and is GOOD at it, too. :-P

St. Charles Children's Home 5k goes off on Monday. Let's hope for good times - both on the clock and with our friends. Readers, please go and sign up on Active.com. You can't ask for a better charity.