Running in the heat

This morning it was nice & cool for my 4 mile run. A welcome relief from the recent heat & humidity. I ran a LOT faster with a LOT less effort this morning, and I gotta say, the run was much more enjoyable. I am just not cut out for running in the heat. I struggled with it last summer, too, but this year I am starting my half marathon training during the hottest time of the year. Great planning.

Anyway, I realized this morning just how much the heat had been affecting me. I was beginning to think that I was really out of shape!! I guess if it was like this year round, I would eventually adapt. But it's not, and I'm not adjusting well, and it stinks! And I'll be darned if I'm going to be stuck on the treadmill all summer!!!

The latest & greatest frustrations

So here's the scoop. First, I actually ran more than my usual 3 miles yesterday which felt amazing. I feel so out of shape, but I think a lot of it is the HEAT, which I still haven't adjusted to. I officially start my half marathon training in 2 weeks, so right now I'm training to get my butt in shape to start training! That's just pathetic!

I'm getting a little excited about getting back to those long runs, and running another half. I finally realized and will admit that I definitely, definitely, definitely NEED to be signed up for some type of running event to keep motivated. The down time after the first half was killer. I think I was almost depressed. It was the craziest thing.

And lastly, this "weight loss ticker" at the top of the page is pissing me off. I've been stuck at this weight forever. It's no big mystery, though... I'm cheating on my diet like there's no tomorrow. I'm actually amazed at the crap I can eat and not gain a thing. I tend to go for a week or 2 eating everything in sight, then realize I need to reign it in, so I'll be good for a few days, but then I slip back into it. I've just been training so hard, and eating right (meaning STRICT) for so much of the last year, that I guess I'm a little "over" it. But I am so, so close to my goal weight now, that I just need to commit to one last push. It's not about the number on the scale, believe me! When I was this weight before, I wore 2 sizes bigger than I wear now. So I am definitely leaner, more muscle mass, less fat. But I just want to shred off the last little bit of blubber, and be just a little lighter (leading to faster running???). So let's buckle down and do this thingy already!! And then we can take the ticker off the site, for goodness sakes!!!

6 Random Things About J-Dog

I've been tagged by Suebob for 6 Random Things!

1. I've always lived in Indiana. Lucky me...
2. The craziest thing I've ever done is go skydiving.
3. I have a poster autographed by Deena Kastor (woo hoo, go Deena)
4. My favorite color is purple
5. I've never been outside the US
6. One of my favorite shows is Ghost Hunters (it's on tonight!)

• link to the person who tagged you.
• post the rules on your blog.
• write six random things about yourself.
• tag six people at the end of your post.
• let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog
• let the tagger know when your entry is up

So, I'm supposed to tag 6 folks, but I'm not sure I know that many! Hmmm... how about JoJit and Adrianne and Jenn and Sam and Jarod? Hey, that's more than I thought... Happy blogging!

Why, oh why, did I sign up for another half marathon?

I know, I know. I'm a worry wort.

I doubled up the workouts yesterday so I could take today as a rest day. Mainly because it's Monday, and I knew it would be a crazy day. Time management is a little difficult these days and I'm finding it stressful trying to fit in all parts of life required in the short 24 hours each day.

So I'm worried about the half marathon I signed up for. I'm worried mostly about the time commitment that comes with the longer runs. I'm worried that I'll do WORSE on my time instead of better on my time. You know, I'm always after that PR. I'm worried that I'm out of shape (I am by my own standards, but it's all relative). I'm worried that the half in May was just a fluke, and that I'll totally flop in October. You'd think I'd be all confident since I've done it before. But the truth is, I HAVE done it before, so I KNOW how much it sucks, uh i mean, how far it is. 13.1 is a haul, folks, let me tell ya... I'm worried my shin will not allow me to do the race. I'm worried about the hills on the course. I'm worried there won't be as much "rah rah" as there was at the Mini and I'll be out there on the course alone, sucking wind, no one to cheer me on. I'm worried there'll only be "real runners" at this one (since everyone & their dog does the Mini) and I'll finish last, or at least right in front of all the walkers on the course. I'm worried that it is way too early to be worrying so much. I'm worried that I am lacking so much confidence that CLEARLY should be present given my performance in May.