The week of Aug 3rd is going to be "my week" I feel it!

First - the running updates.
Thurs - an easy day - easy walk 35 min.
Fri. - 2 mile w/u, 4 uphill repeats hard, 4 downhill repeats hard. First time on this hill. Let's just say, it was a real challenge. It is .37 long. This summer I have added downhill repeats (trying to prepare the quads for St. George). I never realized how taxing the running downhill can be on your legs. It really fatigues my legs quickly. This was a humid morning, but really, my legs were a much bigger issue than the heat. The heat really didn't bother me at all today. After the repeats I jogged some more to get 9.5 miles for the day. Fri pm - lifted weights, some core work, push ups, and a few lunges and squats.
Sat. - hubby and I signed up for a 5k in Pass Christian, MS. I was just going to have an easy way to finish up my mileage for the week. With the hill repeats on Fri. and lifting weights, I had no plans to run a fast 5k. We left the house at 5:30 and headed to the Coast. When we arrived at 7:10am it was already 80 degrees, with the humidity it had to be a crazy heat index this morning. Anytime, I go to the Coast, I can always feel the extra humidity. I needed 8.5 miles today to finish off my 45 miles for the week. Because I was not "racing" this 5k, I decided to run a little extra before the 5k. I ran 2.25 before the race. I ran the 5k - 24:48. The first mile was a gradual downhill. I ran it around 7:45. I slowed dramatically from there. I forgot that on Fri. I reset the Garmin and took the auto mile lap off while I was running the hill repeats, and then of course, I forgot to put the auto mile lap back on, so I have no splits for the race. Much slower on 2 and 3. I would have liked to have seen the splits because I did feel like I picked it up just a little on the last half mile so I would have liked to see the splits. O'well, no biggie.

So I finish the race, gasping for air, get some water and Gatorade, and realize, yikes, I have another 3.2 miles left, (yes, I used ever .1 I ran today). So I decided to run the 5k course again. So I start running, into the sun, look at the watch and it's 8:39 am. It's really HOT. I run my first c/d mile and then.....

OMG - I just mailed my Tupelo, full marathon entry on Tues. What have I done. Now it's about 8:50am and I am thinking I will still be running the full marathon at this time, will have a ways to go, and the Tupelo marathon is hilly (this 5k course was flat with a couple of very slight downhills) During this process today, I have readjusted my Tupelo marathon training run time. Currently, I am thinking about 10:00 min. I had been thinking 9:30. Depending on how severe the hills are, I may decide to go for 10:30 pace. BIG NOTE TO SELF - do some later morning runs that finish around 9:30-10:00 to prep for Tupelo. I thought I was already doing heat training, but after today, it was a great wake up call. Thankfully, I still have 5 weeks to get myself ready for the Hotter than Hell marathon. (Currently, my goal pace for St. George is under 9:00 min miles and St. George is "the goal" marathon)

This week in review.
Good things - 45 miles no real problems (a little tired in the 1st part of the week, but recovered nicely by mid week) 2.5 quality runs - I am giving the 5k today a .5 for quality because it was like a marathon tempo run. 1 yoga class, 2 days of core work, and 1 day of weights, push-ups, lunges, and squats. Sunday will definitely be a lazy day - 30 min. easy walk or bike.

Week of Aug. 3rd - I say this is my week because I have 50 miles, I have an 18 miler on Monday, and instead of the normal, run and pig out. I am going to do what the skinny bitches do - (you know who you are). You run, and you do allow some treats, but they are in moderation, sensible. I haven't done this in that last couple of marathons. I have done the "run and pig out routine." I am tired of not reaching my weight goal so I am going to use the extra mileage to make some headway. I am focused and determined. So yes, this is my week.