Pain in the head!

Hello!! I'm still here! Alive and kickin'! I feel like the last time I looked at my Half Marathon countdown, it said there was 33 days until race day....I just looked at it, and it said "33 days". Ummm, hi. Did time stop or am I having a case of deja vu? I'm not complaining, but I would kinda like to get this whole 13.1 miles thing outta my way and be able to stop thinking about it for a while.

Anyways, let's focus on how awesome I am: I'm officially hitting the double digits on my long run days (Saturdays) now! Whoop!! It feels great to FINALLY see something other than 4 miles, 3 miles 2.5 miles, etc on my training calender...but I still kinda suck at this running thing. It freakin' hurts my entire body! Last weekend I did 10 miles in Red Rock {don't make me recall the events on that day...hills too traumatic for my liking!...} , this past weekend husband and I did 11, which took me a very.long.time. But 11 miles is 11 miles, right??! No matter that the SECOND my Garmin clocked 11 miles, I stopped. Stopped one mile away from my house, but there was no way in hell I could get my body to run it. That one mile walk to my house was slow and painful! The problem I'm now having with these long runs (not counting my terrible knee pain), is that I get a bad headache all day long following the run. I can't figure out if I'm not drinking as much water as I thought I was, or if my shoulders are tense ...?? Thank God I'm married to a chiropractor cause I need that adjustment after each run, but I REALLY need to find the source of those headaches! I am going to try some coconut water before & after my next long run to try to get some electrolytes & other goodies to see if that will help. It's very frustrating, but I'm determined to get to the bottom of this. So, that's the latest on my running adventures. I just keep on keeping on! (Thanks, Casey) ;)

hot hot hot!!

I am in for a world of hurt in the next month(s) to come. Today was "only" 72 degrees when I went for a run , but the Vegas sun was on full power. I haven't run since my Zion 8 miles, and I knew I would not be awesome today...I didn't disappoint my expectations :/ I took my husband's dog with me cause I wanted to run a trail that followed behind this State park by my house and it could get a little isolated and shady back there, if you know what I mean. The dog did good, and actually listened to me for the most part. Although, I almost lost her when I took her off the chain and she decided to high-tail it after a chipmunk. I didn't chase after her....but she came back anyways. :/

I think tomorrow may have to be the 1st day of my 5:30am runs again. It is just getting too damn hot in the afternoons and I don't do very well running in this heat. It always makes me feel like throwing up. I will attempt to get an early rise first thing in the morning and get a head start on my day. I'm kinda freakin' out that the Half is now only 45 days away........I'm scheduled to go 11 miles this Saturday, so I will hopefully have a better grasp of where I stand after seeing what my body can do. I'm getting excited/nervous/scared all wrapped up in one and I can't wait to run longer and push harder :)

Zion...my happy place :)

This weekend my family and I went camping in Zion. I LOVE that place! We've been camping there every year for the past 6 years. There's nothing like being out there that always makes me sad that I live someplace like Vegas :/ Anyways, I was scheduled to run 8 miles on Saturday....the furthest I have ever run in a single stretch. I was pretty nervous, but I figured if the going gets too hard, I'll walk ;) My husband and I got up early and headed out with his fat, lazy dog. If SHE can handle it, I sure was going to give it my best! We decided not to run along the freeway since cars have the habit of flying up that single road to get to Zion, so we found a trail that we weren't sure where it would lead us, but we decided to brave it anyways. I kept telling myself that I would just run 4 miles one way then turn around and run the 4 miles back...that way it seemed manageable. The trail was great and the scenery was awesome.....but the first 4 miles was all uphill. WAY uphill! I would guess it was at least a 6% grade. Yikes. I had to walk quite a bit of the steepest parts, but I did the best I could. It took me an hour and a half just to do the 8 miles, but I loved it! I had forgotten to pack my compression pants so my knees and hips were in agony that night, but I feel pretty decent today, so I'm not complaining. I feel accomplished!! I did it! I doubted myself, but I pulled through. I am so happy! It gave me the smallest glimmer of hope that I will really be able to make it through the Half in just 55 days. It's approaching fast, but I'm getting so excited!