We took a quick trip to Kansas after the half, and came back home just long enough for me to tie up some loose ends at work and head back out of town for a beach vacation in North Carolina. Healthy eating and exercise pretty much went out the window. Looking back, I'm sure I was a lot better than I would have been two years ago. But it was still bad, for me. Luckily I only put on about 1 lb after that! Unfortunately we came back to kick off the hottest summer I've ever been through.
That heat translated to me turning into a sloth. The only time it was really cool enough to run was about 5:00 a..m., and anyone who knows me will tell you that I am NOT a morning person. Even running in the gym was brutal. #1 - I hate the treadmill with a passion; and #2 - it was nearly as hot in the gym. I probably took a good 6 weeks before I finally got back into the running groove I had worked so hard to maintain. I went from running at least 2-3 times a week to barely moving.
But I knew I had the Fox Valley Marathon Half to train for. I so want to cross the finish line under the time of my first, which was about 2 hr 53 min. So I dusted off the running shoes once I got back from my business trip in mid-July (which was incredible!), and started logging the miles again. I'm slower than I was 3 months ago, but my times are getting a bit better each week. I also finally got an inhaler since my allergies have been awful. That's made a world of difference!
I had a great 10 mile run with my friend Jen and her incredible friend Draga a couple of weeks ago, and it felt so good to have that under my belt. Last weekend I did a 10K with my friend Lesley and her awesome friends. Without them to support me at the end (since they are all way faster than me!), I would have walked it in.
Now we're down to the final days of training for the half. I am so, so excited to run this one! I have so many great friends running it as well, and my friends Michelle and Kyla will be doing the 20 miler to get ready for the Chicago Marathon. Normally after a race we head back out pretty soon after the finish. But this year I plan to live it up, and really celebrate with all of those who have supported me and spurred me on to do more.
