Running uphill is great!

If you've ever run with me, it's likely you just choked when you read the title of this post.  I despise running uphills.  Often I cheat and walk up part of the hill.  But one thing I do love is running downhill.  Unfortunately you can't have the reward of downhill without work of the uphill.  I would get all cheesy here and make it a metaphor for life...but I'll let you make those connections.  


We ran 8 miles today!  EIGHT miles!  And even more importantly, I enjoyed it!  This is our second week in a row that we went 8 miles.  Today's run felt better than last week's...I guess that means this training stuff actually works!  I'm so relieved to know I'm not getting up before 6 am on Saturday mornings for no reason!


My favorite exchange from today's run.  We are at the bottom of a big (in my opinion anyhow) hill getting ready to go up.  Joe says, "This is our last hill today.  Right, Gail?" Gail, in a totally unconvinced voice, says, "Uh, sure."  The moral of the story - Joe will say anything to get you to the top of the hill. 

New Shoes!

I'm so excited to try out my new running shoes tomorrow!  I went to Fleet Feet on Monday and Christa helped me pick out the perfect shoe. At least, let's hope it's the perfect shoe. The best thing about buying my shoes at Fleet Feet is the experience.  Everyone is friendly and says hello even if they aren't helping you.  Christa was awesome.  She took her time helping me and asked about any other issues I might be having.  Which gave me the perfect opportunity to complain about how much my calf muscles hate me.  Much to my surprise, she said she nearly quit running because of her calf muscles!!  And I thought I was the only one.  She gave me some great tips!  I already have the stick, but now I'm using it every night before bed.  

Of course going to Fleet Feet and not falling in love with something is nearly impossible, at least for me.  Oh wait, maybe that's my shopping addiction in general.  I did find the perfect running shirt while i was there.  

New shoes and a new shirt what else could a girl want before an almost nine mile run.  How about beautiful weather?  Looks like I'm going to get that too!  Likely it will still be quite cold at 7 am in the morning, but at least the sun will be shining and warming up!  

Notes from Today's Run

Last week's run was cancelled because of the snow.  Just wanted to clear that up in case someone thought I skipped out on it.  

Today's run was 7 miles.  Tammy billed today's run as the most scenic.  It was beautiful...especially if you don't count the hills.  And we passed by Alan Jackson's house (see pics at the bottom).  It was the longest run I've completed since I started running!  We were only scheduled to go 6.5 miles...but we decided to be overachievers and go for a full 7 miles.  

Here are a couple notes from today's run I thought I would share:

- If you are going to a new place for a run, don't trust your GPS to get you there on time.  Sometimes it takes you the "shortest" way...which is not exactly the same as fastest.  One really scary road later, I made it just as my group was headed out.

- Ladies, if you haven't already, please go to Fleet Feet and be fitted for a sports bra.  I promise it's not nearly as bad as you think it will be and you will be doing yourself a big favor! I rank bra shopping with bathing suit and cocktail dress shopping as some of my least favorite things to do.  However, Christi Beth and the other ladies at Fleet Feet make it much less of a chore.  I promise you'll be glad you did.

- Courtesy of my dear friend Nicole, even when your in a hurry it's probably not a good idea to park on soggy ground (love you, Nicole).

Thanks so much to Joe, our chipper leader, Delana and Gail for a great run!  Welcome Angela & Jack to our fun little group.  Chrystyna & Carol, missed you guys!

pretty isn't it?

Alan Jackson's house