Kelly's Observations and Milestones

I've learned that long run days are the best time to think about what to write for the blog. While I'm running along trying to remember to breathe, I think about what I should write. The problem comes when I start thinking I need to write down my brilliant ideas before I forget them. Not so easy to do while running!! Anyway, here are the thoughts for today.

Observations:

• This continues to be an expensive sport. I went out and bought an iPod Shuffle today hoping that having one that clips to my shirt will be less hazardous to me and the iPod by limiting the number of times it drops and shoots across the gym off the treadmill.


• Don't give your trainer attitude. He is only then more inspired to add more reps, more sets, more weight, and more exercises...and he tends to remember the ones you hate the most. Oh, and never say, "Bring it on....". While I only pay for 30 minutes, he has been kindly keeping me busy for close to an hour each time.


• Don't roll your eyes at the trainer when he says, "Marilyn Monroe did these to keep her boobs perky!" He adds another set.......


• When you are watching music videos on the tv while listening to your iPod, it becomes pretty entertaining because the music doesn't match. Like today, the Rolling Stones were on the tv, but I was hearing Journey's Don't Stop Believing in my ears. Just made me laugh. OK, maybe that's only funny when you are running in place for an hour.


• I have learned that wearing tight, gray cotton shorts to run is not a great idea. By about Mile 4, you are covered in sweat and look like you have a problem with incontinence.


• Inner thigh chafing due to wet shorts begins around Mile 5.


• Around Mile 4 also comes the underarm chafing, which causes you to run the Chicken Dance half marathon training for the rest of the way as you try not to let your arms touch your body.


• Remember that the treadmill automatically stops after an hour. Let's just say this sudden stop was not one of the most graceful moments of the long run today.


• Around Mile 6, my right hip, knee, and ankle remembered that I am not a runner.


• If you only do weight training on weight training days, you run much better on running days.

Now for the milestones. I felt GREAT during today's long run. I went into it with a plan to try to eek out 5 miles in a decent time. For some reason I wish I knew, running was not so hard today. I didn't get sore or tired until the Mile 6 mark. THIS IS MY LONGEST RUN SO FAR!!! I ran 6 miles in 79 minutes which is about an average of 13.2 minutes per mile. If you remember when we started this blog, I was averaging about 15 minutes per mile. Yahooo!!! Progress. Now back to my ice. I really like the ice packs that strap on. Not to mention my pedicure still looks great!