Training and Inspiration

I went out this morning in pretty high humidity and ran a 10K training run.  It's been decades since I've gone that far.  I had a rough start, but  once I got 2 miles in it was clear sailing.  Since it was the first time I've ever gone that far, I decided to do a 1/2 (R/W) ratio. Doing that benefited me in the end.  I wasn't totally spent by mile 4 and I was actually running very well with 1 mile to go.  At some point, I went on auto-pilot and listened to my music running and walking when the queue was given to do so.  I kinda woke up with a 1/2 mile to go and finished very strong.

I'm really hoping this keeps up.  My intention is to do 7.5 or 8 next week, a 15K the following week, 11 miles, and then 13.5 miles to finish up my training.  The 13.5 will be exactly 2 weeks from the half marathon and I'll tone down the training and go into taper then.  

The only issue I have right now is nutrition on the runs.  I'm afraid to use GU's or gels because I tend to hurl early in my run.  I don't know why.  My nose tends to run, even when it's dry out, and then I get a cough which leads to puking.  Weird.  So, today I used some Stinger chews which really helped carry me the final 2 miles.  I may start with the chews and end with a gel.  More experimenting to do.

One of the people I've been following and has inspired me to run, eventually do a tri, and to blog is running the Ironman Louisville tomorrow.  Her name is Jillian O'Malley and her bib number is 357.  Sounds like a finishing number to me. Here is the link to the Ironman Louisville. Previous Ironman races have let you search by bib and you can see splits on where they are going on the course.  Also, there hopefully will be live streaming web cams set up at the finish of the swim, bike transition, run transition, and the finish line so hopefully you can catch a glimpse of her.

She has come a long to way to make it here.  She served our country and is now continuing to serve our country as her husband, Joel, is just back from another tour in Afghanistan.  You can read her blog at Fattytoironmom.com.  She has inspired me to get moving and realized that I can do things and one day, I will be training for an Ironman.  

Thanks Jillian and Joel for your service to our great country and your inspiration to get me going.

Keep on Runnin!!