It's about time to update!!

I have been slacking off on journaling here. Training is going so well, perhaps that is why. When there is nothing to whine about, I don't feel like typing a blog entry? I don't know...

I think summer has finally shown it's scarce face around here. It is supposed to get near 80 today. We have had mostly temps in the upper 60's to low 70's which makes for easy runs. And everyday has had a fairly significant cloud cover overhead.

My body is recovering well these days. I have upped my supplements and really managed my eating percentages of good fats, carbs and proteins. What a difference that makes.

I had been running the roads near our house in the mornings for my short runs, but suspended that when logging resumed in the nearby hills. The logging trucks scared me too much. They don't see me and they can't move off the roadways. And besides, they drive like there is a fire they need to get to. Not to mention all the debris flying off the logs.

I have been running in the evenings lately on the local high school track. This has been good for tempo running and to really pay attention to distance. This last week the football team has been out on the fields practicing. One evening last week a coach stopped me to inquire about my hat I was wearing and my running. His team ran a mile with me at the end of their practice to lend support for a good cause. It was such a great experience. The boys weren't too happy, and one asked if I was planning on being at the track every evening during their practice. Most took it in good humor though and cheered me on as they ran with their clacking gear alongside and behind me.

Last Saturday I was surprised to find out we were running a full 20 miles. We are ahead of schedule and the Nike team is running at the same pace the Portland team is running. I did it, and boy did I feel it after. I drove home, sat in an ice bath and was pretty sore for the next 24 hours. But I did it and I know I can do the full marathon. It might take me 5.5 hours to do the marathon, but I have faith in my body and myself. Faith that is new to me. I haven't felt this good about who I am and what my body can do since I was in my early 20's.

Somewhere between 26 or so and 44 I really lost sight of myself and my being. It is comforting to have found it again and to be able to revel in it.

I am listening to my body and it's needs as I train. I crave the oddest things and I indulge in them daily. Some things I crave regularly have been pineapple, avocados, blue cheese, honey, sweet potatoes, sweet red bell peppers, green beans, salmon, almonds, dark molasses, coconut and cantaloupe. I have been putting dark molasses and honey on my oatmeal. It is so scrumptious. I recently found out that cantaloupe, salmon and pineapple are nature's anti inflamatories. It is amazing what your body tells you if you are listening.

This weekend's long run is scheduled to be 16 miles. We shall see what we end up running. I am kind of hoping for a 16 miler.