Me and GU

Today I start week 11 of my Half Marathon training, I cannot believe it is almost here.  In two weeks at this time I will likely be posting my race report!


I went to the gym and did Bike for 20 minutes and Strength work, not my favorite thing to do lifting weights but I did it.


This was week 10 and I did what is in red


WEEK 10:


Mon: Strength and stretch: I did not make it to the gym that day it was the last day of my parents visit and I wanted to be with them.
Tue: 5 miles: 5 miles

Wed: 3 miles or cross: 3 milesThu: 5 miles + strength:  5 miles
Fri: REST : rest
Sat: 60 min cross: 30 min elliptical and 15 bike.
Sun:  8 miles: 8 miles
total: 21 miles: 21 miles

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WEEK 11:Mon: Strength and stretch

Tue: 5 miles

Wed: 3 miles or cross:
Thu: 5 miles + strength:
Fri: REST
Sat: 60 min crossSun:  10 miles:
total: 23 miles

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Me and GU are not a good fit.  :(

I tried Vanilla yesterday and it was just OK.  Really sweet for me and I could only take half.  Today I opened a Mint Chocolate GU I won in a giveaway.   Oh boy....for sure I cannot take that one.  I took a tiny quantity and I had heartburn almost instantly, I should have known with the chocolate.  All the other flavors I have here are sweet so I anticipate not so great results.  The coffee one might be OK, we will see.

I went to 3 different places looking for PLAIN GU today and no luck.

Can I run a Half Marathon and not take anything but water?  I am sure lots of people do it right?

Tomorrow is HOOD TO COAST day!!!!!

I cannot wait!!!!!

Are you going?

I went to the movies yesterday and I wanted to make sure I would not have any issues with the passes that I won through the Runner's World Best race ever contest and they told me no problem that this will be a special event and the winners will be taken to special seats!

I am so looking forward to it and it is my birthday tomorrow!

The long run

Today I ran 8 miles!

For a lot of you this is nothing.
For me it is the longest run I have done.

The weather was perfect: Overcast and cold enough to need gloves. 
Dear mother nature I would like that same kind of weather for my half marathon.
Thank you.
I did not run fast, I wanted to do the whole 8 miles and not cut it short like I did last week.
I used my belt for the first time.  It was OK, it did not bother me too much.  Still not sure if I will use it for the race, we will see, I got one more long run next week.
I tried GU for the first time also.  I waited until mile 7 because I wanted to be close to home in case it did not go well and I start cramping or having reflux.  I took less then half of the pack of Vanilla GU, one of the flavor they will give at the Half Marathon...Boy that is sweet!
I am not used to eating sweets anymore...I needed a lot of water after that and that lead to getting a stitch so not good.  Now I know I can take that GU  but just a small quantity.  This week I tried a GU Gel..that did not go down well for me so I will never use those again.

I did not take any chances and I iced my chins when I got home and did a lot of stretching.  Let's hope I am not in pain tomorrow!

I am really happy with my run today.
I ran 8 miles.
And here's the best part: I know I could have gone longer.

After that my friend took me out to the movies to celebrate my upcoming birthday.  We saw Black Swan.  Very intense.  Some parts are hard to watch.  Nathalie Portman is excellent in it, must have been a difficult experience to play that role.  If she does not get an Oscar nomination for this it will be a real shame.