DOUBLE DIGIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to welcome MYSELF to the double digit club!  That's right people I ran 10 miles today and I could not be more pleased with dear old ME!

Ok enough with the lovefest, I am already nauseated.  You have to understand,  a year ago I was trying to prepare for my first race; The Susan G Komen Race for the Cure a 5k.  At the time I could not run 2 miles without walking.  Running 10 miles was not something I thought I would ever do.  NOT A CHANCE.  Well here I am.  I am not going to lie, it was hard.  Mile 7 was hell.  I tried a different kind of gel...does not work.  Water is even hard for me to take.  I get really bad side pain that takes forever to pass.  At mile 9 I was in a lot of pain, I had to walk.  I know I will have to drink, or I will get really dizzy and I would not want to pass out.  I am wondering if I should take a salt pill...if yes when? Before the race or during?  If you have experience with those I am looking for advices.
I iced my legs when I got home I hope I can walk ok tomorrow!!!

I know I can do the half.  I could have at least walk 3 more miles so I know I will finish and for the first one that is the goal.

I have made some decisions

You are not invited to my Half Marathon:

The belt because I don't like you bouncing on my back and also because you push on my belly and are not helping anything stomach related.  ITouch: well you and Nike+ are liars and also because you need a new battery and I need music for more then 2 hours.

You are invited to my Half Marathon:

You because I need music and you are tiny and you will last over 2 hours.

You because you are the perfect socks (Nike Livestrong running sock) and compression Nike Pro shorts because you stay in place and well...I am pretty sure I would not like that chaffing thing so you are in!

You 3  because I know I could never do this without you.  Best supporting crew ever! Also because I will need you to hand me some water as I pass by you and maybe a granola bar or a piece of banana.  And a lot of "Let's go mommy!" " You got this"  "Don't give up".

 Today I ran 10 miles.  Just had to type that again.

I saw 4 movies this weekend

Social Network, The kids are all right, Inception and Blue Valentine.

Social Network: Good not as excellent as they say.  Justin T.  Excellent in it though. B+
The kids are all right: Excellent! Loved it! Love Annette Bennings. A+
Inception: not for me, I gave up after less then 30 min.
Blue Valentine: Excellent.  Very sad, broke my heart.  Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams are great in it.  Highly recommend.  A+

Off to watch the Golden Globes!

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.

Do you use a fuel belt?

I need advice!

If you have a running belt that you love please tell me what kind it is.
If you had one you hated I also would like to know!

Right now I am thinking getting this one:

Amphipod Velocity Full-Tilt Hydration Waistpack - 20 fl. oz