Socks! Socks! Socks!

Not to be confused with shots, of course. Todays workout: 6 miles in 1:03:33, with a best pace of 7:43 and average pace of 10:36. Not too shabby for beginning of training!

Today I looked ridiculous. My running clothes don't fit because I packed a few on since the marathon, so I looked like and overstuffed sausage. Add a hydration belt (very cool) and a garmin (the big, even cooler one) and an iPod, and you bet people were lining up to be my friend/running buddy. No wonder I run alone. Not sure if getting dressed to run and discovering nothing fits motivates me to get out of discourages me because I look like a fool. Let's hope I tighten up quick before I make up my mind on this one!

So, as promised, I wanted to give a review of my new Thorlo Experia socks. My mom got me a few pairs for Christmas, and I am already in love. Before I was running in Zulu socks, which the overpriced running store peeps said would reduce my blisters at the best value. And they were right. But they didn't hold up for long, lost their elasticity, and now they do nothing for me.

These fancy pants socks are padded in all the right places (toe, heel, back of foot) have a snug fit on the arch, stay in place, and breathe really nicely. I have them in pink and blue, but they come in a ton of different colors. They are not too bulky and make your feet super happy. They are considerably more expensive than my Zulu's, but since they were a gift I am not going to think much about the fact my mom probably spent around $14.00 a pair. I hope they were on sale. I am following the instructions to wash inside out to keep the padding fluffy and use fabric softener to lubricate the fibers so they last longer (who knew?). Oh, and they are some official sock of Runner's World (or so the package says) if that means anything to you (which it probably doesn't).

If you are looking for new socks and take your socks very seriously, I would highly recommend these! (Maybe they will send me a free pair, lol).

Week 5 of training?

Not quite sure if we can call it week five considering I did not run AT ALL this week. Shame on me!

After a week full of bad decisions, tummy aches, and travel, running just did not fit in and I am ASHAMED!!!! I am supposed to be a hardcore runner, what is going on here????

Next week we are going to step it up and resume the training schedule. Run 6 miles Monday, Tuesday, crosstrain Wednesday, rest Thursday and Friday (Field Trip), Run 5 Saturday and 11 Sunday. Thats 28 miles better than this week. Then it will be time to start running half marathons on the weekends. Oh joy!

I did get my case of Jet Blackberry Gu and my 4 bottle hydration belt from REI this weekend, so there is not reason not to step it up a notch. Marathon vacation days have come to an end!!!

Week One

Today is the official end of week one of marathon training. I have new shoes, new socks, new hydration belt, new books on marathon training and an array of energy gels and chews I will be testing out over the next few weeks. I also managed to log 21.5 miles this week. Not too bad!

The hardest part is getting out to run. I know once I hit play on the ipod and start running, I am there. But setting an alarm to get up early to run absolutely sucks. So does getting dressed when the apartment is cold. I can't wait until I can just get up with ease! The first mile is tough too. My body gets really tight and tries to fight me on this whole running thing. Once I stop and stretch after mile 1, it usually gives in. And around mile 4 it really starts to open up. By mile 5 I feel like I can run forever!

The big run for this week was 8 miles today, and will be a good starting point for building higher milage on the weekends. I am bummed by nike+ isn't working, but I am finding that just having the music going and just running until I make it home is making me a better runner. I am not constantly checking the ipod to see how far I ran or what my pace is. I am just running, and it feels amazing.

The plan for this week is a 5 mile run on Monday, 6 miles on Wednesday and Friday, and 9 miles on Sunday fora total weekly mileage of 26 miles. I want to cross-train on Thursday... maybe some laps in the pool and some weights? An if I am feeling really good, I might bump up the Friday mileage to 8 miles.

Overall, I am off to a great start. I have my goofy belt to hold my water bottles and my gels but it is all worth it because I get a giant glass of chocolate milk when I get home. This is essential for muscle recovery! It really beats the awful energy gels, that work great but taste like someone is trying to show nasty vitamins down your throat to incite your gag reflex. Power Gels are official done, they are way too gross. Next to experiment with the Gu and Clif Shots.

Now I just have to recruit more people to join my race team... registration ends Friday!