Thanks DisneyGal2, I can't wait to hear about your Disney Half-Marathon coming up soon! I was looking at it on their website. Looks really cool! Maybe someday! ...

Oh, I can imagine it won't be easy to add more miles! I think I'd like to do the B210K next. I am inspired by your 1 year to a half marathon! That is awesome!!

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement! Marie my mojo finally woke up from it's siesta and I had a great 4 mile run at 6 this morning...beautiful out before it reaches a disgusting 105 today!! YUCK!

Jess- I am so excited for your half...you have trained hard for it.....been reading a lot about the post half "letdown" seems to fit me to a tee......hopefully you will have fun,recover nicely and continue on your way!!

As other people are talking about goals I think I am one who needs clear cut goals to go after and since I feel like I'm just marking time now till the end of September I think that's a big reason why I feel I'm floundering around....looking forward to starting another half training when I return.

Compguy- nice to have you back although it sounds like you took some really nice time to yourself to do some very enjoyable things!!!! Welcome back to running...I'm sure you will have an upcoming marathon soon!!!!!!

Happy running everyone!

Susan

Jess- Sounds like you are experiencing the hot weather that we had to endure for the last 2 months.  We've finally gotten back to "normal" summer weather, with low's in the upper 60's, high's near 90 and lower humidity.  I can finally finish a workout without being totally soaked!! However, I did get leg cramps today at the end of my workout because I wasn't drinking the large volumes of water that I'm used to.

Because of the heat, I had mentally taken a "time-out" for the last several weeks and had cut back on my training volume, like you did.  Maybe 3 runs a week, and 1-2x per wk for the bike and swim.  But now the weather is actually enjoyable and I'll be getting out a lot more to build up to my sprint tri in mid-Sept.

One thing that was nice about doing only 3 runs a week (not 5) is that my legs have been much more rested and fresh each workout and the runs have generally felt somewhat easier.  BUT the reduced training volume (and a less strict diet) have kept me in weight maintenance mode.  My body continues to solidify a little but the weight stays the same.  That's the other reason to step up the training, so that I can finally get below 200#.  Last week I cleaned out the closets and got rid of 2 bags of clothes that don't fit anymore.  When I lose another 20-30#'s, most of the rest of my clothes will follow.

Last week I toughed out a 10 mi run with higher temp and humidity. This Friday is supposed to be in the low 60's so I'm going to schedule my next long run for that day and try to do 11 miles or so.  Without the heat stress, I may actually be able to improve my pace a little. I have one month until my HM in Nashville, so weather permitting, I hope to do a total of 3 very long runs between now and then.

Anyway Jess, good luck on your long run.

Well this morning didn't get down to 62 deg as forecast, only 65 deg, but that was good enough and humidity was much better. I'm still not an early AM waker, so I didn't get to the run path until 6:10 AM and started around sunrise.

Today was my longest run to date: 12.3 miles.  My goal was at least 11 mi, so I was pleased that I was able to stretch it out.  I carried a 24 oz bottle of water and had a 24 oz bottle of gatorade in my butt pack, and stashed an extra bottle along my path, just in case.  The lower humidity cut down on my sweating and my thirst, and I found that I didn't need the extra bottle at all.

Since I did running and strength two days ago, and swimming/biking yesterday, my legs weren't as "fresh" as on other long run days.  So my starting pace was near 15mm, and I kept close to that for the first half of the run, then it started to creep up.  Also my heart rate for the first 7 miles was fairly constant near 141.  I set out today with a 3 hour time target for (maybe) 12 miles, and finished 11.6 miles in 3 hrs.  Total time for 12.3 miles was 3:12.

My HM is in 4 weeks, and my target time was 3:15 (though 3:00 would be better).  I've got to improve my pace a bit to get in that time span.  The good news is most of the Nashville course from mi 6 - mi 11 is down slope, so gravity will offset tired muscles.  Of course the main goal is to just finish the race, and I know now that I can do it.

It seems to me that my heart is capable of sustaining the distance, but I've just got to get the rest of my body parts to the ability to sustain the effort over time.  When I do my shorter runs, I try to push my HR to the next zone more often, for longer periods, to help build that endurance and improve the pace.

Oh well, fun and games. Not! Looks like I probably have a stress fracture in my right hip. So much for my fall running plans. I'm scheduled for a body scan Friday. Praying for a good outcome.

Hmmm, better get that antique bike out, dust it off, and oil it up. Wonder if this old lady remembers how to ride it.

Ohhh, Marie!  I'm so sorry to hear about the stress fracture!  Seems unreasonable, when you're working so hard at trying to be healthy.  Follow orders and get it better, please, and keep posting while you're riding the dusty ol' bike...

Donna