Long Run Sunday

1. Get long run up to 6 miles. Took me three-and-a-half months to get there. Gives me two months to add four more miles.
2. Get weekly base mileage up. Not by any certain amount. Just to be running more per week at the end of the month than I was at the beginning.
3. Try a new route. I love my neighborhood and there are lots of possibilities, but it's kind of getting to the point where the only variation is how far down the Greenway I go out-and-back on my long run. I like the convenience of stepping out my door and going, but I might have to start driving to some other locations.

I went to Running Room's TC 10 Mile Run kick off last Saturday. Spun the wheel for a 35%-off coupon. Gotta use it before July 23rd, so I see some new gear in my near future. They were collecting registration forms for the lottery, and they held three drawings for automatic entry into the race. I figured you didn't need to be present to win, so I held off going in time for the 1:00 drawing, so I could scoot in just before going to work. I got my registration in for the 2:00 drawing, but I couldn't actually be there, so I'll just be in the lottery like everyone else. That's okay. I wanted to shop a little, but it was super crowded, so I didn't bother. Spun the wheel, got my prize, and got out of there.

Last weekend in the heat, I all of a sudden got goosebumps on my legs. I'd read about the phenomenon, but I had a hard time believing it. My legs weren't sweaty at all (although my face, shoulders, and back sure were). There was no sudden breeze. It was weird. You know how when you feel a blast of cold air, you can feel the goosebumps rise? I could feel 'em pop up, only there was no cold. Strangest thing.

Got up early this morning. Only 80 degrees at 6 a.m. Felt so good after a week in the 90s that I ran 6 miles when I was only supposed to do 3. My knees are gonna hurt. Sherri recommended soaking in the tub with epsom salts and peroxide (and water, too, not just epsom salts and peroxide).

I'm still tweaking my training schedule. I go back and forth between novice and intermediate schedules, 10 Mile and Half Marathon schedules. I'm a little worried about ramping up too quickly, but I want to make sure I'm getting my endurance up and I don't want my first time doing 10 whole miles to be race day.

I also learned that "Right-side stitches are classic to exertion and breathing. Food or water generally causes a left-side stitch." Good to know.

Running link of the week: Half 2 Run. The goal is to run 25 half marathons in 25 states.