The end is near!

Not the end of the world - the end of summer!  At least that's what I hear is happening in other parts of the country.  I was very skeptical to hear this until this morning when I got up and while it was still muggy, it was slightly cooler than it has been in the past few blistering weeks.  Trust me, I'm an expert on this.  I've had sweat running down my elbows in the past few weeks while standing completely still in the shade, not to mention the sweat that's run all over me while actually *running*!  There is a change in the air, and while it may not be completely obvious to the average human, because really it's still a good month until the thermometer will be under 100ºF for the year, I am quite confident that fall is on it's way!

Too bad my run this morning was completely me in survival mode.  I was thinking what a great run it would be since it was slightly cooler, but, suddenly, my stomach was hurting.  And not just a little bit.  A lot.  The top, the bottom, and everywhere in between.  It was like having a side stitch and stomach cramps all at the same time.  If I didn't have this race in a week that I've bought and paid for, I would have turned tail and gone home... but, since I haven't run more than 6 miles in quite a while, and my Labor Day race is an 8 miler, I felt the need to prove it to myself that it can be done.  I went into what I fondly call "slog" mode - a slow jog... in which little old ladies and their petite dogs were passing me.  I probably looked as horrible as I felt.  When I was at 8.5 miles, I decided to walk the rest of the way home not needing to feel like I should prove anything else to anyone, even though I was still 3/4 mi away from my house.  I had "slogged" 8.5mi already, so really I had proved it to myself that it could be done.  Hopefully on Labor Day my stomach will cooperate!  And, of course, once I got home, showered, and breakfast in me, I've felt fine ever since.  Figures.

Kicking and screaming!

That's how I dragged myself out the door and up the hill this morning - kicking and screaming all the way.  I thought I was too tired.  I thought I had stayed up too late and gotten up too early this whole weekend.  It was hot.  It was humid.  There were many undone chores at home.  My iPod was dead.  And the sun wasn't up.  My lazy self begged to stay in bed, but my practical self, the one who spent $25 to sign up for a hilly race in 2 weeks and also looks to see how tight or loose my clothes are, made me get up and go.  Like a mean mother, I had to shame myself into doing it this morning.  I bribed myself with the cold car a/c on full blast all the way home.  Thankfully my practical self was stronger than my lazy self this morning!  And that a/c was just perfect!!

Back in the swing of things!

After being in and out of town for most of July, I am back to reality... which really means that I have had to spend the last couple of weeks getting caught up on all those things that pile up while you're gone.  That and it's been back to school for the kids and back to work for me.  And it's about a million degrees outside (only slightly exaggerated!) and at least 99% humidity (it really has to be no matter what the weather guy says!), thus making any running I'm doing right now a true and complete joy (she says with sarcasm dripping off her voice and running on to the floor).  This year is a little tougher as far as morning runs go because schedules have changed, mine and the kids, so, in order to get out the door in the morning on time, I have had to cancel the 5am run.  Yes, you heard right.  But, I did instate the 4:30am run instead, which so far, isn't really as bad as it sounds mostly because I am making myself be in bed at 9:30pm.  Honestly, by that time in the evening, it's not hurting my feelings one little bit to do it either.  I am a bit worried about winter and the motivation factor on this, but I guess I'll jump off that bridge when I get there!

Next up?  I have signed up for the annual local Labor Day run (8mi) I have done for the past 3 years.  I am hoping to get a couple of long runs in soon because that's been the part of my training that has been lacking the most.  But, I have sent the check in, so I'm completely and totally committed!