I've run myself stupid and an update.

So-it's a proven fact. Running KILLS brain cells. My husband has been "debating" this with me for 2 years based on some of my actions, but tonight he finally won the debate. He stopped home from work briefly to grab some food out of the fridge and there on the top shelf was a roll of toilet paper. My intention was to bring it to the downstairs bathroom but somehow I got sidetracked in the fridge......

Another week has passed and I'm still not a blogging superstar....For a little bit there I thought I was a running superstar though as I logged over 78 miles last week in my plight to make up for cutting my long run short by 6 miles last weekend. I had this flexibility email discussion with a friend recently. I'm tending to be flexible with doing "more" in training (in terms of miles not pace), but inflexible with doing less at times even if it's in my best interest.

You know, one of these days I will change my blog posts from the bullet format of life and training but for now, it is what works for me. As previously mentioned, I have a shortage of brain cells (I'm willing to trade brain cells for nice legs for the record).

LIFE:

*I have been thoroughly enjoying the past 6 weeks of NOT being bound to a spreadsheet with my kids. They have still been busy but NOTHING like they will be in just a couple of weeks. I've had a relatively easy time fitting in my runs and very little stress trying to make things work. I've also been enjoying 2 days of work and a lot of vacation time which changes as of tomorrow as I'm back full time for awhile.

*Max told me matter of factly that he would sleep better if he had a tempurpedic bed. I laughed out loud.

*Ryan has started preseason volleyball. They have tryouts this week. I'm a little nervous for her. A lot of girls trying out this year.

*My hubby took me on an overnight date last night. Much needed time for some uninterrupted conversation from his work cell phone that never stops ringing our kids. Beautiful night, nice dinner, beach to ourselves, a reminder of how important this is to me to make these little getaways work in our schedule.

*We came home from our little overnight to 2 kids who tested positive for strep AGAIN. UGHHH!! This is like round 47 for the year.

*Ryan is making more money babysitting than I am at my JOB! No lie, she got a somewhat desperate call to babysit the other day from 9am-3:30 pm for 3 kids, 8,6,4. We have no drop in childcare here. She had to drop a few plans to make it work and they paid her $75. Are you kidding me. I'm all for paying good babysitters well but this is seriously outrageous. I'm getting my references together....Looking at a new career here. Only I would NOT be a good babysitter....I only like my own kids-ha!


TRAINING:

*As I mentioned I'm coming off a huge week mileage wise. This may be my highest mileage ever with only one real long run. It was a good week. There were some rough spots and there were some great spots.

*I biked alongside a friend on Saturday while she ran her long run. This friend is totally out of my league here but it was fun to be a part of her run (well, for the first 16 or so until I started to feel slightly annoying lollygagging on my bike...) It was a good experience. Always fun to watch elite caliber athletes just cruise along for an easy 20 right?? Hmmmm??? I think somehow I get under this notion that if I train hard enough at some point it might just become easy....WRONG. If I train hard enough, I will get FASTER but it won't ever become easy....Saw this first hand Saturday. No drop in pace, no drop in form, no stopping, progressing to my 5K pace for extended miles but EASY??? Nope, not the right word. Running hard is tough for anyone, pace is relative as we all know but hard effort is hard effort.

*ran my 22 mile long run on Sunday. I was determined to have a good run. I knew I would have a good run before I laced up my shoes because I wasn't going to allow myself otherwise. Pace wise, it WAS a good run. I kept the first half a little slower and then started to pick up the pace. Made it pretty strong until 19 (do not know what my problem with 19 is these days) and then decided to push through mile 20 and cut myself a break and slow down for the last two. I was really tired, I was fighting some glute pain that became especially bothersome at the end but I finished with a 7:51 overall average which is my fastest LR for a 22 mile (I've run 8 in my lifetime). It was warm, the top of my waterbelt was rubbing and I ended up with a little blood on the thing. I seriously need a body glide spray tan before I run in this heat and I forgot.....

A little sweaty blood there! Just the red though. The pink is Shot Blox that I thought would somehow just sit open in that pouch without melting....more signs that I've lost brain cells. Furthermore, I actually tried one of these shot blox and they are nasty.

*I took an unscheduled rest day today, not entirely by choice. Got intimate with a tennis ball, a golf ball, a foam roller, a few other things out of the toybox. My body is still working here at rest, so I'm telling myself. It will most likely also be working tomorrow.

HUGE shoutout to Raina from Small Town Runner who totally SMOKED a 10K this last weekend!!! I could not be more happy for this super talented, super determined, super SPEEDY lady! Cheers to you Raina! OK-off to catch up!