Ahh October. My favorite month of the year. Cooler weather, guilt-free candy eating, pumpkin spiced everything and the start-up of another race season. What's not to love?
But first, let's recap all the goings on since the August post.
1. During the year, I started developing some issues with blisters, seemingly from my running shoes. With the help and patience of the wonderful owners and staff at the new St. Pete Running Company store, I was able to test out several new shoes to find the right fit. Ultimately, I went with these:
The Saucony Kinvara 5
Very roomy toe box to minimize blisters, super light weight and comfy. I went up a size and 1/2 instead of just one for extra room which seems to be working for the most part. As the marathon approaches, I'll rethink a higher mileage shoe but for now, these work well for training.
2. Half-Marathon and Marathon training officially started last month! Woohoo! This becomes a whole new ball-park of running. No longer are the days of 'I think I'll run 4 miles today because I have the time and the weather is perfect.' These distances take a well-thought-out plan, discipline and sacrifice (eeek!). When everyone else is out on a Friday/Saturday night, I'm the one running in the dark, eyeing you, secretly wanting your glass of wine... Each weekend from now until mid-January will be a pre-determined long run to build mileage. That could be anywhere from 8 to 22. It sounds scary and even though this is my third marathon training plan, it is scary!!
3. Unfortunately life has a way of derailing plans. Bria (my running partner in crime) and I had successfully built up to 10 miles......when I get hit with the flu. I don't get sick often, maybe once a year, but when it happens, I'm down for the count. Week 1: dying in bed, only getting up every couple hours to work (that's right, no sick days for pet sitters). Week 2: hacking up a lung and snot....everywhere. Luckily, I have a husband who's not grossed out by anything! Week 3: weak as a kitten but otherwise getting back to normal. Soooo 3 weeks of no running then jump back into 12 miles. Hard, but thank the Lord for His strength because I did it! It's all uphill from here...literally.
4. And of course balancing work with play is a must!
M and I did a couples painting which now hangs in our living room.
I loved the experience at Painting With a Twist so much (fun fact, the owners are a pet sitting client) I went back to paint the Eiffel Tower.
I completed the task of putting the wedding and honeymoon pictures into albums. Such a great feeling to check that off the list. I'm ready to celebrate our 1 year anniversary in December! Where did the year go??
I also went to Busch Garden's Howl O Scream twice this year!
It was the perfect race weather, plus everyone dresses up in costume so of course I was a cat and Bria Wonder Woman! The event was fun, well-organized and we now have a sparkly new medal.
That's it for October. Have a super fun Halloween and get those miles in!
Until next time, Happy Running!
