Week 3: The Long Run

Whew, I recovered this! Guess Blogger isn't that bad...

Technically, the title should read Week 4 since it's a Monday but since I wasn't able to get a chance to blog while I was in Cali I had nothing to report. It was mostly rainy and dark while I was there and I was only able to get in one 20-min jog before I was startled by some dogs barking off in the distance. I feel uneasy when I run in new and unfamiliar places so I decided to cut the run short and turn around.

The lodging at Big Valley Rancheria was also a bit disappointing because I couldn't get wireless in my hotel room. However, I can understand that if there is a casino next door, the last thing they want is some potential gambler to hole up in their room and attending to their Myspace page.

The great thing about being up in the Bay Area was being able to visit my 2nd grade teacher who now lives in Tracy. Not only was she instrumental in my desire to work for the environment but she also initiated that spark and wonder of long distance running. I remember a couple of times I rode her bike as she ran 3-4 miles. She is still a runner. All of the finisher medals and racing bibs hanging in her bathroom and closet area were indicative of this.

On Saturday, I put in 3.4 miles on the treadmill at around an 11:40 pace. I don't remember much from this run but I tried to keep it light and easy since I scheduled a long run for Sunday.

Oh yeah! The hubby surprised me with an awesome belated birthday gift upon my return from the airport on Friday. (Sky Harbor was crazy by the way! The hubby waited for me in baggage claim and saw Tom Arnold down there.) He bought me a Garmin 305!!!! I was way stoked!!

I was able to put it to use on my long run yesterday on Super Bowl Sunday. While everyone was on the other side of the valley in Glendale, little ole me was running a 6-mile loop around Tempe Town Lake w/ my shiny new Garmin. I love it! I loved knowing what pace I was running right at that moment. Running easy meant running a 11:30-11:40 pace for me, according to Garmin.

I need to name my new Garmin just like I named my ipod shuffle, whose name is Cornelius by the way.

Yesterday's 6 miles wore me out. I'll put it straight out there.
It scared me to think of the marathon I'll be running in three months.
Good news about that...I just figured out my taxes and I'm getting a chunky return so Eugene is a go in May! Yippeeeee!!!!!

Tonight, I'm going to do some ab and arm work. Some yoga and some elliptical.

BTW....I'm happy for the Giants!!