Short Cut!

13 Days to go!

Saturday was HOT to say the least! Not very many participants came out to training and those who did... well not many actually completed the full 14 miles that day! We started our training at Hicks Park and we normally meet at Heritage Park! So the new site for the week and the heat made it hard for people to come out and train, I guess?

My foot still had some pain when I woke up on Saturday morning and I talked to Dr. Bakeman who is not only a doctor but also a participant. So before I ran... he checked out my foot! I was told that the pain was due to my shoe laces being to tight and my big toe was taking the brunt of the impact when I ran causing the joint to hurt! He said I was good to go on running, so my prayers were answered!

Before we started our morning run, the temp had already reached mid 70s and many of us had to use a restroom! Well this new park doesn't open the restrooms until 9am and it was only 6:55am! Our head coach asked for volunteers to take people to a nearby Starbucks so we can take care of business before the run! So I volunteered and took 3 teammates to Starbucks! Unfortunately when we arrived back to Hicks Park he had already begun talking about the course and an error that was made on one of the maps. So I listened carefully and heard what to watch out for with the error! The error (turn on Culver not Yale) was said to half marathoners only as they were doing 8 miles that day, while marathoners were scheduled for 14 miles (that didn't apply)! That was information that I missed!

So as he told everyone the error and I missed the half marathon intro! We headed out for our run! Caroleena and I were a team for the run. We usually start out at the same pace and then she breaks up with someone more her pace, like Megan (TNT participant) and I run with Kim (TNT participant) who is more my pace! Both Megan and Kim were not their on Sat. so Caroleena and I ran together! When we got to the ERROR destination, we turned on Culver! This put us at Hicks park at 8 miles! Whoops!!!! Coach told us that if we continue to head straight and make a few adjustments then we would be able to make up 4 more miles but that would put us short by 2 miles for the day! I was COOL with that since it was already mid 80s at that point! That is how I made a short cut!

When we got to the 10 mile hydration stop, Caroleena was done! Her knee was bothering her and it was HOT! So I ran the last 2 miles alone! It was the hardest 2 miles ever! I wanted to be done too, but part of me just kept going!

After that I went to a teammates fundraiser "Spa Day" and then took my much needed nap after a much needed shower! Later that evening, Jeremy and I went to Disney!

Sunday came and we slept until about 10am and decided that it was too HOT for the beach! So we went to a really HOT Swap Meet instead! I then met up with my friend Gwynne and her husband Joe and we had lunch while watching the new Narnia movie... when the movie was over I rushed myself to my bowling league, which we one every game! This could put us 1st place in the league! I also bowled my season HIGH game of 140! I hope that gets HIGHer too!

When that was done, I went grocery shopping, home, and to sleep!

I feel well rested and although it is still HOT outside... every day seems a little cooler!

I have so much to do when I get off work today and I am hoping that it cools off so I will have the energy to my tasks! I plan on running 4 miles before my tap class today and then after tap... I have some much needed laundry to attend to!

On a side note! I have booked airline tickets to go to TN and visit family this October! We will be arriving in Chattanooga on Oct. 3 and on Oct. 4th I will run my first Trail Race in Chattanooga! The coolest part about this is the starting/finishing point is at my 2nd cousin Kaitlyn school! I think I will have a bunch of cheering family at the finish line! This is only an 11 mile run but my cousin has informed me that it is very hilly so I am sure although the miles are short, the hills will make up for it!

I am so excited and can't wait for the 2nd annual family reunion to take place before my 29th birthday! We will be coming back home in the early afternoon on Sunday, Oct. 12th!

Love you ALL
Melissa