Day 29 - Just another day

I'm not going to lie...when my alarm went off this morning, I wasn't excited to run. Today begins week 8 of my training program. "I'm half-way there", I thought...."only 8 more Monday morning runs". I hit snooze 2 times and by 6:15 am, I finally got up. I've noticed the balls of my feet ache first thing in the morning. I'm guessing it's probably related to my flip flops (which I live in when I'm not at work or running). We had walked with the kids a bit last night, so that may be the culprit. I don't notice it once I put shoes on, though. Anyway, the dingo and I did our usual Monday route. G Money beeped annoyingly at me the whole first mile until I reached my groove. I wanted to stay under 10 minutes/mile (sad goal, eh?) which I did achieve. Post-run my hamstrings are quite tight, despite stretching. I didn't notice it while I was running.

Hopefully today my new compression shorts will arrive. I want to try them out a few times before my long run on Saturday. I've been having chaffing issues, despite body glide. I'm hoping these shorts will help with that, too! I also read some more reassuring thoughts on my marathon training plan. I guess it is quite possible to finish a marathon with a training program that only tops out at 38 miles/week. The other issue we've been toying around with is running a half marathon about a month before the actual marathon. The training program says we should do 18 miles the day of the proposed HM, but maybe with some adjustment of a few of the mid-week runs and long-runs we can make it work. I'm such a stickler for schedules. BUT, I think it would be good motivation and fun! Plus, the race is nearby...no overnight required and the whole family could come out to cheer us on. My dear old Dad (an ex-runner who has completed 2 marathons in his time) thinks we should run the HM and just "push the pace" in lieu of the extra distance. Little does he know that I really only have one pace: do what I must to finish. LOL! Guess we need to be deciding soon....the USAF HM is in 32 days!