Only three weeks to go

The final preparations for the Tupelo Marathon are now in full swing. I have about 3 weeks to go before the big day. My taper will begin in a couple of weeks. Now that school has started back it's a little more difficult to get in my running but I'm managing. Due to the heat, I have switched my long runs to the very early morning. I don't like getting up early on the weekends, but it sure beats running in the evening when the heat and humidity are way up.

Lots of miles

I am not running in races during the summer months. Instead, I am concentrating on my training for the Tupelo Marathon in September. To beat the heat, I have been getting up around 5 and hitting the road. Currently I am getting in 25-30 miles per week with an increase in miles as the weeks tick off. I hate the early run cause I like to sleep during the summer, but beating the heat is much more important.

Humidity

Well, like the picture says, it ain't the heat, it's the humidity. I've been getting in some good 5 and 6 mile runs lately, but the humidity is a killer. I did five last night and felt great until I turned into a neighbor and there was no breeze blowing at all. I felt like my head would burst into flames. But, I've got to get these hot humid runs in to be able to do the Tupelo Marathon in September. So, if you see me out, please, give me a drink of water or at least spray me with your water hose.

Still running

I haven't updated in a while. I have been busy finishing school and coaching my daughters 13-15 yr. old softball team. I have been running. Lately I have raised my daily run from 5 to 6 miles. I've been trying to do that run 3-4 times per week. My next race will be in June when I run the Heller Keller Festival 5 miler. I will then be concentrating on running the Tupelo Marathon in September. I ran the half last year, so I figured I would give the full a try this time.

I Huffed and I Puffed

Saturday I ran the Huff and Puff in Sheffield, Alabama. It is a 9.3 mile course that is one of the toughest I have ever ran. It rained hard from the start till about 4 miles into the race. The temperature, which was in the 50's, and the rain, made for a great run. I shaved almost 15 minutes off my time from last year (1:40) finishing this year with a 1:24. That also was 4 minutes faster than I have ever ran that course. The hills were tough, but overall a great race for me. Now I have my sights set on running the Andrew Jackson Half in April. If I can get enough training in, I may do the full, we shall see.

Wind, snow, and sun

Wow, all in one day. We had snow, then sun, and then a whole lot wind. I did manage to sneak in a 5 miler on Saturday and then another one on Sunday. I am preparing for my next run, Huff and Puff on the bluff. It is a 15k run through Sheffield. It may not be that long but it's tough for the first 5 miles with several small hills then a large around mile 5. Hopefully I'll be able to beat my time from last year, 1:40. It was in June and it was hot. This year it is in March so conditions should be much better.

New Shoes

Well, here are my new shoes. I have had them for a couple of weeks and I love them. They looked a little strange though. They have no curve where your arch is located so sometimes it's hard to tell which foot they go on. The doctor recommended that I get a wide shoe with motion control since my heels are a little on the crooked side to start with. They have a "roll bar" to help prevent me from injury the sides of my feet. They are extremely comfortable, but a bit pricy.