I'm getting excited to dress as Hercules again!

Easy week this week - Marathoning for Mortals does not want me to hurt myself leading up to the race.  I ran 30 minutes on the treadmill Tuesday and did 30 minutes on the elliptical Wednesday.  I had today off per usual.

Started packing for Disneyland today...I can't wait!!!

Yesterday, I went to my third hash.  It was the 7th Annual Super Soaker Hash - which basically meant that once that hash started it was a constant water fight.  I had two medium-sized water guns...and there was a pool at the end of the hash, so everyone went in - and we still were squirting each other.  It was technically a run, but I'm calling it cross training because I was carrying water guns.  Dinner was served after the pool "party" and was delicious.  I got up at 7am today for a 5 miler.  Good start to the weekend!

On Tuesday, I ran 40 minutes on the treadmill at work at 6.6 mph (and did the same thing today).  On  Wednesday, I used the elliptical at work for 30 minutes.  Another 30 minutes of cross training tomorrow and a 5 mile run on Sunday,  and Week 13 is done.  

I flew in from Maine late Thursday night and was back to work on Friday, bright and early at 6am!  I maintained my training by hitting the treadmill for 40 minutes after work - I ran about 4.4 miles, running at 6.6 mph.  I continued on Saturday with 30 minutes on the elliptical.

I visited the Lowry Park Zoo on Sunday morning - two cute elephant babies, an 8 month old and a 3 week old.  We had great weather...but I was praying to the rain gods for cooler weather later.  My wish was granted.  At about 7:15 pm it started raining.  I immediately got my running clothes on and headed out for an  8 mile jaunt.  It was pretty nice with the rain.  A bunch of loops around the industrial park - but in the rain (and the dark), it was a good run.

Gloriously, the beach workouts continued.  Tuesday was not a "beach day" but it was still nice to run in cooler weather.  The bay was actually all fogged up - I could not see the tall condos off the beach nor were there many people out.  In fact, I could only really see about 30 yards ahead of me.  I also didn't figure the tide into my run - it was close to high tide and there was not much beach left.  I had to run on the soft-firm area between the harder sand and the fluffy sand - a mixed bag of firmness if you will.  Kind of hard to describe, and kind of hard to run on...I was playing dodge the waves quite a bit.  Definitely got my shoes wet a few times, but it also made for an exciting run.  Because of the not-so-solid ground, I was a bit behind pace - about 5 miles in 56 minutes.
For my cross-training on Wednesday, I was supposed to go about 30 minutes.  I borrowed my cousin's bike, found a nice circular route near our condo (see below) and headed off.  I did not realize how hilly it would be...it took me almost an hour to finish the 10 miles.  My Dad was actually about to drive around looking for me because I took so long.  :)  There were a few hair-raising moments - not really that dramatic, just not super bike-friendly.  My quads were definitely burning...a sure sign of a good workout.  At least, it was very scenic.

I worked six hours Saturday morning and headed to the airport.  The flight was three hours from Tampa, FL to Manchester, NH.  I had dinner with my parents at the Airport Diner (awesome mac 'n cheese), and then drove over to Old Orchard Beach, ME - a vacation destination from my childhood.  A few of the arcades are gone, but it definitely has the same feel - and it feels good.  :)  I count 30 minutes of nighttime beach walking as my cross-training for the day...rough terrain.

As I mentioned earlier, I was really excited that my 10 mile run was "scheduled" while I was to be in Maine.  I woke up at 5:15 am - who knows what temperature it was, but it was under 60 degrees for sure...and it was GLORIOUS.  I warmed up for a few minutes and I was off.  I ran about a mile and passed under The Pier and kept going through Ocean Park.  An inlet blocked my path (pretty sure this is always there no matter the tide) and I had to cut into a neighborhood.  I ran over a bridge which happened to go over/through the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge.  I cut back to the beach, and ran Kinney Shores, Bay View and Ferry Beach.  Because of Google Maps, I knew that the beach ran out, and I turned around when that happened.  This was definitely the most scenic run I've had all year, and very enjoyable.  It barely felt like 10 miles.  I did run a slower pace - about 11 minutes per mile - however, it was pretty sandy.  It's a beach, after all.

I started out the week strong...and finished a little weak.  On Friday, I planned to hit the gym after work to run on the treadmill, but someone was using it, so I headed home to my apartment gym.  It is air conditioned, but the work gym has fans that blow directly on you when you run.  I am a hot person - meaning, I'm always warmer than average.  After a hot day at work, the fans help a lot.  I lasted about 35 of the 50 minutes on the treadmill before I felt overheated.  Understandable, it's been in the 90s all week.  It was 77 degrees at 5:30 am today.  I walked the rest of the 50 minutes.

On Saturday, I used the elliptical at my apartment gym - the one with the multiple settings and requested actions during the workout (i.e. bend knees, reverse stride, lift heels, etc.) - for 30 minutes.  Before the endurance run on Sunday, I had brunch with friends and went to see Jaws at the Tampa Theatre.  I had a great time - I had never seen it on the big screen and the theatre was built in 1926, so it's very intricate.  The pre-movie organist was an awesome addition.  So...when I got home, I didn't want to wait until it go dark (to "cool off") because then I would be hungry, so I bit the bullet - and the 85 degrees - and went for my run.  I got 3 miles into it and realized I should have brought water.  I don't normally run when it's that hot out, and my body was not happy.  I walked with the intention of starting to run again after 10 minutes, but 2 minutes into running for the 2nd time, I stopped.  I should have never stopped.  It's all mental and I could have fought through it.  Tough medicine...but a good lesson to learn.  I'll push myself harder next time.