Nathan Speed 2

Purchased a Nathan Speed 2 waistpack. I feel/look like a huge dork...but at least now I have a readily available supply of water and don't have to be Edward Bottlehands.

It's OFFICIAL

Tonight was my first "official" run of my training program. I was supposed to run 3 miles and ran 3.87. I guess that either google maps isn't the best at estimation of sidewalk length or my GPS added some distance in there. It was pretty chilly tonight and I wore a hat and gloves which turned out to be a huge mistake. My hands were clammy and sweaty after a mile and I ended up taking the gloves off and carrying them the rest of the way. I also carried my phone so I could use my GPS and that is also a pain...it's rather large and doesn't fit in my hand well (Samsung Galaxy S2). Looks like it's time to get one of those runner's belts...

Aghghghgh

The worst part about running after work in my little tiny neighborhood...is that no one freaking cares about stop signs. At ALL. I've nearly been hit twice now with reflective clothing on. I guess it's time to buy a ton of blinky LEDs and clip them everywhere.

MUST BUY ALL THE BLINKY THINGS!!!

New Clothes

I bought some sleek new running pants! I ended up choosing the Under Armour capri-length leggings. I had some yoga-esque gym pants that I was wearing, but I can't stand how the flared end flaps around when I'm running. It's just so much better with all of my clothing in one place...

I'm still shopping around for a nice, warm running top. I've just been running in hoodies when it's been chilly but they are heavy and don't exactly keep you warm once you start sweating.

New running motto: cotton is evil.

Early On

My "official" marathon training doesn't begin until December but I'm trying to run more than I was (8 miles per week maybe?) to prepare myself for the dedication and time commitment it's going to take to be running 25+ miles every single week for several months. It's kind of difficult balancing work, a nearly 60 minute commute, and running and still have time to have some fun/relax. I'm also realizing that my gym membership isn't going to be super useful for 8 mile runs (unless I'm feeling particularly masochistic) so I'm gonna have to start mapping out some runs soon near home & work. I have a weird amount of anxiety about the marathon. I'm assuming it's because I haven't begun training yet and am not sure how my body will respond to the sudden increase in running/exercise. It's nearly overwhelming right now thinking about running 26 miles. 26 miles. 4+ hours of running. Maybe if I say it over and over it will become less intimidating?

....

...

..

.

Nope. 26 miles is still scary.

Registered

I did it! I just bit the bullet and shelled out the cash for my first marathon EVER. Annnnd of course I chose Big Sur, a notoriously hilly course. April 2012 seems so far away...it's hard to start thinking about it now. I'm simultaneously excited and scared as hell for what awaits me.