Hi Friends! 

A few updates:

- I ran a nighttime 60K (37 miles) race on July 23rd.  It was such a defining moment in my short racing career that I am still at a loss for words.  The course was the most difficult I have ever ran and the weather conditions at the start were less than ideal (I would have prefered it to be a few degrees cooler than 107).  It took me a very long time.  It was very hard.  I can’t wait to do it again.  It’s funny how much we forget pain. 

- I went to summer camp.  I have never been to camp before and I thought that at 29 it’s never too late to start.  It was a running camp hosted by Zap Fitness.  This is where my Rock Star Coach is based and it was really great to be able to hound him in person about my running instead of on the phone (he can’t hang up on me if I am standing right in front of him.  Not that he would ever do that…I think).  While at camp I met my new best friend Dick Beardsley.  I also spent some time running in                            Moses H. Cone Memorial Park     and The Virginia Creeper Trail.  The weather was perfect and there was no cell service (my favorite part).  I can’t wait to go back next year!

- I start school MONDAY.  I’m scared.  This will be degree number 2.  I am determined not to gain the dreaded “Freshman 15.”  Also, this time I will be the most popular girl in class…!

- My next race is in just under 11 weeks.  This race has a reputation of not being very nice to the people who participate.  So after 2 weeks of low mileage I am climbing back up.  This is what my week looks like

Monday 6-7

Tuesday 10 with 6 20 second strides

Wednesday 10-11 with pick ups of 1 min-2-1-2-1-2-1-2 with 3 minutes rest during the final 45 minutes of the run

Thursday 9-10 easy

Friday OFF

Saturday 21-22

Sunday 9-10

I am also continuing my 4 miles of walking on Monday-Friday and 1 hr of stairs during the week when I can squeeze it in. 

Have a great week!