Well, I don't know why, but I was about as nervous as the start of a race as I got ready to start my 14 mile run this morning. My hands were actually shaking! Maybe it's because I've never trained for a marathon alone before. I've always trained with a partner. Or maybe it's because I'm entering uncharted territory in milage increases. Last year, I started with the same training program but bailed on the Saturday runs about this same time. It's definitely tough to do a run on Saturday and then a long run on Sunday! My legs and hips are feeling it pretty bad right now. Hopefully, the ice bath and Endurox will help because I'm sure I'm doing a pretty tough strength workout tomorrow.

As I started out this morning, I was surprised by how cold it was. The sun was shining, so I was fooled into thinking that I would warm up really quickly. Unfortunately, I hadn't factored in the wind. I never warmed up and, in fact, as I sweated and my body became wet, I actually got colder. You know, as far as wicking goes, if it's winter and you're dressed in layers, the wet really has nowhere to go. So, even with layers of technical fabric to protect me from the weather, I was drenched. By the last two miles, and it never fails... it is always the last two miles regardless of the length of the long run... my legs were frozen and felt like lead. This is obvious by my splits but I felt it and I am still feeling it. Also, today's run was the exact opposite of yesterday's run in addition to being twice as long. Yesterday's run was flat and fast. Today I felt like I was running up mountains. Total time: 2:33:59/ Avg. Pace: 10:48/ Pit stops: 2.

I did listen to a great episode of "This American Life." It is this week's current episode if anyone is interested in downloading the free podcast. The first story made me laugh, the second made me cry, and the third made me smell chocolate. Quite good company for the first 5.5 miles of my run.

For your entertainment, here are some Purim pictures. My husband, Scott, and myself.

Miles Run this week: 34
YTD: 204.12