8 Miles Before a 5K, Because I'm Smart

I'm being pretty crazy today.

On a whim, I signed up for the Color Me Rad 5K here in Seattle, a few months ago before I knew I would be training for a marathon. Well, the day is here, and I'm supposed to run 8 miles today, as well. What's a girl to do? Run the 5K, and then run 8 miles afterwards? Run 5K, attribute that as part of my 8 mile quota for the day, and then run 5 miles sometime later in the day?

Nope. I decided to run 8 miles before the 5K. It remains to be seen if I'm very smart or actually just really, really, stupid.

Last night we went to Lot 3 to say goodbye to JW's sister, who had completed her internship and was leaving that night. I had two vodka punches with berry and mint in them (yum!), and some sliders, so I can't exactly say my dinner was healthy. I was a little worried that I didn't really fuel properly for my two runs today.

I ate a Luna Nutz Over Chocolate Bar, which was probably the most sugary bar I've eaten before a run.

This is actually MY picture! I know, you're shocked.

I also had a Shot Blok around the halfway point, my last one of the pack.

I did a little better than Monday's 8 miles, but not by much. At least I ended on a good note? I have this habit of starting runs on a downhill, so when I come back uphill it's usually around either the halfway point or the end mark. Yeah... probably not smart.

One thing I hate about running around a neighborhood is all the smokers I pass. I'm like... it's 6:30 in the morning and you're having a cigarette for breakfast?? Gross.

How can you help avoiding smokers on runs?

Wish me luck on the Color Run!!

A Lamp Shaped Run

I've read that your training runs need to mirror the conditions of race day as closely as possible. The closer, the more prepared you are for race day. Well, let me just say that I apparently SUCK at this. I'm used to running at night, and on a treadmill.... The marathon is at 6:30am, and is outside. At least California and Washington are in the same time zone? Bleh.

Anyways. Last night's was another run that I kept putting off and putting off - it was a busy day at work, and I was trying to return e-mails and generally return to normal after vacation. So, I ended up running around 8:15pm... ick. 

I fueled the run with a Luna Protein bar, in the Cookie Dough flavor about an hour and a half before I went out.

http://www.lunabar.com/products/luna-protein/cookie-dough/

Sometimes I like to make pretty pictures with my map - what do YOU think it is? (I've gone to so many museums this week that now I tend to think anything is art.) (I've decided that this is a lamp, with Pacman at the base.)

I also wore my new Sports Bra from Panache - review coming up soon. And, I wore my new Pro Compression socks! I felt very spiffy in all my new running gear. Unfortunately it didn't make me suddenly faster... damn.

I think my demise is always the second to last mile - I know I have that much more to go, but it's still so far that I just can't push myself like I want to. My main goal for right now is to make sure that I finish the last mile faster than the mile before. I mean, if I can't get negative splits for all the miles, I just have to make sure I finish strong!

Do you have gear that suddenly makes you faster? Do you like to make "art" with your running map?