Week 4 of marathon training

Sometimes I run out of obligation, sometimes I run to keep my ass from looking like Honey Boo Boos mothers' and some days its to keep my mind from exploding out of my head. I haven't run for 2 days and today when I woke up I didn't even dread the fact that I had to run 10 miles because I had about 9000 thoughts to work through and it was going to take a while. I don't know why but I can think so much more clearly when I am running. Maybe its because there's nothing else to do - I am one of those annoying people who would sooner sweep the garage or reorganize a junk drawer when stressed out than sit through the discomfort. If nothing is available to scrub, smoke, drink, reorganize or launder - sleeping works just fine too.  I have this vision of myself when I'm running, I think I look like Linus with my thoughts following me like a dust cloud. 

I do struggle at the beginning of a long run; when my GPS says "1 mile" I spend the whole rest of the mile thinking, "great I have to do that 10 more times!". The first half of the run seems like a math session; "If I run 20 seconds faster for this mile my average goes down by 2 seconds a mile", "If I run 10 miles thats 1000 calories and 2 regular margaritas or 3 skinny, or 2 margaritas and 1 corona light", etc. etc. It's a challenge to quite the mind. Somedays all I can think about is all the shit I have to do when I get home. Those are the worst runs - by the time I get back to my neighborhood I'm sprinting I'm so stressed out.

I'm really liking distance running so far. I am very nervous about getting above the 13 miles mark but trying to take it day by day, week by week. I really like having a goal of the Boston Marathon because I feel a stronger sense of urgency and I'm less likely to procrastinate. I am also struggling with the fact that my shorter runs after the long ones suck ass; its like my blood has been replaced by concrete and I'm dragging ass just to finish 3 miles. I have been taking electrolyte pills during the long runs which seem to help. Or maybe it was that I had 3 dinner rolls lastnight (HORROR: GLUTEN!!!).

Don't forget to donate to cause if you haven't already - I am very excited about the money being raised for such a great cause. 
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