We're having a heatwave...

Holy Crap, Batman.... where's the iceman when you need him?

Okay, it is hot.... really, really hot. Being from the South I usually don't gripe about the heat too much, but this is unreal. We have had heat indexes of 106 for several days. 106!

What makes matters worse is that my husband and I are planning on running the Chicago marathon in October. So far the training has been tough, but bearable. Until last weekend... when I had a BIG meltdown. If I had had enough hydration in my system I would have cried real tears. Last weekend was the first time I felt like there was no way I was going to make it to that race. I felt like giving up then because there was no way I would ever be able to run 26 miles. It was purely the heat talking. I have been pretty positive mentally until last week. I had so much self doubt after one crappy performance.

Today was better. I had given myself a mental check, the mileage was lower, and there was (praise God) a freakin' breeze every once in a while.

I have learned alot in training for this marathon... don't get me wrong, I will never do another one of these things again, but I am grateful for the things I have learned while training month after month. (I will post separately on that when I get closer to my race time.) What I have learned the past couple of weeks is how important for your mind to be ready. Mental strength is about the best thing you can have. One crappy performance does not make up the sum. I totally discounted 6 months of pretty good training for one horrible day.

I've also learned that a few well placed sprinklers along the route can make a huge difference.

Girlfriends

This past weekend was highlighted by going back to my college town and seeing some of my college friends. Most of them it had been a year since I saw them... (we decided last year we would try to REALLY get together every year, instead of just saying it).

It was strange and so comfortable. We had not even gotten our drinks when we were past all the formalities and into the stuff that you would only tell your closest friends. I am always surprised how I don't realize how much I miss that until I am in the middle of it again. I am always surprised that we can pick up so easily... some of them I had not spoken to in a year. I realize how fortunate I am to have people like that and that we've been able to keep the love for one another 12 years later. (CRAP! It's been 12 years since I started college!) Okay, I can't dwell on that. I am going to dwell on my 6 beautiful friends who kept me up too late, made me laugh too hard, and who I could never love too much.