Finding 14 miles of open road, away from the busier main streets, is not hard to do using mapmyrun.com. However, since my mind gets mushy not long into these runs, I have taken to jotting down some key landmarks and taping them to the back of my ipod in case I need a reminder as to where’ I’m going. This doesn’t always prevent me from getting lost (its happened twice), but it does help me estmate how I’m doing in terms of my pace… The challenge of today.. measuring things in “sevenths”.. just didn’t feel right trying to motivate my self by saying “yes.. You’re two sevenths of the way there!”… a good reason to hurry up and get to 16 miles.

Passing time while I run

Getting a lock of flack for the “picture taking” during my runs.. Let me tell you though, these aren’t eight minute miles I’m running, so when you’re out there for well over two hours, you need something to help pass the time! AND... its not like I'm stopping waiting for just the right moment.. believe it not, these are action shots! :)

Much better run today

My "do over" of last weekend's run went much better. It was slightly warmer and I got started earlier as well, I think that helped. I also took my phone along with me today to take a few pictures of the route. It was as quiet as it looks. I crossed paths with just two other runners and a few walkers along the way.

Less than two months to go now. Time to get some fund raising letters out to boost the donations! Also need to increase the weekday miles some more !

Oak Street

Still on Oak Street

Williams Street

North Worcester wind tunnel

wind and junk

The two challenges I’ve faced this week have been “junk” in my legs (as coach Oates calls it), and the wind. The junk this week…. Shin splints and numb feet. She also made some comment about my body getting used to being in shock, but I’ve buried that away in the back of my mind for now.

The wind too is making things tougher for me. Miles 6-9 of last Sunday’s 12 mile route were spent running into the wind up North Worcester Street… By the time I was into the last three miles, I was cold, hurting and hungry. I’m thinking of repeating the same route this weekend just because I need to conquer it before I move on to 14 miles. This morning's five miler was the best I’ve felt all week, but still... wind and junk, wind and junk… going to stretch and ice some more now.

Planning out tomorrow's long run

because his shirt was on backwards