Ok folks, I have been a total slacker lately when it comes to blogging! I have had a bunch of people ask me recently about my blog and how my running is going, and I have been ashamed each time to admit that I gave up on the blog. Well slacker no more, I'll try harder to keep you updated!

Luckily, I have not been such a slacker when it comes to my running. I've been keeping steady, about 15 miles a week. I haven't been pushing myself much more than that because I want to make sure I'm not injured for the HOOD TO COAST!!!!! I'm getting super jazzed about that! Last night our team captain posted who gets which legs of the race. I am happy with my legs, yet a little nervous. Here's the breakdown:

Leg 1: 4.39 miles - Easy

This one's right before you get to the downtown waterfront area, along the Springwater trail. Should be nice and easy.

Leg 2: 4.18 miles - Easy

Again, nothing special. I can whip these out no problem. No elevation gains worth noting.

Leg 3: 7.28 miles - Hard

Crap. This is my last leg, and by far the hardest of the three. Elevation gain of about 250 feet (not that bad), and most likely I'll be doing it in the heat of the day. No water provided along this route, and no vans allowed, either. So basically, if I'm tired or need a Gu or something, I'm all on my own. I will have to definitely plan ahead!

I received some advice for the relay: "Buy a cheap pair of shoes that are a size too big, and use them on your last leg of the race." Apparently, your feet swell up quite a bit between running and sitting in a van all day. So you're more likely to get blisters unless you have a bigger, drier, cleaner pair of shoes to slip on! Honestly, I doubt I will take the advice. But I will probably bring a second pair of shoes, so I always have a dry pair when I need them.

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I have been learning a lot about myself since my running journey began. I now believe that if I wanted to, I could train for a full marathon. Yes, I know, I haven't even completed a 1/2 yet, but I think the willpower and determination are there.

I have also learned that I have a new worst enemy: Heat. Yes, as the summer finally brings the lovely sunshine, I flinch a little inside. Running in the heat is probably the most difficult thing I have had to endure. Worse than wind. And that's saying a lot. You feel like you're dying with every step you take. So, I tried getting up in the morning...well...we all know how well that goes over. So now I wait until about 9:30 in the evening, and go on a lovely dusk run. It's still pretty warm, but at least I don't have to run from shady spot to shady spot, stopping for a break each time.

Another thing I started enjoying is running without my iPod, watch, pedometer or anything electronic. I've gotten to a point that I no longer have to distract myself with gadgets, and it is nice to not have to worry about how your watch is snagging your arm hair, or your headphones are smacking against your chest and pulling out of your ears. Much more freeing.

Tonight I will go for an evening run. May the day wind down with fulfilled goals.