So, you all know I had a crappy 20-mile treadmill run the weekend before last. It took me almost a week of no running to get over it. My legs were absolutely fried. I couldn't even get through my ballet class last Wednesday night.

I posted in last week's thread about my good Saturday morning 10-miler. It got me excited about doing my long run today.

Had today off work for Veteran's Day and awoke at 5:30am to get ready for my long run (planned to do 20). I was really hungry ( actually woke up around 4am with my tummy growling and made myself go back to sleep). Did not eat or drink anything before heading out the door. Planned to get out the door around 6:30am, but due to potty issues did not get out until almost 7:30am. It was pretty chilly and foggy this morning. I'm still trying out different fueling/hydration plans and this morning headed out with my Nathan again. In 2 of my 10 oz. bottles I had 1-1/2 Hammer Gels each mixed with water. In the remaining two bottles I had 3/4 scoop of Sustained Energy and 1/2 Hammer Gel in each, mixed with water. All was well until about mile 10 and then I got hit with diarrhea -- GRRRRR. I just don't know what to do anymore! It seems no matter what I try I get the runners trots!

The other big problem I had today was leg pain! My right leg was HURTING big time. Basically what I had been dealing with all last week after the treadmill fiasco. I had to walk some hills due to the pain and cut my run short. I ended up around 18 miles, but it took me 3-1/2 hours.

So, looks like I'll be taking more time off this week. I am getting really worried as the marathon is just about a month out.

I'm thinking my shoes may be part of the problem. They are over a year old now and I feel my right foot kind of slipping around. But, I just don't know what kind to get now! They don't make the ones I have anymore (New Balance 767's -- the 768's do NOT feel the same and I don't like the feel at all!). I went to our local running shop tonight and had the same problem as usual -- they only had two styles in my size for me to try on. In AZ we had a great running shoe shop that would video tape the customers on the treadmill and analyze what type of shoe was needed. It's been almost 8 years since I've had that done, and I think I need something like that again but don't know where to go. I tried Fleet Feet once and I got a complete idiot. He said I need a shoe a full two sizes larger than what I wear and when I said I felt like they were going to fall off my feet he said he GUARANTEED that was the size I needed and wouldn't bring me shoes in my size. So, I left.

Okay, enough from me. Let me hear some encouraging stories from all of you this week!