Congrats on getting back out there, limewave! I'm glad your ankle didn't give you any trouble and that you were able to enjoy yourself.

Grog, I'm looking forward to reading about your runs this week! It's supposed to heat up here into the 90's again this week, but cool down into the 80's again next weekend so I'm glad about that!

Sunday, September 21 was my longest run ever (and I didn't fall this time!). 18 miles or so (I say, "or so," because it may have been slightly longer since I got turned around on two separate occasions and then had to backtrack). Had to stop once to use the "facilities" about an hour into it, once to ask directions, and once to get more water. Also ended up walking about 1/4 - 1/2 mile or so toward the end . . . the uphills at the end really killed me. The course was mainly downhill sidewalks for the first 3.5 miles, then gently rolling paved MUT (I tried to stay on the dirt shoulder as much as possible) for about 11 miles, and then the 3.5 back uphill this time on sidewalks.

I was REALLY REALLY hurting the last 3.5 miles of this one. Last weekend's run was hillier, but I didn't hurt. My butt and right hip really hurt during the latter part of this run. My feet and ankles were killing me when I got home and took my shoes off. Today it is my right hip (from the hip flexor around to the butt). I did some body rolling on the hamstrings, quads, and ITB's last night.

Even thought I took Thursday-Saturday off (well, I did my pushups and also did a lyrical dance class on Friday night), my right quad was still quite sore when I headed out Sunday morning (from my over-ambitious Wednesday night two ballet classes followed by treadmill speedwork). I'm thinking I have some kind of muscle imbalance on the right side. My new health insurance doesn't have a physical therapist within 100 miles of where I live though . . . so, if it doesn't get better soon, I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and pay out of pocket.

I'm worried 'cause next weekend's long run calls for 20 miles. I just don't know if I can do it without hurting myself . . . maybe I'll have to find a flatter place to run. They gentleman who is giving me training advice is out of the country until early October . . .

Oh, also learned that eating something before going out is NOT a good idea for me. Normally I don't eat anything before going out, but I figured that since I'd be out for 3 hours or so I should eat something beforehand. Had a piece of whole wheat toast with about 2 tbs. almond butter and some raisins on it, about 1-1/2 hrs. before heading out. I felt kind of nauseous for the first hour and then had to poop! Luckily, that was right around when I arrived at the only toilets on the route. (sorry if that is TMI). At that one hour mark I drank about 10 oz. of water. Over the next two hours I drank another 30 oz. of water and 20 oz. of Accellerade. It wasn't all that warm (55 when I headed out and 70 when I returned), but it sure felt humid in the earlier part of the run.

Also, I find it really hard to eat anything for about 3 hours after I run. I'm thirsty, but not hungry at all. So, yesterday, I tried something different that worked pretty well. Got in the door and downed about 48 oz. of water flavored with organic unsweetened lemon juice and stevia. Then showered, etc. And then I made a smoothie with about 1 cup of organic soymilk, 1 cup of blueberries, 1 cup of strawberries, 1 scoop of ground flaxseed, and 1 cup of water. By that time I guess I'd been home for about an hour, so I still wasn't within that 15-30 min. window, but better than usual. I sipped on that for about 15 minutes or so and it wasn't as daunting as eating something solid.

Do any of you have a hard time eating within that 15-30 minute window? If so, how do you deal with it???