Sounds like some of you are experiencing revamping of your running goals. It was really good for me to hear/read that you are listening to your bodies and taking care of yourselves. I'm sure it is disappointing, but I'm trying to think of this in terms of longevity rather than instant gratification.

I had a run like that today. I was pretty disappointed in myself, but knew if I pushed harder I'd hurt myself -- probably by passing out with heat exhaustion. Today was my first 20-miler in prep for the December California Int'l Marathon. Yesterday was in the upper 90's and the forecast was for more of the same today (ridiculous, as it was in the low to mid-80's until the first day of Fall, and then WHAM! Heat, heat, and more heat. Thank God I don't live in the Phoenix area anymore!). So, I planned to leave as soon as the sun rose at 7am. Didn't happen as I had to poop twice between 7 and 7:15am.

Got out the door at about 7:15am and my ipod popped off my Nathan hydration waist pack FOUR times in the first 15minutes or so! Also, had to stop at two major intersections, but I think it was only for 2 minutes or so each. Thankfully the iPod stayed put the rest of the way. Made it past the potties where I had to stop last weekend, so I count it as a victory that I went further than ever before without having to stop and use the facilities. Tacked on the extra two miles at around the 1/4-way point. And then stopped for about 30 secs. tops to fill one of my water bottles.

Got to about 1/2 way and had to use the potties. Pooped blood. This happened last year and I went through a bunch of tests only to be told that it was ischemic something-or-other (don't feel like looking it up right now) -- but, basically a thing common to long-distance runners, particularly when running in heat and not well-hydrated. Got going again and luckily there were more potties very shortly thereafter 'cause I had to do the same thing again.

After that, it was all downhill (figuratively -- continued rolling terrain on the trail and then all uphill for the last 3.5 miles of surface streets to home). No more water fountains for the last 1/2 of the run (really stupid that there are about 3 or 4 water fountains within a 1-2 mile stretch on that trail and then NOTHING the rest of the way). So, I tried to ration my remaining water and Accelerade, but it was getting hotter and hotter. I stopped at some more potties and pooped AGAIN when I had about 4 miles left 'til home, but there were no water fountains there. By about 2 miles from home and I was completely out of fluids. I ended up having to alternate walking and running the last uphill 3.5 miles and actually looked forward to stopping at the major intersections.

My time was PATHETIC. Left at 7:15am and didn't get home 'til 11am, for only a 20 miler! How do I go from 16.2 miles in 2.5 hrs. (with one short water bottle stop, a fall, and about a mile of uphill walking???) to 20 miles in 3.75 hrs.??? I'm going to blame it on: 1) iPod falling off; 2)waiting at intersections; 3) multiple potty stops; and 3) heat.

So, I made it home in one piece, but only by walking and going much slower than I wanted. But, I kept reminding myself of what you guys are doing -- listening to your bodies and taking care of yourselves! So, THANK YOU.

Tomorrow night I have an appt. with a massage therapist who is supposed to specialize in "diagnosing" muscle problems and working on them (not really "diagnosing," since she's not a doctor or physical therapist). Next weekend drops back down in mileage a bit and it's SUPPOSED to be back down in the 80's for the high. Also, the route I'm going to run is much more shaded (it's the hilly route I did a few weeks back when I fell). The Buffalo Chips (semi-local running group) training coach is supposed to be back and I plan to meet with him during/after the run.

I look forward to hearing how everyone does this week. Continue to TAKE CARE limewave and kelownagirl!

P.S. Thanks for posting your shoes, tattiefritter! Fun!