5 miles, shot blocks and 37% towards goal - Thank you!

First, the big news: we are now at 37% of my goal of $1700 by July 2 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Thank you so much to folks who have contributed in the last week or so.

Elizabeth, St. Paul
Carin and Ross, Minneapolis
Carolyn and John, St. Paul
Lesley, Washington, D.C.
Maria and Joram, St. Paul
John and Phyllis, Sioux Falls, SD

I can't accomplish this goal without your help, and you have definitely stepped up - thank you, all of you, for your generosity and your encouragement. There's a little over four weeks left to raise the remaining 63%, or $1077.60 - I know we can do it.

On Saturday, I went on our weekly long team run. I am finding that team tranings are the highlights of my week, and the long runs are the best. I am still getting used to my 6 min run/2 min walk interval. We finished 5 miles on Saturday, and I did it in 64 minutes. Not too shabby, considering that is my longest outdoor run, and it was also a quite hilly run (think Randolph down to Shepherd Road, up Elway eventually to Lexington, on Jefferson to Victoria.) Our fantastic coaches showed me a couple of tips for running up hills (a little slower pace, use arms more to move up the hill) and running down (kick your feet back a little bit, but don't lean too much - when your legs are fatigued you can loose control quickly.)

After the run, we had a "team shop" at Run N Fun at Victoria and Randolph, who not only opened a whole five hours early for us to leave our things during our run, but then gave a 25% discount to all TNT members! For the first time, I got running shoes fitted (if you plan on running regularly, you absolutely need to get fitted for the proper shoes at a running store - department stores and Target won't have the first idea.) Being fitted for a shoe involves an analysis of your foot arch - how much your foot moves when you take a step (pronation) - and getting a shoe that fits your needs. A proper shoe will help to prevent injuries to your knees and ankles.

I also now have a proper running belt - with room for sustenance during long runs (more on this in a bit) - and a visor when it rains. This of course also means that I will look like a true running geek out on the road. Point and laugh!I have also not seen a single blister since I switched to synthetic running socks (cotton is rotten - for running, that is.)

Since I was getting the discount anyway, I decided to buy a range of items to try out in our longer runs. I find that I have a very sensitive stomach during and after running and I'll need to figure out what my stomach can tolerate when I'm running for four to six hours at a time.

You would be amazed the number of hydration/energy options that are available! There are gels, a thick substance, almost the consistency of frosting, I've heard. It's meant to be consumed with water. I got Gu and Clif Shot energy gel in various flavors to try out. Then there are the gummi-type products, which contain sugars and electrolytes. Clif Bar makes shot blocks in various flavors (I got pina colada, I think, but will that sit well on the road? We'll see.) Luna Sport makes moons energy chews - same idea, gummis shaped like moons. And then there are sport beans, made by none other than Jelly Belly, again with sugar and electrolytes. Who knew? Strangely, some of the Jelly Belly beans have versions with caffeine - maybe for those ultra races I hear about when people are running overnight? I don't think I'd want to consume caffeine during a marathon, but then again, I am the newbie here. Onward!