August Update

So I realize that it's been way too freakin' long since I last wrote. It was so long ago that I don't remember when it was or what I wrote about. There are a couple different things that I want to write about today but we're just going to settle for the cliff notes version.

• I'm no longer Paleo
• Say what?! yes, I figured out that eating Paleo left me without energy. It was so bad that I couldn't run 4 miles without feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. Needless to say I needed to make a decision - stay Paleo &  lose weight or eat wheat & dairy in moderation and have the energy to get the workouts in that I need to complete my 50-miler in September. It would serve me well to give up beer again but that's a sore subject so I will address it in another post.

• I stopped running in Vibrams
• Even though I took it slow and thought I did everything right I still developed what could possibly be a stress-fracture in my foot. Not to be derailed from my training, the Vibrams had to go, for now; I'm not saying they won't make a reappearance but for now I need to nurse this foot . . .uhm. .continue to nurse this foot.

This is the most exciting point:

• I've started running with a hydration pack and I love it! 
• A few weeks ago I realized that I'm tired of running the same 5-mile loop in order to stay close to my car to refill a water bottle on hot, hot, hot mornings during long runs. I did some research on hydration packs but really didn't learn anything. Last Friday my boyfriend and I went to REI in Richmond and he told me to pick one out. I tried on everything in the store and Happy early Birthday to me! I ran the trails with it on Sunday and from now on I'll be leaving my hand-held water bottle at home. Where have you been my whole life?! 

• On Saturday I hiked Cedar Run/Whiteoak Canyon in Shenandoah National Park. It kicked my ass. I need to do more hiking to build up my real trail muscles.