Day 7

Today Nitro and I ran the perimeter of Tower Grove Park.  We were scheduled for a 3 miler, but it's actually closer to 3.8.  I always count it as 3 and figure that's just some extra change in the bank for when I need it!  Nitro wore his New Trix halter, and I wore my Merrell Pace Glove barefoot shoes!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these shoes!   My legs feel like I actually had a workout, which doesn't happen very often anymore, except after a really long run.  In a good way.

I thought I should give some background, since some folks have expressed concern about me running so much, or so far.  I have been a runner and swimmer since I was a kid, and I started "competitive" running (at least with myself!) as an adult around 1996.  Since then, I have run 6 marathons (Lake County, Chicago twice, Twin Cities, Honolulu, and Lewis and Clark), too many half marathons and 10K's and 5K's to count, 2 olympic distance Triathlons (Mrs. T's Chicago), a bunch of Sprint distance Tris, and although I have never finished an official Ultramarathon, I have unofficially run about 36 miles at a time, and am a member of the St. Louis Track Club, Clydesdale Virtual Racing Team, and St. Louis Ultrarunner's Group. So please don't worry about my health, hydration and nutrition!

 Due to my recent health challenges, and the still unexplored issues with my colon, I am taking it quite easy, and following Hal Higdon's Novice 1 training plan.  It is steady, and low mileage.  I have successfully completed marathons using it and using his intermediate plans in the past.  I am on this dreadful Low-Residue diet until I see the gastroenterologist again, and have a colonoscopy, which is challenging for fueling, but once I have more information after the colonoscopy, I should be able to begin to resume a more normal, fresh, whole foods diet, like I used to eat.  And if not, I will make it work!  If it's a big issue, like cancer, I will also find a way to make things work.  But that's a bridge to cross when I get there.

Also, even if I mention fundraising often (that is the point of this run, after all!) please don't be put off!  Even if you can't donate, following and commenting on my blog is a great form of support!  It's fun knowing that people are out there and interested in what I'm doing!

For today, we had a lovely run, breezy, relatively cool (80F's) and the park is beyond gorgeous.  I am so lucky to have such a great park, a great dog and a great pair of new shoes to run in!