The Last 6 Months

In the last 6 months, I have ran a total 632.52 miles, my goal was to reach a 1000 miles like I did last year. Needless to say I may need to adjust that goal, which I'm just in awe because I have a lot of first this year thus far.  I have broke a 7:40 mile, 26:00 5K, run at 4:20 in the morning, run 9:30 at night (due to the heat and humidity), and biggest accomplishment to date is completing a marathon.  I know that I wouldn't have been able to accomplish a lot of these goals with love and support from my husband, who throughout my marathon training especially the long runs would send me text messages for encouragement, would come and get me (when I did point to point routes), would run crew with the kids (when I did a run in warmer weather than expected that day).  Running has allowed me make positive change in not only myself but, my kids especially MacKenna who now is wants to run with me on my shorter runs (2 miles or less), has asked about doing 5Ks and has that she wants to run a marathon some day.

Heat vs. Cold Running

Since January this year, I have ran in degrees that were below freezing and now temperatures that have in close to 90, the temperatures that below freezing weren't too bad as long as wind chill was above 0 degrees and even the hotter temperatures haven't been as long as there is a slight breeze and humidity is below 50%.  Thus far, late spring/early summer has been very warm and definitely am learning that I have to adjust my speed/pace whether or not I want.

Here is a good chart for running in the heat:

Pace adjustments for heat and humidity:

On the flip side of things,

How the Cold & Windchill on Running Outside:

Heel Lock Lacing

I thought that I would post a step by step guide for heal lock lacing.  I know for me, I have a narrow heel but a wider forefoot so, my heels tend to blister due to sliding and rubbing against the back of the shoe.
Going from left to right for the pictures:
Picture #1 and #2 - are how the shoe was originally laced (these are Newton Distance U, amazing shoes for short distances - anything less than 4 miles).
Picture #3 - I unlaced the top two holes
Picture #4 - I took the lace and looped into the furthest hole first
Picture #5 - I looped the lace back through the front hole
Picture #6 - you can see the once the laces are looped under the "lock" part of the lacing
Picture #7 - once you tighten up your laces and tie them you should tighter at opening (top of the tongue of the shoe), which should help with your feet from sliding or rubbing against the back of your shoes.