Today I am in sunny and warm Raleigh for a half marathon tomorrow.  My hotel is 4 blocks from the start line.  Very convenient.

When I checked in the front desk clerk gave me the Hilton’s signature cookie.  I mentioned that I was running a half marathon the next day and she gave me another cookie.  Yes, that made me happy!

After I left my suitcase in my room I walked over to David’s Dumpling & Noodle Bar for lunch. Unfortunately it was closed.  What?!?!  So, I went next door to Players Retreat.  I ordered a grilled cheese and fries.  I couldn’t wait to get out of there.  The service was bad and there was a smell that I could not put my finger on but it was just horrible.

There was no expo but just a packet pick up at Capital Run Walk.  This is what I got at packet pick up–just a shirt and a bib.

The store offered a 20% discount to those with a bib.  So, I looked around and found two Brooks shirts.  I love their stuff!  I found a pair of shorts (Brooks Women’s Versatile 5″ Woven Shorts) but decided to order them instead from Running Warehouse.  The reason being just in case they don’t fit well or I don’t like them then I can send them back.

I walked next door to a Hallmark store.  I looked around for a coffee mug and found one for me.

The race starts at 7am so I should be ready and out the door by 6:45 or so. As for the weather it will be in the 50s tomorrow morning.  🙂

Now, it is time for dinner and to get my stuff ready for tomorrow.

Just Keep Running!

Thanks to a post by Run with Jess, I found out about a great deal for Injinji Toesocks.  For the month of October, these socks are 50% off plus free shipping.  This offer is only for the pink socks.  I love pink and bought two pairs for $6 each.

It took a little time to make sure each toe went in the correct spot.  Once that was done I was set.  My first run was 4 miles followed by another 4 miles with the other pair.  The socks felt comfortable and there were no blisters after each run.  I still need to test them during a longer run.

These socks are available in both mini-crew and micro.  If you want to purchase a pair or pairs, click here.  Since I like them so much, I bought three more pairs.

At one point I owned three different pairs of gym shoes – Brooks Pure Cadence, Green Silence, and Ravenna 2.  I ran in the Pure Cadence from mid November to end of March. I felt fine running in the treadmill but experienced some pain running outside.  The hard concrete, flat feet and a somewhat developed bunion in my right foot is not a good combination. I need more support.

I returned the Green Silence.  I bought them on sale from Running Warehouse.  The company was nice enough to accept them back even though it was past the 60 day return deadline.

I ran once in the Ravenna 2 and knew they were not a right fit.  They felt too tight in the front.  It was weird because I tried them at the Chicago Marathon expo and they felt fine.  Is it possible my feet grew or they got more flat?  I went to Fleet Feet and they were nice enough to exchange them for me.  They no longer carried the Ravenna 2 so I tried the 3. Oh. My. Goodness.  The shoes felt so good.  I tried a size 10 but they felt kind of big so I tried the 9.5.  Much better.  I went home with the same size but in a different style.  I love the color! Brooks Ravenna 3 ROCKS!!

After a two week recovery, I ran 4 miles today in my new shoes.  It felt good to run.  I meant to run last week during my Spring Break but I just did not feel like it so I didn’t.  Every morning I told myself to get up and run.  Nope.  Did not happen.  Something snapped today.  I realized I had a race in two weeks and then one almost every weekend till possibly October.  Yikes!  Better start moving if I want to do well in each race.  Overachiever?  Ambitious?  Maybe, but it is driving me to get out there and run!

Run Happy!

I’ve had my iPod for over a year.  I bought it the day before the 2010 Chicago Marathon.  I was so excited!  It was small and cute!!  It was by my side through numerous runs and races.  It traveled with me when last year I traveled to Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and Canada. 

This wonderful piece of electronic stopped working on Sunday.  It was with me during my 12 mile run.  When I was done I put it in my jacket pocket and went to visit some friends because they invited me to their house for breakfast.  I went and had such a great time with them.  Afterwards I went home to shower and then to wash my stinky clothes.  Yep, you guessed it.  My iPod was in the pocket.  I forgot to take it out.  I did not realize it till Monday evening when I was getting my stuff ready for my runs this week.  I looked everywhere for it and then realized it that I might have left in my jacket.  I looked in the pocket and sure enough it was there.  I tried to turn it on but no luck. 

Right now it is in a container filled with rice.  Is it too late and I should just get another one?  I guess the bigger question is do I need one right now?  I ran 5 miles today on the treadmill and it wasn’t too bad.  I am doing 5 miles again tomorrow and think that I will be OK without it.  I am doing 12 on Saturday and am not so sure about it.  Regardless, I am getting a new one before the marathon next month.