My back is officially 100% better! I took an extra day of rest last week, and even though I felt guilty then, I’m glad I did. I don’t even want to have to think about an injury for the next two weeks leading up to the half.

However, my whole fam seems to have given each other the same set of sniffles, so I have been kind of under the weather all weekend.

I decided to give my long run a go anyway, which turned out well!

I didn’t even think about feeling sickly during the run because I was a little focused on the entirety of my body being quite confused at running a new distance.

Thanks for putting up with my strange desires to run longer distances, body.

I tried GU Chomps for the first time and loved them! They taste a heck of a whole lot better than GU gel and seemed to give me a bit more energy than the sports jelly beans.

I’m pretty sure I’ve found my race fuel! However, before the race I must figure out how to successfully breathe through my nose while I literally chomp on each of these like a freakin’ cow. They’re a little chewy.

Slow and steady wins finishes the race! (That’s what I keep telling myself….)

Before I knew it, I entered new trail territory and stumbled on a pleasant surprise.

Just another day of runnin’ in the nation’s capital.

P.S. It’s Tuna’s birthday today! If you wish him a happy birthday, I’ll make sure to let him know. 😉

How was your long run this weekend?

If you follow me on twitter, you’ll know that I went on a running store shopping spree this weekend.

I tried to keep my purchases to a minimum, but it was hard to once I kept spotting more and more running related things that I needed. 

My plan was to go to Pacers for some new shoes. I still love my minimalist shoes, but as I get into longer distances, they just weren’t cutting it [for me]. I am continuing to explore the barefoot running trend, but I’m starting to realize that they might be for super serious runners that weigh forty-five pounds.

I don’t weigh forty-five pounds, so my left arch was not too happy.

But I’ll definitely wear them for shorter workouts, and for races like 5K’s and 10Ks.

I did buy some shoes, but I ended up getting a little sidetracked first. Whoops.

Fuel galore, body glide, and sports laundry detergent.

I won’t elaborate on the body glide – but I am really starting to need it! I haven’t noticed a difference yet, but hopefully I will as I continue to use it.

And thank goodness I stumbled upon this detergent, as my 3 sets of running fashion outfits are growing quite janky. I feared I would have to invest in an entirely new running wardrobe due to people switching from the treadmills next to me because of stank, but I’m crossing my fingers that this will solve that problem.

Thanks for the fuel advice, guys! I took you up on all of your suggestions.

I am particularly excited to try the margarita shot bloks.

And finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…..

The most beautiful, gorgeous shoes I’ve ever seen.

They are Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13 and are amazing so far. I’ll do a review on them once I break them in more.

With all of my cool new gear, I was determined to finish my long run on Sunday, despite my slow-ass-self almost freezing to death.

See that 18mph wind? Not my kind of fun.

What shoes do you run in? Do you have a favorite?

I don’t know what it is, but for some reason, I get nervous before my long runs.

The nervousness sets in around mid-week, usually after I finish my third (or….second….) training run of the week and the only run I have left is my long run.

It’s not that I mind long runs once I’m actually doing them (well, maybe the last 3 miles of them) but I just build them up in my head to be this huge big deal. Aka: I psych myself out.

When I laced my shoes up before my long run this weekend, I felt like I was gearing up for battle.

Take a pic of me before my scary long run, Tuna!

What am I scared of?

I’m scared of walking. I’m scared of failing and not being able to finish the run. If I really think about it, I have to ask myself – why am I so scared? What is the worst that will happen?

I’ll have to walk. Or I won’t be able to finish a run. Big deal. That doesn’t make me a terrible person or a failure. But that hasn’t even happened yet. The thought of stopping doesn’t even cross my mind during the run.

It must be all in my head, man.

I was glad I finished this weekend’s run strong (unlike 2 weeks ago) and felt really good!

Please ignore the random ass 0.00 distances. Still gettin’ used to my Garmin!

I tried using some gel fuel for the first time at mile 6, and it really helped.

I definitely felt stronger and less fatigued. It tasted pretty damn disgusting though. I’m going to try a few different flavors (I tried strawberry) before I completely rule out gel. I might be a shotbloks girl.

Only three more long runs to complete before the Shamrock Half! Eek!

Do you get pre-long run jitters?

Please tell me if you have any tricks or tips to prevent dreading your long runs!