A fly-by view of my first ever 20 miler next week....

I found some pics of the Wissahickon Trail online and the place is GORGEOUS!!! These are pics I found via a search, I am not claiming them as mine.

Update on Training for my First 50K in the Fall- Week 5 of 16

             I am 2 days away from completing week 5 of my 16-week 50K training I designed for myself. These next 2 running days, Saturday and Sunday will be very telling of whether or not I will actually be able to do this race. You see, Saturday, I am due to run 18 miles, and 8 on Sunday. Remember, for ultra races the trainings call for 'running on tired legs', hence the long miles Sunday after the long, long run. We are still in New York, at my mom's, and there are no hills and although the training calls for running on hills, at least once a week, I have not been able to do them at all for 3 weeks now. Those 'hill' muscles will have a rude awakening when I go back to DC; I guess I'll have to take it real slow at first. Anyway, things have been going very well otherwise. Been doing my miles and staying on with the schedule.

                Running in and around my mom's in Freeport, Long Island has been different to say it mildly. There are basically NO runners anywhere on the street. Occasionally I have caught a glimpse of a lone runner at large parks, but oddly enough, they all run wearing weights, humongous backpacks, or sweatshirts in 90 degree weather, in the MIDDLE of the day. Yeap, totally crazy, I know. While running on the bike path that leads to the beach though one will see just a tad more runners than on the streets, oh and walkers too. Mostly people on bikes though, going very fast, just zooming past you as if they were racing at the Tour de France, then a lot of walkers and a sprinkling of runners. I miss my hills in DC and mostly I miss my trail runs in Rock Creek. I can't wait to get back home to run on MY streets, but I am also having a blast here at my mom's....

               Wish me luck on my run this Saturday. 18 miles. Never run that long or far before and I am pumped. Being a mom, I am planning on going to bed early and start running at 5am. I have not quite figured out my route yet, there are pockets of areas that are not too safe feeling for a woman in general, so, I figured staying on a larger road might be the best option. Will update on both runs Sunday.

Adventures In Jones Beach Trails

               I lived in Long Island, New York for 4 years back when Luke was a baby. Interestingly, I never even knew about these trails. Never doubt that running can make your life MUCH more interesting. I started running and all of the sudden the whole world opens up. Just 10 minutes from where we use to live is a trail that goes directly to the beach. It's a bike/jogging trail and I ran the whole length of it yesterday, 4.5 miles each way. I did not have enough time to actually go directly to the beach, but I vow to make it to the beach next time. When you live in a household where both parents run, you have to always be mindful of the other parent's running needs. I had to be back by 8am and therefore could not venture further....although I was damn close. Next time....

You pass over 3 bridges in which you can catch a glimpse of the water. 

Since it's primarily a bike path it's important to stay on the right. 

I caught this amazing bird in the water as I was crossing over one of the bridges. 

I almost did not see this baby bunny....he refused to go anywhere even though we were 1 foot away from each other. 

A Dog-filled Run

                      I was running around the towns of Baldwin, Freeport and Oceanside, NY in Long Island this morning for my long run (10 miles) and I must have seen about 3 dogs who were not on a leash. One actually ran up to me while I passed his house and I got really startled. I could tell within seconds that it was a friendly dog, but it still made me stop out of fear. For a few blocks there I actually considered carrying my pepper-spray in my hand instead of in a little pocket inside of my arm-band, where I always carry it, but I was too lazy and trying to conserve energy.

                     I love dogs, but I would not hesitate to spray one that comes after me. A few years back when my sweet, gorgeous and super friendly German Shepherd dog, Duncan, was alive, a very angry dog ran out of his back yard and for many minutes attached his teeth to the back of my poor dog as I frantically called for help. Three thousand dollars later he was fine but it was such a traumatic experience that I could not do runs again for years. I tried continuing my running, but each time I would have this overwhelming fear that out of nowhere an angry dog would come running after me.

                      So now I carry pepper spray and I don't play. I also now have two kids and need to be home for my family. I believe every person, especially women, should carry pepper spray on their runs. It's much better to be safe than sorry. What do you do to stay safe?