I ran this morning with my new butt pack water holder thingy. Not sure what the technical name is but I am sure you all know what I am talking about. First, looks: you have to tuck you shirt in to the pack so that you can get to all your gear. No hiding the hips now. Second, weight: Not too bad but I was just carrying water and my phone. Third, ease of use: easy to get to bottle and phone and easy to put back. Complaints: The water bottle lid was had to open and no way was I using these expensive teeth to open it. I decided to leave it open and it sloshed a little. It wasn't too bad with water but I stopped half way to change to my other shoes and switched to accelerade. That made the leaking fluid a little sticky. Maybe I will try to open and close my water bottle a few thousand times to make it easier.

Other running updates: still loving the new Under Armour sports bra-worth the extra money. Would still like to find some shoes with cushion and support but not extremely heavy. I tried on about 20 pairs yesterday but this area is not known for its running stores/shoe selection. I am going to Dallas next week and hope to have time to look around.

Better finish up and head to the shower. We have Babe Ruth State Playoffs tonight. Two games to win to head to Regionals.

Today was supposed to be a rest day but I thought i had been resting enough-like 11 weeks. I decided I would do three miles at least. I made it 3.5. Always have to remember to push through those first yucky two miles and things get better. My knee is good, ITB is good. I had a weird pain in between my shoulder blades. I tried alternating tapping of my fingers to my thumbs to see if I was clenching my fists or running tense. It seemed to help a little. I am icing my knee as a precaution.

I used my new garmin. I am still getting used to the bells and whistles but really glad I got it. I also ran with out my IPOD tonight. I love this time of the year when you can hear kids playing outside, softball and baseball games/practices, families fishing, dogs barking, and other sounds of summer. And of course I listened carefully for my lap beep to signal that I could walk.

Another day with just one dt. soda. Anyone think the soda thing matters? I was off of them for a while but...

Better get up and get in the shower. I will close with a Runner's World quote: "You don't need a reason, you just need a road. Enjoy the run."

Finally decided to take some time for myself. It wasn't all of my choosing. Two of my kids were really tired of staying home so they called my mom and begged her to come get them. My other son had baseball practice. Usually I would go and sit at practice but my son told me tonight that I didn't have to stay and watch, that I could go do something for myself. I told him I had been wanting to get my workout done so he told me I should just do it. It's what I have been wanting but felt selfish to take time for myself. I also decided I had time to update my blog since I haven't blogged in about 11 weeks.

18 weeks until marathon. I am not ready. I have gained about 20 pounds back since summer started. I started carb deplete again today. Headache! Only had one dt. soda. I was off of them for a few weeks but gave in. I have to find something that I can stick with and not just something for 8 weeks or 12 weeks. I know I can do it because I have done it before. I felt so much better, looked better, and my body was healthy.

I will try to be a better blogger.

Oh, I got my Garmin 305! I ran on the treadmill tonight so I didn't get to use it fully but I am really excited.