I had to get up an hour earlier the morning of Day 17… and I didn’t want to lol. I didn’t feel as tired as I normally would have, but still, who wants to get up earlier? Not me.

My pre-marathon training schedule began this week. The first workout was rough because I didn’t eat properly before. The second one, well, that was today. I saw the temps were in the 20’s. I thought the snow flurries had already passed. I bundled up as best I could (I don’t fit back in all of my winter running clothes just yet). Sure, I could have run on the treadmill in the basement. I also could have driven to the gym and run on the treadmills there. Today, it felt as though running outside would mean something pivotal to me. I guess I viewed it as a sign of resolve… I am going to do this come rain, wind, sleet, or snow… probably won’t run in hail.

When I headed for the trail, I realized that the flurries were coming back. The wind had shifted again, and boy was there wind! Of course, we always have wind here to some degree, but these were bone chilling winds. Snow hit me in the face. I tried to wear my running glasses to keep the flurries out of my eyes, because it stings when they hit your eye with a blast of wind. The glasses fogged up because of the scarf I had wrapped about my mouth and nose. At one point I had ice on my eye lashes. I kept going.

These pre-training workouts are only a half hour, and I thought I might stay out longer like earlier in the week, but I was well past ready to get in out of the cold when my watch chimed at 30 minutes. I did the workout, and I did it in the cold. One of my favorite Switchfoot songs came on. It’s a reminder to make the most of the time we have here on Earth. Enjoy, Gone… Let’s not prefer to “put on makeup” rather than fix the root of the problem… because “Life is still worth living!”

Are you looking to make some changes in 2013? Check out The Journey for more information.

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What I read: Genesis 16-18

What I ate:

• Breakfast – Ten oranges juiced with electric citrus juicer
• Pre-run Snack – 1 banana; Post-run snack – 2 juiced oranges
  
• Late Lunch – 9 bananas, blended with 8 oz water
• Dinner – 1/4 large watermelon… and then I fell asleep
  

What I did: 30:41 Pre-Training Workout, It was soooo cold out there today.

Here are the notes I made regarding my symptoms throughout Day 17:

• slowed digestion (gas, abdominal pain, bloating) – have some bloating, thank you lovely monthly
  
• headaches
  
• puffy hands, feet, and face
  
• sinus congestion
  
• dry/itchy eyes, skin, and scalp
  
• acne – surprisingly clear for PMS week
  
• aching muscles and muscle spasms
  
• foggy brain
• irritability
  
• mood swings –
  
• blood sugar fluctuations
  
• fatigue –
  
• unable to sleep well
  
• unquenchable thirst
  
• cravings – nope
  
• chest pain