4/28 - 18 Mile Run Lake Hodges

Today I have to say was a rough day... It started out being a perfect day to run 18 miles in Escondido along the trails but the sun decided to come out and make it tough on me. We ran three courses today and the first one was running along Highway 15 and under it to the run along the lake... it's a nice out and back to the trail head. I am in charge of taking pictures for our team and I took about 114 over the course of the 18 miles... Yes, I know it's a lot of photo's but you know there are a lot of newbies out here making memories with each mile and I love capturing them.

Ok, back to my run... So did the 3 mile out and back and was back at the trail head for the next somewhat out and back... this is the part that was tough... The trails are so much nicer to run on but harder to train on... make sense? Probably not but to us runners we know there is a difference in how your body is reacting to the trail opposed to the streets... I took several pictures along the way.. of runners, signs, a rock and somemore people... it's funny I think I am distracted during the run with taking pictures that I sometimes think the run goes by quicker.

I am just about to head back on the third section of the run which we head out towards our coaches house which we conveniently have an aid station. By this time, I am struggling as I feel two HUGE blisters in each of my shoes... One isn't feeling so hot but I try to ignore it... Mile 13 is looking rough but I trug on and manage to finish the last 5 miles with some very bad feeling feet. I know it's the small things that I sacrifice to train, fundraise and run the marathons in honor of the people who are unable too...

After 18 miles, two blisters and a nice little sun tan I completed another training run and it's just getting closer to marathon day.

Keep checking back for more updates... I have a 12 mile run this weekend and then on May 12th I will be completing my longest run of the season; 21 miles.