Nothing new to really update about except that the Brooklyn Bridge 5k is next week Sunday the 8th. I'm excited. I think I'm ready for this one. :)

Mileage Today: 5k -- 3.1 miles

Mileage This Week: 7.47 miles

Mileage This Month: 23.11 miles.

With having an entire week off when visiting my friend in Salem and going to Washington D.C with my Mom.. I think this months mileage isn't so bad. It was also a very very hot month.

Towards the middle of next month I'll be going back to school. Going to have to plan a lot of new routes and try to rack up more miles.

So yesterday I PR'ed one of my routes by a bit over a minute. I was all smiles when I finished my run last night especially because.. it was the first time I did a 2.37 mile run without having to stop at all to walk. I just paced myself differently.. didn't start out too fast.. didn't let myself get too slow and I let my mind wander and I kept pushing myself mentally, talking to myself to keep going.. It was great. I'm incredibly proud of myself and now I'm even more excited for the Brooklyn Bridge 5k on August 8th. :) I think I can do it in a better time than my previous 5k.

Today I'm taking the day off. This week I'm going to try to do every other day and mix up my workouts and add more videos/core exercise. Should be a good week. I haven't lost anymore weight but I have been feeling great.. especially on my runs.

Mileage Last Night: 2.37 miles

I forgot to update yesterday. But blerg. My run yesterday was horrible. I usually go out for my runs at like 9:30pm - 10:00pm -- because typically it's cooler then. I didn't check the weather before I went out and ended up running in nearly 100 degree weather. It was horrible. I couldn't breathe and had to cut my run short by a whole mile than I had intended. So yeh. "/

I also finally bought a brace for my shin splints in my right leg. It really helped a ton when I was running and I definitely felt the difference. I have to remember to not take it off immediately when I get back. That was the worst pain ever.. I also managed to burn my leg with the ice pack yesterday. Go figure. I never get any luck.

Mileage Today: 1.15 miles.

Mileage This Week: 7.83. (Really need to bring this number up. This was one of my lesser weeks.)

Hill death.

Tonight was 400m x 4 hill repeat night. Ick. I improved since I did this workout last time which is good. :) Things have been getting better. I notice that I pace myself a lot better, push myself more, and have been able to go further before I feel like I have to walk for a bit.

& What is it with the increase in dirty looks I've gotten lately? Is it because a fat girl is actually running and is not winded? I dunno. I feel like I have 5 heads or something because I get stared down so bad sometimes. It also makes me feel very nervous for some reason. Blerg. Whatev.

I finished reading The Omnivore's Dilemma; it was a very eye opening book about the meat packing industry, feedlot animals, and corn in America. Very interesting. Has made me want to eat healthier than ever and to try to buy organic & local whenever I can (I try too, already!) So now I started reading the second installment of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Big book. Hopefully I'll be able to get through it before the semester starts again.

Mileage Today: 2 miles -- 400 x 4 hill repeats.

So. I took a week off from running last week in order to let my shin splint heal (which it didn't, of course, but it feels a lot better than it did) so that I would stop running on it. I visited my best friend ever in Salem, NY for the week and spent that time being very relaxed, enjoying the country-side and just.. yeah relaxing.

I got to pet my first ever horse! I was really excited. I'm a city girl, so things like this, really excite me! :) I also got to go tubing down a river for the first time! That was also super relaxing. I could imagine myself taking my Kindle in a giant ziplock bag and getting in a tube and just floating down the river for a few hours.. ahhh. I loved it. Every. Single. Minute. I had never been so relaxed. As much as country people love the buzz and commotion of the city.. I highly enjoy the quietness and simplicity of the country.

I also had my first driving lesson, finally. My friend let me drive his standard car and I only stalled TWICE. The first time when shifting gears for the first time, and the second when trying to go in reverse for a 3-point turn. So I guess I'm pretty good considering I didn't stall the first time trying to accelerate the car. Speaking of driving.. I've been having so many dreams about driving. Something about it just appeals to me so much even though I'm such an environmental junkie. I don't see my self wasting and guzzling gas when I can walk or use a bike.. but something is just relaxing about driving too. Considering it would be a life changing experience for me to learn how to drive is probably the reason for these dreams too.. I also NEED to learn how to drive for my student teaching placement next year. I'm a bit nervous but I'm pretty sure I'll do fine in an automatic car if I had no problems with a standard.

Well. Hopefully more running related stuff to post about soon. :)