We’re ramping up the long runs again, just two weeks away from our official first week of marathon training.

This week, we’d intended to run 7ish, but Ginger’s alarm didn’t go off and she overslept, so we had to cut it a little short.

It was an absolutely gorgeous morning.  Much cooler than usual, with a breeze. I actually had a chill as I waited for her.  This was one of the first mornings we decided to meet at 6 instead of 7 to beat the heat.  As our runs get long(nnnngggggggg), we’ll probably start around 5.  Saturday mornings at 6 am are all I can handle right now.

We started out quicker than usual, and our pace really stayed there. We had a lot to talk about and the miles flew by faster than any other run I’ve done in quite a while.  The breeze took our breath away a few times – it was  gusty and cool(ish).

I kept commenting on what an easy run this was for me – though Ginger wasn’t feeling quite as good as I was.  We did our usual loop out around the pier to bring us up to 6.4 miles total – and left quickly so Ginger could get to her river float trip with friends.

I rushed home so we could get ready for a shopping trip with Gramma and Grampa.  Piper is a serious shopper and insisted on trying everything on. As much as I hate trying on clothes, I have no idea where she got that.

We hit lunch at the Sloppy Pelican on St Pete Beach – a crusty, waterfront beach bar and grill. We’ve been eating there for years but they recently made some serious improvements to their food and drink menus.  Fresh cut fries, delicious (and huge!) burgers, nachos as big as your head.  32oz rum runners in a souvenir cup?  A great Saturday lunch with the family.  We have eaten at, well, every restaurant on the beaches and this one consistently performs – in location, service, price and quality.

After lunch we headed to a local sprayground for our friend’s son’s first birthday. The kids played in the water and on the playground, we ate cake, talked and sweated bullets until we rounded them up to come home.

I look forward to a couple more weeks of easy runs. Of not getting out of bed if I don’t feel like it.  Of cutting them short if I’m struggling.  My “Lazy May” is definitely over, but I intend to milk these next two weeks before training begins to the best of my ability.  Why the hell I chose July, August and September as training months for my first marathon is beyond me … but if I can get through this, training for a second (perhaps in the spring?) will be cake.