Terrible chafing and a little anxiety

On Sunday, I set out for my 10 mile run.  You know how they say to not cook a new recipe when you have company, well a similar scenario is to not try anything new on race day.  I already have a few issues with this as I told you earlier of my uncertainty on how to fuel my body for such a long run.  I wanted to wear clothes that would be similar to what I will wear on race day.  I put on another running skirt (the one I bought on clearance) and set out for a run. 

These skirts have "built-in" underwear, but otherwise, there is nothing between your legs.  I have another skirt that I dearly love that has compression shorts built in.  I also have a couple pair of Nike running shorts with built in underwear.  I love, love, love them, but the shorts do tend to right up due to the fact that my thighs do not allow enough room between my legs.  How do you like that for a mental picture? 

I was doing great until around mile three when I started noticing that the friction between my legs was going to be an issue.  Well, by mile four it had become a little painful.  I thought, no pain, no gain, but is this what I want to do?  By mile 5, I was close to my house and seriously considered coming inside to change into pants, but I was afraid I would lose my momentum.  I HAD to complete this run. 

Unfortunately, when you have something nagging you like that, it takes over mentally.  I guess the good news is that I finished the run with no problems.  I felt terrific other than the insides of my legs.  I finished the run in 1:44, which is a 10:24 pace.  I was pleased with my time considering my "issue".  You likely could put me on America's Funniest Home Videos if you had me on tape from Sunday afternoon. 

The rest of the evening was spent avoiding my thighs actually touching.  It was pretty comical.  My children are just a little too old for us to have any A&D ointment or Desitin in our medicine cabinet.  We keep some at the beach, but I could not find any in my house!  I do know that I should have a runner's friend, Body Glide, and I would not have this problem.  I just never have had any need, so I have never purchased any.  If you decide to take up running, this might be a tool to invest in.

My planned outifit might be need to be changed.  I ordered the same skirt that I got for Christmas, but in the "athletic" version, which includes compression shorts.  If it does not get here in time, I will just wear my old reliable running skirt that I got from Kohl's a while back.  By the way, my "right feet" socks arrived today.  So, plenty of socks on hand!

Well, it's Wednesday now and my training is allowing me to taper down my running this week.  Mondays are always a rest day after the long run.  I ran 4 miles yesterday and 3 today.  I am suppose to run 2 tomorrow and then rest Friday and Saturday.  Here's my problem, my quads feel like they have 15 pound bowling balls attached with every step I take.  They feel sore and heavy.  They were already sore, but then lastnight Scott and I did an exercise using a kettle bell that involved squats.  I really, really struggled through my three miles today.  My debate is: do I rest an extra day tomorrow or do I still run the 2 that my training tells me to?  Decisions, decisions.

My other concern is the weather.  I am a true wimp to the elements anyway.  I would prefer to live somewhere that it is always sunny, high in the 80's and low in the 50's.  Well, I live in hot, humid Florida.  I overcame the cold issue when I ran a 10K in Mobile in October.  The temperature was around 35 when we started that morning.  I have figured out the way to make that work.  Lots of layers, and give your body time to warm up.

The forecast for Sunday is a 40% chance of rain.  I can handle a little rain, but it has been a drenching, pouring, soaking, flooding rain here today and that has built some trepidation in my mind.  The temperatures look great, low 41 so it should be a wonderful start!

I realize I am long winded.  A year from now, I just want to be able to look back on this and see what I have learned.  I will take lots of pictures on Sunday, somehow.  I don't know how I will get actual pictures of me running, but maybe I can get one of my Mobile friends to help out.  Scott, the boys, and my dad should be there at the finish line.  I am excited about my first half-marathon experience. 

Until then, wish me luck!

Leah