Weekend of greatness

Howdy y'all!
(Proof I live in the Southwest)
Derek and I enjoyed a fun and relaxing weekend here in the desert, and we didn't have to escape to the mountains this time! Saturday morning I found myself wide awake at 4 A.M. so I got up and made some Bob's Red mill Steel Cut Oats. It takes 20-30 mins to make this stuff, but it is literally the tastiest oatmeal out there. Really, they won an award and everything. I let Derek sleep in a little bit, but eventually woke him up so he could eat and prepare for our long run. It usually takes us an hour due to eating, digesting, bathroom visits, dressing, etc.
Our route for the day took us through the rolling foothills of the mountains. It was gorgeous out! Not too hot or humid. I wasn't feeling 100% due to digestive issues, but I pushed through. (I also forced Derek to carry toilet paper in his pack just in case I needed to use a bush.) Aside from the crappy start (pun), I had other troubles on this run. Everything exploded out of my pack at one point, then the zipper pull broke off of my pack when I went to secure everything back inside of it, my shins and calves started hurting pretty early on (Thankfully I brought Ibuprofen), and I kept getting bad cramps. Yuck! However bad this run was, I pushed through it. I finished my 8 mile run happy and proud of myself for persevering.

I actually maintained my target pace pretty well on this run. The spikes on the graph correspond to me having to walk a little bit. Unfortunately, I had to walk a handful of times, but I am still very happy with my 8 mile performance.

After I finished, I parked my butt on the couch and put my feet up. Oh, and I put an ice pack on my head to prevent over-heating. Derek laughed at me and said I looked like a nun with the towel over my head. Between my red face, towel, and icepack, I think I look pretty stylish. [laugh] Seriously, if you still look good after an 8 miler, you are either inhuman or not doing it right.
We took a nice long nap after this long run. I certainly needed it. It seems that runs longer than 4 miles make me tired. I often go back to bed once I get back from my runs. I guess it isn't so bad considering I usually get back from my runs between 6:30-7:00 A.M..
I also got a delivery Saturday! Look at my new tri-gear! So pink and pretty! I even took the time and effort to try it all on, which is really impressive due to how sweaty and sore I was from my run. It fits perfectly, if a wee bit more snug than I would usually wear but I've read that it is normal. I have to swim in this gear, so it has got to be tight-fitting. Hey, it's tight, but I don't look like a sausage so I am happy.
Sunday morning I had every intention of getting up and going on a 20+ mile bike ride... however, the vodka sodas I had Saturday night had a different plan. (Super fun night, btw) My hangover prevented me from getting on my bike. [Sad face] I'll have to make up the bike ride sometime next week.