1. Seven mile run in Arizona in June = bad idea. It doesn’t matter that I was up at 6:30 or that most of the run was in the shade, or that I had a water bottle with me. At 6:30, it was already 95 degrees, I don’t care how shady it was, it was still 95 and one water bottle was not enough. Not when it’s gone by mile four because I drank half and poured the other half on my head and the last mile and a half were not in the shade and the temperature had gone up by five degrees in the hour I was running.
2. New shoes are a bad idea for a seven mile run. Granted, I had done a six miler in them, but that was in Utah, where it wasn’t 95. I have my first blisters of the training season…and I was even wearing my lined socks, the ones that have two layers, the ones that are never supposed to give you blisters. Well, I came home with four…two on each foot. 
3. I loved the running skirt…for the first two miles. I just need to purchase some anti-chafage stuff and then it will be fantastic (I would love any recommendations). I highly recommend trying one out! I was surprised by how much I loved it, even if it isn’t the cutest thing on me…which brings me to number four.
4. I love that, when I’m running, the last thing I think about is what I look like. I may think about it while I’m getting dressed, but once I’m running, I just don’t care…well, not beyond wanting to make sure I’m not flashing someone.
5. If you are going to run with a dog, make sure it’s one who is used to running as far as you are going. I took my brother-in-law’s dog, Nevica, with me the other day (it was only three miles). He laid down after about two and a half miles. Just stopped cold and laid down. So I dragged him the last little bit (not literally, he got back on his feet) and then he threw up promptly upon arrival back at my sister’s house, the poor thing. And just so you know, my brother-in-law was the one who told me he’d be fine. I never would have taken him had I thought it would cause him to vomit…and yet I have a feeling puking after running is very likely in my future and I keep doing it. Hmm, what does that say about me?
6. I am going to really miss being at my sister’s. She has a pool that I can jump into as soon as I get done running. It’s fantastic! That’s all I thought about during that last mile of the seven.
7. Music really does make a huge difference when running. A few of my recent favorites:
Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake
Find A New Way – Young Love
Hyperlink – Eiffel 65
Don’t Matter – Akon
Freedom 90 – George Michael
Give it to Me – Timbaland feat. Nelly Furtado and JT
Feel Good Inc. – Gorillaz
The Sweet Escape (Konvict Remix) – Gwen Stefani
Where Does the Good Go? – Tegan and Sara
Too Young to Fight – Young Love
Say it Right – Nelly Furtado
Living in a Bubble – Eiffel 65
Irreplaceable – Beyonce
8. And, on the whole music thing, I am once again going to advertise for Nike and Apple. Seriously, the Nike+ with the iPod nano is the best purchase I have made for this whole marathon thing. It’s so nice that I don’t ever have to look at my watch (or the clock on my iPod) because, at every mile, a lovely voice comes on and says, “one mile completed”, or “halfway point”, or “two miles to go”. I love it!
9. If you are a female nonrunner who is thinking about running a marathon, you need to get this book. Anne sent it to me (she’s also training for St. George) and I am loving it! It is informative and hilarious.
existential dilemmas 
I actually have two different skirts, one with the shorts and one with briefs and I think (once I get some of the Body Glide) I will like the briefs one better. I don’t know, it’s just really comfortable. I’m going to get body glide tonight (and a fuel belt) so I will let you know. Ask away. Chaffage is a part of running, even for the skinniest runners from what I understand.
Sexy legs indeed!! I’ve been really curious about these running skirts for a while now. I’m not sure the comment section is the best place to ask this but do you have the kind with the underwear or the shorts in them? I’m thinking the shorts liner would be good to prevent thigh chaffing.oh… and I can so sympathize with the running in the heat thing. I hate Vegas in the summer. Thank goodness my gym has a track. Although 5-1/2 laps per mile gets pretty boring after 20 laps… but it beats the heat!
K, thanks for the Body Glide recommendation. I’m purchasing it tomorrow, once I’m back to my running store.Anne, I don’t know who’s voice it is. Sometimes it sounds a little like Cameron Diaz to me, but I know that’s not who it is. And I listen to the woman, for now. I may switch it up a bit.And I hate the heat…especially in AZ. I’m so excited to get back to UT.
Hi, can we say sexy legs? I would kill for your ankles! I really don’t love that we have to train through the ridiculously hot summer. As difficult as it is, I don’t think I can put off waking up at 5:00 am for my long runs anymore. Yuck!! I’m going to test out the waterbelt this weekend. I’ll for sure let you know how it goes. I agree with K. Body Glide is a must. I’m discovering new and interesting places i need to apply it (like under my armband and my sportsbra!!!) I’ve heard lots of horror stories, and from what I understand it’s best to just put it all over.I, like you, have become a walking advertisement for nike+, I can’t stop raving about it. Do you listen to the woman or the man voice? I’m trying to figure out the name of the woman who tells me when I’ve completed my longest run. Do you know?
I was just down in Utah and Arizona myself and most of the trip was ok, but by the time we got to Zion it was SO HOT! After living in the mild NW for 6 years, I cannot take the heat at all. I can’t even imagine a 7 mile run (let alone marathon) in it! I just about died on an 8 miler in like 80 degree weather a few weeks ago.Try Body Glide. You can find it at running stores, or at roadrunnersports.com.I’m training for a half myself at the beginning of July. And I think I might jump on the bandwagon and join Weight Watchers too. After reading your take on it, and a few others, I think it might be the kick in the pants that I need to drop these last 10 pounds.