Somewhere In Between

I never know the true distance I run using my iPod's Nike+ thingy. We (my TNT group) set out to do 8 miles and if I add up my "two runs" (some how I reset the dang thing in the middle of the run), we did 9ish. I know its always been a little off but somewhere in between, we did over 8 but less than 9. Hmmmm, go figure!

But despite the miles, it was a great day. Those of us that met up this morning happened to be the half marathon training team only and these girls are the very reason I'm still on the move. I won't be with them in October but they've asked me to keep meeting them for the Saturday runs. I was so excited and moved that they still want me to be a part of the group. So when an opportunity presented itself today, I was able to get a picture of us.

This was a good week all around for me. I started taking a Spinning class and I got back in the pool for some lap swimming (I swear, the swimming never ever feels like a workout). Looks like I'm turning into a gym rat afterall....(shhh, don't tell Michael, but I actually might start liking this stuff...one day!) And I finally hit my 20lb mark. Only 30lbs more to go by December.

Well, that's all for today...gonna go and enjoy the spoils of my workout...a tall glass of chocolate milk! Enjoy your weekend.

Where The Sidwalk Ends

All through grade school to high school, I owned and read (multiple times) all of Shel Silverstein's books and my most favorite was his collection of funny, odd, weird poems in "Where The Sidewalk Ends". As an only child and a classic nerd during my academic years, I could always count on this book to take me away from reality.

Now some 20 years later, I thought of that book as I went out for a run. I couldn't go to my usual place and I thought of going to a paved path that I've only been on once before. So I parked and ran towards what I thought would be said path. But I followed the road I was on til...the sidewalk ended. And off I was on my own adventure of trail running. Having never been trail running, this took a bit of getting used to. But lemme give you a bit of info..Most people who run, love it. My husband is one of those people. I, on the other hand, don't love it, not sure its a strong like yet. My relationship/courtship with running is more or less in its teenage years of "does he like me? How 'bout now?"

Trail running takes a bit more outta ya because of the terrain (der) and I did great concentrating on the trail and where I was going and what was ahead. Ultimately, I multi-tasked, yet another unusual accomplishment. I spent very little thought and energy on how long the run was going to be and questioning "am I done yet?" Even listening to my iPod (with only one ear bud and the volume low), I found myself listening to the buzzing of the cicadas and enjoying the shade of the trees and squishiness of the sand and mud. I reached my turn around point and then...I was done. I hit the pavement and it was like I was immediately shoved back into reality and there was life waiting for me.

Do I love running after today? No, but I got to hold his hand for short while and I felt comfortable. As with ALL relationships, this one will take time, effort, and patience. I'm good with that! So go find where your sidewalk ends, you may be surprised where it takes YOU!

Let The Truth Be Known

Ok...so I kinda knew I wasn't gonna make my recommittment amount for the LLS Team In Training by the due date. What did I do about it? I completely corrupted all my good eating habits and didn't workout or run for 2 solid weeks. I'm claiming that its how a (this) runner sulks (if a runner sulks at all)!

So Monday, I got back on track with a new run group that will meet for 10 weeks and Oh. My. God. I thought I was gonna die! No exercise for 2 weeks=body revolt! So, to continue on the right track, I went out today for my 2nd of 4 runs this week.

If one thing could go wrong, everything would go wrong. I must have made every faux pas a runner could in one short 3 mile run. Lemme see...I had make-up on, wore a white shirt (you can see said make-up on said white shirt) and it rained, no wait...it poured! For mile 0-1, it drizzled and I thought I had plenty of time as I looked at the sky. By mile 1-2, I found myself thinking about the last time I ran in the rain because by now it was more than a drizzle (and the answer to the last time was high school) and how awesome it felt. However, during mile 2-3, the thunder and lightening made it not so awesome and of course it was a steady down pour by now. Remember the make-up I said I was wearing? Yeah, me too as the rain and sweat dripped mascara into my eyes. When athletes talk about the burn they feel, I'm pretty sure it's not because they wore mascara! So I tried my best to get my hiney in gear and out of the lightening and rain and to the safety of the car.

So overall, not a bad run-3 miles in just over 37 minutes...just a very wet one that bordered on crazy. Oh, to be one of the crazies! 'Til next time.

And Hello To You

Over the last few months, I got used to the idea of blogging about my half marathon training with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Team In Training. Unfortunately, I am not able to continue on with my team (but I CAN "accidentally" show up to run with my new friends). So, here is my own personal blog about the extraordinarily mundane happenings in my life. I will do my best to post at least once a week for those of you far from me. And I promise to keep it real...really!

So, I'm not going to San Francisco in October for the Nike Women's Marathon weekend but I am continuing on with training for the half marathon here in Memphis in December. That's right, this girl is gonna complete a 13.1 mile race just cuz she's crazy...that and she's trying to keep up with her super athletic husband (who's crazier than me...he's doing 26.2 miles). I really wanted so badly to go to San Fran but it isn't gonna happen this year...BUT it will happen next year and I may go all the way and make it my first full marathon. Stay tuned!!

In the meantime, I do hope you follow me as I enter the world of blogging and running...after all, you've got 10 minutes for a laugh...right?!?!?