Endnote

As I read back through the posts I've made here, I realize that I've come a long way in the past nine months or so.

For one, I've run distances I'd never imagined being able to do, starting with that first two-miles. The main reason? My frame of mind. I've worked hard to overcome several mental barriers -- namely extreme perfectionism. In all my life, it wasn't until only a few months ago that I began to realize that running a long distance -- like a marathon -- was actually a real, tangible possibility. And pardon me for saying so, but I'm proud of myself for what I've accomplished so far.

But just as importantly, I've realized that success doesn't always happen on our schedule. And sometimes -- especially for a neurotic perfectionist who tends to measure her worth by her achievements -- knowing when to say "when" is just as big of an accomplishment as running a marathon.

Really, what I'm trying to say here is that, while completing a marathon is still a goal, it's not going to happen for me this year. I won't be ready, so I'm deferring my registration until next year. And it's okay. The world isn't going to explode. Life will continue. And I'll get an extra year to keep improving all around -- maybe to do even better than I would have, were I to run it this year. Most of all, it'll give me enough time to get some big things off my metaphorical plate.

If you really miss me, you can still find me here. And just like that, goodbye.

*heart*
Sarah

Worry is an unusual, but very effective, motivator

I went eight (8) miles yesterday. You should be so very proud. The weather was beautiful, and the humidity was low (and so was the Run-O-Cam's battery) -- a marvelous day for a long easy run out on the open road. But after the first four miles, I was tired and had lots to do. I had run well and since it was already getting late in the evening, I was going to just pack it up and go home.

But I went four more. Because I'm a wuss.

Now, I might have been able to run more of the last four if I'd at least gotten some water. My water was at my car. My car was in a parking lot that -- as I was approaching -- was quickly filling with fire trucks and police cars and various emergency squads. Two police cars blocked off the main road at either end of the parking lot, and were actually turning vehicles back. And my car, with my water, was parked -- alone -- in the middle of it all.

I probably could have simply asked one of the police officers what was up, should I move my car, can I please get my water. But I'm a wuss. I know it was probably just an alarm or a drill, but I couldn't help thinking that maybe they thought that my car shouldn't be there on a Sunday evening and therefore must be a threat, and so had called in an entire emergency crew to check it out. Because I'm imaginative and neurotic, too.

So I kept going. Because at the time I don't think I could have handled an interrogation, or even a suspicious glance. I figured that it would take me about another hour to do four more miles, and hoped that by that time they would have checked out what they needed to check out, or at least by that time I might be rational enough to address someone and beg to go home, because I just ran eight miles without water.

So after four more miles of mostly walking with intermittent running and some careful stretching, everyone had left, and my car was alone again as if nothing had happened while I was gone. And so I drank two bottles of water, changed into flip-flops and drove home, stopping only for ice cream. Glorious ice cream.

Good things come preprogrammed

There are days when I have to fight tooth and nail with my psyche to run a full mile. There are days when the *other* things in life outweigh working out. There are days when I'd rather gouge my eyes with spoons rather than put on my shoes and go for a run.

And then there are days like today, which seems to be headed for one of the above. You know, when my head just isn't in it. But I was kindly reminded of what lies ahead -- a marathon to be specific -- and I knew I couldn't skip out.

He: "So, you're doin' some running!? Keith said you're going to run a 5K or something?!"

Me: "I did a 5K back in June. I'm signed up to run the Marine Corps Marathon in October though."

He: "WHAT!? You're crazy girl! That's awesome! Good job!"

Me: [weak laughter] "Well I haven't done anything yet..."

He: "Yeah, but you've got more ambition than I've got. Good luck!"

(He being one who runs 8 miles at noon in the dead heat of summer.)

Accountability. It's a real bitch, you know.

So Keith and I went to the gym tonight. And I was going to wimp out and get on the elliptical (although, I must say the elliptical really is nothing to scoff at), but all the elliptical machines were in use. So I breathed a heavy sigh, selected my treadmill and climbed on. And then I figured out how to use the preprogrammed workouts. And I selected HILLS. AND THIS HAS FOREVER CHANGED MY LIFE. For I have just had the most incredible, challenging, satisfying, triumphant workout in a long while. Once I learned to pay attention to when the machine was going to incline so that I would not go rolling off the back of the belt, that is. Quads burning, sides cramping, lungs bursting, the steady pace throughout, the long, glorious sprint for the last 45 seconds -- it was more beautiful than a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream atop a warm brownie with hot fudge sauce.

Plan B

In case the running thing doesn't quite pan out.

I'm Training to Ruin a Marathon

Out for Blooooooood

It's been almost a week, I know, I know. Oops.

Quickly then, I'll just say the 5K was a good run, generally fun, though mostly uphill which kind of sucked. But our time was right about the same as the last one, which had been mostly downhill (maybe even better if it hadn't been for awful cramps in Kelly's stomach and calf that required a few minutes' walking). Surely this is a sign of improvement. Adam finished in a little over 26 minutes, very respectable for one who hasn't been racing in years, although he is 6' 3" with very long legs.

The race was small, only about 150 people, but the Druid Hill Park course was nice (except for making us run the final quarter-mile uphill), there was lots of cheering and encouragement coming up to the finish line, and the post-race food was awesome. I love the Red Cross.

Ready to run

Just a quick note here. I'm in the middle of trying to pack up a small bag of clothes and shampoo and soap and stuff for the short overnight trip we'll be making up to Kelly's, and find directions to parking for the event. She and I (and Adam, too!) are running in the OUT FOR BLOOOOOD 5K tomorrow morning in Baltimore (you really need to say it like that). I'm really excited because of the name. I'm not excited about having to leave almost immediately afterward to drive the two hours back home to celebrate Father's Day with my dad because Sunday morning we have to drive two hours back up to celebrate my mother-in-law and her twin sister's 50th birthday, which is really today, and because clearly Saturday was not a good enough option. Please don't ask me what I really think about the whole thing.

I'll try to get on sometime this weekend, maybe, possibly...or, like, Monday...to let you know how the 5K goes. Meanwhile here's the snake we found last week in the tree near my car, that I said I'd post a picture of. I'm not sure what Keith was trying to do though.

Evidence of improvement

The solstice might be a few weeks away yet, but summer's already peeking around the corner. It wasn't quite as hot as it will be, but it was hazy, and I ran two miles yesterday in a cloud of tangible humidity, with deer flies jumping on my arms--those suckers land on you while you're moving! And they won't go away! They don't bother me quite as much as those damn sand fleas though; at least you can brush the deer flies away, and they're not so small that you can actually inhale them while you're running through a cloud of them. Ick. There was, however, a very nice breeze coming off the water. Nevertheless, it is very clear to me that I should learn to get up early on the weekdays and run in the morning.

I was supposed to run those two miles at a 12:37 pace, but I inadvertently ran a bit faster than that. As I approached the first mile marker, I looked at my watch and realized I had run the first mile in about 8:30. Whoa. I tried to slow it down a bit on the second mile, for fear that I would fizzle out and collapse in a wheezing, twitching heap on the side of the road, but it's hard to slow down when you're already feeling comfortable at a certain pace, and I finished at 17:38--that's roughly nine minutes for the second mile. I don't know that I could have run a full third mile, but I mean if I could, that would be *amazing* for me and the 5K I'm running next Saturday! I didn't think I could run that fast *ever,* and part of me still thinks my watch might be broken. Or maybe it's just the weather.

P.S. -- And oh, I left the Run-O-Cam in the car during running, but have some pictures of a snake Keith found in a tree near the car before we started. I'll post one for you later.

If I had gone jogging through the streets and squares of Savannah

If things hadn't turned out so...um... unexpected, I would have gone jogging in Savannah and I would have seen sights like this:

And this:

And the crossing signals would have spoken to me, telling me things like, "Wait...Wait...Wait...Now safe to cross Bay Street...Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven..."

But instead, I spent much of my free time here, fighting the urge to pack up and go home:

And that's all I have to say about that.

Kiwi

Haven't *you* ever taken a risk to achieve a dream? Have a great weekend. I'll see you when I get back from Savannah!

No point in beating around the bush

It's going to be a weird week because Thursday at 0500 we'll be in the car and driving out of the parking lot, embarking on a 10-hour drive to Savannah. Hopefully all this running will have paid off when I put on my fancy new dress.

Hence, I didn't bother making a running schedule for this week. Heck, since when have I adhered to my schedule anyway? Since I'll be in the car all day on Thursday AND Sunday -- both normal running days, and I don't know the area, so I don't know what kind of workout I'll get to do. But I hear Savannah is a great walking city, so maybe it will be a great running city too.

UPDATE (11:02 p.m.): Awesome workout tonight. It feels good to feel good after a run again.

Starting over

My first two weeks of marathon training have gone pretty well, except that I've skipped both of my long runs. For that reason, I'm starting over this week.

The first week, I skipped because of excessive soreness from being overly active during the week, and this past one I skipped because I didn't have time, and I mean that. I *really* truly did not have an hour to spare unless I skimped on sleep, and I figure my running won't be any better if I don't sleep enough. So I chose sleep.

No matter, I'm starting over, like I said, and that's that. No harm done. We're having company this weekend, but I might be able to wake up super-early on Sunday (if it's not raining!) to get out and run before anyone else wakes up. The weekend after that -- for the time being -- I'm FREE! I have NO plans! And the weekend after that I'll be in Savannah. And then my life will be back to normal. Rock on.

Catching up

Have you ever had those workouts where you work really hard and push yourself to finish even though it totally sucks and you do it and you should feel really good, but afterward you just want to go home and crochet a blanket for your mother-in-law?

I realize I've been really bad at blogging lately, for no other reason than that I'm busy, and it's a lame excuse. And I'm sorry. So today will be a comprehensive post of stuff I meant to write to you about.

Yesterday, I went to the gym and did a speed workout on the treadmill. It totally sucked. Then I did some strength training on my arms, because a strong upper body is supposed to make your body process oxygen more efficiently and therefore run better. As an added bonus, my arms, shoulders and back will be more shapely and less squishy when I wear my most beautiful new dress to Jen B's wedding at the end of this month.

This past weekend I went on a 7.5-mile hike with Jen A and Toby around St. Mary's Lake.

It was a good hike, but my body was completely exhausted from it (and last Thursday's run, gardening all day Friday, and doing standing lunges on Wednesday until I couldn't lift myself up anymore because I was talking to my mom and had lost count). That's why I didn't go on my long run Sunday. It was a good day for hiking, and apparently a good day for snakes to be out on the trail as well. We saw two: a little green snake which scared the living daylights out of Jen when she nearly stepped on it, and a bigger black snake which I thought at first, from a distance, was a bicycle tire (although Jen hadn't seen it at all until I pointed it out).

Then, on Wednesday, I went on a 4-mile walk with Mom because the weather was so nice. We saw a bunny who kindly let me take his picture.

I'm in!

Quickie

After a week of WIFLing, I've decided to start my first week of official marathon training this week. It's a 16-week-long schedule, so I figure that if I start now I'll have a bit of time for the inevitable slip-up/catch-up. And maybe by planning to be ready for a marathon a month and a half ahead of time, I won't be having any last-minute dear lord, I am not fit for this panicking. Or at least not as much.

MCM registration opens this week (Wednesday at noon, to be precise)! Excited? Nervous? Who knows. I just hope I don't forget.

Postscript

By the way, I felt I should mention that today is my HALF-BIRTHDAY! This is, of course, a very important moment of the Sarahthon, because I am exactly halfway from 25 to 26, and in many ways it feels like a point of no return. Ain't no turnin' back now.

Uphill battle

I'll say this much: the hills are bitches.

That statement alone really could sum up my reflections on Saturday's 10K, but a person doesn't start a blog to be so succinct.

The event was a run/walk for St. Mary's Hospice; my parents participated in the 5K fun walk, which is why you see them in the photos below (left to right: Kelly, Mom, me, Dad).

Of course as you know, Kelly and I participated in the 10K run. And as it turns out, there are hills in Leonardtown. Oh, it's not really as though I'd never noticed before, having driven at least part of the course before. But running hills, even slight inclines, is far different than driving them -- in that you notice even the slightest change in grade. This might seem like common sense to you, and it is. But despite my familiarity with the area, I hadn't really thought about the terrain. And the 5K was mostly downhill. I think Kelly, who has been training on trails with hills, had an easier time than I, who have been training on flatty-flat-flat. This was in addition to Saturday being the hottest running day since the inception of the Sarahthon.

Both of us needed to stop and walk at points, most often when we reached the top of a significant hill. And for water -- but if I recall correctly they set up both water stations at the top of a hill. My time might have been faster if not for Slow Water-Getter Girl, who gave away the two cups she had to Kelly and one other runner just in front of me, and didn't seem to care about taking her time going back to the table and grabbing another cup for me, and in my head I was like, WOMAN! CAN'T YOU SEE I'M IN A RACE!?! EVERY SECOND COUNTS! Only kidding; really, I was more like, DID YOU NOT SEE THAT HILL I JUST *RAN* UP?! I CANNOT SPEAK BUT GIBBERISH, BUT THE ELIXIR OF LIFE WILL RESTORE CLARITY TO MY MIND!

Our walking breaks only lasted a minute or two and then we went right back to running, and thus it probably didn't add on too much time.

As I complain about the hills, it should be noted that while there were a number of significant climbs, there weren't a whole heck of a lot of descents. So our run went mostly like: uphill, flat, uphill, flat, uphill, flat.

It should also be noted that I think we still did pretty darn good, considering neither of us was really fully prepared to run a 10K. Kelly's been so busy that she can only fit in one or two runs a week, and I've been lazy. Nor are we hardcore runners like Spandex Man, who was quite confident in his Spandex shorts with the specially contoured pocket for, well... in addition to his shaved legs and arms. (Seriously? The Run for Hospice? *I* didn't even get up and shave before the race.)

After running up the hill on Route 5 going into Leonardtown (toward the CSM campus), and up another hill around the CSM parking lot, knowing we were almost there -- we could hear cheering and shouts of encouragement -- we walked up one final hill and started to run the last leg just as we crested the top. Where everyone could see us. Even though we had to take a few breaks, the goal was to finish strong for the camera:

The official results haven't been posted yet, but I'll update the Accomplishments section with my official time as soon as I find out. Meanwhile, I'll tell you that we finished a few seconds apart, in roughly 68:00. Once again, not an impressive time -- but I don't care. WE FINISHED.

6 down, 20 to go

Here I am jogging the first of 6 miles yesterday evening -- photo courtesy of Keith, who operated the Run-O-Cam, carried water, kept me company, cheered me on and calculated the percentage of the total distance that I had completed, all while following on Rollerblades. And I'm sure you'd like to commend me on a good show of perseverence in the face of procrastination. Why, thank you; you are too kind.

What is the muscle that connects between the top of the thigh and hip? (Iliacus? Psoas major?) The one you use to lift your leg, say, to walk up stairs or step into a pair of pants? Yeah, mine hurt in both legs, so I wore a dress today, but unfortunately must walk up stairs to exit the office trailer-trailer where I work, in order to use the restroom because I have been drinking Gatorade all morning. Thirsty. Other than that, I feel okay. A mixture of proud and scared, as I've set a new benchmark for runnable distance.

One more thing for the rest of the week -- some rules:

1. No soda, tea or coffee (hot chocolate and milkshakes are okay). Water and blue Gatorade instead.
2. Lots of stretching.
3. Clean the house because Kelly's staying over and Greg (Keith's dad) wants to install the ceiling fan (!) in our bedroom.

I do have something better to do (like run), but I'm trying to think of a way out of it

I got to talking with my friend's fiancé, Dave -- the crazy-runner-man -- over this past weekend, and he suggested that I should go out today and jog very slowly for 6 miles, since the race I'm running this weekend is twice the farthest distance I've ever run. Makes sense. Then he said, "or just do 5," when he saw the look on my face. I was supposed to do 6 miles on Sunday, but Sunday was really crappy, the whole weekend was stressful, and I did a lousy 2 miles on the treadmill instead. And I felt like crap afterward. The whole thing just sucked. Did I already blog about that? I can't remember.

I'm procrastinating right now, if you couldn't tell. I'm not really feeling the whole distance running thing. At least not today. Probably because of that whole perfectionist thing, remember? Let's blame it on that. Since I don't know that I can finish 6 miles, I don't even want to try. Not by myself. Because I really don't want to get to 4 or 5 miles and be stuck having to walk back, because I can't carry the Run-O-Cam AND a phone AND a key to get into my car to get my badge to get back into the building where my husband will be waiting to go home. And dude, it's chilly. Ohhhhh. I'd go twice around the neighborhood, but I feel weird running around there alone because I get the feeling people are looking at me like, Yo -- why are you running when the rest of us normal people are eating dinner and watching the evening news? Okay, getting up, publishing, changing clothes, going out, running slow but far.

Right now.

Really.

A poor excuse, some normal anxiety, and a potentially debilitating neurosis

I told myself I'd take the Run-O-Cam out this past weekend and bring back something wonderful to show you. Alas, I confess, I haven't been out running because IT'S COLD AND RAINY. I don't know if cold and rainy can still qualify as an excuse for a hardcore aspiring amateur marathoner -- but dude! It's cold and rainy.

Rest assured, I am still cutting it up on the treadmill at the gym (at least *twice* a week...), and as an added bonus, I haven't been tearing up my shins! There's still a little soreness, but nothing I can't run through and wash away with a bit of adrenaline.

And so I'm running a 10K in a little less than two weeks. On one hand, I'm having tiny-esque attacks of anxiety every time I think about how I have no idea whether I am yet physically capable of completing such a distance in a reasonable amount of time. And on the other, I remind myself that I always freak out and end up doing just fine. Not perfect -- which inevitably kills me a little, because I think we all know that I am a neurotic perfectionist, and I have a hard time getting out there at all if I know I probably can't meet my exceptionally high standards -- but I always finish and that's good enough, right? I am learning.

Note to self

ME: Your only two stars so far this week are for resting.

ME: SO?

ME: It's a little pitiful, Sarah. Do you really deserve stars for resting?

ME: Yes! Resting is a crucial part of any physical training program.

ME: So is physical training.

ME: ...

ME: ...

ME: ... So is resting.

ME: *sigh*

Sole mates

I got back on the road yesterday evening, albeit briefly and for the first time since the 5K. After the race, I was bothered with mild shin splints yet again, so I made the switch to my second pair of shoes, which are practically new. Although the run was not without pain, I could feel a definite difference in support with the newer shoes (which is exactly the same as my other pair of shoes, but I've only worn them once or twice). So hopefully I will be writing less about shin splints in the near future and more about the vast distances I've accomplished.

And now -- if I may -- let me give my shoes a long overdue shout out. They are the most wonderful running shoes I've ever owned, and obviously quite important to my success as a runner. They're made by Rykä, a company that specializes in women's athletic shoes. I wear the N-Gage Run, which I took a chance on and bought online after reading a review, and found that for runners with high arches -- like me -- it provides just the right amount of support without sacrificing flexibility. Plus they're super-light. Since I started running in them, I found that I don't have strain on my plantar fascia, or the ankle and knee problems that I used to have (from supination). Word.

Shamrockin' the road

We arrived at Kelly and Adam's house around mid-afternoon on Saturday. After trekking another half-hour north and back to pick up our race packets, we spent a quiet evening at their house, watching movies on TV and eating a fine meal of chicken, broccoli and couscous prepared by Kelly. And then I realized I FORGOT MY EARMUFFS. The weather forecast for Sunday called for chilly, windy weather in the 40s, and I cannot bear to run in the chilly wind without MY EARMUFFS. My first instinct was to dash out to Target, but since it is March, I remembered, I can no longer buy EARMUFFS. I can, however, buy a bikini.

As luck would have it, I have become something of an obsessive crocheter, and had packed some yarn, hooks and scissors. So Friday evening and part of Saturday morning I spent crocheting myself a headband to cover my ears -- for which I was very grateful because it was chilly and windy, but my ears were toasty and protected from the wind. (The picture quality is poor because it's a very tiny piece of a larger picture from very far away. But you can see the headband.)

We left the house late, but still managed to make it in time to find a place to get in line with the other 3,319 runners, and even still had enough time to spend a few minutes searching desperately for a restroom. We didn't find one, which may account partially for my motivation to continue running the entire distance, despite runners dropping into a walk all around me, and also for my finishing in less time than I had anticipated. Kelly and I, and at least a dozen other runners, were rewarded with an open McDonald's at the finish.

As we power walked up a giant hill to the starting line, speculating whether we would make it in time, we were surprised by the spectator turnout, which in turn prompted the most succinct summary of the event from another runner walking along with us: "This is the biggest [gathering] of drunken athletes I've ever seen."

I finished in 31:52, according to the nifty little chip timer we got to have strapped to our ankles. I have never run with anything strapped to my ankle, and though by the end I had nearly forgotten about it, at first I was disturbed by the feeling that I was wearing one sock taller than the other. Anyway, we both ran it at roughly an 11-minute mile pace, which is consistent with what I've been doing on my weekend 'long' runs, so I am quite pleased with my performance. According to the official results, I placed 2486th, and Kelly took 2488, in 31:53. We were hoping to take home at least 2479th place, but alas, it was only our first 5K. Maybe next year.

I will say that my other motivation for continuing (besides the need for a toilet) -- even though it was *HARD* -- was Kelly, who apparently gets a rush by passing people. I endured the majority of the race about three strides behind her. I wanted to walk. I won't lie. My shins were hurting. Other people were walking. And every time I'd catch up and get next to her, she'd speed up again. Doh. And I will not, cannot forget when we passed the water station -- Kelly slowing her pace and turning around to look at me as I gazed longingly at what was for that moment the most beautiful sight in Baltimore -- and instead of saying, "Hey, you look incredibly thirsty; I am too. Let's stop for a second or two and grab some of that cool, refreshing elixir of life!" -- she said, "Look! Everyone threw their cups on the ground! Isn't that crazy?!" Then she turned around and sped up. Again.

Still, she is the perfect running partner for me, and I am happy to say that I think that maybe I have convinced her that running the MCM in October with me is a FABULOUS IDEA. IT WILL BE AS MUCH FUN AS THE 5K ... times *NINE* (minus 1.7).

In the end, we accomplished what was most important: we finished, we finished strong, we finished with a trip to Cold Stone Creamery.

Next stop: 10K.

T minus

So here we are: the day before race day. Yesterday Keith and I took a 2.5-mile walk around the neighborhood. Spring is definitely on the way, with all the daffodils, crocus, forsythia and Bradford pears in bloom.


I'm hoping to finish the race in 35 minutes or less, as there is a St. Patrick's Day parade that follows the same route starting 45 minutes after the race and I would hate to get lapped by a float. Keith and I are heading up that way in a little while, so SIL Kelly and I can pick up our race packets in Timonium. I'm a bit anxious, mostly from not having been to any of these places before, but also because my shins are feeling a bit tender. I'm stretching them, icing them, and eating plenty of ice cream. And I just try to remember that in the end I will get a new t-shirt and free beer, which is -- after all -- what running is all about.

Time out

I know, I've been a bad blogger. It was an unusually busy week/weekend, and with the time change, I'm feeling a little jetlagged. Or DST-lagged.

Sunday I went for a ~2 - 3-mile run with Kelly. It felt pretty good, and was nice for both of us to have a chance to run together once before the big day! (And my shins are feeling pretty good, too.) Kelly found out from her aunt and uncle -- who've run the race before -- that the course is mostly downhill, starts at a bar and ends at a bar. Perfect.

How do you spell 'relief'? K-E-L-L-Y

On Saturday night we drove up to the Outback in LaPlata (did you know they're building a Texas Roadhouse up there?!! Heck yeah!) for a belated Keith's grandmother's birthday dinner, with all the Maryland Ehmans: Gma Shirley, Gpa John, Aunt Julie, Greg, Linda, Kelly, Adam, Keith and me.

There were, as usual, many conversations criss-crossing loudly across and around the table, in the middle of the noisy restaurant. And shortly before my brain imploded from too much aural stimulus, Kelly turned to me and said, "You're probably gonna leave me in the dust in the 5K." At which point I began laughing hysterically until I nearly choked on cheesecake -- a little bit sarcastic, a lotta bit relieved. "Don't worry," I said, "I'll be at the back of the pack with you."

So I'm starting off this week feeling pretty good. At least if I'm going to suck at running in public, I won't be alone.

Dignity and a new pair of socks

If I could wish for one thing, it would be to finish the St. Paddy's Day 5K with a bit of dignity, half a muffin and a large strawberry daquiri. Alas, I have been unable to follow my special 5K training plan because of my whiny shin tendons, who get all inflamed every time I try to run a little. So as it is, I may just get the muffin and strawberry daquiri. Oh, I'm sure I'll finish the 5K. But it may take 45 minutes, and I won't have any dignity by the end. Although I will have a new t-shirt.

In order to keep doing something without making my moderate case of shinsplints worse, I've been replacing the running days with cross training: elliptical, walking. I tried another 2 mile run on Sunday, although it was supposed to be 2.5 miles, this time starting on the bridge side. Good idea because running across the never-ending bridge wasn't as frustrating, however, the rest of the course was mainly uphill, which my shins clearly did NOT like. So I did a combination of running and walking instead. (In case you're wondering, I have been icing the shins--well, technically I have been frozen cranberry-ing the shins--taking ibuprofen and doing a simple shin-tendon strengthening exercise to take care of the suckers.)

I also bought three pairs of bamboo socks over the weekend. They are super-soft and naturally antibacterial, but significantly thinner than my regular old cotton socks, so my feet weren't as warm and my shoes weren't as snug, thus they kept coming untied. Ah well. Live and learn.

One word

Shinsplints

Two miles of surprise

I ran two miles today. It hurt. A LOT. I've also confirmed what I knew to be true in the first place, but chose to carefully ignore because it's cold outside: I'm going to have to start spending more time running on the road, because it took me by surprise. The asphalt doesn't move.

Besides sheer frustration with the running being so HARD, the horrid sound of my own rasping breath began to irritate me to no end, so that every other sound, every movement, every vehicle that passed, drove me closer to The Edge, until I nearly hurled my camera at a crow that was CAW-CAW-CAWing at me on the other side of the road.

At that point I could see the first mile marker, and suddenly walking became a very attractive option. Very. Attractive. Still, I passed the marker and kept. on. running, telling myself that if I finished a full two-mile run, I would feel good inside. I feel alright. Besides, when I'm out running, I always have this irrational self-conscious feeling that someone is watching. And taking notes.

I was very glad to reach the final half-mile, which spanned the length of a very straight bridge. Have you seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail? You know the part where Sir Lancelot is charging across a field toward Swamp Castle (I *think*) as the camera cuts back and forth between the castle guards and Sir Lancelot, and the drums are rolling, badum-badum-badum-badum-badum, but he isn't getting any closer? Yeah. Me running across the bridge.

At some point--probably when I was dead-set on walking for a minute or two or five or ten--it occured to me that two miles is the longest distance I have ever run at once. So I kept going, I did not throw my camera at anything, I did not get hit by a stray golf ball, I did not get trapped in an infinite time loop on the bridge, and I did not throw up at the end although I had thought I might, my chest and diaphragm and abs were contracting so hard. I ran it in just under 21 minutes, which is not a fantastic time, but it surprised me. Heck, finishing surprised me too.

Time to get a little racy

It's official: I am registered for my first 5K run on March 16 in Baltimore. It's ON now.

After some careful research, I've decided on the marathon I will attempt to attempt: the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC. The "People's Marathon," whatever that means. Maybe that it's not just for Marines, but people too. Or because the people demanded the Marines give them a marathon. Or maybe they just say that to make it less intimidating, because the name is a little badass. Booyah.

Anyway, I've heard it's a well-organized race with an excellent turnout. Added to the list of perks, it's local(ish) and so I'm at least somewhat familiar with the terrain and weather, and I can push for maximum cheering action from EVERYONE I KNOW. But what's really sold me is the numerology--running 26.2 miles on October 26, just six days after I turn 26. A winning combination, if you ask me.

Ride of the Valkyries

It's hard to blog when you hardly get a moment to yourself. That is what I am struggling with this week--it's stressful to constantly be around other people. The result is that I become nervous and a bit irrational; this morning I woke up in a panic thinking it was Thursday and I would be late for a meeting, then relaxing slightly realizing that it is only Wednesday--four times.

I meant to start 5K training last week, which clearly did not happen. But this week I'm slowly getting on track and fully intend to register for that 5K in March because I have a very good training plan from Runner's World that fits very comfortably into my existing schedule. In fact I ran 20 minutes yesterday instead of the prescribed 10, because I could. However, I was on the treadmill rather than outside, so 20 minutes probably works out to be about the equivalent of 10 on the road. Anyway, last week had its complications, culminating in my falling violently ill at work late Thursday morning. I felt much better (though still weak) by Friday, and after a few errands at the bank and a pedicure, Keith and I set off for Ocean City, where I was sure we would squeeze in some walking time on the beach--cameras in tow, of course.

Although the quality of the workout may not have been ideal, my muscles still felt it on Monday--all that squatting and lunging to get different photo angles. And then there was the slightly creepy Hitchcockian moment when Keith brought out a bagel to attract every sea gull within a two-mile radius for some face time with the camera.

Eventually, I had some fun watching them hovering in a pseudo-line in front of us, waiting to catch a piece of bagel. But when I replay in my mind the image of ALL THOSE BIRDS swooping down around us, all I hear is Wagner's (that's VOG-ner) Ride of the Valkyries and Robert Duvall voicing the immortal words, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning."

{Apocalypse Now (1979), courtesy RotaryAction.com}

Review: January

I know I've been absent from blogging. It's been a busy week. But hopefully you will find it in your hearts to see that 14 hours of painting and two days of moving office furniture that can only be described as "effing heavy" count toward my fitness goals, one way or another. I was planning to start 5K training this week. I was also planning to register for a 5K this week. So far I haven't done either.

In the meantime, I've put together a calendar of my workout achievements (and shortfalls) for the past four weeks. You will notice that my star-earning rate is currently at 70.83%. That's a C-minus. Eww.


**Okay, at the moment I can't get the stupid table to display properly. So you'll see it when I have more time to be angry and get frustrated.**