The running season that wasn't

There's something quite amiss in this year's running season. That thing would be the little detail of running!

I was looking over my accomplishments for 2008. It was only a year ago that I ran my first marathon, but in some ways it seems like more than that. I also was able to run in the TIR and Hog's Hunt 50K. Not bad for the first year of running.

I looked forward with great anticipation to this running season, and so far, have not run anything other than a 5 miler. TIR is on the schedule as is Rocky Raccoon, but admittedly, I am a bit concerned about being able to be worth a hoot on either of these.

It seems like I've been sidelined forever! Now I'm down with a bad case of the nasties. I was just feeling like I was getting my groove back, and feeling motivated. Today I feel like quitting it all and trying again in another lifetime.

I realize that I will probably feel different in a day or two, but for now, as I cough and medicate and pray that this all goes away, I am ignoring the running magazine articles, staying away from the exercise DVDs, and eating ice cream!

Woo Hoo Christy!!

Just turned the Marathon coverage on to see our sweet Christy being interviewed after finishing the Half!! Happy Birthday Christy!!

Text messages seem to be operational this year. It's neat to watch their times coming in. Just wish I could be there cheering them on in person.

Happy Marathon Day!

To all of you whom are running the Houston Marathon (1/2 or full) tomorrow, I wish you a very happy running day!

I wish I could be there to cheer you on, but it seems the bronchitis gods have other plans for me.

I'll catch you next year!

Great running weather!

Unfortunately, no running for me since Monday. I felt a little "rattle" in my chest at the end of the run that night, but didn't think much of it.

I've spent the past few days trying to fight it off, but it's hopeless. It seems I've got the odds against me. If I am registered for a race AND it is wonderful running weather, I am guaranteed to be sick or injured.

As Holden would so eloquently state, "What's up with that!?"

Prayers Please

A fellow runner slated to run this weekend at the marathon, just admitted her 15 year old daughter to Texas Children's Hospital with a diagnosis of Leukemia.

Natalia will be in the hospital for 6 - 8 months. She began receiving chemo today.

If you are running the Houston marathon this weekend, please remember Natalia and her family as you put one foot in front of the other.

It's a Marvelous Night for a Moondance!

What a night for a run! A crisp, clear evening with a full moon and a star-filled sky to light the way. The moon was a beautiful "harvest moon" as it began to rise into the night sky.

I had dropped Lem off at the Y for her volleyball practice and headed out for my run. When I returned to the Y to pick her up, one of the moms mentioned that they couldn't ever run when it was night time or when it was so cold.

First I thought of Laura...her dream run right now is at 40 degrees! Then I thought of how thankful I was able to take that beautiful scene in, which would have been missed had I decided to run on the dreadmill.

I started the run with the intention of running a warm-up mile, then a quick one, a recovery one, and another quick with a short cool down. I don't know what that is officially called, but it was definitely fun!! The 4th mile was much quicker than my legs have seen in quite some time. I saw my watch a few times and thought there was something wrong with it! What was even more bizarre was that mile was mostly up hill. Like I said, fun!

I had a good time reading the comments from my last post. The guys didn't quite know how the respond and the ladies knew exactly what I was talking about! Fashion, truly the female runner's dilemma. Sorry guys! Pat, no need to worry about the "outfit" matching...

Barbara, I hope you do Hogs Hunt. That was a fun race. I don't know why it was scheduled in May this year. It might be a bit warm...

Adrienne, I'll be looking for you at Rocky!

Christy, it all starts with a 50K...

Numbers from tonight's run...

Mile 1: 10:03
Mile 2: 9:46
Mile 3: 10:24
Mile 4: 8:25 !!
Mile .50: 9:37

Last Fit Run

Today was the last Fit run before the 2009 Houston Marathon. I was able to run to Luke's (3.5 miles) and then another 6 with the group. I planned to run the 3.5 home, but Lem had a volleyball game that any good mom would have herself at, so I took Pete up on his offer of a ride home, showered and made it to the game only a few minutes late!

I've been running pretty consistently, increasing distance a bit at a time. I have also seen my avg. pace begin to drop to where I was pre-hip fiasco.

Some of you may know that I did jump over the line and land smack dab into the dark side by registering for Rocky. I'll hopefully finish my first 50 miler. I figure the hip caused me to miss 2 marathons, so one 50 miler would cover that...(lame, I know.)

My first goal is to finish. They give us 29 hours, so unless my organs fall out or a leg falls off, I should be able to finish even if I walk it.

My next goal would be to finish in 13 hours. That gives me a 15:36 pace. I can walk a nice 14 min. pace! The 50K I did last year was at a 12:30 pace, so I think this is doable.

I'll have good company for the run. Several ladies from Fit are running and Tiffany and Pete have agreed to run with me as well. I pray for good weather as I am sure most other will be as well.

One of the nice things about Fit this year was that I was asked to be a pacer for the Yellow group. I enjoyed it very much, but felt like I let the group down when I got injured. I tried to stay motivated to get to the runs even while I was injured, but honestly, it just didn't happen much. I tried to ride my bike along with the group a few times, but I usually ended up feeling like I wasn't doing much anyway.

In spite of my lack luster efforts, Luke's was very generous and gave those who helped some nice things. One of those things was an awesome pair of Asics shorts. I love these things! They are so comfortable that I want to wear them on every run!!

The problem, they are a color that I normally wouldn't wear, kind of a sorbet color, and I have nothing to match them!! I have been on the hunt to a decent top to wear with these shorts, but as of yet, nothing. I need a white shirt, but as a girl, I realize that white isn't always the best choice as it tends to be see through. Sorbet is not an easy color to find either. So if there are any RDs out there that are wondering what color shirt a woman might want... check out my shorts and help a girl out...

Here is a link to the shorts.

Give me a break!

I truly wish Blagojevich would stop running. I know there are bad guys in this world who run, but most are great people.

His comments today about how his struggle is similar to that of the loneliness of the long run is ridiculous! (Although I find it quite humorous that he refers to this story which is that of a reform school student who enjoys his life of crime and runs to plan his eventual escape from his just punishment...)

Blagojevich was out jogging in his Chicago neighborhood when the vote came down.

Blagojevich refused to answer any specific questions about the vote, but upon returning from his jog, he likened his situation to long-distance running.

"Let me simply say I feel like the old Alan Sillitoe short story 'The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner.' ... And that's what this is by the way, a long-distance run," he said.

He is definitely not alone... He's got all of Illinois chasing him down!

Fit Run

This shot was taken just for Jamoosh. I wanted him to see that I am raisin' the youngest right! For those of you who are concerned...this is only a feature that my son discovered on his uncle's iphone.

I finally got a run in with Woodlands Fit. I haven't run with them for so long! It's hard to believe next week is the last run before the marathon.

I won't be running the marathon with the good folks at Fit, but I will be cheering them on. I have met some of the kindest, most dedicated people through Woodlands Fit. The group has always been very encouraging and supportive of each member, no matter how slow or fast, no matter the length of time one has been running.

I was able to run with a few friends that helped me through last year's training. Ruth, Richard, Richard, and a few new faces, ran 8 miles with me this morning in the summer-like humidity. It was a struggle to get through the mileage, but having good company made it doable.

I've been steadily re-building my base, though my pace is slower than before my injury. I am happy with where I am at in my training. I have been working the core much more and am diligent about incorporating consistent stretching into my workouts. I am also continuing to take my calcium supplements which helped me to heal from the stress fracture. Hopefully all of these things will help me to be a stronger runner and a more healthy person overall.