Rain, Rain go away

Alright, I know that a couple of posts ago I said that I liked running in the rain... I am officially going to take that back. I just went for a horrible run in the rain. I am not very pleased right now, and am wishing that Summer would just come back. I know that it is going to be a very tough Winter training for this marathon...but come on REALLY?!?
I am sitting writing this blog trying to warm up.. After a twenty minute shower I still have goose bumps! My shoes will be wet until at least my next run...when, go figure, I will jump in another huge puddle. OK So I might be a little over dramatic here, but the run was not amazing. I think I just had a rough day, and instead of letting everything go on the run...I held onto all my thoughts and stewed in them.. Not a good idea on a run. Finally I just went into my little running 'zone' and finished the run in peace.
One amazing thing that did happen was a conversation with Fawn. We were talking about our run in Paris, and I made a joke about quitting my job and going to work for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for Team in Training. Fawn basically told me that I should leave my job and go and do something more in fitness. Fawn said some really nice things about running with me, and has made me think a great deal more about what I am doing with my current job, and what my quality of life might be if I took the plunge and did something that really made me feel good. I clearly am going to have to look into that one a little bit more.
Things that really sucked about the run:
1. it was raining.
2. I ate pizza shortly before the run...no explanation needed.
3. I wore cute boots three days in a row and my body hurt.
4. I was an emotinal wreck.

Things that were awesome about the run.
1. I still got out there and did it
2. I feel bad ass when I finish a run and I know how badly I had to work for it.
3. I got to run with Fawn.
4. it was raining... Ok so that was on the suck list, but deep down I really do love running in the rain.

All signed up!

I signed up for my first Half Marathon. I will run it in 19 days. I am going to hurt.

Five girls, ten feet, 6km

Yesterday I was celebrating part one of my birthday. I went out into the forest with four other girls and went for a run. We will be having a running club. Not a crazy pretentious running club, like I so often see, but real people, that just happen to run. There is not a flash of high end technical gear as we run past, but sweaty women, wearing what happens to feel right. And it did. I really enjoyed the company of running with my ladies, but found no real challenge. I would say that it was a fun run out in the forest, but will not be called a training run. After our run in the forest Megan went out and bought $300.00 worth of new stuff. New runners, that actually feel nice, new pants, that dont ride, and a shirt. I guess this means she is committed! This makes me very excited.

Running at night.

I run at night. Most of the time I end up running by myself. None of my friends seem to like running at night. I started for one reason and one reason only..not due because it was the best time, or that it is when it feels best, but simply because I did not want to be seen. I was afraid that if I ran during the day that people would look at me and wonder why I was running. I didn't want to be the person that was running that really didn't look like a runner. I now know that I look like a runner, I look like I should be out there running. Now I just prefer the night. I wonder if all the other runners that I see out at night share that with me... When I see somebody running during the day, that seems like they might just be starting out, I am a bit envious. They have a confidence that I did not have when I was starting out. Even now, almost a year later I sometimes wonder if I look like I should be out running.. That is when I remember that I really do not care what I look like. I know how I feel when I run, and that is what matters.

For as long as I can remember I have been a troubled sleeper. I wake up normally between five and ten times during the night. I have been to the Doctor for insomnia. Not at all fun. Pills, herbal remedies and everything else shoved my way never seemed to help. I have been running for a year and I can say that on nights that I run I sleep. Not a light sleep, but a zonked out, great dreams, peaceful sleep. It seems like such a small thing, a little bit of extra sleep, but it is something that has made such a difference.

On another note, I went for a five K run tonight. I had a great time, four minutes faster then when I did the identical run last week. I feel good about my time, but not about the run overall. My time was not the only indicator that I should be looking at. My pacing was all over the place. I started out really fast, did the first two K at a great speed, and then I started bombing. I was so much slower at the end of the run. If I would have paced myself a bit at the start I could have had a strong finish, not a brutal one... Oh well what can you do. It felt good either way... I guess that is just one more lesson to be learned.

A run in the forest

Another day and another awesome run. The first thing that happened was not so great, I forgot my chip for my iPod. I work out with Nike + ( love it) and I track all of my progress. I hate it when I forget it, then it doesn't show up online! So now we were off. We didn't have anything to track our progress, and I, of course, was not wearing a watch. So we ran. I cannot say how long we ran for, how many km's we covered but man was it good!
We ran until it felt not so good anymore. Enjoyed the beautiful forest and wonderful company. I felt bad after the run because my running partner was concerned that she was slowing me down. Here is the thing, I would rather run with somebody who tries really hard and has to walk one hundred times, then somebody who has the skill and doesn't try to improve. I am so proud of Fawn and honored to be running next to her. I love that she is next to me while we sweat through the woods.
Another running note: I got a phone call from the man from Team in Training today. It turns out that everything that I was hoping could happen for my time in Paris can! I asked if extra friends could say in the hotel..they can. I asked if I could extend my ticket past just the weekend...yep to that too! My next question was when I could say for certain that I would be a part of Team in Training and the man said that I could officially sign up on November 1st. After that I will have my own fundraising webpage, and can start doing my fundraising activities :)
Beer and burger nights here we come.
One of Megans friends has asked that we go on a run together. I have turned this into a group of women heading out to the forest. I never do anything on a small scale, this is no different. I will probably be heading out with six women for a nice afternoon run this weekend... why not make it an event :)

Running ( swimming) in the rain.

Another day, another five K done. Just one more step on my way to Paris. I am proud of how many times I ran this week. It turns out that I went out five times... Good job to me!

Last night I went running with a gal from work. I was a little sceptical about running with Tracy, as I knew that she would be good. I was pleasantly surprised that we were almost at the same level. Last night was funny though... Tracy does not like the rain, so naturally the sky literally opened up while we were running. I do not think that it would have been appropriate to say that we were running... We were swimming along the seawall! At one point we both turned backwards and started running that way ( easier for being able to see) I love the rain, so I thought it was amazing and loved every second of it.

I am really happy that I have so many awesome people in my life to run with. This is going to make this training period so much fun.

Tomorrow will be a run through the woods near my house. I hate going in there by myself, but now that Fawn is back I will not have to worry about that. We can just run there together now :)

A note about Fawn: Some people do not think that she will end up doing this. At first, I was in the same boat as them. I have officially changed my mind. I can see that she really wants it now. She is not doing this because I have made her think that it is a good idea. She has made the choice and is going to stick to it. I think she is at the same point that I was at last year when I started running. Nothing that anybody said could stop me from wanting to do it. She will rock the show, because now for some reason she really does WANT it.
I am sure I will post tomorrow about the trail run through the most amazing forests EVER! I wonder if I can convince Fawn that at cool 10k is what we should do?.... Time will tell.

A healthy Friday night.

I posted part of my last blog on my facebook page. I wanted to let my friends and family know what I am doing. I wanted to announce to the world my plans. I suppose I  find it harder to fail when I know that people are in my corner cheering me on. I am extremely happy with my choice to do that. I found support from people I really did not think would rally around me. 

   It is really humbling to find out somebody cares, when you wouldn't expect it from them. I guess we never really know what others are thinking, until they allow us in. ( just a nice little random thought to chew on)

   Tonight I went for a run with Fawn.  Simply put, it was amazing! I generally do not love running with others, as I don't seem to get the same stress release, or go into my little running 'zone' .. I still had all the benefits of running by myself, but got to have one of my best friends sweating by my side. 

   Basically I am stoked for training, and even more excited to have such an amazing person running right there with me.  It is going to be a very challenging training period, obviously full of extreme highs and extreme lows, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that six months from now we will find ourselves at the finish line, medals around our necks and drinks in hand.

 

   I will be posting everything training related on my blog... along with all of the other trials and tribulations of my little life.

Paris Marathon April 11th, 2010.

I consider myself to be a runner.. well an avid fast paced jogger... ? Whatever I am, I pound my feet on the pavement a few times a week.
This is very important to me, it is one of the reasons that I am so happy right now. Last year I was fat. Not horribly, but overweight enough to know that I was unhappy and hating myself. I made a choice to change. I did not want to be the girl that sits on the couch with a pillow hiding her body. I did not want to be ashamed.
Learning to run was one of the single best things that I have done for myself recently. It has given me goals, a sense of accomplishment and has helped me shed the unwanted pounds. I cannot say enough of how fond I am of running. This leads me to my next life goal...
I will run the Paris Marathon April 11th, 2010. There, I said it...I threw it out to the world. I am going to train three or four times a week with running.(with some cross training thrown in...)It is my goal. Right now I can run 10k...so what is the big deal about adding 32k right?...
The top ten reasons that I want to run the Paris Marathon:

1. Running saves me from me.
2. Running makes me feel awesome and helps me sort out my life.
3. I am doing it for charity ( Leukemia and Lymphoma Society)
4. It is in Paris.
5. A year ago this was NOT something I felt could be a goal.
6. Because I believe that I can.
7. Because my friends and family support me.
8. It is in Paris ( yes I know that was number 4)
9. Because I have already thought of how crossing the finish line would feel.
10.Because no interesting challenges have appeared on craigslist recently.

Here I go... wish me good luck.

Time

Time keeps slipping away and playing tricks on my life.