Day 98

Still running. I keep meaning to write but seem to find other things to do. Like make bread and read US weekly. I have been running though. I did have to take a week off due to a tendon injury. It kinda sucked not running but I knew I had to rest. My tendon feels much better but still a bit sore. I'm avoiding steep hills at the moment. I think this Saturday will be my first time back in Forest Park since I got hurt. I will never run in a torrential downpour again. Ick! I did do 9 miles yesterday. I actually ran from my house to Sellwood. It was rad. I am going to do 10 this weekend and that will be the longest I go until the race. I can't believe I'm running the Half in less than 2 weeks. Wow. What a journey it's been. I've gone up and down and all around. I've learned a new meaning of discipline and self respect. I believe in myself. I am healthier, stronger, and totally hot. I like running now. And it's like life. It's not always easy but you push through and in the end you find happiness and all the other reasons to keep on living. Here I come Vegas, Rock 'N' Roll me!!!!

Training: No runs on Sunday
Days til race: 14 days
Mind: A bit nervous

Day 84

Ooops. It's been 2 weeks since my last post. SLACKER!!! I'm still running. A lot. I ran 8 miles in the pouring down rain yesterday. Not sure it was the best idea but it had to happen someday. This is Oregon. I was going to run 9 miles but I made a deal with the rain. If it wanted to keep monsooning, I was only going to run 8 miles. I'm off today and cleaning the house like a mad woman. And doing 3 loads of laundry. I can't believe Vegas is in like 3 1/2 weeks. I'm getting new shoes this week. I'm super excited about that. Pretty much the best thing ever. Pretty much not the best thing ever was when I "hit a wall" last week. It SUCKED. I hadn't eaten much all day and then set out on a 6 miler. Dumb! My muscles were starved for energy and didn't want to function properly. I could barely move my legs and I felt like I might actually have to stop and walk. Or just fall over. Luckily, I made it home and learned a very valuable lesson. Must eat before running. But not to soon before. Running is crazy. I love it.

Training: cleaning the house
Days til Race: 27
Mind: holy crap

Day 70-- "Run Like Hell" 10/25/09

Today, I ran like hell. I participated in my first 10k (6.2 miles) race since starting all this running stuff. It was awesome. I had so much fun and got to drink beer at 8:30 in the morning. Funny. I guess runners feel they can justify drinking that early. I finished the race in 57:04. I am stoked by that time. I was 51 out of 129 for my age and 356 out of about 800 overall. Rad. I am really looking forward to Vegas. I know I have a lot of work to do yet, but I am ready to kick ass. I think November is going to be super serious for me. Lots of running and then maybe some more running. I am really proud of myself right now. I am amazing. Run Love.

Training: 10k
Days til Vegas: a little over a month
Mind: confident

Day 63

I flippin ran 8 miles today. Fuckin shit!!!! I was totally dreading it but once I started, it went well. I realised about 4 miles in that I might not be able to walk in the morning. I've been stretching for about 3 hours now and I'm still sore. Crazy. I did it though. I feel like I've gotten over a huge hurtle. I've been thinking about this day a lot. More so than any other mileage day. I know now, for sure, that I can run 13.1 miles. No sweat. I get tomorrow off and I like that. I need to find a hot tub. I love running. It's been a great day. Run Love.

Training: 8 miles
Mind: positive
Days til Run Like Hell 10k: Next Sunday

Day 53

I did it! I PR'ed (personal record) on my 5K run last Saturday. I ran it faster than I did in high school by 22 seconds. Fuckin A!! I'm about half way finished with my training and I'm starting to feel the strains and pains of running. My knee hurts, my butt hurts, my back hurts, yeah, pretty much everything is sore. I'm getting new running shoes soon and I think that will help a bit. I have good shoes now but they are just getting worn out. I've been slacking on my strength training too. I just get bored in the gym. I need to figure that out. I've got a 7 mile run on Saturday and I think that's crazy. The Ducks play at noon so it'll be an early one. Sweet. Bring it!!

Training: 4.5 miles
Days till marathon: 2 months
Mind: a bit nervous

Day 46

We are going to Vegas. It's totally official. Jeff booked our flight and room today. We're going to be staying at Excalibur and I can't wait for all the medieval shenanigans that shall ensue. Especially since Sami and Tim are coming too. Woooooo hooooo! I gotta figure out how to get my joust on board the plane. Can't run a marathon without it. Can't do much without it if you think about it. Anyway, I'm racing a 5K this weekend. I'm interested to see if I can beat my high school PR. Probably not, but it will be fun to try. Training is going well. Seems like a lot of the same thing everyday but I try to change it up. I ran in Forrest Park on Monday and that was fun. I was supposed to go 4.5 miles and I ended up running close to 6. Sweet. I'm actually not running today. Instead, I'm headed to the gym for some cross-training and trashy magazine reading. I love it!!! Vegas baby, Vegas!

Training: 40 min cross-training
Days til Marathon: a little over a month
Mood: saucy

Day 38

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO unmotivated this week. I haven't enjoyed any runs and I'm really sore and tired. My hip and knee have been aching and I'm not sure what to do about it. I may need new shoes, I may need to drink more water, I may need to rest, I don't know. I also feel like I've hit a plateau and this running thing is not getting any easier. I have 6 miles to run this weekend and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Just a shitty week in the life of a marathon runner I guess.

Training: 40 min cross-training, strength training
Mind: poopy