Back in the Saddle!!

Well, it seems that new running gear does make a difference! Or, maybe, it's just being cooped up for nearly two weeks, without the ability to breathe well enough to walk, let alone run, that makes you APPRECIATE your return to the bouncing.

Whatever the reason, I had a great (short) run on Saturday.... yay! And decided to celebrate my long-awaited (I make it sound like years, don't I?? LOL) return to training by going shopping first. :)

Hubby dropped me off at Track Shack while he ran errands, and I found a couple of new items for *the girls* (Sorry, Morgan... some of us still require lots of support!)

and a very cool pair of B.O.A. bright orange running shorts.... awesome!!! (Oh, and yes, these are real running shorts, so I decided to try out you guys' advice - you know what I'm talking about!) Not too bad.... Kinda nice, actually! :)


A huge thank you to Besty, over at Track Shack. She'll tell you she knows her sports bras, and she ain't kiddin'!

So, by late afternoon, I was finally ready to run. Since it was still oppressively hot/humid outside (mid-day... missed early morning run due to late Fri night blog writing/reading), I jumped on the treadmill, or as 5 Miles 2 Empty calls it, the dreadmill. Love that!

This was a slow return, so after a 5-min walking warm-up, I plugged in 35 minutes, and away I went. I was so excited with new gear & to be back, I started jamming to tunes right away, and started out a bit enthusiastically... No worries, though. Maintained a slow, but respectable 12:30 - 14:00 pace - to ease back in. 35 minutes later and 2.6 miles later, I was finito. Not bad for a brief re-entry!

Fran Wants to Be Healthy, thanks for checking in on me yesterday first-thing... you sent a message before I even got out the door. Thanks for the encouragement! I always wonder what time it is where you are.... :)
CAUTION: Redhead Running, thanks for offering to check ditches! As you can see, I'm still kickin' and will be heading outdoors for this week's runs.

My Thankful Three

Today, I am thanful for:

• Good advice (and virtual hugs) from fellow runners :)
• Feeling better
• New sports gear and Betsy's help at Track Shack (awesome!)

Shout-out to a Fellow Blogger!

If you haven't already, stop by Tall Mom on the Run's blog soon, to enter her Pearl Izumi giveaway. Time is running out as she encourages readers to check out PI's website, join her bloggy running pack, and share their thoughts. (I even did a little shopping while on PI's site tonight - really cute pink socks!)

Definitely worth a visit - Tall Mom on the Run offers inspiration and tips to runners of all levels...way to go, Mel! :)

Ready to Lace Up the Running Shoes!

I'm heading out for a short run tomorrow - finally! It's been a long two weeks, I'm feeling about 75%, and I'm ready to lace up the sneaks, if only for a short run. It will feel good to look for those turtles who've been waiting for me to get back out there and run with them, around them, you name it. With only 42 days 'til the Disney 10K, I'm feeling the pressure to get some training going again. So, if you happen to be in Orlando on Saturday, and find somebody passed out on the side of the road, check my Road ID, and call The Hubby.

My Thankful Three:

Today, I am thankful for:

• A role at work that I really like this year(!)
• The people who actually stop behind the white line at the corner, and don't run me down while they talk on their cell phone (urban living = a little dicey!)
• Feeling well enough to squeak out a few miles

Robin

On The Road to Healthy

Feeling a bit better this morning: a 6 or 7 on my 10-point scale. Congestion lifting a bit more, but blood sugar running a little high.... hoping for a super-short run Friday afternoon or Saturday. Six weeks 'til Disney 10K. Need to get back to training.

Wishing all of my running buddies a great day!

My Thankful Three: Today, I am thankful for:

• Feeling a little better each day
• Friends who freely share hugs, even for a sick chick!
• Doctors who care for babies

Finding Inspiration

Since I gain so much from being inspired by other runners, and it was just recently that one of you (you know who you are!) said to me, "Robin, always remember your 'why' and you'll do great," I decided to do a little research and find folks who have continued to run, no matter what the challenges.....

Mr. Bob Marshall, who despite being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease at age 54, went on to not only qualify for, but finish the Boston Marathon in 2007. Six hours after the starting gun, Mr. Marshall, who reportedly could no longer tie his own shoes, crossed the finish line.

Sadly, Mr. Marshall succumbed to the disease in September 2008, after what his friends and family say, was a valiant fight to the end, and now on September 19, 2009, the first
First Annual Bob Marshall’s “Kick in the ALS” 5K Run/Walk will take place in Holladay, UT.

When I can finally lace up my own shoes and hit the streets again later this week, I will think of Bob Marshall, and his courageous run toward his own finish line.....

Who or what inspires you to run? Know someone who has overcome (or is overcoming) challenges? I'd love to hear his or her story, and pay it forward.....

My Thankful Three: Today, I am thankful for:

• having a job w/ insurance benefits!
• the kindness of strangers
• the DMs, tweets, comments, and e-mails I get from those who are reading my blogs - I really appreciate you!

Robin

Running Must-Haves: Part II

Okay guys, I asked you what you carry when you run, and it seems safety was (sort of) on your mind, along with all the other requisite items ("standard staples," Morgan called them!).

Amanda, I'm thinking it must be pretty safe in your part of the world, since you named the fewest items (your driver's license 1/2 the time???) Girl, what are you thinking??? [smile]

• music
• safety (sort of)
• water
• cell phone

Here's what you said:

"Man, I am so bad I don't really carry anything half the time. I used to carry my cell phone but then I got an iPhone, not too convenient to run with. I would say though about half the time I throw my driver's license in my pocket. I got paranoid last year about getting hit by a car and started putting my Drivers License with a sticky note in there to call my best friend, and she knew if i was hurt or dead to at least go pick up my son from daycare. It is scary when you are alone in a town...I have been wanting to get a road ID. I would say at least let someone know you are heading out and your planned route or time."

"My ipod. I can't run without music! My heart rate monitor is number 2. My phone is number 3, I run outside my village and when something happens to me I need the opportunity to call my hub or a friend. The key to my house of course :) And when I run longer than half an hour - water bottles"

"My mace. Without fail, unless I am running with someone else I run with my mace. Obviously I have all the other standard staples neccessary to running but safety first!!!"

Isn't it interesting how we determine what's most necessary when we run? As a diabetic, I have special concerns when I run, and as an urban runner, I also express those same safety concerns as Morgan (mace). In fact, she and I run in the same neighborhoods (though I don't always carry mace, especially if running during the day).

When I first asked the question, I had a particular purpose for asking, but was curious to see what kind of responses we'd get; I didn't want to drive the conversation from the outset, but now that you've weighed in, here's what I'd like to share....

Road ID! I had seen the ads in the back of Runner's World, but it wasn't until we had a couple of incidents occur almost simultaneously in our family, and I found myself at a loss for knowing pertinent medical info for emergency personnel that I realized it was super-important to always carry proper ID and to have medical info immediately available.

Within days, I was online and ordering my Road ID bracelet. Looking at the options, I chose the Interactive wrist ID version, which provides immediate, online medical info to emergency personnel. For under $50.00, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that if you are incapacitated, your identity will be known, and your medical condition(s) will be addressed, if need be.

Do yourself and your loved ones a favor: take a few minutes today and look at the Road ID website. You will be glad you did, and I'll know that my running buddies are safe out there!

• Tip: I wasn't sure about the sizes, and went with the regular/large - just to be sure. I am 5'4" and about 145 lbs, medium build. The reg/lg is a bit bulky on my wrist. It has velcro, and I tighten it down all the way, but the width of the band feels bulky, too, especially on the same wrist as my sports watch. Sometimes, I thread it through my sportsbra strap instead. If I were to order again, I'd order the shoe ID, though getting thrown from one's shoes if hit by a car isn't unheard of, so.... I'm not sure about that. Hopefully, this info will help you a bit.

Bottom line: I don't leave home without it, and if on the rare occasion I do, I go back home to get it... no matter what. And when I'm not running, I even keep it on my purse strap, so the info is always with me.

By the way - I have the same issue with the phone now, too. When I moved to a BlackBerry Storm (like the iphone), I decided it was too bulky to carry. The Hubby wishes I would, b/c it has gps in it, but you have to draw the line somewhere.... right??? Sometimes, I feel like I need a little red wagon to carry all my running stuff!

My Thankful Three - I am thankful for:

• the beautiful place we live that affords me lovely running courses every day
• my bosses, who are kind enough to say "take care of yourself, and get better"
• my nieces and nephews (all 10 by blood & marriage) who bring joy to my life through their smiles and laughter

Take care, friends, and order your Road ID today!

Robin

Blogging & Running: Synergistic Siblings?

It's now 47 days 'til the Disney 10K, and I'm still, regretfully, sick: stuffy head, coughing, body aches, fever, you name it. I'm so sad and disappointed at this extended excursion along crappy-feeling highway....Enough already!

So, I've come to the realization that this forced resting period must be used for something more positive. I've gotten more sleep in the last 72 hours than I did all summer, and in between long naps, I've been reflecting on my newest babies: the blogs.

Nearing one month of publication for each, I've watched each develop, kind of the way we do with new babies, I suppose. Moms, you'd know more about this. I can only comment from the sidelines, as an Auntie, as I watch my beautiful nephews and niece grow and change every day, developing unique personalities and characteristics. And it's been that way with my blogs....
Here are my conclusions thus far:

• Each blog has taken on a decidedly different personality. While my food blog, eatinggoodstuff.com, is developing into a fun and informative repository of facts, tips, photos, and questions, and is now following a daily format, my running blog has taken on more of a narrative quality, on a more personal level; it truly feels like my journey.

• Interestingly, in spite of the blogs being so different from one other, though,

I find the act of blogging requires the same elements that running requires:

• Purpose: Why am I doing this?
• Focus: What are my goals? Where am I going with this?
• Form: If I am sloppy, it will show.
• Structure: How will I attain my goals? What is my schedule?
• Commitment: How much do I value what I am doing? How much do I want it?

Merriam-Webster describes 'synergy' as a mutually advantageous conjunction or compatibility of distinct elements. I find this to be true with blogging and running. Though physically different in the obvious way, in all other ways, I believe blogging and running are synergistic siblings, each inspiring the other, supporting the other, driving the other.

• The third "a-ha" for me has been an interesting bit of irony as I think back over the things I accomplished this summer, and where blogging and running have taken me recently. Before I began blogging, I created my first webpage, an electronic business card, if you will. And my tagline was Building Community, One Message and One Relationship at a Time. This is a reflection of my commitment to building my local community; supporting and advocating for local businesses - through patronage and writing reviews to drive business to their establishments.

Much to my surprise (and pleasure), blogging has done the same thing: Building community, one message at a time, but on a much larger scale. While running for me is a highly personal, solitary endeavor, I have found, through blogging, a community to whom I can relate and participate - each of you, who takes time to share your thoughts, feelings, concerns, struggles, and triumphs, and in turn, takes time to read mine.

Thank you for this. Thank you for allowing me to become part of your community. Now when I run, I'm not really running by myself. Instead, my new running buddies are with me as I think about:

• your vacations,
• your training schedules,
• your (our!) ongoing relationships w/ food,
• whether or not I'll see you on the street during a run (yes, I've found a local blogger/runner, too!)...
• I think about your husband returning home soon,
• how Zumba might be going,
• whether or not the new sportsbra is fitting(!),
• and how hot it is in your part of the world.

A month ago, none of this was on my radar.

Now, through the synergy of blogging and running, I feel a sense of community that was not there before...

• Finally, I'd like to borrow an idea from 5 Miles 2 Empty, who takes time to share her gratitude each and every time she writes (Amanda, they say emulation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I hope you won't mind!)... I believe being thankful is so important, and yet, often overlooked. So, beginning today, I'd like to add my "Thankful Three" to my blog entries.

Here goes....

Today, I am thankful for:

• my husband who has taken such good care of me while I'm out of commission
• my blogging buddies who inspire, support, and give me new perspective every day
• my mom, for taking time to read my blogs and tell me how proud she is

Robin

Friday Running Funnies

Still fighting the "flu bug nasties," so I thought I'd share some Friday humor with you. Looks like a Saturday run was wishful thinking (sigh.....); aiming for Monday!  Have a great weekend, friends.  Be safe out there....

Oh Soooo S-I-C-K!!

Hey Runner Friends,

It's Wednesday evening, and I've crawled off the couch to read your posts and comments this week, as I suffer through the flu. Darn!! This week's training (just as I was accepting the idea of doing such purposeful running...LOL) has really been derailed. I'm hoping to be back at it by Saturday, and according to my trusty calendar, will still have 7 weeks 'til the Disney 10K. Plenty of time to train, but I'm really hating life right now! (Reading your posts helps, for sure, though!)

Run a mile for me?? (I'll certainly return the favor!)

Until my feet find their fave sneakers again.....

robin

Running Must-Haves

I'm curious: What item do you carry with you when you run that you absolutely, positively could not run without, and why?

Training? Training!

This weekend, for the first time since I began running last fall, I felt like a "real runner in training." While I've run three 5Ks since November, I've never used the word "training" to describe what I was doing. Yes, I plan a path or number of miles to complete when I run in the neighborhood (tracks bore me to tears!), but I just push along at my own pace, whatever that happens to be on any given day. Until yesterday.

Saturday morning, while perusing the August issue of Runner's World, I turned to one of my favorite columns, Marc Parent's The Newbie Chronicles, to read his latest running venture. I found myself laughing as I read about his attempt at speedwork, a term used to describe what I'd call "pure torture" after what came next....

With article in mind, and remembering a few tips from Jeff Galloway, "An Easygoing Coach," in the June issue of RW, where he outlined a plan for

"doubling your endurance in six weeks," I was ready to give it a try! (Knowing the Disney 10K is now less than 60 days away has lit a fire under my butt, too! I officially registered this weekend.)

OMG!!!!!!!! For all of you out there who are already doing speedwork, you know what I'm talking about! I was pretty sure my lungs were going to explode right there on the treadmill, and someone would eventually find me, minus the lungs. Wow!

My plan was this: Run a comfortable 13:30 - 14:00 pace for five minutes, then run as hard as I could (10:00 pace) for two minutes, then slow it back down to the 13:30 - 14:00 pace for five more minutes, then back to the faster pace for two mintes... You get the idea. Well, this worked for the first 30 minutes (completed 5 intervals), and though it made the time go by quickly, by the end of the first 30 minutes, I was pretty sure this would be my last day running, ever!

After the first thirty minutes, the intervals were still five minutes apart, but the two minutes shrunk to one minute, and the recovery became a 14:00 - 15:00 pace.... slower than I had intended. But I finished my planned 60 minutes + 5 extra to cool down, so it was a good run, one that taught me a few lessons:

1. Speedwork is tough! (Now I know why I avoided it for so long!)
2. Speedwork is necessary. (The last interval seemed to feel slightly more acceptable to my body, like it knew what I was attempting to do.)
3. Trying to do speedwork, distance, and time all in one run is inefficient. (Pick a focus and work the plan....see Jeff Galloway's tips, which I now get.)
4. "Real training" forces my body outside of its comfort zone; I've got the sore muscles to prove it.
5. Training is necessary for me to reach my running goals and help me set new ones.

I am a runner. And I have a plan.

Happy running!

The Women from Runners World

And one more group for today: Women from Runners World. Great motivation!

Couch to 5K... Let's Go!

Another great find today: The Couch to 5K group on the dailymile.com .... can certainly relate to these guys and gals!

Great New Find Today!

Stumbled upon a great blog today whose writer's journey feels so familiar. Check out Fat Girl to Fit Girl, as she shares her personal quest for a healthy, balanced life.

Fits and Starts

Since my first race in November 2008, I've run in two more events: WESH 2s Run Around the Universe in late January, and the Florida Hospital/Lady Track Shack "pink" 5k to fight breast cancer in early February.

The January race was a bitterly cold morning, in the 30s, and my toes were actually numb for the first mile or so of the race (weird feeling, and probably not so safe for a diabetic!), in spite of warming up for nearly 45 minutes prior to the start. The course covered the backlots of both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, with many inclines and declines, which wreaked absolute havoc on my knees. My left knee completely gave out in the 2nd mile of the race, and I limped along to finish. Disappointed in my time, 32:51, I walked across the finish line and a made a mental note to be ready for the uneven surface next year!

The February race was a week or so later, and turned out to be another cold morning in central Florida. The course wound through a portion of Winter Park, and had an incline in the final mile, much like the first race in November, but this time, it was nearly the entire last mile. The camaraderie of running with all women was kind of cool, but I really thought I was going to throw up as I finished this one! Seems, from Hubby's report, I wasn't the only one feeling that way. It was rough! PR: 33:50 Not a good race day at all! This was also the day I pulled a hamstring muscle, which I'm still limping through, six months later... ouch!

As a result of the pulled muscle (mostly), and life happening as it will, the next few months proved to be "fits and starts" as I felt like running some days and not others. I saw a sports massage therapist to deal with the hamstring and she informed me my piriformis muscle was the cause of the discomfort, apparently pretty common in runners. Fabulous!

Dealing with daily pain, trying to juggle two jobs, and all the other things that come with life, I found myself walking or running only one or two days per week. Result: the scale began to creep up as the clothing got a little snug again.

So here it is August, and I've been back at my running for several weeks now, trying to commit to 4% at least 4 days per week. I admit - I don't get out there every, single day, but I'm doing the best I'm (apparently) willing to do, and now, with a 10k looming over me, in less than 60 days, I'm really pushing.

Have run 4 1/2 miles several days over the past week, usually on the treadmill, because it's so darn hot here in central Florida in August. I set the treadmill to a 1 - 1.5% incline, which is to adjust for the lack of wind resistance you'd have outdoors.

To help keep me on track (and because I like statistics!), I bought a Timex Digital Transmission Heart Rate Monitor a few months ago. I'm monitoring my HR to keep myself in a zone that increases fat burning, instead of just focusing on calories burned. Did you know you actually have to slow down to work in your fat-burning zone?

So now you know my story.... I continue to run circles around the turtles as I plug along at my slow pace. But as long as I'm moving forward, well, I'm headed toward the finish line.......

Crowds, Kids, and Conversation...What I Learned in 3.1 Miles

As the crowd shuffled forward at the sound of the race gun, and I moved nearer to the starting line, I learned my first lesson about 5k racing... your race time doesn't actually begin until you cross the starting line. I know. I know. I can hear you sitting there saying, "Well, duh, stupid!" But really, how was I to know? By a stroke of luck (or I noticed someone else doing it), I glanced down at my watch as I passed under the starting banner. And with that, I was officially a 5k racer! Okay, a participant... "racer" might be a bit much! Filled with excitement, anticipation, and sheer joy, I glanced to the left to find The Hubby, who was no doubt, standing by with camera in hand. I saw him there, waiting at the ready, but my footsteps blended in with the crowd's, and I disappeared up the street before he could see me... Oh, well...

The next tip I quickly learned about crowds and races is this: everyone starts out bunched together with expectations of how far, how fast, and how long they will run, but give them a 1/4 mile or so, and the crowd begins to thin out... nice! The true 'racers' have long since moved on, half-way to the finish line, no doubt, with the athletically inclined following not too far behind. Then comes the rest of us in the order of our athletic prowess. I was holding my own - not too far back, but definitely not going to win any races! As the miles stretch out (how far could they stretch? There are only 3!), the crowd thins even more....

While dealing with the crowd at the onset of the race (think: bumper cars!), I also had to navigate around something I never expected, even considered: kids! Yes, these little buggers, many under 12, were running this 5k with the zeal and enthusiasm only a kid could show under such conditions! Like those annoying motorcycles on the freeway that cut in and out of traffic, these mini runners darted from side to side, angling past the "old farts" who surely were in their way, and forcing us to pay more attention to our footing. Couldn't they see we were already under duress, for goodness sake??? (They were awesome, though, hanging in 'til the final steps.)

The last lesson I learned as I traversed my 3.1 miles that day was that even though the race materials said "No headphones," I was soooo wishing I had them. I know you might be thinking, "Well, you need them for motivation, energy..." True. But I found another reason to need them during a race: to drown out the stupid, ridiculous conversations happening around me. Who cares what you had for dinner last night, or what the kids were fighting about! Shut up and run! Now, granted, there weren't many of these talkative trotters, but the ones that were there seemed to be next to me, no matter how fast or slow I moved... (Fortunately, this rule changed earlier this year.)

As the miles went by (and I was sure I was going to have a heart attack!), I marked my time and kept a decent pace, just hoping to finish this darn race. On the last leg of the course, I found myself, along with the other huffing and puffing runners, trying to peel layers of clothes off as we ran. It may have been cold that morning, but running 3.1 miles (no matter how slowly) heats you right up! And as we peeled, we came face to face with a hill, a hill? Now?? Here? Yep - a hill (really, just a slight incline in downtown Orlando, but it felt like a mountain at the point!). So up the hill we went, around a corner, past the lake one last time, and finally, rounding the last corner, we were in the homestretch.... the crowd cheered, the announcer boomed, and I cried...

I did it. I crossed that finish line on that cold Thanksgiving morning. My very first PR: 33:35 .... Not too bad for a newbie!

Monday Motivation: Finding "Just Right" Shoes

A few people have recently asked me:

How do I pick a good pair of running shoes? And... (the bigger question) How do I find the m-o-t-i-v-a-t-i-o-n???

Hmmm.... I'd have to say that there is probably a direct relationship between the two. You see, once you find that ultra comfy pair of running shoes, that not only feel like your favorite fuzzy slippers that you never want to take off, but also have all the necessary mechanics to support your arches, stabilize your stride, protect your knees, and not pinch your toes, well, you may actually want to get out and run - okay, maybe not far, and not fast, but at least move!

So, if finding a pair of "just right" running (or walking) shoes is on your To Do list, may I suggest a few resources before you head out the door (or log into your computer) and open your wallet. Runner's World has a few online spots to check out: Running Shoe FAQ , which addresses some of the basics about running shoes, and Shop Smarter , a tool that allows you to select shoes and compare their features, cost, and desirability by fellow running consumers. If you prefer the feel of a magazine in your hands over the taps of your keyboard, and want your own copy to keep for your personal library, grab the September 2009 issue of Runner's World, with their annual fall Shoe Buyer's Guide, written by Warren Greene and Martyn Shorten, Ph.D.

Now that you're armed with your research, you're ready to head into your local running store. In the Central Florida area, my choice is always Track Shack, but specialty stores such as Footlocker or Lady Footlocker would be okay, too, if you don't have a local running store. No matter where you shop, make sure to get properly fitted. I have personally found that brands fit very differently and oftentimes, the size you'd wear in a dress or work shoe is not the same as a running shoe. Also, wear the socks that you will wear with the running shoes. Wrong size or style (sock), and you learn quickly about blisters - not fun! This is especially important if you are diabetic, like me.

Finally, once you've found that ultra comfy, I'm-ready-to-move, "just right" pair of shoes, lace them up, grab your earbuds, and head out for a stroll... a walk, a run, anything to get you moving, feeling motivated, and reaching your 4%.

Have a great day, everybody. Thanks for stopping by!

4%

By the way, 60 minutes out of our 1,440 minutes per day = 4% of any given day. Can we find the time? Will we make the time?? How committed are we??

My First 5K

"You'll be awesome!" The Hubby said with a big grin, when he heard about my latest adventure. (God love him, he's definitely my cheerleader!)

As The Big Day drew closer, Hubby had to hear about shoes, sports bras, aches & pains, nervousness, what I was eating, how it was affecting me, and of course, the question every woman eventually asks before a big event (let's say it together), "What should I wear?" As luck would have it, the weather turned a bit cool in the 24 hours leading up to the race. Okay, you northern folks, no laughing (too much) here! We were expecting highs in the 40s the morning of the race. What??? Seriously??

So out I went the day before the race (a bundle of nerves already), to find long something-or-anothers to wear. What do runners wear when it's cold? Too bulky and you're weighted down. Too tight, and the guy behind you sees, well, your behind(!), too long and you have to worry about tripping. You get the idea! Armed with 15 or so pairs of somethings, I headed in for the dressing room drama to begin.....

Ninety minutes later, I emerged, victorious, with a pair of not too bulky, not too tight, not too long something-or-anothers, and headed for the register. Aaahhh, just right, and not too $$ (bonus!).

I slept little that night (not a good practice before a race, I'm certain), and like a kid on Christmas morning, I bound from the bed at o'dark thirty, ready to get ready! Now, the next dilemma... what should I eat? (not eating was out of the question), coffee or no coffee?, how much water? Decisions were made in the next hour or so: a little cereal, a few sips of coffee and water, and putting on those layers (along with the new something-or-anothers to keep my legs warm). Note: I learned from THIS race to put the LS t-shirt OVER the short sleeve, so you can pull the layers OFF as you run your race, and your body heats up)! Hat on? Yep. New sneaks laced up? Yep. (I had dutifully been breaking them in for the past 48 hours.) My very helpful local running retailer, Track Shack, warned me against wearing brand new running shoes on the day of race -not a good idea! Thanks, guys! And finally, The Bib. The Hubby helped me pin it on, and I felt like I did the first time I earned a Girl Scout badge (remember that, ladies??), so proud, like I was part of the in-crowd!

With The Hubby in his wool coat and warm hat, and coffee in hand, out the door we headed - like a dad and his very excited little kid! We made our way through the park to the starting area and my nerves increased as the minutes decreased; porta potties became my best friend (and let me tell you, I was not alone in those lines!) Seems race-day jitters get the best of many folks. How many times can a person "tinkle" in 10 minutes time?? Well, I'm here to tell you... several!

But eventually, each runner must find his or her place in the "corral" (yes, think: herd animals!), based on how long they expect to take to finish the race. Ha! I headed as far back as I possibly could!

In a few more minutes, the announcer boomed, "Two minutes to start time!" and with that, everyone shuffled around, doing a little dance to calm the nerves and keep warm! "Snap!" went the gun, and like a slow-moving centipede, the throng of runners began to move forward. My stomach rolled over... "Oh no! Am I going to be sick??" Nope! Nerves gave way to pure excitement and adrenaline as I began to shuffle with the crowd toward the starting line.....

1,440 Minutes

Random thought as I finished my workout this morning, a tough one because I have been so focused on my summer projects lately that I've let my days get away from me, along with my workouts.... (which has led, once again, to lack of endurance).... aagghhh!

So here it is: There are 1440 minutes in a day. Set aside 60 of those minutes NO MATTER WHAT. There, I said it. Now I must commit to it. No excuses. How about you?

P.S. When I do commit to 60 minutes, I feel sooooo g-o-o-d when I'm finished! Don't you?

A Little Background Info...

This journey of mine began back in November, 2008, when, after finishing my usual (enthusiastic) 5-mile walk through the neighborhood, and being comfortably in my car and running errands, I heard an ad on the radio for the upcoming "Turkey Trot 5k," to be held, understandably, on Thanksgiving morning.

"Hey!" I thought, "I want to do that! I CAN do that!" Fast-forward to our local running store, Track Shack, a place I longed to be a part of, but always felt like the extra kid in gym class... sooo out of place! But right now - it didn't matter: I was going to register for my very first 5k. And I did.

No problem, right? Well, that would be so, except that it was only three days 'til Thanksgiving! What was I thinking? Clearly, I must have been delusional! Who decides to run 3.1 miles nonstop, with a zillion other people, in three days??

Oh, but the pride and sense of belonging I felt when I picked up my "race packet" (I had a race packet? Me?), and found inside my very own (and very first) running bib! Wow! (At the time, I didn't even know it was called a bib... it was just that race-number-thingy that runners wear!)

Next, I realized I needed new running shoes. If I was going to make a commitment to this "sport," then I needed new shoes (the old ones had seen hundreds of walking miles, so it really was a fair purchase!).

With race packet in hand and new running shoes on feet, I was ready to run that 3.1 miles, nonstop, with a zillion other people... 3 days to go! What would The Hubby say??.....

Starting a New Project....

Welcome to my newest labor of love, a blog about my journey toward the finish line. I am a runner. I may be a s-l-o-w runner, but I AM a runner. To capture the beginning of my journey over the past eight months, and continue to share my reflections on "this thing called running."...... See you soon!