Running update!

First a quick story:

A few weeks ago I was doing my long run on the weekend. I think at that point I was up to running 6 miles and I was thinking about the next weekend when I would be running 7. That was the point in my training last summer when my knee started falling apart. So as I was completing my 6 miler for the day and thinking about all of this I ran past a home where about 7 or 8 kids were chasing each other and screaming is sheer delight. There was a woman standing out front watching all this hulabaloo. She turned to me and said, "I'm having an auction. You want any of these?" I laughed and replied, "No thanks! I've got several of these at home. This is what I do in my spare time!" Then in my head, "Yeah! This is what I GET to do. What I CHOOSE to do! Ha ha! I WILL make it past 7 miles this time around."

I am a runner.

So the next weekend I set out to run my 7 miles. I felt great. I mean seriously great. Like I had this goofy grin on my face the whole time. I mean I seriously must have looked like an idiot. At the end of 5 miles and 2 to go I actually got all choked up and tears of happiness welled up in my eyes because at that point I still felt great and there wasn't so much as a twinge in either of my knees. I knew then that my knee problem was a thing of the past.

Seems that going to those fancy shoe places really paid off in my situation. They watched me walk and fit me with shoes that support my nonexistent arches the way they need to be supported and that seems to have done the trick.

Anyway, this past week I ran my longest run (10 miles) before the half marathon that I'm registered for this Sunday. Right now I'm tapering down. 4 yesterday. 3 today. 2 tomorrow. Rest on Saturday.

You know how dogs are in the morning? How they are all morning creatures? You know how no matter what mood they went to bed in they are all prancing and playing and jumping and ready to go when they first wake up? Well that's how I feel waiting for this half marathon to come. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

So anyway I started thinking about what next week was going to be like. I started to consider how I would feel waking up on Monday morning and not have anything to train for.

Well that just won't do.

So I got online and here's my game plan for the next year. Yes, I said for the next. full. year.

September 18th ~ Revenge of the Penguins 10 & 20 miler up and back on the C&O towpath along the Potomac River. Sounds cool huh? Um, I registered for the 20.

November 13th ~ Richmond Marathon, Richmond VA. That's my first marathon people!

May 1, 2011 Big Sur Marathon in California!! My sister, Meredith, has always wanted to do this so we are going to train for this together. FINALLY, a training partner!!

I feel like I did when I first fell in love with Todd and he was all I could think about. Running is all I can think about these days. I can't wait till later today when I can run my 3!!

Anyway, that's the story of my love affair with running. I love what I have been able to accomplish. I love what it has done for me. I love how strong and healthy I feel. Most of all I love that I will be running this year's half marathon a full 13 1/2 pounds lighter than last year!!! And that's not bragging people. I worked hard to lose every single ounce. Those pounds didn't just melt off. I literally ran my hiney off!!