Sunny Skies & Giant Flies

Well, I didn't quite make it up early yesterday, but I did take advantage of the beautiful weather during lunch. Since I've been feeling a bit of pain in my right knee, I decided to run on a dirt road that cuts through farmland near my house.

It was a nice change of scenery from the neighborhoods I usually run through. Nothing but blue skies, a few trees and open pastures. But I swear I attracted every flying insect within a 10-mile radius. Those suckers were relentless! I'm surprised the freeze last week didn't wipe them out. They became my little cheering section, though, threatening a full-on attack if I stopped.

I think I put in about four miles -- can't quite be sure as my pedometer gave out two miles in. I need to map out a few courses, I guess, so I don't have to rely on one. I just get tired of running the same loop, and it seems I'm able to go farther when I don't know exactly where I'm going.

Tuesday nights we have optional Team runs. I haven't been going, but I'm starting tonight. I think we're doing track work -- not really sure what that entails, but I'm pretty sure I'll be sore after!

Against the Wind

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I ate waaay more than I should have, but can honestly say that I don't regret it. I even managed to get in two miles on Christmas Eve before the hustle and bustle of the holidays pulled Justin and me in several directions.

While Monday was in the 30s, the last two days have been in the 70s. The wind, however, has been ferocious, making our Team run this morning extra challenging. I managed to get in five miles -- the last two miles into the wind -- before it began to lightening and our Coach called us in. I was kind of glad as I don't think my legs could have handled much more! At least the rain held off until I was home, though I know members of another team were still out there battling the elements.

Now that the holidays are over, I have no excuse not to jump back on the training schedule. I was running in the evenings after work, but I'm going to try and train in the mornings now instead. We'll see how long it takes before I hurl my alarm clock against the wall ...

Pushing Through the Holidays

Luckily we got our Team Run in Saturday morning before the arctic front blew in that afternoon. I ran with Suzanne, our fundraising mentor, for the first three miles. It was great to run with someone as experienced as she is, and it pushed me to keep up with her.

I was supposed to hit eight miles, but ended up doing only four. Oops. I'll make up the mileage at some point this week, in between stuffing my face with holiday treats and making last minute trips to the mall to finish Christmas shopping.

The hubby Justin and I went to the Dallas Cowboys' final game at Texas Stadium on Saturday, and it was awesome. Think I can count the constant sitting down / standing up as a workout? ;-)

Excuses, Excuses

So, obviously, this blog is still a work in progress. I can't seem to decide on a background -- suggestions are always helpful!

Anyhoo, training the past two weeks has been ... well, scarce. Work + a cold + 30 degree weather = way too many excuses keeping me inside lollygagging instead of outside training. I'm hoping to turn that around at our team run on Saturday. According to the schedule, I'm supposed to hit 8 miles ... but I may keep it closer to 5 unless by some miracle I have the energy to do more.

And, for any of my wonderful donors who are reading this, THANKS again for all of your support!! I've reached my halfway mark in fundraising -- just over $1,000 -- and I couldn't be more ecstatic. I know the holidays are hard, especially this year, so I truly appreciate each and every one of you.

Keep checking back for more updates!

Mix-Matched Feet

I've been telling Justin over the last year that my left foot is smaller than my right foot. He thinks I'm crazy. "Maybe your left shoe is just bigger than your right one and that's why it flops around," he says smugly.

But seriously, in all of my shoes? What are the odds of that happening? I got my answer yesterday when I went to Run On to get fitted for new running shoes. After the sales guy had me jog around the store in my pink socks to check my form, he had me stand on a metal shoe ruler to measure my feet. And there it was. The proof. My right foot stuck out farther than my left.

And don't you know I rubbed it into Justin's face when I got home. His response? "I'm not surprised, you're not normal."

Maybe, but at least I'm right :-).

First Team Run

Yesterday I had my first team run with Team In Training for the marathon I'm doing in April. I am soo not a morning person, yet I managed to roll out of bed at 5:45, was at training by 6:20 and running two miles by 6:30. Luckily it was dark so people couldn't see my butt jiggling through my Spandex pants.

I was a little frustrated at first as everyone kept passing me. I quickly got over it and actually finished faster than my two mile runs during the week. I felt accomplished and rewarded myself with a huge omelet from Cafe Brazil. Hey, a girl's got to eat, right?

Team In Training

"The people I’ve met through Team In Training have been some of the most compassionate, kind, strong, and dedicated people that have ever crossed my path. Some are survivors like me and our bond was immediate – and is for life. But survivor or not, we’re all united by the common goal of wanting to find a cure for cancer." ~ Natasha Wieschenber, Triathlete and Cancer Survivor

I did it. I went to a Team In Training informational meeting and committed to running 26.2 miles on behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in the Big D Marathon in Dallas. This won't be my first marathon -- I ran ... er, hobbled ... the Cowtown Marathon in Ft Worth. But that was eight years ago, and I've eaten a lot and have broken in a few couches since then.

The Big D will be different for many reasons. This time I'm running for a greater cause: to help find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. I'm running to help improve the lives of blood cancer patients and their families. I'm running for our Team Hero, a cancer survivor who we'll get to meet at the next meeting. I'm excited. After I got home last night, hubby and I jogged around the neighborhood. Side cramps and numb feet aside, it felt good. It's nice to have something to strive for, a goal to reach, a cause to dedicate yourself to. In a way, a sense of purpose.

I started this blog to help raise awareness, to connect with others who are training, to hold myself accountable for my runs, to gain motivation from others. Hope you'll join me on my journey ... only four months to go!