Let's just have a visit..

Is anyone reading this anymore? Are my running stories getting boring? Well, let me just say this. The actual running? Not so boring.

I have a quad muscle. I am still a bit of a chunker, but I have a large muscle sticking out of my thigh now. That may explain why my pants are a little bit loser around the waist and butt, but not so much the legs.

I ran 3.5 miles today with Lisa. I am really liking the foothills trail in Puyallup. Not only is it beautiful and scenic, but I also run much faster on it as I am deathly afraid of wildlife ( hell, I'm afraid of house cats) and I assume something is in the bushes watching me. Today, in fact, a duck the size of my running shoe ran across the road and I think I peed a little. I'm just saying though, good trail.

So I am in the very beginning of writing an article for a new magazine about this little journey of mine. I am so excited but a little bit stressed. Even though I have no article experience, nor do I have anymore than a year of college under my belt, the nice woman from the magazine wants to "give me a shot". Bless her. I am supposed to be thinking of a good topic for my article and obviously all I know about is self improvement through pain. I am not sure how to translate that into something that might inspire. Any ideas?

If you can't run it... volunteer!

Yep. I am not ready for any marathoning, obviously. I did, however get a spam email from the Tacoma City Marathon asking for volunteers! PERFECT! I guess I will be working at an aid station and I can get a better idea of the hell I am about to endure...by watching other people! This could be bad. It could scare me to death - OR it could inspire me. No way of knowing. I get a free jacket, and in the end, that is all that really matters.

Anyone else wanna volunteer? Better yet, does anyone else want to start RUNNING with me? As my mileage increases, my trail options are getting pretty limited. I would much rather run with a group than alone down the Orting trail. Who knows if there will be a shady bear or rapist waiting to lock me in a dark basement somewhere. If I were a shady bear or rapist, I would definetly hide in the bushes on parts of that trail. I'm just saying. I would like run in a pack. It would probably decrease my odds of being snatched up. Does that make sense? Cool. Now go get some running shoes.

Too much coffee this morning? That is what I was thinking too....

Run in the sun

In Washington we don't often see warm days, well in April we don't. Today, the weather was beautiful and it was another 4 miler for me. I wont sugar coat this, it sucked. I ran pretty much the entire time. I think I had to stop and walk for about 40 seconds one time but don't think I didn't want to stop the ENTIRE time. That is the beauty in running away from home. The only way to get back is to run back.

I felt like I was going to hyperventilate and I was sweating so so bad. For once, I don't think I enjoyed this run at all.

I also learned something about myself. Really, I'm an optimist. I annoy folks with my optimism sometimes. When I run, I am about the most pessimistic person around. The whole time, my thoughts sound a lot like, "What am I doing? I ate too much and can't do this. I am too fat to run. I'm going to have a spontaneous heart attack and explode right here, on East Main." It is pathetic, really.

So I got home and started reading articles about this mind over matter stuff. Apparently, if my brain tells my ass to get in gear, I can run like, 100 miles. We will see.

Check it out if you have the same problem!
Runner's World.

Tomorrow is just a stretching and strengthening day. Thank God. While we are talking about God, can we all pray for lots and lots of 50 degree days with a light mist of rain for the upcoming weeks? I have a lot of miles to run.. and would really appreciate it.

And the training continues...

I guess I am just running out of stuff to say. I'm in the middle of my half marathon training, and by the end of the day.. I just want to lay in bed and congratulate myself. Is that weird?

Yesterday I actually coaxed not one, but 4 friends to go running with me. We even got good old Denise out there again. They were all amazing. I hope they stick with it and I really hope I can get a bigger running group together come (gulp) November. I guess I am still planning to do this Seattle Marathon. The thought of it scares me to death, but that is what makes it all so fun.

Andy is finally totally on board with me these days. Probably because I have lost 47 lbs now since I had the baby 5 months ago (but who is bragging?). He sees that I am sticking to something and I think he feels proud. I hope.

Anyone who feels like really challenging themselves, or lives in this area and wants a running buddy, you know where to find me! :)

Happy Running! And don't forget to check out my blog on Seattle P.I. Run!