Run A Way!: January 2008

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Dreadmill Day

I got called in to work today which sort of wrecked my planned 9 mile run. I would now have to race down Meridian (the local version of a linear parking lot) right after work to get my allergy shot before the doctor's office closed. That would bring me home just in time for sunset and falling temperatures. I don't mind running in the dark, but the dark with icy patches is just not my cup of tea. The alternative - a treadmill. Mine is in my garage - on the carpeted part - with a TV, DVD player and cable hook-up. Sounds not-so-bad, perhaps even inviting. I wish I could convince myself. I really hate the treadmill. It is dreadful. I turn on a favorite show, crank up the sound, have my iPod on to blare my favorite music when the show gets boring. Nothing seems to work. I end up playing mind games with the numbers on the mileage/calories burned/elapsed time display. Booooooring! I consider myself a 'real' runner every time I complete a treadmill workout. Only a 'real' runner would do that. Dreadmills - the last choice for a 'real' runner...

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Fat Flakes Run

Just returned from my regular run - except today it wasn't "regular". When I started it was cold and looked like it could rain or snow or something in-between. Well, it started to rain, then it turned into snow, and by the second mile the sky was full of big, fat, fluffy flakes. I held my mouth skyward trying to catch as many as I could. I felt like I was a kid again and I started to pick up the pace. The snow started to stick to the ground a bit, and the trees had pearls of water dripping from the branches. A beautiful, magical look. By the start of the fourth and final mile I felt like running it in faster, but my running partner was starting to lag. I decided to do some fartleks to burn some of my extra energy. They seemed to do the trick. My breathing became harder and I felt like I was really running. I'll have to do more fartleks in the future when I feel the pace is starting to drag. What a gorgeous run!

I Guess I'm a Blogger!

OK, I'm new at this. I'm not sure how this will look and so I don't want to write much (once in cyberspace, always in cyberspace....) This may be an exercise in simplicity.

Why I'm a Runner

I started running in 1996 after getting an injury from step aerobics. I developed an inflammation between the ribs which would seemingly heal after a week of rest and then become re-inflamed as soon as I resumed my workouts. I decided to try running since it was mainly lower-body. I couldn't run to the end of my street without stopping to walk. This was something I was going to have to work at. I did work at it. At that time my running partner was my dog Rio. She was incredible - always anxious to go and she kept an absolutely steady pace. My first goal was to run for an hour without stop and Rio and I achieved that goal after several months of trying. I ran several times a week for years and then decided I wanted to race. I kept hoping someone would ask me to join then in this endeavor but that was not to be. I finally took the plunge and signed up for the Seattle Torchlight 8K in 2005. I met one of my son's cross country friends at the sign-in and his father ran the entire race with me (blowing away his chances at a PR by doing so). What a nice guy. I still see the two of them at races throughout the year. I also started running with a neighborhood friend in 2005 and she and I have run races together and encouraged each other to run on those days when we just don't feel like running. In November of 2006 I joined the Y Run Club to help me train for a marathon. Because of them (yes, I do blame them!) I didn't stop at one marathon. I have run many marathons and even a few ultras with plans for more. I am also proud to be Marathon Maniac #606. Most importantly however, I now consider myself to be a "runner"!

A Few of the Races I've Run