Run A Way!: Long Time No See....

I haven't written here in over a month. Hmmm. I was busy running during that time however. I ran two marathons and a half-marathon trail run for a total of 65.5 race miles for the month of August. That's a personal record. I'm proud of me. I never imagined when I decided to run a marathon two years ago, that I would continue on as I have. I owe that to my running club and the members in it. They are wonderful, encouraging, funny people who make running long distances seem like a stroll in the park. I value their friendship.

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