Here I am - happy as a clam...not suspecting this year would end very much like it began.

...with me not running.

Woke up to snow flakes this morning and had this running through my head all day.

I take no credit for this. Grabbed if off Google images :)

I ended up running!  3 frigid miles.

There's something about signing up for a run club event that gets you out the door, you know?  I'm glad for the accountability.  Even though it was 33 degrees (with a real feel temp of 23), it wasn't so bad.  Just layer up and keep on moving!

What about you?

Are you pumped for winter running?

What motivates you to run when it's oh so cold outside?

 

It's about time I'm sitting down the finish this race report.  So much to say about a race I wasn't supposed to start much less finish. :)

Lots to be thankful for with this one.

Finished!  Praise the Lord.

Tired but happy

 

 

 

Race report to come...

3 days left to race day.  That’s 3, 2, Marathon!

I’m ready as I’ll ever be considering I haven’t been running and have spent the greater part of the last 10 months nursing a foot injury.  

Evidence A:   the chart below is of my last three [and basically only] weeks of training.

My buddy Liza allowed me to ride along side her on her 17 mile training run yesterday.  This is one of our favorites through 5 suburban Boston towns.

I brought my iPod along...  This is what resulted.

*No bikers were injured in the production of this film.  PTL.

Burned my mouth on Friday roasting marshmallows on the stove...

To my regret the busyness of life has translated into a 3-week hiatus from blogging.

I didn't intend to take the time off... I even started a few entries only to run out of time in completing them.  Asi es la vida (such is life!)

 

We arrived to the crowd rocking out to Karma Chameleon...

The City Sports back in the day 80's 10k

The awesomeness is all in the name.  There was everything-- from Madonna's to MJ dress-a-likes to mullet wigs and scrunchies.  And, spandex, oh the spandex!

Some Helpful Tips from Nathan Sports

Nathan

 

If you haven't decided on summer plans yet, I suggest taking up running!  What else are you going to do with all that sunshine and extra time?  

Last summer catapulted my running to a new level with more consistent time on the road.  Marathon training had just begun and I was feeling stronger and more fit everyday.  It was hard but, what can I say?  I like running outside.

I sat this one out this year but I thought I'd post some pictures anyway.  Enjoy.

http://www.jpmorganchasecc.com/index.php

Today was my first spin class.   Ever!

(photo credit: Liza)

I have wanted to get a pair of zero drop shoes for almost as long as I've known about minimalist running.  When my doctor recommended that I use a shoe with more cushioning to help with my injury, I immediately thought my zero drop dreams were over. 

Then, I stumbled upon Altra Zero Drop Footwear and the Altra Torin.

Here's a short review...

"What started as a way to warm up before working out continued and grew because running is awesome." 

When I say, running is awesome.  It makes sense when people ask "so you've always been a runner?"  I get curious stares when I answer, "no" and I usually have to explain.  I get it.  It's a curious thing.

http://www.runningday.org/

Happy National Running Day.

In honor of the now belated occasion I thought I'd finally get to the post about why I choose to lace up most days of the week and subject myself to what most people view as torture.

I was not always a runner.  In fact, I never dreamed I'd like running.  The Love of running for me came on slowly.

Song writer Mark Altrogee penned,

"You are beautiful beyond description,
Too marvelous for words,
Too wonderful for comprehension,
Like nothing ever seen or heard.
Who can grasp your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depth of your love?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Majesty enthroned above."

Looking out at the ocean always reminds me of this song.

Afternoon Run

1 mile - Easy Run

Treadmill


Four months have gone by and still the same old ache in my right foot.  This is what's up.

At the start of the year, I was on fire! making race plans for the year and feeling ready to kick butt at every distance.  By mid January, I was hobbling around like a "gimpy limpin' momma" wincing with every step.

Foot pain = bad news for a runner.

The soreness in my legs this week really reminds me to take nothing for granted. 

Yesterday, I completed 2 miles but definitely had to hop off the treadmill a couple of times to catch my breath during the run.  Slowing down wasn't an option.  I was only running at an 11:50 pace!

I honestly can't remember the last time 2 was difficult but, as I was getting a little overwhelmed by the struggle, a coworker who was also working out at the same time commented, "you're on there for a long time; you look like you're going strong".  Only then I remembered that two miles is far.  Lots of people can't run that far but I can, albeit slowly, and  I was reminded to be thankful.

Being injured is one thing but snapping out of the cycle of feeling sorry for yourself is quite another.  My foot still hurts, yes, but I am able to run on it now.  PTL.  I was also able to purchase some sweet new cushiony zero drops (review coming soon) which will help with the impact and I have great friends who are supportive and genuinely interested in my progress.  All things to be thankful for.

I've run 5 difficult miles so far this week and it feels great.

Cool.

BOSTON STRONG

WE ARE ONE BOSTON

Afternoon Run

2.62 mile - Easy Run

Treadmill

A tribute.

To those who died.  To the injured.  To those who didn't get to finish.

One week after the Boston Marathon bombings and life is slowly returning to normal for the majority of us.  Today the whole city paused at 2:50pm to remember the victims of this event.  This, for me, was a comforting pause.  In thinking ahead to my workout later in the day, I decided at that moment I would dedicate today's run (2.62 miles) to the marathon.

It was hard.  Having been out and injured for the past 3 months, I am acutely aware of how out of shape I am- from weight gain to muscle attrition to cardio sluggishness.  The farthest I've gone in recent days has been 1 mile...and that some 14 days ago.  I felt every bit of this run.

But...

My pounding heart and the pain in my foot were nothing compared to my desire to get it done to honor all those hurting-- even in my own silent way on a treadmill in the corner...running and praying for God's grace over this city.

--
On Marathon Monday, my friend Liza and I were in the Copley area from about 9:45am till the frightful moment of the blasts.  I have not been back to the area since but I can imagine it still has some of the eeriness of loss.  As we are comforting others and being comforted, it has helped me to look back at my marathon pictures from earlier in the day that day.  Marathon Monday is typically the happiest day in Boston (especially for us runners) and this year's honestly started out as a gorgeous day full of such energy.

Enjoy these highlights as they showcase the spirit that (as this city has shown so far) cannot be broken.

Rita Jeptoo, top female finisher!

Battling for 2nd!

Go Shalane!

Kara!

Lelisa Desisa, top male finisher!

Like a gazelle!

Hartmann!

Didn't even see Rando hotdog man until after I took this picture.

Barefooter! My favorite...obvi

Afternoon Run

1 mile - Easy Run

Treadmill

I went to the gym today after work and it felt like it had been in a while.

What?  Like 2 or 3 weeks?

I couldn't remember the last time and since things like this always get me, I decided to ask.  The conversation with the guy at the reception desk went like this.

Me:  "Hi.  Can you tell me when I last signed into the gym?"
Guy: "Ah, yeah.  February 19th.  He he, not quite two months."
Me (internally mortified):  "Okay. Thanks."

Got to do better than this.

So, my April Fool's resolution-- do people make these?  I make these-- is to get back at it.  I have been discouraged with my foot and all but a month and a half?  Really, Cha?  I need to make at minimum a twice a week effort at the gym at least until I'm running again.  And...maybe resume blogging?  We will see.