Dorky Commuter

It’s T-minus-six days until the race and my nerves are starting to kick in. Not to mention my right knee, which has never been a problem, feels weird.

I expect my left knee to hurt. (We have a history together – falling on ice, falling on concrete, cheerleading, surgery, etc.) But when a totally different knee hurts, I get a little freaked.

This weekend I took the pain to mean I needed to rest – did a short 3 miles on Sunday, but nothing else. And I’ve now turned into the ultimate dorky commuter with my running shoes on. But, hey – I can’t chance being hurt on Sunday.

Runner's High

With less than four weeks left to go, I’m feeling more confident about the race. This weekend was my first-ever 10-miler. Yes, it hurt, but not as bad I thought it would and not for very long. After an afternoon nap, my leg pains were pretty much gone. (… if only the nasty headache I had would have gone away, too.)

One of the greatest things about this endeavor is that I reintroduced myself to the runner’s high. It’s something that happens at different points for people, but it’s one of the most amazing feelings in the world. Remember when you were young and running around without a care in the world. You know, when you thought you were invincible and the only thing stopping you from getting to the top of the tree was fear of the trouble you would get in from the adults, not fear of falling.

That’s what it’s like for me. My first two or three miles are spent psyching myself into my runs. (Because I run in the mornings, there is a huge mental wall in the way at times, but I chug on.) At around mile three and four, I feel good. Wow, I’m running. Me, the girl who had the doctor write a permanent note for gym class so she would NEVER have to run; and I’m pretty good. Mile five is cake (and I often dream of the cake I can eat since I did run!). From there it's bliss… I just get this huge boost of energy like I can do anything… climb the highest tree, jump from the sky or, even run a marathon (crazy).

Don’t worry; I don’t think there is a marathon in my future, because runner’s high can’t fix my knee, but it is truly one of the greatest feelings. If you’re not into running, swim a mile or bike about 15 miles – it happens then, too. Pushing your body to its limits feels awesome – I highly recommend it!

Feeling Invincible

One of the greatest things about running for me is feeling like nothing can stop you. It had been a long time since I felt that amazing feeling--like I could run forever. Yesterday, it came back.

I missed my morning run yesterday, but came home early enough to take a run through on the trail in front of my house.

Baby Girl?

When did it become a turn on or even attractive to use the term "baby girl" when referring to a woman? (And what does this have to do with running, right?)

At the start of my daily runs, I head north on my street and happen through my "town," which has a pretty lively nightlife that often extends into the early hours of my run, on Fridays and Saturdays mostly. But today -- Thursday -- I run past a group of three guys (early 20s, I guess) who call out to me "Hey, baby girl!" "Hey, baby girl." (I don't reply and they mumble something.) Sadly this is not the first time someone has referred to me as "baby girl," but I had a good three miles to over-contemplate the encounter and I'm left baffled. What did these guys hope to accomplish? Was I going to stop my training to say, "Hey, big boys how's that corner treatin' you?" And then what?

Whatever the desired outcome, I'm more concerned that we -- women -- have somehow made it OK to be referred to as one might a child. Why is it that a man is a "big daddy" (don't get me started on that one), but women are "baby girls?" I guess it's all part of the gross incest theme of sexual relations in our society. When did that happen? Perhaps I should do more research. I'd much prefer a man (or woman) call me "Michelle" with a loving glance than any of these weird terms of endearment.

(end of rant)

And the run? I ran today because by the time I got home last night my head was hurting and I didn't feel like running. (I did a yoga DVD instead.) This mornings run was OK. It started off slow, but got better as I hit mile one. My knee was a little sore after, but nothing a little ice didn't help.

Getting Back Up

So you could say I've fallen off the training a bit this past month. And the truth is I have no one to blame but myself. But I've promised myself that I will run four times this week and yoga twice. I'm started well with a great three mile run yesterday. I missed yoga this morning, but will make it up tomorrow evening.

My inspiration is a book titled: Anti Cancer: A New Way of Life, by David Servan-Schreiber. Mike and I were lucky enough go to the official launch party and hear from David himself about the book and his personal struggles with cancer. He takes the "you are what you eat" adage a few steps further -- "you are what you eat, drink and do and who you hang out with." I can't wait to read the book.

The truth is if we all work to be better versions of ourselves, the world would be a much better place. As simple as that seems, that's my goal. Each day I'm going to try to improve on the fabulousness that is me. Sounds like a plan to me!

Bad Cold

After a great slow and steady run on Saturday, as planned, I went away to Greenport for the weekend and got sick. I'm not sure if it was getting caught in the rain or the freezing hotel room, with the air conditioner controlled by my brother. Either way, I've been down and out for three full days.

With four months to go, I'm getting nervous. I really need to get back on track. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow.

Rehab...Already

OK. So my little injury took me down for a few days--literally. Walking was tough and the fact that my new job requires me to dress like a grownup didn't help. (Wearing shoes that are usually referred to as pumps is not easy when your entire left legs hurts. Good news is I used this as an excuse to buy new shoes!)

So it was time to rehab. I used the bike trainer in our basement to help build up my muscles yesterday evening, some icy hot before bed (ah the smell of old people!) and hopped on the bike again this morning. So while I didn't run after Tuesday's injury, I should be able to get back on track tomorrow. That would make three days of running--which is not too bad.

Next week: No excuses. Time to get up to five days of running with yoga in between.

And So it Begins

Word is out--I'm planning to run a half marathon. (I even told my mom!) And, like many people on the Web, I plan to chronicle my training here. The truth is that I need to be held accountable. By musing about my running excursions here, I have even more of reason to stay on track. 

Since this will act as a running log of sorts, you can expect to hear some of the details of my runs—distance, speed, muscle strains, etc. But you'll also get a peek into my head. I do my best thinking on my runs and I'll share some of that with you. 

Let's get started:

This week I started my official training. I need to get body used to running five days a week, then build up to running around eight or nine miles before really training. Day two (today) for this week was OK. I pulled something in my groin (and yes, I did check to make sure it's a groin for a girl, too), so I had to cut my run a little short. I guess I was overexcited for my breakfast meeting in the corporate dining room and took off faster than I should have. (Not that it wasn't warranted, I mean the corporate dining room has people serving you and there was even a menu! I was totally thinking bagels and muffins. No sir, I got an omelet made with Gruyere cheese—fancy! ) 

Tonight it's stretching for me.