Week Summary: 40 mi

In an effort to make my 83 mile goal this month I tried to do some catchup this week. I think that it payed off pretty well. While at Mcay today Pamela jokingly passed me the Hackers 2 soundtrack. It was $3.95. Although it's old, and Hackers is a bit of a lame movie now, I still enjoyed listening to some sweet techno beats as I ran this evening. Ran a quick five miles in the beautiful evening turned night. Stars and moon shined bright as I jogged by the lake. Very nice.

Abby Half Marathon

Today was beautiful. Pamela asked me to do a couple of things around the house. I looked on the list and asked, "why is running with Abby not on this list?" I slowly completed my chores around the house, which included taking the Christmas lights down, and set out for a run. The sky was blue with animal shaped clouds. The sun warmed up the 52 degree breeze, and the dog and I ran. We ran without a real goal, but I knew that I wanted to do at least nine miles again. When we made it to nine I was feeling pretty good. At about mile eight I let Abby get into the lake (Melton Lake Greenway), instant recharge. We ran and ran, and finished at a nice even number. Twelve miles.
Word.

Beautiful Day: 9 mi

Today was sunny, windy, and 77 degrees. What a perfect day for a run! I was able to get out of school relatively early and arrived at Melton Lake Greenway at about 4:15. I decided that I was going to run at least five miles and take advantage of the beautiful weather. When mile five came I decided to continue on to complete the entire length of the greenway (6.8 mi). When I arrived back at my car I thought "If I run a little over a mile, and then back, that will be a big nine miles!" Nine miles is a new personal record. I was pretty pleased with myself.

Runderwear: 5 mi

I've been thinking about purchasing some runderwear for some time now. Running in cotton briefs is a drag, and so is the price of name-brand running gear. I've been hiking up my running shorts to illuminate the thigh rash issue, but have felt like its been a temporary fix. Funny how the right underwear can make such a big difference. At my friend's suggestion I checked out walmart after my evening run down on Melton Lake Greenway. I spent $30 and bought two pears of starter running underwear, and a wicking shirt. After trying them on I know that I'm going to be enjoying my runs that much more. Very nice.
It was a beautiful evening down at the lake, and aside from almost loosing my bladder on the way back, it was fantastic.

Comeback Weekend: 10 mi

OK, so I've been pretty sick for the past couple of weeks. I did my best to be responsible, and rest as much as possible. Due to the fact that I only had really ran for a month, I was pretty concerned that I would loose my drive, and heart. Each day that I did not run, I felt like I was being beat. It was like watching the 83 mile a month goal slowly slip by. I also am not secure with myself yet. So many times in my life I've set goals for myself, and have not completed them. This is a goal I desperately want to achieve.
Each day I did not feel well, I wanted to be sure that I was taking for rest, and was not simply making an excuse for not running. I've had it with excuses --> "There is no tomorrow." Saturday I hit it, "I'll just run three miles to get back in the swing of things," I told Pamela as I headed out. Not true. I felt great. I did my six mile loop, and had a great run. Today I woke up at 6:45 to go for an early morning run. Rain and 39 degree temperature defeated me. It rained all day, started snowing, then stopped. I saw my window, and took it. A little over four miles, and a happy dog later it's time for dinner.
Glad to be back.

Sick: 6 mi

So, last week I ran 25 miles. I had some car trouble over the weekend, so I was unable to run on Sunday, which was fine. I decided that four six mile runs a week would do the trick, and give me some rest-days. A good plan. I totally got sick whilst working on the car Sunday night. I took Monday off to finish fixing the car and to rest. Tuesday I felt terrible, and went to bed at 7:30. Wednesday I felt a bit better and went to bed at 8. Yesterday I felt like my good old congested self again, so I hit the road.

I ran six miles, and they felt like the best six miles yet. I felt like I was truly running. I shaved a good twenty minutes off the loop, and today I feel a bit sore.

Nice.

Week 1 Summary: 25 mi

A good week of running. One highlight was on Saturday morning as I ran my 6 mile loop. A guy on a bike, who passed me twice. I figured he was doing the same loop I was. As Abby and I passed him the second time he said "You're doing a great run!" It was an amazing to get such a great compliment from that guy. I got total runner's high, and finished my run with pride. Not bad at all.

January Summary: 120.6 mi

120.6 miles ran this month.

That works out to about 30 miles a week. I decided to come home and challenge the couch to another run. Actually I wanted to pick up Abby again. I needed 5.5 miles to round off January to 120.

I ran the Melton Lake Greenway to Emory Valley Greenway and back around to Melton again. So tonight I ran 6.1 miles.

It was a good time.

Melton -> Emory Valley: 5.95 mi

Today, on the way home I realized that I should pick up the little lab Abby. The problem was, the moment I got home I felt the sticky web-like effect that made it really hard to get out. I did make it after a bit. We ran from China (Chinese restaurant) on Melton Lake and crossed over to the Emory Valley Greenway. We ran and ran.

As we crossed a little over half way Tony drove up beside us. It was pretty cool. He and I carried on a conversation for a couple of minutes. Abby and I had a great time.

Frosty Shoulders and Morning Revelations: 3.38 mi

This morning I woke up a little late. I had plans to run to Panera to meet Tony. I briefly thought, "I'll just meet him there." Immediately I remembered my personal philosophy of "There is no tomorrow." It's mostly about confronting my own excuses. I figured, even if I'm late, or Tony has to pick me up on the way, a mile is a mile. So, I figured I had roughly 45 minutes to run if I hurried. I left a disappointed dog, and went to run. It was 24 degrees out so I wore my tights, and started slow (Red Robin burger-binge last night). I felt the pressure as I ran, and was uncomfortable trying to beat the clock. After a couple of miles I started to feel better, having conquered my mental blocks. I called Tony at 7:47 and let him know where I was, and that it would be cool if he picked me up. Another 15 minutes, or no Red Robin, and I would have made it.

Tony and I had a great talk about education, had some revelations about my life as I ran, and am now back home. Not a bad way to start the day.

I am blessed in every way, and thank the Lord for my life.

31 miles this week.