I understand that it is generally a good idea to stay on course while out running – meaning stay on the sidewalk. But, what do you do when there is a truck parked on the sidewalk? What if the street that you are running on a very busy street and the bike lane is pretty much nonexistent?
LIVESTRONG
My breathing felt uneasy as I hit the pavement for the first time since Monday. My irregular running pattern is disappointing. I have nobody to blame but myself for not getting out the door. I could feel my LIVESTRONG band bouncing around on my right wrist.
A stranger to my wrist, the band has been hanging on my shift lever since September 2005. That was when I removed it, disgusted with the sudden death of my step dad. Over the past two years the band has been more of a reminder of lives lost to cancer rather than the reason that I first slipped in on.
Now for different reasons, I was willing to slip it back on my wrist again. Staring at the words “LIVE” and “STRONG,” I am reminded of how I must move beyond the pulls to become a victim of circumstance. At least that is what I want the words to motivate me to do.
The band soon settled down, finding its place on my wrist, realizing the change since it last hung there, and letting me define its new role. Rather than against my every move, it was now moving with me.
As I hit the hill, my pace slowed and my breathing became uneasy once again. LIVE, I thought. Be STRONG, I urged. Before long I was over the first hill and cruising down the other side. Representing the first of many hurdles to overcome, this hill workout is just another part of my training for the long journey I am on. Where I am going I will need to call upon my strength (band or not) to go on
…and I will LIVE STRONG
Huddled under the covers
At about 5 am this morning, when the cold air hitting my throat made each breath painful, I was convinced that the whole family should head down to the urgent care to have strep cultures done. I reached for a cough drop and pulled the blankets over my head. Of course Ronin thought it was a signal to get up. I just hid as he sniffed the covers, searching for the head that he was sure he’d seen just a moment before.
By the time 6 am came around, I was still huddled under the covers. The air was still cold and I had yet to hear the furnace turn on. I decided against getting up to use the bathroom, so as not to disturb the sleeping dogs, and to continue to enjoy the warmth of my bed. I, also, desperately wanted to return to my dream . In my dream Tom’s voice, touch, and the feeling of being loved was as real as ever. I my dream, I was with him. I heard his voice speaking to me but, due to natures call, I had been pulled away from him mid-conversation. By this point, I couldn’t remember what he’d said to me. I only knew that I want to be right back there with him, even if for just a few more hours.
I did fall asleep again, but I hadn’t reconnected with Tom. On the upside, my throat felt much better. At 8:30 am, I finally got up so that everyone (myself included) could relieve thier bladders. After that, it was time to assess, and plan out how my day would go.
Running Stats (2007)
January 112.64
February 109.76
March 53.32
April 108.35
May 103.16
June 113.98
July 30.60
August 152.65
September 153.52
October 116.70
November 105.87
December 56.64
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Total Miles: 1317.19
Lacing up again
I’ve noticed myself becoming out of breath in the short runs around the block. It’s been scary to think that I might not be able to run farther than 1 mile at a time without stopping. It’s been 12 days since my last real run. Nobody is counting, right? Oh yeah, I am. Besides becoming noticeably out of shape in a mere two weeks, I’ve been more irritable as well. It all goes to show that I need my runs.
So, today, I laced up my running shoes for a run without my furry friends. It was humbling, and encouraging at the same time. I also pulled out my 2008 calendar to count the weeks until the Napa Valley Marathon. There are only nine weeks until race day and I am registered. I know that I haven’t mentioned this before. This is probably because the act of registering was impulsive and without forethought. I also should add that I have only the goal of finishing in mind.
Of course, you know me better than that. I can say that I only want to finish the race, but I know that I will want more once the race day arrives. How can you strive towards Boston Qualification (BQ) over and over and then just give up? Well, regardless of what happens in my training, and on race day, do know that I have not given up. I am just planning to scale down my training to allow for my new life’s demands (my new job, bereavement support groups, the puppy, single mommy-hood, etc). I am hoping to be ready to announce my attack race by summer. Until then, I am just trying to keep some sanity going.