Where have I been?

Oh my goodness! I’m not really certain!!

It has been 45 days since my last “race.”

Recall – I don’t actually “race.”

I “finish”!!!!

45. Wow. That’s a lot of days. Now I really don’t know where I’ve been.

Where ever I was, I was in sandals… not running shoes.

I’m not sure what happened.

My first half-marathon was HUGE. I didn’t know if I’d finish.

My second. Well, it was hard. It was hilly. The well trained athletes had a few words for that course. I finished it though. That was my goal. Just finish what I started. I knew I would, because I had finished one half marathon, I could finish them all. No question.

After that, something happened. Motivation left me. Desire left me.

I almost completely stopped running.

I got sad. Very sad. I smiled at everyone. It was an act. I shared with just one friend that I was struggling. I didn’t understand why. A lot had changed in my world. Family-wise mostly. I wasn’t really me.

Then the headaches came. Headaches have been my partner in crime since I was 18. The shoulder started to hurt. Then the leg. I was becoming weak. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.

I went 13 days without touching my running shoes. Those were very dark days.

Throughout my month’s hap-hazard training, I stood proud that I had only missed one long run and that was because I was sick! Dressed and ready to run, but not healthy enough to do so.

So here I was. “In training” for a half-marathon and I’d missed another long run (13 days without running = 1 long run and numerous vital training runs).

Something struck me.

I could not, I would not, miss my 10 mile run. Did I know it was stoopid to attempt such a run after two weeks of laziness? Yes. Was I willing (or stubborn) enough to do it anyway? Yes!

The night before my run was crazy! I was excited. Like, race day excited. I jumped out of bed when I realised my Garmin had sat dormant for two weeks! What if it needed to be charged?!?! Oh, and my ipod too! I honestly think I slept better the night before my “race,” than I before this long run!

Two things happened on my 10 mile run. One – My run was fantastic. Two – My run sucked! Yes, I suffered tiredness and aches from not training properly, but more I suffered from the heat. It was 70 when I started and 80 when I finished. I am a Fenway runner (aka – fair weather runner). See Fenway is a dog. With fur. Lots of fur. She doesn’t handle the heat well. She’s sneaky though… acts like she’s gonna sniff something… for a really loooooonnnggg time. Oh hey, look, shade, let’s lay down for a few!!

Okay, I’m not quite that bad. I don’t stop and nap, but I do walk. So the first 4 miles of my run were wonderful! I needed them! After that, well, I needed a scooter. Or a cab. Alas, silly me. I took the Centennial trail – where there are no scooters or cabs – so I walked what I had to, but I finished those 10 miles!

Within 30 minutes of completing my run, I felt refreshed and new! I didn’t smell so fresh and new, but I didn’t care. I felt accomplished! I felt excited!

That night I registered for Iron Girl Seattle, a 10k, and the Sandpoint Scenic Half. As I do with all things that excite me, I blabbed about it on Facebook. Oh my goodness! The people that “liked” my status… People I never heard from. People I forgot were there. Wow the support! Feed my excitement, why don’t ya’?!?!

Then this morning (well, technically yesterday morning, as it is nearly 5 am and I’ve been up 22+ hours, but that’s another story)… So, the next morning I got an email from the Sandpoint Half Marathon Committee and my heart skipped a beat with excitement. I had forgotten all the encouragement and reminders that are forced upon you when you make such a commitment.

I was unbelievably excited!

A dear friend of mine woke to a text about how excited I was over this email.

I’m glad my friends love me for being easily amused!!

Tonight I updated my calendar, which shows all my scheduled runs through September. I have THREE half marathons in the next 3 months. Did I mention that? I can’t wait. 3-for-3. Crazy fun!

Then, I got to watch a friend update her calendar - runs and all! She’s about to begin training for a FULL marathon! I’m SO excited!!! The great news is, she’s such a faster runner than I am, we’ll be on different plans but finish at the same time! Did someone say beer? ;)

So. I still don’t really know where I’ve been.

But…

I’m back.

And…

I ‘m headed to Sandpoint. Spokane. Seattle.

3-for-3.

I. Cannot. Wait.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Too the one person out there that I know will read this, who is having a baby on Friday – well, that is FAR cooler than anything I’ve blithered on about here. Congratulations! I’m very excited for you and your family! Thank you for ALL of your encouragement :)