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August 05, 2004
Running High?
After my half marathon disaster, I decided to take this week one day at a time, but I made a promise to myself that I would run everyday - no matter how fast or how slow or how badly I did not want to drag myself out the door. I have this bad habit of taking days off - a lot of days off. Most serious runners I know run everyday unless they have a planned day off. Since I don't have a coach, I tend to average a day off per week (sometimes two), but no more! I am determined to put the big "C" back into my running - CONSISTENCY (my good friend in Boston would be proud).
My week began with a 4 mile run on Monday night - I was still recovering from my depression and therefore needed a "therapy" run with B. Here's the annoying thing about B. - he is one of those people who can just perform well no matter what. He rowed competitively for 4 years at ND so he has a lot of leg power; he also ran a 3:29 marathon on little training - and he threw back a few cold ones the night before the marathon! He runs one or two days a week, but he can still show up for a half marathon and run 1:36 - ridiculous. He wants to run sub 3 too, so I told him that if he runs at least runs 4 days a week it shouldn't be a problem! Running is just a hobby for him, which keeps me sane :-)
Anyway, Tuesday I started to feel good again so I ran 7 miles and then took a spin class taught by one of Lance Armstrong's teammates, Robbie Ventura. It was awesome! B. and I also ran 3.5 - 4 miles that night.
On Wednesday I ran with J. J. is a 3:03 marathoner and a personal inspiration to me. She is a total throwback to the 70s with her hair bandana, bright red shorts and free spirited nature. We decided to run about 15 miles, and the last 2 miles mother nature unleashed all of her tears on us! We happily jumped the puddles and kicked it in.
We ran at a fairly moderate pace, enough to make both of our legs feel fatigued and fuel-less. J. and I always find something interesting to talk about - usually female oppression and how we must band together as confident, powerful women and take the world by storm.
Today I just ran nice and easy. I ran with my older sister, C., a veteran of two marathons (she swears she will NEVER do another one!). We strolled along at a 9 or 10 minute pace for about 6 miles, but it was glorious. I also have a twin sister that I sometimes run with, A., but she is much more interested in climbing mountains than running along mile after mile. I don't think running is very exciting for her, but she is amazing when she does decide to run!
I have a great story about A. that I love to tell. She had not run a step in 3 months because she was buried under books studying for the CPA exam (trust me though, she does not meet the typical "boring" criteria for being an accountant), and her boyfriend dared her to run a HALF MARATHON. She didn't blink an eye once before deciding to meet his challenge. So she flew out to Phoenix with her boyfriend, his sister and all of his sister's friends (all of them were running the half marathon). The night before the race, everyone is carbo-loading and talking strategy and my dear sister is eating icecream and probably enjoying a beer.
The gun smacks, she runs, and she beats everyone to the finish line - including her boyfriend who had trained 40 miles a week for this race! I WISH I had her talent. She is like B. She got kicked off the women's basketball intramural team in college and placed on the men's team. She can throw a ball, kick a ball, jump high. I always had to work a little harder and I still sat the bench in high school (basketball). I admire her athletic ability and laid back attitude. Her usual pre-race meal is a frozen icecream snickers bar. I think a lot of female runners could benefit greatly from hanging out with my twin!
Before I write a novel, I better turn out the lights and head for bed. I am running at 5:30AM.
Posted by bridget at August 5, 2004 10:40 PM