Sometimes up... (ooh oooooh)... Somtimes down....

Anyone else like motown? Then you should be singing along to my subject line.

So, this past Saturday, as some of you may know, was the crazy/stormy/rainy/snowy-pocalypse that had everyone hunkering down inside, and has still left a few without power in my dear Northeast.

Well, not everyone was hunkering. Oh no. Team Challenge powered through for a run on the Mount Vernon trail, and it might be one of the worst runs I've had. I just felt waterlogged, and cold, and awful. I walked most of it. HOWEVER, thanks to Coach Lisa, I turned that frown upside down and managed to enjoy the second half, after cursing under my breath for the first half.

Cut to Wednesday. I had to stay at work late, so couldn't join the fun run. I left one essential piece of running clothing at home, so quickly went to get it, and ran from there down to the White House. I didn't plan on going that far, but I just... kept going. I touched the fence, then started back up 16th. I felt GREAT.

So, through the ups and downs of training, I'm still happy that I'm doing this. Overall, I feel a little behind (the half is in ONE MONTH!!), but I know I'll get through it with the help of my teammates and a little inner positivity. (Right?)

Saturday, Saturday!

One of the things I thought I'd like least about training for the half-marathon is getting up early on a Saturday morning. I'll confess that I'm not the best morning person... I'll get up, sure, but I'd most likely rather sleep a little later.

Meeting up with my Team Challenge folks on Saturday mornings, however, is totally worth it. We warm up, we get excited, and we head on out and run like rockstars. It feels great.

Yesterday was one of these occasions. I, perhaps, stayed up a little late on Friday night, and couldn't imagine getting up at 7am on Saturday. One of my dear teammates texted me at 7, we commiserated about being tired, and we both got our butts in gear.

I did 6.5 miles or so, had great chats with my teammates, and got a delicious bagel sandwich afterward. The leaves have started to turn, the air is crisp, and it all felt wonderful.

So, in short: this whole running thing produces odd behavior in me, but I sure do like it.

I've been remiss, I apologize.

Hello everyone!

So, I've been slacking. Not so much on the running, but definitely on the blogging. Suffice it to say, I think I'm in relatively good shape for the half-marathon, even with a bit of a training hiatus through some of September (busy work schedule = less training for me.)

Last night, I ran around the Tidal Basin at sunset and up and down the Jefferson Memorial steps a bunch of times. What can I say: if you have to train for a long-distance run, this really is the city to live in. It was just perfect.

Next stop: Wednesday fun run with the Team Challenge crew, and then Saturday morning at the Capital Crescent (followed by Bethesda Bagel, of course!)

Any new running songs on your playlists? Do tell, I need some inspiration for the longer ones!!

Getting back into the groove... bit by bit.

Hey folks.

It's no secret, I've been slacking over the past number of months on the running front. I've let the craziness of life take over, and haven't made enough time to take care of myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining; it's just time to get a move on and get back into the swing of things!

I'm trying to be good about easing back in to training and not just jumping in at 150%. This week has felt great-- had a Team Challenge training on Wednesday night on the Mall, which was gorgeous, and I managed to run more of it than I thought I could. The picture below pretty much sums it up-- lovely.

Today, I went on a nice long fast walk with my dad, up and down the beach. I'll get in a few walk/runs with my sister in law this weekend once she gets here (ah, beach running, my favorite!) and that'll round it all out nicely.

If I learned anything last season, it's that I have to be patient. I know I can do this, I just have to be good to myself and listen to my body and realize that I won't be able to run 13 miles in the first week-- and that's a-ok.

Next step: get my iPod shuffle fixed. I'm all for communing with nature as I run, but sometimes a girl just needs a little Britney to put some pep in her step.

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Back at it. Team Challenge Vegas 2011!

Hello, dear readers...

Training starts this week for Vegas 2011 with Team Challenge, and I'm pumped. Nervous, but pumped. The good thing about this, vs. last year, is that I know that I CAN finish and I CAN raise a good amount of money for Team Challenge! I’m a mentor this season, so in addition to my own training and fundraising, I’ll be working with others on my team to help motivate them toward their fundraising and training goals. Fun!

Today I went for a 7.3 mile walk, with a smidge of jogging in there. It felt great. I'll be adding in more jogging this week, and hopefully getting back up to speed in no time. With the end of school, start of a new job, etc etc, my training has been subpar at best over the last few months-- but no more excuses.

I'm back, y'all.

Now I just need an updated playlist. Any suggestions?

M

Aaaand... we're back!

OK friends... happy 2011!

I bet none of you are reading anymore. BUT! I shall blog on!!

I'm training for the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler, and need to speed up. Also there will be a number of 5Ks in my future. Exciting, no?

It has been a lazy month and a half or so since Vegas, and it's time to get this butt back in gear. Thank goodness for equally motivate-able friends, who will help keep me honest! Today's run featured the one and only Ryan, my dear friend from school/work. Our third running pal, Jess, couldn't make it due to Super Bowl priorities... so that was sad.

In any case, we jogged/walked 4.5 miles or so. Ryan is a real speed demon, because he is quite tall. I'm hoping that by catching up with him I am subconsciously teaching my body to run faster. I think, yes.

One and done.

It's done! I finished the Rock n' Roll Vegas Half-Marathon, and ran the whole thing! This will be a great jumping-off point for the future--I'm already looking at what will be the next race. I'd like to improve on my time and keep up the running for fun--I think I've caught the bug!

Thank you all for your support over the last many many months. This blog has helped keep me honest and chronicle my journey from "haven't run in 13 years" to "just ran 13.1 miles." Pretty exciting.

On to the next one!