run like hell.

so it's the year of the running bull.

last fall, i got a wild hair after cheering on the Kansas City marathoners. it was so inspiring and very emotional to watch all these folks doing what i once did nearly 5 years ago.

but this time, it's different. i actually have completed one and live to tell about it. even managed a respectable time and all, keeping in mind that i trained by myself, i had never run more than 5 miles at the time i decided to train, and i hated running long distance all my life, really. ahh, but the memories haven't faded of the aftermath either. the limping around, tragically, for weeks after and not having enough sense to a) go see a doc, therapist, chiropractor, accupuncturist, orthopedic surgeon, or christ -ANYONE- who might make sense of the pain/injury...or b) refer back to the options in aforementioned list.

okay back to watching the marathoners whiz by. you see, that was my point of no return. when my innerspeak was hollering: get your lazy, off-the-running-bandwagon-ass back into the groove and sign up. i felt ready. inspired. and i am ready to get into the best shape of my life by age 40. why start slowly?

and along with me, cheering on the corner back on that october chilled day, was my hubby. mind you, he is only a runner when necessary (i.e. annual Trolley Run follies with beer and breakfast to follow) or due to participation in a duathalon or triathalon. no, he's never run for its ability to whip one's ass into cardio shape. he's a cyclist and cares not about watching a mile go by at a mere 5 or 6 mph. he'd prefer to watch them zip by at 17 or 18 mph whilst having his feet clipped in upon pedals in a fashion you'll never see me locking into, thanks. i don't desire to join my bike in a tumbling routine with it still attached to me and my bloodied ass as i roll end-over-end on the pavement. but thanks for asking. i don't give a fuck if lance armstrong makes it cool and hip and all easy looking. (and while we're on the topic of bikes for a minute - because of my reference to lance - did you know he'll be doing the grand and fantastic RAGBRAI '07 - that stands for Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa? now, then, i might consider getting on the bike for a week for RAGBRAI, but i'll do it SANS clipped feet onto pedals and only if lance promises to be my pace leader.)

sorry, digressing. this is about running, not about cycling goddamn it.

okay, so, training officially began for us mid-January with a training group called The Runner's Edge. a fantastic group led by an incredible coach. we are so lucky to have gotten the sense to join (thanks to my hub who demanded we train this way). every saturday we do a group run beginning at the crack o' dawn. and i love it. despite the cursing from mother nature we receive nearly every damn saturday, i still love it. the people we've met. the education we've received. this is a life altering part of my life. and to do it with my hub makes it even more prodigious. what's more - i've convinced him we should run the biggie in chicago this fall as well. because why only do 1 when you can do 2, yeah?

the marathon is a mere 13 days away. nashville, tennessee here we come. then after about a month of slacking, we'll pony up once more for the summer session of our running group and prepare for chicago in october.

sweat takes on a whole new meaning at mile 26.

love & gu from me to you.