Man the holidays are definetly a killer to the training regiment. I had not ran in five days until today and I put in a hard four miles and thought I was going to be sick when I finished. I worked out with weights fairly hard before I ran so that might have added to my difficulties today, but I think it was more holiday weight and holiday lag that killed me. Oh well...great weather and I look forward to running further tomorrow.

It has been 16 years since I have had the pleasure to run in the snow. 16 years ago I was 18 years old, in great shape and ran like a freaking deer. 16 years later...I am still in fair shape, more muscle mass and yes more fat (should not have to say such things.). So today...well there was a snow advisory for last night but nothing fell...nothing. Through out the day today there were clouds but the sun would poke out every now and then and one would think that good weather was coming. Shortly before the school day ended, the clouds came back. You could see the snow peppering the mountains to our north and the wind off that felt as if it were coming straight out of the poles. At that point, I did not really want to run. However, with two steady days behind me, and the promise of a running partner I made my way to the track. I started with an 800, but my legs never got loose. My calves kept wanting to cramp and my pace was just to slow to keep the blood flowing in them. So I changed my workout. I did a modified version of Fartleks and did them for almost 2 miles. Then my running partner showed up and I walked three more miles. All in all, I think I made the best out of my first real weather challenge. I shall have to wait to see how I will respond to the more violent tempests.

Sorry it has taken a couple of days to post, I have been busy doing some other things. Now Friday...once again I got lazy and did nothing. I had some personal things to take care of and just did not have the time to run. I did to run on my treadmill, but that is so stinking boring that I just had to stop. I just don't get the same thrill standing in one place, inside my house, as I do outside running on trails or on the road. So yesterday, Saturday, I ran 4.5 miles in 32.31. I was trying to keep an 8 minute mile pace, but since it has been so long I found it extraordinarily difficult to keep a pace. It is suppose to start raining and then turn to snow here tonight so I better run some today. I plan on at least 6 today if I can find the time to go. I hate to leave my two little kids here alone, so I usually wait until my son takes his nap and then I will go running. I don't feel as bad then. Well, I will let you all know tonight what happens. Still haven't found any takers on my secondary quest to find someone to run with me, but I have plenty of time to convince someone to join me.

You have got to be kidding me. I mean really...this fall weather is more complex than it ought to be. The temperature dropped throughout the day and by the time it came to running, it was hovering around 44 and a drizzle was falling. Then I had to pick up Anna at school and Ben at Daycare and by the time I got home and got supper cooked it was around 530 pm and colder. So I did not run today. I don't feel good about it and it can't happen to often, but the day off may actually help me recover from a couple of hard runs earlier in the week. i plan on going on my first true long run in years on Saturday, at least 7 miles. Don't know if I am looking forward to that or not.

Just starting...

Though the posting is a little late I just thought...just this very evening...that if I post something and post something everyday I could keep my goal in sight. You see in high school I was a decent runner. I teamed with three other runners to win the 4 x 800 meter race at the NC State meet in 1990. I could run a 1:54.6 800 meter and a 4:30 mile. I also ran cross country and played football, but I think I made a more lasting impression with my running. After high school I went to WCU and ran for one semester, then I hung up my running shoes. For the better part of 15 years I have not considered myself a runner. Of course there have been times when I have attempted to regain my glory days but they were short lived and I did not really attempt to do anything competitive with those few, breif sessions. Well, that has all changed now. A couple of weeks ago I ran with a very good friend of mine and one thing immediately jumped out at me...I forgot how much I thoroughly enjoyed running. We talked some, we ran some, and yes we even walked some but it was so much fun. For the next week I ran three more times and then something donned on me just last week (one week ago this night). I have always set goals for myself, always enjoyed trying to meet those goals and improve myself. So, I decided, while giving tests to my classroom, to run in a marathon. YES!!!! 26.2 miles!!! 26 miles, 365 yards!!! That will be my goal. I have not ran in 15 years. I have never ran anything more than 17.1 miles and I weigh almost 70 pounds more now than I did when I ran in high school. But, that will not deter me...not now and this blog will keep me honest. The marathon I decided on is the Nashville Music City Marathon on April 28th (I think, I will need to check the date). That gives me approximately 24 weeks to prepare for this event. I have asked countless number of people to run this with me, to train with me and while some people said they will sometimes run with me I think I am in this endeavor with thier support but not their legs. Starting tomorrow I will post what I have already done as far as training goes and then I will post daily updatesc so check back...offer your points, your feelings...comments...anything of value...or just comic relief. I hope you enjoy reading this because I have a feeling that I will not enjoy the training half as much.