Elitist A-holes...

I visit, but don't post on, a running forum.  I've come to the realization that many runners are assholes.  Of course, every group has their assholes, right?  Yeah. 

The question asked had to do with when one stops considering oneself a beginner.  The answers ranged from encouraging to... assholey.  Obviously, opinions are like... you know the rest. 

I sometimes consider myself a beginner even though I've been running for about 2 years.  I do, however, consider myself a runner.  It has nothing to do with whether or not I run marathons, as one of the posters suggested.  It has to do with me.  I lace up my shoes and I run.  Not fast, mind you, but I run.  One foot in front of the other.   I'm not in it to compete with others.  I don't expect to win any races.  I am my competition.  That's what motivates me.  Can I beat my last time?  Can I get stronger?  Damn straight.  I am a runner. 
Just thought of when I may stop considering myself a beginner.  When I finally run by myself.  I have yet to do that!  Need to work on that. 

Missed registering for the St. Jude Half Marathon in Memphis.  Very disappointed.  I so wanted to do that one.  Heard it's a great one. 

Tomorrow is my longest run ever.  Ten miles.  First time with the double digits.  Is it sad that I'm super excited about this milestone?  Does that make me a runner?  Haha!  The longer miles are not killing me.  I'm getting more confident that the half marathon in October is very doable for me.  Yay!  Confidence is good!

Ugh.

I have been eating like crap lately.  Trying to be good and eat well during the day then just letting loose at night.  M&Ms, Werther's Caramels.  Nothing good.  Plus, I haven't gotten back into the running schedule like I need to be.  I can tell in the way my pants fit that I've been a slacker.  Do not like!! 

My oldest, who is 16, has expressed a desire to start running.  Odd, as she's not the type to exert herself beyond what is needed to stay comfortable. Only problem is the boobs!  She needs a titanium sports bra!  Once we get that all squared away, she should be good to go. 


That's about all I feel like writing at the moment.  Feeling bloated and icky.  And slightly sad for some reason.  Hormones.  Ick.  Tomorrow is Monday.  There will be running.  Hopefully it will be the start a regular schedule. 

Oh yeah!  I got a scholarship.  Me, the great high school underachiever, got an academic scholarship.  Covers 12 fall credit hours and 12 spring credit hours.  Go me!

Come on, runs...

After nine days that included a lovely Florida visit with the dude's family and a visit to Harry Potter land (that would be Islands of Adventure in Orlando, not the UK), I returned to running last night.  It was not as horrible as I suspected it would be.  I was so worried that I had lost much of what I had gained with the running lately.  Yay!  Seems I can recover from time off pretty well.

While we were in sunny Florida I registered for the Soaring Wings Half Marathon.  My first.  Word on the street is it's a good one.  Hoping many of my running buddies are running it as well.  Official training starts in mid July.  Woo hoo!  If I keep registering for races, I'll keep running.  Right???  

Race experience... and more!

So, the race went... okay.  It was hot.  It was early.  My bib number was "1."   It was amusing.  Many people commented about me being #1.  Silly strangers!  Haha!  I knew that I shouldn't start out fast, as it was a longer race than I had done so far.  I didn't start out too fast!  Yay me!  Ran a good portion of the way with a great running partner, the new president of the local running group.  She made it so much easier!  Talking was good.  Awhile into it she circled back to run with another runner, and I was on my own.  It was tough!  It was sooo hot and sunny, and there was no breeze.  But I got through, kicked it up a notch toward the very end, and finished in 52:30.  Woo hoo!  First 8K under my belt, and hey, it's a PR!  Haha!

This morning will have been a week since the race.  Got up early and ran 7.22 miles with a great group of people, including the above mentioned prez.  I really enjoyed it.  It was the longest run I've done since last summer and it felt pretty good.  Afterward, we went out for a well deserved breakfast.  It was super happy fun time! 

I'm really feeling that I can make a commitment to run more.  I want to improve my time, and I realize that the only way to do that is by running more.  Time to make it a real habit!  Wish me luck! 

Alrighty then.

Tomorrow is the longest race I have signed up for. It's an 8k, which translates to 4.975 miles. So, basically 5 miles. I thought I would take this glorious milestone and start a blog. Woo hoo!

I started running a few years ago. I signed up for a women's running clinic in town. It was totally out of character for me as I usually don't do things unless someone I know is also doing it. I have issues. I enjoyed it. Kind of. The culmination of this 10 week clinic is a 5K with women from all over the state participating. I did the 5K in 34 minutes and some odd seconds. Didn't really keep up with running much after it ended. Signed up the next year and met some really great running buddies. Knocked two minutes off my 5K time. The great running buddies and I kept up the running through the summer. Yay us! Signed up for the clinic again this year. My goal was to come in at the 5K under 30 minutes. I didn't care if it was 29:59, as long as it was under 30. Ran it in 28:40. Dadgum, me!

So, now I'm kind of hooked. Last night I went out for a run with a group of local runners and had one of my better runs. I kept up with the gals I was running with and I didn't feel like I was going to die. It was pretty darn awesome. I want to run more. I'm even contemplating getting up and running at 5 A.M. some mornings. Gasp! The horror! Me, the gal who loves sleep more than anything, thinking of cutting that sleep short to run? WTF, people? What's happened to me? Haha!

Going to get some new running shorts this evening to wear to the race. I love new running stuff!

Wish me luck! I will report back tomorrow after the race. Hey, it'll be a PR! Haha!