... the beggining

This months issue of Runner's World suggested blogging as a way to keep motivated and share experiences with others. I immediately thought it was a great idea, not that I can keep a commitment nor do I have the attention span it requires to document every run, but I thought it might be neat to record some of the thoughts I have about running. I don't think anyone else will ever read this, but just like the trail, this isn't for anyone else.

I am not good at running, but I am not better at anything else. I love that I can run by the strength of my own 2 feet and the courage of my own lungs. I don't need anything fancy. I can run in the rain, the heat, the dark, and the snow. If my bike chain breaks, the pool is drained, or my car won't start, I always have running. Whether it's racing or hashing or me on the trail alone, I can just go, as fast or as slow as I can push.

The distance... 2 miles fast, 26.2 to finish, or a comfortable 6. Running isn't easy, if it was everyone would do it. I do it because I can. Sure, my knee gives out sometimes and my feet are so battered, they don't even hurt anymore, but I still have them. I run because the trail doesn't judge me. I run because there is no good reason not to but at least 100 good reasons too. Mostly I run because everyone tells me how stupid it is.

I have been running for a few years now, I just logged my 3rd marathon in San Fran last month, Marine Corps is in 65 days. I am organizing and hosting a 21 mile race with some of the hashers and ultra marathoners I know, to help us prep for this season's races. I have been trying a few new things... I got awesome new shoes, I love em, Nike Frees, custom made, so comfy. I have been listening to audio books, helps keep my mind from wondering and on those days I am running to destress instead of race prep, I listen to nothing to let my mind wonder. I have been noticing that running to music, I have been pacing off the beat, great for high tempo, bad for cruising. Ii have also been cross training. Swimming a few days a week is kicking my ass, I would much rather run 10 miles than swim .5! Also, been pushing it as hard as I can here in El Paso, I found the altitude drop in San Fran made it feel easy! I wasn't short of breath once in 26.2, even up those little San Fran hills!

I am excited about the races coming up in the next few months, different goals for each.... Oktoberfest post 8k (Sept 8): I'm going for medals!
PT test (Sept 15): goal sub 15 (last APFT 15:04),
my 21 miler (Sept 29): goal under 4 hrs,
Transmountain challenge half marathon (Oct 14): goal is to not walk at all.
Army 10miler (Oct 21): goal under 1:26 (which is what I did to qualify),
Marine Corps Marathon (Oct 29): goal is 4:30 (last marathon time 5:03),
Ft Bliss Marathon (Nov 21): goal 4:20.

I don't stop when I'm tired, I stop when I'm done....