Today I Ran....

...in the pouring down rain. But I ran 3.5 miles. I didn't expect anything less of the weather and the forecast calls for rain the next 7 days or so. It is just life here in the Pacific Northwest.

Wet.
Dark.
Dreary.
Depressing.

How does one keep their spirits up in a place like this? I am not sure. This time of year is always hard, and this year, just like last year (only last year The Hubs was returning from Iraq in January, not having just left) is harder with part of the family away. The only way I can keep my spirits up is to run. Today as the rain fell on me, soaking me from head to toe it felt good. It made me feel like I was alive, healthy, albeit a bit out of shape, and strong. I need to feel those things now, when I am my weakest both physically and emotionally. AN the RB ran with me for the first time in a long time and we took it nice and easy: 10:01, 9:49, 10:54 (that may be too slow....) and 4:49. We have many more runs in our future since she is running the Mercer Island half with me, AND she is my new roomie until The Hubs returns! And can I just say it is pretty fun having a roomie, it is a lot like college minus the homework, partying, late nights, drama (wait, no there is plenty of drama just different drama) and add a 4 year old, two dogs, responsibilities, cooking real food, mortgage, and different drama. We are adults now. :)

I have one week to get back in the swing of running before embarking on my 9 WEEK Half Marathon Training Plan! This is the first time I am trying a plan other than Hal Higdon's, which I love. The only reason I am choosing this new plan is because it is 9 weeks and I only have 10 weeks to Mercer Island. My base has dwindled and I don't feel like I could start in week two of a 12 week plan. So training begins Monday. I am curious to see if this plan will get me my sub 2, something that Hal's Intermediate (with Advanced parts added) plan has failed to do for me (this is not a reflection of the plan rather of the trainee, I assure you!).

Here is a dilemma I am now facing: I have not given up hope for the OKC Memorial Marathon. I know I could do the half but I want the full. I have 15 weeks from today until OKC race day. Is that enough time? I could switch from half training to full training....ahhh! what to do what to do!!! Either way I am locked in for the 3/21 half, signed up and ready to run with all my local blogging buddies plus AN the RB and a co-worked that I may or may not have planted the half marathon running bug on. He he!

I will decide about the full after a little bit of plan searching...

Today I am grateful for:
Movie matinees by myself.
Distractions.
Moments of calmness.