It's Happening...

...whether I'm ready or not...I feel like this is becoming theme in my life lately. But today I am talking about Big Sur 26.2. We got our hotel booked, plane tickets bought...the race is going to happen. I will be there. I hope I will be ready.

My weekly runs have been suffering, for lack of better words. With my schedule it's challenging at best. And I know people say MAKE TIME, or WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY....sure I get it. I agree...so I guess right now there is a gap in my willingness to pay a sitter so I can run on a Tuesday or Thursday night (soon to switch to Monday/Wednesday night), and in my willingness to run at 9 PM. By the time I get home at 6 it's time to make dinner, then homework time, the bath, then books, then bed....then I'm ready for a shower, since I do home visits I like to wash some of the filth off. So, you can tell when I am being Negative Nancy because I usually just avoid my blog altogether. I figure it best to not pollute you all with my negativity.

BUT....yes there is a but here....things are a changing! I'm not sure just how this will impact my weekly routine/running/lack of schedule, but I am being optimistic here. Starting this week I will be working in MY town three days a week! That means my commute to work, three days a week will be about 23 minutes, give or take a few, as opposed to the hour plus one way! I may have tie to get up, make breakfast, get LB ready for school and to the bus stop, head out from the bus stop on even a three mile run, maybe 4 or 5, come home, shower and get ready for work and be at work by 8:50. WHAT? Is that possible?! I hope so...oh do I ever hope so! I need this to be so! I am dying here....I am cranky and angry without my weekly runs!

AND.....I took a leap and joined a local running group, Fayetteville Running Club! I have been stalking them for quite some time and finally paid my dues and decided to just give it a try. After all accountability is HUGE for me when it comes to running. Case in point: I RSVP's for a Saturday 5-8 mile run on Friday. It had been raining arms and legs (as LB put it). I RSVP'd and asked "Rain or Shine?" Now in Washington I ran in the rain. I didn't love it but I got used to it. But it was usually a soft, gentle rain. Not the sideways, coming in under the brim of your hat rain that knocks you over or pokes your eye out...and we certainly didn't really worry about lightening. Either way, I was prepared to meet, rain or shine, for a 5 mile run. I got up, or rolled reluctantly out of bed rather, got dressed and ready and then happened to check my email. The run had been canceled due to the weather and lightening and arms and legs falling from the sky. I was willing to go ONLY because I had RSVP'd. So I need accountability to get me out of my warm, cozy bed. I am looking forward to getting involved with the group and meeting some new people and making some new friends. I don't get out much around here...

Except for today...when I met J-Ninja for 16 miles of running fun! We made it with only minimal complaints. Last week we decided 16 was too far and agreed to 13 and called it quits at 11. We both were short of breath and tired and dragging. Not today. We set out for an 8 mile out and back, boring for sure, but the miles kept beeping by. Before we knew it we were turning around at mile 7.25 and agreed to finish up at the track where we parked. It was perfect running weather, slight breeze, cool, not raining, overcast. And whats not to love about running around military shooting ranges where soldiers are firing weapons? The normally quite road was buzzing with Army trucks and HUMVEES and soldiers shooting....it kept us entertained at least. So today's 16 miler is our longest run to date for this training cycle. Never mind that J-Ninja started the training with a Goofy Challenge 5k, 13.1, and 26.2....Me? Notsomuch.

Well, it's a new week and lets hope I can get at least three weekly runs in this week! I have a half marathon in two weeks!