Watching a TiVo'd Melissa Etheridge perform "I Run for Life" on Martha from last week and totally failing not to cry. Man.

So, yes, I've run a grand total of 11.5 miles this month. It's just been so easy to slack over the past couple of weeks. The time change means that I can't run at Shoreline after work any more. There's just not enough time before it gets dark. So I need to run from work and I just haven't gotten myself together enough to get a bag packed and do it. Wah, wah, wah. I hate excuses.

I'm trying to figure out what I want to do next.

I'm thinking I want to just get through the next two months without gaining any (much?) more weight. Run 3x/week. Maybe do some pilates? Just try to not let everything go.

And then really kick it all up at the new year. Try to lose a final 10 pounds. Really get strong. Run 5x/week. Run the Across the Bridge 12K? Run the Bay to Breakers? And train for the SF Marathon.

Yeah. That sounds good.

Still haven't really wanted to write about the half. But I'm making a promise to myself to get it done this week. And to run after work two times this week. Deal? Deal.

And now, it's past time for a shower.

Tags: run goals
Feeling: cold
In the Background: Martha

First run in a week. Really enjoyed it. Long sleeves and pants, yet was never too hot. Beautiful autumn leaves, gorgeous sunrise. Was nice to come back to it with a wonderful day that reminds me once again why I love to run.

For some reason, I don't want to write about the half. Don't know why, it was an awesome day and I was really, really happy with how I did. Hmmmmm...well, I won't force it, but I'd like to get some of my memories and lessons-learned down before I forget them.

One thing about the half was how it made running a full marathon seem absolutely out of the question. I just couldn't imagine turning around right then and running back. Thankfully, I'm already feeling much more hopeful and you know what I learned at the expo? The San Francisco Marathon will be held on my birthday next year. It seems almost too fateful to ignore.

Tags: run
Feeling: chipper
In the Background: This Old House Classics

Yes!
More after sleep.

Feeling: pleased
In the Background: Saturday Night Live

This run made me sad and tired. (Which is why I'm writing about it now, I guess.) It's probably the last time I'll run this route until next spring. Everything seems to be ending. And, as if everyone else has already left but me, I didn't see my hawks, any jackrabbits, a skunk or even a ground squirrel.

I was gifted with a ring-necked pheasant, though. The site of him foraging in a golden field with the lowered sun reflecting off his red breast will stick with me for a while. Could anything say "autumn is here" more clearly?

One more run before Sunday. Two miles. I don't even know how to do two miles. Lately, it seems to take at least that long for me to get comfortable in a run. It will be strange.

I'm getting anxious about the half, but it's more about the details than the miles. Picking up my number and chip on Saturday, packing my finish line bag and getting it to my sister, the time change (!), getting there. I'm a ball of nerves.

Tags: run
Feeling: worried
In the Background: This Is Such A Pity -- Weezer

Ouch, y'all. Just ouch.

Took a completely different route today (thank you, Gmaps Pedometer!!), which was a very nice change. This particular route took me to 3 different cities. Can you believe it?

I mapped the route yesterday morning and then went out and drove it, just to be sure. I even walked the parks and made sure I knew where the water fountains were. And it was so cool to run a completely new course and yet feel absolutely comfortable with it.

But still, this run hurt. Way more than last week. Which, actually, I think is a good thing. Next week, I'll be running 13.1 miles. And knowing that I can run through sore muscles and tired legs and keep on going...well, that's important. It can't all be endorphin rushes. Sometimes it's just gonna hurt.

But y'know what the worst thing about this run was? The smell of food...oh man. There is nothing more painful to smell than bacon frying when you're hours from eating. And then running by the donut shop? Well, that's just hell.

Okay, so it's one week to go. One week. That's cool.

Tags: run
Feeling: determined
In the Background: The Simpsons: The Bart of Darkness

So, being sick and out of it for the past week, I didn't even realize that VJ had tagged me! (Awww, that's so cool and I feel really bad for missing it. Bad me!)

So here's the deal:
1. Go into your archives.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or the closest one to it)
4. Post the text of your sentence in your blog along with these rules.
5. Tag five other people.

Okay, so back in June, when I was training for the Wharf to Wharf, I wrote this:

"Wah wah wah."

So insightful, so wise, so astute.

So typical. Sheesh.


Okay, so as far as part 5 goes, ummm...well I don't think five people even read this journal, so if you see this, then consider yourself tagged and leave me a comment.

Thanks, VJ!

Tags: tagged
Feeling: touched
In the Background: Made: Wakeboarder

Well, that was illuminating. I guess bailing on Tuesday's run wasn't such a wimpy decision after all.

So, I've been sick for a week, but I knew I had to get at least one of my scheduled 5 milers in. I just didn't think it would hurt so much.

About 3 miles in, my right glute started to ache. So weird. And then a mile later, I actually got a stitch in my side, which quite literally has not happened since I was in high school. Ugh.

Anyway, I'm sure it was good that I ran, but now I'm really wiped out. Bed time!

Tags: run
Feeling: exhausted
In the Background: Airline: Expect the Unexpected.

I ran 10 miles this morning.

I did, really.

Despite being sick and despite being scared.

Well, it's only 1 mile more than I've ever run, right?

No big deal.

And that, amazingly enough, is the truth.

It's no big deal.

Tags: run
Feeling: satisfied
In the Background: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason

I almost bailed on this run because I feel a bit of a cold coming on and I was worried about being strong for Sunday.

So I went out and figured I'd just take it easy and could even cut it short if I felt really bad.

But my first mile was fast and so was my second. So weird. So I realllllllly tried to slow it down for the third and even contemplated calling it a day, but I just couldn't.

So I finished up the five in the fastest pace I've run for at least a month, which is ridiculous. It must have been the fever running.

I just hope my insanity isn't going to have a negative effect on my long run.

Because it's 10 miles. 10 freaking miles.

Tags: run
Feeling: nervous
In the Background: Made: Cheerleader

This entry is completely post-dated due to torpor.

This run was hard. Really, really tough. And it only took me a couple miles to remember why...because I ran 9 MILES two days ago. I'm such a dunderbunny.

Anyway, the run was hard...blah, blah, blah.

But it wasn't til I was done that things got really fun. I was walking away from the water fountain over to where I stretch and ... what is that black- and white-striped furry thing?

Well, of course, it was a skunk. Just going about his business: eating bugs and scraps and investigating trash cans. Didn't care at all that I was squealing and cooing at him and generally making a complete ass of myself.

So I watched Monsieur Le Peu do his thing while I tried to stretch. And there were times when he was no more than a foot away from me. Again, he didn't care at all. There were ants to munch on, for pete's sake! But then he discovered the remains of some kid's granola on the stone wall by the bathrooms and up he climbed and there he sat and munched and munched.

And here's what kills me! People would walk right by him and not notice that there's a freaking wild animal a couple of feet away. Really, truly two feet away and they didn't see the skunk sitting on an 18" stone wall hoovering up granola crumbs. What is up with that? People freak me out, they really do.

Anyway, I spent about 15 minutes just staring, but then it was time to head home. But still, it will remain one of the most memorable moments of my life. Awesome.

Tags: run
Feeling: enthralled
In the Background: Random crap off of TiVo