Reflections and a Skirt

A year ago, I was a week out from running my first marathon. In my week-out post, I reflected on some of the bests and worsts of my marathon training season (from January to June). One of the things I love about blogging, is that now I have an actual diary of some parts of my life. Tonight, it's been nice to go back and re-read some of those posts. Mostly I sounded optimistic, scared, and in some regards, incredibly naive about what I was about to do.

Seriously, what a crazy thing it was for me to run 26.2 miles. Me. A confirmed couch potato, computer nerd, book worm. Someone who was So. Not. An. Athlete.

And yet, I ran a marathon. I'm not sure I'll ever run another, but it will always be something that I can say that I've done. I still enjoy the look of surprise I get from people when I tell them I've run a marathon because I seriously don't look like a marathon runner.

Living proof that anyone. Really anyone. Can run a marathon.

When I signed up for the SDTC Rockin' and Running training program this year, I wasn't planning on running the marathon. I joined (and convinced some of the herd to join) to train for some 1/2 marathons...and good thing, the injuries I've dealt with this year would have just made marathon training just futile and depressing.

All that being said, I was a little wistful yesterday when Mik, Betty, Kat and I went to the SDTC's last long run before the RnR Marathon. We ran for about 1:30 (about 7.6 miles)....which is the longest I've run since the La Jolla 1/2 marathon. I felt great through about 6 miles, then the PF started to really bug me...Again...in the left foot this time...GAH!

Saturday's Stats

7:55 miles
1:29:41
11:52/mi

At the end of the run, Coach Paul had all the runners take their Marathon Oath (pretty much swearing to do their best, have fun, and know that they are ready). It's a nice touch to the end of the RnR training season.

So...even though I'm not running the 26.2 next Sunday, I thought I'd end this marathon training season with some track club photos of the herd (and friends) from this Saturday and the past few weeks.

Mik from this last Sunday

Kat took the oath and will be running next Sunday

I love this picture of Betty and I because it also includes Irene's husband Michael in front of us...I still love the expression on people's faces when he yells out "HEFFERRRRRS" whenever we are running nearby.

Yep...I wore a skirt...not sure what I think of it yet.

I think this picture is from a long run from a few weeks ago (up in Oceanside). Santiago seems to be saying, "Get that effing camera out of my face"...he sooooooo loves to have his picture taken! Santiago will also be running next Sunday!

Another long run picture from a few weeks ago...I have no idea what BBJ is referencing, but he seems to be making some gesture about size... hmmmm... No doubt BBJ will make up for what he considered a disappointing marathon run last year (he was hurt...)

So...even though I won't be running next weekend, much of the herd will be out on the course cheering our running friends on! I'll keep everyone posted this week about where we'll be.

Oh, and of course, after Saturday's run?

Those mimosas were made with fresh squeezed OJ, at a little place in downtown La Mesa called Centifonis... Amazingly YUMMY!!!! They also fresh squeeze their pomegranates (something that we had to verify with the waitress). We were happy to learn that there's a machine for squeezing juice from a pomegranate, because squeezing one pom at a time seemed really labor intensive...

Up for tomorrow? A 2.5 hour bike ride...I'll keep you posted...

Someone should ask where Elsie has been...