Sunday, May 24, 2009

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...

15 comments:

  1. I love to go back and read my posts, especially when feeling down. It's neat to go back and read how excited or pumped up I got over thing during the day's....nice to go back and remember what it's all about!
    Sweet pics of you and the herd!

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  2. Where is Elsie?

    Man I wish I had a group like yours to run with. I would love to finish off my workouts with my two favorite things....friends and drinks.

    I too love to look back at my old posts to see if I have made any progress.

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  3. You have a great group of running friends!

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  4. I love that you can look back on your previous training, share all of it with your herd, and most of all that you'll be there to cheer them on next weekend! Sounds like a fantastic group!

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  5. Yeah, I'm sure some lookers on want to say - what an ass! - as he yells, Go Heffers! Very funny.

    Bike riding, yay! My legs are blown up from riding. I'm resting today. I could totally be a couch potato if I let it happen.

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  6. I like the skirt, and yes, where is Elsie!? Great that you have awesome friends to run with, helps so much.

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  7. Those mimosas look and sound delicious! Your running group looks like much more fun than my running group. Seriously, if I sign up for a group again, I'm signing up with yours!

    It will be fun to look for you at the Rock 'n' Roll! Too bad you're not running it, but I totally get why you're not.

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  8. I'm bummed that I didn't get to see you on Saturday, but I did chat briefly with Betty and Mik right after we began running.

    I love the skirt on you! I think the true test will be the longer runs.

    I haven't checked the website yet, but I never saw the camera guy, so there's probably no pics of me. (good thing!)

    Michael is such a dork. The reason why he yells "Heffers" is because he can't remember anyone's names... LOL

    It will be cool to see you on the sidelines at the marathon. Any time after mile 20 would be fabulous. I might be asking for a ride on your bike by then...

    I'm going to TRY to make this Tuesday's track club, just because it's the last one.

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  9. Where has Elsie been?????

    Ok...now onto the skirt! I ONLY run in skirts now! They are WAY more comfortable to me! And I think they are a little more forgiving with the "bumps" that we have! It hides alot of things!!!

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  10. I love being able to look back at my old blog entries and seeing what has changed (both better and worse).

    I also completely can empathize with injuries and training this year. The whole reason I'm not running SD this year is a string of injuries I had back in December and January. I really didn't get back into the swing of things until late March. As hellish as last year's marathon was, I didn't want a repeat.

    Hope to run into you one day in a race somewhere along the coast!

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  11. You should wear more skirts. ;)

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  12. Well the skirt looks darling on you but the real test is how comfortable was it? You heffers sure look like you're having fun!

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  13. I am LMAO at the "size" picture! Ohhh man that is funny!

    Running skirts . . .totally cute to wear but I don't think I'd run anything over a 10K in it. (LOL but the funny thing is that I HAVE run a HM in one)

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  14. I'm under Teh Marcy AGAIN.

    Nice @$$ and all but this is getting boring.

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  15. Nice tribute to your fellow heffers, sister!

    Good luck to all of them!

    Plus - a skirt?

    What are you? A GIRL?!1?

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