Something Lovely

After running 800's with Sarah this morning, I am too tired to even try and think about running. So I'm going to post a blog from a writer I like:

http://lovelyarc.blogspot.com/

I think his quote applies to running: "My fragile heart does not have a win mode."

Also, here's an article about using 800's to train for a marathon: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244-255-624-0,00.html

Have a lovely day.

What to do before and after a marathon

So you are training for a marathon? Good for you! There are plenty of tips out there on how to prepare both before and after the big day. But in case you haven't had the luck to find those tips, here are a few tips that I've gathered into my water belt over the last few years.

Tip #1: What were you thinking? Are you crazy? If you've just started training, it's not too late to stop, especially if the cat's not out of the bag and nobody knows.

Tip#2: Still reading? You really are crazy, and thanks for joining us. This isn't a tip as much as a I feel sorry for you, but am enjoying the company.

Tip #3: Quit your day job. You are going to be too tired to do it anyway.

Tip #4: Get used to telling people why you are training for a marathon. You will be asked this by strangers and you will always feel weird responding. You don't want to sound braggy, better than them, or that you have something to prove. You will feel like you are responding to questions such as "Why don't you drink?" "Why are you a vegetarian?" or "Why are you in your 30's and single?"Not that you will be all of those things while training for a marathon, but it could happen so you should prepare yourself with some canned answers, such as "I don't know, " "I hate myself" or "I'm just lazy."

Tip #5: If you see photographers during the marathon, muster up the energy to smile. You will still look half dead, but at least you'll look like you were having fun.

Tip #6: Drink lots of water, eat lots of food, sleep loads, and get used to taking long baths, they will be your best friend and won't ask "what have you gotten yourself into" because they already know.

Running in the sand and anything else one may do on a 24 mile run

I feel slightly sorry for the people that I drag on my runs. It's not that I outrun them - I am usually trying to keep up. It's just that I seem to have a lack of the notion of too much, as well as a lack of math skills. Today on a "22 mile run," I miscalculated (since I have no gps or pace watch anymore) and made my running partner (boyfriend) run 24 - also, it was around 80 degrees and we ran on giant hills and trails along Lands End, the Presidio and across the Golden Gate Bridge. Why does one go along for the run with me?

Pace and Miles

Oh Miles, how I have slowly defeated you. How you have tried to wear down my toes, my skin and my sanity. And Pace, I have tried to defy you, to wear you down, but you, you have never surrendered in defeat. Pace, that slow, fast, mysteriously fleeting friend and foe. I have never loved you. Miles, it is you that are my love.

Beating the Wall

Ok, so I haven't written in awhile, choosing instead to spend my time regretting that I haven't been writing and piling up the excuses. I guess that is something a lot of us do, and let me tell you how boring that is.

I have been continuing down the path of slow and steady running. I think since the last time I've written, I've run a half marathon, marathon, half marathon, ultra marathon and a 10k, all in the last year or so and all very slow.

Let me apply my dedication to running to writing. I will try and write over the roots, mud, rain, cold, scabby knees and all.

I will try and beat the wall out of my writing.