Bad Blogger

Can you still technically consider yourself a "blogger" if you never post? I hope so.

It's been a busy month, so please excuse the lack of communication, all of my fervent readers. (all 2, 1, none of you?) Since my last post, Michael and I participated in the NJ Marathon. It was so so so unbelievable. We ran a Gatorade stop in the freezing rain, but it was such fun. I saw all of my mentees, and I was so inspired by the runners and the volunteers. My mentees were AMAZING! GO TEAM!! I felt like I had run a marathon myself afterwards, however. Six hours in the rain is rough! We celebrated with a lunch at Cracker Barrel, so all became right with the world again.

I have been running again, which makes me so happy. It's nice now, however, because I'm running, running isn't running my life. Read some older posts to see how the latter had been happening for a long time. I'm much happier now and in a better place with why I run.

I still have occasional knee pain, but the orthodics have definitely helped, and they're completely broken in now. This morning I did 3 miles, and I felt great. On Saturday, Michael and I ran 3.66 miles, the exact distance of Cooper River Park, together, something we haven't done in months. It was so nice to be out there again with my main man. He did so well having not run in a long time. Plus it was pretty hot.

Then on Sunday morning, at the recommendation of one of my running gurus and good friend, Derrick (http://www.reidwise.net/journal/), I tried an interval run. I used my trusty Garmin (1 year old and still my favorite toy!), and sprinted for 1/4 mile (7:30 - 7:45 pace on average) and then rested for a minute. I did this 6 times. It was NOT easy, but it was fun, because it simulated the feeling I get in spinning class, which had been on hiatus last week because the gym was closed (one drawback to a University gym). I felt great afterwards, so I'll have to incorporate this workout into my regular routine.

I'm excited about the summer and all of the fun plans we have--the wedding of my best friend, trips, camping, Long Beach Island, culminating in my turning the big 3-0 in September...in Walt Disney World! I don't have a real plan or goal right now, and that's totally fine. I might see if I can train for the Philly Distance Run in September, but I might save my strength for the Philly Half in November instead.

For now, I'm just loving being a runner again and being outside. And I'm also enjoying a great book that my mom bought for me--Once a Runner: http://www.amazon.com/Once-Runner-Novel-John-Parker/dp/1416597883/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243438059&sr=8-1 I am nowhere near the caliber of the characters, but reading about running makes me happy.

Banner Day

I ran 3 miles this morning with no pain in either knee during or after my run! That is the first time that has happened in 6 months!!!! Orthotics are a god-send.

Can't wait to cheer on my mentees in The New Jersey Marathon tomorrow! I'm so proud of all of them. Michael and I will be manning the TNT water stop. I hope it doesn't rain too much.