not too late...

I found this alternative training schedule at the Runner's World website. It's a 16 week plan, meaning, that anyone out there who wants to run but hasn't started yet (aka Dave)--this is your week to begin!

it's official!

A little FYI: I just registered for the race!

hot date

Dave and I got a sitter for the big show last night and we loved it! I love that they focused on the Chicago Marathon because that's where we got the idea to go for this thing in the first place. We were in the Expo building, watching all the marathoners come in and pick up their numbers and as I saw the hoards of people, I thought to myself: Hey, these people look like me! If they can do a marathon, so can I!

Highlight lessons from the film were:

1. Paula Radcliffe (right) really is my hero.
2. I need to read more on marathon training.
3. Where do I get one of those water bottle fanny packs?

Spirit of the Marathon

This film will be playing at select theaters (and I suspect even not so select theaters, as it's playing in my town) this Thursday (1.24.08) only. I saw a preview for it this past weekend and it looked ever-so inspiring! Just the sort of emotional boost I'll need to pound out those ten miles this Saturday! I just bought our tickets on Fandango ($10 per person). So all ya'll looking for a bit of motivation--don't miss out!

a poo attack and other concerns

So, I ran my eight miles yesterday because we're out of town today. Half way through, I was seized by a poo attack. It was of such a nature that I had to start walking. I gave it a minute, jogged again, and found that I'd better slow to a walk or be sorry. Finally made it to a friend's house. Used their bathroom, couldn't "go." (If this is all a bit graphic, I'm sorry. But I'm getting to a point). By then I had two miles more on my route but my legs literally wouldn't let me run. I'm very surprised they allowed me to get back home at all.

Luckily, they've got port-a-pottys along a marathon route (S.V. streets should invest in these as well). But for the first time I realized just how difficult this run is going to be. I've been running in the middle of what the schedule suggests (aka if it says run from 30 to 45 mins, I'll usually run 35 and call it good). But I decided that if I really am going to be able to pull this off, I'll need to start training at maximum capacity.

Good luck running today, girls!

i just ran a quarter-marathon!

and you did too, if your on schedule... A big shout-out goes to my dog Deacon, who acted as the treadmill factor--pulling me along when I wanted to quit.

a call for kathleen

I hereby nominate Auntie Kathleen to join the upcoming marathon. All in favor, please comment.

She's already busted out several consecutive miles. Why not bust out a few more and call it a marathon?? Besides that, she'll receive a custom-designed (by ry@n) shirt for the race and her cool-status will skyrocket among her nieces. What more can I say? Go Kathy!