July 31st, 2007
I did it! Took almost 5 hours (4:54:30, to be exact), but I finished that marathon on Sunday. About all I can say is… I’m glad I did it, but I am not in a hurry to do it again! I’ve heard of people catching the “marathon bug,” but I definitely do not have it. My body will be glad for a few weeks of rest! I don’t anticipate going back to two-digit runs, though I think I’ll probably remain more active after this experience. Despite the soreness and mild injuries, getting so much more exercise definitely improved my life. I’m so happy that I made it and thankful to my friends, especially everyone who ran with me during my training time, and double especially everyone who met me at the finish with water! It was a beautiful course; we got to run past some beautiful landmarks in San Fran and then of course we got to cross the Golden Gate bridge–always an enjoyable experience and a fine symbol of my favorite city!
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July 18th, 2007
The website BlogCatalog is encouraging people to create blog posts about organ donation today. Since I’m not busy running due to the injury, I thought I’d jump on the bandwagon and ask people to consider becoming organ donors. Organ donation is absolutely crucial to the health and survival of many people who have serious medical problems.
Just one organ donor–one individual person–can save the lives of up to 50 people. That’s something you’re not likely to do in your lifetime unless perhaps you’re a doctor! There are several organs that can be transplanted, as well as many types of tissue (from corneas to cartilage… even veins can be transplanted, which I didn’t know!). Stem cells, blood, and platelets are also important items that can be used to save lives.
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July 17th, 2007
…and injury. 
Yep, less than two weeks out from the marathon, I have strained my hamstring something awful. It’s the worst thing that’s happened to me thus far, and of course it had to happen close to the end. Hopefully it won’t be so bad, though–I have done the longest runs I’m supposed to do, and all the time until the marathon (which is only TWELVE DAYS away! yipes!) is mostly tapering. I’m scheduled for 3-5 mile runs today, tomorrow, and Thursday, but I hope I can just skip them and start up again on Friday without too much trouble. I don’t think it will be a huge setback provided it heals up in a few days. Better rest than test, I always say… or rather, my friend Brad says to me. And since he’s more experienced at running than I am, I believe him. And though the injury comes at a really bad time in relation to the marathon, it comes at a GREAT time in relation to DVD releases…
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July 6th, 2007
Nobody thinks about New Year’s resolutions in July, except maybe me (because I’m actually sticking to mine!–though I am getting more and more terrified as marathon day grows near). I just ran across this adorable New Year’s resolutions sweatshirt featuring some resolutions from horses. The shirt was made by a horse riding group for its members. I’ve only been on a horse a few times in my life, but once I was on one that laid down while I was on it–kind of a terrifying experience! Another rider had to get off to pull it up while I just sort of sat frozen. I guess I needed a little bit more practice before I’d be ready for that horse! Anyway, just a fun little example of New Year’s resolutions about something other than running! I think everyone I know is getting sick of me talking about the marathon, even though they’re actually excited for me. All I can think about is taking days (maybe weeks…) off of running after I finish! Wish me luck…
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June 22nd, 2007
I can’t believe that in a little over a month I’ll be running a marathon through the (way-too-hilly…) streets of my favorite city! It’s incredible to think that in six months I have come from maybe running 5 miles at a time (and even that seemed far!) to having done several runs over 10 miles! My long slow runs are now about 20 miles, which is just amazing to me. They are long, and they are slowwwww, but they’re not impossible! My body really can do this! It’s hard to believe, though, that I’ll be running more than 6 miles further in the marathon than I’ve ever run before. I used to think I couldn’t even run 6 miles at all! But my confidence is growing, thanks in part to some great runners that have joined me on the way. Thanks so much to Brad, my initial running partner, who still joins me for part of my runs (my runs are his cool-downs from his big workouts!) and to Jennifer, who I’ve met through an SF marathon group, I couldn’t do it without you guys! So close to the goal…
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June 14th, 2007
I had the great opportunity to attend the Pre Classic up in Oregon over the weekend! It was an amazing experience. I slacked a little on my running, skipping one day, but made up for it by doing 15 miles, part of it on Pre’s Trail. That’s right, 15 miles–my longest run ever so far! Hard to imagine I’ll be doing 11.2 more miles than that in about a month and a half! Things aren’t getting much faster–I’m still about a 10- or 11-minute mile on long runs–but they are getting less painful, which is nice. I had a nasty run-in (ha, run-in) with runner’s knee a couple weeks ago that set me back some miles, but I have stepped back up again. To help me stay motivated, I’ve been listening to the Phedippidations podcast (made by a guy named Steve, which is cool even though he’s not Prefontaine!), which is a fun podcast for distance runners. Anybody have updates on their New Year’s Resolution?
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May 14th, 2007
It’s not January anymore, but some of us (like me!) are still sticking to our resolutions. I can’t believe I barely have 2 months left until my marathon! I’m getting more and more excited about it. More training updates later–for now, here’s a funny page about New Year’s Resolutions for you to enjoy!
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May 2nd, 2007
I’ve definitely found that my running program is helping me achieve better health. Beyond getting me in shape, the constant activity makes me want to eat more healthfully, because my body needs actual nutrients in order to finish runs. But everything I’m doing is voluntary–could someone really force me to get healthy? A few companies are trying to do just that.
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April 13th, 2007
My marathon plan says 16 weeks until the marathon. 16 weeks. That’s FOUR MONTHS. I can’t believe the marathon is happening so soon! I have to do 10 miles this weekend, but that’s nothing compared to the 20 miles I have coming up in two months!
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April 2nd, 2007
This is the coolest thing I’ve heard in a while: an American astronaut is going to run the Boston marathon from outer space! To be more specific, she’ll be running 26.2 miles on a treadmill in space–but her spacecraft will circle the earth twice during the marathon, meaning she’ll travel a greater distance than any other Boston runner!
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