Running with a Hero

At 6 am on Friday morning, very, very, very early (what in the world was I thinking when I made these plane reservations?) I will board a plane.

Where am I going? I am going home. To Texas.

I am going to run the San Antonio Half-Marathon!!!

Back in January, only two weeks into my "marathon training" (I use the term "marathon training" loosely because at that point, I was doing good to be able to run one 15 minute mile without stopping), my baby brother returned from 15 months in Iraq. It was then that I did my first real long run.

That morning, the first day Patrick was back on U.S. soil, he got up and ran with me. I was one lucky sister - I had an Army Hero as my running buddy. He kept me going that morning and together we ran for 45 minutes without stopping. Never mind the fact that we were probably running 15 minute miles. Never mind the fact that he was capable of going so much faster. Never mind the fact that he was pushing me the entire way. He stuck with me. He gave me what I need to realize... oh my goodness... I REALLY CAN DO THIS!

This weekend, almost eleven months later to the day, I will run the San Antonio Half-Marathon. And guess what? I will have an Army Hero as my running buddy. My brother Patrick, a soldier with the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, a Purple Heart recipient, will be running beside me.

Some things never change.

And some things do. Unlike before, I will not run a 15 minute mile. Unlike before, we will go much, much faster. Unlike before, he will not need to push me to finish.

I've been teasing him for weeks that I will beat him this weekend. Truth is, I won't. Just like 11 months before, we will stick together the entire time and just like 11 months before, we will pull into the finish at the same time.

Happy Veterans Day to all of our brave military men and women out there. I honor and thank you and your families for the sacrifice you have made and the service you have given to our country.

I run free because of you. What a gift. Thank you.

For Sale: 26.2 Miles

On January 10, 2010, just sixty days from today, I will do something I never thought was humanly possible. I will run the Walt Disney World Marathon. Yes, it is true. Me, a girl that a year ago couldn't run a block let alone a mile, will run 26.2 miles. At one time. In less than 4 hours and 45 minutes. (I hope!)

Those of you who know me, or at least have been reading my blog, know why this non-athletic girl would want to run 26.2 miles. For those of you who don't, let me tell you why.

In March 2008, my sister-in-law, Amy Ellis Oliver, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Amy was amazing - she battled cancer head on. In the fall of 2008, we received the wonderful news, Amy was in remission! At that point, Amy, who was already a runner, made the decision to run the Disney World Marathon as her "I Beat Cancer Marathon." Two months later, we were devastated to learn that Amy's cancer was back and it had spread. Sitting there with my family that Christmas, I made the decision that if Amy could battle cancer, I could get off the side lines and run this marathon for her.

Amy passed away on March 9, 2009. She courageously battled cancer for nearly a year and during that time, she was blown away by the outpouring of love and support she received. Amy vowed that once she got well she would return the favour by helping other women battling breast cancer who were not as fortunate as she was to have the amazing support network she had.

On October 30, 2009, the day Amy would have turned 40, Amy's family founded The Amos Fund. Through this non-profit organization, Amy's dream of helping other women battling breast cancer lives on. The mission of The Amos Fund is to improve the lives of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer by providing financial assistance and supportive services to help meet their needs and the needs of their family while they undergo cancer treatment, surgery and recovery.

On January 10, 2010, I will be lacing up my running shoes and preparing for the run of my lifetime. I ask you to join me as I celebrate the life of Amy Ellis Oliver.

You can ride along with me as I run the Walt Disney World Marathon. A donation to The Amos Fund in the amount of $26.20 buys you one mile with me - and you don't have do any training or even break a sweat! Through auctioning off each of the 26.2 miles I will run that day, I hope to raise nearly $700 for The Amos Fund.

Should you wish to take advantage of literally 12 months of training and over 400 miles of training runs, you can join me, from the comfort of your own home, as I run the Walt Disney World Marathon.

If you'd like to donate, email me at jennbreen@hotmail.com.

Who's gonna run this town?

I live in the Washington D.C. metro area. Washington D.C. boasts the highest number of lawyers per capita - 276.7 lawyers per 10,000 residents to be exact. It also boasts the highest concentration of politicians, people that "run" this town... or at least think they do.

D.C. has more to offer than just lawyers and politicians. It has beautiful parks, monuments, and most importantly (at least to me presently) great running trails.

Over the last month, I have ramped up my mileage on my weekly long runs, offically crossing over from the the half-marathon distance of 13.1 and entering the realm of 15 - 20 miles. With this "promotion" came a change of running venue. Historically, I did my weekly long run around my neighborhood or at the local park. Recently, I've had to re-think that choice of venue - the thought of circling past the neighborhood Chili's 4 times is not that appealing.

In an effort to get away from Chili's, every Saturday morning for the last month or so, we load up, drive into the District, and run 13+ miles.

Yesterday, my run began at Teddy Roosevelt Island. I ran down the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River. As I approached Gravelly Point Park, planes passed just 100 - 150 feet above my head as they landed at Reagan National Airport. I looped back and ran over the Memorial Bridge towards the Lincoln Memorial, past the Washington Monument, the National Mall, and the U.S. Capitol. That, ladies and gentleman, is what I get to experience on my long runs. How lucky am I?

This got me to thinking. As folks rode past me in groups - on bikes, "Roll the City," on Segways, "Seg the City," I wondered, what about people that want to run the city? A quick google search upon my return home confirmed the fact that someone else also had this idea - for $60 you can pay someone in Washington D.C. to take you on a 3 - 4 mile run.

In this economy, who wants to, let alone can justify, spending money to have someone take you on a run? Coming to D.C.? I volunteer. Let me be your virtual tour guide. As I ramp up my mileage, I seek out new runs each week. There is something about fresh scenery that keeps you going as the miles tick by. I will share these runs with you.

Where ever you are out there - do you have runs to share? Whether you live in Providence or Portland, there has to be amazing runs in every one's home town. Rather than paying someone $60 to show you those amazing runs, what if you could just adopt one from a fellow runner?

As my long run came to a close yesterday and Georgetown University came into view across the Potomac, I had one thought -

Who's gonna run this town?

I am.

Wanna come?

*****************
Along the Potomac and into D.C. - 17 Miles

Begin your run at the Teddy Roosevelt Island Parking Lot and run along the Mount Vernon Trail. Head towards the Memorial Bridge and Washington Reagan National Airport. As you run along the waterfront, you can see, on your left, Georgetown University and the Kennedy Center. Pass under the Memorial Bridge and as you hit mile 3, planes will roar 100 feet overhead as they land on the runway at Reagan National Airport. Run past the airport and turn around as you hit mile 5. Run back along the Mount Vernon Trail to the Memoral Bridge. Arlington Cemetary will be on your left as you turn to run over the bridge at mile 11. Run past the Lincoln Memorial, along the Reflecting Pool, and past the Washington Monument as you hit mile 13. You will enter the National Mall and run past the Smithsonian Castle, National Air and Space Museum, and National Musem of the American Indian. At mile 14 you will run in front of the U.S. Capitol and down the other side of the Mall. You will pass the National Gallery of Art and the National Museums of American and Natural History. You will finish your run as you cross the Memorial Bridge for a second time, hitting your 16th mile and closing with 17.

Below is a link to my run on Garmin Connect. Enjoy!

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Along the Potomac and into D.C. - 17 Miles

I'm Famous... Almost...Kinda

I had my first blogging-runner taste of fame last week. Yes, its true. I am famous, well, kinda famous... maybe a little bit?

I was the lucky blogger selected to be interviewed on "Open Mic Friday" on Runner's Lounge, an online resource, meet-up space, and blog for runners of all types. Each Friday, Runner's Lounge features a running blogger, asking them questions about their life, both running and otherwise.

Last Friday, on my birthday, I was that runner. I was lucky enough to be able to share my story - tell people why I run and who inspires me.

Since my interview, I've received emails from friends and strangers (aka - my new friends), sharing how Amy's story has inspired them. I cannot begin to tell you how happy that makes me - Like I said in my interview, if I can pass on the inspiration to just one person and get them out there and running, I'll consider myself to have paid it forward.

Amy blessed me with the inspiration to get out there, become a runner, and get healthy. The Runner's Lounge gave me the opportunity to share that inspiration with others.

Just in case you missed it, here's the link - http://blog.runnerslounge.com/2009/10/open-mic-friday.html

Thank you, Runner's Lounge, what a wonderful birthday present.

5 Laps = 1 Mile

After lounging, boating, and sightseeing for two glorious days on the island of Bermuda, I am back on the ship, heading for home. I am also back to my marathon training. Since boarding the ship, I've employed one of my tried and true training techniques: Tell people that you are training for a marathon. They like to ask you about it.

My hubby and I had the good fortune to be assigned to a dinner table with 5 fabulous dinner companions. (For those of you who are not familiar with dinners on Royal Caribbean cruise ships - they assign you to a table with total strangers, something that I generally dread.) During one of those first dinners, we told our companions that we were training for our first marathon. AND that we planned to run on the ship. This was a very helpful move for me, as after 3 days of tropical drinks and chocolate desserts, the last thing I really wanted to do was run.

But, its a little hard to blow it off when you see your new friends on your way to the pool, way to the bar, way to the buffet (you get my drift) and they ask, "How was your run today?"

Let me get one thing straight - I cannot lie about my running. If I am supposed to run 10 miles, 9.9 doesn't cut it. I cannot say a run was good, if I didn't do it. I could not lie to my new found friends.

I had two options: 1) Tell the truth - "You know, I didn't go on a run. I've been drinking too much and I really don't want to drag myself up to the top deck and run around and around and around. I decided to take a nap instead." OR 2) Just go do it so you can honestly tell them how the run was.

I chose option 2.

I finished my 4 mile run in a little under 45 minutes. A few observations:

A Garmin GPS watch DOES NOT work on a moving cruise ship. As I started my run, my watch already reported that I had traveled .8 miles before I even logged in .01 - Silly girl, the watch was picking up the ship's speed. Talk about a PR!

There are some serious headwinds and crosswinds on the top deck of a ship on the Atlantic. At first, I viewed them as a challenge to my run - kinda like running hills. My thoughts quickly turned how long it would take for someone to notice if the winds blew me overboard. Can a girl tread water better with her Asics Gel Nimbus 11s off or on?

5 laps around the ship = 1 mile. After 20 laps, I was done. After passing the same family playing shuffle board, the same rather large gentleman sunning himself on the deck, and the same lady eating an ice cream cone (tell me, how does one person make an ice cream cone last 45 minutes? She must have been going back for seconds... thirds ... eighths ... tenths) over and over, I couldn't do it any more.

After several laps around the deck, I began to wonder where my running would take me next. I've run to a beautiful sunrise along the California Coast, among the monuments of Washington D.C., atop a cruise ship on the Atlantic Ocean. Next week, I'll be running the San Antonio half-marathon on a course that takes you past the Alamo.

There is a whole world of running opportunities out there. I can't wait to find out where they will take me next.


Have running shoes, will travel. Any suggestions?

Have Running Shoes, Will Travel

I am presently on a cruise ship bound for Bermuda. I am surrounded by buffets full of overly fattening food and bars that serve tropical drinks that can ring in at 12 dollars and 750 calories a pop.

But never fear. I am not going to let the draw of lounging by the pool on deck nine with a frozen drink in my hand keep me from my marathon training. On tap for today, an easy two miles. Just a recovery run from my 17 miler on Friday.

Two miles, ha. I can find somewhere to run two miles. I just read a story in Runner's World magazine about a trucker that logs in his runs by running around his big rig. Something like 47 times around the truck equaled a mile. See, it just takes some creativity.

So, where to run these two miles? I have two choices: Treadmill in the ship's gym or around the top deck. For my two mile run, I picked the treadmill. I think I'll save the deck for my planned seven miler later in the week.

I head to the gym with a plan to quickly knock out the two miles and follow up with a work out. .25 miles in, I realized I would not need a post run work out. This run WAS the work out.

How to explain? Imagine putting a treadmill on a humongous botsu ball. You know, the workout gizmo that is half ball and half flat surface. The gizmo that my trainer uses to torture me and my abs. I spent the entire two miles working to keep my balance on the treadmill. Talk about using your core... A running core workout... Maybe I am on to something...

Don't get me wrong, for all of the two never ending miles of an ab workout, I had an amazing view. Miles and miles of inky-blue waves spreading out in front of me as we blazed our way across the Atlantic Ocean.
Three thoughts followed ...

1. How can I steal this scenery and bring it back to my gym in Alexandria, VA? I could use some of this beauty when temps take a nose dive in the upcoming months.

2. How much longer? These two miles were a lot harder than I thought they would be. My abs are going to "thank" me later.

3. How far is the pool bar from this treadmill? Maybe I can cut this run short and count the distance from the gym to the pool bar in my total mileage. I think a tropical drink is calling my name...

Happy Birthday to Me!

In less than an hour, I will turn 21. Ok, not really, I will turn 34. Wow. 34 years old.

As I reflect upon the past year of my life, I think about what this year has held for me. I entered my 10th year of practicing law. What a milestone. I lost my sister-in-law, Amy, to breast cancer. What a tragedy. I began running. What an accomplishment.

October 30 was always such a cool birthday to have. As a kid, I always had a super cool cake - of course it had something to do with pumpkins, spiders or witch hats. As a college student, how could you beat partying on Halloween for your birthday? As an adult, I was lucky enough to share my birthday with my sister-in-law, Amy.

When my husband I first started dating and he learned that my birthday was October 30, I think he was secretly relieved. His sister's birthday was also October 30. Wow, he would never forget that, right? Over the next nine years, Amy and I shared cakes, rousing rounds of "Happy Birthday," and each other's special day.

Tomorrow, Amy would have turned 40. How I wish I could call her up and hear her say, " Hey You, Happy Birthday to Us."

A few weeks ago I made the decision that tomorrow, on my 34th birthday, I would celebrate it by running 17 miles. What better way to celebrate this day, and honor sweet Amy, than to run a half mile for every year that I am old. And, if I am very lucky, and not too tired, maybe I can throw in one to grow on.

So tomorrow, I will be lacing up my running shoes, hitting the trail, and celebrating in a way I never thought would ever happen - with one long, long, very long, run.

Happy Birthday, Amy. Happy Birthday to Us.

My Wish

Today my best gal pals, along with thousands of other runners, will run the Marine Corps Marathon. And I will be there cheering them on to an amazing finish.

Last night, we all gathered at Leesa's house. After a yummy "carbo-load" dinner, we sat down to strategize when and where we would see our runners. My goal: see my girls as many times during the race as I can. The outcome: We'll have a hook up at Miles 4, 10, 15, 19, 23 and the finish. Its an ambitious plan. But for my girls, I am going to make it happen.

Although I hate to admit it, a teenie-weenie part of me wishes I was running it with them. However, I made the decision months ago that my first marathon had to be Disney - it had too much symbolism for me. So I threw myself into what historically I do best: Cheerleader.

When it comes to the MCM, I fancy myself as somewhat of a Cheerleading Aficionado. I have cheered on numerous friends and family at "The People's Marathon" over the past eight years I've lived in D.C. I'm not happy with just seeing my runners at one spot - its a race for me too. My goal is to see them at every place I can. And I'm good at it.

I can't help but love it. I love the spirit of this race, I love the course, with all of the monuments, I love seeing the military men and women running in honor and remembrance of our fallen, I love the patriotism, pride, and inspiration, and I especially love seeing runners cross the finish line.

What I don't love is seeing runners at the finish line who are suffering, whether it be from injury or fatigue, I've seen some pretty scary scenes. I always hope and pray that once those runners get home, they get better.

I can't wait to cheer for my runners today. For them, and all the other runners, I have one wish: a good run with a healthy finish.

So listen up Leesa and Kim - run your best race today but keep in mind, you're going to be expected to raise a glass in a toast to your success later tonight, AND, more importantly, run another 26.2 miles with me in two months.

I'll be seeing you soon - just look for me. I'll be the crazy girl at Mile 4, 10, 15, 19, and 23 cheering her heart out.

Warning: Running Might be Contagious

The gene pool in my family was not kind to my sister or me.

Between the four kids in my family - my two brothers, my sister, and me - my brothers got the good stuff. Long eyelashes, fast metabolism, perfect teeth, all the things my sister and I would kill for. Not fair. Come on, tell me, what boy needs long eyelashes?

Its just par for the course that my brothers are totally athletic. They rock climb, run, bike, you name it. My sister and me? Well... not so much.

So this morning, I cannot describe the excitement I felt inside when I received the following email from my sis:

To: Jenn
From: Kimberlea
Subject: I am finally doing it...

http://raceofthedead.com/

I am going to do this 5K on Halloween!

Well, I'll be! I am so proud of her. This will be my little sis' first 5K. I wish so much that I can be there to cheer her on. Or better yet, run with her.

A few months ago, I was visiting Kimberlea in Chicago. Over the course of my visit, we'd been taking about running and how much I'd been loving it. We had a few hours to kill before she took me to the airport and we were trying to figure out what to do.

After the usual exchange - "what do you want to do?" ... "I don't know, what do you want to do?" Kimberlea had an idea - "Will you go with me to the running store?" OF COURSE!

That day, Kimberlea got herself a pair of running shoes and some cute running outfits (For these sisters, cute outfits are a must. If you're going to do this, you've gotta do it in style!) and she vowed to start training.

On Saturday, October 31, Kimberlea will run her first race. I cannot begin to tell you about how proud I am of her. Despite the fact that these two sisters were passed over when our family tree was handing out athletic genes, we are going for it anyway.

Kimberlea - I wish you an amazing run on Saturday, October 31, 2009. Although I will not be there in person cheering you on, I will be there in spirit, running right beside you.

I Love the Fall

I love the fall. For so many reasons.

1. Longhorn Football. Yes, it is true. I bleed orange.


2. The leaves change. I grew up in the Texas Panhandle. We didn't have leaves. Now that I am in D.C., they are a glorious sight.


3. My two favorite holidays arrive back to back. First my birthday on October 30th and then Halloween. (Maybe you don't consider my birthday a holiday, but I do.)


4. Good-bye swimsuit season!

Since the official start of Fall, I have decided that I have one more reason to add: Amazing Runs.

I read an article in Runner's World a few months ago about how heat impacts a runner's performance. A runner must exert themselves at a higher level to run in heat than they do when they run in mild temperatures. No Kidding. I learned that real fast when I kicked up my training schedule in June. My only choices - Run at the gym or at the crack of dawn.

How soon I forget how much harder running in the summer really is.

Earlier this month I ran the Army 10-Miler. My plan was to finish in 1:47:30 - a 10:45 pace. As the gun went off and the race began, I felt like a speed demon. I finished my first mile at a sub-10 minute mile pace.

Whoa. I needed to SLOW down. WAY down. I don't ever want to be one of those runners who poop out after mile two 'cause they were too fast out of the start. So I tell myself, I'll slow down after mile two. At mile two, I tell myself that I will slow down at mile three. And so it goes.

I finished the Army 10-Miler in 1:43:04 - a 10:18 pace. I finished at almost :30 seconds faster per mile than I planned. I finished over 1 minute faster per mile than my last 10-miler - I shaved TEN minutes off my race finish time. HOLY... WOW!

On Monday night, my training schedule told me to run 2 miles. As I sat out for my run, I fully intended to do just that. Keeping an eye on my Garmin, I realized that yet again, I was going too fast. And it felt good. It felt good then. And it felt good 6 miles later.

I have a summer and a winter wardrobe. Maybe I have a summer and winter running pace too.

One Person's 5K is Another's Marathon

I have a friend named Jenni. Jenni and I have lots in common.

Besides the obvious, the same name (come on, we were born in the Jennifer-lovin' 1970s), we share a love for some of the same people. Jenni was one of my sister-in-law, Amy's, best friends. Like me, Jenni was not immune to Amy's inspiring influence. Like me, Jenni started running earlier this year. Like me, Jenni is NOT athletic.

On October 3, Jenni, along with Amy's family and friends, ran the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Houston in honor of Amy Ellis Oliver. Jenni trained for this race for nearly ten months.

A few days ago, my husband and I were driving in the car and I thought about Jenni. I wondered out loud. Wow. Ten months of training for a 5K. Do you think she will keep going? Run more 5Ks? Run longer races?

My husband reminded me of what our friend, Jeff, always says: "One person's 5K is another person's marathon."

I have a friend named Jeff. Jeff and I have nearly nothing in common.

We love some of the same people and going to wineries. That's about it. Jeff is an amazing runner, I'm not. He runs 100 milers like I run 5. Jeff's "marathon" is a race with a distance I can't even begin to imagine running. Despite the fact that he has run countless ultra-marathons, he always celebrates my running accomplishments. "A 10-miler, Jenn, that is awesome!" "A 3-hour finish time for a trail half-marathon, great job!"

One Person's 5K is Another Person's Marathon.

Jenni ran her heart out on October 3. Maybe she will keep training, run longer distances. Maybe she has run her marathon. Regardless, I am so proud of her.

Jenni documented her race with a beautiful video. I share it with you below.

Watch the video. Think of Jeff's philosophy. And I ask you -

What is your marathon?

New Shoes, Round 2

Experts say you should replace your running shoes every 300-500 miles or every 4-5 months.

I've been running ten months now. I replaced my first pair of shoes, my Asics Gel Nimbus 10s with another pair of Nimbus 10s back in June. Since that time, I've run two half-marathons and logged well over 300 miles. It was time for a tune up.

I headed down to my local running store. Now that I am a seasoned runner, I wanted to have an knowledgeable conversation with a shoe fitting professional.

My first, and only, shoe fitting resulted a great pair of shoes, not that I assisted in that process. I don't really think you can call the feedback I gave to the clerk "helpful." "Well, these shoes you just handed me are nice... I like the colors."

So here I am, at the running store, and I start my conversation with the clerk.

Me: "I'm training for my first marathon."
Him: "Nice"
Me: "I've been wearing Asics Gel Nimbus 10s, but I'm interested in trying out a new shoe."
Him: "OK. First, tell me what you liked and didn't like about the Nimbus 10s."
Me: "Uhhhhhhh???"

What did I like? Ummm, the colors? Oh no, not again! Think, Jennifer, Think. What do you like about your shoes? Besides the colors?

I was at a loss. I had to admit it, and I did. And then my eye caught a sign hanging on the wall. Oh the shame! Ten months of training and I still cannot tell you how I feel about my running shoes.

Me: "I can tell you that they don't hurt my feet... and that's about it."
Him: "It's OK, that's what I'm here for, to help you figure out what you like and don't like in a running shoe."


I walked out of the running store a proud owner of Asics Gel Nimbus 11s. Along with my new shoes I also took with me the knowledge of two things: 1) that I like these shoes because of the wider toe box due to the way they lace up, and 2) that the likelihood of a career in running shoes is not in my future.

Silly girl, you CANNOT buy running shoes by the color.

Go on. I dare you.

Deep down inside we all have a secret goal - a reach for the moon, land among the stars kind of goal. Something that we dream of doing and that's it, we just dream. Until we are pushed to do it.

A few years ago I was helping a friend of mine move. While helping her pack I came across a piece of paper where she had written down a list of her goals. Some of these were funny, like owning a pair of expensive shoes. Others were serious, professional goals. On this list : Run a Marathon.

From time to time, I've thought about that list of goals. I don't care to own expensive shoes (I'd rather have an expensive purse!) and my professional goals differ from hers. However, I always thought it was cool that she wanted to run a marathon. I wished I could run a marathon. I knew it would never happen. I'm just not athletic.

Then I got the push.

So I have to ask you. What is your secret goal? What is it that you dream of doing but you are afraid to try?

Think about it.

Next to my training schedule on my fridge, I have a few quotes, my simple inspirations:

"If we did the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves."
~ Thomas Edison

"You decide what it is you want to accomplish and then you lay out your plans to get there, and then you just do it. It's pretty straightforward."
~ Nancy Ditz, Olympic gold medalist

For me, those quotes sum up the way I feel about my secret goal. I had no idea what I was capable of. I had no idea that I could run a block, let alone a half marathon or more. I decided that one day I was going to do it. I laid out my plans, and I'm doing it. You're right, Nancy, it is pretty straightforward. You're right Thomas, I have literally astounded myself.

Whether your dream goal is like mine, to run a marathon, or if it is totally different - applying for that job, going back to school, starting a family, making a move - You may literally astound yourself.

So here is your push.

Go on. I dare you.

Tryouts for Girls Cross-Country Are Next Week?

Yeah, I think I'll pass.

I have probably gotten a bit too big for my britches. I've been walking around for the past few months thinking that given the chance, I would have tried out and made my high school cross-country team. 3 miles, sheesh I can do that in my sleep.

I got a dose of reality this weekend when I actually went to a cross-country meet. Whatever I was smoking when I thought I could make a cross-country team was quickly put out as I watched the 7th and 8th graders (yes, these kids were not even in high school) run 5 and 6 minute miles, cross-country.

My husband's entire family converged upon Oklahoma City this past weekend for a family reunion. Item three on the agenda, right after lunch at Sushi Neko (Yes, sushi in Oklahoma City - guess what, it was awesome. Goes to show they can fly fish anywhere, even to Oklahoma) and shopping for some new cowboy boots (super cute black and white numbers) was cheering at Chandler's cross-country meet.

First off, let me tell you about Chandler. She is an amazing runner. She runs a six minute mile - sub-six when she tries. This, coupled with the fact that she is beautiful inside and out, you can't help but love her.

Second, let me tell you about this race. I can sum it up pretty quickly in three words: Mud, Cold, Wind.

Here we are, all of Chandler's family, braving the cold in borrowed rain boots and wrapped in blankets, cheering her on. Her instructions to us, "When I run past, tell me how far ahead I am of everyone else."

The gun goes off. I don't have to suffer in the mud, the cold, and the wind for long. Chandler runs past us at the half way point. We yell to her that she's logging a 2 minute 50 second half-mile. She's on target for a sub-six minute mile finish. She's so far ahead of the other girls, we don't even bother telling her. And then, just like that, the race is over. Chandler won first place. She hasn't even broken a sweat.

As we pack into warm SUVs and head back to Reunion HQ for some yummy Tex-Mex, I know in my heart, I've got a long way to go before I am a cross-country gal. Now that I see the competition, I know in my heart that if I tried out next week, I would never make the team. And I know in my heart, if I try real hard and train just right, maybe one day, when I grow up, I can be just like Chandler.

My Best Race Yet

This weekend I ran my best race yet.

I did not place in the top of my age group.
I did not run a PR.
I did not run without walking.

I ran with my three little nephews at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. We ran in honor of their Mommy, Amy.

As I lined up at the starting line with my family around me, tears came to my eyes. Amy should be here. She should be wearing a t-shirt that says "Me & My Family for the Cure." She should be running with her boys, her husband, her brother, her family. She should be running with me.

I hate breast cancer.

Amy was with us as we ran those three miles in Oklahoma City. She was with us as Wynn, Jax and Bennett ran their little legs off. She was with us as we all took turns carrying Bennett on our backs when he got too tired. She was with us as we ran to the cheers of our family. She was with us as we crossed the finish line together.

I ran this 5K in my slowest time yet, 46 minutes and 33 seconds. I averaged a 14 minute 59 second pace.

I ran beside some of the people that mean to most to me in this world.

Like I said, this was my best race yet.

Hello Old Friend

This last month and a half has been the craziest that I have had in a LONG time. Between foreign bank account filings, the September 15 extended corporate filing due date, IRS e-File, and new procedures for "check the box," my life has been turned upside down at work. I know, I know, it just sounds so darn fun and exciting you can hardly contain yourself. I know I can't. Oh the life of a tax attorney.

But seriously, the life of a tax attorney has gotten in my way. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am a workaholic. One of those girls that makes little lists every day of all she wants to accomplish. And sets out to do it. Even if it means staying at work until 9 pm ... and then working at home later that night.

I have to tell you, this workaholic thing just doesn't fit with the new "running Jenn."

I have done my best over the past month to keep up with my training program for Disney. I take my running stuff to work and hope to get out of there in time for a quick run before it gets too dark ... as if. I've cut down my training schedule to three days a week so I can try to possibly complete each week ... as if.

So after this last month and a half of crazy work Jenn, I decided to say enough. After getting another nasty-gram from HR about how I should be taking vacation (Studies have shown that employees that take vacation are more productive. Thanks, HR, for that intel. I'm too busy being productive to take a vacation, thank you very much.) I took the day off.

Yes, it is true. I took a day off. And I didn't have a reason to do so. No family was coming in town. I wasn't going anywhere, I didn't have a dentist appointment. I truly took the day off.

What did I do with this glorious day off?

Did I sleep in? Well... yes of course.
Did I get a manicure and a pedicure? No... I wish.
Did I clean my house? No... I hired a housekeeper.
Did I go shopping? Nope.

I went for a ten mile run.

And I actually enjoyed it. I headed out to Burke Lake Park on a beautiful afternoon. As the sunlight streamed through the trees and the only sound around was my feet hitting the trail, I couldn't help but smile. I'm hooked. I love to run.

Hello old friend, I've missed you so much.

I gotta feeling...

WoooHoo!

So I did it. I ran the San Diego Half Marathon. Before you ask, No, I did not beat Valerie. But I don't want to talk about that right now.

Its been a week since my plane touched down back in D.C. As I've gotten back to my real life, I've been thinking about the race. Strange thing is, I hardly remember most of it. Which to me, is a little crazy. I ran 13.1 miles for pete's sake. Wouldn't a person remember that?

To be honest, I only remember small snippets of the race.

THE GOOD

• The beautiful scenery - the sun rising over Point Loma, boats on the San Diego Bay, the beautiful homes along the race course.



• Running with Joel and Brian - we crossed the starting line together and as they pulled away from me, watching their shirts disappear among the 8,000 other racers.



• The homeless guy at Mile 11 - as I climbed the massive hill at the end of the course, a homeless guy was there cheering us on and yelled "Hey, sweetie, smile! This is the best part!" Thanks, friend, I needed that.



• The turn into Balboa Park after Mile 12 - after running a 300 foot change in elevation during the last half of Mile 11, the course took us on a turn into Balboa park. The road was lined with American Flags and cheering people. Just as I turned into the park, as if on cue, my ipod started playing "I Gotta Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas. How appropriate.



• Finishing 13.1 miles - 'nuff said.



• Having my family cheer me on - Until now, I had never run a race where I had anyone cheering me on from the sidelines. I knew my family would be at Mile 10 waiting to cheer as we ran past. That knowledge kept me going. I cannot describe the feeling you get as you see the people you love standing in the distance, waiting to cheer as you run past. It is priceless.

THE BAD

• The 300 foot climb at Mile 11 - aka "The Death March." You try climbing the equivalent of a 30 story building over the distance of about half a mile, AFTER you've already run 11 miles. Holy Crap, that was hard.



• Having to face the fact that Valerie Bertinelli is faster than me. Don't even get me started. Now, Jenny Craig is airing commercials about Val's half-marathon. Is Valerie trying to rub it in!?!?!?!

THE UGLY

• The realization that in 5 months I'm going to have to double that and run 26.2 miles. What in the world was I thinking?

On Monday night, the day after the race, we went out to dinner. My in-laws took us to a restaurant that overlooked downtown San Diego. As I took a sip of my champagne, I asked my father-in-law to show me where Point Loma, the starting point of our race, was. As he pointed off in the distance, I was overwhelmed. Looking out from that beautiful restaurant, San Diego and the entire 13.1 miles unfolded before me. I ran that. I totally ran that.

I am extremely blessed.

Ewe's not fat, Ewe's fluffy

When I was a kid, my mom made tons of cross-stitched pictures to hang in our house (I guess you could describe my mom's decor style as "country chic"). One of these country works of art featured a fluffy white sheep. Across the top read the words "Ewe's not fat" and along the bottom, "Ewe's fluffy."

I hadn't thought of that cross-stitch in years. Until the other night.

I was hanging out with some friends when someone commented about the fact that I had been running. Since I started running - I've dropped a few pounds and from time to time, people comment on it. During this conversation I received a comment that I had, until that moment, never received in my life. Its a good thing a friend said this to me. If it had been a stranger, I would have decked him.

Here goes...

The comment began with "Well, Jenn, before you started running, when you were fat..." and ended with "... that's generally how fat people feel when they lose a lot of weight."

Excuse me?

Fat?

Hold up. I am not, and was not ever fat. At the time this guy said it, I just smiled. I tried to take it as a compliment of sorts. If he considered me fat before ("when" I was fat), he must consider me thin (or at least thinner) now. Right?

As we drove home, I thought about this comment. Sure, I now fit in jeans that I would never go near before (you know, the ones that have sizes like 26? Those jeans were always too fancy and small for me before - they never seemed to come in a size 30 - the size I'm sure I would have needed). But I would never have considered myself fat.

In that moment, my mom's cross-stitched sheep flashed before my eyes and I had to smile. Who cares what any one else thinks? I thought I looked good then and I think I look good now.

Nope, I was not fat. If anything, I was just fluffy.

Ladies and gentlemen, start packing your bags

Today I leave for San Diego - Yeah! I've decided that San Diego is a race of "Firsts."

1. First half-marathon
2. First destination race
3. First time running with family cheering me on
4. First time running in weather one would actually describe as "pleasant"
5. First time I try to beat Valerie Bertinelli's half-marathon finish time (watch out Val, I've got your number)

And I can't wait! Now that I've got my bags packed, that is.

I travel fairly often for my job. Not to brag or anything, but I am a pretty good packer. I refuse to check my bags, the airlines always lose them. (Flashback to my honeymoon when the airlines lost our luggage for nearly 5 days. All my pictures in Southern Italy feature me in the same back sweater and khaki pants. The outfit was cute the first day I wore it ...) Now, I can take a week long international trip to a cold location and carry on. Gooo me!

So, when it came to pack for San Diego, I never once thought there would be an issue. Oh how wrong I was. Do you know how much space running stuff takes up? Holy Crap.

I began, as usual, by laying everything I needed out on the bed.

Cute running outfit for race day? Check.
Water bottle? Check.
Running watch, heart rate monitor, and charger? Check.
Ascis Gel Nimbus 10s (my running shoes)? Check.
Strawberry-Banana Gu (my energy booster consumed during the race)? Check.
Special running socks that keep my feet from getting blisters? Check.
ipod shuffle and charger? Check?
Running clothes for the last run I have to do on Friday before the race? Check.

And my suitcase was now full. And I hadn't even packed my normal clothes yet.

Between packing and the thought of the cross-country flight that takes off at 6:50 am (just 6 hours away at this point) I am exhausted. And I haven't even gotten to starting line yet!

However, it is worth it. In a few short (ok, kinda long) hours, I'll be sitting in San Diego, visiting with family and preparing to run my very first half-marathon with them cheering me on. How exciting. How important.

So important in fact that I will admit, although I don't have to, I would have even considered checking.

I happen to like my running music, thank you very much

Every guy I ever dated, including the one I married, claimed that I have terrible taste in music.

Whatever.

I love my running playlist. It totally captures my taste. I love every single so-called "terrible" song on it. Where else could a person find a mix of Britney Spears, OutKast, Linkin Park, and Stone Temple Pilots? My ipod shuffle holds nearly three hours of music that keeps me going mile after mile.

I've read that music with 170 to 180 beats per minute is the best for running - you'll get in one step per beat, which should make you run faster. Although I haven't counted the beats per minute in each of the songs on my running play list, I can tell you - they do make me run faster.

I run to the same songs, in the same order, every time. I finish three miles in the middle of Def Leppard's "Lets Get Rocked" (flashbacks to dragging Main Street in high school), "Harder to Breathe" by Maroon 5 comes on just as I start mile five (how appropriate!), and the Tom Petty classic "I Won't Back Down" (total motivation) comes on in the middle of mile eight.

As I have increased my mileage each week, I look forward to hearing what song will be playing as hit my new distance mile marker. Unfortunately, this song, what ever it turns out to be, stays in my head for a few days - at least until my next run.

I can officially report that I have "Hot in Here" by Nelly in my head. Playing over and over. and over.

As I neared 10 miles last week, I was excited to hit that distance and keep going. Every step past 10 miles is a step further than I had ever been in my life. What song would be playing as I took those first steps? Almost as if the playlist planned it, "Crazy in Love" by Beyonce, ended just as my watch reported 10 miles down. What came on next - Nelly... Wow.

Its getting hot in here so take off all your clothes...

As I began my week, sitting in meetings, that song continued to play in my head. Conference call with a client - "Its getting hot in here..." Team meeting - "Its getting hot in here..." (you thought I was going to say - "So take off all your clothes..." No, not a thought I want to have in a Team meeting. ACKKKK!!!)

I am gettin so hot, I wanna take my clothes off ...

Thank goodness I run a half marathon this weekend. 13.1 miles - further than I've ever run before. Which means: new mileage = new song. WoooHooo! I can't wait to hear what that new song will be.

Nelly, Nelly, Nelly, you are great to run to, but the aftermath has not been fun. No, it is not hot at work, and No, I do not want to take my clothes off. Sorry, Nelly, I love you, but you've got to go.

Man's best friend? Mine is still in bed!

As I head out on my long run, weekend after weekend, I am greeted by a familiar sight - fellow runners who are heading out for their run, kept company and cheered on by their furry best friend.

One thing that always strikes me about these running duos is how extremely happy each dog looks to be running alongside his or her owner. At the end of the run - that happiness is still there. As the dog's owner does her best to catch her breath after a 5, 10, or longer mile run, her dog sits there lovingly looking up, begging for more. That's man's best friend for ya.

Then there is Stella. Stella is our English Bulldog. Don't get me wrong, she is a great companion ... when you are doing things like laying on the couch, laying in bed, laying anywhere, Stella is there, right beside you.

I guess you could say our interests differ slightly. I'm set on running 24 miles a week. Stella is set on sleeping 24 hours a day. Its gotten to the point that we have to make Stella wake up to eat her breakfast - she's groaning and moaning (yes, bulldogs do groan and moan) the entire time.

Each weekend as I set out on my run, I think of little Stella, back home in bed. I wish I could bring her out here to run along side of me. I have resigned myself to the fact that that will never happen. Stella is just not an athletic dog.

Although she will never be out there running beside me like other runner's dogs, Stella is still worthy of the title of "Man's Best Friend." After I finish with my run, she is always there patiently waiting for me to get back.

And when I do, she's ready to take a nap.

Everyone needs a personal cheerleader

Do you have a personal cheerleader? If you don't, I highly recommend you find one.

I have a personal cheerleader. Her name is Leesa. The best way I can describe Leesa is: Energizer Bunny on Crack. She's one of those girls that after spending time with her, you ask yourself, "Does this girl ever have a bad day?" You also wonder "How much Mountain Dew did you drink today, Leesa? You seem pretty hyper."

When I made the decision to run this marathon, Leesa was one of the first people I told. Here's why - Not only is Leesa one of my closest friends, she is also an amazing runner. Leesa runs 10 miles on a regular day - and that's not even her long run. Crazy Girl.

So I proceed to tell Leesa that I decided to run a marathon and right then and there Leesa responds with "OK, we'll go and cheer you on." Having Leesa cheer you on its quite a sight. She has been known to do cheerleading jumps, 8 months pregnant, while cheering on her husband, my husband and my sister-in-law, Amy, as they ran the Army 10 miler in 2007. Its true. I was there. What Leesa didn't tell me that night was that her cheerleading stared right then and there.

After I ran my first 3 miles, I immediately texted Leesa - I'd run 3 miles at 12 minutes a mile!Looking back, its kinda funny that I was so excited to tell her about my 3 little 12 minute miles. For her that's nothing. However, you would have thought I told her that I won a million dollars with the reaction I got. There she was cheering me on.

The day I ran my first race, the St. Patrick's Day 8K, Leesa ran it with me. I'd only been training for about two and a half months when I ran that race. The entire time Leesa continued with the encouragement - "Come on you can do it..." "You are doing an awesome job..." "Keep pushing you are almost there..." And you know what? I finished faster than I thought I would. And Leesa let me cross the finish line first.

Since then, from time to time an evil voice starts talking in my head, telling me that I can't possibly go one more step. You know what drives that voice away? Leesa's voice telling me to "Push it, Girl!"

Regardless of what personal goal you've set for yourself, I wholeheartedly recommend finding a personal cheerleader to cheer you on to success. Knowing my friend Leesa, she'd probably be available, if you just let her know.

It's a perfect day

I start each of my runs with the same song: "Perfect Day."

On this perfect day, nothing's standing in my way
On this perfect day when nothing can go wrong

I love this song. I love it because it "perfectly" sums up how I feel when my run is good and it makes me feel better when my run is not.

When I press play on my ipod and this song begins, I I think about the Cherry Blossom 10 miler. This race was run in downtown D.C. amongst the snowy pink and white cherry blossoms. It was a beautiful crisp morning and as I ran around the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial on roads usually reserved for cars and tour buses, I felt like I owned the city. I ran my first 10 miles that day. What a perfect day.

Its the perfect day, tomorrow's gonna come too soon
I could stay, forever as I am on this perfect day

I think of the Mount Vernon Trail, running from George Washington's estate along the Potomac on the day I ran my first 8 miles. Running on a trail along the water, watching the sail boats and the families on bikes pass by. What a perfect day.

And most recently, running on the I-66 Trail, across the river from Washington D.C. under weeping willows and metal bridges with views of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the Kennedy Center. I ran the farthest I've ever run so far. What a perfect day.

Don't get me wrong. Not all runs are perfect. Oh, let me think - running in Houston in 100 degree weather with 10000% humidity. Running the hills along Kingstowne Village Parkway. Running along Van Dorn Street when I almost was hit by a car (Don't even get me started about the cellphone driver-talker who wasn't paying attention when I clearly had the WALK! No, I'm not bitter about that at all.)

However, all I have to do is listen to that song and it brings back memories of the runs that were perfect.

I'm in a race but I've already won
And getting there can be half the fun

Oddly enough, I had a dream a few nights ago that I was asked to be in a wedding, along with a college friend of mine. Our task - sing "Perfect Day" as the bride walked down the aisle ... while wearing hot pink dresses (it was us in the hot pink number, not the bride). I think my brain might be telling me to knock off the "Perfect Day" song for awhile. Sorry, Brain. That's probably impossible.

So don't stop me till I'm good and done
Don't you try to rain on my perfect day
On this perfect day, this perfect day

To walk or not to walk?

That is the question. At least the question on my mind lately. When I'm out on a run and I take a walk break, am I a loser?

When I began my training, I totally did a run - walk. Heavy on the walk, light on the run. I began with running a minute, walking four minutes, with six repeats. I slowly took myself from mostly walking to mostly running.

The day I went from mostly running to totally running was all due to brother, Patrick. He had just come home from Iraq, where he was stationed for 15 months. The morning after his homecoming, I got up early to run before I caught a flight back to D.C. As I sat in my Mom's living room lacing up my running shoes, Patrick came in and informed me he would join me on my run.

As we ran around my Mom's Austin neighborhood, Patrick gave me his running advice - Never give up. Slow down if you have to, just don't walk. He is such an Army soldier. No matter what happened over there - his philosophy was to never quit. (Which is one of the reasons he earned a Purple Heart while in Iraq, but that's off the topic.) At the end of that run with Patrick, I'd run for 45 minutes without stopping! (Sure I'd probably only done a 13 minute mile but Wooo Hooo! I did my first "long run" ever!!)

Never, Never, Never Walk ...

So I've got my little brother on one shoulder whispering in my ear and Jeff Galloway whispering in the other.

Who is Jeff Galloway you ask? This guy is an expert in running. He has run over 120 marathons and has written countless books on running technique. He's a big proponent of the run-walk method. He argues that a runner that takes a "walk break" every mile or so postpones hitting the "wall" - the dreaded moment when you just can't go any further. Basically, for every mile you run, you walk one minute.

I've tried the Galloway method on a few of my long runs and I have to admit, I do finish faster. But I also have to admit, I feel a little embarrassed. I'm proud of the fact I can run without stopping. Every time I start to walk I want to tell the person passing me, "Hey, I'm not quitting, I'm just doing the Galloway Method." Maybe I need a shirt that announces that fact ...

I guess you could say that the jury's still out. I'm not ready to drink the Galloway Kool-aid yet. And I'm not sure if I am going to use the Galloway Method in my upcoming half marathon. I don't think I can bring myself to walk at mile one. I'll be too embarrassed.

So, to walk or not to walk? I do not know the answer to that question.

Perhaps you take a little of Patrick's advice and a little of Galloway's advice - Never, Never, Never quit - slow down to a walk to keep pushing on to the ultimate goal - which is to finish.

I'll tell you what I do know, I cherish that first long run that I did back in January. After 15 months of road-side bombs and getting shot at in the desert, sleeping in the barracks, and 48 hours on an international flight home, Patrick chose to run with me - to support me and give me advice and encouragement, rather than sleep-in in a comfy bed and eat my mom's pancakes. For that, I will always be grateful.

And I promise you, Paddy, I will Never, Never, Never quit.

She's thrown down the gauntlet and Valerie doesn't even know it

Let me set the scene: I'm at the nail place with my friend Kim getting a much needed pedicure. Let me tell you, running every day has done a number on my feet. I've had to kiss my dreams of being a foot model good bye. Darn.

There I am, trying to do a little damage control while enjoying the massage chair and flipping though several magazines that I could never bring myself to buy. You know the ones, they are every girl's guilty pleasure. They are filled with hard hitting journalism - articles like "Who Wore it Best" and "Celebrity Cellulite." Yes, I feel dumber after having read one of those magazines, but man, they are a fun read.

As I turn the page on an article about how bad Mischa Barton is looking lately (can these magazines be any meaner?), I stumble upon a picture of Valerie Bertinelli. Guess what she is doing? Crossing the finish line at the Napa-to-Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon. She looks good. After dropping 50 pounds she decided to run a half marathon. Good for her!

Then my eyes drop to the caption below the photo. "Valerie ran the scenic 13.1 mile race in 2:12:19." I quickly do the math - she ran the half at a 10:06 minute mile pace. WHAT? CRAP! Valerie can run faster than me. NO! NOT ACCEPTABLE.

My first half marathon is in two weeks and I was planning on running it in 2:20:00, which translates to a 10:41 minute mile. Shoot.

Now, just last week I wrote that no matter what my time is when I run a race, I consider myself a winner. And I do. I just want to be a faster winner than Valerie Bertinelli.

So, Valerie, I accept your challenge. I will try to beat your time of 2:12:19 when I run the America's Finest City Marathon in San Diego on August 16. You have thrown down the gauntlet. Funny thing is, you don't even know it.

"Last is just the slowest winner" - C. Hunter Boyd

Running gives you a lot of time to think. On my last run, I was thinking about why I have found enjoyment in something that for so long made me cringe. Let's be honest here. Six months ago if you would have asked me if I looked forward to running, I would have given you a resounding "Hell No!" Since that time, as I have progressed and run a few races, I have to admit, I kinda enjoy it.

The big question for me is - Why? Why have I started to enjoy it? To me, running isn't relaxing, sometimes I'm sore when I get done, it makes me really hungry, it makes me sweat, running outfits don't look that cute on me, it costs money, it takes a lot of time, it demands that I get up early on the weekends... my list can go on and on.

However, it is all up to me. I am competing against myself and no matter what, I win. That's why I enjoy running so much. In all other aspects of my life, although my success or failure was or is attributable in large part to me, its never entirely up to me. In law school, my classes were graded on a curve. I could study my heart out and still make that B because the professor could only give 5 As. In my career, I can work hard every day, but if my clients can't afford to engage me for the work or some other firm comes in with a cheaper bid, I can't do anything about that. In my marriage or friendships, its not just up to me, my husband or friends also have to want to have the relationship.

But with running, its different. It is all up to me. I will succeed or fail based upon what I put into it. Sure, there will be days when it is so hot outside that I cannot possibly run the 5 miles my training plan has dictated I run. But I view the fact that I even have a training plan as an achievement. Sure, I will never be one of those "elite runners" that get to line up at the front of the start group and finish before I'm even half way though the course. But at least I sign up for the race, show up, and finish. That is an achievement.

After every race I always check my race results. I have to know, what was my official time? what was my pace? where did I finish in relation to everyone else? I've come to the realization however, that looking up my results, while exciting to see my progress, is completely unnecessary. Regardless of where I finish, I won.

So the next time someone asks me if I honestly enjoy running, although you won't hear a "Hell Yes!" from me, you also won't hear a "Hell No!" Because I do enjoy running. My success is all up to me. I may finish last and I'm ok with that. It just means I'm the slowest winner.

Will run for beer!

This past Saturday I ran the Crystal City Twilighter. This race took you though downtown Crystal City and up towards the Pentagon after the sun went down. Despite the fact that a pre-race down pour got us all wet, I had a blast.

As I ran across the finish line, I decided that this race was the trifecta. Why? Simple.

• The race was a nighttime race with a start time of 8:00 pm. Finally, a race that you don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to run! Not to mention that the temperatures dropped dramatically as the sun went down.


• The race was a 5k - a distance that worked perfectly into my training schedule. When you've been logging 10+ miles at a time, 3.1 miles is such a welcome distance! After running 10 miles that morning, 3.1 more miles to the end of my evening didn't kill me.


• As you crossed the finish line, sure you had your usual selection of bottled waters, but you also had your selection of beers! Yum!

I've been diligently looking for more nighttime races. As a night owl, I'm hooked! So, Crystal City Twilighter, I'll see you again, same time, next year.

Until then, take a look at the course video (I've included the link) - watching it left me strangely tired... and craving a beer.

Cheers!

All dressed up and nowhere to go

Several years ago, when I was enjoying the height of my couch potato lifestyle, I spent a lot of time justifying my choices not to exercise. I'm tall and curvy. No matter how much I diet or exercise, I will never be one of those size 2 gals. I'm fine with that. And on and on. While discussing this fact with my sister-in-law, she made a good point: I may never be one of those tiny Barbie girls, but with the right exercise, I could be a tight and toned curvy girl. According to Amy, the best way to tighten and tone your lower body was to run. Hummm, tight and toned sounded good. Running, not so good. And so my existence as a couch potato continued.

I'd forgotten about Amy's advice until a few weeks ago. My husband and I were in the process of cleaning out our attic and I stumbled upon the dress I wore my junior year to the prom. I opened the box and there it lay in all its purple satin and gold lamé glory. It blinded me with its sequins and gold rosettes. I only had one word - "Wow." (My husband only had one word too. However, his was "Horrendous.")

I had flashbacks to 1993 when my mom and I picked out this dress. I thought it looked hot. I thought I looked hot. As I looked at the size tag, I figured it would be funny if I tried it on. I knew it wouldn't fit, but what the heck. Since my husband's first impression of the dress was that it was horrendous, he would get a laugh if I tried to squeeze into it.

I pulled the box down from the attic - the dress, the purple dye-to-match shoes, and the huge purple clip-on rhinestone earrings. As I stepped into the dress, I was shocked. Was it going to fit? Yes, I think it will ... it zipped ... and its too big!

I've still got a long way to go before I would call myself "tight" or "toned." But ladies, sorry to brag, but I CAN FIT INTO MY HIGH SCHOOL PROM DRESS! This amazing state of affairs occurred when I wasn't even paying attention. I've been so concerned about training for my marathon, I wasn't paying attention to anything else. What an unexpected treat!

For your viewing pleasure, I've included a pic of my date and me at the prom. My dress was such a fashion statement that my date wore a purple tux jacket to match. Now, if only I can find an event in Washington D.C. where a purple and gold lamé mini-dress is appropriate, I'm set to go. Finding that event just might prove easier than getting my husband into a purple tux jacket to match.

Until then, I'll hang on to that dress. No, not that I think I will wear it again, but because it is just another milestone on my way to 26.2.

Next stop, baby pink 8th grade promotion dance dress ... Color: light pink. Design: lace, puffy sleeves, full skirt. Size: tiny. Hey - a girl can dream, can't she?!?

Adoro correr... no realmente... quiero correr... a veces

I had this dream the other night that my firm gave me the summer off. My firm was running a program where we could take off for three months and go back to high school. The goal of the program was to give us a second chance to do better at the classes we took during those four years. In my dream, I planned to use my return to high school to:

• Pay attention in Spanish - Ojalá pudiera hablar español. That's "I wish I could speak Spanish." No, I didn't just know how to say that in Spanish off the top of my head. Remember, I didn't pay attention in Spanish the first time around. I used Google Translate to figure that out. I also used Google Translate to figure out what my title would be. Thank you Google Translate. You've been helping me hide that I didn't learn a lick of Spanish for 16 years now.


• Not receive "Talks Excessively" on my report card. Can you believe that I used to get "Talks Excessively" on my report card? Yes, it is true. I had a problem keeping my mouth shut in class.


• Try out for the Cross Country Team. If I had to rank the different sports available to the students at my high school beginning with the sport in which I would most likely participate and ending with the the sport in which I would never participate, cross country would be last on that list.

So I'm back in high school. As I walked the halls, nothing had changed. I found my Spanish class and I headed to the gym to check in with the coaches about trying out for the team. I had this sense of confidence that I could achieve these three goals.

When I woke up, I had to laugh. If I went back to high school now, of course I could do better in Spanish - I would pay attention and do my homework. I went to law school for crying out loud. If I can get through that, I can get though Spanish. I would also make sure that I would not receive "Talks Excessively" on my report card. I figured, since all my old friends would not be joining me during my second stint in high school, I would be safe from the temptation to talk.

Now, cross country, that was a different matter. Although I knew nothing about cross country, I always thought it was a sport that required you to get up early on the weekends and run 15 plus miles. Nope, even if I am presently training for a marathon, I don't think I would make the Cross Country Team.

As my day wore on, I was nagged by thoughts of high school cross country. When I got home I had to look up the specifics. I did a quick Google search for Texas high school cross country rules and regulations. Guess what I learned? In Texas, high school girls competing in a cross country meet run a total of 2 miles. 2 miles???? Are you kidding me? I spent the last 16 years believing that a cross country meet consisted of 15 plus miles. Don't get me wrong, 2 miles is a respectable distance. A distance I could not have run when I was in high school in 1994.

But it is a distance that I could run now. Wow. Never thought I would say that.

Of course, this was all a dream. I will not be expanding my Spanish vocabulary. I will not be given a second chance to redeem myself when it comes to talking in class. I will not be a member of the Eagle Cross Country Team. My firm isn't running a program to send me back to high school.

But what if they did? Would I go back?

Are you crazy??? Not on your life.

Oh, and by the way - for the folks out there who also failed to pay attention in Spanish class, Adoro correr...: "I love to run... not really... I like to run... sometimes."

Three Rules to Training for Your First Marathon

How does a girl go from zero to 26.2 miles? Easy, there are three rules.

1) Buy cute (and of course it winds up being expensive) running clothes, shoes, and gadgets. Since you just dropped your monthly mortgage payment on the "necessities," you have to run so you can use them. Items that I absolutely have to have:

• My Garmin Forerunner 405 - this watch does it all. It tracks my pace, my distance, the calories I burn and my heart rate. You can also program the watch to provide you with a "virtual partner" that races you. I'm forever trying to beat my watch.


• My ipod shuffle - I could never run 10 miles without background music.


• My water bottle - I used to think I didn't need this. After running 15 minutes in 90 degree heat, I realized I do. Plus its pink, so I love it even more.


• My subscription to Runners World magazine - actually, its not really my subscription, its my husband's. When I was a non-runner, I used to read it and think, "These people are crazy. They like running so much they devote a whole magazine to it." Now, I read it cover to cover as soon as it comes in the mail. I've actually gotten a lot of good tips from the articles. And I've also come to the conclusion that no matter what, I'll never be even close to as crazy about running as most of the people that write for that magazine.

2) Tell everyone you know that you have committed to run a marathon. They hold you responsible. Pretty soon, the first thing people will say to you when they see you is "How's the marathon training going?" (Thanks for reminding me that I have to run 5 miles in 92 degree heat tonight. Its going great.)

3) Sign up for every race you can. 5Ks, 10Ks, 10 milers, they keep you working towards the prize.

• My go to site to find potential races in the D.C. Metro Area - http://www.runwashington.com/.


• My go to site to find potential races in other states (hey, if I can swing a vacay out of running a race, I'm going to try) - http://www.runningintheusa.com/.

My gear, my races and my friends keep me hitting the pavement week after week. And you know what? I'm actually getting kind of good at it.

Do you think the clerks in running stores know I have no idea what I am doing?

They totally know.

I needed to get some running shoes. My Nike tennies from 2006 were just not going to make the cut when a person is logging several miles (YIKES) in a day.

Brian takes me to my local running store and tells me to bring my old shoes with me. The clerk is going to want to take a look at those shoes. What the hell for? To see how crappy they are? Apparently, a shoe-fitting professional can look at the way your old shoes have worn in and determine if you have a special need that should be filled by your new running shoes.

So off to the running store we go. The clerk takes one look at my beat up tennies, goes to the back and pulls 20 pairs of shoes out for me to try on. What happened next, I can only describe as similar to going to the eye doctor. You know, when he puts a lens in front of your eye and says "Which is clearer, A or B?" And in response you ask, "Was there supposed to be a difference?"

(Note to the clerk: I generally pick my shoes by what they look like. Cute colors - perfect, I'll take them!)

I try on countless shoes. I have to walk in them, I go outside and run down the block so the clerk can watch my feet run in the shoes. She explains the difference in each shoe. Some are lighter, some have a wider toe box, some give more arch support. ACKKKK! My head is spinning. Ultimately I go with the Asics Gel Nimbus 10s - I cannot tell you why. I do not know. Flashbacks to the eye doctor ... which lens? A? B? A? B? I just picked one!!!

Three things I've learned from this:

1) Shoes should not be judged on cuteness alone.

2) I really feel like a runner when someone asks me what shoes I use. I casually reply, "Asics Gel Nimbus 10s." I've perfected the knowing nod when they tell me they use some other brand that I should probably know about.

3) There is nothing better than running your first mile in brand new shoes.

I signed up for a marathon, not a 6:00 am wake up call

I think that we have established that I am not athletic. For the record, I'm also not a morning person. I take the moniker "sleepy-head" to a whole new level. When I was a kid, my mom would have to force me out of bed on Christmas morning. My mentality: Santa's presents can wait - they will be there when I get up. This girl needs her beauty sleep.

Now that I am adult, the challenge I call "rise and shine" occurs six days a week: on weekdays when I am forced to roll out of bed at an insanely early time (like 7:00 am - the horror!) to make it to my job before my boss sends out a search team looking for me. On Sundays I have to tear myself away from the covers no later than 8:30 am to make it to church. Which leaves my blessed Saturdays - days that I can sleep in until my heart and sleepy head is content.

Until now. When training for a distance run like a marathon or a half marathon, a runner generally has a training schedule that has 3 runs of various lengths during the week and a run on the weekends called the "long run." Presently, my long run is 10 miles. This run takes me a little under 2 hours to complete and takes place on a Saturday.

When I began my training in the late winter and spring, long runs on Saturday could be done when ever I felt like it and most certainly didn't take place at any time prior to noon. Obviously, I forgot that after the month of May came the months of June and July and with them came 80-90 degree temperatures.

After a horrendous run two weeks ago where I tried to run 10 miles in 82 degree heat (it was 7:00 pm for pete's sake, how is it 82 degrees at 7:00 pm? ), I came to the grievous decision that in order to beat the heat I would either have to run at midnight (whatever) or wake up as the sun came up and run then.

So this weekend my alarm went off at an ungodly hour on Saturday. I pulled myself out of bed and hit the trail as the sun came up. After 10 miles, a yummy post-run breakfast burrito, and a swing by the local running store for some new gear, it was still considered Saturday "morning." Wow, historically, I'd not even cracked an eye lid by that point. A girl can get a lot done when she gets up early on a Saturday ... Impressive.

Wait, don't get ahead of yourself here. It was not impressive enough to convert me to a morning person. Since I have set a goal to run this marathon, I'll do what it takes to achieve it, even if it means getting up earlier than I thought humanly possible on a Saturday. I'll do it, but that doesn't mean I'm going to like it. And that doesn't mean that once summer is safely behind us, I won't resume my weekly Saturday morning date with my comfy pillow and soft blanket (they call my name when I have to get up too early, you know).

So until then, if you'd like to bring me breakfast in bed on Saturday mornings, I'm not going to be available, sorry. There is however, only 64 more days to the first day of fall. Believe me, I'm counting.

I'm not athletic but I am a crybaby

When I was in high school there was this mean tradition for the Senior Class to write a will to the Junior Class. This will was read out loud at the Junior-Senior Prom. What did the Senior Class will me?

A box of Kleenex, water proof mascara and a real reason to cry.

Here I am 16 years later and I still remember that will, word for word. And guess what? It was true. I was a crybaby in high school. I still am. Who cares? Although I will say that I've learned to control those tears - no more moments where I cry in front of people that will later embarrass me or make fun of me in public (yeah, I'm talking about you Senior Class of '93).

In my quest to run this marathon, I've reached more milestones in the last few months than I had in the past three years. Each time, that milestone brought me to tears.


On Saturday, February 21, I woke up with a determination to run 5 miles. I'd never run 5 miles in my life. My husband and I drove out to Burke Lake Park - a local park with a lake. This lake had a 5 mile trail around it and I was determined that I would run that trail and complete the 5 miles in one hour. That would give me a 12 minute mile pace. I could do it ... and I did it. Once I finished, I ran over to the car, got in and immediately started crying. I could not believe that I ran 5 miles without stopping. Me - a totally un-athletic person. I had not felt this sense of accomplishment since I passed the bar exam. The tears were falling and I did not care. I was so proud of myself.


Not too many months later I doubled that distance and ran my first 10 miler. At mile 9 I realized it, I was going to do this! I would finish this race, which meant I will have run farther than I ever had before. At mile 9.5 the impact of the moment hit me. I thought about my sister-in-law, Amy. I thought about how I was running this for her. I thought about how she would never again have the opportunity to complete a race. I thought about how unfair that was. I thought about how I would continue to run races since she could not. At mile 9.8 I started to cry. As I crossed the finish line, I saw my husband there cheering me on and smiling and the flood gates opened.

Why was I crying? Because I had accomplished something that I never ever thought was possible. I was crying because it was bittersweet. I so wanted to call Amy and tell her that I did it. I know that somewhere, she was watching and was as proud of me as I was.

As I run my races building up to Disney, I am sure there will be lots of tears shed (don't even get me started about the tears I cried at the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure). I welcome those tears. These tears each mark an amazing accomplishment and honor an amazing woman, Amy Ellis Oliver. I'm proud of those accomplishments and those tears and I'm not afraid to show it.

So hey, Senior Class of '93 - I'll take those Kleenex and that waterproof mascara. I have a real reason to cry.

And so it begins...

I was never a runner. I was never even slightly athletic. In high school, we were required to either be in athletics or in the band. I chose the band. The fact that I was not athletic never really bothered me. In fact, as I got older, I used it as a badge of honor. I'd tell people "I only run when chased and even then, I would probably just turn and fight."

My husband, Brian, and his sister, Amy, were always athletic. As kids they would play tennis together and as adults, they both took up running. When they took up running, I took up cheerleading. I was an awesome cheerleader. At races, I would strategically map out my cheerleading locations, it was a personal contest to see how many times I could see them on the course. I had that part down pat.

I was totally content to be the cheerleader in the family. When Brian and Amy decided to run the Walt Disney World Marathon in 2010 - I was in ... as the cheerleader, that is.

Then Amy got sick.

She had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer in March of 2008. She did everything right. She undertook all of the usual treatments and did all of the things a 38 year old woman with breast cancer should do. In the fall of 2008 we received the wonderful news - Amy was in remission! At that point, she and Brian made their decision to run the Disney Marathon in 2010 as Amy's "I Beat Cancer Marathon."

Fast forward to two months later, we received the devastating news - Amy's cancer was back and it had spread. Sitting there at Christmas we all talked about the marathon and Brian decided that he would run it for Amy. The hope would be that Amy would sit Disney 2010 out and together they would run Disney 2011. As I sat there next to my sweet sister-in-law I made a decision. If Amy could battle cancer, I could get off the sidelines and run this marathon for her.

I WOULD RUN THE DISNEY MARATHON FOR AMY!

Amy passed away from her battle with cancer on March 9, 2009. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of her and miss her. Several weeks before Amy died, she told me "When you run, think of me. With every step, tell God to get this cancer out of my body."

When I run, I think of Amy and with every step, I honor her.

This is my journey from the sidelines to the race field. I have put my mind to this. I will run 26.2 miles and it will not kill me.