"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.