Week 9

Week 9!  Wow.  I can't believe how fast the time has gone.  This week I was able to get up early several of the days and pound some miles out on the treadmill at my gym before work, but I soon came to realize (again) that it's just NOT the same as running outside.  Besides the fact that there isn't any changing scenery as I tack on the miles, no cold breeze in my face, no puddle to jump over, or dog to warily eye, the muscles I use are totally different.  I find that my left calf (the same side as my weak ankle) gets a lot more sore when I run on the treadmill.  I try to consciously run the way I would on pavement, but there's no way.  I'm not propelling myself forward.  The treadmill is.  It's good in a way, because it helps me keep the same pace, but not so good when I set the pace too fast or too slow and it totally messes up my whole workout.  Gotta figure that one out.  It's just too dark to run outside before (and even after!) work now.

Our Saturday group run was definitely one to remember.  It was cold and rainy when we all met up at the Tidal Basin in DC at 7:30AM.  I had on my running shorts, tanktop, a long-sleeved bike jersey over my tanktop, and my fleece-lined rain jacket.  Those of us who were there commented that we were either really dedicated or really crazy!  I think it was a little of both.  :)  We headed out to run around the National Mall and by the time I crossed over by the Lincoln Memorial and got up to the WWII Memorial, I was too hot.  I took my jacket off and tied it around my waist.  The bulk of the jacket bouncing up and down around my waist was annoying.  Past the Washington Memorial, Smithsonians, cross-over by the Capital, back past Smithsonians, Washington Monument, WWII Memorial...  bounce-bounce-bounce bulky jacket.  So when I got back to the Tidal Basin for a shot of Gatorade, I discarded it and headed out again.  (BTW: Orange Gatorade is NOT for me!  Blech)  Of course now that I shucked my jacket, the rain and wind picked up and I was freezing!  I was also soaked.  A couple of times I didn't quite have the leg length to leap over some huge puddles, so my shoes and socks were soaked through.  I could feel the back of my right heel getting rubbed raw, so I stopped to adjust my sock at some point and my fingers just wouldn't work.  The great thing about being so cold is that it propelled me to keep moving!  It was too cold to just walk.  I HAD to run.  7.21 miles later, I was done with my run and happy to shrug back in to my rain jacket.  But even that was a struggle, as my frozen body was rigor mortis!  Haha.  The end of the run and drive home had me looking like this:

You can't really tell how cold or rainy it is, but you can kind of see how intense the red on my face is.  The pelting of the rain on my face and the constant blowing of the wind left me with a bit of a windburn.  I was red and rashy-looking for the rest of the day.  I also accumulated 4 blisters.  What a day!  It was an adventure for sure, but I'm not sorry that I decided to brave the weather and participate..  I need all the training I can get, and it's these group runs that really keep me motivated.

FUNDRAISING!

I officially have 11 days left before my personal deadline for fundraising!  Since I have increased my fundraising goal, I need all the help I can get!  I'm currently 70% to my new goal.  I know we can do this!  I must admit, I'm a bit nervous, but I'm staying positive.  I've turned in my re-commitment paperwork with this new amount, so this is it!  This is the amount that will be donated to CCFA whether it be from all you generous people or by me making up the difference.  Either way, this experience has been totally worth it and I'm so pumped to hold up my end of the deal by completing the 1/2 marathon!  I really am trying hard to keep up with the training and not to focus on my weak ankle/calf.  I can do this.  I'm excited to do this.  I've been so impressed with everybody who has become involved in this great cause.  Thank you for keeping me motivated and humbled by your support.

Just 6 weeks left until race day!  YOO HOO!!!