Week 6 of 18: Cross

So, for the past six weeks, I've been struggling to complete just my runs, and have ignored the little day of the week that says I should XT. This week, I had it in me to get my bike out and go for a short ride. I only rode about 20 minutes, which is actually hardly worth it, but traffic was really heavy and I'm a little scared of riding my bike on busy streets. I puttered around my neighborhood and went up and down some big hills (still as fun as it was when I was a kid), tested myself on the street with actuall traffic going by, and then got just tired enough to call it quits.

Next week I hope to go into Griffith Park and tool around in there for a while, if I can get up early enough to avoid the scary traffic.

Week 6 of 18: 3 miles (3)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: 1 mile track, 2 miles rolling hills
Weather: Chilly/neutral, dark
Pace: 11.61

I'm trying really hard not to be too hard on myself these days. A couple of days ago, I was driving to work and I realized if someone treated me the way I treated myself, with the constant criticism, the verbal abuse and the unreasonable expectations, I would cut them out of my life (or just cut them). So, as Oprah as this all sounds, I decided I needed to change some things. I enjoy challenging myself, and I like meeting goals, but there is really no need to abuse myself if I can't quite reach the mark I set. I just need to work on it until I can. Ok, this all makes me feel way too new agey to talk about any more, so you get the drift I'm sure.

This was a tough run. I felt sluggish and tired and stiff. I just couldn't get a good smooth pace set so I was running like one of those runners you feel kind of sorry for, like they just don't have it in them, but they're trying so hard. It's good to be back in the house sitting on the couch.

Week 6 of 18: 5 miles (2)

Distance: 5 miles
Course: 1 mile track, 4 miles rolling hills
Weather: Chilly, dark
Pace: 11.85

Ah yes, considerably slower than yesterday's run. Oh well.

This is a hard distance for me. I'm not sure why. I much prefer doing any mileage over 4 miles on the weekends, mostly because I don't like being out that late at night. But, whatever. I did it.

Week 6 of 18: 3 miles (1)

Distance: 3 miles
Weather: Chilly, dark
Course: 1 mile track, 2 miles rolling hills
Pace: 10.85 per mile

First of all, I guess I should address the fact that last week didn't happen. I have various excuses for that, one being it was really cold for little old me, two being I was having serious doubts about my life and my course in it and finally I guess I was just being stubborn. I haven't worked out my life, and obviously one week isn't going to make a difference in the long run of my training. These things happen. It would be better if they didn't, but it's just one of those minor bumps in an other wise relatively smooth life.

Secondly, I'd like to congratulate wamez on his first half marathon (he's done a marathon and several other 10k/5k type runs in addition to being a cross country guy in high school). The course went right through my neighborhood, literally a two block walk from my apartment, so I walked down and watched the run and cheered for the participants. Wamez looked like he was doing pretty well, and he sailed by so fast I didn't get a picture. He's one of those runners that makes it look easy. It makes me jealous and inspired. I've never cheered for runners before (aside from my brief stint in junior high track) and I have to say it was pretty awesome. So many runners are, like me, just out there to check off a life goal and they are so grateful to have a cheering section, no matter how small it is. I got thanked more that day than I did in a month as a customer service person in retail. I wonder if there's any way to get a job as a professional cheering section.

Finally, my run, my goals and what the hell is next. I'm thinking I'm back on track for the LA Marathon, but I didn't register early so they'll add another couple of bucks onto my entry fee. Which normally I would just shrug off, but things are tight around ol' casa del Tamara and I'm feeling the holiday pinch and the mechanical failure of my magical junk bucket has me a little more concerned about money than normal. I'm going to try and stay on track and see what the new year brings in terms of luck and fortune. As for this particular three mile run. I feel like I kind of rocked it. I knew I was running fast, especially when I stumbled and almost fell face first into the pavement. I had many visions of broken teeth and collar bones in the three seconds it took me to recover. I felt strong and good for most of this run. It might have something to do with the McDonald's McFlurry and french fries I treated myself with today. (Don't judge, there are some things such as bad car news, that only McDonalds McFlurries can heal.)

One run at a time.

Week 4 of 18: 9 miles (4)

Distance: 9.5
Course: Rolling and steep hills
Weather: Chilly, afternoon
Pace: 11.97

I'm kind of shocked I ran 11.97. I felt very unprepared for this run and about half way through it I started getting some tough pain in my hips. I finished without walking, but I'm not entirely happy with my performance. I just kind of wish I could lose this extra weight already. It would make all of this a lot easier on my body I think.

Anyhoo. I'm slayed.

Week 4 of 18: 3 miles (3)

Distance: 3.2
Course: rolling and steep hills
Weather: between warm and crisp, mid-morning
Pace: 11.66

It was a great run. It always feels good to go running before a full 8 hours of eating and drinking is to commence. That's 8 hours of eating, you read right. I think if I ever eat again, I'll be pretty surprised. Wait, that's not true, I had pumpkin pie for breakfast this morning.

Tomorrow I have a 9 mile run. I'm not sure how I'm going to do that. I'll be really happy if I make it without walking.

Week 4 of 18: 4 miles (2)

Distance: 4 miles
Course: rolling hills
Weather: crisp, afternoon
Pace: 11.66

I took it relatively easy on this one. The route I take has some really amazing homes on this wide boulevard with lovely large trees and Griffith Park across the street. I really enjoyed this run. Maybe because I wasn't worried about how late it was getting or how I was going to fit in television, shower, and writing all before bed.

Tomorrow - 3 miles and lots of turkey!

Week 4 of 18: 3 miles (1)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: 1 mile track, 2 miles rolling hills
Weather: Crisp, dark
Pace: 11.36

I'm slow. I just have to get used to that. It pains me every time I have to write my pace down. But, whatever. I enjoy the workout. I'm just not built for speed.

Tomorrow is supposed to be an early day off work, but we'll see how that goes. I'd love to get a workout knocked off before dark. Then Thursday, I'll run in the morning before the cooking and hanging out begins. I'm not supposed to be thinking about those runs yet, but I'm actually looking forward to them, so I guess it's ok.

Week 3 of 18: 4 miles (2)

Distance: 5 miles
Course: Treadmill
Pace: 12.25

Considering how fucking awful this run was, I'm actually pretty surprised I came in under a 13 minute mile. I had to walk several times. I just couldn't get into a rhythm. My iPod headphone cord kept touching my arm and making me really irritated.

I'm glad this week is over.

We're still working one day at a time, so I'll see how next week goes. Typically, when I don't have to work, I get a better run in, so hopefully the holiday will work in my favor.

Week 3 of 18: 3 miles (1)

Distance: 4 miles
Course: Rolling hills
Weather: cool, dusk
Pace: 11.92

Man. This has been an emotionally rough week for me. I don't know what the fuck happened but I was paralyzed with the weight of the world. It was pretty horrible. I would come home every night and just not want to see anyone, or talk, or move, or be touched. I let it get the best of me, and instead of taking control of the situation (which, now that I'm through it, can see ways that I could have taken control) and gone for a run, pampered my body that way, instead of coddling myself into believing I was unable to do it.

Anyway, today is the first time I've run since last weekend and instead of doing one of the three milers, I decided to do the 4 miler. I've promised myself from this day forward that I'm going to meet each run as it comes instead of thinking about the whole week in front of me. Right now I'm just too easily overwhelmed to look at my training any farther than what is scheduled for that day.

It was a tough run back. I had major cramps. I couldn't find my lungs. But in spite of all that, my legs felt good. My form felt good. It just felt good to be out of the house and acomplishing something.

One day at a time.

Week 2 of 18: 7 miles (4)

Distance: 7 miles
Course: treadmill
Pace: 11.62

My only goals for this run were a. to get through it and b. to run faster than my marathon pace of 12.0 per mile. Modest, yes. But also, goals I know I can achieve are still goals.

Anyway... that's week 2 complete. 16 to go.

Week 2 of 18: 3 miles (3)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: rolling and steep hills
Weather: Crisp, dark
Pace: 11.75

I am so sore today. I took it pretty easy in terms of speed, but I think I made up for it (in my head at least) in terms of difficulty. I couldn't stomach the thought of the track, so much so that I almost didn't run. I just promised myself I would do the run at whatever pace was comfortable and worry about the rest later.

Tomorrow I'm resting. I'll do my 7 miler on Sunday, most likely on the treadmill.

Week 2 of 18: 3 miles (2)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: 1 mile track, 2 miles steep downhill/uphill
Weather: Chilly, dark
Pace: 10.98

I'm beat and I still have two runs to go this week because I pussed out on Tuesday. crap.

Nothing much to report on this run. I feel like I should have tried to pick it up on the downhill but I was feeling comfortable so I didn't. I guess I'm maybe setting a goal for the marathon. I'd like to run faster than I did last year, but I'm a little scared that I won't be able to. I mostly just want to finish again... although there's a tiny part of me that thinks maybe that isn't quite enough. I'll keep you posted.

Week 2 of 18: 3 miles (1)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: 1 mile track, 2 miles steep up and downhill
Pace: 11.0 per mile
Weather: Crisp, dark

I almost talked myself out of this run tonight, but managed to force myself to get out there. I had to change up my course but it didn't help much seeing as I've run these places what seems like millions of times.

There's one part of the run where it's a choice between running in the bike lane or on this stone/grass path that has a couple of rooty trees and serious lack of lighting on it, and for some reason at top speed I decided it would be a good idea to run on it. I stumbled just in time to whack into a tree and almost poke my eye out. For some reason, that whole little incident sort of symbolizes why I run. I run because even if I almost fall, even if I get whacked in the face and almost poke my eye out, and the path is dark, and my lungs won't fill all the way, there is still ground in front of me and my feet are still moving across it.

Marathon Course

I was just cruising around the LA Marathon site and came across the 2007 Course Map. It is so dramatically different from last year, with a start in Burbank and a trip through Hollywood. I was shocked. And now I'm a little nervous, but also kind of excited. It's a whole new marathon next year.

Week 1 of 18: 6 miles (4)

Distance: 6 miles
Course: Treadmill
Pace: 11.77

I think I have to make the switch to Gatorade on my long runs, at about half way I'm hitting some kind of wall. Whether it's just me running too fast in the beginning or me sweating out too many carbs, I have no idea. Either way at 3.1 miles I was pretty sure I was done. I slowed way down and then got frustrated because I felt like shit and I wasn't really making much progress. I keep wishing I was faster.

Monday is a rest day. Yay.

Week 1 of 18: 3 miles (3)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: treadmill
Pace: 11.0

I had dueling stitches during almost the entirety of the run. At one point I both stitches were on, I couldn't find my lungs and I couldn't get the cap off my water bottle.

I'm irritated that I have to run tomorrow. I'm not going to push it very hard.

Week 1 of 18: 3 miles (2)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: 1 mile track, 2 miles rolling hills
Weather: Crisp/Dark
Pace: 10.58

I'm not sure if that pace can actually be right, maybe I miss counted the number of laps I ran on the track? I don't know.

I felt like I was running on peg legs for the entire run. Every step kind of jarred me and made me feel like my feet were stumps instead of feet. I was supposed to have the night off from running today, but I stayed late at work for the last two nights and couldn't bear to move once I got home, so I'm paying for it this weekend.

Sweat is pouring down my back, and I guess this is probably not a very girly thing to say but it is actually one of my favorite things about running. I love the feeling that my body has recognized how hard I worked and is calling all systems to put some coolant on the works. It makes me feel like a machine, not a peg legged freak. (Not that I think people with peg legs are freaks, I would just feel like a freak if I had peg legs.)

Week 1 of 18: 3 miles (1)

Distance: 3 miles
Course: 1 mile on track, 2 miles rolling hills
Weather: Crisp/Chilly, Dark
Pace: 11.16 per mile

Honestly, I don't believe the pace on this one. I know it's not actually that fast in the grand scheme of things, but for me, this is a good one.

I got some serious, uterus clawing it's way out of my stomach cramps on mile two and I slowed way down, and almost considered calling it a draw and coming home half way through, but I kept going and just let the pain run with me. After about a quarter mile I just had a stitch so I was able to push it again and came home at a super fast speed.

Great way to start the training.

Week -1 of 18: 3 miles

I was supposed to do this run on Tuesday, but as I've said earlier this week, I've been having some motivation problems. Anyway, the treadmill called out to me, and since I'd rather miss a cross training session than a run, I opted to do the run. I also wanted to challenge myself by increasing my speed. I think I actually accomplished that. I worry when I'm running outside about pushing it too hard for some reason, it's like I don't want people to see that I'm actually really sweating and breathing heavy. Something I'll have to work on in the future obviously.

Distance: 3 miles
Course: treadmill
Pace: 11.88 per mile

Tomorrow is thankfully a rest day, which means I get to do some cooking. Hooray!

Week -1 of 18: 6 miles

dear lord this was hard.

Distance: 6 miles
Course: treadmill
pace: (don't laugh) 13.1 per mile

I'm housesitting this weekend and they have a treadmill. Which I was really excited about. I remember it being such a good workout when I used to have a gym membership. I remember how fast the miles would go by. I must have been on drugs back then, because while it was a good workout, it was pretty tough to say the miles flew by. At mile 3.5 I was about to throw in the towel. Not only did I think I was hitting a wall, but also, I think I might have been a bit bored. So I told myself if I could get to 60 minutes I could quit, knowing that if I got that far into a run I totally would have to prove it to myself that I could finish it. Which is exactly what happened. I don't really understand how I can trick myself. I guess I'm easily swayed.

I had to walk a bit, but it was only for about a minute before I convinced myself to run again. It was a rough workout. But worth it. For tonight, I get pizza!

Week -1 of 18: 3 miles

I came home last night in a bad mood. Traffic was terrible. That was the only reason. It's an hour of traffic. Every night. I wish I could crochet and drive at the same time. Or there was a really direct bus that I could take.

Anyway, I got home and plopped on the couch, announced I wasn't going running and the guilt began. I sat there for a good 40 minutes, stewing about how my commute was ruining my training, when I remembered that last year I managed it. I would manage it again this year. So at 8pm, I got up and went running. It was painful, but I did it.

Distance: 3 miles
Course: 1 mile on the track, 2 miles rolling hills
Weather: crisp, dark
Pace: 12:00 per mile

Everything hurt. It was dark and late. There was a skunk in the neighborhood grossing everything up. Sometimes I wonder why I'm doing this to myself.

Week -1 of 18: 3 Miles

That's week negative one. I'm a dork and didn't read my calendar right. oops! So I have 19 weeks until the marathon, which strangely (or not, I don't know) makes me feel so much better.

Distance: 3 miles
Weather: Crisp, dark
Course: 1 mile on the track, 2 on rolling hills
Pace: 11:45 per mile

I felt good this run, I was pushing it a little (which you can't really tell by my pace) but I didn't feel like I was over doing it. I got whooped at 3 times (yes, I counted) and I enjoyed my music. Which incidentally, I've totally taken over Tavia's comment section with suggestions, if you're reading this and have any for her go on over and give her some, mine are veeeery pop and mostly old. I'm sure she'd appreciate a different view point.

It was a great way to start this training program. And I just want to remember that in 19 weeks. 19 long and hard weeks.

Sun. Oct. 22nd

Distance: Cross Training
Time: around 45 minutes to an hour
Weather: Warm

I went for a hike in Griffith Park. I don't know if it is technically "Cross Training" but I didn't feel like digging my bike out from under all the crap that is now stored on it. So, it had to do for this last week of non "official" training.

Real training starts tonight with a 3 miler. It was supposed to start last night, but I find procrastination to be a useful motivator. (Shut up. I know that doesn't make sense.)

Sat. Oct. 21st

Distance: 4 miles
Weather: Nice, dusk
Course: Up Los Feliz to Western and back
Pace: 12:40 per mile

I was feeling a little weird about posting how ridiculously slow I ran that 4 miles, but I figured there's about 2 people reading and I know those people will only silently judge me instead of sending me mocking e-mails about how I should just call it "Bouncy walking" and give up.

Anyway, I haven't run farther than 2 miles in... months? I don't know, it's been a long time. The last time I did I got such bad cramps I had to walk for a while. This time I got a small stitch in my side on one of the upsides of the rolling hills on Los Feliz Blvd. Other than that, I felt fine if not extremely exhausted. I think I need to start with the multi-vitamin again and get the Gatorade going before these longer runs.

Today, I cross train by going for a short hike in Griffith Park.

Friday, Oct. 20th

Distance: 2 miles
Weather: Moderate, dark
Course: Up to Vermont and back
Pace: 11:30 per mile

I was looking at all the training guides to see if I wanted to do anything different this time for the marathon and had a little heart attack. The marathon is two weeks earlier than last year. So my extra two week cushion to lose some weight and get my mileage up is kind of gone. Especially if I do the Hal Higdon program, which is 18 weeks.

Gah.

I have a 4 mile run planned for this afternoon. Wish me luck with that.

Thursday, Oct. 19th

Distance: 2 ish
Weather: moderate, dark
Pace: Fuck if I know, I ran for 24 mins. 50 secs.

I don't know why I get so frustrated about not knowing how far I've run or how fast I went, but it really irritates me that I can't figure out how long that stupid track is.

It was a good run, despite all that. I didn't get any cramps (heh, I typed that 'craps' first... which, would be horrible...) and I still pushed myself a little harder than normal. This time instead of sprinting the back curve, I just 'picked it up'. Anyway, I feel good about the work out.

I've somehow managed to gain weight in the last week, and I'm really hoping it's just that body change that happens when you're rebuilding muscle and not quite shedding the fat. It's frustrating because I don't feel like I've been terrible about what I've been eating. Oh well. I just have to keep an eye on it I guess.

Mon. Oct 16th

Distance: 2 ish?
Weather: Cold, dark
Pace: unknown, I ran for 26 minutes

I thought I would try and figure out the local high school track and see if it really is shorter than a regulation track, but I screwed up my own test by not running at my usual pace. I decided to do some sprints. So I arbitrarily chose the back curve of the track to sprint each lap. I managed to do that for 5 laps before I totally cramped up and thought I might die so I slowed way down. I ended up running 8 laps, plus to the track and back... so it's two and a 1/4 miles? Maybe.

The plus side is I got really worn out and there's nothing I like more than a work out that really works me.

Sunday, Oct. 15th

Distance: 2 miles
Weather: Overcast, brisk
Route: Down to the bridge and back
Pace: 11:30

They have fertilzer all over the field by the fountain on Los Feliz and Riverside Blvds. making for a not so pleasant run in that area. That might explain why I shaved off 5 seconds. (ha.)

Tomorrow I think I'm going to run the track, give my knees a rest.

Saturday, Oct. 14th

Distance: 2 miles
Weather: Cloudy and crisp
Per mile: 11:39

I gave myself some serious stomach cramps on this one. I'm going to have to step it up in the next couple of weeks so I'll be ready to start training again.

My sister is training to do her first 5k ever. I'm so proud of her. My parents aren't what you'd call 'athletic', although early in her life my mom was really into skiing and then later in life she's been into walking. My mom might very well walk faster than I jog. Um... oh yeah, so my point is, we didn't have a lot to go by with my parents, I was involved in sports early on, but then kind of went the drugs and drinking direction in high school, my sister was an actress and a club type girl in high school. So I'm proud of her. I hope she sticks with it, but I know how hard these things can be.

I think I'm going to do the LA Marathon again. I'll decide by Nov. 11th, that's when I started training last year, so that's my deadline to decide.

Sunday run

Distance: 2 miles
Weather: Crisp

Oops. I guess I haven't been doing what I set out to do. But at least I ran. Right?

Week 1: Run 1 of 4

Distance: 2 miles
Temp: Dark and brisk
Course: Moderate (House to Vermont and back, some hills.)
Pace per mile: 11:35 (heh, I thought I was so much faster than my last run...)

I have been putting off running. I keep deciding I'm too tired or hungry or just burnt out and instead I sit on the couch and feel bad about myself. Shame spiral!

The run was good. I felt like I was pushing much harder than I did on Sunday and I either have my distances totally off or I'm just pretty out of shape. I'm guessing it's the latter. Considering I ran the marathon at about the pace I'm running now (can that be right?) I think I need to step it up. I'm also trying to be sure I don't hurt myself.

This week I'm probably getting off to a bad start because unless I drag my ass out of bed in the morning, I'm not going to get another run in. Off to New York tomorrow night!

New Goals, Same Shoes

Miles: 2
Temp: Kind of hot and sunny
Course: (Easy/Hard) Down Los Feliz Blvd. hill to the overpass and back up.
Average pace per mile: 11:45 (yikes, that's slow)

It's been a long time since I've actively tracked my runs, my last post was in May and before that I was kind of half assing it in this big black book of runs I was keeping. I've been reading JB's training blog,Gorilla Hunting, since its inception and I'm getting a little inspired to start training again. My big problem has been that I'm not sure if I want to do the LA Marathon again next year or wait a little longer and do the San Diego Marathon in June of next year. I don't have the confidence to do both, and I'm thinking I'd like to do a different course for my next marathon, but that puts my goal a long, long way away. I guess the obvious thing would be to find and train for a 10k or Half Marathon in the meantime, but I'm such a slow runner (as evidenced above) that I don't really want to be the slowest girl in the race.

I've gained a little weight since the marathon and I'd like to tone up again and lose those extra pounds. I'd also like to get my pace down to around 10:30 per mile or less. I don't think that will be too hard, but then again, I've never trained for speed before.

So for now, my goal is simply to run four times a week, for at least 2 miles until November when I have to decide whether or not I'm training for the LA Marathon. Additionally after four weeks, I'd like to add a cross training day to either do some weights, yoga, go for a bike ride or jump rope.

New Running Partner

Last night Louie went for a run with me. I am so lucky to have such a great boyfriend.

Scheduled: 2
Actual: 2
RPE: 6

He is a faster runner than I am so I was pushed a bit. I think in the long run we're both going to end up in better shape. Maybe I'll be able to get him to do a marathon with me next year.

Fingers crossed.

Los Angeles Marathon XXI

The night before:
Apparently there is much debate about whether or not an athlete should carb load before a big event. My bible (which I followed religiously) told me I should carb up all week, and if I felt like I hadn't eaten enough carbs that on the night before I should eat a particularly carby meal. Since I feel like I could never eat "enough carbs" I decided to go for a nice Italian meal. I wanted to go early (6pm is early meal time in LA, for some people it's even considered a late lunch...) and was unpleasantly surprised by the shit-tastic service we got from a normally delicious and low key restaurant. It probably didn't help that I had been sitting in the auto shop all day with my car, so waiting an hour and fifteen minutes for food was not on my 'things to do' list. I've crossed that restaurant off my list. Il Capricio - if you were wondering.

The morning of:
I woke up at 3:45AM and kind of tossed and turned until 5:30AM. I was fretting about what to wear, if I should eat, was I going to have to go number 2 during the course, etc, etc. Finally I got dressed and Louie came to pick me up. He dealt with my nerves and my non-specific directions as best as he could. I am a trial.

The Line Up:
I met Eric, Dave, Karma and Joe at the corner of 4th and Fig, which was a block away from the start line. It was freezing. I was wearing shorts. Goose bumps and white legs. Sexy.

Eric gave me some pointers and tips and before too long we heard the gun and Randy Newman's "I Love LA" playing, and we were off. Sort of. The start line is packed about a block and a half deep, so we walked until we crossed the actual start line and then Eric and Dave took off, and Karma and I puttered along.

Mile 1 through 6:
It is an amazing thing running with 25,000 strangers. You can only hear their footsteps and clothing and see the mass of heads bumping along in front of you. I did my best not to over run the first six miles, just took it slow and hydrated at every water stop. Karma had to pee at about mile 3 or 4, so I was alone running along, and at mile 6 I decided I need to pee to. I lost about 5 to 7 minutes in line for the portapotty, but wasn't about to drop trou like the crazy people and pee beside a building. When I started back up again, I picked my pace up a bit, but not too much, I wanted to make up time, but I wasn't terribly worried about it.

Mile 6 through 13.2:
People were out everywhere cheering for the runners, calling out the names they could read on people's bibs, banging pots together. I started using my iPod around here, just to pass the time. I could have done it with out, but I figured since I was carrying it, I might as well listen to it. In two places "Eye of the Tiger" which is on my iPod was being played live, but the "On Course Entertainment." I expected to feel really tired at the half way mark, but the only thing I felt was a little mental twinge. I was tired, but the mental image of doing what I had just run, except with more hills, made me a little... weary. I used the techniques my training bible taught me and that went away pretty quickly. At some point Karma reappeared, and we ran together for a while. I slowed down a bit and she kept going. Around here I took 2 more Advil and got drank/ate a Cliff Shot (the Vanilla flavor is delicious.)

Mile 13 through 19:
There were a few small hills to contend with, but nothing like what I had been training on, so that was a total relief. In fact, if anyone wants to train in Los Angeles for the marathon, I highly recommend Los Feliz/Silverlake/Echo Park. Our hills are killer. We started moving through neighborhoods I'm very familiar with on this part of the course, because of my commute to and from work, so that was nice. Running up Wilshire Blvd, there was a big cold wind blowing right in your face, then it would switch and be at your back, I almost put my wind breaker back on, but before too long we were on 6th Street and the wind was gone. At mile 18 they had a "Salonpas" pain relief station, where they sprayed some kind of Ben Gay type solution on your legs. It might be a pure placebo effect, but it felt great. Then I got just passed mile 19 and a group of my friends were there cheering me on. I was so happy to see them. Louie took a few photos.

Mile 20 through 26:
Wow. This is a blur for me because as they say, the last six miles are the last half of the marathon. You know you can finish, you just don't know how. I saw a man in the middle of the street, he had collapsed and a couple of people were trying to help him. I'm not sure if he was one of the two people that died. I kept going. I walked a few times in this last six just to give my knees some relief. I was also getting worried about my left foot. I was experiencing some numbness in the pad and two of my toes. At mile 26, Karma and I reconnected and I started to push pretty hard.

Mile 26.2:
There is no way for me to describe running up Flower seeing the finish line, knowing that the past sixteen weeks had led up to this one moment. I crossed. I got a little choked up. They took off my timing chip and I half limped to get my medal. I kind of had to lean down because the woman was so short. It felt heavy around my neck. I had finished it.

Post Marathon:
After the medal you run the gauntlet of water, gatorade, shiny blankets, cliff bars and I devoured one and a half. (Which is probably why I got a little sick when we got to the car.) Louie was there with flowers and I was ready to start planning my next one.

I can't believe how awesome it feels to do this. I love it and will do it again.

THE MARATHON

Scheduled: 26.2
Actual: 26.2
RPE: 7

I have a long post planned for this, but there are some highlights I want to remember right now.

Running the first four miles it's hard not to get caught up in the excitement and out run yourself. People are passing you, and you want to keep up, but you listen to your weeks of training and pace yourself.

The first eight miles are as easy as your 5 milers usually are. The excitement is still there and you know you've got a lot left in you.

Hearing people you don't know shout out your name is really amazing. I wish I had that in my every day life. Just walking down the street having someone say, "You can do it, Tamara!" would make me a lot happier person.

The halfway point sort of made me depressed. I knew it was going to feel that way because I know how hard running 18 miles is, but I was depressed nonetheless.

The Salonpas site at mile 18 was heaven. I don't know if what they spray on you really works, but it gives your brain the idea that you can finish. Only 8 miles to go.

Seeing my friends and boyfriend at mile 19 was so awesome. I didn't think I wanted people there to cheer me on, but I was so happy to see them, and I felt so good that mile that it was just... amazing.

It's true what they say about the last 6 miles being the last half of the marathon. I had to walk a bit those last six miles. Not as much as I wanted to, but I did walk. There was so much pain. My left foot was numb from the pad of my foot to my big and pointer toe. I thought I was doing permanent damage. My knees were in agony, but I just kept moving. Kept struggling through.

Crossing the finish line was so incredibly emotional. When the tiny woman put my medal on I got a little choked up. I haven't ever felt acheivement in that way. I usually just let success go unrewarded, but this... this felt like I... I don't know, like my work paid off, like I deserved a medal. Amazing.

Week 16: Run 2 - MARATHON WEEK

Scheduled: 3
Actual:3
RPE: 3

Awww.... my last training run. It was kind of awesome because DA saw me running and it gave me a little preview of the cheering section I'm getting for the marathon.

Tonight I do a 3 mile walk. Then Sunday, I run 26.2 miles. Check back here Monday or Tuesday for a full update on how it went.

Week 16: Run 1 - MARATHON WEEK

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 4

I wanted to push this one a little harder than I normally run because I'm feeling soooo stressed about the marathon. It went by so quickly. Glad it's almost over, but also a little sad.

Marathon Week

This is it! I run the marathon on Sunday. I'm so nervous and tired and ready for it to be over with. I cannot tell you how exhausted I am. I'm supposed to be gathering strength and feeling strong, but I feel beaten down. I need to just relax and hydrate and eat right, but... those are all things I'm not that good at doing when I 'need' to do them. Forced relaxation is tough for me. I can relax just fine when it isn't 'required.'

I think I'm going to go throw up now.

Week 15: Run 4

Scheduled: 8
Actual: 8
RPE: 5

I don't know. I'm getting really nervous about the marathon. This run was HARD. I'm wiped out, I'm ready for this all to be over with. I'm glad I'm doing this, yes, but also ready for a big long break.

Week 15: Run 3

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 4
RPE: 3

This was such a pleasant run that I ran an extra mile. It was cloudy and crisp, and a perfect morning. Highly enjoyable.

Week 15: Run 2

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 4

I was dragging ass on the first part of this run. But by the end I felt really good.

Week 15: Run 1

Scheduled: 3
Actual: 3
RPE: 3

It was such a relief to only have to run 3 miles last night. I was so sick of the amount of time I was spending outside in the cold running.

To continue with the litany of ailments, I think I bruised the bottom of my foot while wearing heels. I don't know for sure, but it does hurt, thankfully it didn't bother me while I was running.

Week 14: Run 4

Scheduled: 9
Actual: 10
RPE: 4

See below. I am so glad the marathon is almost here. This training... oof.

Week 14: Run 3

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 4
RPE: 3

It is safe to say I am burned the fuck out. I did this run on Sunday, after I did Run 4. I just couldn't bring myself to put running clothes on Friday night. Just. Couldn't. Do it. So, since I knew I was going to be in a slinky dress, I decided that I would run on Sunday morning instead and I would feel better about putting my body in a dress that I could not wear a bra, or even a 'sliming undergarment' (read: girdle) in.

So, I ran 4 instead of five. I ran 10 on Saturday instead of 9. It all evens out. And, I'm just absolutely tired of training. I have never trained for something before. I was on the Basketball team in high school for 2 years, and the most training we did was two weeks of practice before games started then it was scaled way back. And b-ball practice is fun, because for the most part you aren't doing line drills. You're learning plays and skills. What was my point? Oh yeah. I haven't trained for anything before. Nothing that I couldn't test out of. Have you guys ever taken a computer training course for work? I did once at this hotel I worked at when we went from what was basically a DOS based system to windows. I learned it in one hour. We had a week of training. By the end of day one, my training person told me I should stop and just help everyone else. Which... what was my point? Oh yeah. I can't test out of this training. The marathon is in two weeks. I'm nervous. But also sick to fucking death of running.

Week 14: Run 2

Scheduled: 8
Actual: 8
RPE: 4

Hmmm. A few weeks ago, at Christmas time, I thought 8 miles was sooooo hard. Now, I can do it without really blinking. I do get frustrated with the time commitment on these longer runs, but after I'm done, I'm so smug. This run felt really good, especially after not running for 4 days.

Week 14: Run 1

Scheduled: 5
Actual: Zip
RPE: NA

I have had a tough week, time wise. So I had to skip this run. I'm hoping to make it up (I allow myself make-ups, I'm not mean like a grade school teacher, "NO MAKE-UPS!), but if I don't, I'm not going to beat myself up over it.

Week 13: Run 4

Scheduled: 18
Actual: 18
RPE: 4

So, my last super long run until the marathon. It was hard. Really hard. But I think most of it was mental. My body wasn't in quite as much pain as it was last week, but I was really stressed out for a large part of the run. I chalk that up to it being my last chance to really push my body until the marathon and overthinking it. Thinking at mile 13 that during the marathon, I'll only be halfway there. At mile 16, during the marathon I'll have 10 more miles to go. At mile 18 that during the marathon, I'll I'll only be 75% finished. Then I started thinking, what was I going to do once I was finished training? So, needless to say, the last long run was the toughest I've ever had.

I can't believe that in three weeks, I'll be finished. Then what?

Week 13: Run 3

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 5

I kept tripping on this run and kind of tweaking my knee, but nothing came of it. I'm fine.

Week 13: Run 2

Scheduled: 8
Actual: 8
RPE: 4

Nothing real to report.

Week 13: Run 1

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 4

Not much to say about this run. Good, fast, no significant issues.

Week 12: Run 4

Scheduled: 18
Actual: 18
RPE: 4-6

Let's just sit back a minute and bask in the glory of my first 18 miler, shall we? I mean really. Who thought I could run 18 miles? Not me, that's for sure. But I did. And I have to say, recapping these long runs is kind of hard. I was talking to Louie about it last night and he, the good boyfriend that he is, wanted to know how the run was. And I said it was good. And then I said I'm really nervous about the marathon because it's 8 miles longer than what I just did. And he was like, but you just said that it was good! Which is where, I guess, one word answers can't really encapsulate a run that lasted just under 4 hours. That's half a work day. Spent running.

I'm trying to figure out how to explain why a run that made every muscle in my legs feel like they were broken and constricted and couldn't ever return to normal, could also feel good. I guess it's that even though your legs hurt and you're tired and it might rain, but it's also getting kind of hot in the sun, and you're sick of Fierce Melon Gatorade, but you need some carbs, that there are these moments, fleeting sometimes, but other times lasting 4 or so minutes where your body just moves. And there is no stopping it from moving. It's on autopilot. It doesn't stop hurting, but it doesn't matter that it hurts. This is what flow is. You know you're still in serious agony, and any sane person would just stop, but you keep going because pain means something different to you now. And you know that you are in charge of your body, but it is also in charge of you. Your brain and your extremities have somehow managed to work things out without you having to tell them to. It's amazing.

All that, but it's still really fucking awful too. There are moments lasting far longer than 4 minutes, if you let them, when you think about how crazy it is to spend half a work day running. How it isn't normal. How it isn't right. But you can't let those thoughts stay around for long. The most amazing moment during this run was after an hour I looked at my watch and couldn't believe that an hour had already passed. That first hour was so fun. Then things got bad, but then at mile 7 they got great again. I have to say that I think I hit a piece of the wall at mile 13, but after I drank more Gatorade and let my body do the work, I felt really good for the last two miles. Really good, but also in extreme pain.

"90% of the game is half mental," I think is the Yogi Bera quote.

Week 12: Run 3

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 4

I got poured on for the first mile. Then it cleared up and the rest of the run was really quite nice, if a bit cold. I'm really liking the 5 milers now. I think I've said this before, but this will probably be 'my distance' for most of my runs post marathon.

Week 12: Run 2

Scheduled: 8
Actual: 8.5 ish
RPE: 4

I was going to write a really long post about last nights run because I had kind of a scary thing happen to me. But after telling the story to Louie and him thinking it really wasn't a big deal, I'm feeling a little... like I overreacted. But then I have to always remember, men-they don't get it. They will try to understand what it feels like to be a woman running alone at 8:30 at night on a dark street and have a strange man run up behind you and 'try to start a conversation,' the same strange man you saw two miles earlier that made you think "that guy, I could totally take him" (which is some strange 6th sense thing working,) and they just won't get it. Not because men are insensitive, or can't understand what rape is (men go to prison, I think they know how rape feels) but because they aren't socialized the same way we are. They aren't warned to never walk alone at night because someone will rape you. They aren't cautioned against drinking too much at parties because someone will rape you. They aren't told to never walk to their car alone because someone might kidnap and rape you. It's just not in their 'fear psyche.'

So anyway, I got scared last night. So scared that I ran a half mile out of the way and after my run felt what I think might be a little what PTSD feels like. I didn't want to go out at night ever again. That's how scared I was.

But now that I got it off my chest, I'm not going to let a little dude who probably meant no harm keep me from enjoying my run. Especially because the first 6 miles of my run last night were so completely awesome, I will be able to use them for my 'visualization' during the marathon. I hit some major flow.

It's supposed to rain this weekend... And I have a 5-miler tonight and an 18-miler on Sunday. Think good thoughts.

Week 12: Run 1

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 4

My week is cram packed. I didn't run Monday because I was feeling a little overworked and overtired. Then I couldn't run Tuesday because of Love Day celebrations, so my first run of the week was yesterday (Wednesday) and I was a little dehydrated (read: hungover) so I was nervous about a 5 mile run, which is unusual. But it had been 3 days since my last run and I haven't taken a break like that since my knee problem happened, come to think of it, isn't that long ago... I digress.

The run was good. I'm not looking forward to three runs in a row and running on a Sunday vs. a Saturday, but my body feels good (mostly) and I'm starting to feel really mentally prepared, which my training book says is about 65% of the work. So...there you have it.

Tonight: 8 miles

Week 11: Run 4

Scheduled: 16
Actual: 16
RPE: 4

What a nice run. Honestly. I never thought I would say that about a 16 mile run, but it was pretty great. Mile 5, 10 and 16 were amazing. I felt great and I really am enjoying this part of the training. As much as I complain, I really feel good running. The best feeling actually was on Sunday when I am required to 'rest' I felt like I needed to do something active. It was such a nice day out I was dying to go for a bike ride. That, my friends, is something that I never would have considered 11 weeks ago. Physical activity was so very low on my priority list as to not really even be included on the list.

Week 11: Run 3

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 4
RPE: 3

I cut this run short because I was just at the brink of pain in my calves. I'm really trying to prevent further injury, but it was an awesome run. I think after the marathon, 4-milers are going to be my distance. I really had a great time.

Week 11: Run 2

Scheduled: 8
Actual: 8
RPE: 22

Ok, it wasn't 22, but I was in some serious, serious pain for my entire run. It felt like my calf muscles were ripping out of my legs. Which, to say the least, was unpleasant.

I finished though. I didn't want to. But I did.

Week 11: Run 1

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 4

It's been really warm in LA the past couple of days, so last nights run was kind of a treat because I didn't have to bundle up. Also, the route I take lays next to Griffith Park, and there are interesting warm and hot pockets that you run through, I guess because of the canyons.

I managed to get really startled by a huge stompy man with wild dredlocks pounding down the sidewalk towards me. For some reason I was really involved in my own head and didn't notice him until he literally was right next to me. I clutched my chest and said something to the effect of 'my stars!' Actually, I think it was more like, "Holy Jesus shit!" Then I promised myself I would pay better attention so someone wouldn't be able to jump out of the bushes and murder me. And then I got startled again.

I really shouldn't run alone. I'm a danger to myself.

Week 10: Run 4

Scheduled: 16
Actual: 16
RPE: 5

I am so freaking proud of myself. I ran 16 miles on Saturday, I didn't have to walk. At. All. My calves were killing me, but I ran through it, and the pain came back and I ran with it.

I think I can do this thing. I really do.

Tonight: 5 miles.

Week 10: Run 3

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 1
RPE: 3

So, my leg was feeling awesome yesterday, I did a lot of stretching before my run and the second I started running my leg started to hurt. After a mile I decided to cut it short. I could have kept running but I wanted to save myself from serious injury and I want to run the 16 miler tomorrow. I did some more research and I'm almost positive it isn't my Achilles, which is a relief. I think it's a low calf muscle pull.

Hopefully I can do the 16 miles.

Week 10: Run 2

Scheduled: 8
Actual: 8
RPE: 5

Ok. Seriously. Can someone please give me a fucking break!?! I swear to all that is holy (I don't even believe in HOLY!) I'm up to fucking here (indicates outer stratosphere of Universe) of the goddamned injuries! This is all happening because when I first was reading my marathon training book where they talk about injuries, I was all smug and smirky, "I never get injured!" I played basketball for two years, and I did get injured, I had to have my ankles wrapped before every practice and every game. We had 2 weeks of intense practice before our season, and I got injured, I don't know how I thought I was impervious to injury, but somehow I did. Boy howdy, did the Universe show lil' ol' me.

I pulled my goddamned Achilles last night. At least that's what it feels like. I'm so irritated right now. I've gone 10 weeks, and it seems like every goddamned week it's something new. Week 1, my damned heart was all fluttery. Weeks 2-5 I had quad pain, Weeks 6-now my stupid knee has been acting up and NOW, goddamnit I can hardly walk because of my stupid Achilles tendon.

I'm about to give up. This is fucking ridiculous. It's a good thing tonight is a rest night.

Week 10: Run 1

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 4

This run felt so awesome. I really had a great time on it. And, surprise of all surprises I ran into Louie's dad while I was at the track. He was working in the neighborhood and Louie told him I would be running. So that was nice.

Tonight : 8 miles.

Week 9: Run 4

Scheduled: 16
Actual: 16
RPE: 5

Wow. This was hard. I had to walk for about 5 minutes. I really didn't think my body would be able to continue. And it stresses me out a bit that this is still 10 miles less than what I'll be doing for the marathon. Ten. Miles. Less.

I made it, though. And my body recovered pretty quickly. The key I think was adequate stretching and a real day of rest the following day. A day where I did absolutely nothing physical.

Week 9: Run 3

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 4
RPE: 3

I was so not going to run last night. I was dicking around the apartment looking at my cameras. Cleaning up my closet. Trying to digest the Nut-rageous candy bar, bag of chips and Hot and Spicy V8 that I drank on my way home from work. Finally I forced myself out the door.

I ran really slowly, but again really focused on my form. My knees aren't really hurting today but my quads are pretty sore.

I have a 16 mile run to do on Saturday. I'm nervous about it because I didn't do my long run last week...

Week 9: Run 2

Scheduled: 7
Actual: 4
RPE: 4

So, like I said yesterday I switched the distances for run 1 and run 2 this week. Mostly so I could watch Lost. Which ended up being terrible last night.

As for the run, it was pretty good. I worked really hard on my foot falls, because I think if I concentrate on my form more, my knees will suffer less. So far I'm right.

Week 9: Run 1

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 7
RPE: 3

So, last week was quite a bust. I was feeling pretty down about my knees and the distances seemed totally undoable. And my thirtieth birthday had me in Las Vegas, so instead of sucking it up and running I sucked it up and took the week mostly off and 'rested'.

Back and in full effect, I switched Run 1 and Run 2. Tonight I'm scheduled for 7 miles but will only run 4. Tomorrow, I'm scheduled for 4 but will run 5 and Saturday I'm scheduled for 16, but will do 15. I'm altering the training a bit... as I just told you.

My knees feel better, or maybe I'm just getting used to the stiffness? I'm not sure. Either way, I'm continuing with the training until I'm unable to run.

Week 8: Run 4

Scheduled: 14
Actual: 0
RPE: NA

Mmm-hmm. Skipped this one, too.

Week 8: Run 3

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 0
RPE: NA

Yeah. I didn't run.

Week 8: Run 2

Scheduled: 6
Actual: 6
RPE: 4

So, I decided not to puss out on my run last night. I did kind of torture myself though. I ran 6 miles on the track. I wanted to run on a soft surface to protect my knee as much as possible and also I wanted a day without hills. So, the track was pretty much it. That or run in Griffith Park, which, at 7:30pm is kind of terrifyingly dark and spooky and coyote filled. So. Track it was. And bored I got. But I did it. And all 6 miles of it. And my knee is tight, but not unwalkable.

The first 4 miles felt spectacular actually. I was in great form, good pace, and really felt good. Mile 5 and 6 not so much.

Week 8: Run 1

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 0
RPE: NA

So. Last night I was supposed to run 4 miles. And... I just didn't do it. My knee is really bothering me, and I wanted to give it a bit of a rest. I plan on running tonight. But I think I'm only going to do a 4 miler instead of a 6. The big worry on my back is that I'm doing irrepairable damage to my knee and that at some point I'll have to have surgery on it. I know. I'm a total hypochondriac, but seriously... My knee is still swollen two days after my run. That can't be good, can it?

One day at a time.

Week 7: Run 4

Scheduled: 12
Actual: 12
RPE: 4-5

So... I had a long run on Saturday morning. It was misting a bit when I started out, but I've been through this before, I've run in Seattle, so I thought... it'll be fine.

An hour later I was soaking wet and kind of wishing I had a nice treadmill somewhere that I could finish up on. Then I realized, it might very well rain during the marathon. So I kept running. Some guy coming up the huge hill on Los Feliz Blvd. as I was running down it, equally soaked, and totally smiling, wished me a good morning. I did the same to him. I sang my songs out loud to fend off the fear that I would just quit and never think about running again.

It was the most difficult run I've done to date, and not just because of the distance, because I ran a lot more hills and it was pouring for a good 30 minutes of the 2 hour and 24 minute run. I was exhausted when I got home, but I survived it. And I can do it again.

Week 7: Run 3

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 4
RPE: 3

Not as awesome as Monday's run, but still pretty great.

Saturday - 12 miles

Week 7: Run 2

Scheduled: 6
Actual: 6
RPE: 4

I'm trying a new running schedule, doing Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, rather than Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, for no other reason than I like to watch Lost and Invasion with Louie. And with my 'medium' runs getting longer and thus more time consuming, it was becoming less and less feasible to spend that time with him. So, now I run on Tuesdays. No big deal. I don't know why I just spent a paragraph talking about it. Moving right along.

Last night's run... what to say about it. It wasn't as awesome as Monday's run, but I chalk that up to it being A. longer and B. not following a rest day. I handled it pretty well and each time I finish one of these runs I think to myself, I had never run this far before. Now I can do it without thinking I'm going to die. And that makes me awesome.

I know it sounds like I'm totally getting full of myself, but in this training program, we are forced to be positive and as I get deeper into it, I'm starting to believe all the positive thinking. And believing is right next to being.

Next up - Thursday - 4 miles.

Week 7: Run 1

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 4
RPE: 4

So after completely bitching and moaning about how I wanted to quit yesterday. I went for my first Week 7 run. And I have to say it was one of my favorite and best runs yet. I wore my new running socks, I wore my new light arm band, and I ran. Awesomely. I really felt great. I attribute this to the "let it all go" philosophy and the "carbs are awesomely required for runners" diet. I ate so many carbs yesterday. And it felt awesome. Carbs = my favorite foods. So I think I should be a runner. Forever.

Tonight - 6 miles.

Week 6: Run 4

Scheduled: 11
Actual: 11
RPE: 4-5

I don't know if I'm cut out for this. 11 miles almost killed me. My knees are about to give up... but I really want to keep going forward. I don't want to let myself down. One day at a time.

Week 6: Run 3

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 4
RPE: 5

Boy did I ever give myself a cramp last night. Eesh. It sucked. I survived. I didn't quit. I ran like a crazy person.

This weekend, 11 miles!

Week 6: Run 2

Scheduled: 5
Actual: 5
RPE: 4

I had a very confusing run last night, I'm not actually sure how far I ran because I lost count somehow of my laps on the track and then sort of figured out that my track is not 1/4 mile and it all became very frustrating so I ran off the track through my neighborhood and that's when the dude in the white serial killer van started following me. I'm not kidding.

I ran up the street and some jack-hole was sitting at the four way stop with his right turn blinker on, but clearly was not going anywhere and fucking up traffic quite nicely. This jack-hole happened to be driving a white serial killer van. As soon as I ran up the street, white serial killer van decided to follow me. Which is exactly my biggest fear. (I've seen Silence of the Lambs way too many times to not worry about shit like this.) Much to my surprise though I was feeling very tough (I think it helped that Catch was playing Eminem). And I kept running, keeping my eye on serial killer. He finally pulled ahead of me and then was stopped at another stupidly traffic blocking spot, again looking like a moron. I'd like to think that he was just some lost asshole contractor looking for an address, but honestly, I'm pretty sure he was up to no good. Thankfully I look pretty tough when I'm running (I have a blood stain on my shirt from where I sort of half pulled off a mole on my back while running, ew, I know) and nothing came of it, but this is why I'm going to need to invest in some pepper spray.

Week 6: Run 1

Scheduled: 4
Actual: 4
RPE: 3

I took it really easy on this run, my knees have been really stiff since last Thursday and I wanted to kind of ease back into running after my 10 mile extravaganza. So I gave myself all the time I needed, worked on my form and my visualizations and ran without the iPod. I think I can do the visualizations much better without music distracting me. Something to remember for the future.

Week 5: Run 4

Scheduled: 10
Actual: 10
RPE: 4

I have never run this far before, especially in the pouring rain in LA. When I first started, I was getting a slight mist, then by mile 8 it was straight up pouring. It was an awesome run though, I ran through Griffith Park by the golf course and there were golfers out golfing in the rain, people were out biking and hiking and jogging and this awesome older couple as I was running by on my way home drenching and I'm sure looking pretty bedraggled started clapping and smiling and cheering me on. I was in heaven.

Great run.