Paying it forward....

Well, I finished my 3rd 1/2 marathon for the year a couple weeks ago - which means I raced 1 marathon, 3 1/2s and a 10k, a total of 71.5 something race miles with an unknown amount of miles on the pavement during training in between - rain, snow, heat, you name it. You might of found me on a treadmill less than 1/2 a dozen times in the last 17 months of training. No hamster wheels! My next adventure - is taking something that I have established a love-hate relationship with and helping others establish their own and achieve something that they probably thought not possible - finishing a marathon. I'm going to coach w/ a local program - Miles that Matter. Training will start in January for the Flying Pig. If you simply have never experienced The Pig - at least go watch. It's actually been named one of the top 10 marathons in the US - absolutely fun and while we can't necessarily be proud of our Bengals or Reds - the Flying Pig can be a claim to fame for sure. It's funny, people come to running for so many different reasons and usually the least of these is to get in shape. I've heard so many stories of people that come to that first training day broken and beat up from life and somehow hope, a renewed confidence, and belief in themselves in unveiled. People can find this in many ways - running isn't just it - but it's an avenue. I believe God uses many avenues. I feel blessed that God led me down this avenue and I hope I can be a conduit in some small way for others.

getting off the sidelines...

Well, just a short update (for anyone who actually checks this extremely outdated blog) - I'm still running. I completed the Flying Pig 1/2 Marathon in May. Sprained my ankle the following weekend and have just been released to start running again. So, off I go...I'm now training for the inaugural San Antonio Rock n Roll Marathon, which will be in November. I'll hit a few small races between now and then, but still running. Perhaps redefining what I've always thought was w/in the confines of "humanly possible". I'm getting off the sidelines.

The Big Dance

Wow, my final post. The final chapter in this book. I have danced the big dance. 26.2: It was fun. It was grueling. It was fabulous. I don't think I could have picked a more entertaining marathon to call my first. I met my ultimate goal: to finish. 6:13 later. My splits were:

• 5 miles: 1:05
• 10 miles: 2:13
• Half: 2:56
• 20 miles: 4:38
• Finish: 6:13

The temperatures were very warm. At the 6am start, it was 68 degrees with 93% humidity. Our coach told us to count on running slower than our usual pace due to the heat/humidity. The highest point it reached during my run was 75 degrees. We were drenched and there wasn't a water stop I dared to pass and I only stopped once to use the bathroom (at mile 4) - that kinda says how much we were all sweating. At mile 13 my feet started to feel like I was running on the blacktop without any shoes on. I think they had swelled up from the humidity maybe and my laces were tied too tight. By the time I stopped to loosen them it was too late - I felt like a car had run over the top of my feet.

But those are just the minor details. The rest of the details are the best. We had an awesome time. The crowds, the scenery, fellow runners - made it simply worth it. We ran through 4 parks (Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, MGM, and Epcot). There were characters out everywhere, they even brought some of the animals out (lamas, sheep) to "cheer" us on. Here were the highlights for me:

• The guy who was a volunteer at a water stop holding a sign that read "Ladies Drink for Free".
• Her shirt: "I'm just here for the bling". His shirt: "I'm just here because she made me".
• Shirt: "I'm running because someone crazy is chasing me."
• Shirt: "One day I just decided to go for a little run... - Forrest Gump"
• Just before we came around the corner to the finish, there was a gospel choir decked out in robes signing a gospel song. That's when the goose bumps started.
• Shirt: "Slowly pace yourself for 6.2 miles and then taper."
• Shirt: "If you think doing an endurance race is tough, try chemo."
• The text message from Zach at around mile 22: "Keep going. Almost there. You can do it. You are the best. I am so proud of you."
• The text message from Stacey that followed: "There are angels all around you. You'll get there and you have a lot to look forward to for the rest of the day after you finish. Use your arms."

Along with the messages from Zach and Stacey, special highlights were seeing my parents and Cathy at miles 9 and 14. They were at the finish but unfortunately I didn't actually see them. They saw me - they cried. I think my mom was mostly relieved that I didn't look as bad as she thought I would. ;-) I took the whole thing in stride. I had fun with the crowds, putting my arms up in victory every chance I got, giving people high fives, pumping my arms up to get people to cheer louder, whatever I could do for my few seconds of fun and distraction here and there. I have to say that wearing the purple jersey (Team In Training) made it phenomenal. There were 18,000 participants, 1900 of which were Team In Training participants - they call us the "Purple People" - and any time you ran by anyone representing TNT (staff or family) from any chapter, they cheered for you like you were their own. I ran alone most of the time, but was never really alone. Our 1900 participants raised $5.6 million. Saving lives...one mile at a time. I think we get more from TNT than we give but I'm glad that what I did helped give better odds to the next person who finds out they have Leukemia.

As I mentioned in my last post, I had the phrase "Just Believe" put on the back of my shirt. At one point, I heard a guy behind me respond to a question from his friend with "I don't know...but I'm running w/ Debra because she says Just Believe". And, near the end of the race, a man ran up to me and said "I just have to thank you Debra because all day you have really helped me to believe", and then he was gone.

You Tube has videos posted by the disney world news and a local tv station.

Many, many thanks to all of you - for the support, prayers, and encouragement. We did a good thing...because we simply believed.

If you do not believe you can do it then you have no chance at all.

Just Believe

2.5 days. Is that truly possible? I know my nerves are telling me it's possible.

Our flight leaves at 7:40am tomorrow. Most of the team flew out today but I didn't think I wanted the extra day back in November when I booked my flight. Might have been a good idea considering I've been sitting at home all day with a low-grade fever and sore throat. I'm shooting Zicam up my nose every few hours - yes, this is an OTC drug in case anyone is not familiar with it. I remember early on worrying about our marathon being this time of year and coming off the holiday stress and in the throws of flu/cold season. Yes, I was thinking like the glass is hall empty. And...here I am. It's not that bad - I'll be fine by Sunday.

I've laid out all the necessities and am close to being packed. All my gear for Sunday will go w/ me in a carry-on - eliminate risks. Stacey took my race shirt and did my iron ons for me - everyone puts their name on the front (so spectators can cheer for you) and I had her put the phrase "Just Believe" along the back. I said this will be the encouragement I leave for the people that I pass - ha ha - it's more like these will be the words others will see as they pass me.

It's been a fun week leading up to this - people have been so encouraging and supportive - this will truly be a race I won't finish alone. Everyone that has gotten me to the start line will be getting me to the finish line.

I have to leave you with a quote that was passed along to me to yesterday:

"The difference between the mile and the marathon is the difference between

burning your fingers with a match and being slowly roasted over hot coals."

"Remember to Run YOUR Race"

These were the final words to me by one of my coaches on Saturday at the end of our last group run. These are words of wisdom for this first-timer. I'm used to being at the back of the pack, last or near last, so there's no one out there setting or influencing the pace for me but me. Now, when you add in 14,000 or so runners to the "group", it will be easy to let someone else determine my pace. My plan is to put myself in the "corral" where I'm used to being and least likely influenced - the back.

We had a 6 mile run on Saturday - my last stroll across the Purple People Bridge as a non-marathoner. Stacey joined me for the run and we laughed, got rained on a little, took pictures, and got lost. See pictures on the right.

Every game has a game plan, and I guess a marathon is really no different. I've studied the course map. I know where the water stops will be, I know where it will be nothing but stretches of highway (hopefully filled w/ lots of spectators), I know what mile we'll be at when we'll go through Cinderella's castle (will have camera ready!), I know at what points I need to be at with what times if I want to meet my time goal (enter lofty thoughts here) and where I need to eat my energy bloks and goo. I know what I'll be carrying: 2 packs of Clif Bloks, 2 chocolate rage Goo packs, disposable camera, ipod, chapstick, trash bag (i.e. rain coat or emergency"porta potty"), motrin, a couple band aids, watch, and pace band. I'm going to do one of my runs this week w/ all this stuff on - I'm trying eliminate as many unknowns as I can. It's part of the game plan. If you are interested in tracking my time, click here

Now, I totally realize that you can put together the best game plan possible but there will always be the unexpected and unknowns. That's just life. Oh, I've always had an idea of about this or that in my life - how I wanted things to be - but sometimes things turn out differently. So, if my pace doesn't match the numbers on my pace band, well...I'll still be out there, doing my thing, getting it done...running my race.

At last...

...I wasn't last. Yesterday we had our last double-digit (10) run before our marathon and I wasn't the last one to make it back. Actually, I was 4th from last! My niece also reminded me just how good that really is since I am the "oldest" of the group. She's definitely related to me - she just says whatever she thinks.

I always spend some part of my long runs imagining the feeling of crossing the finish line. Sometimes I have to take my thoughts there when I'm tired and don't feel like going on. I can only imagine the adrenaline that must run through a person's body to accomplish such a feat. I'm scared and excited but with less than 2 weeks to go, I'm starting to feel more scared. I still have to figure out what my mantra is going to be when I hit the infamous wall - which I hear is around mile 21 for most people. I just pray it's not at like mile 11 for me. More than anything I'm just grateful. I'm grateful for the support people have given, grateful that physically and mentally I am able to do this, and grateful for what I have learned about myself.

The first time we had a 10 mile run was on October 13th = 2:23. December 29 = 1:54. I was determined to finish in under 2 hours on Saturday - Zach had a basketball tournament game at 9am which I wanted to try to make before it was over. When I told one of my coaches this, he told me I'd never finish 10 miles in under 2 hours. Never tell me never.

"Few of us know what we are capable of doing... we have never pushed ourselves hard enough to find out." Alfred A. Montapert

Getting it right

Yesterday was a taper run - 12 miles, 2:17. We'll taper for the next 2 Saturdays as we get closer to the marathon. Next week will be my last double digit run before 1.13.08.

Finding inspiration throughout this journey has come from various places. I was out with some friends last night who, after a few martinis or two, were getting sentimental and telling me what an inspiration I had been for them during my training. These 2 friends don't realize what an inspiration they have been for me. They've helped me through a number of fundraising events (we collectively raised over $1500 working various events) and they have their own trials and tribulations that make me realize that shin splints and blisters are actually reminders of how blessed I am to be able to do what I am doing. My friend Kim has been out of work for a few months and as a single mom of 2 boys, the holidays are tough but she laughs and smiles more than a person with a million dollars. Cathy just recently found out that her breast cancer is back. She is traveling w/ me to Orlando and when we return she'll be facing surgery and 6 months of chemo. I'll cross that finish line in memory of my uncle and in honor of Cathy. This is where I get my inspiration.

Some days I find I run because I have to or I won't survive 26.2. Those are the days that it takes all I have to put one foot in front of the other and overcome the elements of my nature. Some days I find I run because I want to - because I find for a few miles or hours that my life is my own and I am who I want to be and don't have to worry about who I am to everyone else. Sometimes I'm running away, running to escape, and hoping life won't find me. But you can't really run away - it will still be there in the end and you realize that each day is simply an event, not a means to an end in this journey we call life. It's just a matter of figuring out how to get it right and do it again tomorrow.

Rounding third...and heading for home

It's the home stretch...less than 30 days to go and we've completed our longest training run (attempted to, anyhow). Saturday was not ideal but we did the best we could w/ the weather we were given and I'm checking it off my list. Done. Completed. C'est la vie. :-)

We started shortly after 6am and our coaches pulled us off the course a little after 9am because of the snow and winds. At that point I had completed 14 miles. I went home, got dry clothes and then went to the gym to do the rest. I was able to pull another 5 miles out of myself. I know...14+5=19. It was all I could do. After stopping and trying to start again after lactic acid was setting in and muscles had tightened, the situation was not optimal. I'm giving myself credit for shoveling the drive yesterday after running 19 miles and counting that as my mile 20. I'm looking forward to a Saturday when the longest journey on foot I take is to the end of the driveway to get the newspaper. 19 miles: 4:16.

Let it snow...

Tomorrow marks the longest run in our training program - the big 20. It has been 18 weeks since we started. August 11, the date of our first group run (a whopping 4 miles), brought a high of 91 degrees. I remember running from Weller Park to the McDonalds on the corner of Weller and Montgomery and being so happy that this was our 2 mile mark and we got to turn around and go back. Tomorrow...we start at 6am and are forecasted to be at 19 degrees with a "wintery mix" thrown in. Brrrr. I am in a state of mind mixed with mild panic and excitement. The biggest fight tomorrow won't be the snow, ice, or physical endurance - it will be the mental. It will be about overcoming myself. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

12916

That's my official race number for the Disney Marathon. Info came in the mail yesterday that included this and the race program. That was kinda exciting. I also went and bought a new pair of running shoes. That was kinda exciting too - this is the first time I've actually wore out a pair of running shoes. Usually I've just purchased them for the sake of wanting a new pair, not necessarily needing a new pair. I also decided that I'm going to sign up for the Flying Pig Half Marathon and possibly try to do the Columbus in October 2008. Stacey has committed (yes, you have) to do these as well. :) Of course, the only time we'll likely be together during these events is in the car on the way there and the way home. Perhaps I should have waited until I actually finished a marathon before I committed to another, but I think it will kinda be like childbirth - it's hell getting through it, but when it's over and the pain has subsided, you'd likely do it all over again. I'm just enjoying the journey.

This weekend was a low mileage weekend, so we only did 10 in preparation for 20 next weekend. I, on the other hand, only did 8. Things were just off yesterday. I started out sucking air big time - perhaps I took off too fast - and then I got too hot and dropped a layer at the first water stop, then got cold, and my legs were tight and sore. My coach, Linda, was running w/ me and at about mile 7 she took a hard fall and we just threw up our hands and walked/ran the rest of it to her car, which was at mile 8. Of course, it didn't take much persuasion to get me in the car and drive back to the Boathouse. :)

The Way I See It...

The Way I See It #259
"People say, oh I could never do that! But when you meet cancer patients you understand the bravery and spirit those people show each and every day. Their struggles motivate and inspire you to test the limits of your endurance and to cross that finish line. You'll be surprised at what you can do". John Kellenyi, eight-time marathoner and leading fundraiser with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training

That showed up on one of my Starbucks' cups recently. It's sometimes hard to believe that this journey to 26.2 has been 5 months in the making. Time is flying by. I'll admit I'm a little scared about what life will look like when it's over. I remember what life looked like just before I started. I was in a place of transition and uncertainty. We were thrown a little when the doctor's discovered a mass on my mom's lungs back in July, which God seems to have healed completely according to a recent cat scan. I had moments back then when I thought I wouldn't do this, for fear of not knowing where things might go (oh ye of little faith...I know). 2007 has brought many beautiful, fun, and miraculous moments, mixed with some challenges, disappointments, and losses. Life is like that. No one promises us that it will be easy - just that we don't have to do it alone. This journey has become such an integrated part of my life. There is not a day that goes by where I don't make some decision or choice that is dictated by my training. I'm sure everyone is tired of hearing about it and you'd think I'd be trained to be a Boston qualifier by the way I talk...but trust me, I'm far from it. I'm here for distance not time. :) I have a circle of friends that have been incredible with the time and effort that have put into helping me make this dream become a soon-to-be reality. When I'm out there running and mentally breaking down, I'm reminded as to why I'm doing this - for the survivors, the families who've lost, my uncle who was taken from here way too soon, and I remember the other heroes in my life who've overcome obstacles, continue to encounter them, and keep on going.

Going all the way

18 miles: 3:42. Not bad, I think I have the potential to hang w/ Katie Holmes in a marathon if I keep this up. It was a coooold day. Temperature-wise it probably wasn't any colder than last Saturday (the almanac doesn't say it was) but there was a wind factor that made it certainly feel colder. When we started it was about 25 degrees I think and it never got above 35 before I finished. Just about everything from the waist down is feeling pain today. I don't think any of it is a-typical, just typical for running long distance. At this rate though I need to buy more ice packs - 2 isn't getting the job done in a timely manner. And, I refuse to emerge myself in a tub full of ice cold water as is suggested by our coaches. I think I'd have to be held to gun point before I get that desperate. I ran most of it alone yesterday - I started out w/ Jill and Angela but they were only doing 9 because they are training for the 1/2, so our routes parted around mile 3 or so. Perhaps I should have thought about the 1/2? No, I'd feel like I was cheating myself and everyone that is sponsoring me. I mean, go for the gusto. One full marathon in a lifetime at least. As I was running yesterday, and my mind is always veering off to different places during those 3+ hours, I wondered who was higher at the time - me, when I signed up to do this back in July or Blondie, when she wrote the song Rapture? I don't do drugs, can't speak for Blondie. But that song - it was all the rage back when and I heard it out last weekend and for entertainment sake had to add it to my playlist. I called home yesterday (new topic), as I typically do after my Saturday runs because my mom has read one too many stories about people dying from marathons, and my mom wanted to know if I finished. Finished? Of course, is there an option? She's alluded to the fact before that I don't have to finish the whole thing if I don't want to. Not finish? What? Like run to mile marker 19 and say, OK, I think I'm done now - taxi! No disrespect to my mom - she just worries...like a mom - but there's no stopping now or on Jan 13th (unless I'm carted off to a medic tent, which isn't going to happen). I'm going all the way.

Believe

I think I'm gonna call myself a runner. Today was a good run day - nothing can take that away from you either. While it was a taper weekend and we only did 8, I basically ran all 8 with only 2 short walk breaks on a couple hills up to Eden Park. I set a goal of 1:30 and I met it. I knew I had come a long way when the group that is usually in their cars and half way home by the time I finish were just a few minutes ahead of me. It was 29 degrees when we started at 7:30am. It was so cold I had frost growing on my top and I dared not to try and lick my chapped lips for the fear that my tongue might stick to them. As I was coming down Eggelston to Pete Rose Way, I remembered the last time we ran that route, it was our 10-miler several Saturdays ago and I was begging God to give me just enough to get back to the Boathouse. Today I hit that spot and I looked up and said thank you for believing in me and taking me so very far.

Was That My Life? Jo Dee Messina
I don't wanna be the one who's old before their time
And lose the wonder that I felt as a child.
I can't run this race believing I might lose
There's still so much to see, so much left to do.
Yes I'll fall before I fly
But no one can say I never tried.
Oh we just get one ride around the sun
In this dream of time.
It goes so fast
And one day we look back
And we ask...was that my life?

Sweet Sixteen

3:28 including 6 water stops, 3 Shot Bloks, 4 Motrin, 0 bathroom breaks, and 4:1 intervals. Nothing but sunshine and positive thoughts. Something had to change. 14 was &^!! and I was determined 16 wasn't going to get the best of me. Life's kinda like that - keep putting the same thing into it, you'll keep getting the same thing back. If you are not willing to make changes, you really can't complain about what life is giving you. Granted, I'm not exempt from complaining and you'll hear me do it again I'm sure but you won't ever see me settle for what the landscape looks like today if I know I don't want to see it again tomorrow and the next day, and so on. Change is hard and it doesn't happen overnight. I wasn't anywhere close to calling myself a runner back in the summer when I signed up for this and after 3+ hard but rewarding months, I'm getting close to calling myself one.

"I know that the only person I will ever have to outrun is the person I used to be. More than that, I have learned just how far I was from who I wanted to be. And from the day of that realization, every step has taken me closer to the person I am trying to become."
John "The Penguin" Bingham.

Simple, profound, true.

Tomorrow marks the official 60 day mark until my marathon. 60 days... Tonight I was running on the treadmill - for hopes that giving myself a break from the hard pavement would help me this week - and as I was getting bored I started imagining myself crossing the finish line. What I will do, what I will say, who I will see. And, then I thought - oh my gosh - what if my family and friends don't see me cross the finish line? What if they miss me or what if there is someone like Katie Holmes that steals my spotlight? Granted, this is not the NY City Marathon and celebraties will not be likely but I get bored on a treadmill and my mind wonders. Oh, and I just love it (not) when someone asks me if I heard Katie Holmes just did the NY City Marathon in 5:30. Let's do a reality check here people - personal trainer, housekeeper, yard guy, and Tom Cruise waiting at the finish line. Girlfriend should have done better than a mere 12.69 mile with those resources. Moving on...

I completed 10 of our 12 mile run this past Saturday. My left knee - which oddly enough it is always my right knee that bothers me - started having shooting pain in the back and I cut the route short and walked it in w/ another teammember. As we were walking in I was telling him how I just get so frustrated by the constant pain and how I'm working hard and showing up for everything - and, he's like...Debra, you just need to have fun. Simple, profound, true. It's not like I'm going to set any records (other than my own) and I really think I've trained well enough to not ride the bus to the finish line. I just need to relax. I just need to chill. I just need to enjoy the scenery. I just need to be proud of what I'm accomplishing and say to $#!! with the rest of it.

Small Favors. Big Blessings.

OK, so my last post was pretty much a pitty party and as they say, those parties are generally low in attendance. So, this post is an effort to look past the aches and pains of my personal situation and be thankful for the small favors, which sometimes bring big, and unexpected, blessings. Here's my list:

• I'm thankful for my own personal running group that formed during my run on Saturday. One of my coaches stuck w/ me the entire 14 miles, my friend Stacey joined me for the last 1/2, and a random TNT alum, Kelsey, who was out for her Saturday morning run turned around and joined us for the last 3 or 4. It was kinda like the scene from Forrest Gump where he takes off running across the country and people just keep joining the group. Run Forrest! Run! Life really is like a box of chocolates...you just never know what you are gonna get.
• I'm thankful for Zach and the cozy running outfit he got me for my birthday because I will be so much warmer this weekend.
• I'm thankful for the adorable pink gloves and hat that Stacey got me, because not only will I be warmer - I will be stylin (and, I promise I won't wipe my runny nose on them).
• I'm thankful that my sister bought me an iPod for Christmas 2 years ago, although at the time I really wanted to take it back and get a digital camera. My iPod has become one of my best running partners.
• I'm thankful that I am able to run and that my issues of waking up and going out into the cold have nothing to do w/ chemo or a hospital visit. I'm thankful that my son is healthy and that I'm not the parent that has to sit by their child's bedside wondering if this breath will be his last.

In everything...give thanks.

Tough Reminders

14. They all seem long at this point. What's another 1, 2, 3, etc. miles. That's how I feel today. There won't be any encouraging quotes or funny quips. The truth of the matter is, I'm hurting. And, I can't honestly remember the last time I didn't. I know the minute I try to get up from my chair after writing this, I'll cringe from something in my hip, knee, foot, shin - basically any lower extremity. There's a constant reminder in my body somewhere always screaming at me. I wake up throughout the night and have to strategize how to turn over or remind myself not to stretch out something wrong or it might snap. I want so badly to succeed at this and I've worked really hard to try to follow the rules, stick w/ the program, invest in the right things, and show up wherever I'm suppose to be. But, there was never any promise made to me that this would be easy or pain-free either. And, I'm not a mentally tough person. Contrary to what some may believe...it's not how I'm wired. It's sometimes who I have to be though. If I've ever had a moment of wanting to give up over the last 12 weeks, it was this weekend.

Strength in Numbers

14. 39. It seems like every double-digit I encounter lately scares me. Perhaps this is a personal issue I should have come to terms with before I signed up to do a marathon. 39 wasn't so bad, so I'm sure 14 will be just fine. It was an interesting day yesterday - my number 39. I had 6 voice mail messages that included personal renditions of "happy birthday". I think people really must love me or...maybe they don't? :-)

I didn't do 2 of my short runs this week - trying to heal shin splints before tomorrow. I did do some crosstraining though, nothing that included a knife, fork, or cake however. My friend Stacey is joining me for half of my 14 mile run tomorrow. I'm so excited! She keeps telling me that she's not in long-run/marathon condition and I keep reminding her that I'm not the speed racer that she is either. She has quite the (good) reputation amongst the local running circle. 7-8 miles at my pace will probably be like a jog around the block for her.

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face... The danger lies in refusing to face the fear, in not daring to come to grips with it... You must make yourself succeed every time. You must do the thing you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Numbers...are just numbers.

Faith

"Faith isn't faith until it's all your holding onto." - Unknown

Today I officially reached my fundraising goal! Actually I exceeded it believe it or not. There is such relief in being able to say that and now being able to focus solely on training. I am truly humbled by how people have responded, and all of you are in essence taking this journey with me. $3600 is a big number and it seemed bigger than I ever thought I could achieve but once again God proved to me that if I'd just let go, He'd take care of it. And, He did.

I believe doing this marathon is part of His plan - not sure where all it will take me - but I believe I'm doing the right thing for my life at this moment. I often wonder if this started w/ me running away from something or towards something. I think it's a little of both and the list is long on both sides.

"Settle with the past. Engage in the present. Believe in the future. Life is just a voyage that is always homeward bound." - from the movie, Cheaper by the Dozen 2

26.2 is a big number but not bigger than both of us.

Kick'n it Newport Style

There's just something about running on the streets of Newport in the dark that will cause you to kick up your pace a bit. We didn't do the route to Eden Park/Observatory today. Woo hoo! We took a route through downtown, over the Clay Bailey Bridge, and over to Newport and back. I don't panic on bridges typically, but something about running over one next to a moving train just creates a little uneasiness in a gal.

10 miles in 2:03, which included 3 water stops and 1 unsuccessful bathroom stop at the Shell station on 4th street in Newport (I do not really believe the bathroom was "closed" either!), followed by 1 successful bathroom stop courtesy of the Goodyear Tire Store in Newport. At about mile 5 my newest add to my playlist came on: Return of the Mack. If that song doesn't make you wanna move your hips...brother, you need a pulse check. It will put some groove in your step.

I'm one of those people that say "good morning" to every person I run past. What is up w/ some people around here? Runners have unspoken code that it's just something you do - it's like a brotherhood, like bikers. But the general public out walking to work or trying to find their car from the night before, generally don't expect people to say anything to them. I am here to prove this wrong. Morning!