Back in the Habit

Okay, no one even needs to say it. Its been WAY TOO LONG since my last post. It seems like so much has happened, but then again nothing at all.

I have come to one no-brainer conclusion however. Running in the rain is hard. (This is where you roll your eyes and say "Duh") Its not only physically hard but its very difficult to convince your primortal self (which has developed to do everything possible to stay inside, stay warm, and stay dry) to go outside in the cold, the wet, and the wind. The wind is the most irritating. THAT is the element that blows raindrops into your eyeball causing your contact to momentarily lose suction and pretend like its going to fall out. This results in you jabbing your finger in your eye to keep said contact in place. Having done this you've successfully kept the afore mentioned contact in place, and have now added untold amounts of dirt and sweat into your eye. And now class, whats in sweat? SALT!! I've done the "Dirt-Salt in the Eye" dance on more than one occassion. I've even thought to just let the contact fall out and become a victim of the run. The only thing this accomplished is I saw two blurry paths where one had been, and saw two blurry trees with low-hanging branches where one had been, and received a decent thump on my forehead as I ducked for the upper of the two blurry branches.... I ducked for the wrong branch.

I actually enjoy running in the rain. Its fun, in a bizzare masochistoic sort of way. It makes me feel like a runner. I'm still having a hard time identifying myself as a "runner."  Runners are those crazy people who run obscene distances for no apparent reason. Or worse, they run long distances on a treadmill which truely "gets you nowhere". Runners sport spandex like their entitled to it. As if their legs and thighs are the ultimate epitome of fitness gods and goddesses. Runners talk about their shoes like they are long lost lovers. You will be told details about their shoes that you really probably didn't want to know to begin with. But you'll listen to anyway because you're a good person. They wear legs braces and compression wraps like they're badges of honor, and taut them as such...Its funny. Even writing this I'm sitting here thinking to myself "I've kinda done that, I'm sorta doing that, I sometimes think that."

You may read this and laugh, but running has a way of changing things. Running 2-3 miles now is no problem. Three months ago it would have killed me. I've run 5 miles to which I said "Good run!" as opposed to "What that *bleep* am I doing?!" I have also developed a sore knee from running on concrete and asphalt. But WOW! I was so elated when I was shopping for my knee compression brace. I felt like I had earned the RIGHT to be injured (even if by my own insanity....)

I have a half-marathon to run/walk this Saturday. Fortunately its at Silver Creek Falls, and not a treadmill or a road race so my knee will be safe for another day. (I'm still wearing my knee brace and ankle brace just to be safe. That and it makes me look legitimate) Unfortunately, its at Silver Creek Falls and those are some BIG HILLS!! I know I can't run the full 13.1 miles. But after many a panic-attack, a few beers, and a supportive conversation I'm still going to complete the race. Run 2 miles, walk 1 mile, repeat until finished. I'm only racing against myself. I've never completed a half-marathon before so I know this will be my personal record :)

I'm beginning to become very excited about my big race. Actually, my first race, period. I've signed up for a 5K and then couldn't race because I was sick. So naturally when a second opportunity comes to race again, its a half-marathon. 4 times longer and harder than the original race! (I see the logic, don't you?) I already have my wardrobe planned. Naturally my amazing "barefoot" running shoes. Shoes that are so ergonomically correct you don't have to wear socks! Thus allowing for your feet to breathe and your socks won't hold moisture to your foot. I've mentioned to you before my love for spandex. The greatest material ever invented. Honestly for running its the best thing that ever happened since I ran my first mile without walked. Right now my spandex is used as its meant to be  used, as a means to be more comfortable running. I don't own the legs of a running goddess........yet.

All in all, I'm still here. I'm still running.