Disclaimer:  My spelling and grammar may suck in these entries.  I think I’m technologically advanced enough to hit the spell check button, but I’m not sure.

Disclaimer2: Entries won’t always be this long.  But I have internet access and boredom.  Not a bad combo.

Me?  Organized?  Likes to be prepared?  Ok, ok, smile if you must.  I know that I like organization and to prepare for things in advance.  But I’m learning to enjoy the challenges of running.  Like training for my first half marathon in typical New England summer weather, some heat – then race day is 90+ degrees with humidity and a raging thunderstorm.  I ran the last few miles with my arms above my head to block the tree branches that were falling down.  Or last year, when I got a horrible 5-day stomach flu the week before the race and ended up walking a few of the final miles.  And I am still trying to figure out how not to feel like puking after the half marathon (I’ve found that a long, hot shower and Hot Tamales candy help somewhat).  Anyway, I will be spending some time in the next week or so choosing a training program for my races.  Mental training is ongoing.  I seriously underestimated this when I first started running.  I just read an article in which an elite runner lives in Oregon and trains not only with one of the world’s best marathoners, but also with a sports psychologist.  Even during a good run, negatively will literally suck the energy away from my muscles.  Music only drowns that “voice” out so much.  I try to have a mantra to help me keep going.  I tend to use “I eat hills for breakfast” to help motivate my butt up the steep hills that are EVERYWHERE around here.  The saying makes me giggle.   I try to set little goals for myself in each race (i.e. don’t walk unless you have to, try to knock a few seconds off last year’s time).  I am not willing to change my diet much.  I LOVE FOOD and a good glass (or two!) of vino.  Ben and I make an effort to eat locally, as we are spoiled with great farmstands and local milk/cheeses.  There is just so much good food out there, I make an effort to support agriculture by eating a lot of it!  I try to watch what I eat while training, especially making sure I get enough protein because I don’t eat a lot of meat.  I  increase my intake of fish, soy, and beans, which makes for very interesting digestional noises and events.  So why DO I run?  I like the challenge.  I love the adrenaline rush (which may explain the wanting to puke after longer races).  I like the sense of community that happens at races in my area.  There is a large running community up here yet I see the same familiar faces at the races.  I wouldn’t say that I’m a serious runner,  but I’m serious about training because I don’t want to get injured and I believe that I need to work to earn my place in the pack, however far back that may be.  I think what I like the most, though, is that I can be quiet and alone even at the starting line with a thousand other people.  No one is going to get me over the finish line except me.  If I didn’t train well, that’s my responsibility.  If I knocked a couple of minutes off my time from last year, that was my hard work.  Maybe this sounds selfish or narcissistic, but I find it very humbling to work at being alone with myself and my thoughts, and to get to know my body’s abilities and struggle to tolerate my limitations.  Ok.  Enough for now.  Get off your butts and move.

– Amy

Words of wisdom – When you run outside in the cold, sweat will freeze all on your face like a Santa Claus beard, which you won’t realize until you get back to your car.  Wool face masks itch and make me break out in a rash.  Which is worse?  I vote for Santa.