Riding

I've been riding since April 2007. That's the bike, right there to the left. I love, love, love it.

I always knew I wanted to learn to ride, I just didn't think it was going to happen last year. Either way, I'm glad it worked out the way it did.

I started on a smaller bike, and while it was good, I knew it wasn't the one I would keep. So, in August 2007, the Deluxe came along. Yep, it's a Harley and no, it's not too big for me. I can put both feet on the ground while sitting on it.

Did I mention that I love it?

You may wonder what all this has to do with running. Riding and running are alot alike. Both give you the opportunity to get out and go, both let you think of everything or nothing while doing it and succeeding at both have made me feel like I can accomplish anything.

Ride/run on...

Weather

Despite the clouds on Saturday, it was a really nice weekend.

Sunday, after Brian was off to baseball practice, I ran 3 miles. It wasn't nearly as wonderful as my 4 miles last weekend, but that was okay. Heading south on O'Plaine is mostly uphill, which stinks, so there was some walking. And, it was warmer that it appeared.

Here's the funny part - after the run, I took the motorcycle to buy ink cartridges and took the long, long way home. The temps dropped significantly east of Rt. 83. By the time I hit Milwaukee, still heading east on Rt. 120, I was thinking "Is this the same day that 2 hrs ago, I was sweating while heading home?" Maybe the winds changed direction, who knows, but you've gotta love the "cooler by the lake" concept. Unless, of course, it happens to be October 2007....

Rest Day

Today is Monday. Yesterday and today are rest days. It just so happens that I start work at 8:00 am on Mondays, so a day off on Monday fits right into the schedule.

Ran 4 excellent miles on Saturday. On the treadmill.

One wouldn't think you can classify 4 miles on a treadmill as excellent, but it was. Most days, the treadmill feels like a hamster wheel. Saturday did not. It was 4 non-stop miles. No breaks. No jumping off for a few seconds. It felt good. All the while, watching Giada cook on the Food Network. Maybe the Food Network isn't the best choice for treadmill entertainment. Or maybe it is, considering how well the run went.

This week, the temps are supposed to creep up into the 60's, which is great because I can get outside in the mornings and run. Running outside will always be better than treadmill running. Even if Giada is cooking.

ACS Donation

Today, I received my first donation! A shout goes out to JoAnn for her support!

Shamrock Shuffle and Training

On Sunday, March 30, Julee and I ran the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. It acts as the official kick-off of running season in Chicago. The weather could have been better, it was a little cold standing around waiting for the start. However, after the crazy weather in October 2007, who am I to complain about 40 and cloudy to run in?

We certainly were not out to break any records and finished the 8K (5 mile) race in 59 min, 31 sec. Not bad considering I trained for maybe 2 weeks.

After 2 lame runs last week, I'm back in full swing. I'm following the Hal Higdon Novice Supreme training program, which has the runner starting out 30 weeks before marathon day. Techinically, I am now in week 4, but it's all good.

From this point going forward, the runs get longer up until week 27 when the long weekend run is 20 miles. After that, we taper until marathon day.

But...that's getting WAY ahead of myself. For now, my "long" runs are 3-5 miles.

It's Official!

I am officially registered for the 2008 marathon, and as a charity runner for the American Cancer Society. I'm excited. This is the year to conquer the 26.2 for real. I couldn't decide if I really wanted to do it again, but realized that I'd regret it more if I didn't. I then came across this saying:

"The pain of discipline is less than the pain of regret."

So, it's go time. Bring on the long weekend runs, the endless stretching, walking around in gym shoes all summer because barefoot isn't good for plantar faciitis and no doubt, me wondering what the heck I was thinking. In the end, it is all worth it.