Back in the Game

Game on, folks. Started running this week again. Taking it slower, but so far, so good. The official training starts on June 14th.

Yesterday was the CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association) training packet pick-up. Very nice techinical shirts this year, provided by Nike. Alot nicer than last year, so that was a nice surprise.

A big ole shout out to my friend Michele again....this Sunday is the San Diego Marathon. Her goal time is 3 hrs, 50 minutes to qualify for Boston next year, so GO MICHELE!! You'll find me online Sunday checking her results. Then, look out Boston, cuz here we come to cheer her on!

One more WalMart rant...

So, after my post on WalMart, I'm watching TV and see a commercial....at the end, it says:

WalMart
Save Money. Live Better.

Live better? Really? Have the people who wrote this ever been in one of the stores? Nothing about being in WalMart = living better.

Okay, I'm done now.

WalMart

This has nothing to do with running. Well, maybe running as fast as I can OUT of WalMart....

Anyone who knows me knows of my intense dislike for WalMart. I get near the parking lot and cop an attitude.

Seriously, WHERE do these people come from? I've lived in this area for 13 yrs and have never seen them before. During one trip last summer, some woman was shopping BAREFOOT. The place is a complete freakshow.

We went last night. Why? Because we had to get flowers. Okay, I know.....anyway, we still went. The place was a mess, the freaks were out in full force and again, 8 zillion people at the checkout and like, 4 lanes open. COME ON.

When I was a kid, if the family went someplace & we didn't like it, my Dad officially "black X'd" it. That meant we didn't go back. Guess what? I've officially X'd WalMart. I'll drive farther & pay more next time.

Brian's SECOND Game Ball!

Brian had another baseball game on Saturday. For 7 yr olds, they're all decent baseball players.

My boy, however, had an excellent game! Techincally, he hit another homerun. I say "technically" because at this level, everyone bats, then the teams change places. He was also the last batter and the last batter runs all the bases to bring everyone in. However, he again belted the ball way into the outfield.

Then, he had a double play. He caught the ball after the other team hit it, and he then tagged out the kid running from second to third!

We now have a game ball from game 1 and game 3! GO BRIAN!

Temporarily Sidelined!

Saturday was a nice day. I had a 5 miler scheduled, and left the house around 10:00. I felt good, the weather was great and off I went.

On the way back, 3.65 miles in, I pulled a calf muscle. Bummer!! The run was going really, really well too. I had a little over a mile to get home, certainly wasn't running and didn't really want to hobble home either. Dave and Brian came and picked me up and I iced & wrapped my calf when I got home.

I had a similar injury last year and recovered just fine, so I know I'll be good as new with more icing, wrapping & rest. The good news is today, Sunday, it feels alot better. I'll be back out there soon!

One more for today -

When I come across a saying, quote or lyric that I like, I add it to a running list. Here is one I came across recently.....

"There are no accidents. If it's appeared on your life radar, this is why:
To teach you that dreams come true,
To reveal that you have the power to fix what's broken and heal what hurts,
To catapult you beyond seeing with just your physical senses,
and to lift the veils that have kept you from seeing that you're already the person you dreamed you'd become."

Shouts...

A few shouts out this week...

To my neighbor, Cameron, on his great half marathon in Indianapolis. Great job!

To my 'sista Michele, who is running the San Diego Marathon on June 1st and attempting a Boston Qualifying time! Michele is one of my heroes - if she can raise a family, work and run, anyone can. She's determined, driven and has fun with all of it. I love her. I'll be 'rooting for her on June 1st and counting down the minutes until her finish that day. You go, 'Chele, I'm ready to head to Boston next April to cheer you on!

And thanks to everyone who donated!! I really appreciate all the outstanding support!

Happy Spring?

So, it's supposed to be May, right? Sure, we've had some nice days spattered here and there, but really, what's with the weather?

Last Saturday, we sat at Brian's baseball game and froze in the rain. Wednesday night, same thing minus the rain. We have another game Saturday. I'm hoping for SUN at the very least. The good news is that my boy hit a homerun at his game last Saturday. It was so cool. He's quite the athlete (yes, Juju, he gets that from YOU!).

All that said, I did get to run outside on Wednesday morning. It was a great morning, cool and cloudy. And a good run. Lately, my pace has been between 10:00 - 10:30 per mile, which is fantastic considering last year, I was near the 12:00 mile range. Yahoo for me!

Official Launch!

I was going to wait until May 12th to send out my marathon fundraising email. You know, exactly 5 months before the big day, but then thought, why wait?

So, the email went out today. I have $850 to raise. I realize many people gave last year and that everyone has to choose the charities they support. Any donation helps and any donation means alot to me. All the support really does keep you going on marathon day. I hope this year turns out just as successful. So, thank you, thank you to everyone!

On a related note, a shout out to my neighbors Jen & Cameron for their donation!!!!