The Blahs

Everyone seems to be suffering from a case of the blahs lately.

Almost every blog I visit seems to be filled with words about lack of motivation and slacking on the running front.

Which I suppose is good in some small way, because it makes me feel less guilty about the fact that I am doing the same.

I'm still trying to come up with the perfect training plan, with no luck so far.

I'm a slow runner, so I really don't like the idea of running by time instead of miles. Run 30 min... etc, etc. I can't even run 3 miles in 30 minutes. I'm afraid I would end up losing out on the long runs. So, I've basically eliminated those as options.

And I'm a pretty simple runner.... put on the shoes and go until I can't go any more or until I've reached the scheduled mileage for the day. I'm really not up to trying to figure out what a tempo run, and race pace run, etc would be for me. My goal is to not die half way through the race. I don't have a pace other than keep moving the best I can. So, I've ruled out all the complicated training schedules.

Which pretty much leaves me with the basic run so many miles on such and such a day. But then those schedules never end up meshing with my work schedule and I end up changing them all around. Plus I seem to fall some where in between the beginner and intermediate level, with one being too easy and the other running too many days to fit in my crazy life.

I seem to end up using some put together training schedule that I make up on my own based on my work and life schedule. It is often a combination of several different training schedules, and it seems to work with my life and my ability level. But then, I certainly am not an expert, and really don't know what I am doing. So I wonder if I should really be doing this? Is it going to help me ever get better? Then again, do I even care?

And to top it all off, I'm sick. Happy Thanksgiving to me. I'm not surprised. I get sick every year for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. And of course I had a wonderful fun filled weekend planned, and now I think I'm going to be spending it on the couch with a kleenex attached to the faucet that used to be my nose.

*Sigh*

The Contenders

I have a plan.

I think.

Here is what I really want to do....

Run the Sarasota half marathon on March 4, 2007.

And then possibly run the Bayshore half marathon on May 26th, 2007.

Obviously, this means that training must commence immediately for a race at the beginning of March.

So the tentative plan is to pick a training schedule and hit the road. I'm hoping that my ankle is willing to go along for the ride without complaint.

It has been feeling perfect for the past few weeks, but I haven't exactly been running very consistently, either.

So, I'm just going to start training and see what happens. The Sarasota race appears to be a smaller race that isn't in danger of selling out. They even have a price listed for registration at the expo, so that's a good sign that I'll be able to get in!

If the ankle is doing well, I'll sign up by December 31st before the cost jumps up.

If the ankle and I have a difference of opinion, then I am going to lay off the training, and consider one of these races instead....

the Kentucky Derby half marathon or Country Music half marathon which are both on April 28, 2007 and then eliminate the Bayshore half as an option and consider it next year.

And if all else fails, and the ankle still isn't up to par by April, then I'll plan on just doing the Bayshore half.

That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

Unless I decide to change my mind, of course.

Queen of Indecision

I've turned into a total slug! My current exercise regimen for the past week has consisted of walking to the fridge and uploading pictures to my myspace page.

Not exactly productive, but there you have it.

I need to pick a spring race! I need to have a race to start training for.

I need a schedule to follow!!

But...

I just can't seem to make up my mind about which race to do.

Do I want to run a large race? or a small one?
Do I want to run one close by? or make a vacay out of it?
Do I want to run a race I've already done? or pick a new one?
Do I want to run a race with a lot of RBFers? or go it solo?
Do I want to pick a flat course? Or am I up for the challenge of hills?

There are just so may choices. And this runnergirl seems to have turned into the queen of indecision.

Ugh.

Need Some Motivation?

4.5 Miles and nothing from my ankle.

Not. A. Peep.

The blisters, however, were screaming loud and clear. But another few weeks and my precious calluses will be back. Then all will be right with my world.

I have decided that Tomb Raider is the all time best movie to run to. It may not be winning an Academy Award any time soon. But it's a pretty darn good motivator.

Seriously, what female doesn't want to look like Angelina Jolie? Who wouldn't kill for those thighs? Who wouldn't want to ride a motorcycle like Lara Croft? Not to mention fight like she does?

Don't believe me? Rent the movie and just try not to be motivated to keep moving during the first scene.

Bet you can't do it.

Now What?

So, it appears that my ankle is on its way to a full recovery. I can feel it if I push too hard, but in general it's been doing a-okay.

So that leads to the question...Now what?

I'm itching to start training for something. I'm getting pretty restless just sitting around doing nothing for the past 3 months. Plus my house is clean and my chores are all done, so I need something to occupy myself with.

Someone remind me I said this when I'm in the middle of training and everything has fallen apart again!

So, it's time to make a plan for spring. At this point, I'm only considering halfs. I don't think I'm up to the challenge of training for my first full marathon coming straight off of this injury. IF all goes well, I'm considering shooting for a full in the fall.

So, Here is the list of races under consideration:

The ING Georgia half marathon in Atlanta on March 25, 2007.

The Country Music half marathon in Nashville on April 28, 2007.

The Indy Mini on May 5, 2007 is an option, but probably my last choice since I did it last year. I'd like to see and do something different.

Another option I've been tossing around is the Bayshore half marathon in Traverse City, Michigan on May 26, 2007. I like that area of Michigan and haven't been up there in a while and I've always wanted to do this race.

A few RBFers might run the Martian half in Northville, Michigan which appears to be on April 1, 2007 and I've been considering that as well.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Comments? Let me hear 'em.

Mama's Got A New Pair of Shoes

With 4 pain free miles on them.

Cha-Ching!

The longest pain free run to date.



Well....

Except for the blisters, that is.

Start over sucks!

Invasion of the RBF

Firefly is one of the most diligent RBFers when it comes to reading and comment on others blogs. Rarely a post goes by where she doesn't leave me a comment, and it is very unusual to not see her name among the top of the comment list on every blog I read. She is great at motivating everyone else and she rocks.

Recently, she left this comment on my blog. Here's the part pertaining to the topic of this post...

"As I am going this crazy ankle incident, my mind freaked and thought of what you went through with your ankle stuff. This gives me the strength to stay off of my feet and listen to doc's orders."

and I felt honored and surprised that she actually thought of me in her "real life", outside of reading my blog.

But it shouldn't be surprising because many members of the RBF have invaded my life. Not just my running life, but my "life" life.

But I wasn't aware of just how much until just a few short nights ago.

I actually had a dream that Mouse and I were on our way to a race, and got a flat tire just as we were about to pull into the parking lot. We could see the runners heading toward the starting line and knew the race was about to start so we just left the car where it was and took off toward the start.

I've never even met her! And I'm dreaming about being late to the start of a race with her.

I have no explanation where the dream came from, but I do love her. She, more than any other, gives me hope. She once wrote a post stating that running 10 miles was no longer hard for her. And as a concept I get that, because running one, or maybe two miles, is no longer hard for me.

But 10? I live for the day!

And because of her I believe it is possible.

It's insane I tell you. This invasion of the RBF.

And she's not the only one. There are so many more.....

One of the first, and still a favorite is, little miss runner pants. She makes me laugh, and has, on occasion, made me cry, reading about her crazy antics and her never ending determination. And I find myself looking forward to her next post about her crazy weekend or her excitement over her newest bike accessory.

Another of the first was Trizilla, who is among the most inspiring! This girl never gives up, no matter what the challenge facing her, and her ability to write a race report makes you feel like you were on the course with her every step of the way. When I am having a tough run, she sometimes pops into my mind and helps me grit my teeth and get through it.

Mike and Lisa hold a special place in my heart because they remind me of home, and through them I get to hear about my old haunts. And also because I have so much enjoyed following along with them on their training adventures for the Chicago Marathon. I look forward to eventually getting my butt back home for a race and actually getting to meet them.

Liv is just plain awesome, and hysterical to boot. She has an energy that is contagious. And she gets my sense of humor. I mean, she got my toilet paper joke in the middle of my pity party. And because of a post of hers about an awesome running poster she bought, I now own the same one. (Sorry, Liv, I'm a copy cat - but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as they say.)

Jess keeps me smiling with tales of running with her adorable dog, Scooter. And makes me miss having a dog, and think about getting another one.

And then there is Running Jayhawk. Where do I even begin? I'd think we were long lost twins separated at birth, except I'm 7 years older than she is, almost to the day. She shares my love of carrot cake, she runs the same pace as I do, and many of her posts ring so true to me, that I could have written them myself. Not being able to meet her was one of my main disappointments about not being able to run the Chicago Marathon.

There as so, so many more.... Jelly, Yumke, Sunshine, Running Rabbit, Tara, Sonia, Nicole, Running by, OOSG, teacherwoman, just to name a few. It would take me all night to list everyone.

So, I just wanted to send a huge hug and a big thanks out to each and every one of you. You have more of an impact than you could possibly realize.