When I woke up this morning to the knowledge that I had an eight-mile run on my schedule, my mind immediately started searching for a way out. But there was no way out. I'm registered for a half marathon in two months and I can't put off training the way I once put off working on college papers. My buddy Lance Armstrong said, "I need something that forces me out the door. The marathon is intimidating enough that you can't just phone that in. You have to train." If Lance Armstrong says that about a marathon, Teri Love says the same about a half.
I finished. And I improved my time from last week. No more soreness or problems this time. Just feeling the extra slippage from my life-long freakish problem of two drastically-different sized feet. Not sure what I'm gonna do about that - for now I'll just see how I continue to recover as I go further.
So... about that "portrait". Kevin took it just after my return this morning.
Notice the contrast between a big, buff, Navy sweatshirt and fluffy, pink, matching hat and gloves. The pink fuzz keeps my head and hands warm. Regarding the sweatshirt: Kara Goucher, an Olympian and long-distance butt-kicker said she wore black nail polish to her qualifying marathon in New York to keep a "tough" mindset for her race. My Navy sweatshirt is my "tough" touchstone. It was a gift from my friend, Frank Wittwer, a Navy pilot, two years before he died. There are few things tougher than military pilots, if you ask me.
If you didn't notice my hips, you're blind. Those suckers help grow 11-pound babies. Hopefully, they will also help me run 13 miles without stopping.
Asics need replacing. Running shoes are costy already, I'm flabbergasted by the thought of buying two pairs, one for each size foot I have. Let's agree that I NOT do that unless I go professional. Maybe I can stuff some lambswool in front of the shorter foot and hearken back to my ballerina days. In case your curiosity is getting the best of you, my feet are over two sizes different.
Today, hopefully, I will make it to the running store and plunk down some cash for some sort of water-bottle holder. I'm sucking on Gatorade now for my longer runs, and it is NOT fun to carry that bottle.
Finally, behold the technology. My GPS graces my left wrist, and my iPod winds around and around and crawls up to my ears and more than makes up for its annoying presence by blocking the messages of running pain to my brain. I currently have a 40-song playlist and the more I run, the more I'm getting bored and needing new songs. Also, I'm noticing the songs that just don't cut it for me. I'm considering removing "Fergalicious" because it annoys me and a few others because they drone. The last thing I need on mile six of eight is droning.
It is a great feeling to work at something and enjoy the results. Today's result is that I'm one week closer to the big race and I'm proud of the accomplishment found even in the training.
10 comments:
Good job Teri!!!!!!! Wow 6 miles, I'm so proud of you, that's a major accomplishment!!!!! Is the half marathon in Vegas? So excited for you, you look great!
Way to go!
Do you have Nordstrom near you? They will mis-match shoes if you have at least a size and a half difference. When we are on the west coast, we take a trip to Nordstrom in Seattle to buy my DH shoes for the same reason.
Laura! EIGHT miles. Eight. Not six, eight. Just clarifying, in honor of my VERY SORE legs right now. :) Eight. I think I'll have dreams of eight tonight.
Kristin, Nordstrom, huh? That might work out well for me - maybe not for running shoes, but others?
Geeezzzzz you said 8 miles, not 6, what's my problem? Soory for not reading better,
Teri, Janice's Mom here. I want to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog. If you wrote a column for a news paper I would buy it just to read your work.
I have your website saved right next to Janice's. Unfortunately she doesn't write as often as you do.
I know Henderson quite well as we have spent lots of time there with my Husband's brother Ken and his family over the past ..... years, too many to remember.
I put out a newsletter monthly and do quite a bit of writing my self and know good when I read it so don't be so shy. You really write well. I will keep reading as long as you keep writing. And keep up the good work running, I am proud of your accomplishment. I look forward to hearing how you do with the 1/2 marathon. Maryann Proctor
YAY! You are an inspiration!
You rock, hot stuff!!! 8 miles that is fabulous! I'm so excited for you!! Check out Sierratradingpost.com for shoes. They don't mismatch but they often have great deals on running shoes so it wouldn't be quite so painful t buy two pairs.
Wow! Way to go! It must feel so great to push through to accomplish your goals! I feel so lazy! I walked around the block once this week...not the same!
I think you look great and I love the outfit! I can't believe that thing about your feet...two whole sizes really??? That must be a big bummer, I can't imagine how uncomfortable you must be...what a major inconvience!
I can't wait to read about the big day!
Way to go Teri! I got a Garmin GPS watch for Christmas myself and love it. And my right calf is good to go now after I ran for 2 miles today at pace, so we're on for 29th and/or 30th. Nalley told me he even ran 20 minutes the other day to get ready!
Thanks for all the kind comments, everyone!
And Maryann, you made my day! Glad you like to read here!
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