Everyday I Write the Book

OMG!

Ok, so I've become obsessed with text messaging. It started out all innocent and only every so often because we didn't have unlimited text messaging as part of our cell phone plan. But then every so often turned into once every other day, then everyday, then multiple times a day!

So I called up Sprint and signed us up for unlimited text. I am a text crack hound now. I will text anyone anything. I was texting John yesterday and he didn't know what the sound was, or where it was coming from, then he realized it was his phone and he had a couple of messages from me.

Text messaging is an ingenious way to communicate. As soon as a thought pops into your head, you can tell someone about it. I texted John on my way into work this morning because I saw that the gas station right by our house had 3.99 gas (which is pretty cool). I now just need to get a new phone so texting is easier. I really want an iPhone but I would not only have to switch service providers, but shell out a ton o'cash. Then they'll just go and update it tomorrow. I can never win with electronics.

In other news, I hit a HUGE milestone in my running this morning. So, I've been keeping my current running log since January 2006 and today I hit the 2000-mile mark. Well, technically, I'm at 2003. Wee hoo! Isn't that great? That means, since January 2006, I have run the equivalent of running from my house to just beyond Green River, Utah. I looked it up! I'm pretty proud of myself. In January 2006, I had a newborn baby and finding the time to brush my teeth, let alone run, was a feat in and of itself. Plus my identity was stolen and that was a horrible depressing time. Running was my only outlet. Since then I've run 5 marathons, a few 1/2 marathons, a bunch of 10-milers and some 5Ks & 10Ks. Not to mention partnering in starting a non-profit, coaching runners, and then going back to work full time. And of course taking care of my family. Not bad for a frumpy old mom! Sorry to toot my horn, but we all gotta do it every now and then. If we're not proud of our accomplishments, who else would be?

Today you have a task: be proud of who you are and what you've done.

Sleep is for the weak

I am flying high on caffeine right now, so if this doesn't make sense, I apologize.

Last night, I went to a concert with some friends I haven't seen in months. I got home pretty late and now I'm exhausted. I have some important meetings today, but I should be able to get through them.

I went to see Joan Osborne at the Ram's Head in Annapolis with Lynne and Betsy. I met Betsy in 2003 when I was training for my first marathon with the AIDS Marathon charity program. We were in the same pace group. We became pretty friendly. And every so often, her sister, Lynne, would join us. Well, Lynne and I both got injured and had to defer our registration for the race until the following year. But we decided we would train together for it. So, Lynne and I ran together the following summer.

Lynne and I were instant friends. We share much of the same interests and beliefs. I believe our first conversation was about how the present Commander in Chief is severely lacking in several key areas. Though we used much less tact and far more colorful language. Anyway, Lynne is so the person I want to be when I grow up. She's fun and smart and completely down to earth. You feel instantly comfortable in her presence and you want to be part of her circle. And Betsy is the exact same way. The two of them are the older sisters I never had but always wanted and I'm so grateful to have them in my life.

So, last night we went to see Joan Osborne. Lynne is a super music hound and goes to shows as much as she can. Since I don't get to see her and Betsy very often, I joined them and another friend, Kim, for the show. I don't know anything about Joan Osborne other than the "What if God Was One of Us" song. Plus, today is Lynne's birthday, so I wanted to see her anyway.

The show was pretty good. Joan Osborne is a great singer. Most of her current music is very blues-y. She did a lot of covers and some of her own songs from an upcoming album. She did sing the God song, though I figured she wouldn't since she seems so far removed from that. But I enjoyed the show. I really enjoyed the blues-y music. It's very sultry. It's like that Friends episode when Phoebe gets a cold and loves her voice so much, she starts singing the blues.

The show was at the Ram's Head in Annapolis, which I've never been to before. It's a restaurant in "downtown" Annapolis that also has a bar area for shows. It's small and low-key, which I like. It seems like they have a good variety of shows, even some for kids. So, I think we'll be going there more often.

The only bad part of the evening was getting home at 11 PM, a mere 6 hours before I had to get up for work. Well, that didn't happen, as expected. But I was still able to get to work on time, which is what matters! The fact that I'm in my pajamas is insignificant. (I'm really not in my pajamas) I have a pretty busy day, so hopefully I'll make it through. Bring on the coffee!

You know, when I was in elementary school, we sang this song about coffee. Why, I really don't know. It's kind of a strange song for little kids to be singing. But, I still remember the words to this day. So, imagine a little 8-year old me singing this:

C-O-F-F-E-E
Coffee is not for me.
It's a drink some people wake up with.
That it makes them nervous is no myth.
Slave to a coffee cup, they can't give coffee up!

How funny is that? Sing it proud!

The Frederick Marathon

Well, I can cross off Marathon #6.

Today was the Frederick Marathon. I'll try to give a good recap.

This was the goal race for the running group I've been coaching since January. There were about 35 people in the group, a nice mix of men and women. About half the group was training for the full marathon and the other half was training for the half marathon. It was a good group and we all had a lot of fun training together.

Friday night, we had about 25 people from the group over for a pre-race potluck. It was a great evening of getting out some of the anxiety before the race and hanging out in regular clothes instead of sweaty running clothes.

Saturday, we went to the zoo with the Gies family for a Dancing with the Animals class and a walk through the zoo. It was a lot of fun. Keller and Noah made a tambourine, they learned about the animals in the zoo, and sang some songs. Then we walked through the zoo and saw the cheetahs, zebra, emu, pandas, sloth bears, orangutan, elephants, and the hippo! Keller absolutely loves the zoo, so it was a lot of fun seeing him get excited over the animals.

After we got back from the zoo, I went up to get my packet. The expo was kind of lame. But it's a small race, so there really isn't much you can do about that. After I got back, we hung out and rested. Then we went over to the Gies' house for dinner. That was nice.

When we got home, our neighbors were having a party. The music was insane. I swear, if they don't stop with the music rattling the walls, I think I'm going to lose my mind. Anyway, I was able to get to sleep relatively early. I woke up at 1:00 AM to the sound of 800 kids outside. Thankfully I was able to fall back to sleep.

I got up at 4:00 so I'd have time to get things together so we can leave at 5:00. Kanayo, my assistant coach, came over at 5:00 and we were off. We got to the race at 5:30 and then just got ready for the race. We found most of our runners and were able to wish everyone luck.

Then the race started. I felt good from the start, though I was running a little faster than I wanted. I think I was averaging about 9 min/miles. And then...my stomach went berserk. I don't know what happened, really. I just started having cramps and needed to make a couple of stops. I think it all started around mile 6 or 7. I don't remember. I saw John and Keller at mile 14 and I seriously wanted to get into the car and go home. But John encouraged me to keep going (Keller just wanted my Gatorade) and I was running again. But by 16, I accepted the fact that I wasn't having the race I had originally hoped. So, I stopped at 16 and waited to see my runners. I was there a while before one of my runners came by, Karolina. She was also having a hard time. So we ran together for the rest of the race. I felt better after a little while, but I didn't want to leave Karolina. I know all too well how hard it is to get through a race when you're sick.

The second half of the course sucked. Really, it was so hilly. I couldn't believe someone thought this was a good idea. I think it was much hillier than other courses I've run. But, the other factors, such as the weather, were better than originally expected. Thunderstorms were in the forecast but it never rained. It was humid and windy (though not as windy as last year). But it could have been a lot worse.

I was really happy with how my group did. As far as I know, everyone but Karolina had a good race. And Karolina did great for not feeling well. I'm so proud of all of them!

And now it's some time off, then training for Chicago. I have to say I'm a little discouraged about my whole stomach issue as I try to qualify for Boston. I'm making an appointment with the doctor this week to see if we can get this figured out before Chicago.

What do people 'blog' about?

I started this blog for some reason, though now I'm wondering why. What do people generally write in their blogs? Is it like a diary? Should I begin each post with "Dear Diary..."? I guess I'll just do what I do best...blab.

I made the stupid decision to try and qualify for the Boston Marathon. I'm hiring a good friend, and fellow RRCA Running Coach, Mike Broderick (check him out here), to train me over the summer so I can run the Chicago Marathon and qualify for Boston. I'm taking the summer off from coaching running groups through Fleet Feet Sports (of Gaithersburg!) and will focus on my training.

Am I nuts? Why did I think this was a good idea? I haven't even started yet and I'm already nervous about it. I have a race this weekend (a 10K) that Mike wants me to "race" so we can determine what my training paces should be. I haven't raced since high school. That was a long time ago. I feel nauseous just thinking about it. I feel like if I'm too slow, Mike won't want to coach me.

Before I can start training for Chicago, I am finishing up my current training group. I'm coaching a group to run the Frederick Marathon and Half Marathon on May 4th. That's in 9 days. I'm excited for them. For most, this is their first marathon or half, depending on who you're asking. They're so nervous, it's cute. I remember being so nervous for my first marathon. I'm really glad to be a part of everyone's goal. It's nice to know I helped them.

In addition to all this craziness of running Frederick and then trying to qualify for Boston, I'm also trying to become a certified yoga instructor. My original training program was postponed, so now I'm going to take it in bits and pieces throughout the summer and fall, and into next year. But I'm hoping to hold a class sometime over the summer. I think it will be so much fun!

In true stream-of-consciousness fashion, I'm now changing the subject completely to Keller. He's two and a half going on teenager. This morning he was playing on the floor and I got down there with him. He told me to leave him alone and "go do something." Can you believe this? What is he going to do when he's 16? He'll probably have burnt the house down by then, so it won't matter.