15 and Feelin' Mighty Fine

I wasn't going to do it. I even told the team leader, "No, don't count on me, I won't be there." But, thanks to a disturbing dream, I was awake at 4:30 this morning, and watched the clock click on until 5:30; then I rolled outta bed. Since I wasn't planning on running today, I didn't have all my latest spandex set out with my running shoes, so I had to fish around in my once-but-not-now perfectly organized closet.

I geared up, headed to the gym and got a little ticked as, once again, I was locked out of the building on a cold winter day. So I grabbed the newspaper that was propped against the door and headed back to the Burb, grouchy.

Not very many people showed up to run today, so my group had three spandex clad slightly deranged runners (including moi), and the slower group had but two (one of which was not wearing spandex). My group set out and I thought to myself, "God help me," as I have been the slowest of the three in my group. We started out running and I thought, "I'm gonna die! I can't keep this pace for 15 miles!" as we did our first mile in well under 9 minutes. But I decided that die or barf, I was gonna do what I had to to stay with these two elite runners; my pride was at stake, what choice did I have? Really?

As is usual for me, the first three miles are the hardest, and then, somehow, I grow wings on my feet. At mile 5 I started feeling good. Really good. We were running country roads and I was passing people going up hills. My legs seemed to be disconnected from my body and I was just along for the ride. My core felt nice and strong; I never struggled to breathe, never huffed nor puffed, my posture was tight and upright. It was a thing of beauty...I just drank deeply of the pristine scene around me; the sun on the horizon, making the sky blush with its presence. The white fields, worn wooden fences and picturesque tree lines made me wish for my non-existent country home. Two dogs playing out in a frozen field brought a smile to my face; the dairy air smelled good to my nostrils, though others would disagree with me and my deluxe sniffer.

Scott, our former Marine ring leader (also the same man who let me know that he did, indeed, know CPR, but didn't know if he liked any of us well enough to administer it!), had a funeral to go to this morning, so at 10 miles he cut out and practically sprinted back to the gym. Diane and I ran together for a bit, but my pace was too fast for her, so she told me to go on ahead. We decided we'd run the 2 miles back to the gym, then do our additional 3 miles inside. So, I left her behind, looking back every half mile to make sure she was still there.

Without Scott, the last two miles seemed to take forever. Instead of letting my brain totally zone out, I had to watch the clock, be attentive for cars, and have an eye out for icy patches. So here I am, the woman who's blissfully been running on icy, snowy, muddy country roads and what do I do when I reach the sidewalk? I totally biff it and end up flat on my face. Seriously! There I am, prostate on the side walk, covered in all the nasty gunk from the winter weather, half laughing at the clumsiness that still seems to haunt me from my childhood. (I've never known anyone quite like me--I can be so athletic and coordinated, but a complete clutz at the same time. What gives?)

Panicking for a moment (my thought was "Oh no! What if I pulled something and can't run again? Nooooooo!"), I did a mental scan to make sure everything was feeling normal (whatever that is). After that checked out, I rolled over onto my back and just lay there for a few moments, looking up at the cold, gray sky, soaking in the refreshing cool of the frosted sidewalk. Then, thinking about how I didn't want to mess up my running time, I got up, dusted off my bum (and had ice stuck in my pony tail), and kept on going. (I was a sight to behold once I got back at the gym. For some reason, I looked like I'd just fallen down on a muck covered sidewalk.)

I'm not sure who all saw my comically performed uncoordinated moment (I was near the traffic light and people were stopped waiting for the blessed green), but I'm a pro at falling down in public, so my ego's not too terribly bruised....just a little stiff.

So, I finished out my three miles at the gym. Not expecting to be running in warmth, I didn't dress to run at the gym! But, losing all sense of pride, I striped down to my base layer spandex and ran the blue mile three times. I don't know how other people felt about my skin tight spandex turtleneck top and skin tight capri spandex bottoms, but I was beyond the point of caring. All modesty flew out the window, and boy did I feel good not having three layers of clothes on!

So, now I'm home and feeling good and am actually thankful for that disturbing dream that got me out of bed this morning. Just think...I would have missed all this fun. Are you counting down the days? Only 14 more days till a 17 miler! Yeah!

I clocked 35 running miles this week. That was a bit much. Though I enjoyed every mile, my knees are complaining. When I told the instructor earlier this week that I wanted to do more running than the Marathon Training Schedule said, she firmly told me, "Stick to the schedule!" But, as always, I had to learn the hard way. (Am I insane? Why can't I just take what someone else says and call it true? Just not my style, I guess.) So, I went way over on my mileage and now I need to go purchase some knee bands to help my complaining patellas. Should have listened. But oddly, I feel content while in pain, now knowing that I don't have to second guess the schedule! Lesson learned (retard)!

And now, off to the beautifully clean needing-to-be-remodeled kitchen to make up some dead cow meat on a bun: hamburgers! Yes! Fresh from the grill and dripping with cheese! (Did you just hear the Hallelujah chorus, too?) I think I'll even make some homemade potato chips. Baked, not fried, mind you. Yummmmm.... (Do you love food, too, my friend?)

Though this has been delightful, my sweet little Dell, I must be going. Domestic Goddess must fire up the grill and mix dead cow with delectable spices. So much to do before the clock strikes 12!