This past week I reached two milestones in my training and fundraising.
I completed my first 12 mile run of the season (almost half of the full marathon distance), and I made it to 58% of my fundraising goal. I figure if I average those two factors, all together I’m about 1/2 way there! (Hey- I never claimed to be a math wizard) The marathon is just over 2 months away, and I know I still have a lot of work ahead of me to be ready in that amount of time- both in training and in fundraising- but it’s good to know I’m making progress.
This past Saturday I completed the most boring 12 miles of my life- in the gym!! I would never recommend it to anyone, but it was necessary. I had an early morning commitment Saturday morning with the Crescent City Cafe, so I had to miss the Team In Training group training session. And I had plans Saturday night, so I knew I couldn’t do it then; likewise because of those plans, I knew I would not want to get up early on Sunday morning to try to get the miles in. So my only option was Saturday afternoon. One problem- New Orleans was hitting 100+ degrees outside last weekend. So what was I to do? 12 miles in the gym! I did a combination of treadmill and track as follows: 4 miles on the treadmill, then 4 miles around the indoor track (32 times around; 8 laps = 1 mile), then 2 miles on the treadmill, then 2 miles on the track (16 times around). I used a counter (like the kind ticket-takers use at events) to count my laps as I went around the track.
While it was the most dull run I’ve ever had, on a plus side it was air-conditioned, and at least I was able to do some people watching (there are no TVs in front of the treadmills in my gym). And, I’ll admit it- when I would get bored running around the track, I would try to race people. Now, I am not fast by any means, but I can usually find at least one person who is slower than me who I decide to secretly race. My unknowing opponent this time was a somewhat elderly gentleman. His outfit resembled Cliff Huxtable’s running ensemble in the episode of the Cosby show where he decides to have a rematch with his old college opponent- stirrup sweatpants and all. Now, I’m not putting him down- this guy was tough! It took all of my focus to stay ahead of him while maintaining a comfortable pace- I think he was secretly racing me too! In the end though, as always, the race was with myself, and I felt really relieved that I made it through.
I have continued attending the Marathon Bootcamp classes, and I am getting a little better at the exercises each time! After the first one, my whole entire body was so sore that I could barely move for three days. But I’m getting more conditioned as I go along and feeling less sore after each class.
My asthma is so-so. We’ve been having a lot of rain n New Orleans this week, which causes it to flair up a bit, but it hasn’t interfered with my training much at all, so I am counting my blessings.
As always I am so appreciative to those of you who have helped me make it to almost 60% of my fundraising goal! The money you have donated is already going to help patients and families who are stricken with this horrible disease. If anyone out there is still interested in donating, it’s not too late! Please visit: http://pages.teamintraining.org/la/nikesf10/gmcbri
This Saturday I’ll be waking up at 3:45 a.m. to drive to Baton Rouge for a state-wide group run- 10 miles! (We’re stepping it back a notch after climbing up to the 12 miles last weekend) I’m not looking forward to waking up that early, but I am looking forward to meeting the teammates from the rest of the state. More updates soon!
