In Training

With the big race looming a mere 3 weeks away, I guess it's time for me to admit that I'm "in training". I hate using that phrase because it denotes some level of athleticism which I do not claim to have. I do, however, enjoy running (why??) and pushing myself to new limits.

Yesterday I completed a 10.8 mile training run, for my half marathon on May 2. To my surprise, I finished this run in 1:40 (that's 9 minute 25 second mile, not shabby for this steady 10 minute miler). When I got the itch to run a "half", I really had no goal or expectation for myself other than to finish. Running almost 11 miles by yourself is dangerous. A lot of time to get lost in your thoughts. A crazy one came to me... maybe I could finish this race in under 2:15... or maybe even under 2? Can I do it?? That remains to be seen. But, the fact that I made such great time yesterday and felt really good for the whole duration (except the inability to use my swollen fingers when I got home), makes me think it just might be possible.

I'm not the only one in training around here. The day before the marathon (of which I'm doing half), there is a kid's race. I was talking to Kai about it and he said he'd like to do it. He came to the conclusion that, "maybe I might need to practice because I might get tired" (yes, just like that!). So we agreed that he needed training runs as well. Friday was his first. We "ran" to the park down the street from our house (probably about .2 miles). He had to stop several times (you know, to look at bugs and pick weeds), but he made it almost the whole way. The actual race is about a half a mile, so we've got some work to do. :-)