Friday, November 30, 2012

The Meaning Of It All....

Have you ever found that the longer you run the more time you have to think about random things?

I seem to be having this problem. What is bothersome is that this seems to be happening even when I have my music going. I mean...really?!  Who has deep thoughts while listening to Gangnam Style or Barbie Girl?!  I thought music was supposed to keep your mind from destroying your workout!

 *sigh* Just how I roll I guess :)

Anyway,  so last night I took my long run and I thought it was going to be perfect. The sky was clear and you could see quite a few stars. The temperature was dropping, but did not get cold until the end. I was having a really good run and then *bam* for some reason I thought "what if we are all just really animals that evolved from fish-like creatures and that is why we get hiccups?" Followed by "what if there is nothing past this life?" and ending with "surly there has to be something else since energy cannot be created nor destroyed...and we are made up of energy."

I really do not recommend having these thoughts on long runs.

Holy cr*p it totally threw the run off. What made it worse was that I continued to think about it for miles and came up with no answer. I looked around and saw nature and modern technology trying to get a long. I began to wonder if it would be better if we were more "primitive" and didn't depend so much on technology (I say as I am typing on my MacBook). I saw a few people of different sizes and wondered if we would all be better off if we were forced to find our own food and build our on shelters and run from things trying to hurt us. I wondered why we are not "decreasing" in our lives and why would a G*d give us all this ability to create and mess things up all at the same time. I also wondered if all this technology was what is making so many people sick. After realizing that I would be dead if it were not for modern technology, I tried to change the subject in my head....

I went to bed unable to do so. I woke up this morning and took a short warm up run and figured out what may have caused these questions to pop up. "How the Earth Created Man". Yup...friggin History Channel strikes again. But, now that I think about it, they are pretty good questions.

In terms of running, does genetics really play that big a role in how good you are? If you have the motivation, can a regular runner really compete with the elite? If we were forced to fend for ourselves, would we evolve further? Are some of these runners you hear about doing it now and we just have not noticed it? Scientifically, they are so much better than the Average Joe.....but can the Average Joe make themselves better on their own? Should I just shut up now?

Either way, if my mind keeps this up I am screwed. I mean...who wants to run a 1/2 marathon pondering the existence of the universe?

Well....I don't know....and this blog did not answer anything....so if you actually made it to the bottom I may have provided you with the "WTF?" moment of your day and nothing else. For that I apologize. I think I need to go for a hike this weekend and "chill".

That is it, but if you have any opinions on the matter, I would love to hear them :)

Oh...and did I ever mention that I don't really care about grammar while I am writing these? Call me lazy (I bet Beth and Bess are screaming at the monitor now!) but I just type as I think. I don't stop and "reflect" in any way. Apparently I save that for my running time :)



Thursday, November 29, 2012

What Is In A Name?

Since starting this blog I have had many people ask me where the title came from. Well, it is pretty simple:

I still feel a little lost without my mother and I think about her a lot when I run.

It has been a little over a year, but not a day goes by where I don't have the instinct to call her or ask for her advice. Even though I had her for 30 years, I still feel like I lost her way too soon. Like she still had so much to teach me and I still had so much to learn. You come into this world with the expectation of outliving your parents. It is nature. Eventually they will grow old and pass on. Perhaps that is what has me so lost. My mother did not grow old....and because of that I still have the fear that I will not get to either. After all, to most little girls, their mother is the epitome of what they want to be when they grow up. As our little feet grow we spend most of our times wishing we could fit into our mothers shoes....my mother was perfect in my eyes.

A little emotional? I think so. Yesterday was her birthday. She would have been 58. Yesterday was hard. I kind of "drifted" thru the day. It was a rest day...so I did not get out and run, however, for one hour I was able to get it "out of my head" during yoga. It was the first time I did anything like yoga in over 2 years and I think it is something I will continue with each week.

I feel good today. My body is sore and I love that feeling. The sun is out and the temperature is rising. Even though it is almost December, it feels like nature still has quite a bit to get done before the blankets of snow begin to fall. I need to take advantage of this day. I need to get out and run....and just look around....just let my hands touch things as I run by.

I often wonder what my mother would think of my running. She was not much of a runner, but I think she would love hearing about my little adventures. Oh well.  If she was here now I am sure she would tell me to "put my big girl panties on" and go for a run or something. Not a bad idea since it is supposed to get up in the 50s today.

On a happy note, the first in a series of movies I have been waiting for is coming out on December 17th. Just when you thought you had a good run...here comes Kilian Jornet and a movie where he runs on mountains. Yup...not just "up"...or "thru" but "on". It is ridiculous. It is awesome. If for one day I could just *poof* into his body and go on one of those adventures...I would be a very happy girl for a very long time. He actually has a series of videos called "Kilian's Quest" (google it) and they are both motivating and demoralizing at the same time...lol. Some days you come in from a run and second guess the path in life you took.....you see these scenes and places and are like "wow, wish I could do that" . Then you remember that the grass is not always greener on the other side. It looks awesome...but when you are constantly training and traveling for competition....life must get exhausting. In some of the videos you can see it....he loves that he is living his dream...but sometimes his face just looks like he may not be happy with all the requirements/demands that come with living his dream..he looks "older" than 25....his dreams are wearing on him....I know the feeling :)

http://summitsofmylife.com/



Anyway, I may not get to pursue all my dreams...but I am grateful for them....and my life....you should be too. Tis the season....I guess I have to start decorating :)

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Rest Day?! We Don't Need No Stinkin Rest Day!!

That's right....

Rest day.

I hate them but people tell me I need them. A day to let your muscles repair and get stronger before you head back out to beat them down again. A day to regain mental focus and just enjoy "being off".

Rest days do not work for me. They are horrible. That is that.

So what will I do on my "rest days" you may ask? Wait for it....yoga.  Not just any yoga, yoga in a brewery. Yoga in a brewery with about 50 of your closest friends. And when I say close...I mean you can't spread your arms without taking your neighbors head off close.

It is awesome. Take that back...it is beyond awesome...it is amazing. In that one hour of yoga I believe I sweated more than I normally do after miles running. My legs feel like they are going to fall off at any minute. They are literally shaking. I think I left my butt back at the brewery. I know I left my pride there. I would say over 50% of the people there were what I would call "friggin pros." They made black stretch pants look good. I loved every minute. I left feeling like a different person. I will be there every week...just like I am at the brewery running every week. I wonder if they will do a neat little shirt?!

Years ago I took pilates classes every week and loved them. This felt the same way. I know it will help improve balance and build the core...which will help with future races...ski trips...AND one day...*drum role please* my 400 mile/ 7 day bike trip in the Rockies. Yes, another adventure to add to my list: Bike The Rockies.

Now, how can this be a bad thing? You can have teams of up to 10 people....and for 6-7 days you bike 400 miles in the Rockies. At each stop in town you set up tents....grab a bite and have a good ol time with about 2000 people you have never met before. Nothing can go wrong...this will be wonderful. It is on a friends bucket list...and we may die while doing it but we will be there. Colorado in June/July...no problem :)

Actually, with winter coming I have been thinking that skiing and bike training may be good to add to the running. I figure it will give the knees and joints a break while keeping the muscles working. Not too shabby.

Tomorrow it is back to the trails/grass. We will see how the post-yoga legs do. Hopefully I will be floating on clouds. If not, there is enough Tylenol to get me thru it!




Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Dear Salomon: I Love Your Shoes....Your Insoles Suck :(

*Booya!* 

Yes...I said it.

As you all know....I am in love with my Salomon Mission shoes....they are beautiful...my pride and joy....I would sleep with them if I could....but their insoles suck....and when I mean "suck"...I mean "tear your feet up with blisters within 2 miles of your running suck". Now these are not your typical blisters...they are the "only on the inside arch of your right foot" blisters due to their "ortho" technology. *sigh*

Now, at first I did the whole "ok, give them a couple of days" approach and would wear them for a mile or so to try to "break them in". I even did the "try them barefoot" to see if they were a shoe that was meant to be worn without socks. For a while they have been doing ok...with the last mile or so starting to "rub their magic" on my arch and leave me changing my stride to not get blisters. However, tonight I had enough...2 miles in and I was starting to feel the burn....that horrible burn when you know your skin is about to blister but you don't want to stop. I gave in....I came home and stuck my Saucony insole into the shoe and *tada* problem solved.

Note to Salomon: Please buy Saucony and put all their insoles in your shoes. Or better yet, invite me to your lab in OR and take a mold of my obviously "misshaped" right foot to fix this problem. Oh well...hopefully this will fix the problem for  the run this weekend.

In other news, the West Sixth Brewery has decided to start another club besides running. Yes...I am starting to do Yoga Brew. That is right....yoga at a brewery. I figure it will be a good XT day in between runs. I mean, this can't be a bad thing...even for the guys who will be drinking beer while we all do it. It is a win-win. I bet in a few weeks, Wed will be the most popular night down there. Bring 2 mats though...the concrete is ruff :)

Other than that...not much going on....had a bit of a "bug" for a day so that kept me off my feet...then I decided to train 2 times yesterday, which made the run tonight kind of hard. Tomorrow is yoga, so I am sure by tomorrow night I will be bitching about everything in my body hurting. I need some zen...we will see if this does the trick.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Me vs. Me

I hate this struggle. Take tonight for instance...the following is just a little of what I had to deal with while getting my evening run in :)

Mind: What are we doing out here? It is dark...

Me: Shut up

Mind: You know...its 68 degrees in the house...and 30 out here....if we turn around now...

Me: Shut up!

Mind: Your butt cheeks are frozen aren't they?...

Me: *sigh* Yes, I know...

Mind: And you just wiped entirely way too much snot on your gloves...you are going to want to wash those....

It is nights like this that make me want to scream. It was just yesterday that I was on the grass in the  park...running and exploring. I had a great run. I felt good both during and after.  Tonight...dark...cold...hard sidewalk (due to blisters), frozen nose...too much snot...frozen behind...stiff calves....I mean really?! What happened in 24 hours!

I guess that is the great thing about running. You do a little mental checklist to make sure you are not dying and then you suck it up and go on your way. It is "you vs. you"....no one else. The challenge is to keep going even when you can't feel your butt....and that is why I love it so much. I love to see how far I can go....how hard I can push myself.

Tomorrow I hope to either make it to the trails or back on the grass....these damn blisters better heal fast...

Friday, November 23, 2012

Back To Where I Love...

It may not seem like much to some, but the park and grass trails behind my house are the best places to run. Sure, you have to keep an eye out for mole holes/tunnels and whatnot, but it seems like for an hour or so the place is as far away from Lexington as you could be. Between all the hills and the equestrian park area (complete with fences, barns and of course, horses) it just does not feel like you are running close to a subdivision at all.

Tonight I was chasing the sun. I got a late start and had to take a short break to turn my socks inside out (still breaking in those Salomons!) in attempt to stop blisters (didn't happen). Due to the blisters I took it slow tonight and got to take in all the wonders around me. I stopped and visited the horses, ran towards a couple interesting things in a field, and just watched the sun set as I ran over a field of hills.  It was a pretty good run after a few days of not running on grass or trail. Like I said yesterday, I think the grass/trail is a much better run than pavement. I feel like a kid just running anyway I want...sometimes arms spread like an airplane...just "being" for a while! It is a nice break....and it ended in a "Black Friday" with the sun setting just as I hit my back porch.

Since I was trying not to destroy my feet with blisters, I got to take a few pictures on my phone. Here they are....Enjoy!!







The first picture is of the park as I was coming over the last hill on my way home. The sun was just about gone and it was just beautiful.

The second picture is my start towards the horses after I pass a few soccer fields closer to the house.

The third is a little creek spot before the second half of my run. I debated whether to clear it or not, but my beautiful shoes are just too clean right now :)  Plus...running with blisters and wet socks all while the temp is dropping? Not tonight!

The fourth and fifth are a few of my favorite spots to run by. One is a dried creek bed that looks like it would be an awesome trail if it did not lead to nowhere. The other is an old tree that always looks so amazing just standing there in the middle of a clear field. I often stop and touch it, amazed by how old it must be and everything it has "experienced" over the years.

The sixth is a memorial to a horse. It is in the middle of the field. I really had to look to find it today...running all over the field until the setting sun actually caused it to "glow" in the grass around it. Seeing this really lets one who is not from KY know what "Horse Country" is all about :)  We love them!!!!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

"Be Thankful That You Are Who You Is"....

And to me right now, that is a middle of the pack runner! (*woot woot*)

Today before celebrating Thanksgiving I ran the Thoroughbred Classic 5K. Now, this was the first time I was out running in Keeneland and all I can say is "holy hills!!" I will have to spend quite a bit of time out there before the end of March. However, you could not ask for a better morning run. It was a beautiful day with temps in the 40's when we started and climbing towards 50 at the end.

With my body fueled on 1/2 a Clif Bar and 1/2 bottle of water I started at a pretty good pace. The start was crowded, which slowed down the pace for the first quarter mile or so...but soon everyone got spread out and down to business. What was my "business" you may ask? Cutting my time down by a minute from the Race for the Cure...all while on a hillier, tougher course. I am quite proud. I also got to rock out to some new additions to my play list...including Gangnam Style..Barbie Girl...and Take It Off...I mean really...who could not have fun running with those songs blaring in your ear?!

Another good thing (besides getting in a little workout on THANKSGIVING) is that I got to try out my new Salomons. I say it was good because they did great as far as their performance went....but I can't say breaking in a new pair of shoes during a race is the best strategy. That annoying "pebble in your shoe feeling" at about mile 2....yeah...what they say is true....not a pebble....more like a blister :(  It really didn't matter though...3 miles is not really long enough to start fixing yourself up mid race...however...I am going to have to keep that in mind for the 1/2 marathon.

The best thing about running on Thanksgiving, is once you get home...have some water and tea...you really are not ready to stuff yourself with food later in the day. A few bites into dinner and I had the "yeah you are almost full" feeling...which in 20 minutes led to the "thank g*od you stopped eating" feeling. So here I sit...on Thanksgiving...unable to say "oy! I ate so much!". If I can keep this up thru December I am golden.

Tomorrow I hope to make it back to the trails. I did notice today that it is much easier to handle the grade change on the trail or grass instead of road. I don't know why but I get really bored running road races (hence my entering the world of trail). I don't know if park and trail running lets me get a little more "lost" and able to enjoy nature or what. I don't find myself looking around at my surroundings as much when I am on the road (hence the boredom I guess.)  But of course, a cold front is coming in with some rain over the next few hours and it will go from the 60's to the 30's. Just my luck! Perhaps the ol Salomons will have to make another run in the rain in the grassy fields instead of the trails..

OH before I go...here is a pic of the race...not my pic...I was too busy shaving time!!




Wednesday, November 21, 2012

When You Have Lost Something You Cannot Replace...

Words cannot express how happy I am to have a run tomorrow morning. With Mom gone the holidays are ruff, and to be able to get out there for a little bit and let my mind wonder....it will be a good thing.

Short entry tonight. I am just too tired. I didn't get a run in today so I feel kind of "blah". It seemed like every time I thought about it, there was something else to do. The fields behind my house were calling to me...I just could not get to them :(  I am looking forward to Friday...heading back to the trails @ Raven Run....with....wait for it...wait for it...*BAM* my new Salomon XR Mission shoes!!!

I got them for an early birthday present and have been fixated on them all evening. Words cannot express how good they feel on my feet. They are "Door to Trail" so I can also wear them on grass and some road, but why would I want to do that when I can get another pair ;)

Wish me luck tomorrow...looking for a PB. To everyone stateside...enjoy Thanksgiving...down here in KY it is going to be in the 60's so hopefully your day will take you outside!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

"Just Keep Doing What Makes You Happy And Keeps You Healthy...Never stop doing what makes you smile..."

That was the last thing a friend said to me face to face six years ago before he passed. While that time is something I try not to look back on, I often hear those words in my head when I run. Running is one thing that makes me happy and keeps me smiling. I may not be the best at it...but at the end of each run all is right with the world.

I feel the same way about the West Sixth Brewery Run Club. That is where I got my start. That is where I feel the best before and after runs. That is where the small group of people we meet every Tuesday has become like family. It is a place where I am very comfortable and I think I could stay  forever...

Tonight was a great run. It was a new route and the weather was perfect. I paced myself and was the last one from our group back, but I truly enjoyed it. I found myself just looking up at the sky as I ran (although I do not recommend it at night in the fall on sidewalks!).  It may sound odd, but running makes me realize how small we really are in the grand scheme of things. As I run I can't help but notice how lost people are in their own lives. But at the same time I also come face to face with problems in society that leave me feeling uncomfortable.

While running downtown I see a lot of people. I see children in daycares that are open 24 hours, spending the nights away from the parents while they work. I see homeless people pushing their carts down the street, or accepting a simple bag of potatoes from a church donation line. I have to run past these people, and while I often find myself saying "excuse me" or "sorry" or "hi" as I pass them, it leaves my heart heavy that I cannot do anything at that moment. I find myself looking directly into their eyes as I pass. I wonder what they think of me as I keep running with my headphones on. At first I was a little nervous that they may say or try to do something harmful, but it just seems that they are going about their own business, and that makes me sad for some reason. I am not sure why. Perhaps that is why I like running in the park or on the trails. Nature is harsh, but not that harsh. The eyes are the window to the soul...and while as a northerner I rarely make eye contact with people, I find that I can read people and their feelings when I do. Sometimes it is wonderful, sometimes it is exciting, sometimes it is sad...sometimes I do it for no reason...it is something I recommend trying. Reading people is a very excited thing...even if you cannot act on it or help at that moment. As a society we need to do that more....and act on it....(if only I had the courage.)

At the same time, seeing all this makes me realize how really "blessed" I am. After each run I have a great group of loved ones and friends waiting for me at the end (most times with beer :) ) Although we all have busy lives, we make time for each other on Tuesday nights. We sit and enjoy some beer and each other  while telling stories and planning new and exciting trips. Never did I think such a wonderful time would come out of going to a brewery and running 3 short miles. It is something small and simple, but perhaps that is where we need to spend most of our time as a society. Not at a brewery, but with friends...doing the small and simple things. I have realized over the past few years that life is very short. At any moment, life can decide that it no longer needs you in it.  A good night of conversation and laughter can really heal the soul. It can keep you happy...healthy and smiling.

In other news, the brewery group are all taking a ski trip in Feb. I am beyond excited....and a little nervous. I can ski...but I can't stop...which can be a problem while skiing. Wish me luck...my plan is to at least look cute out on the slopes...or the lodge...or the ambulance...or wherever this little adventure may take me :)


Monday, November 19, 2012

"Honey, We Are Not In Boulder...."

I could not believe what I just heard....

"What?!"

"I said we are not in Boulder...we do not have any trails around there for that kind of shoe".

I was floored.  A few weeks ago I walked into the run/walk shop downtown and asked the nice kid (I will call him a "kid" since I have crossed the 30 mark and he looked to be still waiting for puberty to hit) if they carried the Salomon brand of trail shoes. I did not think that was an outlandish request, however, his next response was even more hysterical than the first:

"But we do have a pair of Salomon shoes nailed to the wall as a display if you want to see what they look like....they are not for sale."

#$()*%)#$(*%)#($*%)(#$*% NAILED TO THE WALL?!

Needless to say I left that store wishing shin splints on the kid and won't be back.

Now, this exchange happened because I am in desperate need of a trail shoe for my running adventures. I love my road shoes and am extremely loyal to Saucony...but my ankles and feet are killing me. The different grade changes (douche grade) and rocky trails are just too much. I need trail shoes...and I found the shoe I need. Take your time...see their beauty...love them as much as I do....



Say hello to the Salomon XR Misson trail shoe. Did I mention that I love and need this shoe?! Lucky for me I have found them...in Lexington. My heart is happy....now I just need to get them. OH..did I mention I have a birthday coming up? ;)

Anyway, I truly believe that my run at Raven Run this weekend would have been that much better if these babies were on my feet. The run was great...my downhill abilities were straight out of a video (or so I thought...look out Kilian Jornet!) but in the case of this run...what goes down at high speed needs to come up to the parking lot in the end (*groan*).



So I ask you...have you ever wanted to lay down in a field and quit?  Has your body, especially your legs, ever told you that you were crazy and the best thing to do would be to stop...drop...and just wait for someone to pick you up? I had that feeling. The downhill to the Overlook of the Kentucky River was high speed...feet off the ground....hitting each rock and then launching up in the air like an animal. The rush was fantastic...people looked at us like we were out of our minds....but I loved every minute of it. The reward was even better...an overlook of the Kentucky River, resting on the rocks taking in all of nature and its beauty. But as we all know....after a few minutes you have to brush yourself off and head back up the trail..thru the fields and back to where you started. I really wish I did not have to do that. Half way up the rock trails I swear I could not feel my legs. They were shaking so hard that I had to walk for a while. Finally, I did my "Eat and Run" mental check list and decided that I was not going to die and was not injured...so I sucked it up...turned up the music and made the long run back to the car. It was an exhausting pain that made you want to just lay down..but at the same time make you wonder if you could do it again. As the wind blew thru my hair driving back down Old Richmond Road I swore I was in heaven!

Those trails were awesome and I cannot wait to do them again. The muscles used were totally different from the typical road running most do....and more intense then the grass trail running I do behind the house. I figure if I can get as much as I can in before the winter...then I will not feel so bad if the weather keeps me from them for the next few months. I hope this is not the case.

Now that I got that under my belt, I have a few road runs to do this week. Tuesday is the 6:30 West Sixth Runners club. I hope to see a few of you down there...I promise you will like it! Wednesday will be a regular long run around either the neighborhood or the grass trails behind the park. THEN..Thanksgiving morning is a 5K at Keeneland!! I can't wait. The one thing I hate about Thanksgiving is how much people eat. I figure, run a 5K before and the urge to consume an insane amount of food will not be there!

I am also going to figure out how to get my running progress linked to this page. Give me time...I think passing legislation may be easier.

Oh...and if you are looking for a hysterical blog to read, might I recommend Dakota Jones blog on this platform. Look for "Living the Dream". He is a young ultrarunner/mountain runner who has the best sense of humor. I almost peed myself reading about their adventures in go carts in San Fran! If you have trouble finding it..just google "Dakota Jones Blog" and it will come up.

Until then...perhaps I need to be in Boulder. At least then I could go in and tell that kid that I was going there....

Till next time :)

Sunday, November 18, 2012

"Our Family Learns To Fight So We Don't Have To Run..."

That was the joke my father told me when I announced proudly that I was going to be an ultrarunner one day.

Now, don't get me wrong. My father is the most supportive person in the world, and if I say I am going to do something...he will be the first one cheering his ass off for me until I do it. But still, if you know my family... "runner" does not come to mind. We just don't do it.

I never ran growing up. Actually, I take that back...I gave cross country one quick try in middle school...and when I say quick...I am not taking about my pace. Other than that...I just went ahead and dated runners. Close enough I guess. However, I had always admired the sport and wanted to give it a try. Growing up I was very active in sports, and as an adult have always been a gym rat. I guess the one thing I have going for me is an addictive personality. When I want to do something...I give it my all until I succeed. Hopefully this will pay off in a few years :)

But before we go any further...I will update you on recent "events".

Over a year ago I lost my mother to breast cancer. No...I take that back...I lost my best friend and mother to the most aggressive f*cking breast cancer some doctors had ever seen. It hit me like nothing else ever has. For a long time (and still sometimes) I am lost...and even worse, I have the fear that I will not get to accomplish everything I want before it is my time to go. See, my parents saved all their "world travel" times for when all the kids were grown and gone. That never happened...they saved and my mom got sick. One of their dreams did not get to come true, and I am determined to never let that happen to me.

Now, you may be wondering what this has to do with running. Well, at first I ran for sanity. I ran to run away from all the feelings I had concerning my mothers death. After a while, I wanted to do it so that I could do more....accomplish more in life and collect neat t-shirts. Yes, I said it...collect neat t-shirts. I started running at a local brewery down here in Lexington, KY called West Sixth Brewery.  It was not pretty. A mile felt like eternity. I hated it. I felt stupid and slow as all these sprinters took 3 miles like nothing happened. However, I had my eye on the prize...a nifty little t-shirt after 5 runs. I mean...how cool is that? Meet at the brewery...run...and then enjoy a beer with family and friends. Perfect Tuesday if you ask me. So, I did it...and 17 weeks and runs later at the brewery I can do quite a bit more than a few miles and if I want...I can wear my neat little t-shirt :)

I have also run in a few 5K's including the MidSummers Night Run and the Race for the Cure (where I learned that if you run and cry your lungs will kind of seize up...leaving you gasping for breath...not recommended). With each run my time and technique has improved...which has given me motivation to try other distances and types of running.

That is where we kind of tie into the whole "ultrarunning" dream. As I was researching trail running I learned that I actually had a customer who is an ultrarunner. Until then, I never knew that people actually ran 50 to 100 miles or more. I was amazed...and intrigued. More research led me to another runner and a manifesto that stopped me in my tracks. There in front of me on the computer was the "Skyrunners Manifesto". With each word the desire to make my running dream come true grew stronger. Google it...read it....sit back and take it all in. It amazed me. I started watching videos and seeing the amazing techniques these runners had mastered...but I also fell in love with the environment in which they were running. It called to me. I wanted to be there. The trails..the mountains...the open areas with no one in sight. I needed to find that. I still need to find that. I have come close in some nature preserves here in Lexington, complete with rock trails...fast downhills and amazing views at the end....but I need more. I need more and I need to run more. I am at the point now where if I do not run...I feel a little empty at the end of the day.

So, I guess this is where I will begin to share my journey. I am not starting this blog at day 1. I am already on my way. The reason I have started this blog is because of all the wonderful friends and family members who have encouraged me on the way. People have actually asked me to do this...so I will. It will be interesting to look back after my first 50 miler and see where I was each step of the way (even if it is from a hospital bed..lol :) )

Until then, sit back and enjoy. Currently I am preparing for my first half marathon (13 miles) in March with a few 5K and 10K races before then. It is November in KY and getting cold...so I am sure there will be much talk of the cold...the dark...excess snot and not feeling body parts. Enjoy all that too...and come join me if you want. I mostly run alone....but every Tuesday you can find me at West Sixth Brewery. I will talk to you before....run alone with my headphones on during the running portion...and meet back up with you for a beer afterwards. You will have fun...and after 5 runs you get a nifty t-shirt. How many people do you know that have a running shirt from a brewery?

Just please remember...I am just starting this journey an it will be long. In the end my goal is to run in the Western States 100 before I die or hit 40...unless I die while running in it...then that would be OK in my book. I am giving myself 9 years. For once in my life I think people can agree with a time frame like that...I am not rushing things :)