That Dam Marathon

It's offical now. I've offically started training for the Teton Dam (1/2) Marathon on June 14th. I wasn't sure that I even wanted to race this year, but something inside of me just pushes me towards them. I have to say that it's a lot of fun to race in and most of all, complete a race. When I'm out there, I have the greatest feeling in the world. I love the sound of hundreds of feet making pace, the cheer of the crowd as you run by, the scenery, the fresh air, the feeling of accomplishment - I love it all . .well, all, except the training. My treadmill, due to lack of space, sits up against a plain white wall in my house. I've stared at the same part of wall for almost two years now. I know the bumps on it like the back of my hand. I hate that wall. I really wish I could run outside, but due to the freezing temperatures and the fact that I like to run EARLY in the morning before my kids wake up, I'm stuck inside.

Anyways, so I've offically started my training program. I have to give a shout out for the program that I do use. It's by a man named Hal Higdon. I've used his program for all but 1 race that I've done and it hasn't let me down yet. Right now I'm doing the 10K training to ready myself to do the 12 week 1/2 marathon training. Here's a link to the 1/2 marathon training program that I use if you're interested. http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm
It's hard for me to start pretty much over. Today was my first "long run," but it was only 3.5 miles. I hate that I'm struggling through those miles when 3.5 miles to me used to mean a very light, very easy day. Oh well, one step at a time. Slow and steady finishes the race right? So if anyone else (other than those I already know about) is interested in running this race, let me know. It's nice to cheer and motivate eachother through the grueling training months. Just another FYI, here's the link to the Dam Marathon info. http://www.dammarathon.com/ This year they decided to limit the number of participants too, so now I can't slack off - gotta sign up soon. My goal is to sign up for it in about a month.

A couple little unknown facts about me and running. I get asked a lot what motivates me to run and why I do it. I don't really have a good answer for those questions, but here's some things I do know: 1- I HAVE TO listen to tunes as I'm running. . the faster beat the better. 2 -I chew a 1/2 stick of Extra Watermelon gum or Trident Blueberry Twist gum as I do my runs to keep my mouth wet. 3- Finally, a lot of runners have a mantra that they use to keep themselves going when they are "hitting the wall." Mine is "Define Yourself." If I keep saying that over and over and over in my head, I feel as I can push on. Defining myself means making it that last 1/2 mile when I feel like my lungs are going to explode. It means jogging up a hill instead of walking it. It means pushing myself to do my best. Take those three things away from me (tunes, gum, mantra) and I'm just a waddling penguin.

So as I left the dentist post with a cheesy joke, I thought I'd leave you with a few about running today too. The first one's a classic, the second just plain funny. (Jokes thanks to RunthePlanet.com)

Joke Uno: Two hikers on a trail came around the bend to find an enormous brown bear about 75 yards up the trail. The bear spies them and begins running toward them at a full gallop. One hiker drops his backpack, sits down, throws off his boots, and starts lacing up a pair of running shoes. The other hiker says: "What are you doing? You will never outrun that bear!". The first hiker replies: "I don't have to outrun the bear..."

Joke Dos: Last year I entered the New York City Marathon. The race started and immediately I was the last of the runners. It was embarrassing. The guy who was in front of me, second to last, was making fun of me. He said, "Hey buddy, how does it feel to be last?" I replied: "Do you want to know?" and I dropped out.

One last thing. . .not totally running related. I can't decide if I want to join the Idaho Falls womens soccer league this year. Does anyone that lives around this area want to join me? You don't have to be good, or even ever played before. Trust me, I made a complete fool of myself last year and I'm wondering if I want to do it again this year. It would be fun to have a friend join with me. Let me know.

The old cow

As for those of us that either A. live in a townhome or B. apartment, we know all too well that some can be overheard through the walls no matter how thick the builder says they are. Well I would like to apologize now for the constants thuds that I'm sure my neighbors hear. Here's a description of the thuds that are most often heard.

*THUD!* I fell out of bed
*Thud. . .Mmmoooommm!* Adalyn fell out of bed
*thud, thud. .. thud, thud, thud. .. . thud. . . .thud, thud* Mieley kicking the wall through the bars of her crib to tell me she wants out of bed.
*THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD, THUD* (continuously for a 1/2 hour to 1 hour or so) I finally made it out of bed and now I'm on the treadmill.

Which leads me to my post today. Many of you know that last September I ran a full marathon. Well since that day, I forced my treadmill into early retirement and I tried my hand into a few new exercise programs. Today, however, I decided to blow off the dust and hop back on my treadmill to see what I could do. I knew that I would be rusty, but I didn't think that I would about kill over dead a mile into the jog. I felt like an old cow. I kept thinking of when my family does cattle drives and once in awhile an old cow falls behind, not able to keep with the rest of the herd. I could hear my dad's voice in my head, "Rope that old cow and put her in the trailer," or something along those lines. I felt like my tongue was hanging out of my mouth and I was more panting heavily than breathing evenly or smoothly. More sweat was pouring off my face than a girl should be able to produce. Quite the pretty picture huh? So I'll need to apologize in person to my fellow neighbors, but it's time to get this girl back on the treadmill and back into shape!!!