My 16-week training program flew by this year and I’m just 10 days away from heading to Vegas to run on December 2. While running the strip at night is an amazing experience; what is more amazing is the support I’ve received from so many of you. Your donations and encouragement have kept me going.
After my first 1/2 marathon last year in Vegas caused the blogosphere/twitterverse/commenttrollers to erupt into a sea of complaints about mismanagement, course crowding, walkers blocking runners and other nonsense, I fully expected every other race I’m ever in to be a breeze. While I actually had a great time in Vegas, I know many people did not. I was mulling over that as I dodged a group of six rather large fairies walking side by side as best they could on a sidewalk big enough to hold four pretty standard sized humans.
Did another short run through Saratoga Springs Resort today. Yesterday’s was much better; today the heat and a tinge of dehydration made it not great.
When I set out to raise $10,000 this year for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation through Team Challenge, I set mini goals. I’m happy to say that I met each of this goals so far, with the last being $7,500 by the main fundraising deadline. http://www.active.com/donate/seaLV12/kmacris
I’m $900 away from VIP right now for Team Challenge Las Vegas Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon!!!! Just $900. I’d love some help.
I’ve blathered on about my training and my fundraising, (updated 2013 link) but I feel like I haven’t really focused on why I am doing it again this year.
A few days ago, my mother wrote this on her page: “Donate Donate Donate. Help find a cure. I don’t like being a lab rat! (can’t wait to get off these meds) And come to Vegas if you can to cheer Kristie on!”
I’ve reached that point in my training when I no longer have ridiculous calf pain after a run, especially a long run. I can walk up and down stairs just fine. I can go running again the next day should I feel like it. It’s a great feeling.
Having taken 7ish-plus months off of life, not just exercise, to heal my arm, everything I’ve done has been slow and hard. Like I never ran before, like I never walked up stairs without getting winded before. Last year, the calf pain started disappearing much earlier in my training, but I’m there now.
It feels good to run 13 miles on Sunday and not be walking like I just got off a horse for a day or two. I was at the Sounders game that night–even ran through the rain the 1/2 mile from our car to the stadium. I felt mostly good (needed some food in me to feel all the way good).
I hope I haven’t jinxed myself my mentioning my lack of calf pain. I’ve got a lot of running to do in the next month!
I am running my first of three 1/2 marathons this season on November 10, which is just a couple days before the fundraising deadline for Vegas on December 2.
After running 13 miles in the rain, wind and hail (it started around mile 7, just after the turnaround), you smile creepily lie this.
