Where to begin...

I feel as though I should start by saying a big THANK YOU to the following, for the following:

1. Spirit of the Marathon for inspiring me to push myself. For making me realize that I have the ability to run 26.2 miles without dying...the older, more out of shape runners in this movie did it...so-can-I!

2. Boss's boss, without you my boobs would have jiggled all over the place throughout my run today and I would have likely given up and shortened my distance. Your t-shirt and sports bra are in the washer as I type.

3. Creepy Guy #1 who stared/gawked at me while your pulled your car into Napoli's...you put a little pep in my step as I sped up to make sure you weren't going to turn around and follow me like the creeper you are.

4. Creepy Guy #2 who pointed at me as you drove past in your little teal beat up POS car, like you knew me and were surprised to see me...you don't know me so please just keep your eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel. You also made me speed up ever so slightly, almost as though I thought I would be able to out-run your car if you decided to follow me...then again, by the looks of your car, I might just have been able to.

5. Steep hills and wind in my face for making me that much stronger...YOU SUCKED, by the way! I'm pretty sure I will hate you even more tomorrow when I struggle to walk.

6. Coworkers, you asking me how my run went allows me to talk about it and hopefully inspire you to take up running...and in turn, that inspires me to keep it up.

THANK YOU, each and every one of you

Today was my 6 mile run. After watching "Spirit of the Marathon" last night I was stoked to get my run on today. I mapped it out at www.mapmyrun.com and had a game plan. I was to run 6 miles and knew I could do it in about an hour. I'm fortunate that my place of work gives me an extra 30 mins of workout time 3 days a week (as schedules allow). I would use my extra 30 mins, for warming up, stretching, and getting cleaned up to go back to work, and I would dominate 6 miles. I was worried that it was cold enough that I would be too cold and miserable to finish, since I knew I hadn't packed a long sleeve tshirt to go under my jacket...little did I know that I also hadn't packed even a short sleeve tshirt or my SPORTS BRA!!! (See thank you #2 above) Luckily it all worked out and I hit the road.

I felt good, as though I wouldn't freeze to death, but the wind was not nice. Thanks to the wind my hair started to fuzz up and the short fly aways were wrecking havoc on my face. I would have killed for just one extra bobby-pin. I would not have hesitated to pick one up off the ground and shove it into my hair without even the thought of where it came from...if only I had seen one. Thank goodness I turned and the wind changed and was blowing me right in the face. That was a blessing...to have the 36 degree wind blowing me right in the face as I ran up steep hills...wow, that was great! (typed with great sarcasm) At least it fixed the problem of the rebellious fly aways. I don't care what I look like when I run, as long as hair isn't blowing up into my face, tickling my nose and cheeks, and scratching my eyes...talk about suckage.

I struggled through my 6 miles, stopping only twice for about 20 seconds each to stretch my tightening muscles (watch was stopped each time). It is always such a wonderful sense of accomplishment to not only get your workout done, but to finish a grueling run. As soon as you stop it is almost as if you get an adrenaline rush. I felt like nothing could go wrong the rest of the day. I felt like I had just conquered something grand. I had! I had run the 6 miles that I had planned the night before and I had done it 6 minutes faster than I expected! As soon I as got back to the office I remapped my run just to make sure it was in fact 6 miles...

5.85! What kind of crap is that? If I had known I was coming up short I would have made a lap around the parking lot. I would have run up and down the sidewalk as many times as it would take to add that measly .15? WHAT.A.CROCK! Oh well, life goes on. I ran 5.85 miles in 54:30 and I am still very pleased. I've always thought I will always run a 10 minute mile...today I ran a 9:20 mile, and for that, I am happy!

Now, fast forward 6+ hours...I AM SORE! My P90X Legs and Back workout yesterday made my legs just sore enough today to keep me wanting more. Right now, I do not want any more. My legs are so sore I can barely climb the stairs. My butt is so sore I can barely sit down. My dear husband tried to help me stretch after supper and it hurt so badly that our 4 yr old son thought Dad was hurting me. I was squealing and grabbing muscles all over the place. I can't wait to see how I feel tomorrow!!! (again with great sarcasm)