In the past three weeks, I have seen two great marathons: Boston and Eugene. This past weekend I was a course marshal for the Eugene marathon. It was a lot of fun. I was stationed at mile 22 (of 26.2) along the Willamette River and cheered on the runners and walkers. The first two hours I was there I watched all the hard core runners speed by, and even saw a childhood friend. But after that came a serious of slow joggers and walkers of various ages and sizes. It got me really motivated to attempt the half marathon again, since it didn’t work out so well last time due to my soccer injury.

On September 5th, there is an inaugural Eugene Women’s Half Marathon. While I could train to run it, I decided that I will walk this half marathon and get some of my good friends join me. My goal is to get a big group of us to all walk together, and enjoy the ‘girl time’ together. And who knows, maybe it will inspire me to run the half next May!

Unfortunately, this is a phrase I am saying far too much lately. Yet again, the half marathon gods have thrown a kink into my training. After Thursday night’s soccer game, I came away with a seven inch long bump with bruise on my shin and a sprained toe. (It’s not broken, so I guess sprained is the best way to describe it. Some people have also called it ‘turf toe‘.) So yet again I am out of training a soccer for a bit, but hopefully only a week.

I get frustrated that I can’t go injury free, yet I refuse to give up soccer. Many ‘wiser’ (not older) adults in my life say I should slow down a bit on soccer. But I love soccer and I look forward to days when I get to play soccer. I make the choice to keep playing on top of running. With these two injuries, I am hoping they will not affect my ability to run the half marathon. I’m trying to stay positive, but also be realistic and listen to my body.

On another note, here is my new purchase for the house. Not really exciting, but needed.

So today, I ran that farthest I have ever run in all my life…5 miles. Well more like 5.25 miles, but close enough. Susan and I took meet this morning to go running along the river through the cold and fog. I was initially a little worried about going on such a long run after spraining my foot, but my foot didn’t give me any problems. I had some calf and quad pain from a run in with a soccer goalie on Thursday night, but nothing that some ibuprofen and stretching can’t fix. I ran a little slower than anticipated, but hopefully I will be able to pick up my pace a bit. And the training continues…

Well after taking a week off from working out and running due to my sprained foot, I am back running. I went for a run today, be it slow, to see how my foot did. Surprisingly, my foot did very well. I did not have any pain in my foot, which I was thrilled about. I guess following the doctor’s directions was a good thing. I’m still not up to my full speed, but getting out there is a start. I wish that I would have not lost a week of training, but I am determined to make it up and still continue on with the same enthusiasm as before.

Also exciting, is that I now am playing on an another soccer team…yes, I know I’m crazy. I joined a women’s recreational indoor team, and after watching them play last week, I have become more excited about playing. I am most excited that they need people to play forward, which is a position I would like to play more. After my last co-ed game of having 10+ shots on goal with out a goal, it’s time for me to work on my shot. I am hoping on this team I will be able to help me put the ball in the back of the net.

So I have come to realize, I am a social runner. Occasionally, it’s nice to go out and run on my own, but I find it more fulfilling running with someone else. It seems to make the time go faster. Today, I wanted to run and try out my new shoes, but Heidi and Susan, my two standard running partners were busy. Instead, I ran with Harrison, Heidi’s 65 pound Boxer. So I put on the running leash and we took off for a nice run. He was great company, but its hard when dogs don’t talk back. It was fun, but I think I will stick to running with humans.

Over the past few weeks, I have been doing lots of running….which is good since the Eugene Marathon is only 103 days away. Since I have been running, I have been running in various shoes and I am finding one common thread…lots of blisters! Well, I will have blisters no more. Today, with my sister Rebecca tagging along (PS-She has her own blog now), I headed out to the Eugene Running Company to get my first pair of running shoes. After settling on the shoe, I jumped on the treadmill to make sure the shoes were the right fit for my foot…and it was. So I am now a proud of owner of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8 running shoes. Bye bye blisters; hello comfortable shoes!

These were the words that I uttered after my wonderful run with Susan today. We ran down by the river (but no Matt Foley and the van…ha ha!) for a nice 3 3/4 mile run. For someone who was barely to run a mile a few months, I have greatly improved in my running and endurance, and it has also helped my soccer speed and endurance as well. And I feel pretty darn good about myself. I am starting to feel more like a runner. I enjoy my time on the open road, however, I find it is much more fun to run with a friend. As I prepare for my half marathon in May, I am so thankful to have such a wonderful support group of friends who keep me energized. Thanks especially to Heidi and Susan…I couldn’t be doing this without you.

I am officially registered for the Eugene Marathon on May 4th, 2008…well at least the half marathon. I started reading a marathon training book today too, as I mentally prepare for the weeks of training ahead. So it’s official now! 128 days to go…

So I have decided to set a new goal in my life. I have hesitated posting this, because if I say I am going to do it, then I have to follow through. So here it goes…I am planning to run a half marathon at the Eugene Marathon. 13.1 miles is my new goal!

I have never been a runner, but lately, I have gotten back into running (most likely thanks to Heidi). I have never dreamed of running a marathon, but I am up for the challenge of a half marathon. Heidi and Susan are going to run the half marathon too…maybe we can convince a few others to join us. With two great friends wanting to run with me, I have a great support system with me to help me succeed.

To be honest, I am nervous about running 13 miles; wondering if my ankles will hold up, if my body can handle the training and if soccer injuries will get in my way. But regardless, this is something that is challenging, and I need a new challenge in my life.

So let the running begin…