The last month has been a whirlwind of chaos, and I've neglected to mention some important announcements and exciting news:

Top Priority

If you've been having trouble accessing the Complete Running Network (CRN) website, please don't despair and don't give up! The website has essentially been 'under attack' from s-p-a-m-m-e-r-s and other undesirables, making it a challenge for Mark (our beloved running blogfather) to keep the site up and running smoothly on a consistent basis. So if you stop by to visit the site, and things seem 'funky,' please, check back often - the CRN team is still working hard to bring you the best running-related information possible!

Inspiration

I have signed up to volunteer at the Lake Placid Ironman on July 22, 2007. Please read that very carefully - VOLUNTEER *not* PARTICIPANT. I cannot wait to feel the energy and be inspired by all the different athletes that will be there, pushing their bodies and minds to the limit. On the one hand, I hope that being a witness to the pain and struggles will dissuade me from wanting to complete an Ironman. But on the other hand, we all know what will likely happen instead, don't we?

If anyone else plans on being there - spectator, volunteer or participant, let me know!

Exciting Opportunities

I begin my next career journey in just a few weeks. I will be starting classes on January 18 to become a Physical Therapy/Therapist Assistant (PTA). I'm thrilled and terrified all at the same time. The first semester will be the most grueling from a time-management standpoint, as I attempt to juggle three classes, a full-time job and marathon training. (Others have survived more demands than that, and it's only 16 weeks...piece of cake, right?)

Official Approval

I received my very important and official 'acceptance card' for the Boston Marathon. I will be running through the streets of Boston on Monday April 16, 2007 with my amazing coach and friend Jeff running every step of the way with me. With that goal to strive for, I hope to successfully battle the cold-dark-early-morning-meanies that will tempt me to stay in my warm, cozy bed. Less than four months away!

Potential

I hope you all are gearing up for a great year. As corny as it sounds, don't ever forget that you have potential...potential to be whatever you want to be and to do whatever you want to do. The only things that ever hold us back are fear and excuses.

Make *this* the year that you are brave and unwilling to accept less than 110%.

My father seems to be the biggest fan of my blog, so I thought I'd send him a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY greeting today on his favorite website.

And to celebrate his birthday, I'll be running 5 miles, while recalling my fondest father-daughter moments.

Happy Birthday Daddy.

I was really looking forward to last night's run.

It was my first time participating in my running club's annual 'Can Run' - a tradition that involves meeting at the local soup kitchen, donating non-perishable items and then running through the neighborhoods, admiring the holiday decorations and lights. Then there's food and merriment afterwards.

Festive. Uplifting. Warm and fuzzy. Those were the things I was looking forward to, especially after the weekend I had. Plus, having some company on a weekday run would be a special treat.

There was quite a crowd gathered for the run. I quickly realized that after a two-day rest period I had a lot of stored energy in my legs. It was difficult to reign myself in but I wanted to be social, so I slowed down and tried to mingle with the group.

For some reason, I just didn't feel connected like I normally do. Maybe there were too many people, maybe I was just having an 'off' day or maybe I just had too much on my mind. I grew quiet and just listened to the other conversations, occasionally offering a word or two, but mostly keeping to myself.

When we wrapped up the first loop, I doubled back to check on the back-of-the-packers. We had a 'sweeper' on the course, but I still wanted to make sure everyone was still together and all headed in the right direction. It was dark, we had been out on some busy streets, and there were quite a few turn - you just never know. Better safe than sorry.

By the time I returned, the group had already departed to continue with the second loop of the run. I dashed in to the building to grab a map, as I wasn't familiar with the route that they were taking, and ran off, hoping to catch up with them.

As I ran after them, I felt a little frustrated. It seemed ironic that I had been left behind while checking on others that had fallen behind. My frustration escalated each time I had to stop in order to read the map, as I knew that meant the group was getting further ahead.

Finally, I gave up trying to catch them. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable running in an unfamiliar area, alone, without a cell phone, in the dark. I decided to just stick to the roads that I knew and headed back to my car.

Sigh. And I even missed out on seeing the *one* house that goes 'all out' with the decorations. Isn't there some rule about leaving runners behind when running as a group?

I've since soothed my ego by telling myself that it wasn't intentional, and that there are plenty of reasons how it could have happened (like maybe they didn't know I was doing the second loop). I'm a little bruised, but I'll bounce back. Besides, I might be able to capitalize on the 'guilt' angle of being left behind. I *will* accept chocolate or home-baked cookies as a consolation.

Since Thanksgiving, life has been the usual whirlwind of chaos and drama, with a continued focus on cooking and eating. I’ve been a bit wrapped up in it all, but things are starting to flatten out just a bit. At least for the moment.

Here are the highlights:

Last Saturday was my running club’s annual holiday post-run brunch. I spent three hours prepping my culinary contributions the night before, and then got up at 4:45 a.m. in order to meet runner-friend Charlie for an extra-early start (we both needed to get in longer runs than the rest of the group.)

After a hilly 15 miles (here’s a link to the hillier of our two loops – please note the elevation) we gathered for some warm, delicious food and a bit of champagne. It was a great way to kick off the weekend.

The rest of the day was spent cooking and cleaning to prepare for my husband’s birthday celebration, which was taking place that night. (That meant that there was lots of eating and drinking taking place at my house for most of the day and night.)

Then on Monday, my mom had surgery on her back. It’s always a little nerve wracking to have a loved one being cut open…and I really wasn’t thrilled about doctors poking around near her spinal cord. But, she came through the surgery without any problems and was back home on Thursday.

Thursday just happened to be the same day that I was leaving for Greensboro, NC to visit my friend Dr. Tee, who I affectionately refer to as my ‘sister’ even though we are both only-children. My visit to NC was overshadowed by the death of her grandmother, and I was grateful that fate had placed me beside her when she heard the news. (As if that wasn’t enough, earlier in the day my husband lost a friend to cancer and learned that his own grandmother was in the hospital. Unbelievable.)

I won't bore you with my long list of things to worry about between now and the end of the month, as I'm sure your list looks a lot like mine with things shopping, cards, cookies, parties, volunteering, family visits and life-in-general. (Let's not forget final exams too.)

I have somehow managed to keep up with my training schedule – at least the running portion. Yoga and swimming have been sacrificed a couple of times, but I won’t compromise with the running. Even when my motivation level has reached the ‘I don’t want to do ANYTHING but sit on the couch with a glass of wine, some crackers and cheese’ level, I just strap on the shoes and get out there. It’s not always pretty or easy, but I’m getting it done. Occasionally, I’m even rewarded with one of those worth-while time-stopping running moments when the world is quiet, save for the sound of shoes and breath.

Hope your lives are affording you a few worth-while moments, running or otherwise.