Destination: Atlanta (again)

When I was about 12 or 13, I had this obsession with entering contests in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. I actually won three of them. One was the elusive Peachtree Road Race entry. Now, clearly I entered these for the satisfaction of winning, not the acutal prize. But when I got my number I was dead set on being able to run - only I was one of those sedentary, Oreo-eating, watching Brady Bunch reruns after school kind of kids; overweight and not remotely athletic. I couldn't run 100 yards, let alone 6.2 miles up two large hills downtown. I played fullback on the soccer team because it required the least amount of running (and the most amount of tackling, which is why I was so good).

My, how times have changed. That was half my life ago, folks.

This year is different: Billy and I both got accepted into the race via the lottery system. And finally, 13 years and countless miles later, I will lace up my favorite Nikes on July 4th and run the Peachtree Road Race.

Bring it on.

SPF - Some People Forget

...about last year's hideous sunburn.

...about bra straps digging into fried flesh.

...about the risk for basal cell carcinoma or melanoma in people with a history of sunburns being more than twice that of a person without a history of sunburns.

...that when you run, your feet, tops of your thighs, and anything covered by your running clothes needs a base tan even after your legs and arms get dark.

...that people who live in Florida or Arizona can show signs of photoaging in their 20's (no matter how good their mom's skin is...)

...that after you spray your husband's back with some SPF 30 spray, you should probably turn the can on yourself.

Which is why I look a little bit like this...


Oh, and I got some of my info from The American Academy of Dermatology, The CDC, and my own apparent stupidity.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...

The Flickr album of my ING Georgia Half Marathon 2008 pictures!

Viva La Off-Season

Running has a lot of benefits people don't tell you about. Sure, you've heard about bone density, muscle endurance, increasing your oxygen intake, weight loss... the ability to eat tons of ice cream and still look stick thin (assuming you were stick thin to begin with, but I digress). But I think there's one you don't often hear about:

Running, and the health benefits it gives you, causes you to want to keep that up. Running makes you healthy, and, in turn, you want to do other things that make you healthy.

I am really proud of all the positive changes I have made. I have stopped drinking soda, and mostly only drink water or tea and the occasional beer, wine, or latte (notice I said "occasional" - so not daily like I used to before I started running). I pretty much stopped eating meat except for special occasions and instead seek out soy protein, dairy, more vegetables, and grains to keep my body healthy from the inside out. I go to bed before 11 most nights, I don't drink very much when I go out, and I usually only watch interesting things on TV and not just crap to fill my time. I even started taking better care of my skin! And, best of all, I am not spending my off-season sitting on my butt in front of the TV eating everything in sight - tennis, weight lifting, walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, pilates. Trying lots of new things and loving every minute of it. I am even looking into fun things to do on my upcoming cruise that involve getting out and having some fun - can you imagine me on a zip line in the jungle? :o)

The Universe Knows More Than I Do

... I find that out more and more every day as I get to know more of it. But either way, I think this quote from Runner's World sums up my weekend in Atlanta:


"Big occasions and races which have been eagerly anticipated almost to the point of dread, are where great deeds can be accomplished. " -Jack Lovelock

The Fear

Okay, I am a bad blogger. I know. But I have a good excuse. Since my last post, I have been keeping a secret from all of you. A secret I was afraid to even admit to myself.

I was scared of Atlanta.

My 11 mile run was horrible. Pure torture. Hot, overwhelming, slow, painful, torture. I walked most of it, dehydrated, sunburnt, and miserable. I knew Atlanta wouldn't be hot, but it would have hills, something that's completely foreign to Florida runners unless you like to run bridges (no thanks).

I had told myself for so long that I would take Atlanta seriously, train hard, get ready, and face it for the amazing opportunity it was: to go back to the city I loved as a child, to run a half marathon with my best friend, and to push myself as hard as I could. But I was scared to death that I couldn't make it happen; that I would once again disappoint myself.

And you know what? I didn't.

I got a PR instead. 2:59:11. I broke the 3 hour mark. And it feels so damn good!

Fridaaaaaaaaay!

Okay, I've been a bad blogger. But I'm still here.

I've had a pretty nice week. No complaints from the race, but my massage therapist said I was kind of tight. You know I'm a crappy stretcher.

I've lifted weights twice this week and run twice. Today I am enjoying my off day. Finally plotted an 11.5ish run for this weekend at the beach... Very flat, which is probably not good preparation for Atlanta, but I might come up with a new one before I actually go out that incorporates some bridges (we don't have hills here!)



There has been a big push to play tennis lately... I think Billy, Mike, Chris, and I were inspired by the Sampras/Martin match we went to. Don't know if that will be my cross training for this weekend but I definitely plan on making it to the JCA to play on Thursday for Ladies' Night.

In very good news, my skinny jeans fit! HOORAY! Although I told one of my girlfriends I think they fit from me trying them on so much and stretching them out! But it's still a nice little victory.