Oh-Oh Spagetti-o!

Ok, I know I'm not supposed to... but I have set a mental goal for my first half-marathon.

Of course I want to finish. But also, I want to finish it in about 2:45:00 (ok, I want to finish in less than 2:59:54 which is what someone I know did it in!)

It's a modest goal. Not impossible.

I did the 7 mile bridge last April and averaged 12 minute miles the whole way (with a lot less training under my belt) and also on my PDR which is an 8 mile run, also in April.

The difference is that in my head 13.1 miles is not insurmountable.

Neither is 26.2.

Does that mean I will eventually be a candidate for a ULTRA? I don't know (we never know where life will take us) and I'm actually gearing myself more to Triathlons (being that I had never learned to ride a bike or swim until the recent past and beating those is a big deal to me!).

But Madonna's Morocco Ultra sounds inciting and the Rim2Rim2Rim sounds like fun and even the Great Wall Marathon sounds like the cat's pajamas but when I think about doing them the money seems like more of a barrier than the distance.

Is it just that since I've never run more than 8 miles I don't know what it will really require of me? Ignorance is bliss and all that?

The reality is, I don't know where this ride will take me but it's awfully fun to dream. And I am finally starting to worry less about my weight and even forgetting to weigh myself some mornings (EGAD! That would have been INCONCEIVABLE to me in the past!)

Today's Runner's Quote Sums it all up best I think:

People begin running for any number of motives, but we stick to it for one basic reason-to find out who we really are.
~ George Sheehan, M.D.

On deck for this evening: Today is a Rest (from running) day so I will be doing P90x as well as my challenge sets with the addition of:

• Triceps Push Downs (Michele Obama rocks these for her great arms)
  
• Hammer Curls (These too!)
  
• Bent Knee Crunches (I want to one day show my mid drift)
  
• Bicycle Crunch (These are highly recommended for runners)
  
• Under-the-leg lifts (for those thunder thighs)
• Arm Running (recommend for runners) :: 60 second sets
  
• Ankle Balances (supposed to help prevent running injury) :: 30 seconds each leg
  
• Calf Raises (Also recommended for runners)
  

And for tomorrow, I have a 7 Miler which I am actually excited about! Go Figure!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Mondays are too much with us late and soon

MONDAYS are too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our WEEKENDS:
Little we see OF TIME that is ours;
We have given our LIVES away, to sordid WORK!
WOULD RATHER QUIT THIS WORKING RATHER SOON!

Bastardizing a little Woodsworth in the morning! :) The actual poem is called THE WORLD IS TOO MUCH WITH US; LATE AND SOON

Mondays weigh heavy on our back and shoulders,
drawing out life from failing lungs,
Were that there were seven Fundays,
to spend each lounging in the sun.

That one is an original by me :)

Well, enough non sequitur.

Today was a trying day but nothing I couldn't handle. I did end up taking the day and working from home so my planned run didn't happen but I was able to squeeze in a bike lesson!

Bike Lesson One:


Here is Mr. Boyfriend making a funny face and demonstrating what I will hopefully be doing very soon.

I gave it the old college try (I have sore hands and a rather raw booty to prove it) but it's going to take a bit longer than I may have originally expected but I will keep at it!?!