oh heyyyy

So, let's establish something you already know:

I'm terrible at blogging.

Perhaps this blog should be named anti-blogging blogger. Bah. But here's an update... I'm at home (Colorado) and have begun the glorious task of adjusting to the higher altitude. One of the first items on my to-do list upon arriving home was to purchase new shoes. Friday morning my dad and I headed over to Boulder Running Company and found (after many trips between the diagnostic treadmill and a pile of size 8.5 shoes) a beautiful pair of pink, burgundy, and white Mizuno Wave Alchemy 9s. I've begun tallying miles on the soles (credit: Brenna Case).

My dad is following the Jeff Galloway Marathon Training Program which is a run/walk strategy to avoid injury and increase endurance. As I've asked around I've heard great things about this program so I'm in. Also, as a true anti-running marathoner, how can I say no to a program that demands you walk one out of every ten minutes during the long runs? And has you run at a barelyfasterthanwalking pace? Yes please. The only issue is that because this program is longer than the one I was previously following, I'm behind where I should be for mileage. But I'm not stressed... I'll catch up.

My first run last Friday was... unimpressive. My dad and I went out about 4pm and ran on the trails between our neighborhood and the next one over. My legs felt fine-- which was surprising because my runs during finals could best be called sporadic if not nonexistent-- but about fifteen minutes in I began to feel pretty nauseous and lightheaded and so we stopped and walked for a bit, ran another 7-10 minutes and then walked the rest of the way home. So our "40 minute" run turned into a 50 minute run/walk.

The run yesterday went much better. My dad was scheduled for his 9 miler and I am obviously not there yet so he went out for the first six with my cousin Philip and then I tag teamed Philip out and ran the last three. The weather was gorgeous-- I SO prefer running at night. The whole day is behind you, the air is cool, and something about the dark makes the time and miles go by faster. Our pace was nice and easy, so other than my dumb shoulder ache, the run was perfect. Things are looking up!

I'm so thankful to have this goal. (you might need to remind me of this later). It gives me an excuse to go to bed early, the motivation to exercise regularly, and the desire to be healthy-- I need all three of these desperately but find them all too often illusive.