Week in Review- 4/20/08

I had another successful week with running, which makes me happy on all fronts. I completed all of the runs I was scheduled for- three 2-mile runs and one 3-mile run. Only this week I was able to manage it with very little walking. We did the usual Marguerita route twice and one kick ass evening run trying out a different route. This started out uphill and tested my will power. Every time I thought we were going to turn onto Georgina and head downhill a bit, another street I never knew existed in Santa Monica would appear. But I pushed on and didn't walk at all. In fact, Susannah and I really pushed ourselves until the end. Our 3-mile run today went significantly better than last week's 3-miler.

In terms of progress this week, and things that make me happy, I decided to show up for my first Meet Up run. The group was planning on doing a 10-mile run, which I was obviously not going to be doing, but I figured we could show up and just do whatever distance we wanted. So Susannah and I met just one other runner there (others may have shown up later) and she was doing the full distance. We said hello and then I let her know that we'd be running in her dust :) The first half of the run was mostly uphill, a slight incline, and it was a little difficult for me. But I stopped and walked for three blocks and then was able to complete the rest of the workout.

As usual, by the time it was done, I was really happy. I felt good, I felt accomplished, I felt happy. But it was easy to remember how I felt during the run. I am not in that phase where running feels good. Talking is out of the question while I run. Listening to people talk is basically out of the question too (sorry Susannah!). I have a hard time breathing. I am not running for any sort of time here. I'm just running to get in the distance, to get through the workout. It doesn't feel great and I fear that if I feel this way after running two or three miles, where I just barely get through that, how in God's name am I ever going to be able to run an entire marathon?

Read this, I have no doubt that I'm going to be doing this marathon. I will cross that finish line no matter what it takes. And I am certain that with more time and proper treatment of my body, the running will feel enjoyable and easier with time. It's just every now and then, a little bit of doubt comes in.