Five half-marathons, four 5k races, three sprint triathlons, two 10k races, and one full marathon. All in one year, and all in memory of someone who never knew she was strong.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

2010 Olympics

This week has been a doozy, and it has really messed with my training.  I tweaked my back running a few too many times in old shoes.  That took me out for Saturday run club this week, which I hated to miss. However, on that very same Saturday, I received my brand new running shoes.  They were just what the doctor ordered, and I had one of my favorite runs ever on Sunday morning.  It was just me and Blue alone in the snow on Super Bowl Sunday morning.  We did a quick three miles, and when we got back, Mike laughed at us, Blue with his face carrying about a half inch of snow down the bridge of his nose, and me with the remnants of the prior night's mascara literally dripping down my cheeks.  Still, there is something about running in the falling snow.  It is like you pushed the mute button on your run, and it feels private and in quiet slow motion even at regular speeds.  Who knew?

The Biggest Loser episode last night took place in my hometown of Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center.  I have been there a lot and taken tours and stuff, but it was so cool to see it from their perspective.  I loved how the contestants got to see that they were working out like real athletes.  Over the course my life, I have never really considered myself an athlete and have looked at my friends who are like they have superpowers.  But honestly?  After two full years of slowly and surely pushing myself, I feel that bounce in my step most days now, like my body can do almost anything and like I am really strong.  I want to continue building on that feeling for the rest of my life. I am considering this year my own personal Olympics.

I have been busy with work this week, and we also added a new puppy to our family.  Both of these line items are reasons that I have slacked a little, but neither are good excuses.  If I want to accomplish this, which I am going to, I need to be focused and buckled down, and that is reinforced right now.  I did my cross-training yesterday as scheduled and will be back on schedule bright and early tomorrow morning for my run.  I can't imagine how people do this when they have kids.  Just leaving two dogs behind makes me feel guilty about going on a run, but this is for me, and these dogs now have each other to play with and keep company, as Mike pointed out to me, so it is on.  I missed a couple days, and that sucks, but it was a blip.  Still ready for my next race this weekend.  Planning on a  30-32 minute 5k.  I will post results Sunday afternoon!

I am having issues with Google, so please stay tuned for my Food Bank of the Rockies and NFL Play 60 link pages.  They should be done next week!

1 comment:

  1. Hi Cara! We just posted your story to our local Pound for Pound blog (poundforpoudcolorado.blogspot.com). Thanks for sharing your testimony and we'll look forward to following you along your journey.

    Your friends at Food Bank of the Rockies

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