Cold, crisp and just right.

When I come home from a run, I often say to RT and G that, "I feel like a new woman." My post run shower then makes me repeat this testament.

I love this feeling. It is honestly what started my running path. Feeling like a new woman with a new outlook is something that absolutely blows my skirt in just the right way. I still get this feeling during the winter, but motivating myself to get out the door and do it is so much more difficult. (Please note that I do not feel like a new woman after logging treadmill miles. NOT AT ALL.)

But today, today was perfect. Cool, crisp and just right. I did not have to push myself out the door. I did not have to take the big deep, dig down, just do it. I got out and by three minutes in, I knew why I was pounding the pavement.

One foot in front of the other. Before I knew it, I had gone fifteen. Fifteen mile and I think I really should have pounded out a few more.

I love that. I love running. I love it when the perfect running day comes in to play. And often, a perfect running day makes for a perfect all around day.

What makes you keep pushing?

All runners that I know have a strategy of some sort. A strategy for every distance. A strategy for every type of run. Strategy changes depending on what you are looking to accomplish, but a strategy is always necessary.

I run with slow music. I am beginning to think this may be a bad strategy.

Before I was a runner. When I ran for punishment in my given sport, this was a great strategy. I always went out of the box way to fast. I ran as hard as I could and then I could never finish.

For me, having really slow and relaxing music made me slow the pace and enabled me to cross the finish line. Regardless of the distance.

Well, now that I clearly have the ability to find my distance pace down, I think I may need to rethink my playlist.

I am getting a little faster, but not that much. So are there any suggestions out there for a good playlist that will help me go the distance but pick up the pace just a little....just enough to shave a minute off every mile for 26.2?

Keeping on track during the holiday season.

One of the most difficult things for me about running this time of year is the time change. Not to mention the holiday madness.

We live in a community that has no street lights. I hate the treadmill. And hate may be an understatement. So finding the time to run and run safely becomes more and more difficult this time of year. I really love running in overcast and cold, so that is a plus.

I have been currently running during what is considered lunch time. This helps keep me on track in two capacities. I am able to log my miles, be more focused, get more sleep and eat less overall. So right now I see this as a great way to log my winter miles.

For those of you out there....what are your tricks to staying on track with your running goals during the winter/holiday season?

Running Christmas wish list.

Santa baby, hurry down the chimney for me...... {So I can share my obsession with the world}
{So I can run at night}

{Because if you know me in real life I am more of a fashionista than a runner and Stella McCartney makes my heart pitter patter}

{40 pairs please....10 a quarter}

{So I can remember why I train so hard}

{12 pairs please. Being a hyperhydronic and a marathon runner gets expensive}

What is on your running wish list?

Redding goals.

I have a while before my next marathon. Nearly a month and a half. It has been a while since I have had some real recovery time and some real time to think about what my goals are for the next race.

I have currently just been running to finish. And running to finish twelve in twelve months. It not appears that I may have to do it in thirteen. Thats fine. Not the original goal, but like all things in life we have to deal with unexpected happenings and this ankle thing was certainly unexpected.

So, I am trying to do some "speed work". I may be the worlds slowest runner, so this truly is an oxymoron. However, my goal for Redding is 4:59.

Thats right. 30-45minutes off all my times.

Wish me luch.

CIM pity party.

I was supposed to run CIM yesterday. It was recommended that I sit it out...and I did. I ran a total of sixteen miles this weekend and I feel really strong.

As I sit here this morning and read others CIM updates, I can't help but feel a little angry. Angry that I don't have that post marathon I can't move afterglow. Angry that I am either going to have a month that is going to kill me or I will be more than a month off in finishing my goal.

But thankful that I am seeing my orthopedist again on 12.31 (Happy New Year's!) and that my body is feeling stronger. I am running faster and with more conviction. So for that I am thankful.

But I still am having a pity party.

Five miles never felt so good.

The weather here has been perfect. I spend so much of my running time with a jogging stroller in tow that my posture is horrific. Thankfully, I have been able to use my time in the CST to my advantage. I am trying to keep on my two hour earlier schedule and get in some quality running time.....A-L-O-N-E.

It is amazing how much faster I am sans jogging stroller. It is amazing how much more soothing the time is when I am not worried about entertaining, feeding, keeping the child buckled in.

Granted, I LOVE having her along for the ride. She enjoys the time and I like having her outside. We usually stop and have some park time and all that jazz.

But it is so nice to have five miles to myself. And a cup of coffee when I get home....by. my. self.

In some ways I think I was a loner in my past life.

Dallas turkey trot.

We spent Thanksgiving in Dallas this year. On Thanksgiving morning, my sister in law and I woke up and headed to the 42nd Annual Turkey Trot with one of her best friends, sister and one of her best friends. It was crazy. I think the last count was 36,000 participants. Many with strollers and dogs. It was a measly 5k, but a lot of fun. I think that I finished in 32 minutes which is really good for me. There were no timing chips so this is a garmin estimate. Hope that you all had a great Turkey day. I don't know about you, but I MUST put in some serious miles to work off the tremendous amount of food that I consumed!

Thankful.

Today I am thankful for running. It is still an ever learning process and something that I am growing in and becoming better at every day. You have provided me with endless therapy, release, calm and enjoyment. For every mile logged, I am infinately better to my loved ones. And for that, I am sure that they are thankful too.

Holiday weight gain.

I get countless "Newsletters" in my inbox. JCrew and Runner's World are really the only two publications that I even open. While I ooooowwww and ahhhhhh over JCrew I read Runner's World.

Like every other woman on the planet, holiday weight gain is something that I do not want to experience. So when this popped up, I was certainly reading for retention. For the most part is is the same ole, same ole....eat less, move more...blah, blah, blah.

A couple of things really stuck out.

Because you are naturally logging fewer miles, work more on strength and flexibility. This is something that I know I tend to slack on. My core is a mess. It could use some serious work and I really think that on those cold, rainy dark mornings/evenings that instead on begrudgingly logging miles or not logging miles at all participating in P90X's Core workout is a better option. In the long run it may even make me a better runner.

The second which is at the crux of the entire Weight Watcher's program is to plan ahead. Seriously, if you fail to plan then plan to fail. I think that there is so much truth in this statement. Just taking the time to plan your workouts (runs, strength, stretch, recovery, etc) around holiday festivities and craziness. As well as your meals. While I am a sucker for a snicker doodle and a sausage ball (oh heck, why not both) if I can go into those situations armed with a snack of almonds and a broth based soup in my stomach taking just one is oh so attainable.

What are your tips as a runner to ward off the holiday weight gain or to continue on the path of weight loss?

Davis turkey trot.

Well, Saturday marked Gia's first "competitive" event. She had a blast. We arrived in a whirlwind (which I think is just part of being the mom of a tot) and grabbed her bib number and t shirt and raced off to the starting line.

This "race" was so well organized I was really in shock. And the number of participants just warmed my heart. The 5k and 10k's had been early in the morning so many of the parents running with their kids had already done their race. It was such fun to see so many parents passing on their love of the pavement to the little tykes.

Gia did have a spill mid race. But like a true champion she picked her self up and just kept going. She kept saying, "See mommy, I just like you." Now, I have not fallen in a race, but I do just keep going. I have to say that certainly was a heart swelling moment.

When she crossed the finish line there were ribbons. Which I was a little bummed about. I thought they were giving "medals". I would have happily paid five dollars more for a plastic medal for Miss Thing. The disappointment quickly left when she realized there was free chocolate milk, Greek yogurt and face painting galore.

Don't you remember the orange slice smile from soccer when you were a kid? I just thought it was too sweet. All in all, it was a great time. She has talked about it non stop. I am keeping my eyes peeled for more family events like this. I think all kids should at least be exposed to the joy of activity and healthy competition.

{Super proud mom and dad}

{At the finish line}

And in case you were wondering, yes we are THOSE parents. Not only was I shooting pictures of her the entire time, RT had the video camera. Oh well, at least her early years are well documented.

Humidity and running.

I live in California. If you are a runner, living in the Bay Area is the single best place to run. The climate is so incredibly moderate that running is always fantastic.

We now live in Roseville, and it gets hot, but the temperatures still dip enough in the morning and at night that running is enjoyable and possible all year long.

Everytime I come to Texas I am amazed at the humidity. Even more so, I am amazed at the number of runners. I am amazed at how much more difficult running is when the weather is not either what I am used to or lets be realistic, just perfect.

So, runners in humid climates....what do you do to make life easier? How do you perform at your best given the conditions that surorund you?

Off and running.

I just registered Gia for her first race. On November 21, 2009 at 11:45am she will be participating in a two hundred yard dash at the Davis Turkey Trot. I can not wait to see how excited she is about her own bib, goody bag, medal and T shirt. She always steals mine.

I will be sure to post all about it when it is said and done.

Who knows, this little monkey may just have the running bug. Lord knows she is better built for it then me!

Reason for running.

I have many reasons for running, but the number one reason on my list turns three today. GIA IS THREE!!!! Can I believe it!?!?! No. Can you....well of course. She is a human being and ages just like the rest of us.

One thing about being a mother is that the minute you hold that child in your arms you suddenly really understand what YOUR mom was talking about. You really did have no idea how much she loved you. Until that moment.

For me, it was 3:49am on 11.18.2006. After hours of labor, no drugs and a just all the way around stressful delivery this precious bundle arrived in my arms. I was in awe. She spent three days with me and then was rushed to the NICU. Long story that you can check out my other blog if you want to know all about our little lovey.

But with this little girl came nearly an extra hundred pounds. I had always run. But as punishment. I started out walking. Step by step. With walking and Weight Watchers the weight came off. S-L-O-W-L-Y. But it did come off. It was always more of a chore.

Then I discovered mile ten and a half. Oh for the LOVE of mile ten and a half. That is when the fog lifts for me and I feel like a million bucks. I never did experiment with drugs, but I really think this is what it must be like. Because mile ten and a half is what I love.

That is how the journey began. Then it became so much more. Gia was the first one to really consider me a runner. She is the one that starting saying, "Mommy, you run?" "Mommy, you wet?" "Mommy you feel good?" And then I realized. I am a better mommy because I put one foot in front of the other and run.

With running, I set a good example for her to be healthy and have internal drive. And like most things, I had no idea I was doing that when I started, but now I know.

So regardless of what Gia wants to do when she gets older I know that my running is something that inspires her to put one foot in front of the other and find the mental part no matter how rough things seem and how impossible it looks.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl! You are my inspiration!

California marathon link.

http://www.mustrun.com/index.html?gclid=CPLA1Jqkgp4CFSn6agodHmJOpQ

When looking for marathons to run, I am lazy. As my schedule is changing due to some unforseen circumstances I think that this link is going to come in very handy. I thought some of my fellow California runners might find it helpful.

Enjoy.

Flipping foot update.

I am not running CIM. Bummer. Right now, they are not sure exactly WHAT is wrong with my foot. I need new shoes. I need to rest. I need to be on my feet fewer miles each week. The good thing is, I don't have to stop running. Just don't run another marathon until January.

I am going back in three weeks and they are going to do a bone scan.

So there it is. Beware of going just fifty miles over on your shoes.

I'll be back later, but for now I need to both wollow and rejoice that I am not running CIM.

Happy Friday.

Scared.

Tomorrow at 2:30 I am meeting with the orthopedist to see what on earth is going on with my foot. I can walk, but it is certainly a challenge.

I don't like going to the doctor. For anything. Which is a shift that happened somewhere in my late teens. When I was a kid, I LOVED the doctor. I loved everything about it. I used to wrap my arm and pretend I had a sling.

Now I loathe it. Everything about it. The thought of going to the doctor just freaks me out a little bit. The thought of a doctor telling me that I can not run freaks me out a lot.

I have friends that are athletes, performers and just extraordinary people. I watch TV. I know who Sam Bradford is. I keep thinking to myself mind over matter. Just breathe through it. It will go away. You can heal yourself. Think good thoughts. Think foot ok. Think foot ok. THINK FOOT OK. It still stinking hurts.

I know I HAVE to go. Luckily my mom and my husband won't get off my back about it. But I don't want to go. I don't want to end up in a boot. I don't want to not be able to participate in a marathon for the next few months.

Now I sound like a kid.

I must admit, I have been enjoying showing off my ankle brace....LOL.

Two Cities Marathon aka Fresno Marathon.

I can not tell you how impressed I was with this incredible marathon. Second only to San Francisco (which is mainly because seriously, how can you beat running the Golden Gate or through Haight Ashbury?) this is by far the best marathon.

The course is beautiful (I know, in Fresno....really? YES!), flat and filled with runners of all capabilities. It was a nice even spread of super fast qualifiers (one runner was looping around on mile thirteen when I was on mile four) and super trying folks like myself.

The goodie bag was amazing....a hat, a fleece hoodie, a long sleeve tech shirt, three bars, olive oil, Gatorade mix and a fantastic Michelob Ultra beer garden.

If anyone is looking for a great fall race, I highly recommend Fresno. And it truly is only 45 minutes from Half Dome....but not to the top!

PR: 5:25.

orthopedist on Thursday. Great course. Well organized. Will write more later.

Babysitting, carb loading and trying to sleep.

I may have bitten off more than I can chew tonight. Not only do I not feel fully prepared for this marathon, but I agreed to watch my daughter and nephew while the rest of my friends and family went to the Jay-Z concert. Not that I have any inkling of desire to sit through that. However, getting multiple youngsters to bed can prove to be more difficult than one would like.

So here's to the two precious darlings knocking out so I can get my much needed rest. On a high note, I was certain to hydrate beyond belief and have taken MULTIPLE doses of Replenex. Which I SWEAR by. This time tomorrow. Four down. Eight to go.

Hi, my name is Allison and I am a marathon a holic.

This is my foot.

And I am running on Sunday. I am giving myself an out. If I think I am going to break my ankle, then I will only run the half marathon. I am making an appointment with a sports medicine doctor to make sure that I have not done some serious damage. Oh, and yes I did photoshop my big ole, callused clod hopper to help minimize its repulsiveness.

Feeling good. On rest week.

I have not been resting, but I have not been running. I will log about forty miles this week, which is a little high for a rest week, but I need it. I have been doing less because of my ankle and that is just not going to cut it when the beastly twenty six point two stares you down in the face. So here I am logging....WALKING miles. Let's hope this strategy proves to be good. Otherwise I will be in a heap of trouble on Sunday. Happy running.

Seven days out.

Well, this time next week I will be in the now familiar aftermath of 26.2 miles. My ankle is tender, but making due. Ralph keeps joking that he is going to buy me this crazy thing that is advertised in the coupon circular of the Sunday paper.

There is something exciting about knowing that I will have completed four marathons in four months. And something somewhat daunting about the thought of six more marathons in the next eight months.

One thing that this journey is teaching me is that life really is one step at a time. I am not sure that all runners feel this way, but I do. If I can just keep putting one foot in front of the other, I will get there. And sometimes, just getting there is success in itself.

Little Shadow.

So I am dying to know from more experienced moms out there....what do you do when you have a shadow? I am honored, shock and completely blessed.

Yes. I also, sometimes actually have to get things done AND also at some point in my life would like a moment when someone is not following me or hanging on to me.I was having this conversation with my friend the other day.

I have never been so busy or exhausted in my life.In my younger days, I was a work a holic. Working sometimes 90 hour weeks and averaging 70 hours week. For years. I loved it. I was tired, but it was what I wanted to be.

Then, I was a full time working mom. I worked 40-45 hours a week and commuted 90 miles round trip each day. I was tired. I was really tired. And pretty cranky.

Then I had a job share. I worked about twenty hours a week, but had two weekdays off and the weekend. This was a good balance.

I still work about twenty hours a week, but I work five days a week. I am a real stay at home mom while here. I cook three meals a day, scrub floors, scrub bathtubs, go to the park, cuggle, read, paint and all of the other fantastic things that a stay at home mom does. When my kiddo heads to nap time, I head out to work.I am exhausted. I have also never logged as many miles as I am currently which I am sure ads to my tired level.

I feel like I do not ever have a moment to myself. At least when I worked full time, I had lunches, shopping, etc. Any suggestions on the ever asked question of work life balance? Suggestions requested.

Oh, and I love my little shadow.

RT's knee surgery.

Ralph is having knee surgery in the morning. I am taking him at 5:30am then I am taking my mother in law to the train at 11:30am (after bringing my man home to rest) then I am going to go for ten miles....and take G to the nanny while I work.

I have to get some major miles in.

Stat.

Has anyone had a hairline ankle fracture....what does it feel like?

Fresno entry complete.

I am not running the Silicon Valley Marathon this Sunday. My best friend is turning thirty (the personal chef) and we are going with our honies to Chez Panisse for dinner. Needless to say, I do not think that after a night of celebrating thirty years of one of my dearest friends that I would be in any shape to run the next morning.

So, Fresno is next on my list.

I am a little apprehensive because it is a Boston qualifier. Not apprehensive because I wonder if I will qualify for Boston. I don't know if my body will physically allow me to ever run Boston. But because often smaller marathons like Fresno sell full marathon entries to half marathon runners.

Not a problem if you are really trying to qualify.

But if you are a slower runner and all of the slower people have no intention of running the full twenty six point two, you are alone and isolated for the last thirteen miles.

I have met some great folks being slow.

But it is infuriating that race coordinators do not factor in the psyche of slower runners.

I guess they do not consider us runners.

Go figure.

It is raining sideways.

We got back from LA last night...late. This morning we woke up to the pitter patter of rain. Sideways rain. I really love running in the rain, but this is sideways with thirty mile per hour winds. I think I will be staying in and doing P90X Cardio instead.

When I run, I have a cloud clearing effect. When I run marathons, I feel like I can master the world problems from the thoughts that I have on the road. Anyone that runs will agree that there is something so freeing about placing one foot in front of the other. Over and over and over again.

I also become very emotional. This is something that I do not understand. I traditionally do not listen to music for the first half of a marathon. It gives me something to look forward to on the second half, and during the second half when I feel like I can not go any further the music makes it easier. It is a distraction from the torture I am putting my body through.

I am known to sing and dance down the path towards the finish line if I really like a good song. I am also known to be sobbing as I am running too.

The funny thing is, I just don't care.

The people around me, think it is cool.

What are the odds? There is a certain camaraderie among runners. Something that is so sadistic about our souls that binds us together and makes us understand and not judge one another.

I think there also becomes a point where you are so exhausted that you just don't care.

There are many reasons that I run, this is certainly one of them.

The serious crisis is over.

I have not needed my Garmin since we returned from Miami. I knew I took it out of my bag and put it away. With last week being a rest week, there was no need to really track mileage. Furthermore, I have a pretty good gauge of a six/seven/eight mile loops that are around my house.

I don't like to run "races " with a GPS. Often, mile markers are one to three tenths off (farther) than what the Garmin reads. I think this is really a product of not being an elite runner and starting farther back on the course. Especially in larger marathons.

So yesterday, I wanted to make sure I went for a LOOOONG walk. Begin the search for the Garmin. I can't find it, but seriously that is not that big of a deal. My legs were like Jello, physically exhausted. Looked for fifteen minutes. No big deal.

This morning I decided that I needed another long walk and wanted actual tracking information. Begin search. Text Ralph. Text three more times. Are you screwing with me dude? Do you have it and not want me to know.

Freaking out.

Freaking out.

Feeling tears start to well.

Keep looking.

Look at the picture frame on my desk where I hide it from Gia. Everyday.

Look behind the dern frame. There is the dang Garmin.

Found it. And feel like a total idiot.

Feeling pretty good.

I am feeling pretty good today. I went for a six mile walk with Gia and we came home and did some pilates. Thinking that I will be walking between six and ten miles daily and have my first run on Monday.

I can't find my Garmin.

Marathoning is such a great experience.

I will write about some thoughts that I had on the Cowtown marathon.

#2 in the series, complete.

Finisher. 5:56. I told you it would be slow.

Cowtown mornings.

I am sitting here listening to my coffee brew and trying to chug down another twenty some odd ounces of water. Under normal circumstances I am a hydration freak, but for some reason when I really need to, or the pressure is on, I can not for the life of me get enough water into my body. Go figure.

Yes, the coffee may assist in dehydrating me further.

But, it will make me run faster.

Ha, ha, ha, ha.

I can not tell you how relieved I am that there is a seven hour time limit and the weather looks to be a very nice mid seventies high. I choked down some glucosamine tablets (Melaleuca Replenex to be exact, which are the stinking BEST) and I am about to get up and consume some sort of bar.

I really loathe eating prior to running. Does anyone else out there feel this way? I just don't see any other viable solution when facing 26.2.

Have a good day, and I will let you know what my glorious finish time is later today. Much later I hypothesize.

I'm a slacker.

Not in the running sense, but in the blogging sense. I am running CowTown this Sunday and it has a seven hour time limit....woo hooo. Given that my knees are a little tender and I am running two more marathons in the next five weeks, I have a very good feeling that I will be taking this one a little slowly. I don't race to win it, I race to finish.

Life has been hectic. I turned thirty. RT and I went to Miami, I am working, mommying, wifing and all of that jazz. Sometimes I have these crazy ideas and then I let them slip to the wayside....like two blogs. But, when you slack you just have to get back in the game.

One thing I think to is that I am better at all of my roles when I take a little time to run and blog. So here's to the new start, back to being a more consistent blogger. Running shoes out. Ready to go.

Oh, also anyone out there that has custom orthodics...is is worth it?

My knees have been healing.

My knees are hurting in a serious way. Actually they have been recuperating. I think they are back in business. We shall see tomorrow. I have not been running, but I have been walking to keep up my endurance. Hopefully this is just a speed bump and not a big problem. October is going to be challenging....two marathons and then one the first week of November. A little scared.

Running in the morning.

Running in the morning is truly a treat. I find that after about forty minutes, the fog lifts (both literally and figuratively speaking) and I am ready to face the world and a few more miles. There is something so peaceful about watching the sun rise as you place one foot in front of the other. The best part? Coming home to the sweetest little girl and the best husband in the world. I am blessed. And somehow, I think that this running journey makes me even more blessed.

Zero Week.

Today marks day three of zero week. Which means Gia and I will do some walking to the park, but nothing strenuous. Tomorrow I have the clearance to do an easy three to five mile jog. My legs are pretty normal today. Which is a relief.

Marathon #1 of the series: complete.

And I shaved nearly thirty minutes off my SF time. I will post more tomorrow. I am tired for now.

I love my husband.

Last night I came home to this. This morning, it looked like this on my arm.
Then, he treated me to a new fuel belt, a new pair of shorts and some shot blocks at Fleet Feet.

Love you handsome!

Great day.

Today was a rest day, which means extra time to spend showering Miss G with my affections. We Sea Otter Swim Schooled it, parked it, read it, played it, cooked it, sang it, and I even worked it for a while.

Life is good.

We are entering the rest phase.

I completed the easy five and now we are in a slow steady LONG walking pace for the remainder of the week.

I honestly can not believe that I am going to run my first of the twelve this weekend and that this will be my second marathon of my life in just over a months time lapse.

I have not set any particular goals for this marathon...other than to finish. I will think about it a little more and let you know.

Come September (which is just around the corner can you believe that!?!?!) I am going to try to incorporate speed work.

One of my goals during this process is to act as if I am a runner.

If you act that way you will be, right?

Complete.

Twelve miles completed. With a sixty minute park break (where I completed 25 stair climbs) in between. Miss Gia was a trooper as always and was stuffed full of goldfish by runs end.

My throat is a little scratchy and I have s fierce headache. I am praying it is just allergies....

Tomorrow is an easy five.

Rest day.

And boy was it ever. I slept in...thank you RT! RT made a fantastic breakfast feast and during Miss G's nap, I read the entire issue of Runner's World from cover to cover. It was delightfully relaxing and refreshing. The day was rounded out with a short trip to the pool and a light dinner.

12 miles in the morning.

Sweet dreams.

Long run today....well, not so much.

I was supposed to run a long run today. Somewhere between four and five hours. Life happened and I settled for forty five minutes. There is a four and a five in there. So that will help me next weekend, right?

I think more and more about running. Quite frankly, many would consider me a jogger. I am not fast and I don't know how fast I will ever be. But to me, I am going along, pushing more and more each day and covering ground.

That is what makes the journey of running exhilarating. One foot in front of the other. One step beyond what you have done before.

When I ran my first race (California International Marathon, 12.2008, Seven mile leg of a relay) I felt like I had concord the world. My second big accomplishment: a half marathon (Parkway Half Marathon, 3.2009, 13.1 miles) in the rain, and quite possible the most unvarying course in the country....I thought that I had gone as far as I could go. My first marathon (San Francisco, 7.2009, 26.2 miles) which I finished by most in a laughable time of 5:51......the crazy thing, I felt and still do that I had concord the world.

Each day I go another step, another mile. Another journey. Another few fish thrown down to Miss G to let me keep going. I figure I log roughly 60 miles a week. If I keep this steady and add in twelve marathons come next July I will have logged 3434.4 miles.

I will literally have logged enough miles to jog to Texas and back....at least to Kerrville and back...I am just not sure I know anyone in Kerrville. Maybe my mom would come pick me up if I made it that far.

The schedule.

The original idea was to do one marathon a month. Well, given that there are seasons in the United States and race directors did not consult me prior to their marathons, it is not always possible. So, here are the twelve marathons I will run over the next twelve months:

8.30.2009 Santa Rosa Full Marathon Santa Rosa, CA
10.04.2009 Cow Town Marathon Sacramento, CA
10.25.2009 Silicon Valley Marathon San Jose, CA
11.08.2009 Twin Cities Marathon Fresno, CA
12.06.2009 California International Marathon Sacramento, CA
01.27.2010 Redding Marathon Redding, CA
03.07.2010 Napa Valley Marathon Napa, CA
03.28.2010 Oakland Marathon Oakland, CA
04.04.2010 Golden Gate Headlands Sausalito, CA
04.18.2010 River City Marathon Sacramento, CA
05.02.2010 Reno Rock n Roll Marathon Reno, NV
07.25.2010 San Francisco Marathon San Francisco, CA

So that is it. The proposed twelve marathons in twelve months. The fact that is exhausting just to type them out raises my anxiety levels to new heights.

One thing that was important to me when planning out my journey is that they are all pretty darn close to home and they are all places that RT and Miss G can join me. The River City Marathon is on RT's birthday which makes me a little sad, but he says that it is fine....I am sure I will make up for it somehow!

For now, I need to stop seeing the problems that can arise and focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

The deal.

I am just a mom.

I just ran my first marathon last month.

Then I had a crazy idea....to run twelve marathons in twelve months.

I am not an elite athlete. Nor am I even built like a runner. But there is something about it. Something about pounding the pavement that makes me feel like a better wife, mother and worker bee. Something about running that gives me a sense of independence and identity.

This is my journey. Training (which I am hoping will be more like maintaining given the frequency of each marathon). Wifing.....not sure that that is a word. Mothering. Working. Marathon running. And writing about it all.

It will be a challenge, but one thing I do know about myself is that challenges bring out my best.

Goals for the new year.

• Run eight more marathons.
• Get pregnant.
• Run my entire pregnancy.