Inspiration

Um, yeah, so I didn't run last night. Too lazy, too much wine, too much ice cream over the weekend. Not exactly the runner's diet.

I am committed to getting back in the game and running tonight. Honestly, seriously, truthfully I am. Some inspiration for me:

1) I'm listening to my running playlist while at work. (I also made Mike listen to it in the car yesterday to motivate me to run last night, but hoping it works this time.)

2) I watched the trailer to "The Spirit of the Marathon" which is playing for one night only on January 24. Thanks Kim for sending. Very inspiring.

3) Last night I started reading Ultramarathon Man, Confessions of an All-Night Runner. While I will never ever attempt to run an ultra-marathon, I find Dean Karnazes' story fascinating.

4) If UPS tracking is accurate, my Chicago Marathon fleece jacket and training tee should be arriving today or Wednesday. At 75 percent off, you can't beat it! (Kinda feel sorry for the folks who spent $125 for the commemorative jacket at the Expo in October.)

5) Chicago Shamrock Shuffle sign up opens up tomorrow.

Training Starts Tomorrow . . .Really!

Last time I ran was on Thanksgiving Day at the Mt. Prospect Turkey Trot. I need to get back into building a solid base so running starts tomorrow! Need to get some miles up on that Mile Tally; starting to look pathetic.

To Be Fair . . .

Not surprisingly, my brother-in-law John has taken issue with one of my marathon goals (see Beginning of the Blog). So to be fair:

1) John was very supportive of my 2007 marathon training efforts, always asking how training was going and providing words of encouragement. For that, I thank him.

2) Even though John was . . .um, conservative with his donation, the fact is he donated and every dollar counts, no matter how small or large the donation.

Now Mike and I just need to convince Mr. "I run 6 miles but I can't do the 5k because I'm working/I'm in Rockford/It costs how much?!/It's too far/It's too hot/It's too cold/I'm too busy/There's no where to park/I forgot to turn the registration in" to do a 5k with us this year.

The Runner's Diet

Two bookstores later and I found The Runner's Diet. I was very excited to find this book because my nutrition was severely lacking the last time around, so this is all about training right and not training like an asshole.

So excited that I called Mike on the way home and suggested we get a Lou Malnati's pizza for dinner.

Mike asked if pizza was part of The Runner's Diet. We ate the pizza anyway.

Beginning of the Blog

Welcome to the trials and tribulations of my second first marathon experience and my first blog. Although I've read several blogs I've never created one before . . .unless you count my online diary for the 2007 Children's Memorial Marathon Team but I don't know that that counts. Why a blog? Well, it's the day after Christmas and I'm in the office because I don't have any vacation days left and I'm finding it hard to concentrate so why not create a little blog? (Note to my boss: I'm not spending a lot of time creating this blog, just a few minutes during my lunch break :) )

After opening several running-related gifts over the past few days (Thanks Mom & Dad, Lori and John & Wendy) I'm getting motivated for my second first marathon, or the 2008 Chicago Marathon. As some of you reading may know, I participated in the infamous 2007 Chicago Marathon and made it to mile 16 before the race was called due to excessive heat. So, here I am. Still working to complete a marathon before I turn 40. As my sister Jeanine says, we're not going to train like assholes this time around, so first order of business after work is to buy the Runners' World Nutrition Guide. (I've been eating in a VERY unhealthy fashion these last several days, weeks . . .ok, months.)

Need to get productive at work, so I will conclude my first blog posting with my goals:
1) Finish the 2008 Chicago Marathon
2) Avoid Training Like An Asshole (per Jeanine)
3) Annoy my brother-in-law John enough so he donates at least a full $1 per mile (total $26) for my Children's Memorial fundraising effort this time around. (Sorry John, it needed to be said.)

Thanks for reading!