The Starting Line

Here's a glimpse of the mass of starters at the line. (Don't look for me...I was so far back it took me over two minutes to actually cross the starting line once the gun sounded!)

The Big Ten

So...I haven't officially posted about it. I think most of you already know. But after my LOST running excursion I figure I'd better keep quiet about the whole thing. But now it's time to say it. It's just taken me this long to get the guts up. You know, if I type it I can't back out. And I have this very real, very gripping fear of failure.

But here goes.

I'm running a 1/2 marathon on June 3rd. (that's only 20 days away...TWENTY DAYS AWAY!) Forget that we go to Costa Rica (COSTA RICA!) for nine weeks after that (NINE WEEKS!), this is about the running.
Lots and lots of running.
13.1 miles. Thirteen point one miles.
I just competed ten miles tonight.
I didn't get lost. I was running with a buddy.
And because I know Hollie will want to hear it....it felt good. Really good. I could finish. For the first time I feel like I will finish this thing. I can do it. My knees ache, my ankles are sore, my toenails are falling off (NOT KIDDING HERE! I know it's completely disgusting. ButI'm losing two.)
I'm living on Tylonol Arthritis, but I'm running. Who ever would've guessed that the girl who has the Running in Hell theory would do something like this. Wow. Thirty has done wierd things to me!

LOST

Those of you who know me may have thought initially that this was going to be a post about the ABC television series. Although I do have my thoughts and assertions this is not, in fact, about why Locke has all of the sudden become so dumb or how funny I think Hurley is (especially his line about the "Red. Neck. Guy.").
No. This laugh will be at my expense.
First I must start with a confession.
I have been running.
(I know, I know. My whole theory about running in hell and all--but that's for another post.)

I set out Monday for my first solo run. You see, I've been running up to this point with a dear friend. She has told me I'm ready to run solo if I want, but I just couldn't. That might officially make me A Runner. And I'm not ready to call myself A Runner. I just run occasionally. (Still mocking those who run in inclement weather--I mean seriously go home and read a book by the fire, it's a BLIZZARD for pete's sake!)

Ok...back to the story...

The sun was setting with a dazzling display of pinks and lavenders. The snow was white and fresh and crisp and the whole landscape radiated that dazzle winter can sometimes hold. I quickly dressed (before I could change my mind), grabbed my ipod, laced up my running shoes, and told Jayson I'd be back in a half hour. I put my cell phone in my pocket and then took it back out. I had on bulky mittens and I didn't want to drop it. It already doesn't ring and my contract doesn't come up until November. I know, it wasn't the brightest idea, but I was only going 2 miles and wasn't going to be gone long at all. (Do you sense the foreshadowing here?!?!)
I set out with music and winter and sunset filling my senses. The realization of how much I loved that moment was hitting me as I picked up the pace and crossed the highway. I was filled with a mixture of pride and a sense that I would be eating my fill of crow if I actually admitted how amazing this experience was. I thought about how satisfying it was to my multi-tasking sensibilities. I was exercising, getting some quality alone time, AND having a great worshipful God Time as well. I set my mini goal in my head and flew an extra block past it. The pink sky gave way to inky blue ans sunset turned to dusk and the last wisps of pink settled beneath the horizon. It was getting dark, but I was on the home stretch.
I decided to cut across a few apartment lots on my way home. The easiest route would have me about a 1/4 mile on the highway and it was dark. It would also be windy and cold. Directly across from the street entering our neighborhood is a small community of condos. I figured I could cut across and find that street and come out right in front of our neighborhood. I ran on considering how I could do this every day. I thought it was taking me a while, but decided it was probably because I was getting tired. I looked to my right and I could still see the lights of the Highway, I just couldn't get there. Right turn, right turn. The road twisted left, Right turn. "I should be there by now..." I crossed more parking lots and thought to myself how many condos and apartments were tucked back here. I had no idea. I saw some railroad tracks and knew I was a bit off course. I cut through a couple of back yards. I was sure I could see the lights atop the apartments at the beginning of our street.
Finally I gave up trying to use the roads. I cut directly for the lights of the Highway crossing a few more backyards to get there. I finally came to a corner. When I looked at the signs I was in disbelief. I couldn't be where the signs said. It was more than 2 miles out of the way. Not to mention over a MAJOR roadway I had no recollection of crossing. I ran a few blocks further and found I certainly was that far from home.
I ended up stopping in at the library and asking to use their phone. I'd been gone a little over an hour and was about 2.5 miles from my house.
If I believed in aliens, I would say I'd been abducted by them. I still can't figure out what I actually did to get so lost and have no clue. I have no idea how I could've crossed the major road I did and not know that, either. Jayson picked me up at the library and I couldn't even show him how I'd gotten there. I still don't know.
You live in a place 3 years you'd think you would know it. I guess I don't.
And despite my 5 mile solo running adventure I'm certain I'm not ready for running by myself yet.