training: week 7, 8

july 21; week 7: 10 miles, i had to run this one on my own. i drank too much friday night and couldn't get myself out of bed sat. morning so, i thought i'd go and run sunday morning with the east bay pace groups. that didn't happen since there was a personal friend emergency the night before. i will not get into details, lets just say i didn't get to bed till 2 a.m. so, i had to do the run in the afternoon - it sucked pretty bad.

i decided that the best way to do 10 miles was to run around lake merriot 3 times and than some which took me about 2 hours and 25 minutes to finish. it was pretty amazing. the first time i ran around it felt really hard to fell good about running. it was also around 90 degrees and the middle of the day so it was hot and i really didn't want to get dehydrated. the 2nd time around it felt like it was getting a little easier to get around and i thought the gazillion ducks and geese all over the place didn't seem so annoying anymore. the final time was me just trying to drag myself around, and maybe pick my feet up every once and awhile. but i did it and i totally felt so happy when i was finally over with it. 10 miles down 16.2 more to go...yay!

july 28; week8: 12 miles, fortunately i didn't have to go anywhere so, i was able to run with my pace group. i wanted to run the long run with my pace group, it's nice to commiserate with others. we can truly understand the pain and suffering that we are going through; the sore calves and shins, the aching feet and bunions, the chaffing and restless leg syndrome. we are feelin' it! sometimes i just need the support from others to help push me to go that extra 3 miles. 12 miles is the most i've ever run and it was my 33rd. birthday the day before. there is a level of accomplishment i feel from finishing 12 miles and growing older. no matter what you can accomplish anything as long as your body and your mind are willing.

this was also the day of my fundraising BBQ. after i did my run i had to do some last minute shopping, shower and start setting up before everyone got there. there is no rest for the unwilling...or is that wicked...well i'm a little bit of both but not so much wicked maybe vapid. a lot of people came, and it went really well. we raised over $1000 and that brings me almost half way to my goal. yay! just $2200 more dollars and i'll be home free. i'm riding on that hope train!

fundraising update:
today's total as of date 06/20/07 - $1070.00
my goal - $4200.00
$3130.00 - from goal