training: week 16

training run after 18 miler...sweet only 9 miles today!

checking my trusty ironman timex watch...we've only been running for 2 hours!

my pace group (-1), they are a little shy...running away from the paparazzi (kayla).

things that i've learned as i've started my marathon training:

1. you can only do great things in small incriminates.
2. not caring about what other people think about you, but what you think about yourself; what is most important.
3. the difference between a flower and a weed is the judgment made between the two.

20 mile torture run:

when you have been running over 18 miles and you have started losing all feeling below your waste (not in a good way). you start to not care about judgment, on you on others and just in general. you don't really care about much other than finishing. getting to the end and tasting the sweet cream cheese on a whole wheat bagel.

it's a psychological game running 20 miles, your body can do it, i've been training for it for the last 15 weeks. but, getting through the last 2 miles is just pure determination and mental gusto. if you are not an elite athlete built and trained to be running high miles, you start questioning your sanity and ability to make rational decisions. because after running through golden gate park, down fulton all the way to 19th and castro than having to run all the way back and some more down the great highway along ocean beach; i started to wonder "why am i doing this again?"

the 16 mile run really got me, that was probably the furthest i have ever run or walked in one try, ever in my whole life. but, i did it and it was a great accomplishment. after that the 18 miler seemed like a breeze except for the two days of recovery after wards.

sometimes i think it's not the actual running, it's the night before. you kind of almost always psyche yourself out. "am i going to make it, will my body cramp up, i know i'm going to feel like crap afterwards...and so on." it is not for the faint at heart. running a marathon is something that i recommend to friends and in the same breath would not wish on my enemy's. it is a physical and mental challenge that i believe only a few 3% of the worlds population dare to start and even accomplish.

i did finish the 20 mile run and i also went out to a club afterwards, drank 2.5 cocktails danced and went home around 9pm. i am a glutton for punishment.

thank you to those that are helping me be one of the 3% crazies in the world. especially Natalie Beale - $100.00 & Allison Rodriguez - $40.00, "superstars in the fight to better the lives of others!" KEEP ON KEEPING ON!

fundraising update:

today's total as of date 09/23/07 - $2480.00
my goal - $4200.00
$1720.00 - from goal