It's the final countdown.
I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.
I'm not going to worry so much about my speed, because that doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
I just want to finish.  Finish without pain.
Yesterday, my running partner, let's just call her "Willis", said to me,
"I'm getting burned out on running."

"Wha?"
I do not comprehend that feeling.
I cannot relate to you, Willis.
I am obsessed.
Suddenly I recall those crazies that,  back in the day,  told me they were addicted to exercise.
I could not comprehend that either. 
But now I do.
Willis has been prepping me for a while.
Telling me that after this race she's going to hit the weights real hard.
Take a couple weeks off from running.
This only stirs my motivation to get myself stronger and faster in those weeks.
I will amp up my i-pod and own the street.
I will improve my mile time by a minute, Willis!
I just hope Willis comes back to her senses and returns from the dark side.

It's official.
I signed up for the half at Shun the Sun.
Now you can hold me to it.
(I have commitment-phobia, so this is HUGE.)

I had a great week last week.
I logged about 25 miles running and about 72 on bike.
And to top it all off, we ran 11 miles on Saturday.  Without a potty stop!
During this run, it was decided that we would enter a 1/2 marathon that's coming up in November.
If I tell you which one, then that will really commit me to it.  So maybe I'll share details in another week or two when I'm FOR SURE going to do it.
Into mile 7, we were suddenly surprised by a runner coming from behind.
He came from out of nowhere, I tell ya.
He kindly shared with us, "15 down, 5 to go!  What about you guys?"
I replied, "Only 7!"
He passed us and gave us the treat of the day. 
He was wearing THE shortest shorts.
Yes, his butt cheeks, in all their glory, were there, staring us down as they left us in their dust.
Do you know how hard it is to silently laugh as you are breathlessly running!
Hard!
My friend tried to grab her camera, but she dropped it.
We completely missed the photo op.

(Think Magnum, only ten times shorter!)

But the imagery will forever be etched in our minds.

We all know I am a huge supporter/user/pusher/obsessor of Newtons.
I love them.
But there are days that I just want to switch off.  Try something a little different so my feet get a little variety and don't get bored.
Up until now I've had this "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" attitude.  I was afraid to try a new shoe because Newtons have been so good for me.
This scruffy (but cute) guy I know recommended the Brooks Launch.
"They feel like running on pillows."

So I tried them.
They ARE pretty cool.  Like "running on pillows".  He was right.
They were a comfortable run.  After about mile six, I did miss the little metatarsal ridge on my Newtons.  So for shorter runs these are great.
If anything, they are great to change into after a run.  Or wear to bed, or whatever...

I always love the sound the nicer bikes make as they're coasting.
It's this loud ticking.
What is that?
Must be nice hubs? 
I could go and spend $350 on some Chris King hubs...
but then I thought of the perfect solution:

Some playing cards

(I used skipbo cards because, well, I like the game.)

Everyone has some of these laying around...

Voila.  Now I'll be kickin' it with the best of them.

Don't forget extras. 

Finally, I feel like I fit in.



Where you at?

One of the exciting things for me (and probably ONLY me) with running is mapping out my routes.
Sometimes I'll add a stretch here or a detour there...
I'm pretty easy to please, I know.
Typically, after I'd get the kids off to school, I would drive a new route in my car and watch the odometer reading.
(Ever heard of a Garmin?  I'm so old-school.)
But then some friends turned me on to a website that figures out the mileage for you!
Genius.
geodistance.com
I bookmark all of my routes and their distances.
Exciting, huh?