Running In Place

So here we are. Again comes that time of reflection, revelation, and resolution. I’ve been seriously putzing around in all matters and, where I usually tend to enjoy a little self-inventory and opportunity for list-making, I haven’t had much enthusiasm for introspection lately. But the new year’s not waiting for me so I might just as well get the show on the road and trust that inspiration follows action.

First of all, when I look back on 2005, I can think of the immediate - the last couple months of relative apathy and disinterest. Or I can think back on the year as a whole - on the races run and goals reached. And that’s the stuff! That’s what the year was really made of - the Boilermaker, the half marathon, the nearly 10 minute time difference between my very first 5K in February and my most recent 5K in October! In reviewing the goals I laid out for myself last year, I feel like I did pretty well. Last year at this time, the Boilermaker seemed unreachable, yet now it’s behind me. Last year at this time I was running alone and now, well now I’m still running alone despite having joined 2 running clubs. Guess that one will need a little more work. And interestingly, last year at this time it appears that I was going through a running flat spot similar to what I’ve been experiencing recently - which, as we know, I was able to shake off and move forward from. Yeah, it’s been a really satisfying year when I look at the big picture!

So what now? First off, I guess it will soon be time to clean up my sidebar. I’ll be a little sad to say goodbye to that list of races because they represent a year of firsts. Nearly everything that follows will be building on that foundation. But I need to clear the way for new accomplishments.

Remember when I was all shooting off my mouth about running a marathon? Well, that’s still going to happen but, unfortuntely, it won’t be this marathon. Turned out that Flying Pig falls right smack in the middle of an intense, 3-week long cardiac course that I am required to take for my job. That was disappointing as I really love the city of Cincinnati and was looking forward to running there, but it certainly wasn’t going to be the end of my marathon intentions. In looking around for another spring marathon, I started to get concerned about being sufficiently recovered for the Boilermaker in early July. It seemed to me that anything beyond late May would leave in question whether I would be ready to run the 15K as well as I wanted. So I shifted my focus to fall and the new target is in sight!

Tangibly speaking, here are the major races for 2006.

1) Again this year, I’ll be doing the Heart Run, and upgrading from last year’s (nearly) 5 mile distance to the 10 miler.

2) Thanks to some strong-arming…I mean encouragement from Jon, I’m heading west for the Around the Bay 30K. I’m swinging wildly between ‘Yeah I can totally do this!!’ and ‘hmmm, I’m not too sure about it’ from hour to hour. Jon’s yet to offer me truffles, but that might be the deal-maker!

3) The Boilermaker, of course. I really love that race!

4) Some East Side RBF time at the New Haven Road Race.

5) Either the Adirondack Half Marathon or the Falling Leaves 14K. Adirondack was great but Falling Leaves is a local gem that I’d like to do as well - unfortunately, they’re usually on the same weekend.

6) Here’s the big “IT” - The Marine Corps Marathon. When I had to shitcan Flying Pig and then ultimately ruled out a spring/early summer marathon altogether, it was like, ‘oh yeah, definately this!’ My sister-in-law and her husband live in Annandale so I’ll have a little bit of cheering section - but more importantly, I have come to discover that some supercool person whom I totally admire lives in that neck of the woods. I am psyched!

7) Interspersed within all these grand plans, I hope to accumulate as many of the local 5 & 10K’s around town that I can. I had so much fun at those small races last year!

Ok, I’m saying it again this year - I’m going to get out and run with other people more! I re-upped with the running club and I even checked the boxes that said I would be willing to volunteer with some races and training stuff. C’mon Lara, you love running with people in races, you love talking to all your RBF friends about running and stuff - what’s the hold-up?? Seriously!

So that’s the running plan, man. It’s gonna be a good year - I can feel it. Just sitting here and writing it all down has allowed all the possibilities to wash over me again. This is the year that the posters will fill the walls!

“It is necessary to try to surpass oneself always; this occupation ought to last as long as life.” ? Queen Christina

Happy New Year!