Rain Rain Go Away

One of my responsibilities as team captain is to help coordinate our Saturday morning training sessions, aka GTS. This task involves getting up closer to my normal bed time than awake time, so I was surprised that when my alarm went off at 5:45am, I was actually awake. And kind of perky. Sans coffee, which I really don't drink.

I'm so grateful for all of my volunteers, who gave up a Saturday morning--in the rain, on a holiday weekend, no less--to provide fluids and support for all of the brave runners who came out to run this morning.

TNT relies almost entirely on volunteers, and this Saturday morning was no exception. It's amazing to me how much time people give to this program. It's not a one-event affair. People continue to give of their time, training for events, raising large sums of money, volunteering for water stops, coaching and mentoring others, week after week, season after season, year after year--all so one day, our friends and family won't experience first hand the devastation of cancer. And I'm grateful to be just one small cog in the wheel.

I was so inspired, that even after spending four hours in the rain (with shelter, thank goodness!) and slogging five gallons of water and Gatorade to and fro, I went for a short run myself, thankful that I could.

Gobble Jog

Since I wasn't able to do the Thanksgiving Half as I had planned, Jaclyn suggested that we run the Gobble Jog 10K in Marietta on Thanksgiving Day. I was really nervous about the event, because I really only got back into running at the beginning of November. But I needed a challenge, and if I couldn't do the Half, I could at least do some kind of run.

And so, Tim, my parents and I braved the cold and met up with Roger and Jaclyn in Marietta yesterday morning. The 10K started at 8am, and even though I was a bit stiff, I felt great and was able to power through all of the hills. My goal was a 1:05, a bit slower than my PR last March, but still, a bit of a stretch, considering my runs have been consistently at 10:30 pace.

But, I was feeling great, and while coasting downhill after the two mile marker, we somehow lost Roger and Jaclyn. When Tim and I crossed the halfway point at 32 minutes, I knew I had a shot at besting 1:03. We pushed hard over the last three miles--I even overcame some shortness of breath around mile five--and took the last mile really quickly and finished at 1:02:03!

I really needed this. My confidence has suffered since my injury, and I was worried about how long it would take me to get back on track with my training. My first week back was miserable. But having prepped for a 10K--a PR, no less--in less than a month makes me confident that I can run the ING Half Marathon well.

I've never enjoyed running more and am thankful for running--among many other things--this holiday weekend.

Neither Rain nor Snow...

Okay, so at least it wasn't snow, but I did run in the rain today. Sursprisingly, in spite of the pouring rain and my two white shirts (albeit it with a very thick, supportive sports bra underneath them), I got only two honks for my effort. I think rain plus white shirts should at least ellicit five honks, even if only for my sheer dedication to the sport.

It was a lonely run through West Midtown today, but I enjoyed the solitude. And I'm starting to frighten myself by my own dedication. 20 degrees? No problem. Rain? Bring it. What's next--a snowstorm? Maybe--IF someone gives carte blanche at the Big Peach.

The Big Chill

You know you're dedicated to running when you head out the door for GTS (general training session) when the thermometer reads 22 degrees. Yes, I know, spring weather to my friends above the Mason-Dixon line, but that's pretty cold around these parts. Especially for someone like me, who needs a sweater when the temp dips below 75!

For some reason--and maybe I'm discovering that fall is my season, or because I'm grateful I'm in a much better place in my life than I was last fall--I'm embracing the cold. Granted, I'd prefer it to be a bit warmer than 22 degrees, but I managed to get my lazy butt out of the cold bed and make the trek up to Big Peach.

I'm so proud of my team, since pretty much all of them did likewise. I was so impressed, I picked up $5 Starbucks gift cards (thanks, Starbucks!) for my Country Music Marathon posse. It had warmed to about 30 degrees by the time we started out--Jaclyn and I ran in our matching Nike jackets (pic to follow), and I did a quick two miles so I could get ready for Carolyn's baby shower. I can't believe Hansen bebe number four will be here in just a few weeks! It seems like yesterday I found out she was pregnant.

And Carolyn, being the resilient, dedicated woman that she is--has expressed an interest in running Nashville with us--hooray for the Alaska team!

Holy Hills!

Today, I finally found a route in my new neighborhood that I enjoyed--well, at least I did, until I hit the ginormous hill on Cross Creek Parkway! Look at the picture--this neighborhood looks completely innocuous. And it is--for about a quarter of a mile. And then an evil, evil hill--half a mile straight up--20% grade in some points (yes, I am a dork--I track the elevation at MapMyRun.com).

And it rivals some of the worst hills on the TNT courses--Londonberry, which is about 1.3 miles, but a much steadier climb, no worse than 10% grade--and the dreaded Johnson Ferry Road, which has a similar 20% grade, but is spread out over nearly a mile.

With the exception of that hill, the course was great--rolling hills, good neighborhoods, lots of sidewalks. I did about five and a half miles at 10:40 pace--my longest run in over four months!
I'm glad I'm getting into longer distances, because I get to explore the environs beyond Chattahoochee Avenue and Defoors Ferry. However, I need to remember to eat more, or at least take refreshments with, because I started to get lightheaded about 20 minutes in and was very, very tempted to stop into the Figo on Collier Road and beg for some bread!

Springing Forward!

It's hard to believe, but yesterday was the first GTS of the Spring Season! I must admit, I've enjoyed sleeping in every Saturday morning for the past few months, but Saturday, I was surprisingly awake and happy to resume the GTS ritual. Here's a picture of the spring coaches and captains. I love our new "Dig It" tees--of course, I can't seem to escape the purple. First Furman, now TNT!


I had a great run with Roger and Jaclyn, which brought back so many memories from last fall. It was a really difficult time in my life, and those Saturday morning runs brought me some much needed peace and relief. So I'm thrilled that Roger and Jaclyn are running Country Music with the team--and our old captain, Chuck, was there to document the reunion.

Even better, Jaclyn and Roger will be there to support me during my comeback race--the Marietta Gobble Jog on Thanksgiving Day. It's a 10K, which I think I can manage, even after only two weeks running again. I had a great 4.5 mile run last week and hope to tackle 5 or 5.5 tomorrow morning.

I love running and am so grateful that it's part of my life again!

Back on Track

Nothing is more humbling than running, especially after a long hiatus. Last week marked my first full-time foray into running since my injury back in July. And it was not a good week, especially given the fact that any possible route I take from my new home requires me to run almost one mile straight UPHILL. Add in cooler weather, which only aggravates my asthma, and it made for some challenging runs. As in, difficult to run three miles, which in a previous lifetime had been a mere warmup. I was starting to feel extremely nervous about the Nashville season--how could I lead my team when I was struggling to run three miles?

And then, this afternoon-a breakthrough! Buoyed by the bright, sunny day and my power breakfast of bagel with peanut butter (for fuel) and bacon (for good luck), I conquered the hills of Ellsworth Industrial, Chattahoochee Avenue and Collier Road with strength and confidence. The perfect prelude to tomorrow night's TNT Spring Season Kick Off (and the fabulous Angela Hansberger's birthday!).