Moe, for better or worse

This blog used to be called "one year in the life of a short fat runner"; then it was called "Am I a runner? you decide." I've decided running isn't the thing I need to talk about here...it'll come up for sure, but it's just one part of me, so I think I'll just call this blog: Moe, for better or worse.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Long and winding road...

it's been a long long time since I've posted anything. Seems when I'm feeling good, I don't need to write as much. Go figure.

However, I've been remiss in posting for a while, given what I've been up to.

I've been training for the Philadelphia Half Marathon. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before. What I haven't mentioned, since it happened weeks after my last post is I failed to register before it sold out.

It was a very sad day. Quite literally, I cried at my desk. In my cubicle...but that's a story for another time.

My friends, however, rallied around me, offering suggestions, help, advice and finally a possible loop hole...and off I went at 9pm on October 14 to the central postal facility and mailed in my registration. I also contacted a couple of charities...and was accepted by Back on My Feet! the same organization that help the Midnight Madness Run this summer.

Well, as it happened, my mailed registration was processed, but I decided to continue to be a fundraiser for BOMF.

Times are tough for everyone but people have been amazingly generous. People I've never met have donated great sums of money to me. I can't thank them enough.

I've worked really hard to train for this race. Harder than I've ever trained before. I've missed very few runs, and none of my long runs. I've stuck to my plan and seen progress. I've actually gotten a little faster. I've actually lost myself on my runs. I ran 9 miles without even stopping for water and 11.5 without walking. My, how times have changed.

Last year I ran Philly for my mom...this year I'm running for me.

I told my coach today that I'll probably need a pep talk on Saturday night. I am nervous. I'm worried that my training hasn't really prepared me for the race, or I'll just screw up somehow and fail myself. I really hope not.

Someone asked me this week if I have a goal time...I don't. I know when I should come in approximately, based on how I've been running. But all I care about is running a good race and feeling good at the end.

I know I'm going to cry at the finish line.

I'll probably cry at the start too.

won't be the first time.