2010 races?

Okay, I know Julia usually organizes the list of yearly races in the side bar, but I just can't wait to see what everyone is running!

What are you guys planning for 2010?

I think Eve has talked about doing the Kaiser Half in San Francisco on February 7th. Too soon for this little mama.

There's the Sequoia Trail Run 20k on February 27th in Oakland, CA. I'm running the 20k and I know some others have signed up for the 10k.

I know there has been talk of signing up for the lottery for the Cherry Blossom 10-mile Run in DC on April 11th.

Lots of ladies are probably doing the See Jane Run half marathon on June 5th in Alameda, CA.

I'd love to do the Skyland Mountain Run 5k/10k/1k-kids-fun-run on July 10th off Skyline in the Santa Cruz Mountains. If anyone wants to do a 5k/10k, I highly recommend this one. You're running at the top of the mountains, but it's a relatively flat run--some gently rolling. Not too many people. Gorgeous views. Pancake breakfast and awesome band playing afterward! Seriously--some guy was playing a washboard!

And then there's my absolute favorite, the RunSFM on July 25th in San Francisco. I'll likely be doing the half.

I've ALWAYS wanted to do the Lake Tahoe Half and this year I am determined to do it! September 26th. There's lots of events up there that week--runs, bikes, swims, triathlons, kayaking, speed golf!

And of course there's the Nike Women's lottery for October. Count me in for the lottery! (Where the heck is that blasted web site. I swear it is so hard for me to find...)

What else, guys?? Any triathlons? Any bike races?

I ran!

I ran! I did it! I am so excited.

Postpartum life has been filled with ridiculously itchy skin, soreness that lasted too long, nether-regions that didn't heal correctly (but I didn't know until my 6-week check up), and feeling like I was going to pee my pants for a few days!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being a mommy. I LOVE my baby. And it's all worth it. But my plan was to walk until the 6-week mark and then start running. I tend to overdo things, so that was my way of taking things slowly. 6 weeks came and went and I was too sore to even go on walks. Luckily my doctor fixed the problem and by 7 weeks I was all better! It's a Christmas Miracle! (Well, except the itchy skin. I can hope for a New Year's miracle, right?)

So yesterday Christian said, "Let's go on a walk." I got so excited that I put on running clothes. 5 minutes into our walk, I decided to run for a couple minutes just to test the water.

15 minutes later I decided I was too tired to keep running. 15 minutes, ladies (and gents?)! I mapped it out later and it came to a whopping 1.25 mile. I was soooo proud of myself!

Except for the fact that I feel like I need a sports bra for my jiggly belly, I felt great! I am sooooo back in the game. And it feels good.

14 Miler

Jona and I went for a quick 5K run with Maggie last night.  It was right around sunset and the weather was unseasonably warm.  It was a nice run --- low-key and fun.

Around our lake, I started reflecting on the year and how we had just finished a marathon just a month ago.  Man, it feels like it could have been a year ago.  I thought about my training plans and races for the next year.  Is it time for another marathon?  We are both on such a high after our last race that another seems like a great idea.

Then I remembered my last 14 miler.  It was in late August and I'm pretty sure Jona had never seen a temper tantrum like the one I threw that morning.  (Do you love that it took me four months to confess this?)  I was so fed up with the heat and feeling tired.  I was so fed up with having to wake up at 5am to make sure we didn't die of heat stroke.  I was so fed up of "having to run" (apparently I had forgotten that this was my choice).  I honestly had a 15 minute cry in the car before I didn't run 14 miles that day.  Pathetic, I know.

After reflecting on that particular day I was reminded that running isn't easy.  It's really hard.   

I totally expect to step out onto the pavement and feel easy breezy.  But I have to remember that running takes heart, sweat, discomfort ... pain and tears even.  Is that why I do it?  Because it isn't easy?  No, I do it because it's rewarding.  I do it because I feel good after and during those long runs when I don't feel like I'm running anymore.  I run because it's the good thing to do for me - inside and out.

So I'll keep on keeping on.  Taking on the next race, the next run, the next training session, even though there may be temper tantrums, tears, and pain.  That's OK.  It's running - and I love it.