Well, that was easy enough. 2008. Year of the dragon.

I may not be the most dilligent blogger (four posts in two years) but I never miss a race report. So here goes, my 2008 Lehigh Valley half marathon report.

The line.
The ups: It's just the bestest race ever. I always say this, but it's so well-organized, the weather all three times I've done it has been perfect (50s, crisp). I woke up at 7 a.m. for an 8:10 a.m start and walked out the door at 7:50 a.m. Seven blocks later I'm stretching and at the starting line. I get there as the star-spangled banner is playing. Excellent.

The downs: Somehow, my long run of five miles a month ago wasn't enough training. Seems running twice a week three and four miles isn't enough. By mile 10 my right knee hurt so bad I was stopping every 20 yards, stretching and praying. Did first 10 miles at a 10-minute mile pace. The final 3.1 miles took me 40 minutes. Final time: 2:19 Pace: 10:41. My slowest race time ever. And 30 MINUTES off my PR.

The long report:
Ate half a banana, half a Cliff bar, half a cupa coffee, an orange, quarter bagel. Washed it down with some water. Thankfully did not feel the beers I had the night before. Bless Light beers.

My black shorts still fit. I wear em every race so that's good. I've gained some inches around the midsection. (See above beer reference).

Off I went.

Arrived to a chilly, crowded field. Everyone was in great spirits. I couldnt wait to feel that energy rush that comes from the excitement of a race day.

Hmm, a mile in I realize I have not gotten that energy thrill I usually get. I'm fatigued and tired. Hmm, something isn't right.

Around mile 4 I see my baby (aka Bad Man. Only now he's not Bad Man. He's My Man. Yes, life is funny)! The race goes right by his apartment complex. It's his first one. On the loop up I toss him my jacket. On the way back he nearly misses me he's so busy cheering everyone on. He's made some friends and he's chilling with them. He's so adorable. I yell his name. He yells "Go baby go! Go baby!" I'm like glowing because I'm a cornball and ridiculously in love.

Well, that glow didnt last. My knee starts to hurt something awful. Mercifully, we get to the Parkway, which is gravel. The difference was immediately noticable. I honestly think were it not for this 4-mile reprieve I would not have finished the race.

Back to the concrete/asphault for the final 3.1. I can barely move. People are passing me left and right. I experiment with running keeping my right leg straight. That doesn't work.

People continue passing me.

Man I hate being passed.

It's the final sprint into the stadium. Well, sprint for others. I'm hobbling. I dont even try to pass anyone since I am focused on walking and not crawling.

One of the highlights of the Lehigh Valley's race is the stadium finish and they call your name as you get close to the finish line. For the second straight year he misses me DESPITE running with no one else around. I'm mad.

I'm still mad.

I cross. There is Kim, my partner from the beginning. Ah, what a welcome sight! We head to brunch. BUt first, I have to walk five blocks UPHILL to my truck. I barely make it. By the time I arrive to the restaurant (we drove separately) she has ordered me a bloody Mary and is most of the way through her soda. I apologize for making her wait.

The bloody Mary needs more vodka.

So since Sunday everyone's like, that's so great you finished, good for you, I could never run 13.1 miles. And for the first time in my life, I believe em. So I'm 30 minutes off my PR, so I finished at the slowest pace of my entire life. But you know, it felt so good being out there. The way my body felt after the race also felt awesome. Pushing yourself like that, there's nothing like it.

But you know that.

Coughing and running (well, at least thinking of running)

I'm trying to write in between fits of coughing my lungs out. My whole row of desks was wiiiiped out this week by this debilitating flu. I spent all Monday trying to motivate to walk a block to the drug store for some cold medicine before finally giving up and having a friend make a quick run for me.

It's no wonder I'm not thinking running, but I've got to. Friday, I registered for the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon. It's the third time I'll be doing this race. I love it cause the start is a mere half dozen blocks from my apartment, and it runs through the parkway, my favorite spot to run.

Last year, I finished with a time of 1:56-1:58ish. That was after my PR in 2005 of 1:50. I hope to match or even beat my PR. Right now, my longest run has been three miles so I've got aways to go.

Life post-dump (ha) has, as you can imagine, has gone on (you said it Al Green: and this whole world will keep on spinning). I'm moving in *fingers crossed* with this nice girl who works for bicycling magazine. Fresh starts are always good. Oh, and so are AMENITIES! I'm "planning" (being told what to do) a fabulous snow ball in March with my girlfriends at our hangout, the Knights of Columbus, and work has been remarkably pleasant (you know, after the odd lay off or six).

I spent all Monday in a delirious state of sleeping/dreaming. It's like someone was running through my mind and visiting all the nooks and crannies of my life, diving into conversations, creating new ones, all realistic. It was odd. It was like fast forwarding through my life. While not entirely unpleasant, I'm trying to sort it out. I think I need a deeper existence. I think that's maybe what I came away with.

Man, it sure sucks being dumped. But I still have Jayden.

I got dumped just over a week ago by the bad man. Funny, huh? I spent two years trying to break things off with him, convinced we were toxic together. Then I finally got sick of fighting my feelings and told him I love him, let's give this a shot.

He said no. (please come to boston. she said noooo.) He said he loved me but that he'd never be able to trust me. I am heartbroken, shattered.

But yes, he is right, and his decision the right one. That doesn't mean it hurts any less.

I look forward though, to finally getting back on my feet and doing things with the large chunks of energy that were for too long devoted to wondering, thinking, hoping, wishing, hating, crying and loving a man who didn't mesh with me. To mornings waking up with a dull, throbbing headache and an empty, scarred heart.

My friends have been great, and now's the time to jump back into running and work and hobbies (I learned to knit!). My half marathon is in April so I've got to get into training mode. The one good thing about all this is I've had no appetite for two weeks. So at least I'm entering training mode at a good weight!

And this weekend is my Irish friend's baby's first birthday! I'm going early to help her out.

That's me with my usual big dopey grin and Jayden on Christmas day. Jayden is giving the 'what' look I taught him to do. He's wearing the brown, velour BabyPhat track suit I got him. He couldn't be cuter.

Winter Runs

So this Southern California native found herself Sunday traipsing through several inches of thick, icy snow yesterday afternoon.

The house was clean, the brownies made, the coffee drank (I'm nesting), no good football was on (till 4 anyway. What's up, SD, what what!). Off I went.

Off I went to the parkway, my favorite place to run. Snow and ice fell from the trees, dripping on me as it melted. It felt like I was running in sand that's how grueling it was.

I saw only one other runner and two families sledding. Man I want to try sledding. I loved the solitude and the peace. And feeling like I could barely catch my breath but when I walked I sunk in even further. What a magical run.

For me this weeekend was about getting back to the basics. Me and the MAN used to spend entire weekends in bed. Lamers. I made homemade bread, brownies, went to the library, ran, read, spent time with my friends.

Friday night was the Bedazzler Christmas (the bedazzlers are what my group of friends call ourselves..I didn't name us). We had the bestest time ever. But why did I sit on my girlfriend Gen's lap?

From my family to yours: Merry Christmas! P.S. I am in black with the big goofy grin.

Can it be? Is it possible?

After pledging to become a new type of woman -- less partying, better training and, most importantly, getting rid of bad man -- I am amazed to read my blog for the first time in months and see, rather depressedly, how little progress I made this year. (see Jan. 31. My relapse lasted 11 months)

The bad: I did two races this year, a 10K and a half-marathon. I did not complete a single triathlon.
I partied like a maniac. Am I 31, you may ask, or 21?
The Worst: The bad man is still in my life. Unless you count breaking up two days ago not in my life.

But the year wasn't a complete wash.

I got promoted at work.
I coached Girls on the Run, this fantastic organization that teaches self confidence and running to little girls.
I had much fun and made some fantastic friendships.
I became an auntie.

I'm writing today so I can chronicle my journey into 2008, a year that might, just might, finally bring me the closure I need with the worst relationship I've ever been in. And along the way, take me back to the land of marathons and tris and healthy habits.