what i did in 2008...

(outside of workin' many hours and traveling unrelated to running...)







i ran like i didn't know i could.

in my first 'real' season as part of a running team, i earned 5 medals (there are 6 in the picture...one was for dragon boat paddling, 2nd place! and hey it's still a race, and still a medal :)

i ran in 12 races. from 5K to my first, second and third half marathons.

with a dozen amazing women on my team.

i just unearthed my pile of race bibs tonight and was curious how many races i had run since i picked this sport up in january 2006.

overall i've run 23 races total in my career so far.

11 of those were in 2006 and 2007 *combined*.

clearly 2008 was it's own creature and boy did i find a calling...without even realizing how i'd take to the sport. i never knew i had it in me.

so in 2009. my first big race is january 25th, on the island of maui.

then in april i go to DC to a) see my best friend gail & family and b) to run a 10 mile race.

and as i've declared, and sat down with the coach and the CJ at breakfast today to plan it all out, i will be a marathoner as of june.

and i started an official tally of how many miles i run this entire year. something i've never really kept track of.

today was 7 and it was one of my best workouts, especially alone, EVER.

the next posting will return to the regularly scheduled program sans running....

work has a major upcoming change happenin. it's going to be a very interesting next 14 months in library land...

happy new year to everyone near and far! ~jd

nothing like a smokin' adrenaline rush....

first race of the season today! The Human Race on Summit......8K (5 miles). Gorgeous perfect running day.....little wind, warm sun, lots of runners, crazy St Patrick's Day themed wear and hats abound.  And shaved some good minutes off of last year's results....sweet~

I had my first really strong finish where I didn't feel like lead feet at the end as I crossed that finish line. Saw Coach and teammates cheering Claudia and I on as we came to the end, and it felt amazing to just finish really well (okay and yes, admittedly, the downhill on Summit was very nice too!).....makes me look forward to the upcoming challenges in Fargo and Duluth for half marathons and how rockin' that is going to hopefully feel~ And finishing strong makes me feel like the running all winter long and the cold lonely treks to the gym with mindnumbingly endless miles on the 'dreadmill' made it pretty worth it. For you non-runners, I realize most folks think runners are just crazy. "Who's chasing you?" is probably the most common sarcastic question asked. But until you've *become* a runner, (and yes, it's work, and no, it's not always fun), you just don't know. So like anything else in life, to each their own, and don't knock it til you've tried it (and in running, tried it means giving it at least 3-6 months. for real.) The feelings of what your body *can* do and the accomplishments later are like a high I've never felt.  And the health benefits on both the body & mind are not bad either....imho.....

I can not thank my absolutely amazing teammates and coaches enough for all they've taught me in the past 6 months ~ So to Ruth, Val, Duana, Kim, Claudia, and all of the rest of my team, you all rock and mean the world to this runner and friend.....I look forward to the coming months, road trips, and finish lines with each of you, one race at a time.....and to my long time friend who might stop by this blog, thanks for your support and advice from across the miles. you are a part of this journey as well....rock the Shuffle!!   I so know you will.......~jd