Getting things rolling...

Four days in....that's it, but I'm working to establish the right pacing routine for the year.  Mathematically, I need to lay down about 28 miles per week to hit my yearly mileage target.  That's about sixish miles per week more than last year.  It doesn't seem like much, but it can be challenging if you have a difficult schedule.  Nonetheless, I'm committed.

That's why, today, I went out for six miles on a weekday as opposed to four to five (that and this week is short in the grand scheme of things since the 1st fell on a Tuesday).

I have to say, if you are going to push more out of your weekday run, today was the day to do it.  It was beautiful out.  The sun was shining, the air temperature was a balmy 45 degrees and the roads from Capitol Hill to RFK stadium were nice and quiet.  My legs and lungs were working in concert and my ipod was pumping out motivation through my ear pods.  The road, or rather the sidewalk, was my friend, even though my left hamstring is still a little hinky.

I have to say, it took a lot of strength not to take a picture of an ornamental Woodstock (you know...Snoopy's friend), who seemed to have a little too much fun on New Year's and fell from his perch on a swing near Stanton Park.  Aside from that, I was really left to my own thoughts, which means I had work on my mind this week.  Oh well, still a cleansing effort.

This leaves me with nine more miles to do this weekend.  I can honestly say I'm really looking forward to it.  While I had many 25-30 miles weeks in 2012, they weren't necessary.  Changing the mindset to making them "necessary" is a great adventure...perhaps I can get to 30-35 miles per week.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  6.01
Time:   54:16 (average pace of 9:01 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park, RFK Stadium
Feeling:  the attitude is great...the hamstring okay

Spiking the football...

My end zone dance looks a bit like Ickey Woods, but who the heck cares...I hit 1000 miles today!  Slam dunk!  Goal!  Move over second rate college quarterbacks, I'm taking home the Heisman this year.  Did I get a little too carried away?  I don't think so, after all I took down my new year's resolution a whole month early.

It wasn't easy today, that's for sure.  Due to a crazy work schedule, I lost two days of running this week.  Getting home from work after midnight and getting back up at 5am meant I was tired to begin with.  It took a lot of drive to get out the door and put in enough miles to cross the finish line, but the pull to claim victory over one month earlier than I calculated as doable last January was greater than the exhaustion...and the blisters forming on my feet.

It seems fitting to put to bed the goal around the city that has played such an influential role in many running firsts for me...Though several years ago, it's still the first city in which I ran a 10 miler and a marathon...several since both those.  It's also provided me with the routes to shed my stress through running when life becomes too much.  On this particular run I headed for some familiar sites and some new pavement.  From Stanton Park, to Lincoln Park, to RFK Stadium, to Eastern Market, past many Smithsonian museums - dodging a gazillion tourists - to the Washington Monument and finishing up near the US Capitol, it was a beautiful day, beautiful weather, and the run felt awesome.  To cap it off, I finished while Colbie Caillat's "Brighter than the Sun" was blasting through the ipod....kindof perfect.

As I was running, and knowing I was going to pass this milestone, I began thinking about what I learned over the past 11 months of pushing myself out the door on days I couldn't wait to run, and days I needed a bit more motivation than seemed to be available to me.  This really was a journey of self-discovery.  Here are just some of things I learned this year, the good, the bad and the ones that need more work:

• I am capable.  Capable of setting a goal and figuring out what I needed to do to finish it.
• I am strong.  Strong enough in body to muscle through the weak days and strong enough in mind to push myself when necessary.
• I am committed.  Committed to making sure I know the value of goals.  Committed to keeping myself fit in mind and body.  Committed to setting a positive example for my family and friends, but most importantly my daughter.
• I am crazy.  Yes, I am willing to do some things that others deem crazy - crazy distances, crazy times of day for runs, crazy to get up and go out for a jog in a blizzard.  I am crazy to ignore injuries in pursuit of goals, when those injuries could become so much worse.
• I am sensitive, but bullet proof.  I am sensitive enough to get my back up when people flippantly say to me "1000 miles?  I bet I've done that.  That's pretty easy."  But bullet proof because I've learned to let the silly comments of others roll off.
• I am self-conscious.  I have body image issues and I recognize it.  It's hard to listen when a friend tells me I look strong, when inside I'm telling myself I need to lose 15 more pounds and tone up this and that muscle group.
• I am thankful.  Thankful for my own perseverence.  Thankful for all those who helped me throughout the year by putting in the miles with me and always willing to provide moral support.
• I am blessed.  Blessed with good health.  Blessed with great friends and blessed with great family.
• I am awesome.

Who knows what I'll be able to achieve in the next month, but I'm looking forward to it. Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  11.02
Time:   1:39:46 (average pace of 9:03 per mile)
Location:  all about the greater Capitol Hill neighborhood
Feeling:  VICTORY!!!