Work days, weekends, vacation – haven’t missed a day in May.  That’s 16 straight runs.

Capped off these past 2 weeks with a 20 mile run last night – my longest run ever in 2013.  Only 36 days to go ‘til my Alaska marathon so I needed to complete this run to stay mentally strong.  I needed to know that I could run distance after two weeks of 5 mile pace runs. I arrived home at 11pm, caked in dried chalky salt – no sweat, just salt.

2 Half Marathons & a 10K scheduled over the next 16 days – then A-L-A-S-K-A!

• Surpassed not only 500 miles YTD, but 600 miles as well

Campy Movie(s) of the Week – not classics, but fun

Rocky III (1982) – talk about a movie that didn’t age well; think Jersey Housewives set to VH1 music clips, gynormous cell phones, big hair & Mr. T.   ‘Eye of the tiger’ vs. ‘I pity da’ fool’.

Guilt Trip (2012) – only received 2.5 stars but laugh-out-loud funny moments in this road trip flic starring Seth Rogen & Barbara Streisand.  Got to tell ya, I rented this movie for Seth Rogen but it’s Streisand who is INCREDIBLE.  I wouldn’t buy a copy but also don’t begrudge the $1.30 RedBox rental fee.

Runner Log

Sat Apr 20^th – 1 mile trail run

Sun Apr 21st – RACE DAY (Horsetooth Half Marathon 13.1 miles, Ft Collins CO)

Mon Apr 22^nd – 1 hour BIKE

Wed May 1^st – 4.5 miles

Thu May 2^nd – 5.25 miles

Fri May 3^rd – 5.25 miles

Sat May 4^th – 5.25 miles

Sun May 5^th – 5.25 miles

Mon May 6^th – 5.25 miles

Tue May 7^th – 5.25 miles

Wed May 8^th – 5.25 miles

Thu May 9^th – 5 miles (Mexico)

Fri May 10^th – 4.14 miles plus 1.5 miles beach run (Mexico)

Sat May 11^th – 5.86 miles (Mexico)

Sun May 12^th – 5 miles (Mexico)

Mon May 13^th – 3 miles

Tue May 14^th – 5.25 miles

Wed May 15^th – 8.25 miles

Thu May 16^th – 20 miles

YTD total – 608.6 miles (plus 12.5 hours BIKE)

Been a bit bummed this month because of my right knee.  Doc says it’s just inflamed, no ligament tear – but to halt running for 4-6 weeks. However if I keep it iced, I can still run with pain & most likely do no damage.  That was the positive rendering of his diagnosis – should I not heed his advice of immobility.

So I put it to prayer (sorry in advance for getting spiritual in my blog).  I believe my God can produce miracles or will provide (mental) comfort/peace if physical healing is not in the cards.

Happy to report I’m running again with little to no pain & on target to complete my 2^nd half-marathon in Fort Collins 🙂

Additionally, I booked my June flight to Anchorage with an extra day on the front-end to sea kayak & join a glacier night hike. Life’s meant to be LIVED!  The goal was to complete a marathon, not win.  No regrets!

Movie of the Week

“Lars and the Real Girl” (2007) – laugh-out-loud funny, yet charming story set in Minnesota – which means they have those crazy cool accents;  Ryan Gosling was nominated for a Golden Globe, Patricia Clarkson also rocked as Dagmar, Lars’ doctor.

Runner Log

Sun Mar 31^st  – 1 mile plus 7.25 miles trail running

Sat Apr 6^th – 4 hours BIKE

Sun Apr 7^th – 4 miles, 4.75 miles trail running plus 3 hours BIKE

Sun Apr 14^th – 8.25 miles

Tue Apr 16^th – 10.5 miles

Wed Apr 17^th – 13.5 miles, 1 hour BIKE

Thu Apr 18^th – 3.5 hours BIKE

YTD total – 495.25 miles & 11.5 hours BIKE

Like they say: ‘What doesn’t kill you, makes you Stronger’  🙂

• Completed my first half marathon of 2013 AND surpassed 400 miles YTD

• BANGED UP BODY:
  • right knee ligament strain
  • blister/calluses on left foot
  • dropped a toe nail on right foot &
  • needed a Benadryl shot after an unexpected food allergy to Kashi bars

UPDATE: Woke up mentally strong today and ready to hit it hard for April.  Adding only minimal mileage next month, focused on hill running, pace & consistency.  Might even add an April fitness goal – xx push-ups a day?

Movie(s) of the Week

“Argo” (2012 Oscar Best Picture winner) – Iranian hostage thriller

“Doctor Zhivago” (2002 British mini-series & 1965 Golden Globe Best Picture winner) – WOW!

Thought this was strictly a love story so previously never made the attempt.  Typical Russian novel: intense love/hopeless heartache, artistic beauty/graphic conflict & of course, concludes with a death.  Having lived in Russia for 3 years (albeit not during the Revolution), I appreciated this dark rollercoaster drama.

Book-a-Month Goal/March

‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ by Garth Stein – written from a dog’s point-of-view; my favourite book YTD

Runner Log

Sat Mar 16^th – RACE DAY (Canyonlands Half Marathon 13.1 miles, Moab UT)

Wed Mar 20^th – 4 miles

Thu Mar 21^st – 10 miles

Sat Mar 23^rd – 2.25 miles

Sun Mar 24^th – 10.65 miles

Mon Mar 25^th – 11 miles

Wed Mar 27^th – 10 miles

YTD total – 446 miles