1000 miles in 2009!

My running goal for 2009 is to run 1000 miles over the course of the year. It’s totally do-able. It boils down to about 20 miles a week, which averages five four mile days, but with long runs and all, I think I can easily accomplish this goal. It just means that I can’t slack or take huge chunks of time off from running, which is perfect. It also means I’ll need between two and three pairs of running shoes for 2009, yikes.

I went for a 4.3 mile run today after work and it was glorious. I did a lot of running last week and as the week wore on my laziness (and prior commitments) kicked in, so I’ve been slow getting back to running this week. Yesterday my stomach was feeling all funky and today I was tired, but I’m so glad I went out there. I’m also really starting to appreciate running by myself. It’s like meditating. I alway set out with a laundry list of things that I want to ponder as I run but ultimately end up zoning out and just running. It’s like I couldn’t think about something even if I tried, I just get into a groove and go.

I’m planning on running tomorrow and Thursday, but I’m not sure if I’m doing the Turkey Trot or not. I’d really like to do the 10k or make my own 15k by entering the 10k and 5k, but H is probably going to be recovering and I’m just not sure I want to drive to clearwater. Maybe I’ll go out and run on my own that morning? I don’t know yet.

I’m also making some serious progress in my grad school plans. I reread some old papers and without a lottta effort I think I can use them for writing samples. I also have an interview/chat with American Stage next week and am studying for the GRE. Woot.

I also found the cute boy and comfy chair mecca today. Hopefully my success will be repeated the next time I visit it.

Still here! Still running…

I’m still alive, I promise. I’m also still running, albeit, not as regularly as I want, but that is about to change.

Right after the race I took it easy and my running sort of flagged (GRE word, what!) and then with the whole time daylight savings, well it’s been a recipe for laziness. It’s not like I stopped running all together, I have run the past two weekends and a couple nights during the week. I just don’t feel like I’ve been as dedicated as I could or should be. I need to find a new half-marathon training plan, preferably one that has me doing runs longer than 13 miles and stick to it.

I really hate the time change though. The sun doesn’t rise till 6:45ish and sets around 5:45, which barely gives me any time to run before or after work. I don’t like running at night and running in the morning before the sun comes up is something I prefer not to do, but I’m going to have to figure something out.

I did go running yesterday morning and it was wonderful. If only I could bottle that feeling of running on a perfect day. That way I would never be able to forget why I do love running. The weather these past few days has been great. It’s finally getting chilly and the sky is blue and clear. I love it. I HAVE to move somewhere where I’m going to get the chance to experience seasons. I don’t necessarily want a severe winter, but I want some cool weather to go with the oppressive heat that you have in Florida most of the year. I’d also really love to move somewhere where I can find a young and active running community. I’ll probably join a runners club wherever I go. Hopefully that will be one source of meeting people, because man alive, I really need to meet some people (guys) my age.

So here are the races that I’m considering doing in the next few months:

Turkey Trot – 10k/15k on Thanksgiving

Jingle Bell Run – Need to find out details on it.

St. Pete Beach Classic – 10k Jan. 17th

Tallahassee Half-Marathon – Feb. 1st

26.2 with Donna in Jax (half) – Feb. 15th

Gasparilla – 15k Feb. 28th

Disney Princess Half Marathon – Mar. 8th

Gate River Run – 15k Mar. 14th

Bay to Bay – 12k Mar. 22nd

Iron Girl – 5k April 4th

There are A LOT of races that I want to do and they’re all over the state… So I think I’m going to need to narrow down my list, but several of them are halfs, so I want to keep my miles up. I don’t think I’m going to tackle a full marathon this season, but maybe next fall/winter. I don’t want to do too much too soon, so as long as running stays fun and relaxing I think I’ll be good.

In other news, I’ve been studying for the GRE and thinking about grad school. Trying to get all my duckies in a row so that I’ll be back in school next fall. Cross our fingers that it happens. I’ll be taking the GRE in a few weeks, I’m rather nervous, but as long as I’m familiar with the test and study, I should be good to go.

Okay. The sun is setting, I’m off to run.