Week # 11

I started my running week off with one of the most enjoyable runs I’ve ever been on. I woke up early Sunday morning to frigid temperatures and drove to Forest Park to meet Jenn (pandajenn19) from RA for a loop around the park. She was running her weekly long run (which turned out to be 18 miles) and I was doing a shorter recovery run. I instantly felt so comfortable and relaxed around Jenn. She warned me that she’d be slower than me, which I didn’t mind at all. It felt great having a friend to chat with on the run, the miles just flew by. It was so cold, but very enjoyable. At one point Jenn’s hair was frozen solid and we were both stunned and slightly horrified. Neither of us could believe how crazy we were to do this to ourselves and laughed about it. I couldn’t believe it when we were finished and I was back at my car. I thought about doing another loop with her but figured that I shouldn’t push myself that much…one long run a weekend is enough. But I really hope we can run together again very soon!

The rest of my weekday runs were all on the treadmill. I really hate that damn machine, but it’s a life-saver when it’s this cold and dark outside. Wednesday I did 8 miles on the treadmill, which was the most horribly boring run of my entire life. I can’t wait for the longer warmer days of spring. Bring on the sunshine! Saturday’s long run was the 4^th race in the St. Louis Track Club Frostbite Series, you can read all about the details in the race report below.

Thursday night Ryan and I went to see the documentary “Spirit of the Marathon” at the Mills Theater. What a great movie! The documentary followed the training of 6 people running the Chicago Marathon. Two of them were female first time marathoners. I couldn’t believe how similar their experiences have been to mine. Everything they said, I could relate to. And more than once, Ryan nudged me and said, “You do that.” I can’t tell you how encouraging that was. If these ladies could do it, so can I!! The movie also followed two elite runners, bronze Olympic medalist American Deena Kastor and super-fast Kenyan Daniel Njenga. Deena’s story was absolutely amazing. An injury kept her from doing much running in preparation for the marathon, so she had to rely on intense cross-training. Once she started running again, she was fierce (as they would say in Project Runway). At one point she said that she had run 145 miles that week!!! That’s more miles that I’ve ever run in a month!! And despite all the hardships, she ended up winning! Great movie, even for non-runners.

I also had an amazing surprise this week -- the corporate sponsorship of my TNT team from our friend John. His company, Lenny’s Sub Shop donated $1,000 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in support of my marathon!! How incredibly generous!! Thank you John for all your support!! And if you (readers) haven’t tried a sandwich from Lenny’s, you MUST! They have a shop in Creve Coeur and in Webster Groves! Delicious!

I also wanted to give a little shout out to Jewell - Happy 30th Birthday, old man! A big "way to go" to Kirsten for planning such an awesome Dirty Thirty birthday party. We had such a great time! It was so nice to meet all your Columbia friends - thanks for having us!

Weekly recap:
Sunday: 5.75 miles
Tuesday: 4.4
Wednesday: 8.0
Friday: 4.1
Saturday: 13.1

Total: 35.4 miles