50 miles strong

Yep, I ran 50 miles this week. That's 5-0... in one week. There were times that 50 miles would be my monthly total. How do I feel? Awesome! When you run that much you begin to realize that while each step takes you closer to your goal, you are still in the same place when you finish as when you started. Home.

So now what? I'm planning to do See Jane Run's Half Marathon in June. I received some very harsh, but fabulous feedback on my two submissions to the TOM romance writer's contest. I swear it was the best $25 I ever spent. The TOM judges are awesome critiquers!

So it's back to the drawing board for me. I now have to do a total re-write of 4 novels. No more queries, no more contests, no more writing samples, no more critique groups/partners until I get them done. So, my goal is to have all 4 ready for next year's TOM contest. If I happen to get any of them ready before then, then maybe I'll try my luck. We'll see.

Happy Trails!

26.2

In 4:27:10. It rained the whole time - less than a downpour, but more than a drizzle. I didn't care. I ran my marathon. Even better, I placed 5th in my age/gender division (out of 15). I was the first of the non Boston qualifiers in my group (that basically means that I ran 45 min slower than the woman who crossed the finish line before me). Yep! I'm the head of the rejects. Go me! :)

More good news... it's summer! Well, at least it's supposed to be. Mainly I'm catching up from being out of town for 3 days and find I'm buried in a pile of emails and to-do lists. 3 days off was well worth the resulting chaos though. Once I dig myself out from under my pile, I've got to figure out my running and writing plan for the summer.

The best news yet... although I did not win the Touch of Magic romance writer's challenge, I did win the latest Writer's challenge on eharlequin.com for my 1000 word short story. My prize? I get to post and grade the next one. :) So I guess I better get on that.

Maybe I am Crazy...

I started to tank at mile 15 today (need better fueling options for my long runs), but I ran just over 22. Somewhere along the way I got my second, third, and fourth wind. I think I could have actually done a marathon today. Good thing, since it's 2 weeks away! Now I get to start the blessed taper. Even better, one more week of classes, then finals, then ..... SUMMER! Hallelujah!

Forever 21.4

My 20 mile run turned into a 21.4 miler due to detours caused by flooding on the Greenbelt. But, I did it. That is the furthest I have ever run. It hurt, but I survived. I'm starting to feel a bit more optimistic about the probability that I can actually run a marathon. It won't be pretty and it will hurt, but I now believe I can do it. Only 3 more weeks to go.

The funny thing is how people respond to you when you tell them you are going to run a marathon. People that don't know me very well are super supportive and think it's cool. My family thinks I need to get my head checked.... While true, it doesn't stop the fact that I do plan to run this thing. :)

Thank you to the bystanders that cheer for us

I ran my second half marathon (Salt Lake City Half) of the year today with my wonderful colleague and friend Elizabeth. What was so special about this race?
1) it was mostly downhill - always a good thing
2) it was Elizabeth's first half marathon and she did awesome
3) there were friends there for us at the finish line
4) the SLC police did a wonderful job keeping the roads clear for the race
5) the entire route was filled with people on the sidelines cheering, ringing cowbells, passing out water from their houses, handing out brownies, and just generally keeping us going strong. So this is my shout out to all of those folks who took time out of their Saturday morning to be there for a bunch of anonymous strangers. We couldn't have done it without you!

Slippin' and a Slidin'

The good news is that despite the muddy, rainy, windy mess that was Dry Creek Half Marathon this year, I only fell once. And they went back to finishers medals (instead of finishers shirts), which was fine with me - anyone that finishes that race deserves a medal in my book.

Even with the condition, it wasn't my worst time ever - that was Dry Creek 2 years ago and the conditions were as bad if not worse this year, so I'm putting that down in my book as an improved race.

The bad news is that I did not finish book 3 of my romance series this week. It's getting there, but it's not done. I did send out a bunch more queries on PG though and entered Rule #17 into a contest. Wish me luck!

It's raining cats and dogs .. oh wait, that's just hail

Unintentional run #2

Jeff and I decided to take the dogs for a walk this afternoon. The light drizzle when we started quickly turned to rain and then lots of rain and then hail. So we decided to run home (well, run/walk as Jeff isn't a big runner). Anyway, I probably ended up doing close to 17.5 miles today. Good to know I can run on tired, achy legs.

More good news, one of my favorite authors (H.P. Mallory) who self-published her first three books just got an agent and a book deal and is now hosting an awesome contest to celebrate: http://urbanfantasyauthor.blogspot.com/2011/03/win-amazon-or-barnes-and-noble-gift.html

She gives all of us wanna be published writers hope!

And, I discovered coconut water today as a recovery aid (good alternative to gatorade for those of us who don't do sugar and chemicals) - and it tastes great! It's also pretty expensive though ($2/serving at the Co-op), so I am looking on-line for cheaper places to get it.