Tuesday 6 January 2009

So many things to talk about!

Last year at this time I was eagerly awaiting jetting off to Phoenix where a few of us were going to run the Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon! Wow, time flies...

This year, well, nothing as exciting (yet), I am however, running a 5K to kick off the season at the Richmond Road Race and then the Hypothermic Half Marathon on January 25th. Yes, I have started back running albeit slowly, so no personal bests in store and really who runs that fast in the dead of winter anyway?

On Friday night I woke up at 3am and was totally stressing out about everything...running, going back to work, winter, just everything....so I lay there and stressed, but luckily there are always a ton of books on my nightstand so I grabbed one at random and began reading. The author (whom I can't recall at the moment) was discussing the trials and tribulations he was experiencing as an older runner, talk about a light bulb moment. Everything he was describing was happening with me....I don't need to run "fast", I just need to run for fun and if speed happens, then WOW. As you know I was struggling with getting my butt out the door and I truly believe that most of that was the fear of not being as fast as when I ran in September. Who cares? Certainly not me...so Saturday morning I headed out and had a tough struggle at the beginning, it was only 5K, but worked it out....Sunday, I headed out and ran a fun, stress free 7K....I'm finding my Mojo!!!

If you have been reading my sidebar, you'll have noticed a link for "The Shirt That Races"...well, I'm so very excited to tell you, I'm NEXT!!! The shirt started with Vickie and is travelling across North America! It will be arriving from Nikki in time for my Half Marathon!! How great is that? Thanks to Nikemom, for getting this started and allowing our running community get to know one another!!!

Also, (I know you're thinking, "will she ever shut up"), well no, because I received an email from my good friend Tom over at The Runners' Lounge asking if I'd try out some laundry products called "Get the Stink Out" for my running clothes. He emphatically declared that it wasn't because he thought I smelled stinky or anything. Well, that's what he told me.............so, I'm looking forward to receiving some of the products and I'll be posting my opinion after I've used them...stay tuned. Also, I'd like to thank Tom for the fantastic Runners' Lounge shirt I received before Christmas. Thank you so very much and thank you too Xenia, for "pumping me up" over at the Lounge.

One more item to let you know about is, Tom and Amy are putting together running stories in a Book About Running. Check it out and certainly send them any of your input about your running experiences. They would love to hear from you!!

Well, I've robbed enough company time, so I'll head off to get a coffee now....

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

23 comments:

Tom@RunnersLounge said...

It's awkward asking a fellow runner to use wash product for their running gear without suggesting they don't smell. Thanks for understanding Laurel!

The truth is we all have smelly gear after we run, so what's there to deny?

Thanks for the shout-out about the book project. Should be fun and make a difference.

Kim said...

Sunshine-Keep up the good work. Run for whatever makes you happy-for speed or just cuz.

Enjoy that coffee...Mmm...

Anonymous said...

Glad you're finding the fun again.

I'll be looking for some fun myself as I move forward too.

The girls want a treadmill so I might breakdown. The older one really needs it so it will be something I can do to motivate her!

HUGS
t

BeachRunner said...

You go girl!! Pace is not the thang, it's the exertion!

I think we shared the same epiphany/light bulb moment. You elegantly shared your experience it in this post, I yammered on in nerdtastic fashion in my recent post. Oh well. :)

triguyjt said...

love the name...hypothermic....hilarious...

enjoy 09.....

Marlene said...

I'm glad to read you've found your mojo. Running for fun - go figure!

Anonymous said...

Ya Lily, running for fun...This is my mantra for 2009.

To answer your question we raise cattle.

Talk to you soon,
Kita

chia said...

God it's cold out there ;-). Stay warm, happy training!

Unknown said...

Good luck with the 5k. Thanks for the heads-up on the running book too.

TNTcoach Ken said...

I thought I was the only one that freaks out in January! I hate it, the starting all over crap and wondering what the next year is going to bring and if I'll make it to December. It's hell getting old......... HA

Viv said...

LOL @ Tom's comment!

Laurel glad you are gettin gthat mojo back. I know it must be tough in those frigid temps.

Stuart said...

Kudos for getting it in the frozen North! Brrrr!!!

Unknown said...

Good luck with your schedule in 2009. Looks like a fantastic year you have planned.

Jess said...

Running for fun is an excellent thing. And usually, while you're having fun, you're not even paying attention to all the benefits you're getting from it!

teacherwoman said...

Is this cold weather ever going to end? Geez. I am so sick of it already!

Marci said...

Running is fun! Great post, and happy you are back at it!

Bill Carter said...

Hi Miss Lily

I know you had a great '08, but I am expecting big things from you in '09. OK, that sounded a little harsh, but you have really made some great strides (couldn't help myself with that one) and I am really happy for you.

All the best of luck from here in Michigan for you and a great '09!

Nitmos said...

That laundry product has a very specific name doesn't it!?

Best of luck in 2009!

Bert said...

If this is what global warming is doing to the earth can we please end it now and try polluting something else. Like the moon? Just kidding. It is cold even in Texas. Nothing Hypothermic though.. Who was it that decided to build Ottawa right in the path of all that snow.

Laurel said...

Glad you're getting your mojo back! Especially in that nasty weather.

Judi said...

good job getting out to run, even if you are frozen!

i plan to send in something for the book too.....

:)

Bob A said...

What? We older runners don't have to run fast?

Vickie said...

Its funny how when your mind holds you back your body cooperates. Glad you are finding your mojo again! I think everyone loses theirs now and then. And then its like the beginning all over again, exciting and fun and the world awaits.