Long "Run" #2...

... didn't happen.

My back was bothering me all day yesterday at work so I decided then that I wouldn't chance it by doing the 3 miles today. So instead I went out w/ some friends to celebrate my friend, Dawn's birthday. I may not have run 3 miles today, but I sure as hell danced enough last night to make up for it. My legs hurt more last night after all that dancing than they ever did after a long run.

I think I may make dancing one of my cross-training exercises. It'll probably be a hell of a lot more fun than riding a stationary bike or the elliptical.

3 Miles & a Wedding

(Sorry I'm late in posting this.)

This past Saturday was my first "long run" in 6 months & ya know what? I didn't die! HOORAY! It was freezing cold, which was perfect for me... it kept me motivated to keep on moving. I was a bit nervous, but that didn't last long. I started out strong & ended strong. My back was a little stiff when I first started, but as I got going, it loosened up & I felt great. My only problem was that I just wasn't satisfied with my speed while walking. I wanted to run SO. DAMN. BAD!!! I can't believe how hard it was to not run. I kept thinking "Dammit! You know if you ran right now, you'd finish SO must faster!" But I also knew if I ran, I likely wouldn't be able to even walk later. Talk about frustrating!!! I never thought I'd miss being able to run so much.

I tried not to look at my watch during the "run" because I knew it would depress me. When I first started, I thought if I could just do the 3 miles in about 45 minutes, I'd be happy. After about a mile, I figured I was going too slow to accomplish that, so I told myself I'd be happy w/ 50 minutes. After about 2 miles, I figured my time would be about an hour & it was pissing me off!! So you can imagine how happy I was when I finished the 3 miles, looked at my watch & saw a time of 46:39. It's not the best I've ever done, but I figure after all the pain & shit I've been through with this back injury, that was pretty damned good. This Saturday I'll do another 3 miles & I'll be shooting for that 45 minute mark. *crosses fingers*
After practice I attended the apparel clinic at Finish Strong Sports & mingled with the new group of TNT'ers. I met a woman doing Alaska & had a fun time reliving my 1st marathon w/ her. It got her all excited. (ILANA - I told her about our experience w/ the cancer survivor at mile 25 & she got goose bumps!)

After clinic, it was time to go home, shower, & rest up for the big event later that day...

CASSIE & MANNY'S WEDDING!

It was a simply beautiful ceremony with lots of laughs (the best kind of ceremony IMO). Cassie was radiant in a gorgeous strapless, lace covered dress w/ a lavender ribbon & Manny was dashing in his tux. I didn't get weepy until the reception when I saw them dance their first dance. Seeing the way Cassie looked at Manny... *sigh*. I want that.

The reception had a fun Mardi Gras theme, complete w/ custom made Mardi Gras beads, pralines, & a New Orleans jazz trio. Our table was on the 2nd level with a black iron balcony overlooking the dance floor. It made for a great vantage point of the party & some good teasing to the crowd below with our beads (we never did get anyone to show us their boobs). After a few cocktails, I eventually made it out onto the dance floor & proceded to boogie til I thought my feet would fall off (dancing is not easy in 3" heels) & ended up making some new friends. A good time was had by all. :)

The best part of the night was just seeing how happy Cassie & Manny were. I'm so stinkin' happy for those two & I wish them a long, LONG happy, fun-filled life together. CHEERS!

Cassie & Manny at the altar.

Mr. & Mrs. Mondragon!

HRB's clean up good! Joe, Jon, & Waverly

Francesca (is that right Holden?), Holden, & Vic

Cutting the cake

Cutting the Groom's cake (Oreo cheesecake... YUM!)

Back with a vengance!

Not only did I sucessfully complete my first 3 mile "run" in 6 months today, I also danced the night away in 3" heels.

The only pain I'm experiencing is in the balls of my feet. OW!!! (Seriously, why can't they make sexy high heeled shoes that are actually COMFY? Is that too much to ask?)

More to come in the morning when I'm more sober.

In the mean time...

CONGRATULATIONS CASSIE & MANNY!!!!

Starting over

After scrounging around in my messy closet, I finally found my running shoes. I haven't worn them in 6 months.

6 months!

Well, tomorrow they'll get to touch the dirt path of Memorial Park once again.

That's right... I'm back in training once again.

My back has been doing much better (*knock on wood*) so I decided to start training again with the TNT group this season. First practice is at 7:00 am. I'm gonna start slow, only doing the 1/2 marathon mileage on the long runs & see how things go. My goal is to be strong enough to be able to start training for a full marathon by the time the fall season starts in May. I REALLY want to do the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco in October. Hopefully everything will go well. I'm just a bit nervous. It's going to be SO hard to no run. But if I want to continue to have feeling in my legs, I have to get used to just walking. Thankfully I can walk pretty damn fast, but it's just not the same, ya know?

I just have to keep reminding myself of the hell I went through last summer/fall & hopefully that will keep me on track.

Wish me luck!