Since the Half

Since I ran my first half marathon in July, I haven't had much direction in terms of my running.  I met my goal, and I haven't known if I wanted to make a new goal - like a full marathon or a faster half - or if I was content to just run a couple of miles a day, take part in my new runners' group, and train for the occasional 5K or 10K.  From what I have heard from other runners, this is a dilemma that many runners face after they meet their first big goal.  That is comforting.

As I write this now, I still don't know where I stand or what role I want running to have in my life.  As I look back over the past twelve and a half months since I first started to run, I can see that my motivations have changed.  I can see that my outlook has changed.  I can see that my goals and my expectations have changed.  And I am pretty sure that they will continue to change as I grow as a runner, as an athlete, and as a person in the next twelve, too.

As my plan for running takes shape, I'll keep posting blogs here.  All I can say for now is "stay tuned."

Even without a clear running goal, I have been staying busy with running and fitness activities.  As you know from my last blog, I co-coordinated and participated in my first two-day trail race.  I also ran the Spokane Indians 8K Pennant Race on July 24th, and I improved my time from my last 5 mile race.  My official time for the 8K was 57:27.  (I know they are technically different distances and that I got a PR for this 8K, but my joy comes from seeing the improvement from the 5-miler that I ran in October when I clocked in at 1:00:07.)

I also went to the Spokane River one day and hiked a good four or five miles.  I found a nice little spot in the middle of the river to day-camp on.  I caught some fish, drank a beer in the sun, and then hiked back to my car.

(This video was taken from my cell phone, which should explain the quality.)

And I biked the farthest I have ever biked - 32 miles - on Saturday.  (And on Sunday, I biked another 10.25 miles, despite some very sore body parts.)  In the process, I found out that I am capable of things that I didn't know that I had in me... and equally important, I questioned what else I have in me that is hiding out, waiting to be discovered.

I am enjoying my fitness journey and look forward to where it is going to take me.

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