Plotting the Winter Campaign

One month from now, registration opens for 2010 Marathon Sunday events in Houston. It may just be heat-induced delirium talking, but I'm giving significant thought to taking on the full marathon course for the second time. It's definitely not something for which I can "cram," so the time to get goal-oriented about this is now.

As a motivational prop, I recently ordered a custom Subway Cash Card with one of my 2008 photos on the front. I'm hoping it will simultaneously serve as a reminder of where I want to return and reinforce the eat-sensibly habit that helped get me there in the first place.

Either way, job number one should be to relieve my nagging achilles tendinitis issue permanently. When it first made it's rude appearance, we were in the midst of the busy spring running calendar. While I'd respond by backing off the mileage, I never gave myself permission to take any sort of real extended break from running. And it never really went away. Well, since that awful Heights Fun Run a couple of weeks ago, I have logged exactly zero miles. I also want to revisit my shoe selection.

Job number two would be choosing a training plan. In 2008 I worked up to race day on a Runner's World "SmartCoach" plan, but I want to explore other options.

One might think that having experience would be on my side would be a confidence booster. Ironically, knowing exactly what I'm getting myself into is making me nervous. We'll see if I'm really nutty enough to click "Submit" on that Active.com page again!

Heights Fun Run

Good News: As I had hoped, I'm enjoying post-race breakfast tacos after this year's Heights Fun Run.

Bad News: That's because I cooked some myself after getting home.

Good News: I was done running the race in only 11 minutes!

Bad News: When I finished running, I was still nearly two miles from the finish line.

Perhaps it was a mistake to leave my Forerunner at home this morning. I thought I'd "lighten the load" by just wearing my Timex Ironman watch. So I may have went out too fast, especially since I didn't see any mile markers on Heights Boulevard this year. The nausea in my midsection started a few blocks before the turnaround, so I started a walk break. Unfortunately, I never returned from the Puke Point in this race.

It was if I was seasick. Every time I even thought about picking up a jog again, my stomach would revolt. So I spent the next half hour being passed by everyone I passed at the start. I did have ample opportunity to thank each and every volunteer and police officer out there, so that was a plus. According to my Timex, I crossed the finish line in a time 41:10, the likes of which I haven't seen in four years.

Not surprisingly, the breakfast tacos were long gone by the time I got to the table. There's always next year....

National Running Day

So, did you remember to get out and stride a little as part of National Running Day?

This evening I ventured out and back until my Forerunner read exactly 6.39 miles in honor of the date of 06/03/09. Next up, I'll be watching that runner's flick classic, Chariots of Fire.

Well, if for some reason running isn't your "thing," maybe you can still join me in also celebrating Free Root Beer Float Night at Sonic Drive-In. It's all good.