Ramble On....

So I started thinking about blogging a few weeks ago.  I kinda pushed the thought to the side and just figured I didn't have the time to do it.  Then I started paying attention to what I think about on my runs.  Some of the thoughts I have when I'm out there by myself for 30 minutes to 3 hours are kind of interesting and sometimes I think could be to good use, if I could just remember them!  So this is what this blog is about.  My thoughts, or ramblings I guess you could say.

So once I started thinking that it might be therapeutic and maybe even help me focus on my running by getting my thoughts into focus, I thought that what better time than now?!  I just finished my first marathon and I'm starting training for my second marathon.  I think this will be a great tool to focus my energy, vent about my training, share funny stories, interesting thoughts and whatever else enters my mind.  I really want to break a 5 hour marathon in Chicago and I feel as though part of what is holding me back is that I sometimes lack focus when I run.

Ok, now let's focus:  I started thinking about running a full marathon after realizing that the Country Music Marathon was going to be on my 7 year off-chemo anniversary this year.  I didn't think that what I would go through would be nearly as hard as it ended up being.  I just saw it as two half marathons in one day and I figured I could do it.  Boy, was I wrong.  You go through every emotion while training.  I can do this...what am I doing...this is insane...this is fun...I want to run more than just 12 miles today...I never want to run another step....and on and on it goes.

So we get to April 24, 2010, my off-chemo anniversary.  I'm ready to go.  I'm ready to pound the pavement, but unfortunately Mother Nature had other plans.  We made it 20.4 miles and got diverted due to severe storms.  I was fine with it.  So fast-forward to May 15th.  Our Team in Training staff decided to stage a "make-up" marathon since we were diverted.  I have to admit I was scared.  Once event day was over, in my mind, training was done, at least for a few weeks before Chicago started.  So once I realized that morning that I was really going to attempt this again, I got nervous.  Again, Mother Nature decided to pull some interesting things on us.  Sun and humidity.  Not sure what's worse, humidity and sun or thunderstorms.  And both had hills.  Double whammies.  Well I did it.  And trust me, every emotion, every random thing popped into my head.  But what's funny is I remember bits and pieces.  I remember crossing the finish line and crying like a baby.  Not can I say I beat cancer, but now I've conquered a marathon....if I can do those two things, I can do so many others.

So, with all of that being said, here's to getting focus, getting on track, kicking butt and changing the world....one random rambling after another :)

Ramble On My Friends,

Mal :)