Training Daze

So, this I started my training for the half marathon I signed up for, that is in May. Last week my foot decided it needed some TLC and started bugging me a bit, so I laid low and didn't do much. I decided to start my training with only walking the amount of time and mileage I am scheduled to so it doesn't decide to cause me more trouble. And because it neither precipitated nor was -20 degrees, I decided to do my walking outside instead of the treadmill.

And it was so wonderful! I don't know if it was because this winter has been so bitter cold and keeping me inside, because I was sick for over a month and couldn't train for my originally scheduled half marathon in three weeks, because I have been busy almost every weekend planning for a wedding for my love (yes, that's not at all stressful), or all of them combined. What I do know is that it has felt so good to be outside again, walking and pounding the pavement. Yes, it was cold and I was bundled in about three layers, but I was able to breathe the outside air into my lungs and not the air of a stuffy sweaty gym. I've recently realized that I really love running but I think I love to walk just as much (maybe even more since I can do it almost anywhere and don't need any special clothes for it except for good shoes). And boy have I missed it.

I still will be inside the sweaty gym for my cross training days, as I plan to do the stationary bike and weights and occasionally Zumba on those two days a week. I hopped on the bike at my gym this past Tuesday for the first time in a long time and it felt really good and was really good for my still not 100% foot. When I think there was a time when I didn't want to walk to store and now I walk miles a day. And since there are times in the past when I couldn't, it just makes me enjoy it that much more. I know I won't always think this way, because I know there will be times when I just won't want to get out there, but I will try and remember the times I couldn’t and how it makes me feel when I can and do.

I also signed up for two more races this week: a 4-miler in April, that I will incorporate into my weekly long training walk/run, and a 10K in June. For some reason, I am nervous for the 10K and I don’t understand why. I will have already completed the half marathon at that point, so 6+ miles should be no big deal, right? I've never officially done a 10K race, but I've walked as much as 8 miles in one day so this shouldn't be a big deal. And it's in Flushing Meadow Park, so it's a flat course that I'm familiar with? So, why am I so nervous???

On a somber note, my favorite leader, Melanie, is a leader no more. Yes, she quit being a leader and Yesterday was her last meeting. I have followed her from the dungeons of hell (okay, it was only the Park Avenue South meeting room, but it was in a dingy and disgusting basement) to a glorious need meeting center. She was my leader, my mentor, my inspiration, my cheerleader for five years and in that time,  she has also become my friend. I wish her tons of success in all of her new adventures; I will be cheering my ass off from the sidelines. While I am sad she will not be there every week, I am so happy for the decisions she's made and I will continue to cheer for her along the way of her journey. I know I need to continue on my journey and follow my own path, but I also know that we will cross paths often. And she will continue to cheer me on and inspire me as has for the past five years. Thank you, Mel, for everything.