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Today’s shower time: short but I left my hair alone
The shower situation: quick between classes
Why you should come back tomorrow: to hear about Emily’s birthday celebration and see some sneak peaks of here upcoming shower challenge video
I’m training for my second half marathon. The date is April 30th so there’s no backing out now. I ran my first in Chicago this past September. I ran with my older sister (and my hero) Andrea – Dre – and my boyfriend, Mark. I hadn’t run seriously since my high school sports days but Dre talked me into signing up. So it’s her name I’m cursing now because I can’t break my competitive habit. Mark and I decided to run the Illinois Marathon’s half because it’s right on our campus.
Nike asks why women run. Do you run to be sexy, strong or fierce? I guess I run for all of the above, but the main reason is to be challenged. I love training and I love competing. There are few things in life better than reaching a goal, and you can work toward multiple goals while training. Each run, especially each long run, is a challenge. Each time you get quicker you’ve reached a new goal (if that was indeed your goal – which for me, getting faster is). Finishing a half marathon or a full is the ultimate accomplishment.
It’s when you finish a long run that you realize how valuable water is. I was so thirsty after I ran 11 miles Sunday. We often take water for granted because all we have to do is turn the faucet on. For at least 1,000,000 people worldwide, things aren’t that simple. People have to walk miles carrying heavy jugs just to get drinking water. Other people have absolutely no access to clean water. Dirty water carries disease, killing people every day.
My sister wants to run another half in the fall (her 4th in a few years!) but I’m looking to train for something different come May 1. I’m thinking about Phoenix’s summit challenge – where you climb seven mountains in one day. I’d also love to do a triathlon and the movie Girlfight has me wanting to box (for exercise – not competitively). I love a tough lady, and in that movie no one’s tougher than Michelle Rodriguez. Fun movie trivia: Rodriguez’s Girlfight performance won rave reviews. Yet, she followed it up with The Fast and the Furious and Blue Crush. Interesting choices there, eh?
What race/competitive events have you participated in? I’d love suggestions on fun races and/or challenges. What charities have you competed for? I’d love to race in support of a cause. Though I’m not sure there’s something as worthy as The Office’s race for rabies.
On another note, today is my friend Emily’s birthday. Emily is one of coolest people! She’s an incredibly hard worker and saved my behind this year. She took over as design editor when the original hire stepped down. Emily’s also a ton of fun! Here’s to you Emily!
Emily, Mark and I: