The Reluctant Runner

Trying To Keep Up

Well, to be honest, I've lost a little of my initial enthusiasm for running the marathon. Reading "Running for Dummies" has been helpful, but from what I've heard, I've GOT to join a running club. They practically hold your hand along the training path - from how many miles to run to how much water to drink to the best shoes to wear. My hesitation in joining is that I don't want to hold anyone in the club back. I'm assuming they're all expert runners and wouldn't want the newbie in the group (that would be me) to make them wait while I slog along at a snail's pace. But I have to remember they've all been the newbie at one time. Also, I'm afraid that after running 3 blocks, the ADD would kick in and I'd all of a sudden want to go do something else.
From what I've also heard is that people with addictions once they give one up, transfer it to something else. I'm hoping to transfer my addiction from Starbuck's to running. I've had several failed attempts and short of attending Starbuck's rehab don't know what else to do. My other addiction, or obsession, is recycling. So when I go for a run outdoors I collect recyclables along the way. It must come from my girl scout camping years when "leave no trace" was pounded into our heads on a daily basis. I'm certainly doing my part and picking up other peoples' "traces". Maybe I should change the name of my blog from "The Reluctant Runner" to "The Recycling Runner".
When insomnia and the inspiration to run kick into high gear, and the healthclub I belong to is open 24 hours, I have no excuse not to go with it, which found me at the healthclub at 3:45 this morning with a handful of anorectics and the Polish floor cleaning guy, putting in my miles on the treadmill and watching dreaded infomercials on the tv screens. I couldn't help but call in and purchase the entire "Baresentuals" mineral cosmetic line. Is there a rehab for that?

I'm new to this blog thing, but here goes...

The Starting LIne
So, I've decided, reluctantly, to run the Chicago Marathon this fall. (Hence the name of my blog). Actually, it should be called the really, really, REALLY reluctant runner since I'm not entirely sure why I'm doing it, nor am I particularly into running, especially 26 miles in one fell swoop. The only good reasons to run, in my opinion, are to catch a train or if a wild beast is chasing you. But, I figured it's good to have a goal in my life other than organizing my sock drawer (too mundane) or ending world hunger (too lofty). Running the marathon seems to fall somewhere in between. I can do this. Or at least make an attempt. The application has been filled out, the entrance check fee written, so now what? Oh, yeah, I actually have to train.
My friend, Don, a seasoned marathon runner recommended joinging a running club. The healthclub I belong to has one called "Fun Run". Now, to me, those two words don't exactly go together. Unless the group is going to run down a hill holding hands - that could be fun, or if we all RAN to the nearest Pancake House for all-you-can-eat pancakes. Aren't you supposed to carb up for the big race? Is it too soon? I need to read "Running for Dummies" if there is such a thing, to learn all there is to know about preparing for a marathon or I'll be the one on national tv and YouTube crawling towards the finish line with some nasty bodily fluid trailing behind me.
I've started running on the treadmill at the healthclub recently. All the skinny bitches at the club seem to be on them as opposed to using the other machines, so there's got to be something to this running thing. I can be a skinny bitch, too. God knows I have the bitch part down. Today I timed my mile and it's not looking too good. At this rate I might as well be skipping to my lou for the duration of the race. I hope at least the tee-shirt is cute.

My running blog is now up and running. haha

The Starting Line

So, I've decided, reluctantly, to run the Chicago Marathon this fall.  (Hence the name of my blog).  Actually, it should be called the really, really, REALLY reluctant runner since I'm not entirely sure why I'm doing it, nor am I particularly into running, especially 26 miles in one fell swoop.  The only good reasons to run, in my opinion, are to catch a train or if a wild beast is chasing you.  But, I figured it's good to have a goal in my life other than organizing my sock drawer (too mundane) or ending world hunger (too lofty).  Running the Marathon seems to fall somewhere in between.  I can do this.  Or at least make an attempt.  The application has been filled out, the entrance fee check written, so now what?  Oh, yeah, I actually have to train.

    My friend, Don, a seasoned marathon runner recommended joining a running club.  The healthclub I belong to has one called "Fun Run".  Now, to me, those two words don't exactly go together.  Unless the group is going to run down a hill holding hands - that could be fun, or if we all RAN to the nearest Pancake House for all-you-can-eat pancakes.  Aren't you supposed to carb up for the big race?  Is it too soon?  I need to read "Running for Dummies", if there is such a thing, to learn all there is to know about preparing for a marathon or I'll be the one on national tv and YouTube crawling towards the finish line with some nasty bodily fluid trailing behind me.

I've started running on the treadmill at the healthclub recently.  All the skinny bitches at the club seem to be on them as opposed to using the other machines, so there's got to be something to this running thing.  I can be a skinny bitch, too.  God knows I have the bitch part down.  Today I timed my mile and it's not looking too good.  At this rate I might as well be skipping to my lou for the duration of the race.  I hope at least the tee-shirt is cute.