PF Chang's Rock'n'Roll Marathon: Vegas 2009

PF Chang's Rock'n'Roll Marathon: Vegas 2009

**Pace at the beginning of this post: 8:35 at Half marker.

About three hours ago, Husfriend heard the fire of the start gun and was off to destroy his second marathon in 2009.

A marathon I was originally supposed to be running with him. Well, not with him because for the singular week I trained to run this particular marathon, I was averaging an 11 minute mile. Watching the live results here his pace has improved at every race marker, starting, at a not too shabby, 8:54.

I am filled with pride and encouragement by this feat of his. It takes a certain level of commitment to run a marathon, let alone at such an incredible pace.

Back in January, I missed him crossing the finish line because he was just too fast. I called him my little Kenyan.

I'm going to challenge myself to start running more. Alright, alright, start running period.

I typically think running is a chore more than a leisurely activity. The health benefits of running far outweigh the laborious cons.

My major hang up about training: safety. I'm a mother now. I don't live in the greatest area of Phoenix* (please recall that one time when a scraggly, mess of a man tried to get into the truck when I was stopped at a red light...2 blocks from our house...at night!). I don't have a running buddy. see: Husfriend is Kenyan.

I absolutely loathe running on the treadmill now. I have a bad knee I jacked up back in high school. It may or may not have been during an early morning cheer practice with the weight training coach hopping in a figure eight. I also may or may not be all that proud of the injury. Update: NOT proud. Treadmills are relentless. They care less about the durability of your limbs and joints than a sweat shop owner cares about the children down in the factory. That a whole bunch of not caring.

If you're in the market for a good training challenge, let's do this! Together. Because I'm paranoid of the world and the crazy people therein.

**Pace at the end of this post: 8:36 at 16.8mi marker. See Shugg Run! (psst...that was our motto last year)