Running is a struggle.

Today I was scheduled for a 7 Mile run. It started out great... I did the first mile in about 11 minutes. Good start, everything is going great. About 20 minutes in I felt great hit some hills and was feeling fine, then I started slowing down and my mind started to wander. Running is more mental than physical. The physical part is easier to condition than the mind. While I was running I kept thinking that I should walk now... no I shouldn't I should keep running. (it felt like a scene out of a movie with the devil and the angel on your shoulder) The Devil ended up winning. I started walking and then I said I'll run when I hit the bend in the trail. At the bend I ran, but after that the damage was done. My mind said it was ok to walk and not run... Next thing you know I'm walking more than running. It felt like a somebody who cheats on their girlfriend or steals a candy bar, if you do it once and don't get caught than you can continue to do it. Well I started to walk and it was easy so I continued to walk. But walking that much won't cut in DC. I know I will be walking in the marathon, just not that much.

Anyway, I've realized that I need to be more consistent in my weekly training. I need to run 3-4 times a week and then on my long day run the distance that I need to. (Oh yeah today I was out for about 1.5 hours.)

My girlfriend told me after I decided to run for Elora, she said (and I may be paraphrasing) "the decision you made to run was easy. To follow through with and complete will be the hardest thing you've ever attempted" Those words are more and more true each day! But I WILL DO THIS AND WILL COMPLETE THIS.

One more thing, on September 10, 2006 we will be holding a race in honor of Elora in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. The Race is called Elora's Hope. www.elorashope.com It is going to be a 5k and will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma society and Elora's Hope Foundation which is in the process of being set up and will establish a scholarship in her honor for future Special Education majors. Please join us on that morning and help us honor Elora!

Thank you and have a great day...