Well, the Almighty allowed my legs to carry me better than I thought they would at the Jingle Bell! I haven't run that race for 3 years...ah, but the rolling hills greeted me with kind remembrance.

The thousands of on-lookers really didn't seem to bother me at all this time and I just ran my race. The race drew lots of new people this year, and from what I heard there were about 80 kids out there! So awesome to see them taking their feet to the streets in a good way...I just wish they would stay out from under mine at the start line! Only had one close call as Jr. dashed completely perpendicular to the path right in front of me.The finish line was somewhat as a disappointment, though. For some mysterious and bizarre reason, I came to a slow trot before the actual finish (I thought I had passed it) Because of that fatal mistake, the gal I was battling it out with for the last 1/4 mile passed me up right at the shoot and beat me by .4 of a second. Yes, of course she was in my age group and that placed me at 2nd.

The frustration... I can't even describe. Live and learn.

I had a nice run this morning. Coming into the beginning of mile 3, the rain started coming down. Not too bad...actually quite refreshing. The Jingle Bell 5k is just around the corner and I am not in race condition, but I'm going to run it anyway. Having it on my calendar is giving me the motivation I need to keep running.

For the past few months I've been running a measly twice a week. These running slumps have an interesting cycle. I haven't figured it out yet, but I guess it's ok; I'm sure my body needs the rest when the slump takes over.

Life goes on...I'm thankful that I can still run at all. I still have a strong desire to work up to the half again. I'm not too sure I'll get back to my PR 5k times. Just when I start getting to that point of weekly mileage when I start incorporating heavy speedwork into my schedule, the aches and pains start coming on again. I might have to hang up my 5k shoes...we'll see what happens December 10 at the Jingle Bell!

Future Races

Jingle Bell 5k
December 13
Inverness, FL

Ocala Half Marathon
January 2015
Ocala, FL

Yes! Finally!

Finally got that run this morning. It was everything I dreamed it would be. Would have been a perfect run, too, if it weren't for the left foot, left toe, left ankle and left knee pain. Have I been running lopsided all these years??

The running has come to a standstill...again. But in its place has emerged an extreme workout taking place at precisely 6:30 every evening in the Gandee household!

P90X...Ouch.

Move the couches, the coffee table, the rug. Pull out the weights that have made a home in the corner of my living room. The whole gang...all 5 of us...it's quite a sight.

We are into our third week and I have never been so exhausted from an exercise routine in my life. I've taken a break from the running due to a pain shooting through my foot. It has subsided somewhat, but I'm still feeling it linger.

I desperately want to run. Desperately. But this workout is incredible and it's keeping me in shape for when I do finally reach for Asics again. I'm praying for this toe pain to just go away for good.

Did I mention that I desperately need to go for a run? But I can't get out of bed in the morning, because this workout is kicking my behind.

Just thought I'd share.