Running slowly but surely

I’ve fallen behind with my running. In September I started following Runner’s World’s Marathon Training Plan but after week 4, I wasn’t able to keep up with the mileage due to lack of time. Pounding 15 miles on the treadmill at 11:00pm at night just didn’t seem very appealing after a full day of work and class. I also happen to like my knees. Sure, I could split my runs between morning and night, but I am not a morning person. I can’t remember the last time I came to work on time as is.

For the last two years I’ve been pushing my 26.2 mile-plan to “next year”. Well, next year is upon me and I’ve made zero attempts at figuring out which race I’ll run and what plan I’ll follow. I am tempted to quickly write something here so that I’m committed and will die of shame when you ask me how many miles I ran last week and my answer is 7. But running, unlike my other whims, requires so much effort (for obvious reasons). I want to do it right and I want to do it well.

Yesterday, I ran 6 miles on the Treadmill. It was boring as hell, and still I couldn’t get myself to run outside. I am hoping that spending 11 days in Charlotte during this break will give me a chance to run outdoors in warmer temperatures. I’ve also ordered some new winter running gear (I can already see Dev frowning). Yes, I am THAT person who spends money on top of the line stuff to run at a pathetic 10 minute per mile pace. But at this point guilt of spending $100 on a pair of leggings is the only thing that will get me out of bed at 5:00am. I’m hoping. (Dev, they aren’t really $100…it’s less than that…umm $100 was just an example…digging deeper)

I am registered for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler on April 5Th, 2009. Last year I did okay without any preparation whatsoever and I’m hoping that with some effort this time, I’ll get a decent PR to qualify for the Chicago Marathon or the Marine Corps Marathon.

I really want to follow through with this. So do me a favor and check in with me the next you see me. Ask the tough question and don’t let me get away with “Oh god, I’m so busy, I haven’t had time”. Don’t let me be a loser. And if you want to come run with me on a weekend, we should totally do it, no?