Can I do the 26.2? (That rhymes.)

(FYI: I have an exam in one hour and my brain is so through with studying Negotiation that I thought I would decompress by blogging. Thank you. And, you're welcome.)

Okay so, basically I run for many reasons. Here are a few:
1. Because I can.
2. Because I feel free and weightless when I run.
3. Because other people can't.
4. Because other people won't.
5. Because I love a challenge, especially a physical challenge.
6. Because I can lose weight.
7. Because I love the post-race celebrations and brunches.
8. Because races make me wake up early on weekend morning when everyone else is still recovering from binge drinking.

It is reason #5 that I am pondering today. So I have already under my belt, 2 Half Marathons, a 10-miler, and a host of shorter races. I'm signed up for a bunch more races in the next few months about which I am excited. My New Years Resolutions for 2010 are (a) to run (at least) one race per month, and (b) to complete a Triathlon. I basically have my races lined up for 2010, especially because I just discovered a Womens sprint-distance triathlon in Philly for August. (http://www.sheroxtri.com/Philadelphia-PA-1162.html).

As I register and plan for more races, I start to think about and seriously ponder the BIG one.

The MARATHON.

26.2 miles of perseverance.

Can I do it? Am I strong enough? Do I even really want to? When will I be ready? What will training be like? What will it feel like to finish?

As I see it, I have 2 possible FULL MARATHON options for 2010:
1. Baltimore Running Festival - October 2010
Instead of running the Half like I was planning to, I can just sign up for the full. And probably want to kill myself afterwards because the course is so darn hilly.

2. Rock n Roll Las Vegas Marathon - December 2010
Flat course in one of my favorite cities. I could make a weekend of it and recruit people to come with and either run or cheer.

I don't know what to do yet. I'm still in the deciding phase. But how cool would it be to cap off my first full year of running with a FULL MARATHON?!

I'll think about it and let you all know...

Marathon Photo Rocks My World: Best Running Pics Ever Taken

Maybe it's cause I walked the last 3 miles (all sorts of body craziness going on) or maybe it's cause I am just naturally a hottie, but these pics from the Cherry Blossom 10-miler are AMAZING.

Quite possibly the best running pics ever taken... EVER.

http://tinyurl.com/y2c62m2

Let me know which one(s) I should order!

Cherry Blossom 10-miler: Worth It?

Yesterday, my friends and I ran the Cherry Blossom 10-mile (and 5K) run in Washington, DC. It is a beautiful scenic route that started at the Washington Monument and wound around the cherry trees in DC. We had a beautiful day to run it and all should have been good.

I'm not so sure that this race was worth it. Here are several reasons why I think so:

1. There were over 18,000 people signed up for the two races. This meant that there was so much fighting for running space that it was hard to get into a good pace. This also meant that the Metro to get there was overcrowded, the line for the port-a-potties was looooooong, and it was difficult to find your friends at the end.

2. The race swag was terrible. The t-shirt is a plain shirt (no wicking) with a regular design on the front in a boring cobalt blue color. And that's all the swag there was. No hats, no medals, no extra t-shirts, not even free water and snacks at the finish line.

3. The lottery process to get in. You can't just sign up. You have to sign up (and enter your credit card information) BEFORE you find out if you've been chosen for the race. And you have to do it in December.

I had a good time though. I love running races with my friends. I love seeing other "unlikely runners" out at the races and having their spectators cheer me on too. I love drinking mojitos at Lauriol Plaza afterwards. And most of all, I love that feeling you get when you finish a race and realize that YOU CAN DO IT!

My New Year's Resolution: 2010 Running Calendar

One of my New Years Resolution this year was to run at least one race every single month in 2010. So far, here is a list of races that I've registered for, completed, or am currently contemplating:

January
1st - Resolution Run 5K (Baltimore, completed)

February
7th - Superbowl 5K (Dundalk, canceled)

March
21st - Shamrock Half Marathon (Virginia Beach, VA, completed)

April
11th - Cherry Blossom 10-miler (DC, completed)
25th - Port to Fort 6K (Baltimore, registered)

May
1st - Race for the Cure 5K (Raleigh, NC, registered)
23rd - Maryland Half Marathon (Frederick)

June
6th - Zooma Annapolis Half Marathon (Annapolis, registered)
19th - Baltimore 10-miler (Baltimore, registered)

July
????

August
????

September
12th - Parks Half-Marathon (Gaithersburg)
25th - Fall into Fitness Catonsville 10K (Baltimore)

October
16th - Baltimore Running Festival Half Marathon (Baltimore)

November
25th - Catonsville High School 5K Turkey Trot (Baltimore)

December
5th - Rock and Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon (Las Vegas, NV)

As you can see, I need races for July and August (the hottest most humid months in which to run). Any suggestions?

There's Nothing Like The First Time

I am running a Half Marathon on March 21st. It will be my 2nd Half Marathon. My first Half Marathon was the Baltimore Running Festival in October of 2009. This second Half Marathon will be the Virginia Beach Shamrock Half Marathon. I am so excited to be able to do this and others seem impressed at my running prowess. (Read: When guys hit on me in bars, they think it's cool that I can run so far.)




While I relentlessly and tirelessly trained for my first Half, I have been slacking this time around. I haven't been getting all of my runs in, especially not the long ones. I start each new week with the mind to run like I know I need to, but finish each week falling short of this goal.

There are three reasons why I am not on it like I was for my October race:

1. I already know I can do it. I've run 13.1 miles before, I can do it again.
2. I am much busier. I began training last summer for my 1st, when I had a lot more free time.
3. It's cold outside and there is 3 feet of snow on the ground. This makes it hard to do the outdoor runs that I love so much. I am not the hugest fan of the treadmill.

But, I have 5 weeks until the race. During these 5 weeks, I am also have my last law school prom (Barrister's Ball) and a 5-day sojourn in Vegas for spring break with my girlfriends (who are also running the same Half). I need to get on my job and get to running. Just because this Half isn't the first, that doesn't make it any less special or important.

Allow Me To Introduce Myself...

Hi, my name is Sabrina and I am addicted to long-distance running.

This isn't a shocking addiction. Many people all over the world love to run for sport, hobby, and health, and I fall squarely into all three of those categories. What makes me different (and, if not shocking, at least unconventional) is that I don't resemble your typical long-distance runner.

I'm short. I'm curvy. I'm Black. I'm a woman. I'm in my late 20's. I live downtown. I am a busy, working, professional with a desk job (or at least I will be in a few months). I party a lot. I don't own (or want to own) any pets. I don't recycle. I own a fur coat. I could go on. I just know that when I show up at the start line for my races, I don't see a whole lot of people like me AND the vast majority of my friends, family, and associates are at home sleeping or at the finish line waiting to cheer me on.

My point is, I love to run and I love to inspire others to run. I especially love to inspire and unite all of the other "unlikely runners" out there, people like me who may not think that they can run because they don't really come from a group/area/family that runs.

I started this blog to chronicle my adventures in race-land, to give and receive pointers, tips, and suggestions, to encourage others to get out there and get to running, and to document all of my races. I hope that a) I will keep up with writing this blog and b) people will read and enjoy it.

So folks, strap on your running shoes and come with me. It's fun, I promise!