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!