no guts, no glory

First of all, results from Saturday's race - because I know my readers (all none of them?) are anxious to hear.

36:09.

THIRTY.
SIX.
OH.
NINE.

I nearly cried when I crossed the finish line. And then walked around with my banana and powerade with a stupidly goofy smile on my face. Not a bad way to start a birthday, I say.

The rest of the birthday was quite amazing too, thanks in no small part to a bunch of amazing girls who I love more than words could express.

--
At any rate, when I got back to Raleigh, I spoke with my best friend, who was telling me about the races she was looking at for the summer. She's never run one before, and thought it would be high time to start - and she's certainly going in headfirst. She's found races of all varying lengths over the next few months to help her prepare.

So began my search for a long race sometime before September 27, when I'm running a 10K in Charlotte. Unfortunately, active.com showed no long races (other than some marathons and half marathons) between now and my October 11 foray into the half-marathon world.

Except...next weekend. Two different 10Ks - one a little closer to home, another in Greensboro. I went out on a limb, made overconfident perhaps by my recent success in Lake Wylie. I'm registered for a 10K next. weekend. That's only ten days away! I am equal parts excited, scared, and driven.

So I went out for a 6 mile run today, just to prove to myself that I could do it without dying and that I'll do it without dying next weekend. I decided to try a lake trail at a park by my work. A few mishaps and falls and bloodied knees later, and I had completed 6.5 miles. Now, I'll admit I walked the last mile or so because my body just simply couldn't do it anymore. But I don't care. I did it. I didn't die, and I only fell twice. Maybe three times. :)

So here's the run down, because I'm just too tired to write any more tonight.

Days to Freedom Run 10K: 10
Days to Hartford ING Half Marathon: 113
Total Mileage: 6.5 (give or take a tenth of a mile)
Wildlife spotted: snapping turtle, deer, bird or two, and a rather rambunctious squirrel.
Wipeouts: Two - resulting in two skinned knees, a bloody elbow, and one heck of a bruise.