And I Was Running (And Possibly Stinking)...

Because I have a half marathon coming up in two weeks (that I am FAR from ready for) I have been at least trying to prepare with my running.

This past week I went to the gym to run on the treadmill (which I do when the weather is unsatisfactory for running outside). I noticed that there was an open treadmill on either side of me. And every once in a while someone would jump on them and moments later they would get off and move to another treadmill. I was getting really self-conscious about it, was I starting to stink SO BAD that people wouldn't want to run beside me???

Finally, I decided to break the running code (which is to look straight forward while on the treadmill and not look at anything to do with your neighbors treadmill) and I noticed as someone got on one machine and then immediately to the other and then off to a third one, that neither machine next to me was working.

WHEW.

I really thought it was me! So then I felt it was my duty to tell every person that got on the machines about their unfortunate luck at picking a machine. Until that got tiring. And I eventually just ignored it and finished my run in my own zone and not worrying about their bad machines.

Friday I went back to my favorite gas station (the one that sprayed Emily and I with air freshener the other week) and this time I was lucky enough to be standing next to the worker as he dropped a beer on the ground. And it sprayed all over me!

So then I smelled like beer and had to go home and change. I kinda think they are trying to tell me something... like maybe I smell?

Although, I doubt drenching me in beer would make me smell better.

On Saturday I did a longer run of 6 miles. Though that's not even close to what I need to be ready for the half marathon, I was excited that I finished it and didn't feel bad or even sore the next day!

And last on a running note, my brother and sister-in-law ran the Houston Marathon and Half-Marathon, respectively. I am amazed by them! My brother had (what I believe was) the stomach flu, and yet still finished with his best time yet! He won't claim it was the stomach flu, but he said his stomach kept cramping on and off and he ended up getting "sick" afterwards.

Sounds like the stomach flu to me. But hey, what do I know?

Anyways, he said he thought about slowing down but thought he'd rather quit if he literally could not run anymore, rather than missing his goal time.

(And that my friends, is what separates my brother from me. That is when I stop and quit and don't think twice about it.)

He made his goal time, under 3 hours, with a time of 2:59:44. Just barely, but WOW!!!

I am telling you right now, if I have a stomach bug, I am not running. P.E.R.I.O.D.

Anyhow, that's why he's running the Boston Marathon this year (from qualifying last year during the Houston Marathon, with a time slower than today's). He amazes me beyond belief with his running! Two years ago at the Houston Marathon he had the FLU FLU and still ran (not great, but ran the whole thing)!

He is a running GOD.

My sister-in-law impresses me too. She didn't train more than running 6 miles for this half marathon and she beat her time last year! She managed to finish in 2:15 and says she feels great!

(Everything about that just doesn't compute in my mind, but whatever.)

And may I just add that they did this running in sometimes pouring rain and neither of them even got a single blister on their feet! That just wouldn't happen to me. I would have blisters and end up bleeding and inevitably crying and eventually quitting. But that's just me...

I know I ran 6 miles yesterday, but there is no way I am finishing with that time. My goal is to FINISH before they take me out for being too slow (you can't take more than 4 hours, I've always made it under 3, but I've always trained for a longer period too).

And if I have anything that resembles any sort-of flu ailment, I am staying in bed and not feeling an ounce of guilt about it. P.E.R.I.O.D.

And that, my friends, is how you guarantee you will NEVER run in the Boston Marathon (which is just how I want it)!

(And to all of my friends that know me as "Murph" I know this blog lives up to that name. I realize I am being VERY "Murphy's Law" with this post!)