Key lesson learned for races - get directions TO the race, not just the race course map. Never made it to my race last night. Couldn’t find the dern thing. Found the Capitol dome and lots of neighborhoods that I didn’t want to be in, but no race. I need one of those GPS runners watches just to GET me to the race.
On the plus side, Jason and the girls had gotten my ice cream in which to drown my sorrows. And frozen orange juice to dip into, in case I was trying to avoid the calories of the ice cream. And then I ran this morning - 3 miles on the treadmill while I was trying to avoid the rain, and then 8 miles on the trail after I decided to avoid the boredom of the treadmill. All I can say is, Ken, I was actually glad the softball game got rained out. The idea of sprinting around the bases was none too appealing.
July 18th, 2004
Running a race tomorrow. 8K, which my calculator tells me works out to 4.96 miles. Not the longest I’ve ever run, but definitely a challenging test for me. So, I was surprised to hear that a coworker is running this same race, and that she doesn’t consider herself a runner. This came about, as she explained, as a result of ‘beer muscle’. A group of her friends and she were talking about the race, and decided on a whim to do it. Heck, and there’s beer at the end of the race - what more could you want?
I actually hadn’t realized the beer at the end thing when I signed up. To me, it’s another notch towards the marathon distance. I’ll run it, aiming for 55 minutes or so, and then I’ll meet my sis for dessert. Gotta replace those calories I’ve burned somehow - might just melt away otherwise… 
Whilst my friend is pouring down the brews, I’ll be sliding down some ice cream.
I’m desperately hoping I come in ahead of my coworker. I’ve been beaten by grannies, by folks pushing jogging strollers, by little kids… I don’t consider myself fast. But I’m working on the dedicated runner angle… ‘Twould suck skunked beer suds if I was beaten by someone running purely for the frosty mug at the end.
July 16th, 2004
