Running has been "my thing" for quite some time now. In high school I ran track, always long distance, back then long distance meant two miles. Two miles! If only that were still long distance. Now, two miles is almost a warm up. Somedays it takes three miles before my legs really even seem ready to go. I remember training in high school for those long distanced races and being dropped off by my track coach three miles from town. She would kick us out of her car and say goodbye to each of us by shouting out the times she expected to see us back in town. I do miss those days, especially having someone cheering me on, making me work, do far-licks on days when I had no gumption whatsoever. When I run, I am my own motivator, and somedays that is the hardest part of all. I often joke that the hardest part of my run, is putting on my running gear. Once the shoes are on, I'm committed. Somedays it takes all day to get those shoes on. I'm sure I am not alone in these feelings, working out is hard. Waking up in the face of a fifteen mile run is not always easy, but when those fifteen miles are finished I feel like there is nothing in this world I cannot tackle, and that inspires me to keep challenging myself. Not everyday, but every week, even if it is a lazy week. I have completed three marathons in my twenty-seven years, and hope to continue tallying marathons well into a ripe old age. I would love to be featured in Runners World at 83, running my 50th marathon...or something like that. Now I am beginning my training for a fourth, the Venice Marathon. Life has brought me to Italy, and I am now living here. It is quite wonderful and the running trail that runs through my town provides spectacular views of the mountains. The trail winds through farms and old towns, lined with trees for shade and not a vehicle in site. Yesterday, was the first day of my training. I haven't used a training guide since my first marathon. I did then, and since figured the process was pretty simple and have set personal bests since. By goal distance before the race (October 23rd), is 21 miles. I have a little over three months, so my first long distance run will start out at ten miles. Week 1 Schedule: Monday--4 miles (fast pace) Tuesday--Cross Train** Wednesday--6 miles (moderate) Thursday--8 miles (light run) Friday--2 miles (fast pace) Saturday--10 miles (light run) **I crossed trained today, Tuesday, because yesterday I tweaked a muscle in my calf. It was better today, but I could still feel the tension. I feel like all too many runners ignore their pains and push through, causing more damage than good. My philosophy is too take a step back, so I don't have to take a leap back in the future when I completely injure and damage myself. So today, I biked for 13 miles (eventually with a very flat tire, so I feel like I used a lot more energy with this ride!) Moment from the trail: I got stuck. Sometimes I have issues with switching gears, and today this was the case. It was paper day in Aviano, so the garbagemen were out. When the bike path connected with the main road, I was positioned directly behind the garbage truck, on a hill. I slowed to get around and switched gears, in the wrong direction, making the forward motion almost impossible. The nice Italian garbageman must have sensed my struggle, he shouted something in Italian as I passed, and as I went by I felt a lurch of momentum surge through my bike. Wow! I thought, only to hear the Italian laugh and wave. He gave me a push. I haven't felt like a four year old on training wheels in quite some time. Thank you Italian Garbageman. Ciao!