Running in the Rain

I've learned from my cat to just turn around and go back in the house if it is pouring outside.  Kinda rough on the training schedule since it has been pretty damp here in Seattle.  But if I can get outside BEFORE the big drops arrive, I am okay.  I've come home looking like a wet rat many times and always feel so virtuous for sticking to my running plan. 

This fabulous group of women placed FIRST in the walking team category of the Barrel 2 Key Relay this summer in Oregon! How can you not smile and have fun when your team is called "Don't Worry Be Hippy" and you are speed walking from Barrel 2 Keg. 

Time Flies

I have been quite lax with my correspondence this past year--both personally and professionally.  Overwhelmed with too many things to take care of. Wen I decided to resurrect my blog, I was quite shocked to discover that my last post was from October 2013.  And here I am now, still undertrained again for the 2014 Columbia Gorge Marathon. 

About a month ago I felt a sharp pain in my knee during a short training run.  Well that pain has not disappeared so finally went to see a sports medicine doctor.  Surprise, surprise I have arthritis in my knee. 

I was happy to learn that I didn't tear or break an important body part.  And with the knowledge that I have a lifetime condition that I have to live with anyway, I am putting my running shoes back on.  I will dial back my running--lower mileage and fewer days/wk.  But I'm still running my marathons.  Well maybe run/walk with more walking. 

I'm a slower marathoner anyway.  Knowing that I need to take it easy on knees makes me feel okay and smart about being at the back of the back.  Whereas I would put imaginary pressure on myself to train harder and get faster.  Now I just feel fortunate for any running I can do.