roughly 50 ft.

I ran- to the observing eye it was probably a lopsided shuffle but it inside it was my strongest stride ever!

Erin Would Be Proud

My 11 miler today was full of hills.  Not the cute rolling hills, but long stretches of massive inclines.  One after another after another.  I purposefully made the course hard because it was my last double digit run before my thanksgiving half marathon.  Well, around mile 9 I started running up a street I never had before.  I'd driven it, yes, but y'all know incline is totally different on foot.  I turned a corner, realized it was yet ANOTHER crazy long hill.  I stopped.  Looked at the hill. Shook my head and shouted

DAMMIT

then, I strapped on my Erin-hills-are-fun-mojo and ran up that sucker. 

Cussing AND running hills, I truly channeled you today, my friend.  

Cold Air

The other night I walked outside the instant the cold air hit my lungs something inside my body so natural couldn't get enough of that crisp air. I wanted to feel my legs moving quickly beneath me as I filled my lungs....it made me smile and think of all though cold mornings laughing as we ran down the middle of the street in those wee hours of the mornings- followed by a warm cup of joe. (Thanks for the introduction to the coco-motion)

Running For Erin

I've been at a loss for what to do for our sick Tres Amiga, Erin. She's still super sick, still in and out of the hospital a little weaker with each hospitalization. Her attitude is amazing, optimistic, and faith-promoting. After visiting with her in Utah I resolved to be more positive and have more faith that things will eventually turn around. If she can do, by golly, I can too.

Each time I lace up to go out and run I think of her. Lately not a single run has gone by where I haven't thanked God for the opportunity I have to be healthy, to be running, and to realize something that simple can be taken from us so quickly. To honor my friend, my body, and my health I decided my races this summer were to be dedicated to Erin in hopes of her turnaround. I know its not "doing anything" and in the end it only makes ME feel better, but I hope in some small way the Lord feels those extra prayers and the extra pounding on the pavement in her behalf.
This weekend I ran a massive 10k. There were 60,000 runners. Insane, I tell you. I decided to 'go public' with my Erin-ness and spent most of the race answering the question "Who is Erin? Is she ok?" I got to spend my hour of running talking to strangers about my amazing friend and asking them for prayers. If nothing else, now more people in the world are shooting vibes straight to heaven for Erin. Some people misread my shirt and yelled "Go Erin! You're doing GREAT!" It made me teary but I thought, "that's right.. go erin! you ARE doing great! keep fighting!"

My heart breaks for my friend and I wish there was something I could do to make her better. But, until I make the amazing scientific breakthrough, I will continue to take care of my body and enjoy the health I have and pray that Erin will, too, be able to hit the pavement with me again one day.

Update

Our sweet Erin rebounded-ish enough to be discharged for a few weeks this month but she is now back in the hospital. She's still super sick. Her body is still eating itself. She's still under 100 lbs. They still don't know what to do and there are many teams of doctors completely puzzled. There still aren't answers. We don't know what to do for her except pray and hope for the best.

Tres Amigas Prayer

We break this blog silence to ask for a special favor. Our third amiga, Erin, is extremely ill right now. They still aren't sure what's going on. She's been sick for quite awhile now but lately it's gone from bad to worse. She's currently in the hospital, again, fighting. Literally, there is nothing we can do for her right now but pray and hope her doctors can figure out what is destroying our friend. We're feeling antsy and want to DO something. This is where you, our fellow running community come into play. Erin can barely move right now, let alone walk or run....

Would you dedicate your long run this Saturday to Erin?
Would you just think of her, pray for her, send good vibes to her doctors and her body, or even just sprint 400 meters for her?

Running has been my friend, and has brought me some of the best friends a girl could ask for. It has taught me a lot about myself and about life. Running listens to me, and makes me move at a pace where I can listen to myself as well. When its just the two of us on a cold dark morning I know I can count on running to help me work out my thoughts. Oh how grateful I am for running in my world! -Erin 2010

At this point that's all we can do - take it out on the streets and pound out the pavement, each step hopefully sending enough good will to help this thing turn around.

Ankle Weights

I ran 5 miles with ankle weights on yesterday.

At the time I thought it was an awesome idea... push my legs harder and use the muscles more, right?

OH. MY. GOODNESS.

It hurt. It hurt so bad, ladies.

however, it hurt bad enough that I'm determined to do it AGAIN to prove to myself that it doesn't have to hurt that bad each time. cause i'm cool like that.

ps, i just registered for a half marathon on february 26th. woot. it was only $35!!!