Thankful

A typical running week is one long run (8-9 miles) and two short runs (3 miles each) for a total of 14-15 miles per week. 

However, this week we were preparing for Thanksgiving and I just didn't have the time to complete that 9 mile run, so I created a series of descending runs (6 miles, 5 miles, 4 miles, and finally 3 miles) for a total of 18 miles per week. 

This descending series was so much fun: 

* Okay, so the 6 miler was just a normal run, but 6 miles is one of my favorite distances. 

* The five miler Mike dropped me off and I ran home so I got to run through a different part of town and listen to the new album of my favorite band. It's the simple things when running. 

* The 4 miler ended up being all uphill, no kidding. I planned on one huge, major uphill, knowing I could recover on the downhill. Then I anticipated the rest of the run would be flat. However, I took a wrong turn and ended up in a park that was a series of 8 switchbacks, which you guessed it, were all uphill! After pausing to take photos of the gorgeous view I headed back down the switchbacks. Now I could have run flat road home but I figured I'd done so many hills already, what was one last hill? So I turned to run back up and down that original huge, massive hill one more time. It was so amazing and powerful to run all those hills. I kept hearing my aunt's voice that says hills make you faster. I loved every minute of it. 

* The last run, the 3 miler was equally as great. It was more uphills, but my aunt was right, I was so much faster (It works like that, right? ;) ). After cresting a huge ridge, I ran a long stretch of a downhill and actually hit a 9 minute mile (which is fast for me). Coming back was a long, long uphill as I ran back to the ridge. However once I made it over the ridge it was downhill again for 1/2 mile and I ran as fast as I could and finished at a 7:52 pace (WOW). What an amazing, fast run! 

(View from the ridge)

As I finished my series today, I was so thankful for such a fun and invigorating set of runs. I was thankful for the hills and the power and strength to conquer each one. I was thankful for legs that could carry me faster than I thought possible. And I was thankful for a family that supports me while I'm out doing all this running. 

Am I crazy? I can't decide.

I recently completed my first 1/2 marathon. If you stood within ten feet of me the week following, then I'm sure I bored you to death with all the details. 

When I was done I felt great, except for one toe, an especially horrid runner's toe. The toe was so injured that I said I might not do another 1/2 marathon. I said it might be better to just end on a great race. I said I had until February to decide (since that's the next race I actually paid for). 

I've spent these last two weeks not running much. I did a five miler with my dog that I walked part of and a six miler (that felt great) today. That's it. No mid-week runs, nothing. Needless to say, if I plan on more 1/2 marathons, I need to have better dedication to maintain my base. 

During these two weeks I've also spent some time looking for a fun Santa 5k. Something quick and easy. Instead what I found was a Santa 1/2 marathon in an awesome setting (Knotts). There are holiday cookies and candy along the way, and of course, the main reason I run, a medal. As I sat looking at the race's website, I forgot all about the promises to my toe and the doubts in my mind. 

I looked at a calendar to see if it was even possible to train in time (it is). I thought about running for 2 hours and 26 minutes again (it didn't seem THAT long, did it? I don't remember). I thought about if I could do it without my family standing there (I'm not sure). And yet, I thought, I still might. I still might want to put myself through the time, the training, and the pain (sorry toe). 

Since I can't decide, anyone want to weigh in? Should I or should I not? Any comments or input to help my undecided brain?