I have to hijack all the fun NYC posts for a minute to brag talk about my first half marathon this morning! It was the “Snohomish River Run”, held on a lovely winding road next to a river in Snohomish, Washington. My boss convinced me to sign up for it months ago. I’ve spent the last 2 months following the “Hal Higdon Half Marathon Training Program”, which basically amounts to 3 runs a week, each week’s long run getting progressively longer so by the week before the marathon, you’re expected to complete a 10 mile run.

Not only did I complete the 10 mile run one week ago (10.4, really), but I completed it on the first day of my period, which historically has always been a hellish, horrible time for me. I pretty much decided that I was Wonder Woman after that, and could do ANYTHING…including a measly 13.1 mile run…with a cold.

Interestingly enough, just like I didn’t notice my period cramps when I was running last weekend, I completely forgot about my cold while I was running today. Of course now that I’m home all of my cold symptoms are back, but it’s interesting how your body suppresses all that nonsense while you’re running. Something to think about!

Mr. Bubble Butt did not train for this race, but he did a couple of my longer training runs with me. He’s been a runner far longer than me, but he’s still in just as much pain right now. I’ve been moving the ice pack all over my body since we arrived back home (after inhaling blueberry pancakes, sausage and eggs). Mmmmm. The Internet suggested that I “carbo-load” last night, and boy howdy! Cheese tortellini, garlic bread and apple pie with French vanilla ice cream for dessert!

I’m all zitty from adding sugar and carbs back into my diet this week, but was my run pleasant? Welllll…up until the VERY end, yes. Very little pain. By the last half mile though, my dogs were barking.

Yesterday the weather had been nuts all day–rainy, terrible wind, thunder and lightning. Bear Cub was not having a good time. But, thanks to some miracle…the sun was shining and there was no wind at all during our run. I was very thankful.

We didn’t run with my co-workers because I knew they would outpace me (big time), but we finished at 2:56 and I’m fine with that. I don’t run for speed…I run for the serotonin boost (it really happens), and for BRAGGING RIGHTS, DUH!

Have a flabulous Sunday, blog-logs. I’ll be back with more NYC fun next week.