First Run of 2007

Today I went for my first run of the new year. How pathetic is it that we're 14 days into 2007 before I go running? I really have just not had the motivation. I have been concentrating on other activities as of late. I have been going to the shooting range pretty much every other weekend, doing a fair amount of reading, and doing some writing as well. That's not to say that I've been too busy to run. More like too lazy and unmotivated. I guess right now I just need to figure out where running fits in to the tapestry of interests, activities, and responsibilities that is my life. Running definitely has a place in there somewhere - it always will - but at this point I'm not sure how prominent of a place that will be. There is a big part of me that wants to be in marathon shape again, but (at least for right now) there's a bigger part of me that doesn't have the energy and drive to make it happen.

It's funny how you never quite appreciate how good of shape you're in approaching a marathon until you look back later at pictures, race times and mile splits and think to yourself, "I really did that? That's pretty impressive. I really ran that far? I really pushed that hard? I really ran two marathons two weeks apart? I really 'warmed up' with two miles before a half-marathon just so I could get in the full fifteen for the day?" I guess that when you're caught up in the whirlwind of training and racing there's just no time for reflection. The whole experience doesn't have sufficient time to sink in until weeks or even months later. Then it hits you and you're amazed by your accomplishments as if somebody else was responsible for them.

I potentially have a pretty big change coming up soon as I may be changing jobs. My manager announced his impending departure a week or so ago (no big surprise) and at this point I don't know who will be stepping in to his role. I am a little wary of some of his potential successors. I'm just not sure that they're the kind of people that I want to work for at this point. Not that my current manager is anything to get overly excited about, but he lets us "do our thing" and doesn't sweat us over the details. I don't like to be micro-managed. I have a job to do and I'm very capable of doing it without somebody hounding me about it. Some of the most likely candidates to replace my manager tend to micro-manage and apply more pressure to their direct reports. That won't work too well for me. I may have an opportunity to take a rotation (a lateral move) down at our Ft. Washington facility. I'm not too thrilled about the hour-plus commute, but there are a bunch of people that carpool and I have a friend who works down there that lives about a half-hour from the facility. I thought maybe her and I could work something out as far as driving goes. I'm going to wait and see who takes the position and becomes my new boss before I set the wheels of career change in motion, but let's just say that the engine is warmed up.

Back to running, I'm not sure what my current plans are for the spring (if any). At this point, I'm thinking that it might be a good idea for me to use the spring as a chance to get back to a good base of conditioning, maybe run some shorter races, and try to recapture the fun and enjoyment of running. Late in the spring I can decide what I want to do for the fall. I'm considering doing the Marine Corps again, but not trying for a PR or any overly optimistic goal time (it's just too difficult in that kind of crowd). I'll just run it to enjoy the atmosphere and the scenery. You know, I barely remember anything about the course from the last time? I guess that I just had tunnel vision and wasn't really paying attention to my surroundings all that much. Registration starts in May, but that may not be a problem as Team Tylenol is one of the MCM sponsors and I know that last year they were offering free and guaranteed registration to the MCM for 25 employees. Hopefully, they will do the same this year and I will jump on it. One of the nice things about MCM is the timing. It's two weeks before Harrisburg (my favorite marathon and current PR course). That gives me time to train hard over the summer, run the MCM at a comfortable pace and then come back and run Harrisburg hard two weeks later. That's basically what happened two years ago; even though I hadn't initially planned it that way. It worked out really well. Harrisburg is such a low-stress marathon to run. The organization is superb, the weather is usually nice and cool, and with only about 500 or so runners, you don't need to worry about being boxed in or any such thing. You can definitely run your own race. I will just click on my iPod and be off in my own little world.

I did enjoy my run today (an easy 4-miler). It was raining slightly, but it was in the low 50s so it was still pretty nice. I took the dog for a walk early in the afternoon and that got my legs warmed up so that by the time I got back I was pumped up to go out and run. I did really well at the beginning of the run and on all of the flats and downhill portions. When I really notice my lack of conditioning is on the uphills. The way out wasn't so bad, but on the way back I could really tell that my breathing was elevated and my chest burned a little....ahhhh the joys of being out of shape. I'm also pretty sure that my legs will be somewhat tender tomorrow. That serves me right for being such a lazy piece of pooh lately.

Well, 2006 is behind me. It wasn't the greatest year for me in a lot of ways, but overall I have to admit that I have nothing to complain about. I'm healthy (a little overweight for a runner but hey), basically happy, I'm not wanting for anything important, and I have a great network of family and friends to support me. Not a day goes by that I don't appreciate where I've made it in life and all of the things that I am fortunate to have and to have experienced. Here I now stand at the threshold of a new year with a fresh opportunity for making new memories.