When you know you know

When you are a runner you get the insanity. If you are not a runner you simply find runners insane. The girl reminds me of my brother who though as supportive as he is he simply does not get it. He went with me to the Disneyland last half marathon and at 5 in the morning he was asking the same questions and comments. What is the purpose of this race if you are not going to win? Why would they give you a medal if you did not win, I thought winners get medals. This is what you do for fun? Needless to say I am trying hard to rewire his brain and convert him and drag him away from the dark side. One day he too will be a great runner and have someone yammering in his ear those silly questions at 5 in the morning.

Where have all the Texaco Roadmaps Gone?

As I hemmed my pants with packing tape I began to wonder how did we get so far from where we started. When I was a child my mother would never allow me to leave the house with duct tape in lieu of having a visit to a professional seamstress. For some people life is all mapped out, easy, consistent, settle for what is right in front of them, never searching, never varying too far off course. The renegades, those whose heads are not as tightly screwed on, however have a different view towards life, head on, guns blazing, hair on fire, running with scissors. The path may not always be so clear, but we will keep on searching even when we have no idea where we're going. Searching for what I do not know, but we will keep on searching till we get it right. Besides Springsteen; the one thing that gets me through the not knowing, the feeling of being out of control, is running. Running is my one constant. Good days, bad days running is always there for me. Easy on me, on days when I need a soft embrace from the world and hard on those days when I need a challenge. Maybe Springsteen had the right idea all those years ago, perhaps he was holding the key, the holy grail, 'We can make it if we run.'

Daily Kick in the Butt

Running is my addiction. It's always present. I'm constantly thinking about my next run. ~Jeff Corwin

Pay yourself to run...

If I had a dollar every time.. Ever say that phrase? Well here is a fun concept pay yourself to run. This is way better than keep the change. This is keep the change 2.0, hard core. I not only get to keep the change, but I get to burn the calories. Think about it, if you paid yourself $1 for each mile you run while training for a half marathon, you could treat yourself to something really nice after the race or even at the expo prior to the race. I mean what girl does not love a shopporunity? I don't know about you, but I think that something like this could catch on. Today I ran 7 miles and I honestly can't tell you the difference between running 3 miles versus 7 miles besides the extra time. I actually enjoyed the time that I spent outside and felt accomplished at the end of my run. The next time I go to the bank I am definitely going to be asking for a lot of one dollar bills. The teller at the bank might be wondering where I am going with a stack of dollar bills. Should I clarify or let her keep on guessing?

Monday Run

Another day, another run under my belt, though I don't wear belts not even a running belt with water. I felt accomplished after today's run and feel that I will be ready for the October 9 Long Beach International City Bank Half Marathon. Prior to deciding upon running in this race I was vacillating between this race and the Camarillo Half Marathon. Call me crazy, but after reading a disclaimer on the race page stating the following, 'It is the athletes responsibility to know the entire course prior to stepping onto the starting line.' I don't know about you, but this kind of made me nervous. I could see it now people with flash lights looking for a lost runner named Melissa. I just want to be able to go to a race and not have to worry about thinking such thoughts as do I turn right or left? Besides this major deterrence I happen to think that a medal a with a palm tree and a light house will go nicely with my 2006 Rock and Roll Phoenix Half Marathon Medal of a cactus. Maybe I should start running in races where the medals have different trees and plants. Crazy? Well its just a thought!

The New Deal

Change of plans. As it turns out I will sadly not be running in this years Walt Disney World's Wine and Dine Half Marathon. Due to this change I decided to hatch out a plan and chart out the first half of my insane challenge, 13 Going on Crazy. To alleviate possible alterations to my plan I have decided that it is best to stay local or as close to local as possible meaning any race is all systems a go assuming that I can drive to the race.

Drum roll please...Here is the breakdown:

The Challenge Races 2-6

1. October 9, 2011 Long Beach International City Bank Half Marathon
2. November 6, 2011 Santa Clarita Half Marathon
3. December 11, 2011 Santa to The Sea Half Marathon
4. January 29, 2012 Disneyland Inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon (I am SO excited for this race)
5. February is quite the toss up...In an ideal world, keeping fingers and toes crossed I will be running in Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon on February 26, 2012. If the stars do not align I will either be running in the Run Surf City Half Marathon on February 5, 2012 or the Inaugural Rock and Roll Pasadena Half Marathon on February 19, 2012. Time will tell.

Check back soon for part duex of 13 Going on Crazy... Did I just purchase a ticket on the Titanic?

Dairy Friend or Foe...

I have lived in my body for over 28 years that should make me the landlord of my body. What was I thinking to indulge in Menchies? It was as though I had two mini Melissa's sitting on my shoulders. The one on the left dressed in white wearing a halo and the one on the right dressed in a red robe with a smirk on her face holding a pitch fork in one hand and a cup Menchies in the other. Obviously the fast talking smirking girl in red took over and I did not just walk I ran to Menchies like a mental patient who escaped from Bellevue or Shutter Island. Low and behold my body revolted kicking, screaming, and yelling damn fool! Since I was fresh out of excuses I had no choice, but to put on my shoes on and hit the pavement. My lapse in judgement may have slowed me down and impeded upon my run, but I decided to honor my commitment in myself and simply run.