The first time I put “run a marathon” on my to-do list it was the spring of 2003.  Coincidentally, I lived in Washington, DC at the time, as well.  I bought a new pair of shoes, mapped running routes and filled in the first few weeks of training runs on my schedule.  That was eight years ago and “run a marathon” is still on my bucket list.  I don’t think I ever got past mile six in the 2003 training runs.

I’ve taken a windy road over the years, but it’s led me back to DC and back to training for a marathon.  Only this time, I’m actually doing it.   I’ve done all the long runs (20 miles was the longest) and am (thankfully!) in taper mode now.  There are a few key differences as to why I think I’ve been successful this time around.

I’ve looked at this training as not “to-do” but “get-to.”  As can be expected, my perspective on life has changed and been influenced by my experiences over the years.  Here’s the highlight of the reasons why I get-to train for a marathon:

I have the luxury of time.

I do not have to work 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet, I have a flexible schedule, and I am not responsible for anyone but me.  I recognize this now and am not taking it for granted.  I am amazing and inspired by the people who do not have the same luxury of time, but somehow make training (or school and life in general) work.

I can nourish my body with the nutrients necessary to keep me healthy and strong.

I have resources that allow me to make choices with the food I eat including where, when, what type and in what quantities I buy it.

I have no injuries.

Everything from the top of my head down to my toes is in working order.  I don’t suffer from chronic pain or illness.  I have been lucky to not trip, slip or fall to cause injury during training or everyday movement.

I have a support network – from afar.

Dana and I text or call each other every day to check in with miles, weather, general impressions of our day and runs.  It’s encouraging to know that someone else is out there pounding the pavement away towards the same goal.  And, I am thankful for all the encouraging words from friends, family and mere acquaintances that have read the blog.  It does make a difference to know that there are others out there who have enjoyed reading along.

I have a support network – close to home.

I couldn’t have gotten this far without the support of my friends in DC.  Bridget has been there since day and mile 1.  She is eager to catch up with me on our standard route to the White House, and running with her is a highlight of my time in DC.  Michael, Fred, Gina and Molly M. have jumped onboard to help me chip away at the miles, too.

I could go on and on about all of the above reasons why I am lucky I get to train (and soon!) run a marathon, but I’ll stop here and just say I am very thankful to get to log another mile in this thousand mile journey.

My year of a thousand miles will not equal a year of one thousand blog entries (many of you on my Facebook feed will appreciate that fact!).  At the yoga studio last week, someone said, “It’s so nice it’s not January, the classes aren’t as crowded.”  The opposite is true on the streets in DC.  The warmer temperatures and tour buses have people out exploring this great city.

I am proud to be one who hears the crunch of the gravel beneath my feet on the Mall, smells the fried doughnuts outside of Crispy Cream, listens to the music playing on the outdoor patios in Georgetown and anticipates the budding cherry tree blossoms.   Bridget and I have been logging longer runs on the weekends and it feels good to push a little further and pick up the pace.  We aren’t speed demons by any stretch of the imagine, but we are out pounding the pavement and learning more about yourselves and our friendship through the miles.

Next Tuesday marks the fifth anniversary of the passing of my good friend, Bruce Hogan.  Running brought Bruce and I together in MaCall, Idaho.  We spent the fall gardening and picking apples together.  In the winter, I made him oatmeal and warmed milk for his breakfast while learning about his rich life and the painful truths of death & cancer.  I’ve celebrated his life in the mountains of Tibet and on a beach in Vietnam.  I’m already looking forward to running with Jenna through the streets of DC to honor his memory and celebrate friendship.

Amy’s Runs: Saturday, 1 hour / approximately 4m pool run with Bridget and Amy; Sunday, 6.5m run through Rock Creek Park, the Mall and Dupont with Bridget, Gina and Colleen; Monday, 3m run to White House – 106 total miles in 2011

A month ago, Amy, tagged me with the Stylish Blogger Award, so here’s seven things about me.  Dana and Holly – you’re up next!

I didn’t disappear, I just crashed two hard drives in a row. No computer at home, no time for blogging at work. So, silence on the blog!

I saw 127 Hours last night, the movie about Aron Ralston saving his life by cutting his arm off in a lonely desert canyon. It wasn’t quite a classic, but very well done. Tense but ultimately cathartic.

“It may not be pretty, but surviving is grit and determination in its highest form. I learned that I’ve got the capacity to do a hell of a lot more than I thought I could if I have the proper motivation.” – Aron Ralston

Today was the first run below 50 degrees. I decided to stop briefly and fool around with my new Hipstamatic app. In doing so, I realized that, even when my runs are slow, I almost always push myself. Faster, faster, faster. Good to remember runs are about play and adventure, too. Even on a Tuesday morning.

Me: OK, you drank an entire pot of coffee. Time to run!
Body: No.
Me: Yes.
Body: Um…. No.
Me: YES.
Body: If you wanted me to run today, you should have reconsidered white wine at lunch AND dinner yesterday.
Me: OK. I’m definitely behind the glass at lunch. But I think I can blame you for the dinner.
Body: You know it doesn’t work that way.
Me: Sure it does. They’ve known since Schopenhauer that the body can act on impulses completely separate from the conscious mind.
Body: You just made that up.
Me: Yeah, it’s possible. Look…. We’ll only run two miles.
Body: Eh.
Me: You know you’ll feel better afterwards.
Body: Meh.
Me: And maybe we’ll have pizza.
Body: Done.

15 minutes later, 1 mile in…

Body: This isn’t really so bad.
Me: Hey look, people kayaking on the East River. That looks fun!
Body: You know.., maybe we should run 3 miles? Who runs two miles anyway? We’re way beyond 2 mile runs.
Me: Word.

Another mile later….

Body: OK, time to turn home if we’re running 3.
Me: But this is the prettiest part of the park! If we don’t finish the loop, we’ll miss it.
Body: Whatever.

In the home stretch…

Me: Body?
Body: Yes, Sara?
Me: I think we can blame the dinner wine on the waitress. She wouldn’t quit pouring.
Body: Done.

Happy at Bethany Beach

Today was my first day back at work after vacation and I was large and in charge. YAY vacation – but even more, YAY morning run. Once again, running rescued me from a night of poor sleep and the threat of a sluggish day.  And to think, I ALMOST DIDN’T GO!

Constantly reminding yourself how good you’ll feel after your workout is a great way to make sure you don’t skip it. Why would you want to waste a day when you could feel absolutely spectacular?

I slept late, so started running late, so went to work late, so worked late. But sleeping 7+ hours AND getting the run in was the right thing. It’s always the right thing.

Power Yoga founder Bryan Kest, in one of his early ’90s videos, admonishes you, “This is your yoga for the day! Don’t rush it! It’s a gift! Enjoy it! Do it right!” (He teaches the class wearing acid washed cut-off jeans; oh how yoga has changed.) I often hear that in my head when I run: This is your run for the day. You only get one chance to do it right. So don’t fight it; make the most of the time. Savor the gift.

Sunshine. Rain. Love. Twist endings. Hugs. The freedom to make and recover from impulsive decisions.

But I also believe happiness is a state of mind. I mean, don’t tell me to smile while you push me onto a bed of nails. But apart from extremes, dandelions in the concentration camp and whatnot, it’s more or less true. You can choose to be happy.

How do you do that? Go for your run. Screw excuses. Screw obstacles. GO. That’s an active choice to be happy. It’s saying, “I choose to do what makes me feel good. I choose to protect it and let everything else flow from that.”

It’s standing up for your belief in the best-case scenario for your life, not the rainy day version – whatever the weather.