I love it...

You know it's gonna be a long run when you have to write down the route so you don't forget where you are going!


On Saturday, I went out for a 14-mile run, one of many long runs ahead of me on this road to the marathon.

There's alot of preparation to go out on a long run. See, I am a "stasher." I hate running with anything on me... no watch, jewelry, and certainly no water/gel pack. So, before my run, I drive to a few locations and "stash" my water and gel. Then, I wrap my bad knee (I'm sure a result of getting older), charge my ipod (it died at mile 2 of a 12-miler I ran recently...not fun!), and fuel, stretch, and hydrate.

Then, I'm off.

At about mile 6, I head north on Val Vista and find myself running in sand for a 1/2 mile. I am immediately taken back to my high school track days. Once a week, our coaches would take us out to Usery to run sprints through the sand. This felt totally unnecessary. If you were on track and competed in a field event, you know what I'm talking about. Running sucked! I can still hear Coach Robinson shouting behind me, "Faster Peterson!" Exhausted, I would respond, "I'm NOT a runner. I'm a high-jumper!" Oh, how I dreaded those Usery days.

17 years later, running through the sand, I am wondering, "Why am I choosing to do this?"


That's an easy one.

Because I love it.


And, Coach Robinson, thank you...
Bet you never would have guessed it, but

Today, I AM a runner.