7 days...

I love count downs! I'm really excited about the Austin Marathon that Melanie, Scott, and I will be running next week. This will be my second Valentine's Day Marathon! I'm a little nervous about this race, because I don't feel ready at all. Taking off almost a month and then trying to squeeze in some running in a few weeks to get me ready for a marathon. Kind of weird. I think I can make it the whole 26.2 miles, but I haven't had a 20 mile run since December. You know what I mean? Anyway, it'll be interesting and I'm still super excited. And yes, ibuprofen will be my best friend that day.

By the way, this is my first race since last May when Travis and I ran the Paris Mountain 15K. I mentioned before that I love racing. I mostly love just being around all the runners of all different abilities with different goals. And I love seeing all the family and friends who come out to support all the runners. I just love being a part of something big like that. Even the smaller races are fun. Where you're usually running by yourself until you get to a water station. And you have people cheering you on. It's just great!

I've been enjoying the "mild" winter weather we've been having. I know those just north of us have been clobbered by snow and ice, but we've been pretty lucky. It's been perfect running weather. I even get to wear my shorts most days. I should enjoy this while I can, because when it gets hot here, it's hot. And I mean HOT.

Okay, so Columbia has a half marathon that they're starting this year. It's two weeks after the marathon on Feb 27. I really want to run it. There's another half on April 10, the Palmetto Half Marathon, which goes through a cool part of Columbia. I pretty much want to run that one, too. And there's also the Bel Monte Bad to the Bone 50K in VA on March 27. And Dad might be in DC during that time. So, of course I would have to do that one. And the Reedy River Run 5K is on March 6. And I've run that the past 2 years (it was my first race ever), so why skip it this year, right? And then there's always the Nashville Country Music Marathon on April 24, that I wanted to run last year, but didn't. And Crystal said she would do the half if I wanted to go. Right, Crystal?? Anyway, I'm sure I won't actually be running all of these races, but it's fun to think about. You know, whoever said that running is an inexpensive sport needs to redo their math. I figured out that if I do all of these races and get new shoes and pay for a hotel where necessary and get new running socks and buy gels and gatorade and gas money for far away races, it kind of adds up.

Columbia Half = $65
Palmetto Half = $55
Bel Monte 50K = $85-$100
Reedy River 5K = $25
Nashville Marathon = $110

1 new pair Brooks Adrenaline (I already have an unused pair waiting to be broken in) = $100

Hotels = $100-$200

2 new pairs good running socks = $25-$30

Gels/chomps/protein bars/gatorade/etc = $200

Gas for VA and TN = $150-$200

Total = $1,085

So, yeah, this is kind of an expensive little hobby. And this will just get me through the Spring. Of course, I don't have to pay for a gym membership. I don't have to pay for an expensive bike (although I'm thinking about biking and/or swimming for cross training). I don't have to pay for a treadmill (yet... thanks Megan for the loaner!). I don't have other expensive hobbies like scrapbooking, cooking (sorry Travis!), traveling, snowboarding, collecting antique cars, boating, scuba diving, auto racing, or mountain climbing. And really, I don't feel bad spending money on running because it makes me really happy. I enjoy running for myself and sharing it with friends and family.

I wish I had fun running pictures to post, but I just don't take pictures while I'm running. Something to do with my huge, clunky camera. Hopefully I'll have some good pictures from Austin (and John's wedding, of course) to post next week.

Have a great week everyone!