'Tis the season for New Year's resolutions. I don't like that word "resolution" - it sounds like an act of Congress or something (I work in Government Relations so I guess my mind just goes there). I prefer to talk about goals. Last year my "goal" for 2010 was to run a 5k. As a goal-oriented individual, I blew that one out of the water, running six 5ks and a 10k. I will end 2010 on a running high by participating in the four mile Resolution Run here in Grand Rapids, Mich. I'm at the point where four miles isn't much - I've come a long way from the days in late 2009 when I could barely run four blocks!
Looking ahead to 2011, I have a new goal - to complete my first half marathon in March in under 2 hours and 45 minutes. Yes, this one is a little more specific. In addition to a specific time, I have that date - March 20. I'm feeling confident about my goal as we head in to 2011. No, I cannot run 13.1 miles yet (at least I don't think I can)...the furthest I've run so far is just over seven miles. But, you know what, I ran seven miles and felt fine after! I remember the first time I ran a full 3.1 miles when training for that 5k - I seriously wanted to die....and woke up the next morning feeling like I had been hit by a truck! These days, I run six or seven miles and go about my day. I know I still have work to do to get to 13.1 but fully believe I can do it. So, Georgia Marathon, here I come to run your half marathon! I know the route will be hilly - but I love Atlanta and couldn't think of a better place to stay motivated to keep running during the race.
What is your running goal for 2011?
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Drivers ignoring stop signs...
Picture it: You're running, you approach an intersection and see a car coming. You know the oncoming car is heading toward a stop sig. You also know you can cross the intersection before the driver comes to a (legally required) stop, so you keep going and the driver opts to treat the stop sign as a yield sign (or, even worse, pretends it isn't there) and drives at you.
This has happened to me several times and every time the driver has stopped before hitting me or I simply stopped and went behind the vehicle. I get it - people aren't always looking for pedestrians.
In today's scenario the driver had no excuse whatsoever.
Running parallel to a busy road, I approached an intersection where traffic trying to cross or turn on to the road have to stop at a stop sign. As I approached the intersection I saw a white van approaching the stop sign. I slowed down, knowing he would have time to stop and go before I crossed. I noticed a crappy burgundy pickup truck behind the van and actually locked eyes with the dark haired male driver. I think I shot him the "Don't even think about driving in front of me look." It all happened quickly. I slowly proceeded into the intersection as the white van turned so I could quickly cross the road - still giving the pickup truck plenty of time to come to the LEGALLY REQUIRED STOP. He didn't stop. Instead, he followed the white van and rolled right through the stop sign and directly at me, with no intent to stop. I literally ran into the side of his truck and he just kept going. I ranted and raved, pointing and waving at the stop sign and he slowed down, probably looked at me in his rear view mirror, then went on his merry way.
If nearly getting mowed down in broad daylight won't get your adrenaline going I'm not sure what will! Thankfully I was able to channel the adrenaline and anger into a great 5k run. However, I just don't get it. I know I would never intentionally run someone over. I will be the first to admit I get angry when people in my neighborhood stroll out in front of my car while I am trying to drive down the road. However, when I am at a stop sign, I yield to pedestrians - no matter how fast or slow they're going.
Someone from my town told me he was crossing in a crosswalk and this happened, he got angry and hit the car that tried to run him over with his fist - all in site of a local police officer and the officer sided with the driver, not the pedestrian. So, I have to ask...has this ever happened to you? I did a little research and found I indeed had the right of way in the situation!
This has happened to me several times and every time the driver has stopped before hitting me or I simply stopped and went behind the vehicle. I get it - people aren't always looking for pedestrians.
In today's scenario the driver had no excuse whatsoever.
Running parallel to a busy road, I approached an intersection where traffic trying to cross or turn on to the road have to stop at a stop sign. As I approached the intersection I saw a white van approaching the stop sign. I slowed down, knowing he would have time to stop and go before I crossed. I noticed a crappy burgundy pickup truck behind the van and actually locked eyes with the dark haired male driver. I think I shot him the "Don't even think about driving in front of me look." It all happened quickly. I slowly proceeded into the intersection as the white van turned so I could quickly cross the road - still giving the pickup truck plenty of time to come to the LEGALLY REQUIRED STOP. He didn't stop. Instead, he followed the white van and rolled right through the stop sign and directly at me, with no intent to stop. I literally ran into the side of his truck and he just kept going. I ranted and raved, pointing and waving at the stop sign and he slowed down, probably looked at me in his rear view mirror, then went on his merry way.
If nearly getting mowed down in broad daylight won't get your adrenaline going I'm not sure what will! Thankfully I was able to channel the adrenaline and anger into a great 5k run. However, I just don't get it. I know I would never intentionally run someone over. I will be the first to admit I get angry when people in my neighborhood stroll out in front of my car while I am trying to drive down the road. However, when I am at a stop sign, I yield to pedestrians - no matter how fast or slow they're going.
Someone from my town told me he was crossing in a crosswalk and this happened, he got angry and hit the car that tried to run him over with his fist - all in site of a local police officer and the officer sided with the driver, not the pedestrian. So, I have to ask...has this ever happened to you? I did a little research and found I indeed had the right of way in the situation!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Turkey Trotting
I started running about one year ago in a quest to both lose weight and become a healthier person. I set a goal to run a 5k in 2010 and slowly trained to be able to run 3.1 miles without feeling like hell. After running my first 5k I felt amazing, so I decided to set a goal to run a 10k in 2010. A case of bronchitis messed up my 10k training this summer, but I am pleased to say I completed my first 10k on Thanksgiving, finishing in one hour, 15 minutes and two seconds.
My goal for 2011? To run (and finish) the Georgia Marathon half marathon in March. This is going to be tough, as winter weather is about to roll in to my area...and it won't leave until well in to March (if we're lucky).
So here goes nothing. I am going to run in the cold and snow...and along the way I will have some interesting stories about running in my neighborhood! To read some highlights of my running escapades this year, visit my Single Broke and Sort Of Fabulous blog.
And p.s. - I DO run in pearls - here's a photo of me with my dad after the Turkey Trot.
My goal for 2011? To run (and finish) the Georgia Marathon half marathon in March. This is going to be tough, as winter weather is about to roll in to my area...and it won't leave until well in to March (if we're lucky).
So here goes nothing. I am going to run in the cold and snow...and along the way I will have some interesting stories about running in my neighborhood! To read some highlights of my running escapades this year, visit my Single Broke and Sort Of Fabulous blog.
And p.s. - I DO run in pearls - here's a photo of me with my dad after the Turkey Trot.
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