The Last Week

Only 4 days and 35.2 miles (9 training miles) separates me from Mike Dugan's cash, I don't take checks Dugan.  The mileage has certainly decreased in the past weeks and it still amazes me that I think 8 miles is just a 'quick jog'.  I had to battle some cold weather and even took a weekend off of snowboarding to rest the legs, but it will all be worth it when I see those twenty dollar bills flowing into my hands!

I did have a running first in the past week, a jogging date (we'll call it a date at least).  Upon hearing this news, my mother exclaimed, "You finally met a girl running".  Nope, turns out a friend of a friend is also running the Austin marathon and wanted to go for a jog to meet.  No problem, I responded really only expecting 5 miles at most.  I was wrong, she gave me the option of 10 or 15 miles. 

I jumped on the 10 miles but had to emphatically let her know that I am not running fast (I could, I just don't want to) and she could just go ahead of me if I was holding her back.  I had never run with anyone so I didn't know the proper running etiquette (do I wear headphones, do I wear that really cool water belt etc...).  And to be quite honest, what the hell do I do if that runner's trot hits during the middle of 10 miles while running with a girl I just met?  I planned ahead and mapped a run that has a few gas stations, just in case! 

Luckily, it all went great.  Really cool girl and she even made fun of me because of all the clothes I was wearing.  The biggest problem is that my mind turns off (usually around mile 5) and I think I started to repeat myself numerous times while having her repeat the same thing more than once.  

Hope everyone has booked their flight.  Joey is hosting the after-party and the Banholzer family will be there! 

Dugan - the ATM usually only let's you take out $300 at a time, so prepare in advance!