Dedication

So I started my official "training" this week for the Heart Mini Marathon. Fleet Feet Sports in Blue Ash is the sponsor of this training. A husband and wife team owns the store (as well as being running enthusiasts). Tuesday, January 9th marked the first day of training (as well as the first day that the temperature dropped). Let me just remind you that my first adventure of outside (off the treadmill) running was in April 2006, when it was WARM. I convinced one of my coworkers to attend the training with me so that I would have more motivation not to skip the days and to have someone there I know. So we show up at 6:30 pm at the store and there were approximately 50-60 people crammed in the store, all decked out in our spandex and moisture wicking tops ready to go. The training schedules vary... there are the Boston Bound people (they are amazing), Flying Pig Marathoners, 1/2 Marathoners, and then the Mini Marathoners broken down to experienced, novice, and run/walkers. I am a "experienced" mini marathon runner. Training is every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning. I hope that I can make it twice a week until March.
Tuesday night consisted of stretching/aerobics (I HATE AEROBICS) in a circle in the FREEZING COLD and then off for a 3 mile run. The run was not so bad, you actually got hot. Unfortunately I was trying to pace myself with my coworker Leslie who's legs are 2 feet longer than mine and she has also run 1/2 marathons previously. Needless to say she kicks my butt (I am out of breath and I am not sure her breath even skips a beat).
I was unable to attend the "speed work" training on Thursday. This is where they did a miracle mile to place everyone in groups. Yeah, wasn't there, won't have a group!
Saturday morning I set my alarm for 6:30, got up ate and dressed for my 0730 scheduled training run. I am all ready and then I realize... it is RAINING. Oh my, I don't want to go, but Leslie will be there waiting for me.... so I go. 4 miles in the pouring down rain (at least it was in the 50's). At first we tried to avoid the small lakes forming on the sidewalk, but eventually we just ran through them. Do you know what spandex sounds like wet when it rubs? Or what it feels like "wet".. and a moisture wicking top in the rain? Yeah it was challenging... and this is when I realized... this is dedication. I will do this rain, snow, freezing. But I don't think it will be without complaining :)