Just when you think....

Seriously I do want to get back into running and have a goal to get me there...my mom is running her first 100 next year and this little cheeka is going to upgrading her status from 'Handler' to 'Pacer'.

Let me answer a few of the questions that I know are running through your head right now. Yes, 100 represents miles and no you don't necessarily run every step of that 100 miles, but you do have to run a good majority of them. That is why they are called 'Endurance Runs'. They challenge you personally. They make you ask yourself 'do you have what it takes? Are you mentally prepared to push yourself to go the distance no matter if it's raining, shining or day, night?" This is what it takes to be "one of the lucky ones".

A "Handler" is someone who takes care of their designated runner every step of the way. Well, the steps where you are allowed to see your runner. There are various 'aid stations' along the run, but there are times where they are marathons apart and other where they are a mere two miles apart. So not only does the handler get to do all the fun stuff like handling their runner's clothes that are drenched with sweat, but they get to handle the feet of the runner by changing their shoes and socks and applying the vaseline/baby powder between their toes too! By nature i hate feet, but for some reason this is the only event where they don't phase me. One additional (gross) note about this part is that most of the endurance runners are missing many, if not all, their toenails (ick!). You also have to be mentally prepared yourself.
There are times where your runner is going to be down on themselves and it may even bring you to tears (I am living proof of this), but words can be powerful things and they rely on you for this. Those words need to get them to the next aid station, which at times may be a stint where they have to run by themselves.

A "Pacer" is a running mate (enter me for my mom). There are rules for pacers though. Any runner under the age of 60 are only allowed a pacer for the last 30 miles of the race. Any runner 60 and older are allowed a pacer any step of the race. It may sound silly, but having that pacer those last 30 miles is crucial unless you are an experienced endurance runner. The last 30 miles are done in the dark for most and well 30 miles is a long way to run by yourself in the dark! Since the pacer is on fresh legs and is of sound mind it is their goal to take their runner the extra mile to the end. I will have to tell you what that is like July 2007! Depending on how this goes who knows I may be the runner with my mom as the pacer in 2008!

Every time I mention a race like this, and it tends to be often b/c this is what my parents do, I always hear "why would you be that insane to want to do something like that?". Well, I don't think they are insane I think they are "one of the lucky ones". That have a burning flame inside that pushes them beyond the norm. I keep saying that I hope I end up like them. You see they started running later in life and have this self motivating intensity about it. I don't understand why I don't. I mean yes, I like/love to run when I am doing it, but sometimes I need a good swift kick in the @ss and just when I think I am going to get started something happens. A trip for work, my stinkin' car has to go back in the shop or a night on the town the night before leaves you with a strong desire to lounge on the couch the next day. I know not great excuses, but if not packed properly well then the running doesn't happen.

Anyway, I am going to be one of those people...I am going to leisurely enjoy the rest of the year and start fresh a few weeks from now when the New Year begins. I leave for Florida on Saturday and will hopefully be returning to some snow to take a my second week off to hit the slopes! Yes, snowboarding season has (sort of) arrived! Then with the new year, I will be hitting a black belt that goes round and round!! From there on out I plan on entering more numbers in this blog rather than words ;)