Cherry Blossom Lottery!

I was accepted into the Cherry Blossom Lottery for next year! I ran it last year and it was not my best day but it was great weather. It took about 5 tries to get in last year and sold out in 2:45 hrs so they decided to go to the lottery system. I figured I would try my luck and I did get picked. Now I just need to get my training in for the spring and like always try and get some of this weight off.

Getting Back to It!

Have been back at the gym this week. I am enjoying riding the bike for now since I can log in at home and see how many miles I have ridden. I did Body Pump this morning and now that I will be sore. I really want to get 15 lbs off by March and my first half for the year. This is just too much to be carrying around and can't be good. I have enough issues. Hopefully, when I move offices I can go to the gym in that building after work for about an hr every day-even just to walk, etc. I am trying not to get frustrated but 5lbs/month should be doable. Hopefully the holidays won't through much of a wrench in it.

My Foot!

Why does my foot still hurt almost a month after I fell off by bike??? I have been off of it-icing, heat, stretching. I may just have to go to the Dr though I don't think anything is fractured. I am so frustrated between that and the hip-I am wondering if I will ever be free of injury?? I think right now I am thinking so much about it and there is still so much stress at work and moving to Mclean in December to new offices. I don't like change...

Nov. 1st

Lexy, Lexy what am I going to do with you??? Of course my dog will have to go see a specialist=sports medicine ortho for dogs? Never really thought too much about animals having these specialty doctors. She has been limping and the xray showed a piece of bone floating around near her left shoulder. The vet seems to think that is the issue. She will also be on Nsaids which could make issues worse we will see how she reacts. From what I read it is not the greatest thing but we raised the concerns with the vet but she didn't seem concerned.

Baltimore Half Marathon 10/10/09

Well-I finished the Baltimore Half Marathon today-it took 3:07 long hours! Not my worst but far from my best. There were a lot more hills than I was expecting or had trained for. Since I have been dealing with injuries I have not done much training. Did the Freedom Run 1/2 last week so that may have tired my legs out. The half started at 9:45 or about 10 by the time my corral made it to the start (Corral 4). We said at the Inner Harbor on Friday and Saturday it was nice and made for a nice weekend. It was drizzling at the start but was warm. Patterson Park was Mile 3 and it was the M&T Bank mile so they made it a lot of fun-with a band, signs and lots of spectators. Mile 7ish was Lake Montebello which was nice and flat, finally. Mile 10 was in Waverly which was the Gummi Bear station and a lot of the neigborhood out in full force. It was great running into Camden Yards but that was when I got my first calf cramp and had to stop and try and walk it off. Continued my slow run to the Raven's Stadium and was glad to have finished and get my MD Double medal! It was a long walk back to the hotel and I took a nice ice bath. It really took a lot out of me was in bed early no night on the town for us. I would like to cross train and get some of this extra weight off not sure how easy it will be with the holidays coming up.

First Run!

Well, I ran for the first time outside 8/8 and it was hard but not as painful as it could have been. Ran for about 6.25 miles-really slow though even more so than normal. I had a massage after but I am really sore today my quads are especially bothering me! I stretched twice yesterday too so I will have to find a good stretch for hamstrings and quads-beside the it band ones that I do. Also, the insurance denied the claims for the chiro for July so I am stressed about that-wth!. Not sure if it is how they put in the claim-that office called and got all the info about what was covered before I went. I never really checked myself so hopefully they are accurate. I keep telling myself it will be fixed not to go crazy over it-but when I think about if I have to come up with the money I get so mad!

August!

8/1/09 I ran for about 70 minutes-on the treadmill so the mileage is not accurate on that thing. After about the first 30-40 I had a stabbing pain in the middle of my knee-fingers crossed that nothing else is going on. I stopped and stretched and started back with a walk and jogged again. Didn't have that same pain again but it was pretty scary. I didn't get so tight in my it band that I had to stop which is good. I was wearing the pro-tech strap but I don't think that would cause another knee pain. I don't feel any worse today I am basically using that to judge-do I feel worse or the same. If I feel the same will keep going and try to work my mileage up. I was going to do the Leesburg 20K next week but I think that is too much too soon but the week after I am going to do a half. I have to be able to run 20 in September.

Burned from an ice pack!

Yes, I put an ice pack directly on my skin and my skin basically froze. It was like a solid ice cube! When it finally warmed up it was swollen, red and sore. I have been putting aloe on it and it does look better but it was so dumb of me. Now, I can't tell if my leg is bothering me or if it is the skin that hurts. I need to get back to my training this week it is basically do or do not.

Half Fanatics!

I am officially in the club for Half Fanatics! I am only at level 1 but hope by next fall to be at Level 4-skipping levels 2-3. I ran 3 races in 90 days to get this level-wasn't planned since this website didn't occur until July. If I had known may have done more in March or May. Right now I am still worried about my IT band and hoping that this nuisance is gone soon! I need to get back to training and right now it is probably more mental than physical. I need to run but scared to-doesn't hurt when I run but after it is sore. I will be biking today hopefully get in 15 miles or more.

July 12, 2009

So, I am sitting here feeling sorry for myself with ice on my hip because I have not been running. I am wondering if I will be able to actually complete a marathon this year. I really just want to finish it and take a break until the Shamrock 1/2. I will get back to some cross training with classes, etc to try and take some of this weight off which is also depressing. I thought I could easily take off these 10lbs after stopping the medication that caused a lot of issues. I need to strenghten my core, glutes and lower back-I feel like the chiro is helping and I will probably keep going even after this butt pain goes away! I was trying to do things right by going slow and increasing gradually I was trying to stay ahead of the training plan but maybe the 17 miles was too much for my body. I am hoping that it is a good thing that this injury happened early in training-would I rather have it happen right before the marathon. That might have actually been better because now all through trainging I am going to think about whether this will bother me.

I have been biking which I need to keep up so I can get better at the hills! Killer sometimes I have to walk which is ok. I am going to try and run 15 mins today my chiro said I can start back slowly and make sure I stretch before and after.

Ugh!

I haven't run since June 13th except for the Quantico obstacle 4 mile run and the Potomac Twilight 4 mile. My leg feels tight when running but does not necessarily hurt until after I stop running. The primary dr said sciatica but the chiro said weak glute and overusing the IT band and the sciatic nerve is involved also. My spine is curved which causes my back problems. I am almost scared to run I have been icing and using heat and stretching. I am hoping to be 100% soon. I have to get on with this marathon training. I am starting to feel so lazy. I have to go to the Chiro/PT 3X a week right now. I actually felt more sore after the first time with muscle stripping. I am hoping it starts to feel better.

06/13/09

Ran my longest run to date today-17.5 miles! My right arch was hurting when I first started that went away about 3 miles and than it was my knee bothering me or is it my IT band not sure. My back was bothering me after about 10 miles maybe from the fuel belt also. I did 10 miles and stopped at the car to refuel and cool off and wash the bugs from my sweaty skin. I don't know if it was from the rain all week but there were so many knats. It was like running into a swarm of them. I did this run alone and am glad I finished the amount of miles I was planning on and didn't quit.

My right side is hurting now when I put my weight on it. I am icing it and taking it easy. Hopefully, swimming will help it because I have run amuck on Saturday. I don't want to be limping up the hills and I will be participating I can't see feeling worse than I do now. I will take it easy maybe just walking and not sure if walking on the treadmill on the incline hurt me more.

Longest run ever!!!

I did 15 miles today-it took a lot longer than I expected also. I know training runs are suppose to be slower but come on-I was expecting to be around 3 hr-it took more like 3 1/2. I hope my 20 mile run in September takes less than that. I ran from Bethesda to Georgetown. It was nice in Georgetown and we had a small lunch and ran back. Even though it was hard to get started after relaxing for an hour.

Worst Day!

Well-my first casualty of running. I lost my pinky toenail. I went to training in Laurel-great I get off early for once and am meeting Tom in Columbia for dinner. When lunch came it was pouring rain and of course I didn't have an umbrella or jacket. Luckily, I had grabbed 3 dollars b/c otherwise I would have been out of luck. I got cup of noodles and fritos when I wanted chinese or a sub at least. So we get out early 3:30 and the sun was out great-get to my car drive for a second and something does not feel right-I knew I had a flat. Pulled back into a parking space and it was totally flat. AAA came out and put the spare on and it was very fast luckily. Driving on a spare sucks!!! Now I have to buy 4 new tires which I was planning on buying them anyways but I hope I don't need a rim. Returned to my garmin also which is frustrating. Used it 3x and it did rain on Sunday but that shouldn't have affected the screen to cause a line to go thru it. I hope it was a fluke and this new one lasts a long time. Have my fingers crossed.

Frederick 1/2 Marathon Weekend

Well, this weekend was the Frederick Running Festival. Tom and I ran the 5K at 7pm the night before-all week I was thinking to myself why am I running the night before. I should be eating my pasta and going to bed. It all worked out-did my slowest 5K time yet but did sprint at the end and was able to finish strong. Ate when I got home around 8:15pm-disappointed that they didn't have snacks after the race. Sunday was an early start for the 1/2-6:30 am. Had to leave at about 5:20 b/c the roads start to shut down. Got there with plenty of time and knew where some bathrooms were that I guess others didn't know were available. No lines!! Great compared to the Cherry Blossom. It was a little warmer than I expected about 62 and I was not cold at all in short sleeves. That was good and no sun. Around mile 7 is when it started to rain and I was soaked by the time I saw Tom at about 9.75. I was still feeling good with my run/walk 5:1 intervals. It really is the way to go I think. I felt better all the way thru the race. I was going to run the last 1.1 but I continued with my walk breaks. Was able to run thru the finish and although I wanted to be under 2:35 I finished in 2:41 not so bad. It is in the same range that I have been running. Maybe I can actually get faster with this method-we will see. After this 1/2 I do not have another until at least September. I am wishing I had signed up for the Zooma race on 5/31 but now I am not willing to pay the extra cost. It is just depressing after all the training and you are done with nothing else on the calendar. I have small races and need to continue my long runs at least every other week.

HOT RUN!

Literally, it was so much hotter than I even imagined. It actually got into the 90's today. We got a late start, what else is new. So I probably started running about 10:45 and did 12.65 miles in about 2:54. That is really slow even for me. I probably slowed way done on the way back because of the humidity. It was also the MS walk and the Odyssey Relay from Gettysburg to DC. Those relay runners changed legs at Great Falls, Md. It was fun to watch and I wish I could have run it this year. I do run a little too slow but I did see someone walking. I don't really want to do it with a team I don't know but there were teams looking for runners this week. Something to put on my to-do list! I started the run/walk from the beginning 5:1 ratio. It really worked out well and I am going to use it for the Frederick Half. I hope to at least finish in 2:38 or less even with the walk breaks. A lot of people that use the program actually improve their times because they still feel good at the end. We will see as long as I finish I am happy especially how I have been feeling lately. I didn't get cramps while running yesterday either. I felt tight calves going up stairs after I was done but at least not during the run.

Cherry Blossom 10-Miler

So, this was a long weekend. Brayden was born on Thursday and Tyler's bd on Saturday. Had to go pick up my packet for the run in DC. I have never been to DC during the cherry blossoms and now I know why. It was packed the metro was packed. Luckily, the packet pick-up was directly across from the metro and I got there at a good time and the line moved fast. Went thru the expo and got a IRunLikeAGirl tee-shirt that I love. I will probably have to get a black during the fall. I woke up the next morning with a calf cramp-not a good sign I don't know what is going on. I was an early morning 4 am!! Metro was ok until we switched trains at the metro center and it was packed. Got to the start and had to wait about 35 min for the porta potty-the lines were out of control. It was beautiful weather I did bring my sunglasses but didn't put my hat on-don't ask me why. The first 5 miles were pretty good not that scenic. Mile 5 was near the monument and I had a fleeting moment where I thought-I can just stop now. But how can I let everyone know that I DNF! So out to Hains Point. It was hot and I was a mess by mile 7ish. I had a GU to try and get some energy. After mile 8 I started getting cramps-so much for never getting them until mile 12. I had to stretch and walk some. I already knew I was not going to be below 2 hrs although at mile 5 was 57 min so I guess I went down hill after that. After mile 8 I thought to myself maybe this body was not made for running but I had to finish. I finished in 2:07. Not too bad altough I was disappointed. We went to Adams Morgan and the Zoo. I was exhausted on the way home that is for sure.

Shamrock 1/2 Marathon!

Race Report: Saturday night we ate italian of course-had to carbload! I had seafood marinara and it was so good! The bread was delicious-I was hoping all would go well and nothing would upset my stomach. Had a hard time falling asleep I did take an excedrin pm to try and fall asleep. I was up at about 3 am and must have fell asleep for another hour or so. Got up at 5 am and started getting ready. Had my tattoos on and ready to go. Had my oatmeal and banana. Of course I probably drank too much water and had to go to the bathroom twice before the race started. We lined up in our corral 5 didn't hear the american anthem or even the start of the race. It took us about 8 mins before we crossed the start. There were a lot of walkers and they probably should have started at the back but hey some were walking faster than I was running. The first 3 miles are always the hardest for me-in this case my left foot was numb and I couldn't believe it and once that went away my toes on my right foot started to bother me but I could deal with that. I didn't stop for water and when I did want it at mile 4 they had non because it was frozen-my luck. It was probably 2 miles until the next station. I felt pretty good saw Lindsay at Mile 8 I thought she was probably so far ahead because her pace was fast and I hadn't seen her since Mile 1. We were together until about Mile 10 her foot was bothering her. I probably should have stretched at Mile 10ish and maybe that would have helped. At about Mile 12 my calves started to cramp. I don't get it! I took an endurolyte after about 1hr and still the cramps. Once I got on the boardwalk and saw the finish I couldn't even pretend to sprint to the finish. The pain almost made me fall to the ground. They were so bad I was just thinking I can't stop and walk now. I made it thru the Finish at 2:38 so better than my last two times by the chip time. I would really like to get to 2:30 or below we will see. It was so crowded and so many people! Lindsay finished right behind me but she was in pain. We walked back to the hotel and saw the marathoners at about Mile 12 for them on the boardwalk. We went and stuck our legs in the ocean-it was so cold hopefully it will help with the pain. Went to lunch and was so hungry. We rode bikes for an hour and that was nice got some good pictures at the end of the race. Dinner was a nice seafood dinner-should have waited and got the she crap soup there-had steamed clams though and they were great! I am exhausted!

3-20-09

Well, I am leaving after work tonight and headed for Va Beach for the Shamrock Half on Sunday! Starting to get nervous but the training is over can only hope for the best. I always over pack and triple check everything. Here's hoping I am feeling good when I wake up at 5 am on Sunday!!!

Baby Shower!

Today was the shower for Brayden! It was nice to see everyone it has been awhile. I am still feeling so tired though. Had to wake up at 7 am to get to VA at 9 am to run. Last longish run today-the rest of the week will be shorter runs on the treadmill most likely. Maybe some cross-training as well. I will take rest days on Friday and Saturday with no activity maybe some stretching. Some swimming on Saturday at the hotel perhaps. this week will fly by and have so many things to do and pack by Thursday night.

3/1/09 B&A Half Marathon

I finished the B&A Half today. We woke up to snow and ice and I can't believe I actually went all the way to Severna and ran 13.1 without any music. It took me longer then the OBX and I didn't even stop to use the bathroom! Maybe it was the ice?? Had to walk over the bridges that were slushy. I ran so slow the trail bike was behind me but at least I was out there doing it no matter how slow. I passed people in the beginning so I knew there was people behind me-not many but come on. After about mile 7 this volunteer said "you must have gotten a late start" I don't think I realized what he said until I passed-wtf?? There were still people behind me believe me I passed them on the turn around. It was cold and long run just people at the water stations not much else. Tom took video and as I am coming up to the finish they announce my name and out of nowhere this guy comes speeding by! And he passed me of course but he just finished a marathon in the time it took me to run 13.1!!! Speedy I am not just slow and steady and I have finished two now. I really need to get these 10lbs off now so it is easier on my joints. It has been hard-do I carb load do I really need to probably not.

What a Week!!!

Ok-this week has to be one of the worse in a long time. It started Wednesday when the water heater broke. It is done and needs to be replaced. Called for appt on Thursday night thought it would have been taken care of. Of course not-the contractor called the house phone even though the operator was told to use the cell # it just really didn't go well. Tom had to call twice and never had the call returned by the plumber so he cancelled it. He thinks he can install it himself now. Since, things seem to happen in 3's Tom's car broke down and had to be towed. He also brought home his tool box and they couldn't get it inside the house-by the time I got home it is in a mud pit and it is so heavy how can I even push it. Didn't go too well even though we got it in. My back is sore and my nerves are frayed. I have a half marathon tomorrow and am so nervous. Tom won't be coming now b/c he has a lot of cleaning to do with the basement. Probably for the best b/c it probably would have just been complaints after complaints. I cannot wear music and it is calling for snow tomorrow. I hate the cold and was hoping for milder weather. I need to just go out and run it and come home. I am hoping I do not freak out and choke. I know I can do it-no music though?

2/21/09

Ran 10 miles today with Lindsay. It was difficult but made it through. My legs were screaming and my chest was tight with the cold air but I am glad I got it done with. I took a cold bath for 20 mins and used Biofreeze so we will see how I feel tomorrow. I am hoping I can walk and do light running at the beginning of this week. I have a trail half next Sunday so I will see how long that takes be-probably 2:45 or so. I am slow but steady. My pace is pretty consistent. I can't wait until the Shamrock 1/2 only 4 more weeks!!! Should be pretty ready and well prepared. Will probably stress that week since it is out of town and have to pack and make sure I have everything.

2009 GOALS

I didn't post my goals in January probably because I didn't know if I would be able to complete my running goals with the foot issue. So, I will lay them out now and I am confident I will complete them.

1. Finish at least 5 Half Marathons before the end of 2009.
* B&A Trail Half Marathon
* Shamrock Half Marathon (VA Beach)
* Frederick Half Marathon
* Baltimore Half Marathon
Have to see what other one I will be doing-maybe Philly in November???

2. Complete my first Full Marathon before the end of 2009.
* Marine Corps Marathon (If I can get in)

3. Lose 10-15 lbs and stick to that weight! (Went up about 10lbs over the holidays and no running means I still have them to deal with)

2-13-09

I have been dragging my feet all week. I don't know what is wrong with me I am soooo tired. I had my water class this morning and just couldn't get myself out of bed to go so I was going to run-but no didn't do that either. I ran 9 miles on Sunday but that couldn't have wiped me out all week long. I should have bounced back already. I did get my allergy shot on Monday and my allergies have been bothering me but that is just an excuse I have always been able to still exercise. Hopefully, I can get some motivation going not too much longer until my half marathon. I will be doing one on 3/1 as a training run on a trail so we will see how that goes.

2-6-09

So, I went to the podriatrist this week and he said I can assume all normal activities. I am not back at 100% but am feeling much better. All my symptoms are that of a neuroma which never goes away-my luck! The symptoms my go away and I may never feel again-let's hope. It is an inflammed nerve but I don't understand if the inflammation goes down won't it just be a nerve again? Then some websites call it a benign tumor so in that respect I can see it never going away. I will continue my stretching and exercises. I am trying to run 3-4 times a week with deep water running on Fridays. I have a half marathon in 4 weeks? That is practice for the one on 3/22...I want to see how bad it is going to be =) I will have to take a ice bath after and hope I have a speedy recovery. I am planning just slow and steady and walk if I have to. Tomorrow is suppose to be almost 60 so I am aiming for a long run. I will probably have to go by myself on the C&O so I will go out probably only two miles each way so I am not far from the car. Trying to get in a few slow miles on the treadmill today before I go see Avery!! I think I am just burnt out from not doing anything for almost a month and work is stressful.

1-26-09

So my foot is about 90% better I would say. I have a feeling I am constantly going to be thinking-is that a pain, does that hurt, etc. Hopefully, I can just go about my days and realize I don't have any pain anymore that would be nice. I did 80 minutes on the treadmill on Saturday-very slow jog/walk but didn't have any pain afterwards. On Sunday, I did Bodypump and then 1.25 miles on the treadmill but it is very hot in the gym. My eating was horrible on Sunday-went to Panera and then pizza/macaroni & cheese. I need to get control. I think it is just the lack of exercise and the injury just making me depressed and worried. When that happens I turn to food but I do not want to go back-that would be so embarrassing for me. I look at past pictures and know I can't go back but somehow I got there in the first place.

1/19/09

I went to the doctor's on Thursday for my foot. He said the spur is not the cause of my pain. He gave me some stretches to do throughout the day and also prescription strength ibruprofen. I was like isn't the spur on the bottom of my foot how is that not the cause. So he showed me the images but he said what I thought (and Tom) was a spur was normal bone. The spur in on the heel like most people. The ibruprofen is not reacting well with my stomach again. I take Advil what is the issue-so I stopped that for now I cannot have my stomach cramping all day. I have to wear sneakers for the next couple of weeks which will give me more support. I went to the gym yesterday-did body pump and 20 min on a new Precor machine-combo of stair climber/elliptical. It was good to get some exercise in. I also got to cleaning which I haven't been doing either. I haven't felt like doing anything just lay in bed and go to work and come home and start all over again. I now have 8 weeks to get ready for a half marathon. I will do a 8 week schedule that only has me running 3X-maybe I will increase to 4X if I feel ok. The most important are the long runs I need to get those in otherwise I will panic. I may panic anyways-I hope it is not raining and cold on race day. I just want to have fun-take some pictures and enjoy the weekend.

1-11-09

So, this weekend did absolutely nothing. Saturday I got caught up on my sleep and on the t.v. shows that I missed this past week. Usually, I watch all my shows as I am on the treadmill but since I have this pain I haven't been on that or done anything besides swimming. I probably should have went swimming on Saturday but was not motivated to do that and probably just wanted to stay in bed feeling sorry for myself. On Sunday we went to lunch and saw Marley & Me. I read the book and liked it but knew how it ended and of course dogs do not live forever. The theater was crowded because there was 4 rows reserved for a birthday party. So we sat all the way on top in the last row. I had one seat next to me and the wall not thinking anyone would actually try and sit there. Well, they did and she was about 8 months pregnant. I don't think I even answered her when she asked if it was taken because I couldn't believe she was going to sit there. Let's just say I was not comfortable being crowded like that. And she kept like making gagging sounds and that makes me want to gag. I knew the end was going to be sad and my eyes were watering and she starts to sob really loud. I was like is this really happening because that is going to make me loose it. Everyone was crying adn I was like what is going on. The sobbing was really loud and she was full blown crying with tears streaming down her face. I have a doctor's appt on Thursday hopefully it will be good news!

Oh No!

So it is 1/10/09 and on Wednesday I went to the dr because I was having forefoot pain since Sunday. I was worried because I wanted to rule out that it was a stress fracture because if I keep running on that it will do more damage. I had my foot x-rayed and was given anti-inflammatory. I was up all night Thursday night from a reaction to the medicine. I have never had side effects like this before. I had the worse stomach cramping imaginable. I cannot believe I actually was able to go to work. I did have my first deep water running class so that probably pushed me to get up and out of bed. The water class was nice and after I continued to do more running in the water on my own for about 1/2 hr. It felt good to get some exercise in. When I called and talked to the dr about the side effects he said I have a bone spur. That is right a SPUR-what the heck. And it is not in a good place. I have to see a podiatrist-hopefully soon and maybe they will say how to try and manage it. Not sure if spurs ever go away or decrease. I don't think they are going to say stop running because I think I would have a melt down with that news. I feel like I will gain weight so fast if I can't run since that keeps me motivated with different races that I plan on doing. I will hope for the best-I did say I would be happy if it was anything other then a stress fracture.

1-3-09

So, I am sitting here probably avoiding having to get on the treadmill...I really need to get in exercise today because I haven't had any in the new year. My back is actually bothering me-from ice skating or hula hooping-not sure which. My knee was bothering me the other day I hope this is not a sign of what the new year brings. I really didn't have any issues last year-maybe a few in the beginning but I never stopped because of any serious injury. I really need to get this holiday weight off also. The last 10 lbs I have been trying to lose since August now has gone up to about 15! I am hoping that can come off somewhat easily. I taped the Biggest Loser Marathon so that gives me something to watch and the new season starts on Tuesday-yeah!

1-1-09

So, we started the new year off with a ice skating trip. It started off pretty good everyone seemed to have the hang of it. My dad ended up falling because a girl cut him off the first time. Yes, there was a second time when he was trying to stop he fell again so that was the end of that. I am guessing we will never go ice skating again. Also, spent some time playing the Wii which was fun-the hula hooping actually got me sweating. Would like to eventually get one just waiting to see what happens with my position at work in the next couple of months. I am going to try and blog every couple of days or at least once a week. I didn't start out the new year with a run-I really need to get back on track. The Shamrock 1/2 Marathon is 3/22 and I haven't done any long runs since November. I have decided I am not a cold weather runner. I hate it and am hoping once it is spring I will remember how much I hated it and enjoy running outside even more. I would like to get the Garmin 305 to keep track of my mileage also that is on my wish list. If my body cooperates I would like to do 5 1/2 marathons this year and to complete my first full marathon in October. I would like the Marine Corps to be my first.