Running for a Cause - My First Race!

Suddenly my first race is just two and a half weeks away. I've been shooting for the 12k in March, but today, on the spur of the moment, I signed up for the Kaiser Permanente 5k on February 4th as well. Well, Andy signed me up. After a bit of haggling ("why pay $25 to run 3 miles right where we always run 3 miles" - a fair point, but I liked the idea of a real race) we agreed: he signed me up, and paid, to celebrate running, and my running, and to do something anti-athletic-consumerism before settling down to watch the Super Bowl that afternoon. In return, I offered to pay for his introductory yoga pass (30 days for $30) when we finally try to get back into doing yoga again (we've made a date for 10am Saturday, January 27th).

More importantly, the race is in support of three Bay Area charities. I am running in support of Family House, a home away from home for families whose critically ill children are being treated at UCSF Children's Hospital. I already feel blessed to have made running a part of my life, so it makes sense to combine it with something else that's always been important to me - making a meaningful contribution to my community and the world. I'd like to raise a total of $500 for Family House, so please, if you can afford to help, follow the link at right and donate today. It will mean a great deal.

Happy New Year!

Sunday was the first running day I've skipped. Though I was disappointed, I think my restraint has paid off -- my shin was much improved by Sunday night, and held up well on a long walk yesterday. I'll test things out on my scheduled easy run this evening and try to get back on track by next week. The truth is, I didn't have much time for a run Sunday anyway. We had about 15 people over for food and drinks, and spent the better part of the day tidying the house, grocery shopping, and cooking. Regardless of how frequently I say the words casual, and low stress when referring to entertaining, it seems I'll always be busy and pressed for time the day of. Our housemate Keith (you can check out his green living blog here) made luscious lemon bars, I made chocolate dipped strawberries and oranges, and Andy assembled a collection of savory hors d'oeuvres. We also made deep dish pizzas which, had we baked them right away, would not have become architectural monstrosities, but would have remained flaky, chewy wonders.

Other than my commitment to running, my resolution for this year is less concrete. I'd like to find and develop the routines that nourish rather than oppress, that help me be fully present for the challenges and learning opportunities of work and graduate school, while still finding time for the things I love -- family and friends, writing, reading, running.