The child is grown, but the dream is still alive and kicking.

Today I thought a lot about change.  It's true that every living person changes every day.  The part that get to people, however, is that usually the change is so subtle, so refined, that they don't even notice it until it's already in full swing.  Then when you finally realize that a change has occurred, it veritably slaps you right in the face and makes you stop and think about it, even at the most inconvenient times.  So, today was the day that it finally dawned on me the complete lifestyle change that I've undergone in the past few months.

I guess I'll start by clarifying that I am not crazy, and I do recognize that while I am still in a similar career path (restaurant management, albeit a far higher class of it), and have kept the same circle of friends, it's the variables that have changed.  Today at work I had a few of the employees approach me and ask me a variety of questions about nutrition, health, and fitness.  Now I truly cannot imagine that six months ago, working the job I was hating, anyone would have asked my advice on anything.  And I certainly don't showboat my newfound love for running and organic food around my workplace, it's not my place. So I was incredibly flattered and more importantly eager to share what I've learned with them.  I mean, I've still got a long way to go before I'd become any kind of expert, but shit, I guess I'm getting better.  I guess I'm just a sucker for life improvement; and I'm very eager to continue reading and studying the subject since it's made me so much more satisfied with my day-to-day life.

Regarding the running, I can feel it getting easier.  I love it.  I cant get over how easy it is to train your body to do things, in the course of two months I've gone from an exhausted 2 miler to throwing on my running shoes and cranking out an easy 5 miles before heading to the gym to weight train.  I can honestly say that I love it.  Love it.  I finally understand what all those crazy people in magazines were talking about with their constant talk about the "runners high" and all that.  I get it. 

I've modified my marathon goal a bit, and certainly I will be pleased with whatever happens, so long as I finish the race.  The Turkey Trot really made me realize though that qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a real possibility for me.  With a steady six months of training, It doesnt sound like an impossible task.  So I plan, then, on running the Pittsburgh Marathon in mid-May (a Boston qualifier) to see how I do.  So if I achieve the time goal, and qualify at that race... the Buffalo Marathon two weeks later will be a chance to beat my time, or just gain the experience.  If I dont qualify in Pittsburgh, I will have two weeks to assess what I need to change in my run in order to qualify.  I think it's genius (read: sort of insane to run 2 marathons in 2 weeks... but I do so love a challenge).

I can say nothing other than that I am in the right place at the right time, this time, for once. 

Thanksgiving Day

Well, I am happy to report that I finished my first foot race in 10 years, an 8k (5 miles) in 44:26.  Not exactly the best time possible, but coming in under a 9 minute mile for the entire race is certainly something I'm proud of!

Can't wait to keep racing.

Now, its time to eat some turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving, all! :)

The start gun just fired.

I cannot ensure that this will be thrilling, or even supremely interesting; but I can promise that it will be honest. 

Allow me to introduce myself.  I am Liz, 24 year old college graduate living in a normal city, USA.  I work as a manager for a reputable restaurant corporation.  I have moved around a lot, growing up in the Southwestern United States, and have lived in a few cities on the East Coast.  Now settled, I am, what my best friend likes to call it... "in transition."  No longer interested in staying up until 4am and drinking beer, or spending days sitting on the couch eating Doritos and watching Family Guy.  I certainly pass no judgement on those people, and nor to I judge myself for at one point being one of those people.  I merely state that I have grown tired of that scene, and seem to be evolving into an adult.

Scary words.  Adult.

So here I am.  My Dad taught me to run at a young age, buying me the right shoes, and teaching me about breathing and impact and everything else I didnt really care to pay attention to when I was 13.  So I went out and joined the cross-country team, ran hard for a year, and got injured.  I swore I was just "not built to be a runner."  Anyone in my family knows that we Polish ladies aren't exactly petite.  So there I was.  Highschool ended, college began, and dining hall food and the college lifestyle aren't kind to anyone.  It's easy to get caught up in the world you live in and forget that you only live once, and it's all too easy to waste time.  A lot of time.

So now, ten years after my first stint as a cross-country runner; three years after graduating college and swearing that, now that I "had the time," I was going to start running again.  It took a push from my best friends to make me really start.  It's been three months that I've been running.  When I first went out, I got about a mile out and was sweating, out of breath, and exhausted.  On top of that, some extraordinarily attractive gentleman ran by me right as I stopped to walk at the 1 mile marker.  Not where I wanted to be.  In life, or on that particular running trail.  I can proudly say that this morning I woke up and ran 4.5 miles, relatively easily and that I am running an 8k race tomorrow morning, the first race I've participated in since Freshman year of high school. 

I am also training for a marathon.  A marathon which, when it was 8 months away seemed like I had a lot of time to prepare for; and now that it is a mere 5 months away seems like it's coming upon me like a freight train full of physical stamina that I don't yet possess.  But, with the help of a best friend who will be right by my side, I am determined 100 percent to confront that freight train head on. 

So there you have it.  A blog to document my personal physical and psychological journey towards becoming "a runner."  I'm sure there will also be snippets of commentary on my generation, music, movies, life, work, love, and cheesecake.