This is the end

End of 2009! As far as running goes, it's been a great year. I could have done with out the nagging foot problems of the last few months, but oh well
This year I ran 1531.3 miles. That's up from 1270 of last year. I didn't hit my semi-goal of 2000 since the last quarter of the year saw some seriously low milage. I had some other great milestones. I PRed in the 5k, 4m, 5m, 10k, 10m, 15k, half marathon, and full marathon.
And of course, the cherry on top, I FINALLY qualified for Boston.
Not only is this the end of the year, it's also the end of the decade (which honestly I didn't realize until like last week). This decade has been my 2nd life as an athlete. I got back into running in 1999. Since then, I've run 115 New York Road Runners races, ALL of them as a Front Runner. I've also done countless other road races and triathlons including 3 Ironmans and 8 marathons (4 NYC)
That is a lot!
I'll be starting of the next decade getting ready for Boston, the Shamrock half marathon which I'm running with some of my BQ Babes, and TImberman, a half ironman. Beyond that I'm not sure what 2010 will bring race-wise. I've had so many marathon cycles over the last 3 years I may sit the fall out. We'll see! I do plan on running more with Bea, and Loren, and riding and swimming more.
Here's to many fun and happy miles to all of you.
Happy New Year.

"Bah, humbug!" No, that's too strong

Ho ho who you calling ho. I'm in Alabama for the yearly trek to the Mooney's. This year, I almost didn't make it. Actually, Bea, my pup and running partner picture here in all her snow glory, was suppose to join us. Bea got really sick a few hours after this picture was taken. Honestly, I have no idea what she got into, but she got into something that made her really sick. She spent 3 days at the vet.
Poor baby. It was awful seeing her like that.
I really thought about not making the trip down here this year and staying home with her. She came home about 2 hours before Loren and I were to leave. Luckily, Bea has a HUGE fan club. After seeing her at home, consulting with all my dog owner friends, and friend and super star pet sitter Denise agreed to (nurse) watch her while we were gone, I decided to come to Alabama.
It actually might be better that I came as to avoid me watching her non stop to make sure she's breathing and obsessing in a way that only I can.
Reports say she's getting back to her old self. I am so relieved.
On the running front, things are going slow and steady. Loren and I ran 4 miles through the snow of Central park on Wed. Today, we went with the long time Farrooney tradition of running on xmas. Loren and I drove over to her HS track where her parents walked and she and I ran. We started on the track then ran her old 2 mile XC course. Once back on the track I did a temp 400 which felt pretty good at 7:40 pace. 4.5 miles for the day.
At this rate, I'll eventually be up to 20 miles a week! Seriously, I'm feeling pretty good. My foot was a bit aggravated from flying but that's normal.
That's all from down south, hope everyone is enjoying their holidays.

Down by the riverside, it's bound to be a better ride

I went to see Pete yesterday and after poking, prodding, stretching, ultrasound and all that stuff, he said "ok, I dont want to see you again unless you're in serious pain". So I'm cleared to run. His advice: build slowly, nothing more than 5 miles. Of course, he didn't say for how long but I think I'll know when to bump up. Not to mention right now I'm not sure I COULD run 5 miles. Ok, I guess I could but it would be very slow and I'm sure not too much fun. I have run 3x this week, 2 2 milers and just got back from a 3 miler. All with Bea. I'm thinking of starting a new running team: Bitches with Bitches.
I've been in pretty much a constant state of marathon training for several years. It feels really weird to be starting from 2 mile runs. Honestly, I dont remember the last time I had to start from such a place. I'm guessing after a few weeks, my body will remember all of this and I'll be back to my old self. For now, slow slow slow. I've been looking at a few plans to get me going again, mostly Hudson's level 1 marathon plan as a guide. I can just piece things together and adjust on how things are going. I'm thinking 1 more run this week, maybe not quite 5 miles.
I dont think Bea knows what she's in for. She does like to run with me but she has no idea I intend to make her my primary running mate for a while. She's now passed out on the bedroom floor.

Oh one more thing! Today's run got me past the 1500 mile mark for the year. In my mind, I was hoping to hit 2000 miles for the year, but the injury put an end to that idea. Maybe in 2010!

Maybe two is better than one

I am slowly recovering from my jet lag. Countless hours of travel, 60 degree temp difference, and an 8 hour time change really takes it's toll on a person.
This afternoon I ran 2.1 miles with Bea. Slow. I feel like I'm starting from square one since I sorta am. We're talking like 10 minute pace here. 2 runs, both pain free, going to see Pete tomorrow.
Reading everyone officially starting training for Boston today has given me some anxiety. I have no base. I ran 37 miles in Oct. I ran 2 in november. These numbers for 2 months are usually what I do in what week.
Of course there's that part of my brain that is saying, come on, get over it. There's plenty of time before Boston and you'll bounce back quickly if you run smart and stay pain free. And of course there's the fear that I'm going to get hurt again.
Oh well. Just need to get back on the horse. Slowly. I believe the next several weeks I will be running alone or with Bea.

In other news, my pictures from Tanzania are up here

And every stranger's face I see Reminds me that I long to be

I am home.
And I just ran 2 miles with Bea and Loren. It felt really good to 1. run outside 2. actually move my body after my insane few days of travel.
Let's take a look at the last few days shall we?
First of all, when I left Dar es Salaam, it was over 90 degrees with humidity almost as high. When I landed in NYC this morning, it was 31 degrees. I've been use to being out in shorts and sweeting my ass off for the last 2 weeks. Running tonight in temps about freezing was a bit of a shock to my system.
It's a little after 6pm here in NYC, Dar is 8 hours ahead so I feel like it's the middle of the night.
I've sorta been traveling since thurs, my last few days look like this:
Thurs morning: Drive from Bukoba to about 1k from the Uganda border. (a little over an hour drive) do bike handover, drive back to Bukoba. Thurs afternoon, fly to Mwanza on a Fantasy Island type plane, 45 minute flight. 4 hour layover, have dinner. Thurs evening, 2 hour flight to Dar. Get in late, argue with hotel clerk about shitty room with shower that doesn't drain.
Friday: hang out in Dar for a few hours, really just killing time. 3pm leave for airport, hit horrible traffic, cab driver makes NYC cabbies look like grandmothers driving to church on sunday by driving on sidewalks, over ditches, and just creating lanes.
5:30 fly to Dubai-flight time about 5 hours. 2 hour layover in Dubai airport, one of the most bizarre places on earth.
2am Dubai time take off for NYC. Flight time: 13.5 hours. Land about 7 am.
Loren, saint that she is, loads Bea into the car and comes and picks me up.
So basically, I feel like I've been hit by a truck.
Like I said, running felt great. It's been about 3 weeks. I was advised to start off on the treadmill. I figured since I took an extra week off of running, running short outside would be ok. I had no foot pain while I was away.
I know several of you want to hear more about the trip, so stay tuned. Once I get a handle of the time zone and sleep and all that, I'll post more with pictures.

just a song before I go

Hey all out there in blog land. Just a quick update.
I put off running for another week and for a very good reason...I'm in tanzania putting together and giving away bikes. I was only suppose to be here a week but then the opportunity came up for me to stay longer and I decided, hey, when will I be in Tanzania again?
The first week I was in Kibaha, then a few days in Dar es Salaam, and now in Bukoba which is on the shores of Lake Victoria.
In total, close to 300 bikes will be built and given to health care workers to help fight HIV/AIDS. I will post more when I get back, but if you want to learn more or donate to the project, please go to:
biketownafrica.org