Me, My Dog, and Running Long Distances

Intro: Because it would only be appropriate, I likely ought to perform a sort of introduction. My name is Chris Ramsey, I'm 29 years old, live in Savannah, Georgia, and am currently employed as a glorified answering machine for a cellular billing company.

I am, in most every measurable way, a "normal" sort of guy. I like sports, I like beer, I like women, I like things cooked on a grill. Yes, I'm altogether normal. Except for my notion that running 18 miles is both relaxing and enjoyable; it seems that, for many, the idea of running any farther than to the mailbox is as queer a concept as is owning a dog which was bred to run, yet spends a majority of her time asleep in very peculiar, upside-down positions.... My greyhound Calli is 9 years old and is a retired racer out of Florida (for more about her history as such, please visit the following link--be sure to click on "12 races" at the top of the page: http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=405841&z=xM8UzT). She is beautiful, bossy and, on occasion, belligerent. She sleeps 85% of the day. She is a wonderful dog.



Goals: I majored in English while in school, hoping to graduate and become the next Dr. Seuss. Which means that, these days, the only evidence of that can be found in the wonderfully written emails I send to my clients. Suffice to say, this is lost on them. Thus I've decided that a blog, which I'll admit to having looked down upon in the past (as a feeble lifeline used to keep in touch with friends, whom the writer believes want to know about every-day activities he/she has performed), is in order. Not only can I use this as a way to hone my writing, but I can also keep in touch with friends and family as I prepare to run my very first Boston Marathon. I like to run. I like to write. How self-important of me.

A Brief Training Synopsis: I've run two marathons, my best time being my very first--2:53:40 (6:38 per-mile pace) in the 2009 Miami Marathon (a tremendous run, if you're looking for a late-January race). Because it was a generally flat, fast course, my hope is not to better my time, rather to not be too far off it--I'd be happy with a 3:00:00 Boston finish (though you can't fault a competitive guy for wishing for more...).

Though I've already been training for five weeks, today was the official start of my "Boston Bound" training plan (which can be found by visiting http://www.halhigdon.com/boston/bostonbound.htm)--I've used Hal Higdon's plans in the past, for races varying from 5k-marathon, and have nothing but good things to say about them all. For today's workout, nothing too exciting--went to the gym and knocked out an easy three miles on the treadmill in 23:46 (7:55 per-mile pace), followed by some stretching and strength training. This is following 13.81 miles in 1:46:29 (7:43 per-mile pace) yesterday. 3xhill (1 downhill) tomorrow.

In Conclusion: I'll try and fill in the blanks along the way--why I run, the gear I use, if my dog did anything noteworthy throughout the day.... Just anything that helps you get to know me as a "normal" guy and runner, while at the same time allowing me to remember what I love so much about writing.