More Miles and Modeling Calli

My mileage total for February came in at 142.68 (click on the screenshot below to expand), while I’m slated for significantly more—as per my coach’s instructions—in March (through March 8, I’ve already tallied 52.78 miles—I’ve provided a screenshot for this as well).





In fact, Friday, March 4 is/was the only day I was slated to refrain from running all month (and if that doesn’t get your mileage up, nothing will). Because I’m registering faster and faster times while putting forth the same amount of effort, I know my legs are getting stronger, so I should be able to handle the extra mileage and lack of rest days (days wherein I’m actually taking the day off, as opposed to running just a few miles, slowly). And though I’m not used to running so often, including running the days directly prior to a race (this Friday’s March of Dimes Shamrock Run 5k), I’m buying into my coach’s philosophy (“a day off is usually followed by an off day”); as the old adage says, I’m in for a penny, in for a pound.

As for Friday’s race, I’ve finished in 2nd and 3rd places, respectively, the last two years—in a time of 16:28 in 2009 and 16:23 in 2010. And though I’ve not been doing much speedwork in preparation for the race, I’m going to stay on the shoulder of the race’s leader and just ride him into the ground, even if it means I have nothing left in the tank for the final straightaway; I’m sick and tired of getting gaped during mile two, only to find that I can rally in mile three (yet still fall short because of my lack of heart earlier). Let the chips fall where they may.

And now, a couple of non-running related things:

1.) I recently enjoyed a white chocolate encrusted Twinkie (below, pre-mastication). Let it be known that, whether it was the sweet shop’s tampering with the Twinkie’s natural chemistry or simply the natural chemistry itself, Twinkies do indeed go stale. So there goes that myth.



2.) A local magazine—South Magazine—is hosting the first annual “South Greatest Pets Contest,” into which I have entered Calli. Her headshots (which are likely repeats of those you've seen on this very blog before) are below.