Thank you FitArlington Selection Committee

I shedded a tear when I found out that I was selected as a participant in the upcoming 10k Marine Corp. Marathon. I would again like to thank the Selection Committee.

Once I received word of my selection, the very next day, I was assigned to the Marathon Charity Partners Group. Two days after that, I met the Partners at the Crescent Trail in Bethesda for a nine mile run.

If I must say so myself, I did pretty good for it being my first time in training for a Marathon. I completed the run/walk in two hours. The group meets each Saturday at 7:00 a.m. There is always some type of presentation before we begin (proper warm-up, stretch, clothing, shoes, etc.).

Thus far, we have met at Crescent Trail (nine- mile- run), Lady Bird Johnson Park/Columbia Island Marina (eleven- mile- run) and Carderock Trail (twelve-mile-run). "Man oh man", how refreshing.

It took me three hours to complete the Carderock run. I do notice that I complete the run/walks in a faster time when I am familiar with the route (Columbia Island Marina). I am truly loving this step up in my exercise routine and am so happy that I am able to complete these challenges.

I have already lost an inch or so around my waist and a few extra pounds! I tend to focus on weight loss in ten pound increments. I can now say that I am getting ready to tackle a new set of scale numbers (hip, hip, hooray).

Ballston Blurb

“You’re running a 10k while the whole city runs a marathon?” So go the comments from friends, family and lately myself, since committing to you, my fellow taxpayers of Arlington, to deliver a respectable finish this October. By that I mean a 10-minute pace or a 62-minute conclusion, though we’d hope for better. Well sure, before I pinned on this bib I already ran at least twice per week for 30 minutes and for 12 years, though it has yet to feel like a habit. And in that first year of jogging I even creaked in a 10k race, which remains my only race to this day. But my second race, come October, will be different. First, I’m now aged 47. Second, I hate exercise more than when I started. Will I finish this October? No question, Yes. I owe it to you for seeing me wheeze by these myriad dawns, and with thanks for sometimes yielding the crosswalk, sometimes leashing your dogs, and sometimes placing your butts in trash cans although most often not. This summer watch for me stretching calves if not at the rising sun then at least at the first morning taillights of Arlington’s parking enforcement, whose awesome breadth spans all but the Central Library. Or circling the track of Washington-Lee, one of the nation’s costliest, as I build from a barely-in-motion amble to a modest hurry to a plausible jog to an all-out knockknee, all within a highly visible radius of the dewy beer bottles and gently tumbling food wrappers from the 7-11 clientele at Ballston Metro. Having hoped for a well-matched 10k training group but left adrift, then shopped online for a solo program and completed my first week, I’m flush with false confidence. So after the race I’ll let you know what kind of time I’ve run, what kind of time I’ve had, and whether I’ve been good value for your property tax. See you at Iwo Jima. Thanks.

Better Late Than Never!!!!

Ok, so I am finally taking a moment to post. I am new to bloggoing and I am finidng out that is is quite cool. I am also new to the idea of running 26.2 miles, but I am determind to do it. I have been to two of the MCP training runs and have been participating in the four and five mile "fun runs" sponsored by Pacers in Arlington.

I am a new 34 year old who has lived in Arlington since 1997. I am a high school health teacher and I thought what a great way to practice what I preach by training for and running a marathon. I may inspire a few students to do the same. Actually a few of my students, who have graduated, have run the Marine Corps Marathon.

I have had the idea of running a marahon for a while. Once upon a time it became one of the items on my things to do before I die list. Don't worry, I am not planning on doing that anytime soon. I am excited to participate in this training experience and I hope it will allow me to finish the marathon, that is my ultimate goal.

As of now I would say my mile is between 10-12 minutes. I am working on picking that up and making it closer to 10. With each day, I think I will get closer and closer to that.

So I understand I'm a late comer to the blog but I certainly don't want to be the slacker in the crew. Intro, etc...

I'm 34 years old, married with children and have lived in Arlington now since 1997. I originally moved to Arlington from Suburban Philadelphia for shocking, a government job. Since that time, my physical fitness/nutrition has been up and down. Therefore, when I saw the announcement I said why not at least submit my name... There's no way I would actually get picked... As an aside it's funny when I describe this whole thing to my friends because I struggle with my word choice, I won the lottery???? So the idea of running 26.2 is certainly daunting but I have friends and co-workers who have done it, some multiple times, so why not me.

I am writing this blog after a few weeks of training with the Arlington Road Runners Club. Initially was a bit concerned about starting off with a nine mile run. When we met that first morning, I was comforted to know that there were several different pace groups and if I didn't meet some timeline I didn't face removal.... I seemed to fare OK. I have a bit of a problem figuring out what my pace should be but was OK for 9. Then the next week we did 10, then 11. I did 12 this morning. Feel a bit tired but not in pain, etc. Pretty happy with my progress thus far. We'll see how things develop.

Life is like a box of chocolates....

...a sugar free, low cal box of chocolates. OK, to be fair, maybe that isn't life- maybe that’s just my life.

Since this is my first post, perhaps I should begin with the basics- who I am, why I am participating in this program, and what I hope to accomplish.

The Who:
I'm in my mid 20's and have lived in Arlington for just over a year. Of the many cities I have lived in, Arlington (Ballston) has been the most supportive. I originally moved here to shorten my daily commute (previously over an hour drive each way, now just a 3 minute walk!!). However, as I assimilated to the Arlington lifestyle I have found myself leading a healthier, more mindful life. I exercise daily, eat relatively healthy, and enjoy the benefits of a car-free diet. I am undoubtedly in the best shape of my life and am officially addicted to the endorphins.

The Why:
For the past few months I have made dramatic changes in my lifestyle. I have begun to exercise daily, monitor my diet, and volunteer with various organizations (I'm especially passionate about the Green Revolution- taking it beyond the faddish trend it currently is, and transforming it into a way of living for all). Despite all of these efforts, I did not have the support, resources, experience, or confidence to attempt that which I did not believe I could accomplish. I knew that through the FitArlington program I could fill these voids.

The Goal:
My goal is to break through my current plateau (mental and physical) - gaining great endurance, health and a toned body in the process is just a bonus. When I first read of this opportunity I knew that this was my chance- to make a commitment to myself and to the FitArlington team, to potentially inspire others to challenge themselves, to meet likeminded people and create new friendships, and to find an excuse not to make excuses anymore. I look forward to sharing what I learn through this program with all of you.


I will be posting weekly with tips and advice based on my training as well as some of my challenges and successes. Thanks for your support!

first track workout

Yesterday evening was my first track workout with the Pacers team. Dang, so many people are so fast! Even the ones who don't look like they should be fast were still giving me a good challenge. We did 6x800 and while I was not as fast as I would have liked, I was able to keep a consistent time. In fact, I think my last rep might have been my fastest, at 3:29! I've got a LOT of room for improvement, though. The weather yesterday helped too, because it wasn't 150 degrees. I'm sure the temperatures will start getting up there soon, though. I need to keep up with these track workouts to improve my speed.

In addition to these track workouts, I really do need to be building up my long runs, because I've only done 11-12 miles each the past two weekends. Granted, I didn't stop to walk at all during those two runs, but the marathon is less than four months away and I want to be able to blaze through it with flying colors. Last year I did great for the first 22 miles, then slowed down drastically the last four. This year, I want to build on that AND keep going after Mile 22 and achieve a new PR!

Answering the whys and laughs

When I told my family I was running a 10K, they said why? When I told my boyfriend I was running a 10K, he laughed. I answered the whys and laughs by showing up to week 3's track workout.
Deciding to train and run is out of character for me. I've jogged recreationally but never with any focus. When I saw an ad for the FitArlington group, I thought it was my chance to become a runner. I want to take this opportunity to change my lifestyle and add a great habit.
As the weeks pass, running is becoming easier. I have a long way to go, but I can see the finish line.