Addendum

I was realizing that one of the things that people liked most about some of my earlier posts was hearing more about the people and places I see along my runs, so I thought I'd expand on some of my recent updates--for one, Will and I ran from the middle of Rock Creek Park through the National Zoo to Georgetown and back up through the city. It was great, despite losing a water bottle in the wilderness and scaring the public with our appearance. DC humidity will make you sweat!
Also, I should have a picture of myself up on this site soon, courtesy of future Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Will. It won't be a shot of me after a run, though, as Will says that that would be "disgusting" and that I would "scare away potential donors." Thanks a lot :P
By the way, some of you may be interested to know that I am writing this at 10:45pm--way past my bedtime! These evening workouts are turning me into a normal 20-something! I can actually stay awake past 10 some nights :)

The 5-4 Workout

Adam devised a track workout for us today--he ran 5 laps at 6 minute mile pace and I ran four, aiming for 7:30. It was actually a really great workout...knowing that he would be coming up behind me at the end really kept me moving. He also did the last set with me, so I ended up with miles of about 6:58, 7:10, 7:30 and 7:03. That's a lot faster than I thought I could do...looks like he'll be digging deep in his pockets for this fundraising challenge once I run my next 5k! :) Thanks, Adam, for pushing me, but also for believing that I could do it.
Thanks also to Avik, Nancy, and Laura! Megan and Pablo both mentioned how amazed they are at the amount I've raised so far, but it just goes to show what generous friends and family I have. You guys are really awesome.

Workout partners

Erz came to town for a visit on Wednesday, and Will on Thursday, and they were kind enough to go on some runs with me, as Erz noted in her comment. She and I did a couple loops at Lake Artemesia, one of my regular routes, on Friday morning and Will and I did a ten mile loop through DC on Saturday. It was a nice tour, and Will was a good sport, despite having a cough and cold. Thanks, guys!

Spreading the word

Thanks, Erz, for your donation, and for passing my email along to friends. I can now say that this project is supported by two more upstanding citizens, First Lieutenant Daniel Kistler of the USMC and former captain of the unbeaten Harvard football team of 2001, Ryan Fitzgerald :) Many thanks, Danny, for your very generous contribution and to Fitz for being open to learning about the cause.
I thought you all might be interested in the fundraising progress now:
Save the Children: $753
Invisible Children: $220
I wish I could say that my training today was as outstanding as this fundraising, but I have to say that I was not at my best. Stress at work and undereating will really take it out of me.

Movin' on up (or down)

I did some track work with Melanie today--6x800. I'm a wus and didn't want to be timed for the first two laps, but Melanie's braver than I and started clocking us on the third lap. I guess I have some competitive spirit in me, b/c I managed to run each of those laps faster than the last--3:45 to 3:37 to 3:30 to 3:20. And none of those felt too hard. So, that's progress! Thanks, Melanie, for getting out there with me :)

Weekend adventure

I braved the wilds of Greenbelt Park again for my long run (about 12 miles) on Saturday and what an adventure it was. Aside from climbing over fallen trees and out of creek beds, I should have been watching out for the roots. Wooded trails are not the place to start to drag your feet, and I wasn't quite careful enough, b/c midway through the run, I tripped and took quite a dive. I rolled a little down the hill and ended up head to toe in dirt with a scrape on my knee. I felt a bit like a little kid, but it also reminded me of my cross country days, where being muddy was a badge of honor. It's just a good thing Sara wasn't home to see me tromp mud into the house. Don't worry, though, I cleaned it all up!! :)
Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!
Lastly, to anyone reading this site, I changed the settings so that anyone (not just registered bloggers) can post a comment. So, please write to me! I love comments.

Very cool news

In a comment on my last post, Annie said how much she enjoyed seeing how much this project has raised so far on the firstgiving site. But, plenty of folks have pledged or donated directly to the two organizations, not on that site, so I figured I'd give you all an update of my fundraising progress overall:
To Save the Children: $569
To Invisible Children: $143
Very exciting!
I also got an email from Pablo, saying that my blog helped him see that I was really committed to the marathon--it was a good thing to hear today, when I was feeling sick and tired, not very motivated at all, and was crashing from the relief of completing two workshops. But I got out and did a slow 5-6 miles--not sure exactly how many, and they weren't pretty, but I did 'em.
Mil gracias, Pablo! Thanks, Annie, especially for showing me the documentary in the first place.

New challenges

In the spirit of competition, Adam pledged $1 for every second under 25 minutes I run in my next 5k. Seeing as how I haven't run below 25:45 since high school, this will be a good new challenge! Or maybe I'll just have Annie run it in my place :)
I did run a quick 3 miles on Sunday, but it looks like I'll be off the trails and on the track soon to really get in gear.
Also, many thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Harris (Megan's parents) and Sameer!

Saturday update

Today's run was interesting--a 10 mile trail run at a park near my house (I love living close enough to the city to enjoy it but far enough outside it to have trees in my life!). It seems as though the park suffered some major damage in a few recent severe storms here, b/c there were trees down all over the trail. Some of them were small and easy to hop over, but others were huge and I had to crawl over or under them. Then, there were two bridges on the trail--one had been washed out and the other had been demolished by falling trees. The depth of one of the creek beds must have been at least six feet, and I had to crawl out of it by grabbing onto an exposed root. So, this didn't do much for my pace, but it certainly kept me on my toes!

Running clubs

So, people have suggested that I check into a running club in my area, to give me a support network in my training. I've poked around some of their websites before, but did a more serious look today, and I think it's put a little dent in my confidence. The biggest one in my area has a subgroup they call the "BOP" or "Back of the Pack"--meaning anyone who wants to do their practice runs at 10 minute mile pace. Now, I can run 3 to 5 miles at closer to 8:30 or 9, but for long runs? Their easy runs are 6-7 miles, and their Saturday runs are "typically 12 miles, with longer runs for the marathon trainers"! Is it bad that at this point in my training, 12 miles still feels like a "longer run"...?
I did find a more low key group that meets closer to my house--I may try to scope them out tomorrow morning, if I can work up the nerve to join the group unannounced.
On a brighter note, thanks to Onyi and Mrs. Flusche!

Analogies

I was thinking that maybe I like running because it's like dancing--you have your music and you're in a rhythm and moving to the beat. It's great! Did five miles today, the last three were my fastest yet!

One more

Thanks, Mary E and Travis!
Also, it turns out people really are reading this blog (thanks!) and some (Will) would like to hear more about my actual training. Unfortunately, at the moment it's not too exciting--I stretch, put on my radio, and go. I suppose I could tell you about the increasing size of my blister or the state of my bruised toe, but I figured people wouldn't want to hear too much about that! But, I'll let you know how the long runs go.

More thanks, and Megan's mom

Many thanks to Caitlin and Opa and Will, even though he told me that my blog sounded like a public television station pledge drive.
I was also glad to hear today that Megan was surfing the Save the Children site, and found that they have a program to collect knit caps for newborns--Megan's mom is an avid knitter, so she and her friends are going to knit hats to donate! I should mention, too, that Megan is my weekday workout buddy. She keeps me on track!
And, for those who have suggested it, I'll probably never have a picture of myself up on any of these sites, although it's a good idea. I don't even own a camera.

Firstgiving.com

FYI--to make this more organized, I've started a fundraising page for Save the Children at www.firstgiving.com/naomionthemove

Thanks, and news from 8/5

Thanks also to Jake, for generously matching the total amount I had pledged for myself--much more than I ever expected from anyone.
Also, I thought I should give you a run down of this past week's training: I nearly got lost in the wilderness of Rock Creek Park on a ten mile run (half of which, I swear, was uphill!), but at the end of my run met a man who was pushing three small children in a stroller the width of the sidewalk. We exchanged pleasantries and as I ran ahead, one of the kids caught my attention and waved goodbye. They all looked like they were having such a good time, it just made my day. Despite what people might think, running is really not a lonely sport. When I got home, I found that I had developed a blister "the size of a marble" (according to my friend Megan) on my foot, but that's ok.

My first post

I've never actually blogged before, but I am starting now to give those of you who are supporting me in my marathon fundraising efforts a chance to follow me in my training, if you're interested. It's one way for me to acknowledge the support Save the Children, Invisible Children, and I are getting from all of you. It's also a chance for me to advertise your generosity--so thanks to Andrea for your contribution to Save the Children, and to Sara and Darren for your pledges and to Darren for spreading the word!