It went OK.

I met April and her mommy at the race site (they did the 3.5/4 mile fitness walk) and we all picked up our bibs and t-shirts (pretty nice long sleeved with the requisite shamrock design on the front and the sponsors on the back). Then we walked to a farily open area... I stretched a bit... and then they wished me luck and I lost myself in the crowd in front of the starting line.

The race itself was not spectacular... My last race time was 31:40 or there abouts and I finished this one in just about 30:50 despite the mile long uphill on Broadway in Downtown Portland (I hate hills... especially LONG hills). I can't be sure of my exact time because I was about 20-25 seconds back from the start line and I completely forgot to wear my watch and the "official results" aren't up yet on the web. I will update on that later. Overall I felt fine during the run... I am glad I didn't do the 8k as I'm definitely not in top running form right now... I really need to get outside and do more long runs, I just can't stand to do them inside on the treadmill. Now that it's finally getting nice again I will definitely start doing that.

I am stressing today about the fact that I leave for France in two days... AIEEEE!!! I need to finish packing, get a few euros for my metro ticket when I get to Paris so I can get to the hotel where my family will be staying... I have my passport, itinerary... oh I need books for that 9 hour flight!!! Hopefully with the free booze I'll sleep a bit, but man... I'm going to need somthing else to occupy my time too. Batteries for the MP-3 player... charge the video camera and digital camera... (am I going overboard with the recording devices?) The rest of my family leaves today, so I'm excited for them too. My parents have never been to Europe even tho they've sent every one of their 5 kids over at some time or other. My mom is like a little kid on Christmas Eve... just giddy! I love it!

In other news I walked into the gym this morning and told Alissa, "I'm ready." I am going on my vacation (during which I will do whatever the heck I want and not worry about fitness!) and when I come back I'm giving this thing 6 weeks of total dedication and we're going to see my body fat drop at LEAST 2% over that period. It will take a lot of discipline and mental toughness, but you know what? I bust my ASS at the gym and I want to LOOK like I bust my ass at the gym and if that means 6+ weeks of a LOT of cardio (intervals on top of sustained cardio) and circuit training instead of heavy lifting... I'm willing to do it. And yes, Jim... I want veins. (never thought I'd say that).

coffee and my apple are calling... cheers!

Posted by Lexy at March 15, 2004 07:33 AM