Finishing My First Half (Year)

So here we are. Today, June 1, marks six months to the day that my life changed.

I am going to try to recapture the incredible feelings and everything I have learned, month by month, as a new distance runner and an Upper West Sider in Manhattan. I am doing this mainly as a way that is helping me continue to record what has happened as I make final revisions on my "Trees and Numbers" book manuscript next winter, but I also want to share my excitement with others who love running as much (or more) as I do. I want to sincerely, most graciously thank everyone who has come into my life in that time and provided invaluable assistance, support and general friendship in this incredible half-year. I want to thank Kirk and Janice, who had lived in this new apartment before me and suggested distance running when I dropped in to first look at the place. And every friend. I have a long way to go with the first marathon looming ahead, but a lot to be thankful for.

DECEMBER
Moved from NJ to Upper West Side next to Central Park
Quit smoking cold turkey
Bought first pair of Asics at Foot Action in Times Square
Joined New York Road Runners
Bought "The Runner's Training Diary" as faithful daily log
Spent $200 on a bunch of arctic running gear
Started drinking 12 oz Accelerade before/after every run
Resumed this blog under new title to reflect baseball and running
Trailmix/celery/grapes/etc to fill smoking void, guzzled water
Debuted in Joe Kleinerman 10K on 12/10 (1:18.40/12:41 pace)
Ran Hot Chocolate 10M on 12/16 (2:07.07/12:42)
Wondered when I will stop looking fat
Eating oatmeal/fruit almost every morning, 80-90 oz H20/day
Bought Christmas tree for first time since 2000, suddenly happy
Ran 55.5 miles in my first month

JANUARY
Rang in 2007 in Times Square with my awesome boys
Walked past smoke-breakers at work and felt good
Running 20 miles a week, and completely around Central Park first time
Ran Fred Lebow 5M Classic on 1/7 (54:01/10:48)
Bought 6-foot tall Central Park print and framed it on wall
Breakthrough: On 1/8, ran 3 consecutive (hilly) miles first time
Learned how to eat GU while running
Week of 1/15 was first 20+ mileage week
Learned to stretch better -- and never stretch cold muscles
Carbo-loaded for first time
Ran Manhattan Half-Marathon on 1/21 (2:30.03/11:27)
Right arch began hurting after 3 days rest, fears of plantar fasciitis went away
Learned to blow snot while running
My boss gave me a NYC Marathon keychain for inspiration
I wrote a letter to my right foot
Started tanning
Ran 57.2 miles my second month

FEBRUARY
Bought Eric Harr's book "The Portable Personal Trainer" w/100 tips
Learned what it feels like to be in The Zone
Ran NYRR Gridiron Classic on Super Bowl Sunday (43:05/10:46)
On the 12th, I registered for 2007 ING New York City Marathon
Loaded tons of CDs into my Nano Red
Learned to wash technical gear after wearing it
Began doing park-bench pushups (front/reverse) before each run
Back in IND for grandpa's 90th birthday, ran 6 miles on desolate rural roads
On the 25th, I used Breathe-Right strip first time and shaved :45 off pace
Have lost 12 pounds at this point, when you're supposed to gain weight after smoking
Ran 62.3 miles in my third month

MARCH
Favorite song on Nano Red while running was "Reign O'er Me" by Pearl Jam
Ran Coogan's Salsa, Blues & Shamrocks 5K on 3/4 (30:17/9:46)
(My first time under a 10-minute pace! Big psychological boost)
Put Yankee rug on floor and started real CORE work first time
Ran first time with Powershot, giving video tour through Central Park
Ran Colon Cancer Challenge 15K on 3/11 (1:36.15/10:20). I WORE SHORTS!!!
Helping others through running: What a concept!!!
First experience with blisters and blister kit
Bought new box of clear Breathe-Right strips
Learned from Nathalie: You're only as good that day as your cooldown run
Ran NYRR8000 on ice on 3/18 despite "fun run" status due to overnight winter storm
Started dating again

APRIL
Ran Scotland Run 10K on 4/1 (1:01.17/9:53, disputed), and won raffle afterwards
First case of shinsplints, in left leg. Occasional problem even today
Started buying warm-weather gear; I only knew cold-weather running
Ran Brooklyn Half-Marathon on 4/14 (2:19.03/10:36), bad cramp in 12th mile
Learned not to eat so much before a race
Learned to use ice massage on shinsplints, RICEing like crazy
Ran Oklahoma City Half on 4/29 (2:19) while visiting top Texas Rangers prospect

MAY
Ran NY Junior League Mother's Day 4M (36:54/9:13)
Ran Healthy Kidney 10K on 5/19 (57:11/9:13) - another psyche boost
With that 9th NYRR finish of '07, I QUALIFIED FOR 2008 NYC MARATHON!
Amer. Heart Assn. Wall Street Run on 5/22 (27:51/9:17) - dumb event
On 5/30, bought new box of clear Breathe-Right strips
Having trouble getting to sleep early and not eating late
Never even a thought about smoking, seems weird now to think I smoked
Total miles so far on original Asics: 445.9 miles

JUNE
Time to go buy my second pair of shoes, probably from Jackrabbit (not Foot Action!)
Registered for Japan Day 4M race on 6/3
Headed for Disney World during the week to work our MLB Draft at ESPN Zone
Life is good and getting better every day

Thank you again to everyone who has been there along with me for my first true "HALF"! That's one half-year as a distance runner. I have sooooo much to learn and so many obstacles to conquer. I have a marathon coming this fall, and in mid-June I will find out via the lottery if that's NYC. I love being a runner and I love how it makes me feel. It's been one of the best half-years of my life. Keep running with me.

Here's a Before and After: