Yes, it’s been a while.

But it’s only partially my fault. For several weeks there, I was sans computer. My computer broke. Literally. And at the most inopportune moment, as well!

Here’s what’s happened since I last posted: I ran 17 miles. Then I was completely miserable, in exquisite pain, barely able to move my legs, for two weeks. Then I got a massage. And I got better. And I ran 2 miles. And I ran 5 miles. And I ran 2 miles. And I ran 10 miles. And I ran 2 miles. And it rained. A lot. And then, last Sunday, I hit a milestone: I ran 20 miles. I was hanging in there until I got to the last 3 miles. And then it felt like someone was shoving molten steel skewers into my arches. And I had to pause, and deluge my innards with electrolytes, and continue more slowly. But I finished, and in under 5 hours. Which, while not quite bringing me to the 6-hour marathon time I was hoping for, puts me not too far behind (hopefully). I have some new shoes now, and that will hopefully help.

Fact is, since I started my new job (about a month ago), I’ve found it very difficult to find the time to run. Between work and school, I’m barely getting enough time to sleep, let alone finding a couple hours to dress, head out to the track, run, come back, shower. But today I discovered these:

This is episode 1 of the BBC documentary about what inspired me to do this thing in the first place. As I said to my buds on EddieIzzard.com:

Last weekend I ran 20 miles in preparation for the LA Marathon. Some of the magic and inspiration had somehow gotten lost. I remembered watching Eddie’s video diaries, following his tweets, being aware of what he went through, at least peripherally. And while that was what kept me going for most of this training, I somehow … lost something a couple weeks back. Started doing things by rote.

But now there’s this. Here’s Eddie switching shoes because of blisters and toenails that are likely to fall off. I did that just last week. Here he was dealing with IT band issues, which have been plaguing me for weeks – I’ve been barely able to roll out of bed. I’ve been popping Advil tablets like they’re candy. Suddenly what Eddie did became more real than it ever had before. I’ve LITERALLY felt his pain. I now know what it’s like to hit mile 13 and know you’ve still got as many to go. I know what it’s like to head out for a run only to have the skies open and pour down on you. I know what it’s like when you can barely walk because your IT bands are so sensitive your knee/hip feels like it’s on fire and has pins shoved in, and the only thing (other than massage) that seems to help is, ironically, running.

I would never have begun this journey if it wasn’t for Eddie, and his Marathon of Marathons last summer. And though at times it’s really sucked – especially of late, when I lost touch with why I’m doing this – I now remember, vividly, why I’m doing it. And I’m going to keep doing it, and keep raising money for Pancreatic Cancer Research. I’m going to do what it takes. Including asking for money, which I’m supremely uncomfortable with.

So, dearest Blatheren, if you’ve beared with me this far, and if you’ve been even slightly inspired by my journey as I’ve been inspired by Eddie’s, kindly visit my blog below. Please follow the links and help me reach my fund-raising goal, so that I can actually run at the LA Marathon. I know times are tough, but even a fiver helps.

I’ll leave it at that. Thank you, Eddie. You ROCK. Love and Hugs from LA.

So please, if you’re reading this, please click on the links below to donate. I will not be allowed to participate in the Marathon (at least officially) if I do not reach my goal, and Pancreatic Cancer Research will lose out on some much, much needed support.

Thank you for reading, dear friends. I promise to keep you updated more frequently until M-day: March 21st. And thank you for your support.

These thing seem to be spread out …

Exciting news: I’ll be starting my new job on Monday. What that means for my running/cleansing/blogging endeavors … well, hopefully not much. But it does mean I’m going to have to make some adjustments for lack of time.

To recap: had a 10-mile run on Sunday. Was determined to keep up with the group. And I did! It was a good running day (meaning I managed to – mostly – keep my brain quiet and running was much less of a struggle). I felt GREAT afterward.

Here’s an amazing tree I saw on my walk on Monday (felt like I just had to move, ya know?) These are all in bloom now, and it’s truly amazing:

This coming weekend is a 19-mile weekend: I’ll be running 4 miles on Saturday, and 17 on Sunday. Thankfully, since I do have a job starting Monday, I felt comfortable enough to invest in much-needed new running shoes. These are of the motion-control variety, which – as I understand it – provide maximum support. Hopefully they’ll aid with my various injuries.

Cleanse world: finally getting a bit better about separating my carbs and my proteins, I think. Starting my mornings with Chai is still very good. Also getting better about remembering my nightly herbs (mornings haven’t been a problem), but last night I just crashed on the sofa, so neglected to take my herbs on my zombie-shuffle to bed. Did a ton of juicing last night, though, so must replenish fruit/veggie supply today or tomorrow (still have juice in the fridge). Am ready for flush day tomorrow.

Overall, feeling very good. Energy levels very good overall. I think I’ve noticed some shrinkage in the body-area (I think my face is looking a bit slimmer, but I know from how various pairs of pants are fitting that my booty/hip/thigh areas are definitely decreasing). Haven’t weighed self yet. Have a bit of a fear relationship going on with the scale at this point, I think, since for years it’s only lead to disappointment.

That’s all for today. Next week: adventures in cleansing/training for a marathon in an office …

I’m back!

I realize it’s been a few days. Shame on me. Much has happened, and I must fill you in on events.

Saturday: ran 4 miles with my good friend S. This was the first part of my “combo run” (you run x+2 miles one day, then y the next day, and x+y equal the entire distance you need to run). On my way to meet S (which was, happily, in the sun after several days of rain) I happened onto a field. And a couple of these:

No, not the wet leaves, silly. The ladybug. Here’s another:

(yes, that’s my arm in there, sorry …). That run went well. Afterwards it was off to a group meeting, followed by a farewell dinner for my sister, ’cause she’s moving to San Francisco (yay for her, boo for me). Dinner, fortunately, was sushi, which I enjoyed whole-heartedly without the tiniest twinge of guilt (and it was delicious. Highly recommend Yatai, especially for their happy hour specials).

Sunday. I was due to run 11 miles. My running mates (the ones that were running the same intervals as I was, L & C) were going to do 15. I was supposed to turn back at some point and return on my own. But I wasn’t looking forward to that. When you’re running long distances, running with other people helps SO much. So I asked myself: “Do 11 miles and run back on my own, or just do the whole 15 and keep up with these guys?” Had a tough time deciding, until I thought back to my inspiration for this whole mad thing (see About page for details) and asked myself: “What would Eddie do?” The answer was clear: do the 15. And I did. For an equivalent of a 17-mile run.

Yes, it wasn’t easy. Yes, it actually hurt to stop (oddly). And I now finally really get what people mean when they say that running these distances is 95% mental. Your body can do it. But your mind will try its darndest to convince you it can’t. The hardest thing about these runs is telling your mind to SHUT UP and let you get on with it. On our way back we saw this guy sunning himself (again, apologies for the “me” shadow):

That was kind of sweet.

Cleanse: well, unfortunately, I didn’t make my flush day this week. Because of what I was scheduled to do on Saturday, I just didn’t get my instructions in time to be able to adequately prepare for it. But I will do this week, and though I’ll be running 10 miles on Sunday, I am planning on having that for my flush day (I think that between juicing and smoothies and broth I can manage my hunger). In general, I’m doing very well with abstaining from caffein, alcohol, sugar, refined flour, potatoes. Drinking a lot more juice, eating more fruits and veggies is also pretty good. What I struggle with the most seems to be the food combining: when I eat my rice, I just kind of want some chicken or something to go with it. That’s possibly been the hardest thing. Must focus more on juice this week.

I’ve been feeling more energized, which is great, and a bit lighter, as well. Though since I’m doing all this running in combination with the cleanse, it’s somewhat tricky pinning exactly what effect is from which cause. Must keep on keeping on!

AND it’s time for me to get going with my day.

LOVE all around, see ya again soon.