I've circled the calender

Thank you Joanne.

Joanne, is one of the über runners in my Saturday morning group. She has big green eyes,  wears beautifully coordinated pink running togs, has a smile that lights up any room and has an enthusiasm that greets me on even the most greyest of mornings. I hadn't seen her for a while, and last Saturday had a quick catch-up in the parking lot, as she was finishing her, "just 20 km run, " and I was just starting my 9 km walk. You would never know she just finished 20 km - as perky as ever. I asked what she was training for, and she wasn't sure. Really, you are running that distance, just for fun?

Joanne and I once took a yoga for runners session together, and that was probably the only thing I could keep up with her on, as it will never be her running. She likes to run marathons for fun & she's fast. She sees the whole process as her therapy. And you know, I get that. I don't want to really do another marathon, but, I get it.

Joanne said she needs to make a goal, otherwise why run — which, got me thinking. While I am happy to be walking these days, I thought, that yes, I need to set a goal too. Then, along with the many running emails that were fired at me from various running sources this week, I read about a 10 km race in Sunnybrook Park in August. Hmm. It is a pretty venue, they have a chocolate station at the end, the course is flat and they welcome walkers. Tick, tick, tick and another tick. I think I'm in. Now I realize it is only 10 km, but, I have been rather leisurely in my walks of late, and will need to ramp up my speed, in order not to be the very last one over the finish line.

I think I must have felt medal deprived in my youth. For a while there,  I was on a mission to earn whatever medals I could, by finishing a variety of different races, from a full marathon, to 9 half marathons, and several 10 km races. I am happy to say that I am now past my medal deprivation issue. Today, I just want to do a race, that will give me a certain satisfaction, of a job well done.

So thank you Joanne, for getting me moving, moving faster and more often, as the training has now begun.

My last 1/2 marathon in New York City.