Running and Other Drugs

I have always run.

I was a cross country runner at school.

I've run for fitness (and food) most of my adult life - but I never called myself a 'runner'.

I always stuck to the safe distances of 10km or under and the 12km City To Surf was my own personal marathon.

Then I fell in with the wrong crowd...and now I'm a running junkie.

 I joined a running group almost a year ago and my addiction is spiralling.

I joined this free, friendly group because I missed my gym buddies post-child and wanted something for me once I emerged from the fog of baby bliss, ill health and other fun stuff.

I've always had a handle on my running.

Once I saw those two beautiful, blue lines my running life stopped.

And I really didn't care  - for at least a year.

No endorphin cravings, no getting up at ridiculous hours to get my fix, no throwing wads of money at Asics to fuel my need.

But this sordid,(charitable, gorgeous) bunch of runners I have been associating with have exposed me to an underworld of distances, events and challenges.

I've shaved almost 7 whole minutes off my 10km time since I began running with them and have run a PB in every 6 week time trial. And I want more!!

(See, I even say things like "PB" now!)

It started with the 'HBF Run For A Reason' - 14km was unchartered waters for me. But I made it. In good time. And raised lots of $$ for a great charity.

So I wanted a bigger rush.

A Half Marathon - 21km -  was next. Why not. They're all doing it!

Now that I have that distance under my belt, I want more.

So, my next hit is a marathon.

Oh, my parents would be horrified!!

(Not true, my Dad had run a few marathons before we kids stole his identity)

Never mind that I haven't even come close to running that distance before -

the Perth Marathon is calling my name.

I've started building my distances and ran a comfortable 25km on the weekend

(if you call diving into the pool still clothed straight after, comfortable).

So, with four months and lots of encouraging, mad, running buddies and a super understanding, very competitive hubby to keep me motivated - who knows what's possible??!

Hopefully 42.2km, that's what.

:-)

There is always one terrible step further than my goal - ultra marathons - 75 & 100kms.

But I think that's like the heroin of the running world.

I won't be going near that seedy, dangerous place of no return.

As for the other drugs, I'm not really that interested!

I do love a glass of, but my control freak nature wouldn't take kindly to anything upsetting the delicate balance between really, really organised and just plain neurotic.