8 Mile

You've only got one shot.
Do not miss your chance to blow. 'Cause opportunity knocks once in a lifetime.

The lyrics to Em's Lose Yourself keep running through my head. Truer words have never been spoken about my first marathon. It's a great tune to run to, the tempo is just right, it's inspirational and hey, it makes me feel tough. True, I do love Eminen more than I should, but we all know I adore those Detroit boys, right? (winking at you Hubs!)



Mostly though, because I seem to only be able to get to 8 miles before I fall apart. My knee! My hip! My confidence! "You used to be such a strong runner." These words, spoken by my pal Kat, keep running through my head. Used to be.
True dat.



I've seen my chiro twice now. She's trying her best to be helpful. I'm trying to be optimistic. But this morning, once again, my knee just stopped cooperating. I was close enough to the finish to touch it with my hands. (well, almost) Yet I couldn't run another step. So frustrating. I've got 22 miles on Sunday. 22 is like, officially a lot more than 8. Just so you know. All the soda in the world isn't going to get to me 22!



I hate to self diagnose, but I really am starting to think it's my IT Band. So common for runners. I'll keep seeing the doc, but I'm going to stretch, roll and ice with a hopeful heart. Runner's World says 33% of readers responded to having ITB issues. Uh, can you say ouch?



I'm at the park all week for work. I know, I know, rough job. We are hosting an employee celebration this week. Each day 1/4 of our staff is coming out for BBQ and some fun. We had a BLAST yesterday playing football, frisbee and washers. I think the indoor peeps enjoyed Spoons, Bing and Dominoes. Yeah, we are a crazy crowd for sure. It's supposed to thunderstorm today so maybe not so much football. If I can figure out how to post a video on here, I'll post a hilar clip of the girls throwing the old pigskin around. I declared that if you let it bounce FIRST before catching it, you get 8 points. Men and their traditional rules.

I'll leave you with words from another inspiring artist, one who is a tad cleaner than my pal Em.

Now I feel like a star, a daybreak about to expire.
And get lost in the sun, Me and you
We gotta leave and just run and run
Run and Run, You can't stay, Can't stay
Run and Run, We will walk until my bloodruns out until my heart is burned
~ Matisyahu, We Will Walk

Yeah, that's me. Diverse. Abusive rappers and Hasidic Jews. I got it all on my playlist, that's for sure!