Still running for the Philadelphia Marathon

I am still working my program and each run brings me closer to my marathon goal of finishing the Philadelphia Marathon. It's been a mixed bag.
Some days I am so psyched! It is me doing this! I am thankful and I can laugh at my negetives: too old & too fat.
Other days I am down because I feel I am not making progress fast enough, times to slow, weight still too much and running feels too hard.
Most important to remember is: if I can get my derriere out of the house and run, I never regret taking the time to exercise and always get a rush of hapiness from completing my run.
I feel for me having races to look forward is most helpful for me. It helps me train because I always have an organized run to go to. It encourages me since I am never the last person to finish. (unless I get to the race late and I still run it because I paid for it) It encourages me because I usually share fellowship with other runners. Lots of runners cheer for each other and peeps they don't even know! Another bonus is now most races give out technical training t-shirts that are great for training! Running gear can get pricey!
Here are a few examples: running homecoming weekend 1/2 marathon race, no way I would miss that race and I piggy backed the rest of my training run onto it. This weekend Sat. 5K in media plus 2 mile warm up run = training run, plus I met people from the town where my dad used to live and a new friend who is sure I should try a tri. Then on Sunday because I really, REALLY wanted to, I took the bus 10 miles from home I ran a steeple chase 5k with muddy water hazards, and gates to jump over then trashed my sneakers and then ran home = training run. This Sunday I have another 1/2 marathon and I will tack on the rest of my training run on to it, it's nice to have someone else taking care of giving me water during my long training runs. AND best of all having someone to run with.
At homecoming, I saw Virgil Whitsett and Tony Steele, 2 track greats from the class of '81. Virgil told me he was training for his 2nd marathon. The Delco Road Runners just set me the enewsletter with props to Virgil in it:
"Marathons - Diane Lista, another 1st timer ran and completed the Steamtown Marathon this past Sunday. Congratulations Diane. Props also go out to Mike Gormley for setting a PR and qualifying for Boston at the same marathon. Virgil Whitsett completed the Baltimore marathon last week, way to go Virgil."
I hope Virgil will read the same about me in the December issue!

for fun here's the link to the Hands on the house 1/2 marathon photo:
http://www.brightroom.com/stf.asp?EVENTID=38854&PWD=&ID=56636124