Excuses, excuses (Lauren)

This week, there is some good news and some bad news… which do you want to hear first?

Let’s be serious. It’s always the bad news first. So here goes.

This week we have fought some seriously epic battles to keep our training alive. For Lindsey, it was the hair-modeling gig, which left her with strict orders not to shower for at least 3 days (a story all its own… please feel free to ask Lindsey for details). Of course, for the good of the family, no showers meant no running for Linds.

For me, it was the arrival of Denton, who is home for the holidays. Don’t get me wrong here. Denton is a great supporter of my training… unfortunately, he’s also a great excuse to skip it, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to using that one a time or two.

And for both of us, it has been the extra study-demands of finals week at Emory, and the approach of my January MCAT date. Sometimes, between studying and sleeping, it seems to be hard to find time for much else.

Ahhh, the power of excuses. Luckily for us, though, the power of a running buddy is usually significantly stronger, and just the guilt I feel when I have to admit to Lindsey that I skipped a run is enough to get my running shoes on my feet and my behind out the door.

And that is the good news.

We are now one month into our training schedule, and we have each run over 50 miles already! It’s amazing how quickly the miles add up.

And maybe the best news of all is that we can feel it! Our very hilly two-mile course, which used to leave me gasping for breath, now feels comfortable. And I was relieved (... although maybe a little perturbed) when Lindsey informed me yesterday that the "perfect 3-mile course" she charted for us, and that we have run for the last several weeks, is, in fact, a 3.6 mile course. Sure, the first thing that went through my mind was a list of ways she could repay me for all the extra pain and suffering... but after that, I realized that we had accidentally jump-started our training, and that felt great!

So, the bottom line is that we are still trucking! One chilly winter morning run at a time, we are making steps toward our goal. Even our fundraising is off to a really promising start. However, we still need the help of all our amazing friends and family. Fundraising letters have made it out the door, so please take time to read them, and consider donating! It really is a great cause, and every little bit counts!