End of the month totals.........................

Otherwise titled "No wonder I feel so tired all the time."

Funny story along those lines... They are making a movie in our town A former student is dong it for his senior college project) and a dear friend is in charge of wardrobe. I told her I would help her with some sewing and she came to drop it off last night. The other piece you need to know is my sister is visiting from out of town.

It is (only) 8:00 at night and I am already in bed, my sister is sitting at the foot of the bed and we are chatting. (my) Mister answers the door and tells my friend I am downstairs (where my bed is now that the OPs have taken over the bedrooms). She comes down the stairs and into the room, expels a huge gasp, and exclaims "WHAT'S WRONG?" What? I told her nothing, I was just in bed because I had only gotten three hours of sleep the night before, I was tired, and I was getting up at 5:30 AM to run six miles. Relieved she says, "Oh. Well I saw you in bed, and I saw your sister was here and I thought you were deathly ill and she had flown in to take care of you." (me) "And you instantly panicked because you didn't know who you were going to get to do the sewing." JK.

Okay, so maybe most people don't go to bed at 8:00 at night (really it is more like 10 most nights) but then most folks don't log one hundred and twenty-two (122) miles in a months time! Yup! You read that correctly! My highest monthly mileage ever. No speed work, no speed records, some of those miles walked, but I am counting every single one of them, proudly, and without apology for their quality. They are mine, and they fulfill my requirements as well as represent many steps toward my goals.

For me, part of my running journey has been about learning to love and accept myself just the way I am, and stop the insane comparing of my parts/skills to everyone that is faster, better, skinnier, in possession of thighs that don't rub together and make their shorts bunch up between their legs. You name it, I have compared it... and not in a healthy way.

As I put July in the books I want to say thanks to all of you that are taking this journey with me by reading this blog, and/or in the middle of a similar journey of your own. It is really helpful for me to know you are out there and that we can lean on one another for support and encouragement. That is what will make the difference between our failure and our success. Give yourself a pat on the back and a hug from me since my arms aren't long enough to do it myself. Thanks.