Back in my Wogging Shoes

I tried to keep running as long as I could while I was pregnant.  "Running" quickly became "jogging".  When I realized that I was barely outpacing a woman in high heels in a pencil skirt walking up hill pulling a full-sized roller bag, I knew I had graduated to "pregnancy shuffle."  Needless to say, the final step to walking was not long behind.

It took awhile after J arrived, but I've started running again and it feels so great!  Most often it's a "wog" with J in the stroller, but occasionally I do get to go out on my own and actually run.  For the last month or so, my goal has been to go 20 miles throughout each week.  Now that the Virginia summer sauna is in season, and J is more hit and miss when it comes to napping in his car seat, it's going to be more tricky.  I logged 4.5 miles this past week.  And that includes walking to Parking and Transportation to buy a new parking pass.  I'm starting to see the wisdom of treadmills, though we don't have room for one.  Sigh.

When I went out yesterday, I inadvertently joined the throngs of pink-clad women participating in the "Women's Four Miler Training Program" here in Charlottesville.  The Women's Four Miler is a hugely popular race/breast cancer fundraiser held the Monday after Labor Day.  My mom and I are signed up again for this year's race, but I didn't pay to join the "Training Program".  Basically, it consists of a mini version of the race at increasing distances each weekend followed by a pep rally at the law school park.  But I got to join part of the fun for free - not my fault that I happened to be planning the same route.  It was entertaining and motivating to have cute ladies doing ridiculous dances cheering me on at each corner.  "One half mile down, you're doing great!"  And is it wrong that I found some gratification in passing old women while pushing a stroller?  Well, if it is, I am guilty.  But still gratified.