I can't stop thinking about it.

I am always touched, moved and inspired by the Susan G. Komen  Race for the Cure.

This incredible cause has the power to impact every single human emotion.

This is no ordinary race:  I was among more than 23,700 participants, coming out on a sun-kissed morning, and making a dramatic statement about beating breast cancer.  Organizers say they are close to their $2 million goal.

I put four intense months of speed work and logging miles to the test.  I did it, y'all.  It was a hot one Saturday morning, but I ran the 5K without stopping.  I got it done.

There were several points during the race that I felt like quitting.  In those moments, I visualized the faces of women I have known who have suffered and died from this devastating disease.  I told myself to finish for them.  Other times, I recalled the many encouraging e-mails of support I received from the online folks who were following

     This morning I had it all planned out.  I was up at 7:00am... time enough so that I could have a small training day snack, digest it, and hit the road before the scorching heat could wilt my mind and my body.  Oh yeah, I was a woman on a mission. Out the door at 7:30a.m.

     Merciful heavens!  I am a South Florida girl, but I swear I was dripping with sweat before I even completed my warm up walk.  I knew I was in trouble, and went through every darned mantra I had created for myself to stay mentally tough.

     I set out this morning with dead legs. I was officially on the DL list.  My legs were heavy, sluggish, and just wouldn't do right.  I was mad at my huffing and puffing self.  I ended up walking most of the way.

     There's a lesson in this for me.  I did not have a rest day over the weekend. 

     On Saturday,

     I like to hit the ground running with this race training thing.  Getting it out of the way clears the way for me to get on with all the other things I am up to in the world.

    That's not what's happening though.  I've been told to eat something before I get up and go. Nothing that's going to make me feel stuffed... just a bit of fuel for the tank.

    Usually I'll down a piece of banana with soy nut butter, or I'll spread some of that  soy nut butter on a wheat waffle.

    Here's the thing:  I have to wait for that little pre-workout breakfast to digest a bit.  That's the part I don't like.  I just want to run!

    I wonder why I HAVE to eat.  I mean I'm running a 5k, not a marathon. Please.

    So, this morning I flipped the script and I ran without eating.  I know that so much of the training is mental, so I had already

     I wish y'all could have heard those voices in my head this morning:  Rest, you had a great run on Monday; You deserve it; Just relax; You've had so much stress going on; You don't have to train every day; You're comfortable; Just stay under the covers.

    The temptation was so strong, but I know that if I'm going to accomplish my goals in this upcoming 5K, then I'm going to have to do the work.  You can't have one without the other.

    So, I got out of bed with my mind on my mission:  to do a "speed" workout on the treadmill.

    Brenna Crowson, a very good friend and an incredible athlete and personal trainer suggested I do a speed workout in the middle of one of my training runs.  It's kind of aggressive, but it's just what I need to go the distance next month.

    Here's a quick breakdown on how this goes:  I began with a five minute walk,

    Training is paying off!   I am close to running the 5k at a nice easy pace.  It's funny. There's always a point during those challenging hills when I am not exactly jogging.. but  not walking either.  I don't know what you'd call it: Jalking? It doesn't last long, though. I've got time to get better.

    I am jogging on happy feet because I am in new running shoes.  The Brooks brand is my preference.  I was pretty sure before I bought them that I needed new ones,  but a quick check of the sales records at my favorite store bore the proof.  I should have laid those old shoes aside back in April. 

    I blogged previously about a wonderful charity called Soles for Souls that donates used shoes to people in need all over the world.  So, SFS now has my old running shoes.

    I am thankful to everyone who has offered suggestions on good running songs, cross-training,