My Running Partners

I go running most everyday. On those days when I just can't manage a run due to stress or illness then I at least walk a couple miles. Until the trails melt out and dry up I'm relegated to running on the highway. This isn't as bad as it sound because our "highway," especially at this time of year doesn't have much traffic on it. Now in a month or so when dipnetting opens at Chitina then it'll be a different story. By then the dirt trails will be all ready for some serious training!


Most days when I go out I have a dedicated running partner which is my Airedale Chet. He looks a little better now since he's been trimmed and has lost his winter shaggies. Then there are the days I walk in which case my partner changes to Kerril. Kerril is a lot of fun to take and a real traffic stopper. Well, if traffic doesn't stop, at least it slows WAY DOWN! You see, Kerril is a yak. I'm teaching her to lead and she will be taught to pack and broke to ride. She sure is a head turner on the highway. Those who know us when they drive by just think, "there goes Fithian's walking their yak again...." Strangers sometimes stop, or slow WAY down, drive a little farther and sometimes turn around and come back for another look.


Yup, I've got some really cool running "partners!" Well, I'm off to hit the road. Wonder who I'll take with me today...........

Run Barb Run!

"On September 18, 2010 I will be participating in the Equinox Marathon & Relay at Fairbanks, Alaska. I'll be training with and running for Team In Training to help raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. As you may already know, my older brother and mom both died from Leukemia within the last year and a half, so this is something that is very near and dear to my heart and I will be competing in their memory"

My personal goal is to raise at least $3000.00 to help find a cure for leukemia, lymphona and myeloma. If you want to find out more about Team In Training, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or blood cancers in general visit my fundraising page.

My blog will be focusing on my training for the Equinox Marathon--the ups and downs of it and what it's like to train with Team In Training. I'll be sharing my fundraising milestones as well as those ever important training milestones.

I've been told that the Equinox could easily be the second most challenging marathon in the US. Whether that's true or not, after looking over the layout of the course I do know that it is going to be one of the most challenging things I've ever done! I like the idea of running on trails instead of paved roads/streets but am a little intimidated by the thought of the run up and down Ester Dome.

Will these 50yo knees stand the strain?...Am I crazy for wanting to try a marathon after not running/training for way too long?...Is this my "second childhood" or just a "mid-life crisis" that I'm going through?...WHAT have I gotten myself into?????? This and much much more is what goes through my head over and over again since I made the decision to do this.

But, once the doubts go away and my rational self returns, I realize that YES! I CAN DO THIS! Because like my friend Jen and I like to say... "I ain't no sissy girl!"

Well, I'm up to 30 minute runs at this point. My pace isn't very fast and my knees scream at me after 20 minutes but I am NOT going to quit. Even if I have to WALK this marathon, I am going to do it!