A Run With My Niece

My niece Carolyn is an authoress, 2012 National History Day finalist in the individual performance category an aspiring marathoner.

She had been running about 2 miles several times a week. Today I was in her neighborhood having spent the night with her, her parents and 4 siblings. Before heading out this afternoon I asked if she'd like to go for a run together. She had already run her 2 miles for the day earlier but accepted my company for another 2 just the same.

We had a very pleasant time around her neighborhood. I introduced her to run/walk intervals and she filled me in on people she meets on the route of her morning run. Typically she tells me there is a boy and his father waiting for the bus on weekdays. The little boy is in first gradie, Cara thinks, and always says hi to her when she passes. Then there is the crossing guard on the intersection that she passes more than once who looked like she was seeing double the first morning so Cara stopped to chat and explain her circuitous route. She also told me about the man who sits on his porch smoking. I gathered this is the least pleasant part of her journey.

Cara is not yet 16. I'm not a very good aunt. I can't remember if she is 14 or 15 right now but you get the idea. She has a great future ahead of her as a runner if she contines to take it slow and steady. If you are reading this and you are a runner, please leave a comment to encourage her. She does, from time to time, read my blog. If you comment I'll be sure to share them with her in any case.

Cara became the 13th person on my list of folks I run, bike or walk with this year.

A personal training update - I belive I have (right) quadricep tendonitis. I know it's dangerous to self diagnose on the Internet. However, there is no doubt the affected area is my quad tendon. And every description of the ailment fits what I feel to a "T". I hope to get through the marathon with stretching before and after running, icing as needed afterwards and careful miles between now and then.

Now I have to decide if I'm going to try another 20-22 next week as planned. I can't just stop running. With 5 weeks to go it's too soon. One day at a time. :)

Keep smiling and keep moving folks!