Everyone's entitled to a bad training run, right?

This morning I planned to run 16 miles. It didn't happen. I barely got in 14.

It was really beautiful this morning. A perfect day for running and I was actually excited about it. Almost instantly, I felt bad. Heavy, sore legs and hips. And my feet! My neuroma started hurting almost right away. My breathing felt funny and I could feel my heart beating in my throat a bit. My nose was a faucet and I had to clear my throat often. I was just so off today. I hope I haven't caught my son's cold. And I hope this isn't what it's going to be like from now on. I actually felt pretty good last week during my 15 miler so today's run was a huge disappointment.

My music was even off today. My shuffle played "Come on Feel the Noise" three times in a row! Yes, I have Quiet Riot on my running playlist! It has a good beat for running. But three times in a row?!? I finished my last, slow mile with Limp Bizkit's "Break Stuff"....and by then, I felt like I was broken.

This morning wasn't a total let down, though. It was incredibly beautiful. Cool temps, bright blue skies, tall trees with leaves changing, the smell of fall, friendly runners and walkers on the trail. Also today was the first time I actually saw people riding horses on the trail. Usually I just maneuver around the piles of horse poo left behind on the trail. I also felt lucky to see a beautiful fox running along the trail. And an excessive amount of bunnies today, too.

Next Saturday I am running the Denver Rock and Roll Half Marathon with some wonderful friends from church. I'm very excited about it. I'd like to finish in 2:10. I'm hoping and praying that I don't have another day like today.

Fundraising for the John Ritter Foundation is coming along. I really hope to reach my goal of $3000 before November. I'm planning a Halloween party/fundraiser for adults and kids at my house on Oct. 20. If you are reading this, you are invited! Hopefully I'll be able to raise a lot of money that night. I still working on getting over my unease with asking people to their face to donate. I absolutely believe in the Foundation and its mission, so I'm working on getting braver. And I do believe that my friends want to support me and my goals. Many of my friends were there, supporting me and my family, when I had surgery and my recovery. I have great friends.

Even though this morning's run was a challenge, I'm still loving this journey!!