Today I went for a run with Seattle Fit. It was my last run as an SF coach and I feel a little sad about that. We ran five miles together, and then I took off for another three.

At mile 5.5 I stopped and took a moment in memory of Ryan Shay. Ryan Shay was a marathoner who died November 3 at mile 5.5 of the Mens Olympic Marathon Trials. I feel such a sadness for his family.

So I stopped and I took a picture:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2045/2040288829_82fc5f552a_o.jpg

I looked out over Greenlake and took in the colors and activity. I prayed for his family and his friends...to have peace in this time of grief. I thanked God for my own health and the blessing of running.

And then I ran on. I'm sure a few people wondered why I pulled off the running path to stand silently under a tree for a few minutes.

It was a good run, except I didn't bring any fuel with me. I hadn't planned on 8 miles. I was running on fumes at the end, but I knew I was almost done.

I signed up for another marathon on December 16. Why? Because I just feel the need to do something big before my surgery. I know that I will deal with some depression in the following week, and I'm hoping the knowledge that I was able to run a marathon a few days previous should help.

I've also already planned to start training in the beginning of February for something in April. I think I want to do this one solo. As much as I enjoy running with others, I think this one I want to do on my own because I'm going to be coming back from the surgery so I will be starting less physically fit than normal. I also want to try some new things in my training and want the freedom of adjusting as I see fit. So even though I know there will be training groups for spring, I think I'll just keep to myself for this one.

I'm sure I'll miss my training buddies and will want to join them again in May.