I run, therefore I am... But am I an athlete?

I sometimes like to pretend to be better at running than I am. There, I said it. I don't intentionally lie, but when I tell my work colleagues, friends or family that I'm going out running or entering an event, they seem to assume that I'm actually quite good. I'm not. But I don't always correct them. In my own little world, I am an athlete.

What qualifies someone as an athlete? Is it being world class; being better than your competitors; or simply being the best you can be? If it's the latter, this year I'm really going to try.

The reason I'm thinking about this is that my favourite yoga teacher (a definite athlete) recently came back from her travels. My husband (also an athlete - as evidenced by the 3 hour marathon and amazing cycling ability) isn't very flexible. As we've vowed to spend a bit more time together next year, I thought it would be a good idea to sign up for some classes.

I noticed a new "Yoga for Athletes" class, aimed at cyclists and runners, and thought it would be perfect. For him anyway. So I signed us up. I can't wait to get back to it - it's been over a year and I'm missing the sun salutations and willing my hamstrings to streeeeeeeetchhh. Ahhh. It should really help with the marathon training and, for once, I'll be able to do it beside my hubby. When we're out running or mountain biking, I can't see him for dust.

It's been a while!

Okay so I know it's been a very, very long time since my last post. It may seem that my dedication to writing this blog has waned but the truth is I've just been too busy. I see that it was back in September that I last wrote - where did the last few months go?

Well, I managed to complete the Loch Ness Marathon. Huffing and puffing my way round in 4 hours and 11 minutes. A whole hour and 9 minutes behind my husband. Even though I'd been much more religious and structured about my training than him. Natural athletes - grrr! The hills were horrendous - apparently the scenery is beautiful but I can't remember seeing anything at all after about 15 or 16 miles. No Loch Ness monster. No castles. Not even the loch! I recovered much more quickly than after my last marathon attempt 4 years ago and have even now signed up for the Edinburgh one in May 2010. Less than 5 months to go so I'm now starting to think about a training plan again.

I'm absolutely determined to break 4 hours this time. It should be do-able because the course is really flat compared to Loch Ness. We'll see. In the past I've tended to use a 3-days-a-week schedule (like the FIRST ones), but I think I'm going old-school this time and aiming for 4 or 5 runs a week. Since I last posted, we've moved office (far, far away!) and I've started studying for a Masters, but I think I can just about fit in a lunchtime run 3 or 4 times a week and then go for the big one on a Saturday. That should still leave me time to fit in one or two evening weights or yoga sessions and a Sunday bike ride. I'm going to be a busy bee. Even so, I'll try to be a bit better and update this once a month.

Anyway, it's still Christmas, so I'll sign off for now. The chocolates and cheese and biccies are calling. After all, I need to have something to run off in the New Year!