Hello!

I’m Sarah Mac. I’m a writer, mom, runner. This is my original running blog, Running Starfish, started in 2009 to chronicle my first (and supposed to be last) marathon, all the way through qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Trials Marathon.

minor setbacks...

I had a couple good weeks of training. Got the mileage up near 70. Ran great workouts on tired legs. Hit a hot as hell, dusty 18 miler in Zillah WA. My diet was dialed. Actually eating the appropriate amount of veggies and other non-Wonka based foods. I was tired but it was ticking along.
18 miles, 90º and no shade. crows were circling waiting for me to drop...really. 
Until last Thursday. I needed to run to work so I could grab Pearlie, the Eurovan, to take to Bend for the Oiselle photoshoot. Not more than a couple blocks in and my arch was aching. A couple miles it was talking. Pulling up to Oiselle's front door 12 miles later it was shouting. It was a run that I couldn't bail on...because my feet were my wheels to work.

I took Friday completely off, and hoped it would magically heal. I haven't been able to run more than 3 miles since. I'm frustrated. Tired. I was already tired, now I need a new word for tired.

We set off for Bend on Saturday AM. I had our models, Jena and Meghan, and 3 tons of Oiselle apparel in our big white van Pearlie. We aimed for Bend and hauled off. One scary brush with overheating after Mount Hood and many miles under the tires we pulled into the Flomas' driveway. (Flomas = Fleshman and Thomas). We met bebe Jude, who is like a tiny adorable tree frog. So calm. And headed off to try and run. Fail.
right before the coolant alarm started blaring!
Sunday started at 4am. Hair, makeup done in 20 minutes flat. We threw all the bins back in Pearlie and hauled off to Dillion Falls for part one of a very long day. It was beautiful. Cold turning to sizzling heat over the hours as we took shot after shot for Fall 2013. I can't wait to share the photos!
freewheelin'
I didn't have time to mourn the loss of my long run. I was too busy. Photoshoots are so fun. I would compare it to the thrill of playing imaginary games when you're little. I love dreaming up concepts and directing poses. Imagining how it will look. I fill notebooks with sketches and insider notes. One we all got a huge laugh over was this "Three girls freewheelin', dirty, one looking back". It makes sense to me... but it quickly deteriorated into "freewheelin' dirty girls". Which was way too funny after hours and hours of shooting under the hot sun.
I would totally live in a van down by the river with these women... 
Our day wrapped at 9pm. We popped some bubs and then headed off to Bend just in time to grab dinner at Crux brewery at 10pm. Fell into bed and woke up to haul back to Seattle.
punch drunk on wrapping a long, long, long day
I've seen my PT and I think I'll be able to try and start running again this week. My entire right leg is so, so, so angry. But I think I know why... I walked in flip-flops for 5 miles in Zillah. Touring the wineries on foot might not have been so smart. I just wanted to be normal and forget about running for a day to celebrate my anniversary... I should have found a balance and worn ugly shoes. :)

Teepee living for one year anniversary
I'm down but not out. Time to get back to the rules...

RULES OF RECOVERY
1. Get your cardio, even if it's boring. Even if it takes 3xas long.
2. Don't get defeated. Keep a shred of joy.
3. Throw your shitty, effing flipflops away.
4. Buy ugly shoes and wear them.
5. Ice bath.
6. Always be rolling.
7. Try to enjoy your 30th birthday... (that one's personal I guess)

Alright off to Maryhill to turn 30! Freewheelin' dirty girls forever!

armpits!

Around my world in 3 minutes