I won! Oh wait, it wasn't me

Imagine my surprise when a friend emailed that I had won the marathon today. "Check out the headline," she said.

I immediately opened the Anchorage Daily News Website. And there was my last name splayed across the page.

"Ritchie runs to Big Wild Life marathon win," it proclaimed in big, bold letters.

Of course, it wasn't me but local fasty-pants Tom Ritchie (and no relation either). I didn't even run the Big Wildlife Marathon. I'm still recovering from a foot injury.

While Tom was running his heart out, my sister and I were tucked cozily inside a movie theater watching "The Heat" with Sandra Bullock.

A cute movie, kinda predictable but good for some laughs.

Still, what a thrill to see my name (my name!) in the headlines, even though it wasn't me.

Joking aside, though, being injured is not fun, people. I don't feel quite like myself. It's not that I'm unhappy or depressed but more as if part of my personality is missing. And in a sense I suppose that's true, since running brings out the fierce, determined, stubborn, will-not-back-down-for-anything side of me. I miss that part of myself. I miss it terribly. Hopefully we will be reunited soon.

In the meantime, I'm still swimming, and I've progressed to the elliptical and stair torture machine at the gym. I'm also working hard to increase my upper body strength (i.e., build up my wimpy arm muscles).

And big news: Yesterday I hiked for the first time in a month. I was so excited to be back in the mountains again that I almost cried. MM, my sister (who is visiting from Philly) and I ventured out over the Williwaw Trail in the rain. It was so green, and wet, and I was so very, very happy.

Now it's a vegan muffin and the third season of "Downton Abbey." I know someone dies but please, please don't tell me, okay?

Happy Monday, everyone.