Category Archives: Running

When You Want To Succeed As Bad As You Want To Breathe, Then You’ll Be Successful – SPARTAN RACE GIVEAWAY

Posted on by
39

SR-BW-84-JPEG

The REEBOK Spartan Race™, global leader in Obstacle Racing since 2005, was designed by seven insane ultra athletes and a Royal Marine…. So as you can imagine, it truly takes that ‘next leap’ that other Mud Runs and Adventure Races just don’t quite reach.

“It is in you, I promise. BUT you must LET IT OUT”

I’ve always believed that fitness should be truly FUN but it should also test you and push you to places you never dreamed of. The Spartan Race is bringing all of that to the table, in one

There are three different ‘levels’ of the Spartan Race that you can run. The Spartan Sprint, The Super Spartan, and the Spartan Beast…. Which, to be fair… They are all entirely beasts of their own, believe me! ;)

The Spartan Sprint  - 3+ miles of muddy, hilly terrain accompanied by 15+ obstacles along the course. Beginners to hardcore warriors, and marathon runners alike come out to test themselves on the insane obstacles!

The Super Spartan – 8+ miles with over 20+ obstacles on the battlefield to test not only your physical, but also mental strength. This mud bath will test your limits and push you further than you knew you were capable of!

The Spartan Beast – 12+ miles with 25+ obstacles from HELL. ;)  If you have done any race anywhere in the world: whether a mud run, fun run, olympic run, bike race, death march or any kind of event claiming to be the “toughest race on the planet” you will be happy to know that this is where it ends..THIS IS THE SPARTAN BEAST… Top 3 male and female finishers of the Spartan Beast get a free entry into the… (drum roll please..) DEATH RACE!!!

Look like a hellaciously good time?!?! I sure think so!! I have been itching to run a Spartan race for a couple of years now. & believe you me, now that I live in a large city, It is happening in the next year!

LUCKY FOR YA’LL!!! the bad ass folks who make the magic happen with the REEBOK Spartan Race™, have been kind enough to let one of y’all walk away with a FREE entry into any Spartan Race in the Continental US (I’m sorry my loves to the north!)

On top of all that exciting jazz, even if you don’t win.. They are offering a 15% discount to any qualifying Spartan Event!! :) Just head over to this link.

Giveaway Time:

Here’s the rules folks! :) You have until Next Wednesday, May 29 to enter the giveaway. All you have to do is:

  • Follow @SpartanRace on Twitter
  • Follow Me On Twitter @Char__Latte
  • Tweet About the Giveaway (You can do this once per day)
  • Leave a comment on the blog telling me which Spartan Event you would attend, and why you would like to run one! :)

Leave a separate comment for each one, and remember to come back each day to up your chances of winning!! Winners will be announced next Playlist Thursday! :)

Austin Runs for Boston

Posted on by
11

photo-2

Thursday evening over 1,000 Austinites met at Austin High School to embark on a run in honor of the Boston Marathon Explosions victims; with love and grief in our hearts.

541617_10151381045493365_120248476_n

The night started off with Amazing Grace being played on bagpipes while so many runners, both friends and strangers alike, held hands. The moment was so overwhelming it moved me to tears.

A sea of blue and yellow set off down the trail to honor those killed and injured in the explosions, and celebrate the safe return of the hundreds of Austinites who ran Monday’s 117th Boston Marathon. The quick response to Monday’s tragedies was beautiful. A run that typically has no more than 100 runners quickly became a mass of over 1,000 compassionate souls. It was the perfect reminder that no matter how much evil is out there, the good will always trump the bad. We will always stand together and stand tall.

552993_10151553343231178_1912926865_n

Running with a group in silence, I heard things that I don’t normally notice.  I heard my own breathing, for example, and the breathing of the people next to me.  I heard each and every step clearly as well as the steps of those around.  Paying attention to these easily ignored sounds around me, I couldn’t help but embrace the connection.  You start breathing with the people around you.  You start keeping pace with them if they’re not that much faster than you.  Suddenly, the group is in a very real sense running together as one.

Runners run together.

That’s why I know that we will move forward and continue to run high profile marathons, and that the Boston Marathon will be sought after like never before.

photo-1

“Good or bad, we’re all in this together — just taking one step at a time” 

2013 Boston Marathon: Moving Forward, Hand in Hand

Posted on by
5

526403_10152707267450167_1936345070_n

It didn’t seem real, the events of Monday’s Boston Marathon. One moment I was taking a break at work, receiving mass updates from all of my friends who were running the event. Full of so much joy for all of the runners. The next instant, I was inside watching the news poor in, the images spreading across every TV channel…

How? Why? Who? The questions are endless. The reasoning will never be understood. One thing is for certain though, as many times as bad things happen… I am reminded of the compassion that humans can have for one another. The news showed so many videos where you saw people running TOWARD the chaos to help in any way possible, even if that meant putting themselves in danger.

This is why I run races. This is why I believe that people in the running community are some of the most incredible, selfless human beings you will ever encounter…. Exhausted ahletes who just tested their endurance for 26.2 miles coming to the rescue as a makeshift medical team. The reminder we needed that this is NOT what our world is coming to.

I know that we as a community, will (and already have) come together hand in hand and move FORWARD. We will all still strive to some day toe the line of The Boston Marathon. Boston will continue to celebrate Patriots Day with pride and love.

So, instead of looking back and dwelling on this tragic moment. I propose a toast.

Cheers to each and every one of you. Cheers to everyone who toed the line yesterday morning at the 117th Boston Marathon. Let us look forward with hope, love and strength. Let us always run out of love, passion and dedication, NEVER out of fear.

San Francisco Marathon Training: An Update

Posted on by
12

In 3 months I will be running my very first marathon in one of the most beautiful cities in the USA. 10 weeks of training for the San Francisco Marathon have completely flown by. Between work and the time spent training, it’s beginning to feel like I have a part-time job on top of my full time job. Not that I think of running as a ‘job’ — just as far as time put into training goes…

Which has left very little time to sit down and write a blog post. Okay, that isn’t entirely true… I’ve had time but I’ve instead enjoyed the brief moments of relaxation or socializing. Sue me ;)

With 15 weeks left of training there are only 2 more weeks of base building before my mileage starts entering territory I’ve never been…. Quite frankly I’m getting a bit nervous about it! My body is still adjusting to running 25-30 miles (and only increasing) and working 50+ hours on my feet a week. There are days that I really don’t know if I’m remotely cut out for running 26.2 miles. But I just tell myself that the time on my feet is going to benefit me in the long run so long as I rest properly and don’t get injured.

392153812782871718_1523900

This is what happens when your feet are always in work or running shoes…

I’ve been playing with my training and rest days the last several weeks. Trying to find something that works for me and my schedule. The last thing I want is to have my long runs set for the day of or before I work a double shift or have to close the restaurant at 3 in the morning….(Which is typically the weekends… when normal people do their LRs ;) ) Something tells me when I start hitting those big scary numbers the last thing I’m going to want to do is work on my feet for 12 hours after. 

With a majority of my training still in front of me, I have still thoroughly enjoyed and learned a TON from these early weeks of marathon training… It’s also a huge adjustment to run in the warmer weather… I lived in Dallas for several years, but I wasn’t a distance runner at the time. Heck, I wasn’t a runner at all back then… So adjusting to the increasingly warmer and humid weather is fun. While it certainly got warm in Maryland, it was a lot more dry. After this weekend’s 90 degree and humiiiiid 10 miler I solemnly swear to never go out for more than a few miles without wearing body glide between my buttcheeks.

Life lessons you learn during marathon training, y’all.. Life lessons. ;)

 

You musn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling - Inception

I may cross the finish line on June 16 and decide that marathon running isn’t for me. However, I’m going to put every ounce of passion and energy I have into the next 15 weeks and push through all of the pain, because after the pain comes the euphoria. I’m going to train hard, have fun, and come my birthday I will be a marathoner! :)

Are you training for anything right now?

Do You Want to Be The Next Oakley Women Brand Ambassador?

Posted on by
11

In 2012 I was fortunate enough to be one of 10 women selected out of thousands of ladies across the country to be an Oakley Women’s Brand Ambassador. The opportunity quickly became one that would change my life forever. Since becoming a member of the Oakley family I have met the most incredible, hilarious, beautiful, bad ass, FIT women in the United States (and some from other countries, too!) I’ve learned more about my sport, the entire fitness industry, and myself than I ever dreamed possible. Oakley has taught me how a company should run. Equal parts give and take, and nothing but passion.

In 2013, Oakley Women is expanding our family and YOU have the opportunity to apply and try to land yourself a spot in our tight-knit family!!

oakleyfulllogo

You see, this year Oakley has partnered with SHAPE Magazine to throw the ultimate events across the country! The SHAPE Diva Dash! Wondering what the heck the Diva Dash is? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered: The Diva Dash is a women-only obstacle 5k where you crawl, jump, climb, swing and DASH your way to the finish line! The Diva Dash is going to be in several cities across the USA throughout the Spring and Summer of 2013. (San Diego, Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Boulder, DC, NY Metro, Miami to name some places) and in three of those cities there will be a progression session and live ambassador search. Southern California, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Boulder.

url

All YOU have to do is scoot over to the SHAPE website here and fill out the quick little survey which will land you an opportunity to be selected as 1 of 200 women chosen for each city to attend a VIP Oakley Progression Session which includes a live ambassador search!

Each Progression session will include:

  • Boot Camp with Oakley Women Ambassador Cari Shoemate
  • Yoga with Oakley Women Ambassador Lacey Calvert
  • Nutrition Seminar with Oakley Women Ambassador Marni Sumbal
  • Live Ambassador Search
  • Product Giveaways
  • Mobile Oakley Store Featuring The Newest Oakley Apparel and Eye Wear
  • Much Much More!!!!

Submit your entry by the following dates:

  • Southern California:  March 3, 2013 (Race Day: March 23)
  • Boulder:  April 14, 2013 (Race Day: May 4)
  • Dallas/Ft. Worth:  May 5, 2013 (Race Day: May 25)

**One Entry Per Person**

**Learn More about the Oakley Women Ambassadors at OakleyPBC.Com**

 

On your mark, Get set, GO!! ;)
Good luck & Have fun!!! See you in Austin and Dallas! ;) :)

Good-Bye Austin Half Marathon, Hello Air Cast

Posted on by
15

I haven’t wanted to talk about this.. However, it has become more clear to me that it’s time to lay it out there. Once I talk about it, I’ll start to get over it a little bit. I’ll lose the chip on my shoulder… With that being said, I’ve been trying to write this since Sunday night and I keep allowing myself to become distracted. Obviously, there is a part of me still not ready to come to terms with things.

You know those moments that flash before your eyes in slow motion but you just can’t stop them? Well, one of those situations happened to me Saturday morning. I awoke bright and early that day to get in 4 easy-paced miles before work. I headed down MLK toward campus just like I do every weekend. Campus is practically empty on the weekend mornings, making a peaceful and beautiful route to run. I turned up my tunes and completely lost myself in my thoughts as I entered the UT Campus. I was ticking along when I suddenly got the urge to go a different direction through campus than I typically do. I find myself taking a right turn toward Robert Dedman, and up past the Football Stadium. Then the moment came. I’m chugging along and suddenly I launch my foot off the ground to notice (too late) that there was a step down on the sidewalk. The moment passes so slowly that I can feel myself realize that I’m about to do some damage on the landing. Yet, it was too late to do anything about it… I had already launched off the ground. My foot slammed into the ground funny and rolled to the outside.

Down I went.

There was an instant pain shooting up the outside of my left ankle and top of my left foot. Every single curse word in the english (and even some from the italian) dictionary came out of my mouth. There was a super nice, helpful gentleman running the opposite way and came to my rescue when he saw me go down. He asked me if I was okay. I just kind of sat there… No words came out of my mouth. He knelt down on the ground next to me, as if to see if there was any life in my eyes or something. I shook myself, literally, and told him quite frankly “I don’t know. I think so” and hopped to my feet. I couldn’t put my weight on my left foot. I started crying.. Not out of pain (which yes.. I was in pain, but not enough to cry) but because I was terrified I had ruined my chances of running SFM in June. The pain felt exactly like I remember it feeling when I was diagnosed with Peroneal Tendonitis in high school when I was a gymnast… I had to take nearly a month off and very very slowly build my training back up once I returned. AINT NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!

The kind gentlemen swooped me up and helped me hobble to the bus stop. It was time to swallow my pride, thank the guy, and take the metro home to dump my foot into a bucket of ice before heading to work. All day at work I was favoring my left foot as much as possible and cringing with every step. Several hours later, I yanked my shoe off as soon as clocking out….

372647902968608521_1523900

….Fantastic…

Sunday morning I crawled out of bed to discover it was even more stiff, and the swelling/bruising hadn’t gone down at all. I was supposed to close the bar that night, I am 20 weeks out from San Francisco Marathon, and I work 5-6 shifts a week on my feet. I wasn’t taking any chances to do serious damage and off to Urgent Care I went for X-Rays and to pray for the best. A chuckle from the doctor, something silly.. Maybe a “just lay off it for a few days and you’ll be good as new.”

Of course, we never get what we’re hoping for in the doctor’s office, now do we? Nope. The doctor came back, films in hand, chart in the other, just shaking his hand. “I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first.” I hate when they say that. Don’t give me options, just lay it on me flat.

The verdict? I will not be running the Austin Half-Marathon in February. I will however, if I take the right amount of time off, do the PT exercises, and ease back into training, be able to catch up on Marathon Training!!

I know what you’re thinking, Give me the DEEETS!
It turns out it’s a Grade II Ankle Sprain.

373573454168651016_1523900

I get to sport this super stylish air cast and compression brace until I’m able to put weight on my left foot while it’s straight. At which point I will start adding in dorsiflexion–plantar flexion (aka pumping my foot up and down) Which I’m not allowed to start doing until the end of the week. (insert fit of frustration, here) At which point I’ll start adding in other ankle exercises and some walking. I’m hoping within 3 weeks I’ll be able to run again and ease back into Marathon Training. At this point, I’m just thankful this happened at the beginning of Marathon training, rather than when I’m only a month or two out.

If I’m not able to run on February 7th… Just watch out world, that’s all I have to say.

I’m kind of freaking out, because yes… I know that an ankle sprain, even a grade II, isn’t exactly the end of the world or the end of marathon training. With the proper time to heal I will bounce back from this.. However, I work on my feet. I work long, and hard, exhausting hours that make my feet and ankles hurt even when I’m not injured… How does one go about healing properly while marathon training, when they have bills to pay, and those bills are paid by running around a crazy busy restaurant for 10+ hours at a time? I’ve taken this entire week off… But I can NOT afford to take any more time than that off. I just can’t afford it. I also can’t afford to be injured for more time than I already will be.

FUDGE.

Anyone out there who has been injured while working a job on their feet? How do you deal? How do you prevent yourselves from becoming more injured while still putting food on the table and a roof over your head?

Why I Run

Posted on by
16

Wild Things RUN Free.

photo (12)-002

It’s a metaphor for how I live my life. I have always been a runner. Now, I know what you’re thinking… I am not referring to the sport. I didn’t start running until about two years ago. Believe it or not, this blog wasn’t created as a space to talk about running… It just sort of turned into that the more and more I fell in love with the sport.

I ran from everything my whole life. Love. Friendship. Cities. Routine. I’ve always been looking into the future, ready to jump at any moment, on the drop of a dime. Constantly trying to move forward and never allowing myself to get stuck, or what ordinary people call ‘comfortable’. When things got serious in a relationship, I would flee. Quite literally. Ask my ex-boyfriend, Dan. I literally jumped states when things felt too real. (That’s a story for another time, folks) I can count multiple occasions where I have packed up all of my belongings and moved someplace totally new in under 24 hours.

Running is what I always did. I sprinted through adolescence, all geared up to become an adult. I ran from city to city across the country. I hurtled every obstacle in my way and kept a fast pace moving forward, never allowing myself a chance to slow down and catch my breath. I even raced through my relationship with Z to try to make it to the finish line that much sooner. Why? Why can’t I sit still and allow things to come naturally?

I don’t know the answer to that, and perhaps before I can truly find my voice I need to figure that out. But, I do know that only one thing has been able to tame these feelings of fleeing across the globe, and running toward the unknown. That thing is the sport of running.

Since becoming a runner, I have grown so much as a human being. My friends and family hardly recognize me, and instead of taking offense to this… It’s a compliment. I am a truly better person. I used to spend weekends partying until the sun came up, smoking my weight in marijuana, and drinking so much that even the smell of tequila still makes me queasy. Now, I spend my weekends running long, designing training schedules with google docs, trying to PR, and even continuing my education…. Wanna know a secret?? I don’t miss that past life of mine. Not even for a second.

This is why I run.
Yes, I run because I can. I run because it makes me look good naked. I run because it keeps me thin. I run because there may come a day where I can’t. I run because everybody said I couldn’t.

But really and truly, I run because it makes me feel alive. In a way that only drastic, dramatic, life-altering changes ever has. Alive in the way that deciding, packing, and moving from Orlando, FL to Dallas, TX OVER NIGHT did. Alive in the way that taking off at 4am with one of my best friends, Lindsay, to NYC one weekend my junior year in high school did. (sorry again, mom!!) There is a thrill involved with pushing through a “I swear someone is stabbing me in my rib cage with a dull rusty spoon” side stitch. There is a thrill involved with crossing a finish line, regardless of your time. There is a thrill involved with pushing your body beyond the limits you created for yourself. Yet, I also feel washed over with a sense of calm after I run. My mind feels at peace, because I fight my biggest demons while I run. If experience is the best teacher, then we learn most when we are vulnerable and exposed. The light always looks more attractive from the shadows. I’m telling you, I will be a best selling novelist as soon as the invention to type as you think is on the market… Or will have come up with a way to save the world. Just wait. ;)

When I lace up my Brooks and hit the street, I find myself running directly into another world. A world where “I don’t know” isn’t an option. A world where I grow courage, and strength, and ferocity I didn’t know I had. Running has made me value my life, my friendships, and most importantly, has taught me how to face a challenge head on.

Discovering what is and planning what you want next; whether out of life as a whole, or just what you’re going to pick up at the grocery store — are vital. One can not survive on planning ahead, alone.  For me, these are embodied in the mindsets cultivated through yoga and running, the difference between meditating and thinking. I like the way they go together; like shoes. One for the right foot, one for the left. Together, a pair.

 

Why do you run?
Not a runner? Why are you so passionate about the things in your life? Really think about it. 

Texas Gone Arctic: AKA 3M Half Marathon Recap

Posted on by
32

After the RnR San Antonio debacle I immediately decided I needed to A) hold off on my first full marathon. Which most of you know, I pulled out of the Austin Marathon and decided to wait until June to knock out my first 26.2 (The San Francisco Marathon) and B) I needed to register for another half-marathon to redeem myself. It was a no-brainer what half-marathon I was going to choose. The 3M Half-Marathon! This race has been on my running bucket list since I started running. I wanted it to be my first half last year, but travel logistics were going to be too expensive for a gal who was (at the time) planning a mostly out-of-pocket wedding, so I ended up running Columbia instead. This year, since I now live in Austin it was an easy decision to just go for it. :)

I set some mighty goals for myself with 3M. I really wasn’t okay with running my first full marathon this Summer without having run a sub 2:30 Half-Marathon. I just wasn’t going to accept a time any slower than that. Plain. and. Simple. It was a pretty big goal to make. If I crossed the finish line in 2:29:59 that would shave 30 minutes off of my half-marathon time in under 9 months.

The 2-3 weeks leading up to Sunday I was feeling less and less confident about the race. Work ate my life, and I missed two long runs because of work and other life events. I tried to make up for my long run last Monday and did 8 miles at a pretty easy pace and felt good. I still had no idea what 13.1 was going to bring me, though.

When Saturday rolled around I wasn’t even sure if I was going to be able to race. I had planned on hitting the expo before work, but was woken up by my boss calling me in early. Great…. All day I was so anxious. Terrified I wasn’t going to get out of work early enough to make it to the Crowne Plaza Hotel by 6pm. Around 5:30 I even went outside and had a moment where I cried a little. I was certain my chances of racing Sunday were o-v-e-r. I got out of work at exactly 6pm. When the expo was closing. Fantastic. I didn’t know what to do, so I just decided to speed across town and see if they would let me get my packet. What was the worst thing that could happen? They say no?… At least I tried… I get there, and everything is taken down except for the registration/cashier booth which was being stripped down as I walked up. I’m sure my words were a jumbled mess because I was FREAKING out, but I explained my situation. They could see the panic in my face and gave me my bib and t-shirt. I wasn’t able to get my swag bag, but screw it. I got what I needed. Insert huge-ass sigh of relief here.

Sunday morning started at the crack of Dark-Thirty. I decided to take the metro to the start area since the finish line was literally 6 blocks away from my apartment and there was no sense being shuttled back to the car from where I live just to drive back over this way. I looked at the weather and died a little. I was pleased as punch that the chance of rain seemed to disappear over night, I was not impressed with the fact that it was 35 degrees with headwinds that made it feel like 25. I THOUGHT I MOVED TO TEXAS, Y’ALL!

59916_10151386037521014_1862873737_n

6:45AM is not a time I am used to and not a time I want to start a race. I am not and may never be a morning person, but I was surprisingly alert jumping up and down at the start line trying to keep myself warm. I had planned on ditching my jacket at gear check, but when I was still freezing my booty off I decided to just keep it on. If worse came to worse I would just tie it around my waste and bring the 90′s back. ;) I was thankful at the start line to have kept it on. Mostly for the thumb holes that were keeping my hands a little bit warmer than they would have otherwise been. While hanging out I was shivering soo bad! The wind was wipping around all over the place, and the nerves of “oh god the last few weeks of training have been terrible” really kicked in. I decided then and there that my biggest priority for this race was just to push myself as hard as I can and leave it ALL on the course. Even if I didn’t make my goal, at least I’d be able to say I gave it my all.

We were off! The course starts wayyyy north by Mopac and Capitol of TX Highway, in an area of Austin I am absolutely not familiar with what-so-ever.

3mcourse

The first 9ish miles are ‘downhill’. It’s a nice, easy, downhill course that doesn’t take too much of a toll on your legs, and sometimes isn’t even noticeable at all.

3melevation

Every couple of miles you can see your time during 3M. This was awesome.. I ran with my Garmin, but it was nice not to have to worry about it. I’ve never run a race where you can see your splits that often. I was surprising myself during the first 10k with how comfortable I was maintaining a faster pace than my goal. I live in West Campus, though. I knew the last stretch of the race had some pretty decent sized hills. I had to reel it in so I’d still have momentum going into that section of the race.

Mile 9 is where the bigger hills come in. We turned on to 45th street and we were running directly into the part of town I know like the back of my hand. Unfortunately, this didn’t really make the hills any easier since it was toward the end of the race. ;) But, it was really cool that the last stretch of the race was something I know and see every day.

These hills hurt. It’s a cruel joke that all race organizers are in on to always make the last stretch of a distance event, up hill… ;) I kid I kid. I just tried to tune out the pain and focus on the beautiful surroundings. Running down through campus and up MLK is a beautiful view. On Deen Keaton you get a beautiful straight on view of the Austin skyline and you cross the finish line to a beautiful view of the Texas Capitol building.

I finished in an official time of 2:28:34!! PR baby!!! I DID IT. Sub-2:30. :D :D :D

3m3

I’m really proud of myself for just letting it all loose on the course. I may not be very fast. I may very well never be, and that’s okay because I IMPROVE all the time. I’m constantly growing as a runner, and that’s all that matters to me. :)

photo-1

and just so you have an idea of how windy it was. My hair was super hhawwwt after the race. The back was pretty much sticking straight up. haha

photo-4

Absolutely a fun fun race!!! I’ve never run a distance race in my home town. Columbia and DC were both only an hour away, but still. It was a really neat and stress-free experience! Not to mention 3M SURPASSES it’s reputation! It was a great race, so incredibly well organized. I may be a little biased because of my situation, but the volunteers were amazing. I’m so thankful they let me get my bib, even though I was absurdly late, and I’m sure they were exhausted. I saw the swag bags and they were packed with goodies, since 3M makes like, everything! :P

There were even some food trucks in the finisher’s area, but I didn’t stick around to eat anything. Once I stopped moving I was absolutely FREEZING. The space blanket didn’t protect my face from the winds :P All I wanted to do was change into something warm and head to brunch! lol

If you want to run a half-marathon with a fast course, beautiful finish, huge medal, and organized to a T… 3M is definitely a great choice!! I plan on running it again next year, for sure!

Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone: The San Francisco Marathon

Posted on by
19

No one ever went to the moon without stepping outside of their comfort zone. While, I certainly don’t plan on going to the moon any time soon ;) I do have big, scary, life changing goals for myself. These goals are not something that I can just wake up tomorrow and accomplish. They are goals that take hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.

I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes I let fear get in my way. Even allowed fear (equal parts fear and knowing my body) come between me and running the Austin Marathon in February. I am absolutely done with that. I am ready to look fear straight in the eye, and laugh in its face.

I WILL be running the San Francisco Marathon on June 16th (my BIRTHDAY) with so many other baller runners like Pavement Runner, Josephine, Krissy, Lauren,  (hopefully) Jane and so many many many others that I hope do not feel offended by me leaving them out!!!!!

I even started training THIS week. The day I signed up I went out for my first training run… Which granted, was 28 weeks away from the race. However, if I have learned anything from this last half-marathon training cycle it is this:

I know my body. I know what it is capable of. Some people can go out and train for 12-13 weeks for a marathon and ROCK it… I, am not yet one of those people. Someday, I hope to be able to say that I am in that group of bad ass runners. But, I am not there yet, and that’s perfectly okay. It will take me the next 6 months to get 26.2 ready. I have NO shame in that.

WHY do I have no shame in that??? Because I am strong enough of a runner and human being to know my limits. I know that I need to step out of my comfort zone, but I also know where and when my body says OK ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I need 28 weeks because quite frankly, I need more cut back weeks than a lot of runners do.

My right hip will taunt me for the rest of my life. I have learned that in the past 2 years. I trained too hard, too intensely, too long as a gymnast… As an adult I am paying the price. Am I sorry for the intensity of my training as a teenager? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Do I wish that it was easier for me as a runner, now? Absolutely. But, I have come to terms with the fact that I have done damage to my body. I have come to terms with the fact that I am not as natural of a runner as some people out there.

I work hard to run a FIVE FRIGGIN K. I work ridiiiiiiiiiculously hard to run a half-marathon. I know several people who have the the ability to wake up on a Friday and decide they are running a half marathon that Sunday. I am not, and very well may NEVER be that person.

There was a time (in fact that time was NOT that long ago at all) in which I felt SAD that I wasn’t that person.. However, I have realized in the last few months that everybody is drastically different. Everyone’s body was built drastically different. More importantly, everybody’s life has determined whether or not they can be that runner as an adult.

I have come to terms with the fact that my body may not have been built to run. But, that does not mean that I can’t run. That doesn’t mean that I can’t train it (in a healthy way) to be a runner. We have the ability to be whoever and whatever want to be.

I WANT TO BE A MARATHONER. I will be a marathoner, in 27 weeks. On June 16th, my 25th birthday, I will be a marathoner. I will have earned the title.

While some of the runners I know won’t start training for SF for another 10ish weeks, I am proud to have started last week. I am proud of the fact that I pushed my fears aside and said I CAN DO WHATEVER I PUT MY HEART AND SOUL INTO.

There is no going back for this runner. I have registered for the race. I have booked the flights. I have even made hotel arrangements. All that is left is awaiting the ability to book a rental car… (which may take until race day since THAT is when I’ll be legal for most rental cars.. darn you guys and your 25+ year laws…pffft)