Tag Archives: Runchat

2013 Boston Marathon: Moving Forward, Hand in Hand

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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

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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.

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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?

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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!!

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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.

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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! ;) :)

Why I Run

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Wild Things RUN Free.

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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. 

Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone: The San Francisco Marathon

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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)

Life Is About The Journey

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I apologize if you came over to my corner of the web today looking for a Rock n Roll San Antonio recap. That is not what you will be getting.

With half-marathon under my belt I have come to this moment, right here, enlightened. In regards to MY OWN running, that is.

You see, before this year I never thought I was capable of running 13.1 miles. I never thought I could actually run much more than a 5k. I mean marathon runners have like…. Less than 10% body fat (or ya know.. so I thought). I’ve always been a thin girl, but average thin.. Not anorexic thin. Until I became an adult I absolutely never had body image issues. Crazy, since I was a gymnast and a dancer. Both notorious for self-image issues.

I can pin the day I started having bad body images to the day I had ovarian surgery. I was bed-ridden for what felt like an eternity. I was on a diet that consisted mostly of mashed potatoes and ice cream. I needed help with everything. After a few weeks, I hated what I saw. Although even at my worst, I was never actually overweight. Actually, I don’t think anyone other than myself, including my boyfriend at the time, even noticed a difference what-so-ever. But I was growing more and more disgusted with the girl looking back at me in the mirror. I was also growing weaker and weaker every day. Truth be told, I had stopped being truly active about 2 years prior to this. Quit gymnastics and dancing entirely. My only form of physical activity at that point was waiting tables 30 hours a week.

When I began running, I saw my body transform. Not necessarily in appearance, but I was definitely getting stronger. I felt my core that was pretty badly destroyed from surgery recover with every run I went on. Even if I was running a mile with frequent walk breaks. Throughout my journey as a runner I have become stronger every day. My legs became the rocks they once were as a gymnast. After some time, I learned to incorporate other forms of strength training. Core work. Leg work. Even my arms, now…

At one point during this journey, running even taught me to love my body. It proved to me that my body is something to be proud of, flaws and all. If I’m smart about it, and put in the work; my body can do anything (within reason) I want it to. This is my body, and it’s the only one I get… Assuming I don’t get bionic parts in the future.

For this very reason, because I love my body. Because I respect my body I have decided to drop to the half-marathon at the Austin Marathon in February and postpone my Marathon debut. This wasn’t an easy decision to come to, yet it was the easiest decision of my life…

I realized there is a genius to the run-walk approach. Hang with me here, because I’m not being literal, though I really am at the same time. (Charlotte, get it together here. You’re not making any sense.)

Physical work is easier and healthier when you take breaks. This also works for learning…. There is a reason that teachers start their lessons with a brain warm-up, then dive into the heavy material, and end the class having backed off a bit.. Allowing creative and cognitive thought to replenish the brain.

After two-ish years of running, one of which was more ‘serious’ running, I have learned that my body needs me to back off after an intense training cycle. Like our brains, my body works best when given rest and variation. After 13 weeks of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion, I know that my body needs me to back off a little. I never really spoke about my brother’s death. I downplayed how upset I was after the split between Zack and I. I downplayed how stressful it was to try to move to Austin after just getting back home to NY. I downplayed how painful my hip was getting at the end of training for San Antonio.

Sitting here right now.. It’s kind of silly to me that I did. I grew more than I knew possible this year. I’ve grown more in less than a year, than a lot of people do in a lifetime.

All of this. Every aspect of it. The epiphanies I’ve had, the injuries I’ve experienced, the heart ache…Wanting to rip my hair out over some of the stress; Have lead me to this comfort… I know now, that life really is all about the journey. There is no rush. I do not want to just survive this life, I want to thrive in it!

I don’t want to just survive my first marathon. I want to thrive! I want to be the strongest I’ve ever been. I want to cross the start line confident, not terrified. (Though yes, there is a certain level of fear in every marathoner, newb or experienced) I know that if I run in February, I will end up only half-way pleased. I will be proud of myself for finishing, but I will be disappointed with how poorly executed it was. I will be extremely frustrated with my body for doing something that it wasn’t prepared to do in the first place.

I will run a marathon. I still plan for it to be in 2013, it just won’t be Austin. It just won’t be 2 months from now. Instead I will be giving myself some time to back off the intensity so my body mind and soul can recover from the last several months of intense life. I’m going to find some local 5ks, pick out my favorite hole-in-the-wall bar in Austin, go to social outings and meet people, and even go on my first post-engagement date. GASP.

If you want to rain on my parade, go right on ahead. It will not bother me. I am comfortable with my decision. No, actually, I’m proud of it. Being smart enough to listen to our bodies takes a level of responsibility that only come after growing as a person, and a runner.

Sometimes Being Honest Is Hard

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Training for my second half-marathon has been completely, 100% different than training for Iron Girl Columbia. For multiple reasons, of course. Yes, this was a lot less “scary” because at this point I know I can run the distance. 13.1 is a large number, for sure, but I’ve done it already. So I know that my body is capable of hitting the mileage. That in itself has made this training cycle completely different. A LOT less stressful.

However, as much as I hate to admit this, I do feel I need to put it out there. Maybe talking about it will make the ache go away? Sometimes I get really sad that my support system is gone. YES, I have tons of friends who cheer me on. I have YOU GUYS who rock my friggin world and believe in me more than I believe in myself… I have my step-mom who will even be running Rock n Roll San Antonio with me..

But, there is something about having someone who doesn’t quite understand running and thinks you’re just absolutely insane for going out there day in and day out. Someone who shares in the tears when you cross the finish line, accomplishing your biggest dreams. Someone who moves to different parts on the course just so you can see their face when the going gets rough.

I started running FOR ME. To prove something to myself. I don’t NEED anyone else in order to push myself harder and harder each and every day. My mind is my biggest critic, and for that reason alone, I challenge myself to run faster, harder, longer. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t motivating, and that doesn’t mean it didn’t make my heart flutter having someone out there cheering ME on. Someone out there whose only concern in the world was seeing ME cross the finish line.

During training for Columbia I would get asked daily “how did your run go?” “how many miles did you do?” No matter if my answer was, I ran 1 mile in 450 minutes (ok, so that never happened) he would still tell me I was doing great and that he was proud of me. That was a great push.. Having someone who truly thought that no matter how fast or slow I was, that I was incredible just for trying. He would never dream of running 13.1 miles.. So I was his little crazy insane runner. He would shake his head any time I ran more than like… 3 miles. He would be at the finish line of my 5ks and ask how it went and I’d say “it was horrible. I ran SO SLOW.” His response was always “shoot I’d still be on mile one” which would make me laugh, every time.

I try not to dwell on these memories. I realize that I made a decision, and it was the best decision I could have made for myself given the cards I was dealt. Does that make me stop caring? Absolutely not. Does that make my heart stop hurting? Yea-Friggin-Right. Does that make this training cycle any less lonely? PFFFFFFFFFFFT.

It will be an odd feeling not having someone wrap me in their embrace after I cross the finish line, not having him call me crazy and make fun of me. ;) But… It will be a step in the right direction. A form of closure, perhaps.. To realize, it really is over and that I’m moving forward with my life, making the best and healthiest decisions I can.

It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.
(Also virtual high-five to whoever can tell me where the quote comes from WITHOUT GOOGLING IT)

10 Running Questions Everyone Wants to Know!

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I’ve seen these questions floating around the blogosphere for a few weeks now. When I saw one of my favorite blends Jennie post them on her blog the other day I was finally sold to post them on mine! I do get a lot of e-mails in regards to some of these questions, so I figured this would be a great and fun way to answer them! Plus, I didn’t really have anything else planned for the blog today (woops, BAD BLOGGER BAD!) so what better time than now?!

10 Running Questions for Every Blogging Runner:

1) Best Run Ever?
Do races count? Honestly, my best run was the 2012 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in Washington, DC on April 1st. It most certainly wasn’t my best time… However, it was still my best run. Why? Well, it was my first ever double digit run, and though it was pretty dang slow, I felt strong through the entire run. I finished slower than most people would be proud of, but I still beat MY goal time and I launched the beginning of my distance running life as I know it today!

2) Three words that describe your running?
Challenging. Empowering. Painful. Running is hard for me. I was a gymnast for over 13 years so I damaged this body of mine. I pounded it into the ground and over bars day in and day out for the majority of my life. Leaving me with cranky, painful and over-extending joints, wearing cartilage, etc. But, every single run whether it be a great run or the worst run of my life, and ever run in between teaches me something. Running has helped me grow in ways I never dreamed possible.

3) You go-to running outfit?
This is a no-brainer. I’m sort of an Oakley Women snob… ;) Oakley Align Bra, Comet Shorts, Shine Support Tank, PRO Compression socks, and Brooks Pure Connects on the feet!

i LOVE OAKLEY

4) Quirky habit while running?
I sing and dance. Loudly, obnoxiously. I have often gotten the side glance during training runs and races. I just smile and sing AT THEM. Come on y’all… Join my fun! ;)

5) Morning, Mid-day, Evening? 
If I have it my way, evening! Especially now that I live in Austin. In order to beat the heat I would have to get up at like 4am… AND HOMIE DON’T PLAY THAT! ;) Plus, that is absolutely, positively nothing more peaceful than running during sunset! So beautiful. So calming.

6) I won’t run outside when it’s? 
Blizzarding. Cold is fine, blizzard like conditions, not so much! Though, I guess I don’t have that issue anymore. I WILL RUN ALLLLLL THE DAYZ. No not really. Hail storms are not my friend either. That happens frequently in the great state of Tey-has.

7) I felt most like a bad ass mother runner when…
I registered for my first full marathon. That was a big step. Committing to training for a 26.2! Two years after I started my running journey.. Not to the date or anything, but relatively speaking. 6 months after crossing the finish line of my first half-marathon! It is a huge step for me. I’m slow, running more than 5 miles hurts, every time. But damn it feels good to be a gangster! ;)

8) Worst injury; and how you got over it
Definitely my pelvic tilt.. Which lead to a slight tear in the muscle behind my right hip. It was painful as H-E-DOUBLE-HOCKEY-STICKS. Truthfully, I still get pain in my right hip and I seriously wonder if I always will.. However, it is nothing compared to the screaming pain I was in when it happened. After some trips to the chiropractor, 2 months off running, strength training, and tons of yoga… It is better. The tilt is a work in progress. I have to basically re-teach my muscles how to position themselves. The Dr. recommended an orthotic but I’ve heard some horror stories about those just making you compensate on the other side… No bueno. What I’m doing has worked and my hip gets really tight after longer runs, but other than that it’s A-Okay! I was cleared to train as hard as I deem fit by the doctor so yay! :)

9) Next Race is…
Rock n Roll San Antonio Half Marathon on November 11th!! I’m really excited for this race. I’ll be running it with my step-mother. We ran the Great Taco Run 10k together, but this is different for some reason. haha. It will also be my first race AS A TEXAN. ;)

10) Potential running goal for 2013?
Oh there is no potential about it. I WILL be running my first full marathon! However, for potential goals… I want to try to get into the Nike Womens (half)Marathon in San Francisco! A notoriously tough course, but gorgeous and famous for so many reasons. If I DO NOT get in, I want to try to do one of the Disney Races. I’m thinking Wine & Dine…

So there it is y’all!!! This was actually a lot of fun to fill out! A lot of bloggers have been tagging people, but I’m not going to do that. Instead, I’m just going to say that anyone who feels up to the task of taking a jog down memory lane, go ahead and make a post with these 10 questions! :)

Austin Marathon Training Week 2

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Week two of Austin Marathon Training did not start off so hot… Between moving and more moving and getting comfy cozy in my new home state.. It was a lot of big goose eggs on my Daily Mile.

But I did make up for it by the end of the week! Finally tapping out at my highest mileage thus far during RnR San Antonio HALF Training. (which is now 20 days away.. omg) HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?  Bad start to the week with such a strong finish? Good job self *pats shoulder*

Monday: Rest Day
Flying across the country is exhausting, thank goodness it fell on a rest day or else I would have ended up not doing my training run anyway. What? I’m just being honest. It is quite astonishing how exhausting it is to sit your butt on a plane for a day.

Tuesday: GOOSE EGG
Yeah, no excuses other than that I was driving from Dallas to Austin. But, lets be honest.. that isn’t an excuse at all. I did a lot of stretching though because that plane ride with my dog was absolutely horrible to my body. Everything was tight.

Wednesday: Another big fat zero.
Again I have no excuses.. I mean, I did do a LOT of walking around Austin. I mean a LOT. I have no idea how much, probably not as much as I think because as big as Austin is, most things are very centralized. But zero running was done this day… Unless the butterfly stretches before bed counts, I did nothing to help my training. Time on my feet counts for something? No? didn’t think so… ;)

Thursday: 4.5 Miles at a 10:23 pace, followed by 2.6 miles at 9:41 pace
I woke up and banged out a 4.5 mile run on the town lake trail. Soaked up the views of the city, the bridge, popped into Lukes Locker on the corner by the bridge. That I need to figure out the name of.. Carla, maybe you can help me here my dear Austinite? haha. Then later in the evening I decided even though I got my run in for the day, I was behind for the week and well.. NEW TO AUSTIN so I joined the RunTex group run and met the most inspirational man that has ever lived. I did 2.6 with them since I had a lot of running to do for the rest of the week.

Friday: Rest day.
Drove down to my dad’s house in canyon lake/New Braunfels. Gorgeous out here. I just enjoyed the scenery and adult beverages. No shame!

Saturday: 4.1 miles at a 10:48 pace

gorgeous views or WHAT?

holy hills y’all! I mean, duh obviously. It’s called the hill country for a reason. But OH MY GOSH that hurt. Not so much in a good way, either. haha. But I did it. I survived to tell the story.

Sunday: 8.3 miles at 11:57 pace
yeah.. Took a different route than I did on Saturday. BAD MISTAKE. It was gorgeous, I had the most incredible views.. But it was so hilly. I honestly am not sure if I’ve EVER run that much gain before. Maybe during Iron Girl Columbia Half, but really I think this was more than that too.. My right hip is literally screaming bloody murder at me! But I enjoyed the run a ton.. It was gorgeous, and I was just thankful to be out there! However, I can’t wait to go home in the morning and REDEEM MYSELF ON SOME NICE EASY ROLLING HILLS.

20 miles for the week

BOOM. I’m pretty proud of myself. The pace on my 8 miler was just garbage but hills make us faster and stronger, right?! RIGHT? someone please tell me that’s true! haha jk.

TWO weeks of marathon training in the bag, 17 to go. oh god. 17 left… oh dear god.. haha ;)

The Group Run That Changed Everything

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This has been my first week in Austin. My new home. I’m a texan again, and according to the rest of the state, a good-for-nothing-dirty-liberal-hippie ;) I’m perfectly okay with that generalization though. haha

Naturally, one of the very first things I did after settling into the hotel I’m staying at until my apartment is ready, was wander around the city into the local running store nearby! RunTex! (Which I just learned, that the owners of Charm City Run were inspired to open their first store in Baltimore after living in Austin and loving RunTex stores! Totally awesome. From one great running city to another! :D )

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The store was pretty massive when I walked in. A lot of space, a lot of awesome going on… But, I was instantly a fan because I was greeted by this little guy…

As I was wandering around looking at all of the running goodies that I wish I was a millionaire so I could buy… An employee came up to me and started asking me if they could help with anything. I said no, that it was my first time in the store and was just looking around. The run nerd in me couldn’t resist a new local running store. So then he asked where I was from and I went on about how I had just moved here the day before and am training for the Austin Marathon & yadda yadda. Next thing I know he’s handing me flyers, brochures and schedules galore. A schedule of all of the group runs, all of the workouts that are hosted out of RunTex, races that I need to sign up for. He was the bomb-diggity!

Of course I decided to join the very next group run, last night! Y’all…. I ran 2.6 miles and it changed the course of my running life forever.

I know! I KNOW, how can 2.6 measly miles change your life when you’re training for a full marathon? That’s NOTHING.

But it isn’t nothing. That’s what I learned on that run, and I promise to never ever take a single step for granted ever again!

You see, I met this incredible man during the group run. He was an elderly man, who at first I honestly didn’t think was even running… Until we start heading down Riverside and he’s chugging along with us. He was also the first person to talk to me. Right off the bat cracking jokes and making me feel welcome. I appreciated him immediately… After all, it can be a bit intimidating being the new girl in a group of runners who clearly run together multiple times a week.. AND ARE SUPER FAST.

He started telling me his story, and I was shook from the very first moment. He has a heart condition that makes him rely on an oxygen tank to breathe. After multiple major heart attacks he has been given a projected 3 months left to live… Out of the 10 months we’ve had so far in 2012, he has spent a grand total of 4 months at the Heart Hospital of Austin (if you combine all the days he’s spent there) Yet, every single day he’s not in the hospital, even though breathing while laying down is difficult, let alone while running, he still goes out there and runs as hard as he can, for as long as he can. Oxygen tank in toe and all.

He’s even training for the Austin Marathon in February, in hopes that he’s still around long enough to cross the finish line. It would be his 16th marathon, and his 9th since being diagnosed with his heart condition.

He tells me all of this as we’re running Town Lake… At one point I couldn’t hold it in any longer and just burst into tears. He turned around in front of me, put one hand on each of my shoulders, looked me square in the eyes and said “Don’t cry for me. I’ve accepted that I’m dying, I’ve crossed everything off of my bucket List. I’ve lived a full life and I’m ready. Don’t you shed a single tear for me.”

I was astonished. Does this man not know how incredibly inspirational he is? Does he not know how strong he is? Does he not know that in 25 minutes he completely changed my perspective on EVERYTHING?

The group took a turn to head around the east side of town, I however turned around and headed back. I had already run 4.5 in the morning, and have a very heavy training schedule for the rest of the weekend… I stopped at the bridge on Congress and just stared into the sunset and let the last half an hour of my life really sink in.

Here I was before he started talking to me, complaining in my head that my hip was bothering me. Some days my head just isn’t in the game. Some days I just don’t want to run at all. But here is this man, who is defying his genetics. Here he is busting his butt day in and day out with a ticker that doesn’t want to cooperate. Doctors telling him that running could kill him. Saying that he’s a moron for even trying to run marathons. Yet he still goes out there and proves everyone wrong.

I will never take a run for granted ever again. I will never ever complain that my hip is too tight. I will never give up. I started running because I wanted to be IN CONTROL of my body, during a time where I felt like it was failing me. Where did that drive go? Why have I let the aches and pains of becoming a distance runner get to me? Stupid. Plain and simple. I’ve let myself become weak minded, and I promise you I AM DONE WITH THAT.

I am stronger than that.
So, Jim, if you ever happen to stumble upon this blog post… Which next group run I’ll definitely tell you that you inspired me to write it, I want you to know that you changed this little runner for life. For that, I thank you. I can’t wait to see you at the start of the Austin Marathon!