Tag Archives: San antonio

Texas Gone Arctic: AKA 3M Half Marathon Recap

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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

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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. :)

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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

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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!

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.

Why Do I Even Bother Running?

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EDIT: A lot of people have e-mailed, tweeted, commented, & FBed saying not to give up. Don’t worry I’M NOT!! EVER. I’m just frustrated ;)

Wednesday, I had one of those perfect, could not have been better, grin from ear to ear runs that only happen every now and again. The weather was perfect, shuffle on my ipod was playing the exact songs I needed to hear to fuel some speed, The wind was blowing during the second half just enough to cool down the 75 sunny degrees.

I returned home riding an endorphin high, ready to take on Rock n Roll San Antonio. I had no doubt in my mind after that run that I was going to blow my goals for San Antonio OUT. OF. THE. WATER.

Fast Forward about 3 hours and, I was hobbling around the house cursing in the name of running. My entire right side of my body was a mess. It felt like someone stuck my right calf in the garbage disposal. Like someone was lighting my right hip on fire, and tying the lower right side of my back into multiple knots.

In the matter of a few hours I went from over-the-moon-ecstatic about how far I’ve come in my running this year, to just plain pissed off that I even run at all.

Why bother? Every time I start to feel awesome my body fails me. What’s the point? I’m just destroying my body time and time again. Re-occurring pain should tell me something. But WHAT? I’ve had my gait analyzed several times, I have (fairly) decent form. I strength train. I slowly build up my mileage, and I take several cut back weeks. I rest more than a lot of people I know who run. I compress, I ice, I elevate, I do yoga, I stretch, I warm up, I cool down.

WHY DOES MY BODY HATE ME SO MUCH?

I started to get really down about my running. Maybe my body just wasn’t made for running. Maybe I destroyed my body with those 13+ years of gymnastics. I LOVE running, I LOVE the challenge, but maybe my body just isn’t a huge fan. Clearly my body is yelling at me to change something, and there seems to be only one constant. RUNNING.

I texted a friend back home in NY. One of the few people ‘in real life’ that actually understand my crazy obsession with this sport. I told him all about it, I told him I wanted to drop running entirely and just become a fat slob who eats potato chips all day on the couch. He said “Without pain, there can be no greatness“

I know it’s true.. It’s just so frustrating. I have tried so hard to do everything safely and SMART to prevent injury. I know, the pain in my back and calf are no big deal. They’re already gone. They were just sore from an intense workout. But this DARN HIP ISSUE comes back time and time again. It will not move on to the next culprit (okay I don’t wish this on anyone!) It’s like that rude cold that you think you have shook. You start to be able to breathe and function without coughing up a lung, only to WHAM be smacked in the face again and realize it never truly left at all.

WHY. I did everything right. I rested for TWO MONTHS when I was diagnosed. I went to PT, and did yoga every single day. I was a good little girl and practiced RICE RICE RICE every day. I very (very) slowly came back to my beloved running. What gives?

you mean you don’t ride around in cars with bags of ice buckled to your hip?? ;)

Am I being overly dramatic? Absolutely. But, I’m frustrated, disheartened, angry, sad, and just plain ready for those easy, nearly effortless miles I see people pounding out day after day, to be MINE. I’m ready to go out for a 5 mile run and say “man I could have kept going for days”

Maybe that will never be me. Maybe running will always be hard and painful for me. Maybe, just maybe, that is why I love it so much… Because it continues to challenge me each and every day. I go out there every day, not to beat the other’s in a race, but to BEAT MYSELF. To beat that little voice in my head that says “you’re slow, you’re not meant for this, you’ll never be good at this” But some days, like today, I feel like that voice is right.

I am slow, and maybe I will never be good at this sport we call running. Maybe all my friends are right, maybe I am absolutely nuts for thinking I can actually run a marathon.

I know that I’m asking a lot of my body, and really putting it to the test. But there are some days I just wonder why I even bother.

Are there days you ever feel like this? Please say yes, even if it is just to humor me ;)

The Week I Went Absolutely Bananas?

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Apparently I have a death wish. I was so inspired the last few weeks by my new friends down south that I met on my trip. By my step-mom who can take weeks off at a time and make a back to back race weekend look easy right after. By all of my many friends who raced Chicago or PDX over the weekend. (btw Jess. CONGRATS ON BEING A MARATHONER!! You rocked it!) By my many other friends who are on the tail end of their NYC Marathon Training.

I took a dive right into crazy land. I have gone bananas. Lost my marbles entirely.

Yeah, I registered for the Austin Marathon. Which, is exactly 19 weeks from yesterday….. *GULP* Yeah, that means I’m diving straight into marathon training.. TODAY.

But weren’t you going to run Flying Pig in May as your first full?

Yeah, that was my plan… However when Z and I split up and my life fell apart.. I quickly decided to move to Austin. Running my first full in a city I will have just recently moved to, makes so much more sense. A) Moving across the country is expensive, so is traveling for destination races. (money really SHOULD grow on trees.. sigh) B) What a great way to get to know your new city, right?! Running 26.2 miles of it…. I think so. C) The friendly folks  with The Flying Pig are letting me defer to next year… When I will have not just lost tons of money due to moving and a wedding that never happened. Heh. Flying Pig is still my #1 must run marathon, but financially and logistically, Austin makes more sense for 2013.

On top of that, I really can’t think of a better way to say good-bye to Jamestown. WNY is absolutely miserable in so many ways, but the one thing it is NOT lacking is charm, and beauty. It is absolutely gorgeous in the hilly amish country not too far from town. The winding roads, the trees, that right now are brilliant shades of color. It will be the perfect way to close this chapter.

However I am officially panicking, now. I have 19 weeks…. I am going to use the Hal Hidgon Novice 1 Marathon Plan which is an 18 week plan, so it isn’t like I’m pushing the envelope or anything. It works out perfectly. It’s sort of scary how well it lines up with my current training, actually... The week I am supposed to run 12 miles will be the weekend of Rock n Roll San Antonio half.

It’s like it was meant to be.
But I’m still trembling in my shoes and freak out a bit when I actually sit and think about what I’ve committed myself to…

I’ve been repeating that over and over in my head.

What I DO Know:

  • Yes, Austin is known to have a fairly hilly course. However having just moved from Maryland (hilllllllll central), the hills of WNY, and the fact that I’ll be running IN Austin for the last several long runs, I’ll be ready for it. My first half was insanely hilly. Apparently I’m retarded like that.
  • I don’t have any real time goals. Finishing injury-free is my only goal as of now. This could change further into training though. I’m perfectly okay with the fact that it’s going to be a comically slow finish time.
  • I have 19 weeks to say my good-byes to everyone, as I will most likely die (I joke!)
  • This is definitely going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. Running doesn’t come as easy to me as it does to a lot of others out there. I have to work really hard at it, every time I hit the pavement.

Dream  it. Believe it. Achieve it.

Marathoners — How far in advance before training did you register for your first full? What advice do you have to get me to that finish line February 17?

Training with Bronchitis

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About three weeks ago I woke up feeling absolutely lousy. My body ached, I had the chills, my head felt like someone filled it up with cement, my throat felt like the fiery depths of hell. I was miserable, to say the least. As I mentioned in my brief life update last week, I was later in the week diagnosed with Bronchitis. YAY FUN. Not. At. All.

The good news is that A Z pak, an over dose of Vitamin C and rest zapped the miserable aches and pains of being sick. I was feeling better within a week.. But 3, going on 4 here soon, weeks later this cough seems to have decided to take an extended vacation in my lungs.

I am nearly half-way through training for Rock n Roll San Antonio…. I won’t lie. Last week I was all easy breezy, because I was feeling better and better every day. I thought I would be 100% by now.. Now, though… Now I’m starting to freak out a bit.

I KNOW that I can tackle the distance. It isn’t the distance I’m worried about. It’s the whole, respecting my body and PRing thing. I have huge goals for San Antonio, and I have huge huge huge training plans. I was counting on Training for RNR SA to give me a solid base to dive into Flying Pig MARATHON training immediately following recovery from San Antonio.

I’m just getting to the point where I don’t know what to do, exactly.

See, the first week I was sick, I didn’t run at all. I couldn’t. My entire body ached, I had a fever, I sounded like Darth Vader breathing. A big goose egg for week 1 of bronchitis. The following week I ran a 2 miler that I thought was going to kill me, and then I ran another 2 miler at the end of the week that ended in my coughing so hard I threw up. This last week I took it easy, I ran a mile at the beginning of the week and felt decent… So I decided I needed to at least try to get in a somewhat long run… I ran 5 slow miles that were 65/45 walking to running… I started coughing hard during the first 2 miles but then I began to feel like the cold fresh air was breaking up the gunk in my respiratory system. However, that only lasted until mile 4 and then I coughed literally the entire way through the last mile… If I wasn’t a mile away from my house I would have just stopped. Not even gonna lie.

I was coughing for hours straight after the run. Like, I couldn’t stop… My doctor of course isn’t a runner… So, I honestly only take his advice with a grain of salt. But, when I contacted him about my cough not getting any better and how I feel on a run he got in a huge huff! Telling me that running with bronchitis is a huge no-no, even if the majority of the symptoms have come and gone….

As runners, we tend to be a bit stubborn. Strong willed. Head Strong. Whatever you want to call it, we think we know our bodies better than anyone else does… Including trained professionals. I’m guilty of this. At warrior dash I was all “oh that twinge in my hip will work itself out over the course of the next 1,000 feet of elevation.” It didn’t work out so well that day, and I’m pretty sure it won’t end any better this go around.

I’m trying to be a smart runner. A healthy runner. I don’t want to do any more damage to my chest/lungs/respiratory system. I called Jason in Baltimore. Some of you may remember his name from his brief time coaching me before I left Maryland. I really wanted his take on things. His advice has steered me in the right direction since I’ve met him. However, his words only disappointed me. (Sorry. still love ya pal!)

As always, speaking to me in crazy running metaphors he said “fight or flight” in which I didn’t even hesitate to respond with “FIGHT”… After a good chuckle and a round of “a’ta girl” he told me that realistically, if I can’t get in my scheduled 10k without feeling like I’m dying this weekend, I may need to seriously re-evaluate my expectations for San Antonio.

Then he really leveled with me. Told me a horror story from when he ran NYC in 2010… How he had bronchitis and toughed it out through training and started coughing up blood at the last aid station and was later that day diagnosed with pneumonia. The only time he’s had the chance to run NYC and he didn’t even get to cross the finish line because (and I quote his words) he was “too damn stubborn and stupid to take a few weeks off in the peak of training” While a marathon is obviously a hell of a lot more taxing on the body than a mere half, he still got his message across to me crystal clear.

A finish is a finish. I still have huge goals that I completely plan on dominating, but I’m not going to disrespect my body to do so. I’m tired of ‘waiting’ for my body to cooperate. But, what else is there to do? Any advice is totally welcome! Actually, I beg of you! lol

In other news, this time tomorrow I’ll be on my way to the airport to fly to AUSTIN to go sign a lease on what is soon to be MY NEW APARTMENT IN ATX!!!

Life Lately: Blog Abandonment

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I’ve been slacking horribly with my blog recently. I truly apologize. I know I’m breaking a cardinal blogger rule (never apologize for not posting) but I really AM sorry. I keep getting emails, texts, tweets… Readers and friends who are genuinely concerned for my happiness.

First, let me just say I love you guys! I love that there are so many people cheering me on. Wanting to ensure I am doing well. I never in a million years thought I would become a blogger, and when I DID start my blog, I never thought I would become a writer in which people actually started caring about not only my blog, but ME.

Second, I truly am happy. I am doing quite great, considering how August went for me! I haven’t been avoiding my blog because I don’t want to talk about how miserable things are in my neck of the woods. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Honestly, I’ve just been very busy LIVING! I have done more living in the last month than I did in the entire year and a half prior.

I have laughed more, danced more, stayed out later than I ‘should’ more, spent more time with friends… It truly has been a blessing in disguise coming back home for a month. I have some incredible people in my life. This town will eat you alive, but it also has some of the most hilarious and genuine human beings I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. With that being said I am eagerly counting down the SECONDS to the 25th. That is when I’m flying down to Texas to find an apartment in Austin!!!

Let’s get down to brass tax though, right?! How has Rock n Roll San Antonio training been going?! Training was better than it ever has been when I first moved home. I was hitting my mileage at a pace I have NEVER been able to pull off, and it was starting to feel almost effortless to stay at that pace. But then last week I came down with what I thought was a cold. I couldn’t breathe without coughing my lungs up. I literally couldn’t breathe through my nose and everything in my body ached. A week+ later of my chest feeling like someone filled it with quick sand and I marched down to see a Dr….. Turns out I have Bronchitis. Great. It wasn’t as bad of news as it immediately sounded… I feel 100% better other than this lingering cough. It will be fine all day, until I go outside for too long, or walk fast, and yes of course… RUN. Then I get a fit. I can’t stop coughing until I literally fear I’m going to die from not being able to come up for air.

I’m not worrying about it too much. I know now that I’ve already got one half marathon under my belt, I will be able to complete the distance. So long as I focus on getting healthy, I’ll be able to crush 2:30. If I miss even another week of training I can still make up for it, so long as my lungs are healthy. That’s my main priority right now… I’m still running, just not able to hit any speed or significant distance. I don’t use an inhaler so when my fits start up, all I can do is bring it to a jog or even walk… I’m not trying to do more damage to my already pissed off respiratory system.

 

so tell me, whats new with all of YOU?!
I miss y’all!

Movin’ On Up…..

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I’ve thought long and hard about where I want to take my life next. I fully anticipated having to wait until after the wedding next July, but with the recent turn of events I’ve started to realize that perhaps this is the path for me. Perhaps, I’ve finally found my calling and this is life’s way of saying “JUMP ON IT BEFORE ITS TOO LATE”

(It sometimes scares me how much power we have over our own destinies)

So, it may come as no surprise to some of you, that I have decided to move to Austin and get my career plans under way…. In September!

Austin has been on my radar since I was… 6 years old?! haha. Seriously, the first time my dad ever took me to Austin I knew that someday, I was going to live there… Even then, I knew that the live music scene in Austin, the culture, the easy going and laid back environment, friendly people, exciting downtown life.. I knew it was all for me.

The best part was when I grew up and realized that Austin really was the best of all worlds. Food, affordable. Beer, cheap. Apartments, totally reasonable. State income tax, pfffft what is THAT nonsense? JOBS — EVERYWHERE.. Especially for my bar/restaurant management degree. Uh, 6th street, I hear you calling my name! Gas is OVER 50 cents cheaper than it is here in New York (or Maryland for that matter) People are so dang friendly, the weather is gorgeous (HI i hate snow unless I’m skiing) there are trails GALORE. I’ve basically decided I’m going to be spending 94.3% of my time running town lake. It’s just meant to be. ;)

It comes to no surprise to any of my family and friends that I’m moving there! None. As soon as I told my friends I got “ohhh you are going to EAT UP that music scene” Austin hands down, has one of, if not THE biggest live music scene in the entire world!

I am truly and honestly STOKED about this next chapter of my life. I have so many friends in Texas that have migrated down from Dallas to ATX… I have so much family all over the state. Mostly in San Antonio which is less than an hour south! :D

I am truly over joyed.. Which, lets face it… I needed something to bring this year to a happy end! The only thing I’m super nervous about is finding a decent apartment. If you are in Austin, or know anything about Austin and can point me in the right direction to find a place in Downtown/central austin (close to UT, close to 6th street… but not necessarily on top of either) I will owe you my life! ;)

:D :D :D

So, tell me darlings… Whats the most exciting thing thats happened to you recently?! 

Just Call Me Crazy – My First Marathon, REGISTERED

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I finally bit the bullet. After talking about it, tossing back and forth my capabilities, and debating whether or not I’ll die somewhere on the course (I’m guess mile 23 for some reason) Today I registered for my first FULL MARATHON. It’s real, now.

The Flying Pig Marathon! I have had my sights set on the Flying Pig since I decided I was going to run my first Marathon in 2013. I chose the Flying Pig for several reasons. The first selling point was that Zack has family in Cincinnati. I was super happy to find a Marathon in a place where Zack would have people to spend the day with. On top of that, though, I have never heard a bad thing about this marathon! Everyone I have told so far that has run it says its one of the most fun races they’ve participated in! People who haven’t run it say they want to because of its reputation.

The biggest contributing factor, as weird as this may sound… was Emily from Daily Garnish. She was the very first running/healthy living blog I ever read. I liked her blog for two reasons (other than the fact that I just love her blog) she was a Culinary student (I was too at the time) and she was a marathon runner. Reading her Flying Pig recaps are the first time I remember ever thinking I wanted to run 26.2 someday. Is that totally strange?

The best part now that I’ve been looking into the race more, is the BLING! It’s always relatively similar with slight changes each year.

Is that not adorable? a flying pig on the front, and his adorable little booty on the back. LOVE. :)

So its really, really, real y’all! After San Antonio in November, I will have just enough time to recover 100% and then begin Marathon Training!

Marathoners, what was your first 26.2?
If you haven’t run one yet but plan to someday, what Marathon is in your sights for 26.2 #1?

13.1 Take Two – Better Stronger Faster

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Training for my second half-marathon begins in a few weeks.

SOURCE: unning.competitor.com

Training this season is an entirely different ballgame. At the beginning of training for Columbia Iron Girl, I honestly wasn’t sure if I was capable of running for 13.1 miles. Now, with Columbia behind me — I know that I can rock the distance. It’s all about rocking it stronger. Boyyyy do I feel like I will be starting on the right foot.

My hip issues were a blessing in disguise. I know, that sounds crazy… But hear me out. Before I started experiencing pain, I was focusing on strengthening only my core and upper body. I hardly paid any mind to the lower body. I’ve always had strong, powerful legs — it never occurred to me that my hips and glutes may be extremely weak. Since focusing on listening to my body, and balancing my strength training; the aches & pains I feel while running are very minimal, if they appear at all.

One thing that totally excites me: THIS COURSE IS FRIGGIN FLAT!!! Columbia is hilly, and I knew that going in… But I didn’t know HOW hilly it really was. That was a rude rude RUDE wake up call.

Now that looks beautiful ;)

I’ve designed a plan of attack that I’m hoping confident will bring me to the finish line stronger, faster, more confident and most importantly less miserable. (The last 4ish miles of Columbia I would have rather be hit by a car than continue running)

  • Listen to my body. The first time around, I was so focused on getting in my miles, following my training as close to 100% as possible. I ignored the aches & pains. I ignored the huge red flags. As a result, I crossed the finish line with the beginning to my hip issues. Issues that I am still working to correct.
  • Run with a group. Having just moved to Baltimore I didn’t know very many people, and the group runs that were held at Charm City Run intimidated me for that reason, and the fact that I was slow. This time I’m not letting that interfere. I’ve grown to know many of the employees, and runners in the community. No one cares if I’m in the back of the pack. It’s all in my head… Plus, running with faster people is known to help speed up a runner. Feeling the need to keep up with the mid-front of the pack will give me the boost I need.
  • Continue to strengthen the hip abductors. I can’t afford to allow my body to break down again. I’m being pro-active this go around. Flying Pig FULL Marathon training begins shortly after San Antonio. I’m planning to use this training as a way to go into Marathon training the strongest I’ve ever been in my life. Physically, Mentally, Emotionally.
  • Don’t Race to Train. Train to Race. I’m still learning the whole, long run pace thing. Pacing myself is something I’ve always had a problem with. I used to be a sprinter, on the track team. Ya know, go all out as hard as you can for a short period of time. The whole ‘conserving your energy’ thing — lost on me. But I’m learning. I love seeing a fast pace on my garmin and seeing how long I can hold it… It doesn’t end well when I can hold it until the point of puking for 4 miles, and I still have 4 more to go for the day…. heh.
  • More Water, Less Sugar. I am sort of kind of addicted to Mt Dew. It’s disgusting and awful… Its literally eating away at my soul, I know!!! But — I’ve cut back significantly. By the time I start training for San Antonio, I want to have it cut out entirely. I want to only be drinking 100% juices, water, and sports drinks. No more sugary crap that is hurting my body and my runs.
  • Foam Roll. Yoga. More Yoga. I felt, super limber & awesome during my 30 day yoga challenge. While I’m not going to say I’ll do yoga EVERY day during training (because well thats not realistic for me. I just wont be able to keep up with it 7 days a week for 12 weeks) I AM going to do it at least 3 days a week through all 12 weeks of training. A limber runner, is a happy runner.
  • Spend more time outside of my comfort zone. I discussed this in a post a few weeks ago. I run comfortably about 80% of the time. That isn’t going to get me very far now is it? Exactly. Time to let it hurt for longer periods of time. I’ve been doing speed work, and it hurts.. for like 30 minutes.. But I’m going to step it up a notch. Speed workouts are going to be a weekly thing.

Heres to a few weeks of mentally preparing for whats to come! 12 weeks of half marathon training. 3 weeks of “recovery miles” Then 20 weeks of FULL marathon training.

Re-Adjusting My Running Goals After Injury

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Two thoughts before diving into today’s post.

1) That basketball game gave me a HEART ATTACK last night. Down by 12… Catch up. Down by 12… Catch up. JEEZE SPURS!. giving me a stroke. Tough tough loss. That game was crazy!

2) The Dark Knight Rises comes out July 20. Um, exactly 1 year before our wedding. As a huge nerdy, super hero geek couple – I’m taking this as the best good luck sign ever imaginable. PS check out the new trailer.

Anyway, moving on…
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It’s hard to face reality sometimes. Having to almost start over after putting in so much work is maddening. No one wants to re-adjust their previously perfectly doable goals. It stings the pride, bruises the ego. But alas, that’s what I’m doing. I’m trying to take it as an opportunity to grow, and come back as a fierce runner. However, I would be TOTALLY lying if I said it wasn’t really frustrating, upsetting, plain and simple.. LAME.

But, I’m sucking it up… Oh, and like I said — I’M COMING BACK FIERCE. After a lengthy discussion with my friend Jason, who works at one of the local running stores he offered to coach me. FOR FREE. I was…flabbergasted but immediately on board. I can only imagine what I’m capable with someone who knows what they’re doing kicking my butt.

We decided to eliminate the Baltimore 10 miler all together. After several weeks off there’s no way I’m racing 10 miles on the 16th. Just not happening. (Instead we’re going home for my birthday to go camping/hiking. However, I’m mega bummed I’m not racing on my birthday now. boo) We also obviously eliminated this weekends NYRR Mini 10k. Which, broke my heart. I was really looking forward to a trip to the city. Meeting up with Jen and Josephine again.. Maybe a return to Eataly :( Le sigh…

Instead, we are stripping down my running and focusing on the 5k and strength. I am going to build a strong, well rounded base to get me faster. With two upcoming races in mind. a late June 5k to hit strong, and a 5k the first weekend in July to PR. My current 5k PR is from New Years coming in at 31:09… I can do better than that!! COME ON.

Although he hasn’t come out and SAID it yet, it’s becoming more & more apparent RnR Providence is completely out. I haven’t admitted it, and Jasons hasn’t suggested it. My Dr seemed to think it was far enough away that it’d be doable… But, if I’m truly starting over, maybe San Antonio in November should be half #2 instead of Providence.. That way I can guarantee to knock out a sub 2:30 and not get any other pesky over-use type injuries… Just stinks because I already registered (RnR is NOT cheap) & was super looking foward to meeting Samantha and Dani! :( A weekend vacation to spectate/girls weekend might still have to happen…. I mean RI is only a train ride away….

I haven’t decided what 5k I’ll be running in July yet, but I did register for my late June race today.

The Baltimore Women’s Classic 5k. This is a big deal in Baltimore. It is dedicated to promoting fitness and healthy living among all women while increasing awareness of women’s health issues. I moved just over a month after it, last year… So I’m looking forward to being a part of it!!!

Although I didn’t plan this, it just happens to be that way — my first day back into running will be Wednesday, the 6th – which is National Running Day. Pretty awesome coincidence, if I do say so myself. ;)

I have mixed feelings about the coming weeks. From just coming off half-marathon training – my new training schedule looks, well. Sad, pathetic. A JOKE. Running 2 miles every day I run for the next week and a half. That’s it. TWO miles. oooof, y’all! But – I’m being smart. Listening to the Dr. AND my coach (feels weird to say that) He promises me a serious PR if I do what he tells me so – I will not question it. :P

Oh hey runners, if any of you know of a good 5k the first or second weekend of July in the NoVa/MD/DC area – let a lady know, please!