????? miles per hour

I feel restless tonight. My brain seems to be thinking and contemplating about a gazillion things at a rapid pace. Part of me is excited that I have found a passion for something that is very good for me, but another part wants me to calm down! I'm sure I've annoyed just about everyone I know with all my running talk, but I can't help it. Running is who I am now ... it's what I do and love!

What I really want to do is talk to other runners and ask them questions such as:

* how did you get started in running? Was it an easy decision or was it tough to begin?

* Is there a certain mileage point where you begin to battle yourself at stopping or continue on? How do you get past the negativity of the left brain? What gets you to keep going?

* How in the world do you train for ultras?! And how in the world do you keep the stamina to keep going during them?!

There is so much more I want to know! I feel like a child that is thirsty for knowledge and can't get enough of it in books.

I have all these goals looming in my mind and afraid to voice them in fear of being told it's not possible. I never thought me running in any sort of race, specially a half marathon was possible, but I've obviously proved that wrong!

* Does the feeling of being a race junky ever go away?

* Does the desire to run every diminish? --- I HOPE NOT!

My mom told me after she started running a few years ago that it really saved her life. I thought that was awesome, but never really understood what she meant till I began my own journey with the activity. I have to say I agree 100%! Running has helped me immensely and I'm very thankful for those who have inspired me to begin. It's a life changing thing and I want it to continue.

My running group is doing 17 miles in the morning. The longest I've ever gone is 13.1 ... a half marathon. So when I hit 13.2 I will probably rejoice in the fact that I can do this! Those 4 extra miles will be tough, but I'm looking forward to them! To a new goal and a feeling of accomplishment.

wordless wednesday

ch-ch-changes!

This post is going to be a little bit more personal, but it needs to be said ...

So I've noticed the different changes I've been going through since I've started running in February and my diet decision with not drinking soda or eating dessert/sugary snacks.  I read that during my first year of training I will probably not see a huge decrease in weight, and this has been true.  While I have been losing a few pounds, it hasn't been significant cause I've been putting on the muscles.  Seriously, my calves are rock hard!  What I have noticed is a decrease in inches in pretty much every part of my body.  I'm needing to buy clothes in a size smaller now which for me, makes me feel really good!  Another aspect I've seen deminish is my belly pouch.  Yep, I've got one of those ... not afraid to say it!  In looking back over pics I've taken on race days, I've seen it present, but today in getting ready for track it seemed almost invisible! 

Ever since my pre-teen and teen years I've struggled with weight.  I was one of the comfort eaters when things went bad or I was just bored.  I tried various methods of losing weight including many fad diets, but could never stick with any of them and would just give up.  Giving up the sweets and getting outside for exercise 3 days a week has definitely changd that!  I feel my confidence increasing and my attitude changing for the better. 

For anyone out there that has struggled with the same type of thing, this is about the only advise I can give you .... just keep at it!  You are the only person standing in your way.  Don't let the left side of your brain control you and be kind and have patience with yourself.  In a world of quick fixes and got have it now attitudes, this has been a slow process, but one that I'm truly thankful I finally dove into.  I wish I would've started sooner, but hey now is a better time than any!

Foot Traffic Flat Half Marathon 07/04/11

The race has come and gone and I'm really happy that I completed it!  At one point during the race I really didn't think I would as I started to have hip/thigh pains around mile 6 or 7.  I couldnt' believe it! What in the world ... I thought I was ready! sigh ... let me back up to the beginning ...


Bib number and race shirt

3 a.m. Who wakes up at 3 a.m.?!  The birds weren't even up yet and my cats just rolled over, covered their eyes and went back to sleep.  I lifted myself out of bed, took a shower and put my running clothes on!  I ate a small bowl of oatmeal while double checking I had everything. 

Garmin ... check
Visor ... check
Bib number ... check
Water with Nuun ... check check
Tutu ... CHECK!!!!

I made my way to NW Portland to catch the shuttle bus at 5 a.m. and actually arrived right when they started loading, so I boarded the bus and a lady took the seat next to me.  I kept hearing the surrounding conversations and it appeared I was in East Coast territory.  Even the lady sitting next to me was from somewhere back East.  She told me her goal was to run a half marathon in every State.  This race in Oregon today would be #36.  I told her this race would be #3 for me if I had the same goal!  (Wow....it's true! 1st California, 2nd Florida, 3rd Oregon!)

It was shaping up to a beautiful morning with clear skies and the sun already making it's way up, which meant it was gonna be a hot one ... no shade from clouds today!  East Coast Lady asked me if the mountain she was pointing at was Mt. Hood.  I said no, that's St. Helens, the volcano that erupted in the early 80's.  She said she really wanted to see Mt. Hood cause she had no time for sight seeing.  She had just arrived the night before and was leaving right after the race.  Wow!  I told her Mt. Hood was behind us, and then the bus turned to head north to Sauvie Island and I looked out the window.  I exclaimed "There it is! That's Mt. Hood!"  I think I really made her day that she actually got to see it.  Finally we arrived to the drop off spot, unloaded from the bus and wished each other luck in our race.

I found my running group and noticed that we were all antsy to start.  Not only that, but it was a bit chilly that morning.  Though the sun was out, the breeze and early morning weather kept us jumping and rubbing our hands together.  One lady, Linda, was even wearing a long down coat!  We huddled together, took a group photo and waited.  They had the marathoners start at 6:30 a.m. and we cheered them on as they took off.  Soon, it would be us doing the same.  Some made last minute potty stops, bag checks and watch checks in preparation.



Me stylin in my tutu and color coordinated Zensah compression leg sleeves!



Galloway Running Team!



Waiting for the race to begin

 And then. ... GO!!!! The race began.  One of my running buddies, Bob, and I kept in pace with each other.  Using our 30:30 run, walk, run ratio that we've been training under.  After about a mile I looked at my watch, wow, we were keeping just above a 12 minute mile pace.  A bit fast, but we both felt pretty good, so we kept going. 

Here's a few things you should know about Sauvie Island.  This is where the huge corn mazes are in the fall and it has vast farm land.  Running around this island I thought would be really cool to see all the beautiful scenery.  Yeah, no.  It got somewhat boring after awhile.  Julee from the running group told me weeks before that the course was boring ... she was right.  At the beginning of the race there is quite a bit of shade which made it really nice, but also the wind was pushing against us.  BUT! when you get around the 2nd or 3rd corner and head towards the finish line the shade disappears.  Nada.  Zilch.  Full on sun in your eyes and making it even hotter. 

When I started to feel the hip/thigh pain I voiced it to Bob and we somewhat slowed down our pace, but were still going a bit faster than training.  This is most likely the culprit.  Weekly track sessions of faster speeds are only for about 2 miles.  This was 13.1 miles that I needed to endure.  Finally I told Bob to go on and that I would be taking longer walk breaks.  I just wanted to finish.  My goal of completing in 3 hours would have to wait till the next race.  I just HAD to finish!  I kept trying to give myself pep talks and repeat encouraging quotes I had read and think about the strawberry shortcake at the end, but the negatives had definitely made their way back into my thinking process. 

About mile 9 I realized that I only had 4 more to go and an hour to do it in to make my goal.  I calculated in my head my previous race and training times and thought maybe, just maybe.  But now I was mostly walking, so I put that thought away.  Candy, another running buddy, caught up to me and we walked together for a bit.  About mile 12 she ran ahead and I cheered her on as I continued.  I kept getting closer and was still making good time.  I saw the finish line and knew I could do it.  I gathered all my strength and ran to the finish! 

I came across the finish at 3:04!  I didn't meat my goal, but I did PR! which is absolutely amazing!  I was happy and was greeted by my fellow runners and we all enjoyed delicious strawberry shortcake to celebrate.  My first dessert since March and it was the best thing ever!


best strawberry shortcake EVER!!!

Foot Traffic Flat Half Marathon medal ... it's made out of a recycled bike chain!

Making my way back to the shuttle bus, I sat and sent texts to family and friends letting them know I was done.  Got back to my truck and headed for home, where I relaxed for the rest of the day.  Through the pain and tears, I had finished my 3rd half marathon which is also the 2nd one I've done this year! 

Next race ... Disneyland Half Marathon in September 2011!