Why running 18 miles is only half of the battle...

I must admit, running 18 miles is no easy feat.  I've been training for the past few months to get ready for the marathon in October.  But it is by far only half of the battle...and I don't mean the physical one.

For instance, what people fail to mention is what comes next.  It may sound like a good idea to get in the shower when you're finished running.  And indeed it is...but it all burns.  I mean, I'm chaffed from here to Sunday.

Lesson #1: Glide thy body

Though I lathered up my arms before hitting the road, I did not glide my legs nor my sports bra areas.  Big mistake.  There is nothing worse (at the moment) than trying to take a shower and not letting water/wet hair/shampoo/soap run down your back, chest, or neck.  Man, I never knew I could bend so far backwards as to avoid the pain.

Lesson #2: Ice thy body
Usually, I'm pretty good about taking an ice bath.  I load up the tub and soak in it for 10-15 minutes depending on how much I can tolerate that day to refresh my muscles.  I have to leave my socks, shorts, and sports bra on though because it's so cold.  Usually I have my netflix going in one hand and a Starbucks coffee in the other to pass the time. Today, I ran out of time so we'll see if I pay for it tomorrow...

Lesson #3: Fuel thy body
I mean this is any easy one right??? Wrong.  For me, after a long run, I usually guzzle an extra bottle of water and some gatorade to replenish.  Today I recovered with chocolate milk (my fav) and gatorade.  And while both are equally fabulous solutions, you can never underestimate the stomach problems that ensue...bringing me to my last point.

Lesson #4: Use thy bathroom
I have been pretty fortunate enough not to have too many tummy problems when it comes to running.  But man, oh man, do not be fooled.  Pretty much it comes and goes in waves until your stomach gets settled again.  Today for example, I just about peed my pants.  I literally stopped at mile 18 and had to hide in the woods real quick.  I mean at that point it wouldn't have mattered because I was honestly so sweaty no one could have noticed.  Thank god no one came running down the trail...

A little change makes a big difference

As a runner and someone who works out constantly, it's pretty safe to say the gym/the road define who  I am.  It wasn't always like that.  When I was roughly around 285lbs and ate fast food at least once a day and lived the typical college experience, well working out wasn't exactly on my to-do list.  And for the most part, I loved my life.  I was in grad school, I got to see my friends often, and generally just had a lot of fun all the time.

But there was a defining moment for me.  And I know you see that in the movies when all of a sudden there's something that clicks or something major happens that changes a life.  For me, I just finished eating dinner - two chik fil a meals (damn that IS good chicken).  And I was disgusted with myself.  Here I was, about 22 or 23 years old, studying a career to better people when I couldn't even better myself.  

So I made a change.  The first two weeks were mostly cutting out junk and fast food and recording the amount of calories that I was actually eating.  Then I started exercising.  Just an hour before class every day.  I went at 6:30AM (as soon as the gym opened) because I was embarrassed to be working out, I felt so fat. The first 35lbs or so came off quickly and my confidence began to build. By June, I had lost about 70 lbs and had decided to run my first half marathon in September with my classmates. 

And of course all the running stuff went downhill from there... :)

But even those little changes make a big difference.  I remember how overwhelming it can be to get started or to stay on track.  Even now, my most recent changes were cutting back the coffee and increasing water consumption - it's all about creating good habits and sticking with them.  You don't have to do it overnight.  And the process is slow and continual.  But it works.  It's been 3 1/2 years since I started the journey and it's still a struggle for me.  I go through phases of working out too much or not working out at all.  I run fast, I run slow.  I lose 5lbs, I gain 10.  There are aways ups and downs.  But stick with it and work through it and you'll surprise yourself at what you can do. I know I have.

The picture on the left is 2011 before I started my journey.  The picture on the right is me in May completing my 14th half marathon (in under 2 hours even!). 

An un-noteworthy note

So, instead of taking a break from running when my 5 (yes 5!) half marathons were over, I caved to peer pressure and signed up for the marine corp marathon.  Honestly, I couldn't even tell you when marathon training even started, because I've been running since December non-stop.

And would I  want it any other way? No, of course not.  Why not continue to go non-stop for the next few months? In all actuality, I'm really looking forward to running the race it's just those pesky 20 mile runs that terrify me.

Anyways, summer running has proved to be interesting.  I still need to rearrange some classes and gym time around so I can figure out my running schedule better.  The heat right now is killing my afternoon runs.  I can only manage to get in 3.5/4 miles before taking a breather.

Mostly, it's all working out fine for now.  Minus the snakes.  Those things scare the living daylights out of me when I'm running.

Confession

I didn't work out today.  And you know what?  The sky didn't fall, the world didn't end, and no body died.  How about that?

I actually gave myself a break.  And since I've been house sitting the past week, everything ha been mounting exponentially.  So I skipped the gym, ate like shit, and headed over to my friend's house to hang out with "family".  And it was so worth it.

I forgot what it was like to have the afternoon off.  What it felt like to go to bible study, eat dinner at a reasonable hour, and play game with the kids.

And yes, though I will make it up tomorrow on my off day, it was the right call.  A much needed break.  Absence make the heart grow fonder right?

Marine Corp Half Marathon

There about a million and one reasons why the marine corp half is one of my favorite races.  The atmosphere is pretty incredible.  How often do you get to run with those who serve your country each and every day? I also love that it's a local race so there's no hotel cost, no extra planning, and most importantly, no interference with work.

The weather was beautiful - a slight breeze (making it chilly at 6AM) but it felt amazing throughout the whole race.  The course wasn't too bad except of course hospital hill was BRUTAL but what's worse is the hill afterwards on Cowan Blvd.  All complaints aside, it was a gorgeous race and I even finished another one in under 2 hours.

So 5 races, 4 months, 3 states, 2 PRs, and 1 very very happy runner girl.  What a fabulous racing season.  So far, 2014 has trumped any expectations I've had so far in the running world.

Best part is I've gotten to do so many races with friends! For instance I saw Shannon, her hubby, and some friends from my running club along the way.

Now off to the lake to let these legs rest after a 9 mile long run and 1 mile training run for Riley.

Happy Memorial Day

Never too late...

Seriously, it's never too late to start something new or make a change.  And after being stuck at the same weight for the past few months despite a crazy running schedule and ridiculously crazy workout schedule, I need a change.

So even though it's something dumb, I've decided I'm doing a whole month of no alcohol.  Who needs all of the extra sugar anyway? And I've also decided to eat at least one fruit or one vegetable at every meal/snack.  I'm also toying with the idea of getting a trainer/nutritionist because the eating aspect is what I'm having the most trouble with.  By the time I get home, make dinner, and eat it's around 7:00 or 8:00. So by the time I go to bed at 10:30, I need a snack.  And then it just continues.  And all the hard work that I've done all day is a waste.

It's so frustrating.  So I'm hoping the no alcohol thing will help kick start me in the right direction... we'll see.  Kind of hard when you love to run, but run for beer too...

You had me at fanatic

I just joined Half Fanatics. It's just as crazy as it sounds.  Seriously.  Half fanatics is an elite (I wish), online group for runners who have met certain criteria - usually a ridiculous amount of running to take pride and show the world who they are.

So basically you had me at fanatic.  And since I've completed 4 half marathons in 64 days and not to mention I have one more in the next three weeks, it only seems right that I join.  Apparently, at races if you have fanatic gear people take you seriously as a runner and yadda yadda yadda.  I don't know about all of that, but hey.  If it's the name of running, you can be sure I want my name associated with it.

So now I'm a member.  And of course I bought the sweaty band, the magnet, and the hoodie.  But hey, I work hard to log the miles I run, so why the hell not??

In other news, this week at the gym was good.  My running schedule got a little rearranged due to my vacation and also the rain so I ended up running yesterday instead of Wednesday.  Which is interesting because you would think as an occupational therapist, flexibility would be my middle name.  But No, it's not. So this for me was a big step.  And believe it or not, 4 miles at an 8:30 pace.  Not my fastest, but pretty freaking awesome for running a half on Sunday (not gonna lie, I love telling people that I just ran a half nonchalantly).

In fact, my boss even complemented me saying that I don't give myself enough running credit - which of course means he hasn't seen my running wall.  "There are just so many medals" - inside joke for Kim.

Anyways, it's Friday and time to do what runners do best - drink.
Until next time.