Checked off my bucket list!!!! All done!!!

I woke up this morning at 330am and left my house at 4am. We took the trolley down to the start line and walked a mile to where the actual start line was. 

My husband is amazing! He carried our backpack full of goodies and water so that I could stay hydrated and healthy till we started. He was tired, I could tell, but was also very excited for me. He walked me all the way to my corral and waited for me at the start line.

I have never seen so many people in my life in one place for one purpose!!!

WOW... SO MANY PEOPLE!!! 

I was kind of nervous in the beginning, I didn't know what to expect!

I knew the time I was aiming for and I knew the course, but I didnt know how I would feel or how I would actually perform. The whole time, there was music and people cheering, water was being passed out and there gu, and salt and fruit, etc, we were always encouraged.

I loved how so many people would come out from their homes and just cheer us on. Beautiful!

At the beginning I paced myself slow to make sure I didnt burn out, and it was fine. I hit some hills and slowed down but not drastically, it wasnt until the 10 mile mark that I hit a wall and had a tough time pushing through to the 11th mile, where I realized I was almost done and I started to pick up the pace a lot more.
The last mile was thankfully all down hill and I pushed it, I felt my legs turn like they should, no pain, just perfect motion. My arms were going, moving as they should and my form was perfect! I felt strong, I felt amazing, like I was flying at that last mile. 

Sadly, I did not make my time goal, but I wasnt that much off. And I realized, it wasnt about the time, it was about the experience. I felt strong the whole way through, with every so often fighting through the crowd, zig zagging so I could get ahead. Powered through the last hill and the last two miles, felt myself getting stronger and stronger, and at the end, I was so happy. I thought I was going to cry, but I think I was too tired!!!! 

Over all, I would never trade this experience for the world!

I loved running the course, it was tough, but it was good. And today, my dream came true! 

Thank you Magic 92.5fm, Jagger & Kristi, Coach Barbosa, Judy and Lorena for helping me attain my dream.
Forever grateful! 

The day is near! Thankful!

I am definitely excited to run this weekend.
I have not been able to blog because life has just been so very busy; between school, the internship, work, running, the wedding planning, the other weddings.... boy oh boy!!!!

But yes, I am excited and can't wait to cross off the 1/2 marathon from my bucket list. I want to enjoy every single mile, I want to feel the excitement, the adrenaline, and have the mental strength to push myself to do finish this in less than 2 hours! I think I can do it, the course is mainly flat and has several downhills, all to my favor! ^_^

I no longer feel pain on my knee or have shin splints. I have been taking it super easy these last couple of days, just resting and icing my legs. Getting prepared to run!!!

I am over all very humbled by the whole experience, first of all, that someone would care to even read my story. That someone would care to offer to help me see that I cross off something off my bucket list! WOW, then to bless me with extra goodies! Magic 92.5 Rocks!!! Jagger and Kristi and Sammie are amazing!!! Huge hearts!!!!

I am even more humbled and forever grateful to the man who sacrificed his Tuesday Mornings for about four months to see me succeed. This man did not receive a single penny from me while he has been  coaching me, this man has helped me become strong both physically and mentally. He has prepped me for this race and I am humbled. In a way, I think he has saved my life because he has given me back a spark I once had regarding running, he helped me put that back in my life. He helped lose weight that had been "weighing me down" (pun intended! ;) ) and potentially change the course of how I will live my life forever.
He has sacrificed so much, I just wish I could pay it forward someday and be able to bless him back!

During this experience I am also greatly humbled by all the time and effort and counsel I have received from my high school teammate, Judy J. She has pushed me to wake up early, to train hard, to not make excuses and strengthen my mind when it gets tough. Running is mostly mental! I am thankful for the many mornings she would wake up with me and run, wherever it was, however many miles, whenever!!!! Humbled and grateful! Thank you!

Finally I am in awe of just how amazing my husband is. With the life I have chosen to live, a busy one, I rarely have time to do anything else or for anything else, including cooking, cleaning, and keeping food in the house!!!! My husband has taken all that over! He also, more importantly has helped me and encouraged me... and at times has had to force me to take a break and just have fun.... before I break and burnout!!!! He knows me, and he loves me even though he knows me very well. I am humbled by the man who is by my side day in and day out, encouraging me to reach every goal I have set, caring for me, helping me and leading me. Forever grateful.

I could also not finish this post without saying how humbled, grateful and in awe I am of my GOD! I mean, seriously.... He is my Jehova Jireh.... My provider.
God knew my heart and how important this event is to me. It may be another race or event for other people, but this means so much more than that to me. When you dream of being IN the race rather than just a spectator or volunteer for so many years, and you try to save up to run it.... but just can never make it because life gets in the way.... yeah... it's a pretty big deal!!!
I am thankful God has seen my heart and provided the way to give me the desires of my heart and blessed me and surrounded me with people who could help me achieve my goal.
Amazing God.

With all that said, my husband and I wen to get my bib and shirt, and misc little tid bits.... and here is the swag!

Kickin it old school!

I remember my running buddies in high school. I remember those who kept me company for hours! Who would help me focus on the run, encourage me to keep my pace and push me to finish strong.

I could probably name them all!!!!
But one who has been key in my life and always brings a smile to my face is Jade!!!
What a great person to have in your life! Seriously, someone who is always so positive!

Well, Judy and I were gonna do a long run and decided, why not call Jade, old school teammate and friend... =) She showed up and rocked it for 8 miles! or maybe it was 9.... somewhere in there.

Either way, Judy and Jade paced me and reminded me that I was strong and able to do the workout.
It was helpful to have old teammates remind me of what I could do and to tell me how much I've improved.
Sometimes I feel like time hasn't passed when I see them.

Thanks ladies for the constant encouragement and support!

Running buddy... to the rescue!

"Get your butt out of bed!" - Is a text I got this morning.... at 6am!
My bed was so comfortable, my pillow was calling me back.
I didn't want to get up. I had every excuse in the book ready for NOT getting up!
- I was tired
- I needed my sleep
- My knee hurt
- I had shin splints
- I felt like I was getting sick yesterday... so I should take it easy today.
Every excuse!
But alas.... the text encouraged me to get up, get dressed, and get going.

I picked up my old high school teammate (who happens to live fairly close to me) and we went to Lake Murray to do the workout coach had scheduled for me: Farleks!
I think the last time I ran farleks with her was about ten years ago!!!! Time flies.... but we run! ;)

*        *        *        *
So last saturday I had to do a 10 mile run, which I reeeeeeaaaalllly really really didnt want to do on my own... so I put a fb post about going running and to see if anyone wanted to join.
Sure enough I get a response from my former teammate who happened to come back in to town from Colorado. I did not know she was here! But any way, out of anyone that could have responded, I was glad she did.... she is a strong runner, who knows her stuff. So I knew she would be able and willing to run the whole 10 miles with me, non-stop and she would push me even more than I could do on my own.

We finished the 10 miles and I felt great. The next day I had to rest. Then on Monday I had to do a 6 mile run, which I did not do 6, it was more like 5miles. But my knee started to bug me.... the all too familiar feeling of "overuse" ( like I mentioned on previous posts).... then my shin too was in pain.... shin splints!!! grrr. I guess I need to be icing, massaging and working out those little muscles.

So on Tuesday, was my track workout, and I had been feeling ok, so I started the workout with my buddy and coach, but by the 5th interval, I was hurting.... and I didn't want to admit that I was hurting.
I wanted to finish my workout strong... or at least finish! But Coach saw me hurting, even as I tried to mask it... and he pulled me from the work out. =(
I guess I am grateful though, that he cares enough to pull me out of the workout for my own good. I still am in shock and amazement at how good this guy is. Waking up early just to help me and get nothing in return!


During the Tuesday workout, Judy, my former teammate had come with me, and she finished the workout. She works so hard and is so good. I was glad she got to have a good hard workout. And glad that she was willing to wake up early to run with me.

So, here's a pic of the two of us at the lake.
Sweaty, tired, but feeling accomplished and happy! =)

Thanks Judy for waking up early with me to run and thanks for encouraging me and pushing me into gear!

Taking a Chill Pill

So, last week I posted a picture of my HUGE blister!
And also wrote about how I had developed shin splints on BOTH my legs.

I decided to find out what was causing my blister, sure enough I inspected my shoes and found that the insole that comes with my shoes was the reason for the blister, the arch on the insole does not match the arch on my foot... so it was rubbing me the wrong way... literally! lol

On Monday I went to a sports store to either buy new insoles or buy new shoes (now that I can afford it! sort of)
I ended up getting new insoles which seem to help. However, because the blister was still healing I did not run on Monday like I should have.
With my new insoles in place and new running clothes I got, I was ready to try to do 8 miles yesterday. But I wanted to check with coach first and see if the 8 miles or 6 miles was better to stay on track (depends on the program).
Sure thing coach called me and told me take a chill pill.... well not those exact words, but pretty much stay off my feet, ice the shin splints and give the blister time to heal.

I felt relieved but at the same time like a loser!!! Blaaaah.... I wanna run!!!!!!!!!!!!
But I guess, he did put it in perspective... if I dont rest now, I might not be able to fulfill my goal later. Rest up and take it slow for a week and hit it hard next week, healed blister and without shin splints!

Rest is not my idea of fun or of moving forward, but I know God knows what's best for me, and I trust also that coach knows what he's taking about.

So I am now on a one week mandatory rest.
Thankfully I have also a lot homework to catch up on, so, great timing for it I guess.

But alas, I will keep up my core workouts.

Rest doesn't mean you've failed, it merely means that you are caring for your body
- I have to remember that....

Servant Leader- Coach Barbosa

Sounds like an oxymoron, but being a servant leader is all about meeting the needs of those you lead first, then accomplishing what you're supposed to accomplish. People before tasks!

Today was a track workout day with Coach.

Can I just say OUCH! I'm seriously sore, tired, have shin splints, and blisters on both feet!

I have drained this one over and over and run and run and still comes back. Sounds like I need new shoes. I have another blister but it's not nearly as painful or big.

Servant leadership came to mind because I was working out with coach this morning at 6am. When it dawned on me.... WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD ANYONE BE UP AT 6am  WITH ME AT THE TRACK!!!!?????

This guy seriously just wants to see me succeed! I am not paying him, no one is. He is truly just volunteering his time to train me and get me in shape to fullfill MY goal!

Mind Blown!

 

I think a lot of times we go throught life doing stuff for us, not thinking much about who we can help or lead or anything. But I am glad coach decided to think outside his obligations and is investing his coaching experience in me.  I am blessed.

 

I was struggling today because of shin splints and blisters, but coach still pushed me to finish strong... and I did! Best lap was the last one! ^_^ It's great to have someone encouraging you.

Also during my workout I noticed I can do more, easier, better. My squats dont hurt so much, the pushups are no big deal anymore, etc. I am getting stronger, and I feel it.

I even lost weight working out with him! I've lost a total of about 12 pounds since I started working out with coach.

There is so many things I am thankful for, and this is one of the many .

For never giving up on me, for waking up early on days you don't have to, for customizing my workouts around my life, for showing up and pushing me to finish strong, for believing in me, and for being a servant leader, a great example of Jesus Christ!

 

Thank you Coach!

 

 

It's gross and I love it!

Yes... it's gross.... and I love it!!!
Sounds like I have a problem, but yes, the running world can be pretty gross!

Just the other day I was running at the lake, I could feel the blisters on my feet and the bugs hit my face. But that's not unusual for a runner.... the blisters or the bugs.

The running world includes several gross things such as:

1. Blisters.... we pop them and drain them and run again! ;)
2. Bugs..... we run through them, inhale them, swallow them, get them in our eyes, our hair, etc.
3. Snot Rocket.... you can't stop running to blow your nose sometimes (most of the time), so you must learn the snot rocket trick, where you just blow it to the side while you run! Either that or use your shirt!
4. Black toenail.... sometimes when you run your shoe will hit your toenail, usually from a smaller fitting shoe causing your toenail to turn black/purple... and it hurts... and most of the time, we run throught the pain (unless it's unbearable, then by all means we see a doctor! )

I'm sure I can find others, but these are few that came to mind the other day.

Though these things are gross and may perhaps discourage people from running, I truly would not do anything else! I love it... gross or not! ^_^