Countdown

Wow only 2 days and approximately 12 hours until race time! I feel funny saying race, to me it’s more like let’s see how far you can run in front of hundreds of spectators. Needless to say I’m a little nervous. This week has gone by entirely too slow. I find myself not wanting to be at work.  Who am I kidding, I never want to be at work! :) I’m ancy and ready to get this show on the road. I guess I should be enjoying every moment since this is part of the experience but there is so much to think about. What if I forget my Garmin or IPod or God forbid my shoes or something important. I think I will double and triple check my bag. What if it’s rainy or windy? What if I don’t feel good? There comes a point where I just need to let go of the what ifs and trust that my training and hard work are about to pay off. So instead, I’m going to focus on the positive. I look forward to “carb loading” Saturday night and replenishing my lost carbs Sunday after the run. I look forward to my day off after the run and my trip to Portland in a couple of weeks. I look forward to crowds of people and surges of adrenaline. I look forward to crossing the finish line and completing my first half marathon. Let the countdown begin! I’m ready.

3 felt like 13

Running isn’t always easy. Sometimes you go out for a run during the week after work and your legs feel like 2x4’s. Last Wednesday I was running and thought geez this 3 mile run is hard! I was running with Elway which is always a little more challenging because he pulls and gives me an arm workout as well! He also likes to stop and smell things which isn’t ideal for keeping a good running pace. But when the weather is nice I try to take him because I know how much he enjoys it! Anyway this particular day was hot and windy. It really wasn’t HOT per say but after running in negative degree weather all winter, 80 degrees feels hot! As I was running my last mile, I realized that I hadn’t taken a break since running 13 that Saturday. Whether it was running or the gym, I had kept busy all week. Sometimes when you’re tired running makes you feel more energized but sometimes when you’re tired running makes you feel more tired. This is how you know it’s time for a break. Sometimes taking a break is just as important as pushing yourself. As a runner, you fear taking a break because you don’t want to lose any of the hard work that you’ve gained. Despite that, breaks are necessary both to repair your muscles and restore your enthusiasm to run again. I recently read that you should take at least one 3-4 week break each year because this is how long it takes for your muscles to truly rehabilitate after hard training. I welcome this break in October after hopefully completing my first full marathon.

Remember the 10

On January 27, 2001, ten members of the Oklahoma State basketball family passed away in a plane crash following a basketball game in snowy Colorado. For Stillwater residents it was a horrific and unimaginably tragic event. For the past 4 years, they have held a run remembering and honoring these families. I have always wanted to be a part of it and this year I was able to. The weather could have been better. It was a little chilly and rainy. We arrived at the event with about 5-10 minutes to spare. Needless to say we were ready to go at that point, nice and awake from the morning rush! We were running a 10K which was the perfect long run before the half marathon next weekend. I found myself saying yay we only have 6 miles this weekend! Really ONLY 6? I never thought I would utter these words but somehow I did. Trust me, I still think 6 miles is hard but I guess not compared to 13 next Saturday. It was really a fun run. A little hilly but that's alright because after you go up a hill, you get to coast down one which is the best. Not only that but there were people everywhere telling you how far you'd gone or just to yell words of encouragement. I saw families sitting outside their houses just to yell for us. It's amazing how many people want you to succeed. The best part was seeing my Dad 3 times during the race. He is such an amazing, caring man. He surprised me by being at the beginning, middle and end. Each time it made me smile so big. Having the type of support that I do is the best gift of all.  It was great to be a part of such an amazing event and to see my family and old High School buddies.