Struggling 5k to Half Marathon

So. It's only been over a year since I have updated this particular blog. Since then I have done this...



Great Pumpkin 5k - Oct 2010




Love The Run You're With 5k - Feb 2011




Run-A-Muck 2010 - April 2010

As much complaining as I did in previous posts and as hard as it was/is I wouldn't give up picking up running for anything. It's healthy, enjoyable, and has brought me closer with a few particular people.

Since those 3 things, plus the race this whole ordeal started with, I've decided to do this...

http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/virginia-beach

(Oh, and Run-A-Muck 2011 dressed as Saved By The Bell, of course!)

Why? Probably because I was dropped on my head a few times. Or because both my parents used to be serious runners with my mom running the Marine Corps Marathon a few times and my dad/mom running Jay's Run a few years in a row. Maybe because I just want to be able to say I accomplished it on my own. Whatever the reason is - I'm officially signed up and there's no turning back now....unless I want to lose $90 ($97) if you include whatever crappy processing fees.

I'm going to try my best to chronicle this whole process of struggling 5k to Half Marathon. There will be talk of running shoes, sore feet/ankles, goo, and the like. If it sounds boring, stop reading now. For those of you who choose to continue reading, I could really use the support.

I have 136 days to go (roughly 4.25 of the hottest months the DC area has to offer).

I've said it 100 times before and I will say it again - "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

WISH ME LUCK!

I'm boring -

So...the run for Haiti isn't happening because Marisa and I are both poor...and by poor I mean yes, we are poor, but I am also lazy. I haven't gotten back into it yet. I seriously have lost any and all motivation and I certainly don't love it anymore.

It's tough. And somewhat depressing.

I went to the gym on monday and was only on the treadmill for a total of 45 minutes. Pathetic. Only cumulatively running maybe 35 of those 45 minutes. Pathetic. Pathetic. AND to make matters worse, my coworker came into my office yesterday and told me that she ran 9 miles last weekend! I am so super proud of her because that is a lot, but I'm also devestated that I am nowhere near that mark.

I was talking to the pres. of our company yesterday at work and then last night at the soccer game and his advice is to just not train at all. Uh, NOT train at all? Is he clinically insane? He said he ran a half marathon solely by not psyching himself out. Yeah right. But then again, we all know this certain someone sells dreams.

Anyway - tonight I'm either going to run with Pacers or I am going to get in the gym and run a couple miles. I can do it.

I think.

I have to do it.

Falling back in love with it...

This week is dedicated to falling back in love with running (Mostly because I have a race coming up in a week and 1/2).

I've been to the gym to run the past 2 days in a row. I feel good about that. Tuesday was a lot better than yesterday, but at least I made it there both days! I am giving myself today to rest and then I will probably go to the gym Friday night after work. Marisa and I have also planned to run around DC either saturday or sunday afternoon which I am really looking forward to!

Another thought aside from that...I figured with all the running I've been doing I would have lost some weight and I don't think that is happening. In fact, I feel like I have been gaining weight, and that is incredibly frustrating. I think I need to take a serious look at what I've been eating and maybe the answer is there.

That's all for now.

Run for Haiti 5k

This just in - Marisa & I will be running another 5k on March 7th: Run for Haiti 5K.

Fun runs!

So, yesterday Maggie cued me into something awesome! Every Tuesday & Thursday night at 7 Pacers has a complimentary "Fun Run". People gather at the store, the runs range from 3 to 7 miles, and they are FREE and open to the general public...and what a coincidence, there is a Pacers in the heart of Clarendon...OH! And what else? Parking around Clarendon is free after 6pm? Yeah. It is.

After further investigation I am finding just how diamond in the rough this find is. I have been skimming over the event calendar and there are some awesome finds here! For example, this Thursday and next Thursday there is a Free Injury Clinic at the Pacers in Clarendon! Which is right up my alley considering I hurt myself just about every other day. They also post races on the event calendar. The one coming up soonest is the Back on My Feet - St. Patrick's Day 8K. Now I don't know if I will be ready for an 8k in 2 weeks, but it's nice to dream.

This is really cool and dare I say I am somewhat excited. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I am super psyched about getting in the gym tonight and going for a run. :)

Welcome Back.

I haven't posted in ages. Somewhat due to lack of information to post about and mostly due to a certain degree of laziness. I haven't been running in a week. A FULL WEEK. In fact, I am pretty positive it has been over a week, GUH! Can you believe that? What the hell is wrong with me? Now, there are certain key factors relating to this awful turn of events:

1 (out of my hands and most importantly). Snow: Snow has caused horrific driving conditions and binge drinking, which leads to complete and total laziness.

2. (work related) PMA: Photo Marketing Association trade show in Anaheim, CA that started this past saturday. Meaning the entire week before was dedicated to staying late at work, massive amounts of coffee, sleep deprivation, and trying not to kill myself.

3. (health related): SICK SICK SICK: This past weekend I thought I was going to die. It was lovely, I promise you. Friday I was feeling iffy, and saturday morning I woke up with an AWFUL headache, and body aches, and nausia. The whole 9 yards. I'm still feeling somewhat under the weather. Awesome.

I need to get back on the horse. I am going to have to unwillingly admit that I am 110% off the horse and need to get back on...and fast. I talked to Marisa last week about how I was struggling with this and how I've been thinking that I will not be ready for the 10 miler we had origionally planned to do. She was supportive, enthusiastic about getting on the horse even, but I knew she was disapointed and still gung-ho (however you spell that...) about the race in general. Something I have not felt in a few weeks. I blame the snow.

Shotty, but it's better then blaming my lack of motivation.

It's time to get back out there. Last Thursday I met one of Ari/Jenna's good friends, Maggie, who just moved to VA and is looking for someone to run with. Perfecto opportunity for me! We exchanged numbers/emails and hopefully we will get to running around the neighborhood soon! I'm psyched for Marisa & I to have a new person to run with! I also think there's a chance she will join AAR with us! All signs point to new running motivation in my life and that can bring nothing but positive vibes. :)

Stay tuned. I hope to get in the gym at least twice this work week, granted this headache subsides. I will post later about how my stamina has gone WAYYY down and how I currently struggle to run 2 miles. I will leave no detail unaccounted for and promise, it's as pathetic as it sounds.

Get back on the horse.

I haven't been running since Sunday and it's Wednesday. I really need to get back in the gym and get a few miles on the treadmill. I have, however, gone to bikram yoga twice this week. It's making me feel really good and really stretched out and calm. I'm kind of hoping soccer gets cancelled tonight (since it's at 11:30pm, UGH!) and I get to get in the gym and run.

That's about all I have for now. I'm out!