My first Marathon!

I have some very exciting news. I am officially signed up to run in my very first marathon. It was my birthday a few weeks ago and I decided that to celebrate I wanted to compete in my first marathon.

I am running the Portland Marathon. I have never been to Portland so I am excited to get to check it out. My parents are also coming to watch me run.  I am currently on my 5th week of training. I am about to go out and do my 15 mile run. I read a bunch of different training schedules and made my own based on reading and time I had before training. Most schedules have you complete at least 16 weeks of training but since I had been running before hand, I figured only 12 will work. I am hoping so at least. 

Running a marathon has been a goal of mine for such a long time now. I think it such an amazing accomplishment. I am super nervous about it. There is something scary about having to complete 26 miles in just a few hours. I can't wait! 

Bad Decisions

I love when I can convince my husband to make bad decisions with me before lunch. I think anytime is a good time for a milkshake :)

I ran 5 miles yesterday and did regret drinking that milkshake before my run. I waited a few hours before leaving but it still weighed me down. I ran hills which I have the hardest time with. I ended up only doing about half hills and the other half on the flat pavement by my house.

Yesterday was a really busy day for me. I had so much going on and so much do to. I woke up at 5AM to do my run but couldn't go because it was still really dark outside. Around one, I was super stressed that I wasn't going to get everything I needed done. But, I knew that if I didn't go running, I would regret it. So, I went and felt so much better afterwards. I like to remember this quote when I am feeling stressed about time and fitting my workout in. 

running

before the race!

after my run Saturday, I took a beak on Sunday. i made chocolate chip cookies and ate almost half the dough. which left me feeling not so wonderful, but the cookies were so very delicious.
this morning I woke up and did a slow 4.5 miles and it felt so wonderful. i love running in the mornings. it really helps to start my day of right.
I have developed two irrational fears while running, both having to do with bushes:
1. bee's bussing- although this isn't only around bushes anymore. anytime I run by a bussing creature I freak out and start running way faster. this makes no sense because I haven't been bitten by a bee since elementary.
2. an animal moves inside the bush- I immediately think I will be attacked by an unknown creature inside of the bush. although this has yet to happen, I am always ready if it does.
I am starting to consider running in the middle of the street ;)

on Sunday, I had such a wonderful time teaching my sunbeams. they are seriously the sweetest kids ever and I feel so lucky to be their teacher. i made all of the kids play dough and they were so excited about it. I was a little worried because I wasn't sure if we would fight over the colors or not but it worked out perfectly and everyone got their favorite color dough.

lastly, my husband is the best. the race on Saturday was pretty darn freezing and windy yet he came and cheered me on anyway. I am quite sure he froze to death but he wanted to support me. and it sure was nice to cross the finish line and see his cute smiling face! 

the 10k I ran today went so wonderfully. the last mile almost killed me (oh how I hate running up hills) but it felt so rewarding to finish having ran the whole time. it was so wonderful because it didn't rain the entire race and it was a little chilly, which I was so thankful for a mile into the race. there is something to be said about finishing through with a task. it gives me such a sense of accomplishment and confidence. i have read a lot of studies that say following an intense workout plan can sometimes be more effective than anti-depressants. 

after the race, we decided to take my cousins to the go-kart rink and arcade. i had so much fun.. and so did they! i swear my husband is so embarrassed of me because I act like a ten year old when i get into an arcade. i just love them so much (the basketball game is the BEST). i was a little sad because my youngest cousin couldn't drive because he was under the height requirement. so, he was forced to be my passenger. i could tell he was sad about it. i mean how disheartening to have to sit along while everyone else drives. 

i love how happy little ones are. they make life more fun! 

i got husband to take me out to ice-cream as a reward afterwards :) thanks!

The day I decided to run a half marathon

lately I have been feeling a little down
and lazy
I used to LOVE running
I would run almost every single day
it helps me relax and feel strong
somewhere between moving and being lonely
i lost that love
so this weekend I have decided that I am going to start up again
I found a running plan and signed up for a race
I am already three days in,
and sometimes don't feel like running
but, I will push through because I know I can find my passion again