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Thursday, October 21, 2010

Weekend Plans

Today was a great day!
I'm excited because today was my Friday at work and I'm off to Tampa for the weekend!

Awhile ago, when Lebron James went to the Miami Heat, the boyfriend and I thought it would be so cool to be able to see him Wade and Bosh play since they are in Florida. Not long ago, tickets went on sale for a pre-season game in Tampa with the Heat (my team) vs.the Magic (boyfriends team). So, we got tickets and we leave for the game tomorrow. Were staying overnight and spending some time in Tampa, then heading to Gainesville for a family event. It should be a great weekend and I'm looking forward to getting away.

Also, tonight when I got off work, the boyfriend and I carved our pumpkin. Its something we do every year, because its one of my favorite fall activities. (pictures to come soon)

Ok-hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Been a While...

Ok, since the half marathon, I've been in a slump.
I have celebrated my accomplishment and let my eating and exercising slip. I've been working out with my trainer twice a week, but nothing more. I havent run since the half and I feel like I dont have a goal anymore. The half marathon was my biggest goal and now I feel like I have nothing left.

I'm ready to get rid of these last few pounds, but maybe I need another goal. If not, I'm thinking of working on my running and getting back into 5K's. Maybe I will work on my times and just start having fun with it again.

Either way, I'm going to get back into blogging-more day to day mixed in with my workouts and running.

Hope everyone is having a good week-tomorrow is my last day of work this week because the boyfriend and I have tickets to the Heat/Magic basketball game in Tampa on Friday night. It should be fun and it will be a nice getaway for us. Promise to keep up the posts!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

I DID IT!!!

I completed the Marine Corps 1/2 Marathon!!!
Omg, what an experience! I seriously accomplished my big running goal and I could not be happier! I felt so many different emotions that day, that it is really indescribable, but I'll try to break down the race:

Mile 1 flew by because its mostly spent weaving through traffic and making your way through the mass of people. Miles 2 and 3 involved the Main St bridge and the Acosta. I had run these bridges before, so I was not too worried. I just kept thinking "baby steps". Once the bridges were done, I knew it would be smooth sailing..kind of. At around mile 4 and 5 I heard sirens and saw the leader heading back (though they were passing mile 8) I was in shock. It is very hard with people speeding past you to keep your own pace. I did though and the miles went, but at mile 7 I was in for some trouble. I suddenly got a sharp cramp in my right side. Mentally I felt strong, and physically I didnt need to stop but the pain was pretty bad. I dug my hand into my side and concentrated on deep breaths. I just kept thinking that I could not run the remaining 6 miles with this pain, but I was also not willing to stop.

I pushed through and about mile 8 the cramp was gone. I kept hydrating and even ate some sport beans along the way. Miles 9 and 10, being the furthest I had trained I was feeling ok. My feet were hurting, I knew I had blisters, but once I passed 10 I knew every step was my furthest run and I wanted to blow it out of the water. There were alot of hills along the course, in fact mile 11 was at the top of one. With 2 miles left I thought I had a second wind. I did, but for about 5 minutes, then I was praying for the finish. I turned my ipod from mile 11 to 12.5. Once I passed the final water station and saw the turn for the finish I was ecstatic. My legs were heavy and begging me to stop, but my mind went to my best friend Jon, I was running every step for him. He never gave up in Afghanistan and neither was I-so I kept on. I turned my ipod off so I could enjoy the end with the crowd and music at the finish. When I turned the corner and saw the finish line and my boyfriend and dad something snapped inside me and I took off (or I thought I did). I gave it everything I had through that finish line (looking back on the video, I wasnt going so fast, I just thought I was). A marine placed a medal around my neck and the tears started and didnt stop for awhile. I was ecstatic, sad, relieved, and proud! A million emotions, but one outcome-I had finished my first 1/2 marathon!!

I have few pictures, bc I have a video of the finish, but my goals were to finish in under 3 hours and to run the whole thing-check and check, ran it all and finished in 2:48!
we did it-this picture does not do justice to how I felt
pre-race-so nervous

Friday, October 1, 2010

Tomorrow...

The 1/2 marathon is tomorrow...my first 1/2 marathon!
I am beyond nervous. I'm actually wondering why I wanted to do this in the first place. If it wasnt for the Marines, I would really be second guessing myself! This is my first long race since the River Run and I just cant shake the nerves!
I just dont know how my body will react. Will I cramp? Will my breathing be right? Will I just feel tired? What about the bridges?
All these questions and emotions. I know I just need to relax, but uuugggh I'm all nerves!!
I guess I will see how it goes in the morning! AHH my first 1/2, I cant believe it!!