Races & Possibilities

I'm pretty sure I stayed up too late last night. I started a new book and got a little caught up and before I knew it, it was almost 1 am. Needless to say, running didnt happen this morning.

Work was pretty boring, so while I sat ther staring at the computer I took it upon myself to register for the Outback Distance Classic race on Thanksgiving morning. The race is a 6K or a 1/2 marathon. My original plan before the Marine Corp 1/2 was to complete the 3 1/2 marathons in 3 months, one in October, November, and December, but I took too long of a break after the first one. So, this will be my first race since the 1/2. I'm really excited even if it only is a 6K! I have truly missed waking up early for the races, getting the bag of stuff, and just the adrenaline of racing all together! I have to say, I'm normally not a fan of the shirts races give out, but this years technical tee is cute! Last year they had a long sleeve cotton tee which I love to wear around the house in the winter, but I approve of the tech tee this year.

I was also looking at mini triathlons. I found one in Orlando in May. It would be a 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run. I just want to try something different. It is a big committment and I havent registered yet, but I am toying with the idea. I'll keep updating about what I decide. Now to watch one of my FAVORITE shows-The Biggest Loser, then I'll be trying for that run again tomorrow morning.

Discoveries...

I've discovered a couple of things this week/past weekend:

* People are extremely INSENSITIVE-I mean like things you just dont say insensitive. It offends me, makes me mad, and genuinely hurts my heart.
* Chobani greek yogurt with fruit at the bottom is actually really good! At first I was nervous, but I'm impressed!
* I really miss running/races. I'm just dying to have my Saturday mornings taken over by the race schedule!
* I love my friends-the good quality friends in my life really make me happy and I know my life would not be the same without them.

Ok, I think thats all my discoveries. That was just on my mind tonight. Thanksgiving is also on my mind. I cant believe it the holiday season already. I cant decide if I'm stressed or excited, but I am making an effort to try and enjoy the season. Last year is a blur and I want to try because the people in my life deserve more than a moping Jen at Christmas. It will be difficult, but I can control how I let myself feel, and I'm all for getting into the spirit.

Not too much has been going on besides that. I'm really sticking to this new meal plan my trainer made. Its very clean and surprisingly I'm enjoying it. I think its when you re-commit to something like working out, that its exciting in the beginning. Thats how I'm feeling now, so I'm getting back into cooking instead of frozen "healthy" meals.

Ok, so this got random. I guess that's just how my thoughts were tonight. Off to bed-run in the morning.

Deranged

Deranged can be defined as:
1. to throw into disorder; disarrange
2. to disturb the condition, action, or function of
3. to make insane

This about describes my workout today. I had my one month measurements with my trainer today and it did not go so well. Clearly I have been taking advantage of football season and enjoying my weekends a little too much. I mean, it wasnt bad, but the results should have been different. So on top of my workout this morning, he asked me to come back for a group circuit tonight and his gym has a class called deranged-I wasnt part of that particular class, but thats about what the group of us were calling his workout circuit. I got to the gym at 5:45 and left a little after 7 and it was non-stop the entire time. There really wasnt a time to rest, just constant movement from one exercise to the next. I am so wiped out right now, but its that good tired.

This means alot to me that I'm being pushed since I just celebrated my birthday with some amazing friends and delicious drinks and Thanksgiving being right around the corner. With the holidays coming up I want to try and enjoy them without over-indulging.

Ok-off to ice, heat, and relax my aching muscles. Its almost the weekend-yay, happy middle of the week!

Rhythm

I'm finally starting to get into a rhythm.
I'm getting into a rhythm at work. The more I learn, the more comfortable and confident I feel.
I'm getting into a rhythm at home. I'm getting into a routine and starting to feel happy in Jacksonville.
I'm getting into a rhythm at the gym. Training is going so well, and now I have a friend from work doing it with me. The light bulb has clicked on and I'm on a mission to drop the last few pounds and really be an example for healthy living to people around me.
I guess things are just going well and moving in a positive direction. My only complaint would have to be the amount of time with the boyfriend. He is in school during the day and works at night, while I only work days. Needless to say I get to see him about 2 nights a week, and a full day on Saturday. Either way, we are making it work and slowly getting used to it. And after a great weekend with the Darius Rucker concert and FL/GA I'm just in a great mood!
Just wanted to post, since it has been awhile-hoping to start incorporating this into my day more.
Hope everyone is having a great week!

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!

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!

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