I'm Not Behind! Woo!

I soooo don't want to run today. I just got in last night (flight was delayed) and I have tons of unpacking to do... It was a good Christmas! :) I guess there are perks to having 4 families now. If you haven't guessed or already know, my love language is gifts (giving and receiving).
So I looked at my running schedule and I'm actually a week ahead of schedule. Yes! I can go easy this week and get back into routine starting tomorrow or Monday. I can chill today and get things done. Yay!

Shamrock'n

Here's the marathon I'm running in March. Just thought you should know. :)

Back From Vacation

Phew. It is so hard to juggle running and visiting people I only see maybe twice a year. As you know, I ran Monday. I also ran Wednesday with my friend Erin. And then, nothing. I was so busy I couldn't fit in another run. Such a bummer. Even more of a bummer (but very sweet), check out this email that my friend Karen sent me...

Bri,
Merry almost Christmas!!! Hope you guys are enjoying the season. I wanted to let you know I'm enjoying reading your blog. I've done 4 half marthons over the past couple years, also using Hal's training program. All the training and hard work is worth it, when you cross the finish line it is one of the best feelings ever!!! So enjoy!!! And let me tell you the blisters aren't the worst part, it's the blisters that form under your toenails that make them turn colors and fall off.

Merry Christmas
Karen

Karen, I totally think of you on my runs. Thanks for being a bit of my inspiration. Let me tell you, I did not know that that nasty stuff happens to your toenails and I haven't experienced it yet. GROSS! I'm actually off to the Bellagio (uppity nail salon) tonight to get a pedi and I'm already nervous about what they'll think of my blisters. Yuck. I'm sorry I couldn't see you while I was down. I miss you and hope all is well!

Even on vacation... I run.

Here I am at my mom's house in Orange and I know I've gotta keep up this running business or I'll lose all of the work I did last week. Merry Christmas to me! JK I'm finding that being a runner has to encompass all that I am... no matter where I am. Wah wah. I can't take a break.

At the airport yesterday, Jake and I got magazines - our flight was delayed. I opted to not get the regular celebrity gossip trash that always makes me feel fat and ugly and poor, and instead bought Women's Health, Runner's World, and Better Homes and Gardens' Appetizers (we're planning a New Year's Party). It was kinda fun reading something positive that actually inspires me and helps me live better. Here's one thing I learned just for some fun trivia...

Pound for pound, which of these meats has the least fat?
a. 95% lean ground beef
b. ground turkey
c. skinless chicken thigh

Answer: A, so I guess we shouldn't Eat More Chick'n?

My parents here in Orange think I'm crazy, but I'll continue with my anthem by Gavin DeGraw "I don't wanna be anything other than what I've been tryin' to be lately." :) I started off with my stepdad's truck to track a 3 mile run and got started around the neighborhood. By 2 miles I had a pretty painful cramp in the muscle just below my calf and had to walk and stretch. After that, I kicked back into gear and run my last mile. The 1st 2 didn't seem so bad this time. I'm making progress! Pray for my leg, where the cramp was hurts pretty bad. I'm hoping it will be ok.

For any of you that are reading this today or tomorrow... Merry Jakemas! JK Christmas is Jake's birthday (not to take the fire away from Christ). I just think Jake needs to feel special too. Love ya Jesus! and Jake! :)

No Pain No Gain

Yeah, I know. Gross. Don't even click on the image, the close up is grosser. Feet are just weird in general. This is after my 4-mile run around Sac and the American River levee with J'aime today. Two blisters and I'm sitting here still flabbergasted at the fact that I actually did it. J'aime is so patient and such a good partner to run with. It's a long time to be running. We're thinking that the day of the marathon we'll study up on interesting trivia and current events so we have lots to talk about. Maybe all of the Presidents' full names in order? That could keep us busy! :)

Two Are SO Much Better Than One

Such a funny thing happened tonight. I went to the gym with a bit of anxiety from Wednesday's run. Jake got me some new ear buds for Christmas so I had something new to try out and look forward to. I got there, found a treadmill, and was ready to go. I started my run and all of a sudden my friend Dave showed up. I had no idea he went to the same gym. He just laughed. I was like... "What?" Then he said, "Do you know why I'm here tonight?" "No." "Because I read your blog from yesterday and it inspired me to get to the gym." No freaking way! People are getting something out of my madness! What a crack up. What an honor. What a motivator. He ended up running with me until the end of my run and I had a blast talking and running with him. Dave, thank you for such a great time. I hope I see you there again sometime. I honestly had to thank God for bringing Dave that night. I am on cloud nine.

Rest

I'm taking a break tonight and not running... especially since yesterday was so emotionally traumatic. Instead of tomorrow being my rest day, I'll take it today. J'aime and I will go on our long run (4 miles) Saturday instead of Sunday, since Jake and I will be at church and going straight to the airport to visit family for the holidays.

Before I go on another grueling run tomorrow, I think it would be good to mention the benefits of running. I don't want to forget that there are many positives even when I feel the negatives blaring. Just in these last couple of days I've noticed a change in me...

1. I have energy all throughout the day. I'm typically exhausted on a regular basis.
2. I don't feel as stressed out from work.
3. I'm finding it easier to get out of bed in the morning, normally I drag.
4. I can wear my skinny jeans... already!
5. I can eat pretty much anything and not have to worry about counting calories. Gosh I love that!
6. I'm less of a couch potato when I get home - I gotta get to the gym and train! Or, I've got more energy so I'm not avoiding things like running errands or doing things around the house.
7. My legs, arms, and tummy are already showing some definition.
8. My face is clearing up.
9. I feel stronger and more flexible (even though I've been sore for days).
10. I'm learning alot about myself --- especially about how I react when a challenge gets tough. I normally throw in the towel. This is forcing me to deal with my tendency to not try, where I actually have to keep with it.
11. I've realized that I'm scared of the unknown... like completing this run. I won't know until the day I just do it.

Well, that's it. Megan, I'm not sure I know who you are since I don't know your last name, but thanks for your coaching from yesterday's comment. I really needed to hear that.

I HATE RUNNING

I wanna quit. Today was sooo hard. Only 2 miles around our neighborhood and I was dying. I didn't realize how hilly it was, I had major phlegm and had to snot rocket regularly because I couldn't breathe (sick), it was raining on me and my ears were burning because they were so cold, I almost cried twice because my body was so sore and I really wanted to stop and walk... I'm just having a BAD day with training. I don't like running. I already knew this. This is really challenging me. I've never had to stick to a commitment like this before so I don't know how to keep with it. I'm really worried that I'm going to give up. I'm starting to wonder why I signed up to do this when I've always known that I hate to run. Uck.

Ouch

Woke up sore. That's a big motivation killer. I was so excited to go yesterday. But tonight, I seriously waited until 8pm to get my butt to the gym. This is going to be challenging. Tonight I just strength trained and stretched - it goes along with my training schedule. Two times around the weight circuit, lots of crunches, a few push ups, and lots of stretching. Day 2 is done! Woo!

Call Me Mrs. Tomato Head

That's what I looked like after my 3 mile run today. I'm pretty proud that I did it in only 30 minutes. Can I just say that this was more mentally taxing than physically? I'm sure a quick "duh" comes to mind. I found myself arguing with myself --- "I gotta stop", "no you can't", "I'm too tired", "my legs are burning", "is it 1 mile yet?" Can I tell you a big reason why I completed the 3 miles today is because of you? I knew I'd have people reading my blog and I didn't want to be a quitter. By the way, it's now enabled so that anyone can comment. Thanks for the encouragement so far! Guess this blog was the best thing I could have done for this training process. I'm having fun and feeling good!

What I learned today...

1. Don't forget your iPod - I did not have anything to keep my mind off of running except lip reading the news in my gym. That's probably good since the marathon does not allow iPods for our own safety.
2. Running on a treadmill is monotonous. I've gotta map out some of the nearby streets so I have some scenery and landmarks to look forward to.
3. Don't run next to Mr. Sweaty - another distance runner was flinging sweat all over my machine, not to mention his was covered in salty dew! Ick.
4. Things can only get better. My legs are jello right now but I feel so good for what I've accomplished today. I can't wait for 3 miles to get easier.

PS - Dave, I did take before pics. What a great idea! Not sure if I'll post them here. I'm a little embarrassed. We'll see how my body changes each week and I might get brave and show them by the end of this journey.

Love you guys!

Am I Out of My Mind?

I think I might be. A week ago I agreed to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) on March 16th with my friend J'aime. I haven't run this far in my entire life. I am beyond nervous, but kinda excited to try something new with an incredible challenge. My training begins tomorrow with a 3 mile run on my lunch hour. I thought I'd start this blog to keep me motivated and to share my journey with you. Maybe it'll provide a laugh or two.

Well... in the words of Usher (my favorite song for running because it speaks to what my body feels like when I run) "Let it Burn".