The Clock Is Ticking-Training and Other Random Updates

Tick tock, tick tock. It seems like I've been waiting forever, but the months leading up to the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon and the Disney's Wine and Dine 1/2 marathon have passed. Now it's crunch time, and things seem to be going by a lot faster. Months have turned into weeks. A year ago, if you would have told me that I would be gearing up for two 1/2 marathons in 13 days, I probably would have laughed at you. I hated the training leading up to my first half. My head wasn't in it and my body wasn't taking my newly found activity well. Between July 2012 and March or so of this year, I still didn't consider myself a runner. I battled an injury from the beginning of this year up through the end of April. Training for my first half marathon and then running that race while injured didn't make me love running. In fact it made me hate it. But I didn't want to give it up, I liked how I felt and the weight loss. I knew if I didn't keep a race on the horizon as a goal, I would probably stop.

So there I was, a girl who hated running, who was battling an injury, and what was the most logical thing to do? Register for two 1/2 marathons in a span on 2 weeks. Not just that, but register for one in St. Louis and one in Orlando when you live in North Carolina. But when I go, I go big. I'm a world traveler.

Well maybe just a country traveler, but whatever

I actually looked forward to the challenge. The good news is, training when you are injured and training when you are healthy make a world of difference. Back before PHM, I didn't take care of myself. I didn't eat well before runs, I lived on coffee. I didn't realize it at the time but it made a huge impact on how fast and far I ran. Now I know more about pre-run nutrition, I've found what works for me the day before a long run and right before a long run, I've found what works for me in terms of fuel during long runs. I've really settled into a comfort zone in terms of knowing what I need a don't need. It was a learning process, trial and error, and I'm sure I looked goofy running a 10k with my water belt and compression socks, but you live and learn.

I'm looking at you 2012 April. Overkill.

With my health and the knowledge I've gained, I do love running now. Well for the most part. You may get a different answer from me during the first couple of miles. I look forward to my long runs. Nearly 2 weeks ago, I ran over 11 miles, getting up at 5:30 am to do it and make it to my son's 9 am soccer game. This past weekend only called for 4 miles, I did 5 and was a tad bummed that it was a short week. This weekend calls for 12.5 miles, my last long run before the Rock and Roll 1/2. I'm excited about it. Again, ask me during miles 1-2 and then probably right after mile 11, but those feelings are fleeting.

Because of my newfound love of double digit runs, I have made the decision to register for a full marathon. But I haven't registered yet, so there is plenty of time for me to chicken out. I'm aiming for the Rock and Roll Raleigh full marathon next April, I mean I did run PHM to celebrate my 30th birthday, I might as well run a full marathon to celebrate 31 right? But I will chat more on that when I find my courage and sign up.

In the mean time, things are ramping up and excitement is building for the races I have in the very near future. Bibs numbers and corral assignments, with waivers, were released for Wine and Dine, Bib #6380 here. Two days ago I received my final instructions email from Rock and Roll St. Louis, Bib #15550. Just this morning I received our Magic Bands from Disney for our upcoming stay.

I was rather leery of the whole Magic Bands concept at the beginning but the more I learn, the more I love the idea. When I get back from that trip, I'll share more about them and my experience using them. Right now it's taking all I've got not to put it on and wear it right now. Add in the pre-trip preparations for our trip to St. Louis(13 days until we leave!), and the anticipation is building, big time. After all of the months asking if we are there yet, now it seems like I have so much to do and so little time. It's the part I love the best.