Running Today

I didn't run today. And I certainly wasn't in Boston today. But my heart aches and my head is spinning for all those that were. What should have been a happy moment, one they had trained for through blood, sweat and tears, also ended with blood, sweat and tears.

I cannot imagine that moment, of being so close to the finish line and in such imminent danger. I hope I never have to, and I wish those people never had either. I have already had friends reach out and tell me that I'm never running another race again (not true, I'm doing the Tar heel 10 Miler this weekend) but I don't know if it will feel the same. Will I cautiously approach the crowds of people that should be cheering for me? Will I be fearful as I cross the finish line? I don't know. I hope not, but it's hard to say.

I love running. It's my go-to activity for basically every emotion that goes through my body. When I'm sad, happy, excited, anxious, whatever... I run. We can't let fear take that from us but dear Lord, we have got to do something with this world. Is this really what humanity is coming to? We're trying to hurt each other aimlessly? No war, no vendetta, just mean-spirited? I hate it. I hate it with every ounce of my aching heart.

I want us to find peace and happiness and hope. I want us to build a better world together. Isn't our generation supposed to be the one for change? Let's make it happen. Let's build a world on togetherness and love. Let's fight for the things that matter like equality and freedom, and lend a helping hand to strangers. Let's give more than we receive and never go to bed angry. Let's love big and hold our loved ones a little tighter tonight, and every night. Now is the time for change. Now.

Running with bling!

WE'RE ENGAGED!  

woo hoo! yay! let the planning begin! 

Running the Ramblin' Rose!

I haven't written in a while... and it all goes back to the same excuse as always: I am BUSY. It doesn't help that I got sick for a week and was unable to run, go to the gym, move... I worked from home, which consisted of several naps in between various doses of antibiotics/mucinex/tylenol/sore throat syrup and cough drops. Oh, and in that time, I still had to manage a golf tournament and go to class. I did have to skip out on a 5k last weekend though. It would have been my 9th for the year, but I woke up on Saturday and knew there was no way I was capable of running.

I had signed up for a 5-miler this weekend with a classmate, but my illness kept me from preparing. I haven't run 5-miles in who knows how long, I've done some 3-milers, and a couple 4, but not 5 in a long, long time. So today was a bit of a struggle, but I made it. Crossed the line in 48:03. Sprinting the last little bit and beating my friend (she was actually ahead of me for most of the race).

Usually after races longer than a 5k, I'm set on "never running anything that long again," but today, I came home looking for more races. I don't feel bad, even though it wasn't my best time, or effort, I am excited to run.

Today was my 9th race of the year, so I'm still on track for 12 races in 12 months. Signed up for #10 in November (the Color Run). Just have to find 2 more to do between now and December 31st and I'm all set. I've completed my first 8k this year, my first 4-miler and my first 5-miler. I'd like to do a 15k but it looks like most of those are in the midwest right now for some reason.

I'm motivated right now to be active. I joined 2 yoga studios... one because it's close to my house and one because they have really awesome classes. The one closest to my house doesn't offer "hot yoga" only warm, but it's still a good class. I've gotta get back in the swing of spinning and weights too. Worked out once this week and have had upper body pain for the rest of the week. Maybe I'm just getting old?

Running Summer into Fall

Holy Cow, it’s Fall! It’s Fall? Really? Already? Where did Summer go? I was definitely a busy bee this summer with work, consulting, two-summer grad school classes, two weddings for very special friends, several bachelorette parties and showers to accompany those weddings, baby showers for other friends, a new nephew, keeping up with my 12-in-12 plan for running races, and of course, my own summer travel + fun. Whew, now I remember where it went!

 

For my last week of Summer, I spent it with the best friends a girl could ask for celebrating one of the “maids” weddings. Lots of time was spent on hair, nails, make-up and of course, making sure the bride + groom had the best day of their lives. I even managed to run 9 miles in the time I was in Swansboro which was very satisfying. And.. the wedding… it was ah-ma-zing. Seriously,  it was better than perfect and I’m so happy that I got to be a part of the special day and share it with my incredible friends.

Then we went to the Outer Banks for a few extra days of R&R. Lots of driving but totally worth it once we arrived… this was the view for the week and my view on my morning runs. And me, running in Corolla. I’m pretty sure nothing beats an early morning run on the beach with a little mist blowing on you as you pound sand instead of pavement.

I had a few extra days off that I got to spend with my adorable nephew at a lake house that had an "endless" pool. So cool. And um, so adorable?
As we exited Summer, and entered Fall, we spent our first Fall weekend cheering on the Virginia Tech Hokies. I’ve always said there’s no better college football atmosphere than Lane Stadium but on Monday night, there couldn’t have been a better (albeit slightly stressful at times) atmosphere ANYWHERE. The Hokies pulled off the “W” and I was one happy little girl.  

Now onto Fall classes, major changes at work and cooler running weather. What’s your favorite part of Fall?

Running... again

I took an unplanned break from running... and blogging. Somehow my extremely busy school schedule managed to correlate with the busiest week at work yet. I had 30 pages of papers due + 2 presentations in a matter of 3 days, keeping up with consulting, as well as HUGE projects due at work with tight deadlines. I didn't stop running and blogging by choice, my life just did not allow time for it.

But now... I'm living again. I'm free of school (at least until September 4th), work has calmed down as much as possible, and I'm actually able to do all the things I love about life.

Like weeknight dinners + dates with my boyfriend. Yes, we live together and yes, we work in the same building but I swear from May-last week, it was like we didn't see each other. He was in bed by the time I got home from class, and he leaves in the mornings as I am coming downstairs for breakfast. But this week we've had amazing dinners every night, that we've helped each other cook. I love bonding over cooking and trying new things too (I let him look at recipes on Pinterest).

And after dinner, we've gone for runs together. Now, I know I complain about him not running as fast as me, but running together makes me so happy. I love having him by my side. Especially with this amazing whether we've been having. My dogs are pretty happy too with the fact that they have their exercising buddy back!

I am relaxed (although I could still use a massage) and literally have no worries about what I have to do after work or before class.. it's an amazing feeling. I could totally get used to this life!

Running... and what I actually look like.

So by now.... everyone has seen this photo floating around Facebook:

Well, this past week, I got photos from the last run that I did and I was able to create one of these for myself. Trust me, it's equally as amusing: 

The photographers for races must have a great time in the office on Mondays when they're reviewing all the shots. Seriously, 1/10 is a "good" race picture, the rest are hideous (as evidenced above).

Thought this was also an appropriate time for this picture since I'm clearly dressed out as a member of Team USA and the Olympics started this week.

Running.... in silence.

Sometimes I want my music blaring... sometimes I need Lady Gaga to push me through that extra half mile, sometimes.... but other times, I want to run in silence. I want to be alone with my thoughts. I want to escape whatever is happening in the world and just run.

Today, I wanted to work out without my iPod on, I just wanted to bust out a quick 20 minutes on the treadmill, 10 on the stair stepper and 15 minutes of abs/core. That was my plan...

Instead, I was preached at, and had gospel rap (if that's possible) screamed at me while I was attempting to have my peaceful morning workout. The entire gym was staring at this 30-something meathead who was at first pacing the cardio machines and preaching at us (I say at because he was yelling). Then he decided that the best way for him to get his message across would be to join me on the treadmill. I tried to block him out, listen to the music that the gym was playing, and get into my own zone but that was next-to-impossible. The girl on the opposite side of him went to complain to the guys at the front desk who politely asked him to keep it quiet.

Whew.... now I can work out in peace.

Wrong! He turns to me and starts yelling, asking why we are embarassed of God, why we are ashamed of God, why we don't want to hear about it.

My response was, "SHUT UP." Plain and simple, shut up. How incredibly rude to go to a place and disrupt what everyone else is doing. That is in no way going to get you a favorable response. He continued on and I finally explained that we are not embarassed of God, or ashamed, yet annoyed by him. Even after my comments telling him he was being disruptive, rude and annoying, and both people (including myself) leaving the treadmills on either side of him, he did not stop. He floated around the gym to the areas that were the most crowded and continued his ranting.

I believe in God. I was raised going to church every Sunday (like it or not). I am Christian. However, when I want to work out, I just want to work out.

Am I wrong here, people? Tell me your thoughts on merging Sunday Service with your interval session, kill two birds with one stone? Fact is... now I need another work out to de-stress from the first one.