{oshkosh half marathon: part 1}

Pre-Race

Here I sit on Friday night all curled up in my heating blanket wondering how my very first half marathon is going to play out on Sunday morning. I don't think I've had a coherent thought about it all week.

I've sat here wondering what to say about the awful bombings that occurred at the Boston Marathon earlier this week and words just fail me. Something like this would have shaken me either way, but I feel even more speechless because it affected the runner in me even more. Running has become a release for me since I started and I feel very connected to the running community. I read a lot of blogs of people who were in Boston earlier this week and my heart stopped when I heard about the bombings. My heart stopped for people that I didn't even know in real life, but felt like I've known forever. Horrible. That's all I can say.

So, with the events leading up to my half make it all that more important to me. Not only am I running it for myself now... I am also running it for everyone in Boston. We, as a running community, will not let this stop us.

I've 'saved' my knees all week, with the exception of a short run on Monday (which led to some sore knees, hence the no working out this week) and I am ready to kick butt on Sunday. I've felt pretty lazy all week and I think that has played into my semi downer attitude. I've wanted to be active, but I was afraid of hurting anything for Sunday. After Sunday it is back to full on getting my groove thing on at the gym and hopefully outside in some warmer weather!

I am going to give it more than my all. I am going to push forward when my head is telling me to stop. Running is SO mental. I am going to continue to put one foot in front of the other and finish the race and earn that medal! Funny how a little medal is propelling me forward, haha!

I'm continuing to cross my fingers for halfway decent weather, but I am not going to let bad weather deter my mood either.

Victoria and I have found a Dream in Color 5k going on in two weeks that we have decided to do with our little men. We know that with them we will be walking more than running, so we have decided to give this weekend's race our all. No mental games. None. Zip. Zilch. I missed the Color Run 5k in January, so this will be my make up. What's even better is that my sister and her boyfriend are going to do it with us. I can't wait! And we better have fab weather for that walk or I just might puke! Haha!

I'm pre-racing it up all day tomorrow by doing a whole lot of nothing, except staying hydrated, doing some stretching, and spending the day with my little man!

Make sure you check back for Part 2 (Race Day) and Part 3 (Post Race)!

CIAO! LOVE ME!

{okay, i'm really fully crazy}

If you read my last post, you'll know that for a while, I was only half crazy. It didn't take long for me to go completely insane! No, I have not decided to run a full marathon (at least not yet), but I have decided to do the Tough Mudder. I have decided to do the Tough Mudder... two weeks before my wedding.

Yes, that makes me fully crazy!And no, I don't want your opinions (or anyone's opinions) about how I actually am crazy stupid for doing it two weeks before my wedding. If you think I shouldn't be doing it that close, then please kindly keep your mouth shut because I don't want to hear it. NOT AT ALL! And if you know me in real life, you know I'm going to do things my way on my timing.

If you do not know what the Tough Mudder is, I suggest you visit their website www.toughmudder.com to really see how crazy I am. Here is just a little description of what it entails:

Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, 700,000 inspiring participants worldwide to date, and more than $5 million raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world. But Tough Mudder is more than an event, it’s a way of thinking. By running a Tough Mudder challenge, you’ll unlock a true sense of accomplishment, have a great time, and discover a camaraderie with your fellow participants that’s experienced all too rarely these days.Now do you think I'm crazy. Crazy in a good way, right?! Remember, no negative thoughts or verbalization about me doing this. I started my year of races in October 2012, what a better way to round out that year (minus January, since I was sick), than with this awesomeness of a race, although it's not really a race and I'm doing it with two friends, hopefully more, and we are just going to have a crazy good time! I honestly canNOT wait for this event! It is going to be amazingly hard and challenging, but finishing something like that is going to be such a great accomplishment in and of itself and doing it with friends will make it all the better!

Part of me was hesitant to write this post as I wasn't planning on telling many people about doing this race. No one would think anything of me doing a 5k two weeks before my wedding, but I know I'd get some unfriendly comments about how I shouldn't risk hurting myself that close to the wedding. Um, hello, I can get hurt at any point during any day. And really, if I end up walking down the aisle with a cast on an arm or a leg, it will just add to the day, haha! (Knock on some wood for me, will ya? Because as much as I joke about it, I really don't want it to happen.) And in all seriousness, I've talked to some people who've done it and their response and reaction to the race overall has just made me want to do it even more. They came out unscathed and had a great time as well!Tough Mudder… come September… YOU ARE MINE!

CIAO! LOVE ME!

{only half crazy}

I've blogged a LOT about my half marathon training these last six months. I am MORE than excited for it, but at the same time I am terrified of failure. I was on a great training path just be Christmas and then I got sick, the weather turned into what a Wisconsin winter really looks like, and I just haven't been able to get back into it hardcore like I was.

A few weeks ago I ran my longest run to date... 10.5 miles. At the end of that race I knew I could probably finish the half with little to no problems. And then came the next day and my whole body just hurt. What the hell did I do to myself?!

Since then, I have been having some minor knee issues. Some of which I'm sure are due to recovering from the race, some of which I'm thinking are due to what the runner's people call... runner's knee, and some of which were due to old shoes. These knees problems are the majority of what has me so worried about this upcoming race.

Last week I ran 5.5 miles in my old shoes and my knees killed... literally killed! If that were the day I had my half, I would have been in tears for the second half of the race or better yet, probably have dropped out. It was that bad. Since then I've gotten new shoes, took a few days off, and this week have been slowly working back into it. But people, I'm still scared. I'm scared too push myself too hard in the new shoes right off the bat, hurting my knees more, and then not even being able to run next weekend.

Earlier this week, I had a great three mile run. I probably PR'd it (personal record). It felt great, although I still had some minor knee pain. I rested Tuesday, and then hit the treadmill (because mother nature seems to be going through PMS right now) last night and kept the pace down and ran for about 2.5 miles. I stopped at the second I felt the slightest bit of knee pain coming on. I ran at 5.5 mph for 2.5 miles at zero incline, then walked at 4.0 mph for the last half mile at a 9 incline, which is insane people! I am seriously hoping for some warmer weather on Saturday so I can get outside and try to pop out a good 6 or 7 mile run and see how the legs, specifically the knees are doing.

Whether or not I hit my goal next weekend (aiming for two hours and thirty minutes), I will know that I've given it my all and that I've earned it! I will cross that finish line with a smile on my face and probably look like a dork in the photos that are taken, but I will have set out to accomplish something I NEVER thought I could do!

I started this running journey six months ago not being able to run for sixty seconds straight.

I cannot believe how far I've come!

13.1 miles, bring it. I showed the 17k who's the boss, I'm going to show you as well!

CIAO! LOVE ME!

{tuesday and wednesday blahness}

Tuesday

I woke up this morning feeling kind of blah. The weather is currently playing a major role in my blahness, as it is foggy and rainy and dreary outside right now. All ickiness! I didn't really want to crawl out of bed this morning and go to work. It was one of those cover your head and go back to sleep kind of mornings, but I got up, got myself and the little man ready for the day, and we headed out into the craptastic weather.

Part of me is still in denial that winter is over. (Is it really over?!) I mean, it lasted for so darn long and seems like it just wants to continue lingering, but seriously, we are in need of some serious spring days! Last week was great! Even though it may not have been super warm all week, the sun was shining and when the sun shines everyone's mood seems to be a little bit brighter! Well, at least mine is! Now only if the office that I worked in had windows so I could admire that sunshine throughout the day, haha! Someday, maybe!

I have a maternity photo shoot this weekend for a daughter of one of my co-workers and I am so excited! I haven't had an outdoor photo shoot in months! My camera has missed me royally! What makes it even more fun is that I know the daughter personally so it will be fun working with someone I already know.

Speaking of photos... did I mention that Jay and I got our 'official' engagement pictures taken a few weekends ago?! I am waiting to get them in the mail before I post some of my favorite! Working with our photographer is always so much fun! It makes it so much easier that both Jay and I know her and she knows us and our personalities. Plus, overall she is just a hoot to hang out with! I love helping her second shoot weddings!

Wednesday

The rest of yesterday was a royal mess. Okay, so it wasn't really THAT bad, but my mood sure didn't improve any and neither did the weather! I had a headache by the time I got home. I didn't feel like working out. I didn't workout. We had McDonald's for supper. We hardly ever have McDonald's anymore. I went semi healthy and tried out one of their new McWraps. Although the calorie count for the wrap that I got wasn't too bad, the sodium was horrible! And then to top it off, I ate a small fry with it. Which also wasn't too bad calorie wise, but oh the salt! Despite my meal being semi okay (for McDonalds), I didn't stop there and consumed probably more calories in chocolate bunnies than my entire supper! Ugh, NO self control this week AT ALL!

I literally crawled into bed last night around 7:30pm because I was just crabby and tired and didn't want to be around anyone. Fell asleep around 8:30pm and slept great, although I had horrible dreams about my half marathon coming up. Dang, just couldn't escape the bad day yesterday!

The weather hasn't improved much for today either. Did I mention winter was over, I guess I must have been wrong. I seriously need to move to a warmer state! I'm trying to make my mood better today. I have plans to go workout/for a run at the gym after work today. I know that I need it. Come this afternoon I may not be excited to go, but I know that I will not regret it once I do go. Keep myself busy and I will keep the food out of my mouth. That is my problem at the end of the day when I get home. Lately, because we keep our house so darn cold, I get home after work, find my spot on the couch with the heating blanket, eat like it's going out of style, and relax. I think that needs to stop! I need to keep myself busier and then I won't think so much about food. I think it also needs to warm up outside so the inside of my house warms up too because I have turned into the thermostat nazi and won't turn it any higher until next winter. Gah!

CIAO! LOVE ME!

{strawberry-licious}

For whatever reason, I have been craving strawberries like MAD lately! I have always like the strawberry flavor in things, but never really liked the actual fruit itself, like couldn't really stand it. I am not a berry person, like at all! To say my tastes have been changing these last couple of months is an understatement. I enjoy a good salad, particularly those from Applebees and will willingly order one. Mushrooms on a pizza, heck yeah! Chicken bacon ranch pizza... yum! And lately, strawberries, can't keep them on the shelf at home! I've literally probably eaten three containers of strawberries MYSELF in just the last week! O.M.G.! Who is this woman?! I've been scarfing them down like they are going out of style, well that and the rest of the Easter candy we have at our house, haha! Love me some chocolate too. You know what would be even better? Chocolate covered strawberries! Will the number of strawberries I've eaten outweigh the number of M&Ms I've been shoving in my face? A girl can only wish, right?!

Strawberries aside, things have been crazy busy lately. I've been meaning to blog and have wanted to blog, but I just haven't made the time to sit down and just do it. Work has been crazy busy with little down time. What down time I have been having, I've been wedding planning like a mad woman. You know, when I'm not eating strawberries. Well, actually, I've been eating strawberries and wedding planning at the same time! I've been buying things left and right for the wedding and cannot wait for the packages to start to arrive! I can totally see how internet shopping can get addictive because I've been having SO much fun shopping for things. Lot of decorations, bridal party gifts, flowers, shoes, etc... it's great!

Easter was great around here. Lots of good family time! The weekend went way too fast, but I have to say that I did enjoy a few extra days off of work with Ayden at home. We didn't do too much relaxing. Instead it was busy busy busy!

This past weekend was more busy. Ayden had his bowling rewards ceremony, we had Easter with my mom, and a fun day with Victoria and Parker yesterday. Ayden and I, and our besties, went to go see Jurassic Park in 3D! Jurassic Park in 3D! Awesome! It was like a whole new movie and Ayden and Parker both LOVED it! Before we hit up the movie we did a little bit of shopping. I got me some new running kicks!

Last week I went for a run and decided to make it a longer run... 5.5 miles. By three miles my knees were killing me, but I pushed myself through and kept going. By the last half mile I was almost in tears because both of my knees hurt so bad. I knew that there was NO way I was running a half marathon in a few weeks if my legs felt like that after only 5 miles. It would be physically impossible. So, after getting the advice from a few people, it was determined, no more running until I got new kicks. I really had wanted to hold off until after my half to get new shoes because I wanted to treat myself for such a huge accomplishment. Not going to happen. I hit up an awesome shoe store in Appleton (Fleet Feet), which happens to be right near my favorite restaurant (Hu Hot) and got fit for some new shoes. It was crazy busy and I had little man, Parker, and Victoria with me, so I probably didn't take as much time as I would have had it been just myself with the lady, but she was still extremely helpful. It was determined that I needed something with a little more support, and that's what I got. I decided to stick with the Asics because I didn't want to switch everything way up this close to my half. The color of the shoes definitely aren't quite as bright as my first pair, but they still rock! (Even though I know the color technically shouldn't matter.)

Anyways, I went for my first run with the new shoes tonight. I have to say that I am already in love. I kept it short to 3 miles and I rocked the run! Fastest run to date, 3 miles with an average pace of 9:23/mile. I had started out thinking it was going to be a slow easy run, but for whatever reason my legs took over and I just busted it out. My feet felt great! My knees held up. I wasn't expecting to be pain free, but I have to say that only my right knee hurt and it didn't hurt too bad and it wasn't until right up at the end. I'm hoping if I take it easy up until race day it won't be too bad. Keeping my fingers crossed! It will get done!

CIAO! LOVE ME!