Marathon attempt #2

Normal people don't do crazy things, like run marathons.  And if they do run a marathon, they probably do a one-and-done deal.  Like "Yay! I finished a marathon. Cross that off the bucket-list."

I am not normal.  I just signed back up to do a second marathon with Team In Training.  Why? Because I'm the type of person who doesn't like to leave things when they don't go right.  And the Monumental Marathon didn't go the way I pictured it last year.  So, I'm tackling it again with new information.  I didn't hit the $1000 fundraising goal, so I'm starting earlier.  I didn't maintain my pace through out the entire race (let's face it miles 19-25 were ugly), so I'm training harder.  My nutrition wasn't right, so I'm changing habits.  And I'm doing all of this in order to conquer something bigger.  I'm doing it all to help beat blood cancers. And that's a great reason to not be normal.

Organizing my life (and my friend's too)

Sunday was a terrible day weather wise. And yet, I decided to run. I managed to run two miles before I quit.  The roads hadn't been plowed, and the slush was up over my ankles. 

So, I went inside and started making a planner for a coworker/friend. And then I decided my planner wasn't up to snuff, so I revamped my own. I think it's going to work better. My friend has been using hers, and it has made her a little more organized.

Unfortunately the ISTEP test has started, and it makes me sad. The kids are super stressed out over it, and it breaks my heart. I have seen two children in tears, and have had to calm down another. And I have spent a small fortune on treats for my kiddos. It's the small things that matter this week.

365

There are 365 days until my next runDisney race! Fingers crossed I can get  in the race in July!  Now, I just have to decide if it's going to be the Glass Slipper Challenge or just the Princess Half Marathon and what princess to be!

I'm looking for a half marathon to run before the registration date. I'm hoping for a smaller race that isn't too far away from Indy. I'm trying to get in an earlier corral, because I could be in the same corral as last time even though I've gotten faster. 

Bittersweet

This weekend marks the beginning of my third year of real running. It was two years ago that I ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon, which was my first long distance race. I'd run 5ks before, but nothing longer since there weren't many races near me. But I had this idea in my head that I could do it.

I originally thought about doing it through Team in Training, but the fundraising commitment date was soon. (This was before runDisney events became extremely popular). I signed up at the end of October and started training. I was working as a substitute teacher, and I was able to work my runs around my schedule. Then winter hit Pennsylvania hard. My training started to suffer. When I did get out there, my runs consisted of dodging snowplow trucks, garbage trucks, school buses, ice and snow. It was rough going, but I somehow made it work. 

When my mom and I left for Florida for our trip, it was a blizzard in PA. Our plane was late leaving Pittsburgh due to de-icing. When we arrived in Florida, it was beautiful. But my training had prepared me to run in cold, not heat. On race morning, it was 70* F with 90-95% humidity at 3 in the morning. But I still ran. 

I made a lot of rookie mistakes, cotton tshirt, Capri pants, no hydration belt. But I still ran my race, and cried the last quarter mile. I had put so much time and energy into training, and I was sad to see it come to an end. 

Now, I am a two time half marathoner, and a full marathoner! I have learned so much about running since that race! 

I hope that all the runners this weekend have a magical race!

In other news, my first Nuun shipment  came. I got two bottles, three tattoos, three decals, and 11 tubes of Nuun! I'm so excited!

Stuck in a Valley

Last night the hubster and I went and got Chinese food, and we got our fortune cookies. My fortune simply stated "always a valley before a hill." Right now, I feel like I'm stuck in a valley. My training has been inconsistent at best, and I have been feeling stressed out with everything I have taken on this year. There is light at the end of the tunnel and in two weeks one project will be over. Then in about 8 weeks,the second project will be mostly done. Then it will be spring break and my skating season will be over and I will start running more consistently. 

I am currently in search of a good training plan to get me back into training for another marathon and then a half marathon roughly four months later. Hopefully, I'll climb my way out the valley soon.

Yesterday

Yesterday was the day most people break their resolutions for the new year.  They start forgetting about their goals.  But it takes 21 days to create a habit. 

I have changed my goals for the year.  A friend from college has decided to run the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon this fall. This inspired me to try marathons again. I've been working on a new training plan that will build my mileage up very slowly. 

I'm still trying to drink more water during the day, but there are days (like today) that encourage drinking pop. (If you're reading this on the east coast it would be soda, or down south it's coke.) 

Anyway, I'm going to go get on Pinterest to find a 21 day blog challenge. If you know of any, post it in the comments.

I'm a klutz...

Over the holidays, the hubster and I traveled back to our parents' to visit.  We drove out Sunday before Christmas and came back the following Monday.  Well the Sunday night before we drove back to Indy, I tripped and fell up the stairs at my In-law's house.  I really slammed my left foot into the stairs during my marvelous fall. When it decided to continue to hurt last week, I made a doctors appointment to get a full physical and have my foot checked out.  The doctor ordered an X-ray, which came back Friday morning all clear. Nothing broken; no major trauma to the soft tissue.

It started feeling better yesterday, and I actually went out for a slow run today.  Hopefully this warm weather will stick around for a while so I can get outside and run.  

I have been attempting to drink more water, and got myself a cool bottle to use.  I marked every eight ounces on the outside of the bottle to push myself to drink more.  It's been working alright so far, but I'm looking for ideas to keep it up.