Happy Runniversary to Me!!!!

Hello everyone! Miss me? Ha ha. I realized that I needed to get a post up today. It is what I am considering my 4 year running anniversary (runniversary?) 4 years ago today, I laced up my shoes, and started the Couch to 5k program for the first time. Yes, I said first time. I believe it took me three times before I finally got it finished. I have learned many things throughout this journey. Hopefully this post finds you inspired to be able to do what I have done!!!

I had a routine blood test done in December 2011 which showed that my triglycerides were moderately high. I decided that I was too young to start having cardiovascular issues, and needed to do something about it. Diet and exercise, the magic pill.

So, I made the decision that I would get into better health. Running seemed to be the "easiest" and "cheapest" choice for exercise. All I needed were some tennis shoes, socks, shorts, t-shirt and sports bra. Easy, yeah right. I realized on that first run that none of this would be easy. I could barely run for 30 seconds without feeling like crap. This kept on for some time, before I finally felt good running a single mile without stopping. Oh what a feeling that was!!!

I ran sporadically that fall until I finally completed Couch to 5k. This led me to my first race. Lake Sara Dam Run 5k.

I had no idea at this point that I would run as much as I have. I had no intention on ever running anything more than a 5k at this point. Oh was I ever wrong! I have since run a 1 mile race, 5-5ks (3.1 miles), 2-10ks (6.2 miles), 1-8 miler, 2 half marathons (13.1 miles), and a full marathon (26.2 miles)!

Peachtree Road Race Start 2014

Heartland Half Marathon 2015

Lake Sara Dam Run 8 miler

Monumental Marathon 2015

I have learned many things on the roads of this little town I live in. I will try to highlight the things I have learned.

• Starting anything new is TOUGH!!! But, if you stick with it, it will get easier, and the aches and pains will go away. 
• Just because my muscles and joints may hurt occasionally when I start, after the first mile, things loosen up. It usually means I didn't stretch enough from the last run. I need to get better at stretching/foam rolling.
• Casey is FLAT!!! As in, the only hill work I get in is going over the railroad tracks. Makes it tough to prepare to run in Atlanta, or prepare for St. Louis!
• Speaking of flat, I have learned that the track at the High School is wonderful, and makes for some beautiful sunrises.
• I have also learned that said track is kind of eerie if you get there before the sun rises, and there happens to be fog. If it was up to me, I would have security lights around the track. (It's not, I checked)
• Waking up at 4 a.m. on a Saturday is not fun. Taking a nap after a long run is fun.
• It stinks that Casey shuts the park bathrooms and water fountains down in the winter. I understand why, but it doesn't make things better for me. Just because there is snow on the ground doesn't mean people don't need the bathrooms anymore.
• The best hills to run in the area are out by White Oak Church, Smithville, and Rouley's Hill. 
• The "cheap" sport I got myself into has cost me 8 pair of running shoes and numerous clothes for all different conditions. I "need" moisture-wicking clothes, reflective clothes, water-resistant clothes, a headlamp, etc. 
• I also "need" to have an expensive Garmin Forerunner 220 GPS watch that tells me distance, pace, cadence, heart rate, calories burned and I am sure more. I also "need' to have a Garmin Vivofit 2 that tells me steps per day, and also tracks my sleep.
• I have a weakness for Pro Compression Socks. As in, I might have a problem. They put out new patterns and/or colors every month. It's all I can do not to buy every pair. If you see me in long socks while running, these are it. I love them, and I feel they help with recovery very well.
• I also needed to buy a handheld water bottle, and a hydration pack. Marathon training would not have happened without it. Gotta stay hydrated while out for 20 miles!
• I also learned that I need to drink more water throughout the day. I don't hydrate enough.
• What you get out of your body depends on what you put in it. Eating crap makes me feel like crap. I had no idea until my diet changed. 
• I still enjoy crappy foods, just not as often as I used to. 
• You can't outrun a bad diet. As many calories as I burn, I will not have a 6 pack until I completely cut out the unhealthy foods out of my diet. Not ready for that, so no 6 pack for now!
• I am much tougher than I thought. Digging deep into yourself to finish a long run is tough. 800 meter repeats are tough. 8 mile tempo runs are tough. Running in the Midwest during summer is tough. Running through a blizzard is tough. Finishing 26.2 miles is tough.
• After typing "tough" 6 (now 7) times, it starts to look misspelled and sound weird
• I may not ever finish first in a race, but as long as I don't finish last, I am fine with that. 
• Non-runners believe that every race I run is a marathon. I have been asked by one person three times in the last year if I have run any marathons lately. I wish I could just pump them out numerous times throughout the year, but that is NOT HAPPENING! I don't have that much time on my hands.
• I started this blog as an accountability tool for marathon training. It is hard to find the time to post. I need to learn to make time for it.
• Last but DEFINITELY not least, I have a FANTASTIC support system. They have listened to me complain about aches and pains, about the amount of miles that I have to run the next day, and I am sure much more. Said support system has also accompanied me to my races. Leave at 5 a.m. to go to a race just to stand around and wait for me? I am definitely loved. Drive to Atlanta, GA or Jasper, IN just so I can run in a race? Done. Surprise me on marathon morning by showing up to try to see me on the course? Check. Thank you to my husband Chris, my Mom, and my Dad. Without them, I would not be able to do what I love to do.

These are just a few of the things that I have learned in these last four years. Running isn't easy, and it isn't cheap if you "need" all the expensive items. You will definitely learn a lot about yourself if you do not use headphones and just run. Use the time to look inside you and learn. Enjoy the scenery, because we live in a beautiful world that too often goes unnoticed. 

I have went on long enough. Here's to 40 more years!!!

Happy Running!

A quick update and I'm sorry!!!

Well hello there! Guess who's back? Back again (cue the Eminem).

I apologize for just abruptly stopping my blog posts! I got so wrapped up in training and work. Most people still kept up with me on Facebook, and I updated there often.

I finished my first marathon!!! I ran Indy Monumental on November 7th. My time was 5:21:23. What was more important was that I AM A MARATHONER! Only 0.5% of Americans can say that.

I will keep it brief and try to write another post on the race. I had a great first half. Fastest half marathon. Oops. I felt rough starting about mile 18 and fell apart around 22. I run/walked the rest of the race. I did manage to get enough strength to run the last half mile. Chris said I looked a lot better than most that were coming through ha ha. I was so excited that I was almost done!

He could have told me to turn my medal around

I had a surprise phone call from my dad, who had driven to Indy to surprise me! Thanks Dad! It was great having you there!!!

I decided that until I can get some speed, I am going to take a break from the 26.2 distance. I spent A LOT of time training this summer/fall. And spent lots of hours on the roads. I woke up at zero dark thirty on Saturday mornings to try to beat the heat. I ran most of my runs before work for the same reason. While I love running in the mornings, I also like to sleep!

Currently

I am currently training for my 2nd half marathon, Races for all Paces. I guess that means I need to update you on the 1st half marathon! Another day, another post. Gosh I am behind! I will be running a few local races here and there, including Lake Sara Dam run 8 mile run in April. 

I have also signed up for Rock N Roll St. Louis half marathon. I am contemplating running the 5k the day before. One to get in an easy shakeout run the day before, the second reason is for 2 more medals! If you complete the "Remix Challenge" you get a separate medal from the 5k medal. 

I am also looking at Rock N Roll Chicago in July. Chris and I haven't decided on that yet.

I wanted to keep this brief, and mainly say hi! I will try to write a few race recaps and keep you updated on my training. I felt bad making my Facebook friends see my running pics every day. But it was easier than trying to write a whole post here.

For the meantime, see you on the roads!

Happy Running!