every accomplishment starts with the decision to try

I'm thinking this is the motto i'm going to live by during the course of my training. The last couple of runs I've done on the treadmill only because its been so unbelievably hot and humid, but I quickly learned that a treadmill is NOT the way to go! At least for me. Now that I'm training my body to just keep going until its time to stop, its amazing to see what it is you really miss (scenery wise) during the every day hustle and bustle of what we call life. Not to mention that with running outside, you've got no choice but to keep going. I think thats what I like so much about running now....to see how far you can push yourself from where you started before turning back. All i keep thinking is...

"Permanence, Perseverance and Persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities:
It is this, that in all things, distinguishes the strong from the weak" ~ Thomas Carlyle

Today was Day 2 (Week 1) of my training. I had to run 4 miles and for some reason it was easier than I expected it to be. I'm not sure if it was because I was excited to be out of the garage and off that treadmill or because I ran part of the way without headphones, where I listened to nothing but my breathing and the way my feet hit the pavement. It was more of a relaxing run rather than strenuous and it was all because I wasn't really concentrating on the run at all. You'd think music would redirect your attention from running, but for me, I think its only a distraction. Anyways I ran my 4 miles in about 33:45 with an average pace of 8:26...I was surprised

Lets see...In other news, I'm running my first 10K (Run Jane Run) at the end of August with Kaity. I'm pretty excited. Plus, I figured it'd be a good start if I got myself involved in some races before the Marathon.

Lastly, I just want to say that I am so happy I made the decision to run this marathon. I feel so accomplished and confident after each run. So for all you runners out there, I admire your persistence and willpower to keep up with this grueling and demanding sport. WE ROCK!

and then it struck me

Today's morning run was just a bit different than the others. No, there was still the same heavy breathing, sweating, and wishing the 30 minutes would go by before I even knew it was over. The difference was that I began thinking about what it was that was motivating me to keep on going and complete this marathon...and that is, you never know whats going to happen next.

It all started when I thought back to my emergency surgery in February. Up until then I was struggling with whether or not I had wanted to get back into diving. After 2 1/2 years of questioning why it was I had quit in the first place, I finally found the courage to go back. I wasn't going to let fear stare me in the face anymore and I was going to fulfill every ounce of potential everyone told me I had. With that, I decided it was my time to shine. Before I knew it I was winning all sorts of meets and climbing back to where I once left off. However, everything I had worked for slowly came to an end on a Wednesday afternoon of our Big Easts Conference meet. I've mentioned it before but long story short, I wasn't able to go out there and show off everything I had worked for up to that point. I thought, "This is it...it's my time...to make a strong come back and win this thing." Instead, I was laying on a hospital bed, with a 4 inch scar across my stomach, on a liquid diet and unable to do anything but lay flat for the next 2 weeks.

It's not thinking about the fact that your diving career is over that hurts the most...it's watching all of your teammates get the chance to compete and watching everything you had wanted and all that hard work slip through your fingers that takes the greatest tole. I had so much potential and could have made something great of myself if I just would have stuck with it...if I didn't take a 2 1/2 year beak and if I just worked harder and made the commitment to give it my all. That's when it hit me...whatever it is I decide to do with my life next, I'm going to go through with it full force and without any question about it, because you never know whats going to happen when it comes to doing what you do best.

Soon enough, I will break through the cramps, the constant desire to stop and walk, and the complaining, all so I can feel something great...and that is to cross the finish line of a 26.2 mile race. So to all the 30 minute runs, 5 mile runs, 10+ mile runs....BRING IT ON cause I'M READY!!

easy peasy

Thank you rain for taking away the humidity!! I just finished my 30 minute run and surprisingly it was one of my fastest runs...3 1/2 miles in 30 minutes. I think i got way too excited in the beginning though, thanks to the lack of scorching heat, that my heart rate was way above where it should have been by minute 17. I had to slow down a little bit (which is ok) but i didn't stop. I almost did because of the stomach cramp i was wrestling with, but knowing I had made it more than half way, I gritted my teeth, talked to myself a bit (which the people in passing cars had to have thought I looked like a fool) and kept on going. By minute 27 I felt an intense burst of energy and practically sprinted the rest of the way.

I've been thinking lately about some other training I could do besides all this running because to be honest, I miss all the conditioning from when i was at notre dame diving. And plus, I think it would make my running much easier. I had just always been too tired after my runs that I got too lazy and just wanted to stretch and lay down. Well, today is a new day! From now on i've decided to do abs and legs every day, especially after each run. I've been doing pilates consistently for the past 4 days, so its about time i keep up with it...just like my running.

2 more runs until actual training begins!

hot hot heat

Yesterday's run was challenging and thanks to my laziness i slept through my alarm once again...bad idea. I refuse to wait until the late evening when the weather for running is just right so instead i thought, "i'll get it done now, at 4 pm, when its hotter than ever out. I'll be running in florida anyways, so i might as well get my body used to the intense heat." Isn't justifying your actions when it makes no sense to great?...especially when there are warnings from the weather channel and those oh so amazing "Ozone Action Days." Maybe I'll just stick to the treadmill next time its that hot out.

Anyways, I found myself running at an average of almost 10 min/mile towards the end and while i felt as though i wasn't getting in much of a workout, my heart rate was up and i was sweating profusely. Thanks to the blistering sun and the lack of clouds in the sky, my face was fire engine red by the time i finished and i felt as though someone just threw a bucket of hot water on me, but the good news is i FINISHED....and without stopping to walk. I've found that talking to yourself really does help and if you've made it this far you can keep on going just a little bit longer. I'm really starting to surprise myself with the motivation and determination i have to keep going even when i feel as though my body is about to collapse.

Thank you Kaitlin for inspiring me to do this with you. I can't wait for January 11th!

keep on truckin'

i really don't like the fact that i skipped out on last saturday's run (i felt so lazy, but hey, its only prelim training, right?), but i guess being pampered for my cousins wedding was a legitimate reason. Yet, after all was said and done i'm even more proud of myself considering i made it through my first 30 minute run of the week (7 more until i begin week one of training)!! It was actually a pretty awesome run to say the least (about a 8:40 mile), especially since I had someone to run with, and even though I started cramping about 17 minutes in, i kept on truckin' and felt fantastic afterwards!

Although its been super humid and super hot, and i've been running more hills than ever (thank you Bloomington), i think its helping me to prepare better mentally than ever before. This whole last week has been more difficult than expected, especially when it comes to getting myself out on the road, but i just need to find that "umph" that makes me want to keep on running. I think alot of it has to do with running in the mornings. No matter what though, I always finish the run for that day, and i'm so proud of myself for that. Or maybe i just need some new music to listen to...any suggestions?

Lately i've been questioning this whole runners high thing. What does it feel like and when am i going to get to experience it? I'm beginning to think it doesn't exist. Of course i love the feeling of breaking the barrier of a 30 minute run (and even an hour run) but man would i love to be running, feeling as though i'm going to die, and then all of a sudden never want to stop. It best kick in when i start those 10+ mile runs.

You think its a bit early to be counting down? -- only 180 more days until the big day!! ha ha

too much too soon

As I sat reading my non-runners guide in preparation for the next couple weeks, I realized something about my first 25/5 run yesterday... I did wayyyy more than the book had planned. OOPS! Since all my runs (up until now) have you repeat the set twice I thought that the 25/5 run would be the same way -- now it makes sense as to why that run was somewhat difficult and why I was beginning to think this week of running was going to be close to impossible. However, I feel as though i'm on cloud 9 for running almost a full hour (that 6.59 mile run will be good for me in the long run -- only 20 more to go). I was contemplating whether or not I should keep up with that long of a run and just do the same thing I did yesterday, but my aches and pains are telling me otherwise. I think i'll listen this time....and take my book with me when I'm away for long weekends.

the good that comes from all of this: at least we know i can make it about 7 miles without dying

iLove Nike + iPod

Running has been going exceptionally well this week. Saturday is my last day of 20/5 2x and I feel great! Well, except for the pain thats starting to come back in my piriformus/sciatic nerve. To fill you all in, back in February I had emergency surgery while in NY for our conference meet. Long story short, they found a softball sized cyst and removed it immediately, leaving me with an 8 week recovery period (and no chance of competing). All was said and done and my back pain was gone, so of course I thought the pain I had been feeling ever since I could remember was caused by my massive growth (which my teammates later named Murph and/or Sheila). Yet, I'm not so sure the cyst was the cause of my pain and that maybe I really do have back problems. However, its not hurting so much during my runs as it does when I'm stretching/going upstairs, so maybe with some ice/heat/massages/doing my old therapy, I'll be good as new.

Onto more exciting news...I got the new Nike + iPod sensor (http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/?sitesrc=uslanding) and I suggest you all go out and get one...NOW! This thing is amazing - not only does it keep track of how far you run, but also keeps track of your average pace per mile and your best timed mile. You can even send up to 1,000 workouts to nike.com and it will track your progress and total mileage (plus a bunch of other neat stuff). Let me just say that I was surprised with this morning's results: 50 minutes = 5.33 miles, average pace 9:43/mile, best time 8:07/mile

Who thought running could ever be this fun!!