Letting Go of the Ego

As you know I had to drop down from the full to the half marathon for my last race. I was rather devastated and I was so worried I would be caught up in what I couldn't do that I wouldn't enjoy what I could.

To be honest I was insecure with myself. 

I think, well for me at least once you run a full its like earning a badge or honor. Although a half is also honorable, you can not compare it to a full.

I had to let go of this type of mentality.

Not only was it snooty, it was crippling. I could not help I was injured (for the most part) and this chip on my shoulder would take away from a wonderful and fulfilling accomplishment.

This was no easy task especially when you have friends training for a full.

Am I the only one that likes to keep up with the Jones?

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For the past year I always had a race on my mind, I had a number of miles I had to complete, I had to earn that 1,000 mile jacket! Oh yeah, my running club gives you a sweet running jacket if you run 1,000 miles. When I saw my friends getting them last year I felt like a freshman again yearning for a lettermens. But I realized, I was putting unnecessary pressure on myself. I was limited to how many miles I could run for about 3 months. Running 20 miles a week wasn't really an option during those months. It was hard to swallow when just several months prior I was running that amount on a Saturday...

I asked myself... am I running for a jacket? Am I running for a finishers medal? Am I running for attention? What the hell am I running for?

Really, this question helped me refocus and put things back into perspective.

I wanted to run to be free, to relax, feel good, to see cool things outdoors.



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This realization made each step even more precious because I could then focus my energy on the good, and myself.

Rather then mope and cry that I could only go 6 miles I told myself  this time, this go round you are not just running 6 miles you are running 6 STRONG, HEALTHY miles.

I had to relearn to appreciate each step. I had to reconnect with my "roots."

It has been no easy task but it has taught me how much I love running and how freeing it is no matter what distance I go.

Amen.

Marathon Blues

Knowing I am not running the upcoming marathon and not knowing when I will run one again has gotten me a little emotional. I'm cool most days then boom a wave of emotion overcomes me.

I don't know what it is. Marathons are hard and 2 out 3 marathons I have ran have been injured (although I didn't know till after the fact). So trust me, it wasn't all fun. I can still remember having to walk the last 4 miles during my last marathon because my feet were on fire!  

But yet, my body yearns the marathon. 

The sense of accomplishment.

Taking on the "impossible" is truly life changing and really indescribable.

I can envision myself lining up for the half, with marathoners trickled around me and it kinda hurts.

But I am where I am suppose to be.

Everything I have done, and not done has led to this moment.

I am going to accept the half, and remember after my injury the half is a big accomplishment.

Because "mourning" and being jealous of the marathoners will only elongate my suffering and take away from something that is still wonderful.

I can attempt to live with it and make the best or I can suffer. I have decided not to suffer anymore. I won't lie, there will be some kicking and screaming but its all about baby steps.

This is the reality.

And it is time to accept it.

Currently

Currently I am....

Sipping on coffee catching up on Project Runway, wondering how Sandyha is still in the game...

Source

Reflecting on last nights dream- running a marathon and having a PR. (I woke up a little emotional)

Anticipating the half that is officially one month away.

Learning the foot is a truly dynamic body part. Fixed one injury and got a new one...

Wearing my balega socks and feeling super cozy in them.

Pausing ever so often to be in the moment.

Loving where life is taking me.

Destination Race

The time has come to book our hotel for the 7 Bridges Marathon 4 Bridges Half Marathon. Typically, I book way earlier. Like for the Disney Half, I booked around 6 months in advance, the Country Music Marathon around 4 months in advance but since this was a small race I wasn't worried about the hotel, parking, or getting to the start.  (Knowing I could basically drive up to the start really takes a lot of stress away and gives you lots more options.)

Michael and I wanted something nice. We originally were going to go up for the entire weekend but somethings have changed and we are going to only go up a day early to play tourist which is fine by me. Like with most races I look for a nice hotel, and a deal. I don't see these types of getaways as a vacation but strictly a destination race. We don't go all out when looking for hotels for these events since we won't be in the room much BUT we want, no need a nice and comfortable room conveniently located near things to do- we hate having to drive everywhere.

This time, I decided to go a different route then usual. I went to priceline. I went to all these sites that gave you hints and tips for bidding prices and they sure were deals! One in particular, site I liked was BiddingforTravel. They had a message board where people posted their recently accepted bids. I saw some deals, 70 bucks for a 4 star! Um, hello I'll take it! But when  I looked on the message boards I noticed no body posted anything recently for Chattanooga. So I went on off what I saw and started bidding there on priceline.

When you bid they give you different districts, ratings of hotels and tell you where the best deal is. For our date and the area we wanted the best deal was a 3.5 star (out of 4). I went with a number that I saw on the message boards 70. DENIED. Now you are only suppose to be able to bid once every 24 hours but I busted out another credit card. I wont lie I was pretty excited to try this out. I bid 80. DENIED.

I waited 24 hours. I bid, 90, 100, 120, 130 DENIED. At that point I said screw it. I knew it would be a nice hotel (OMNI etc.) but it didn't seem worth it to me. I had searched the average price for those types of hotels in Chattanooga and they were about $180 so if I went up to $140 (and if the bid was accepted) I guess it would have been a good deal. But honestly, I was over it, especially when I saw the deals that were made last month which were super cheap.

So I decided to go to Hotwire. Hotwire has a normal hotel search and then they have "secret hot hotle rates." Going the super secret way, they give you the hotel rating via tripadviser, stars and a price. But you don't know the actual hotel. Since they provided the tripadvisor rating I hopped over there to try and find a match to see what I would be getting myself into. After some investigating I was pretty sure I knew the hotel. I actually went to the hotel's site and looked up how much it would cost to stay there if we went through hotwire versus the hotel we would save about 50 bucks. Unlike, priceline there is no bidding. They give you the price and you go for it. So I went for it.

I was right on about the hotel and I was really happy with the price and the hotel. It is a 4 diamond hotel, it has a bar, restaurant, spa, pool and all  that jazz. (Mike and I love a nice bar at a hotel-think Clyde from Modern Family- ;)).

Am I excited? Yep. Do I think we got a deal. Yes. The hotel defiantly seems like something perfect for a conference since it has bar, restaurant etc. it does have amenities that we don't really need but since Mike isn't running and I am not asking him to be on the course it will be perfect. There will be plenty of things for him to do while I'm sleeping (I go to bed super early race nights) and while I'm on the course. 

I will let you know what I think of the hotel after our trip. But for right now Im pretty pumped about everything.

Have you ever used priceline or hotwire? What was your experience?

ATC Half Marathon Coaching

So if you didn't know I have decided not to run the marathon in October. I am going to run the half. My heart kinda hurts when I think about it because I really want to train hard and get a new PR. But my body said no and I gotta listen to it. So for now I am going to focus my energy on Coaching the Atlanta Track Club's Half Marathon program. Originally, I planned on looping back and running whatever the group ran alone. But being in a state of recovery I am going to focus on the half just like the other runners.

This weekend was my first time meeting with them. We have over 100 people! Insane. There is a special place in my heart for this particular program because its what got me started just 2 years ago.

I was open to running with the novice or intermediate.  I can really vary my pace but I ended up running with about 5 women doing a walk-jog for 30-30. I originally thought doing a 30-30 we would be going fast but I soon realized it is a slow pace. I didn't mind one bit. My group was pushing themselves, sticking together and having good time. No man left behind on our journey that morning which I saw as an accomplishment.

We started at Ansley Mall and made our way to the Atlanta Belt Line. Y'all i'm glad for hats because that sun just beats down on the belt line! Dang! But I will say it was a nice, flat, out and back and we weren't bothered by team spandex that much.

On our way back I whispered to myself, "well that sure is different" and I heard similar words echo behind me. A perfectly sane woman was just playing the violin on the side of the belt line. Happy and in her own little world, we ran with her songs until they became faint and our legs tired. My group scattered once we returned but needless to say it was a great start to the training season.

Race Menu
Sugar-free redbull before the run
Ezekiel bread with sunbutter before the run
2 small cups of water during

Things I have been up to while not running ( a lot) Part II

Michael, the champ, lova, bo, or whatever I feel like calling him had a GREAT job but it took a lot of time away from family. I mean allot. Like, 15 days straight no break, 16 hour days. We both felt very blessed about his job, he not only loved it but we reaped financial benefits. But the problem was when he was away I was alone (moping and being super dramatic). Rarely did it see him on the weekend. Insert sad face.

But two months ago he was offered a promotion. Not only did he get a raise but he had a normal schedule. That is right, no more night shift, swing shift, 16 days straight. It was pretty exciting. He will be mine every weekend, and on every holiday. My heart over flowed with love and joy. To celebrate we wanted to do something in Atlanta, low key, maybe outdoors.

To be honest there is just something about sitting outside on a cool summer night relaxing that just just brings us closer together.

I googled and came across the Starlight Drive In. So here is what got me. For 8 bucks a person you got to see a double feature with two new movies. Um, hello can you say steal? Oh, and no 40 minute previews! Straight to the good stuff!

We were all about that. 

We arrived pretty early to get a good spot. (which I recommend doing). 

There were family's there that picnicked (which is what we will do next time), tossing footballs and such. Please note, we did see a family friendly movie thus the kids everywhere. Maybe if we saw the Purge instead How to Train Your Dragon the crowd might have been different...

We opted for lounging around and we just sat in our chairs, sat back and talked. It was a beautiful cool summer night. We even made a palette to lay on our stomachs and watch the movie from the car- another win.

Unlike the 1950's where you put some mic into your car, you used your car's radio. It was awesome it was like complete surround sound.

                                          

The atmosphere, being with my best friend, trying something new and not breaking the bank sure made it a great night. Oh and the movie was super cute too. We plan on going back over the next few months. Fall and drive ins just sound right.

Have you ever been to a drive in? What did you think?

Things I have been up to while laying off running

Taking a full month off from running really took a toll on me. I thought a week was bad but it totally jacked up my daily routine. But ya gotta keep moving on. Since I had lots of spare time and energy I tried out some new things around Atlanta.

The first was from a groupon deal for Dip'n Dab. I have always wanted to do a BYOB and painting. And to be honest I just don't know how to paint so I was excited that there would be someone there to instruct me.

Of course I came prepared.

I tried to keep it classy since I was the only one with beer so I used the cups for the wine.

Everything was set up for you when you got there. All you had to do was squirt some paint on your pallet and throw on an apron and you were ready to get your Picasso on.

It was a full house, with hip, clean vibe going on. They had, I want to say house music playing in the back. I don't exactly remember but I do remember liking it and there weren't any words. It was perfect music to get your drink on and paint!

There was an instructor at the front of the class that would draw distinct, step by step lines for you to follow, she also painted her own portrait. I do think we picked a more challenging painting but I still loved it and I think the experience was worth well it.

It was cool to get up and walk around in the end. Everyone's paintings were so different.

And everyone had a great time from birthdays, to bachelorette parties to injured runners :)

Overall, my abstract painting turned out pretty well. I am a BIG fan of Picasso's one line drawings and although mine if far from a Picasso I still heart it.

Here is a picture of the inspiration...

And here is mine... it could have been better but the beer buzz might have kicked in a few times.

So have you ever bought a groupon? This is one of several I have gotten and they seem to always be a steal. I particularly loved this one because it got me outta the house and trying something new and different that didn't involve running 20 miles ;)