Goal = Finish

16 miles complete!!!!!!!

wouldn't it be nice to look like
this at a marathon finish line?

I would have liked a faster time but I need to just realize that my goal is to FINISH the marathon!!  Over the past year (and even further back) my body has been through complete hell!  I need to realize and accept that while I think its cool that my body is able to train and do this less than a year after "brain" surgery, that does not mean it still doesn't have needs and issues.  I cannot and should not be pushing it too hard, maybe when training for a future marathon I can.  But for right now, my goal is to finish with a smile.  I need to stop comparing times and I need to focus on me.  My body is amazing and I am so glad that I have recovered from my surgery without complications and I am so lucky that my whole tumor was removed.  I've also has nutrition issues in the past and I think its cool I'm doing well with that too.  My mood is amazing and I'm just all around feeling well.  I do have my tired and not motivated moments but I think that is normal for everyone during periods of life.  I am happy overall but I'm not happy every second.  There is an overall and long term happiness that I think I have and then there is an in the moment happiness and I think no one can say they are happy all the time.  Anyways, I just need to get my priorities for the marathon in line and not let anyone or myself believe otherwise.

Annapolis 10 miler next weekend!  I am so excited that my mom is coming with me!!!!!  I am beyond excited actually!  It means a lot to me that she is coming, words can't describe my happiness surrounding that.

First day back at work tomorrow after summer vacation.  Professional week this week and then the kiddos come next Monday (the 29th).  I am so excited for this year!



Feeling Up!

So my previous posts have been kind of down-ish.  Or at least prior to this week, that was what I was feeling.  Prior to this week I was debating whether the marathon was really a good idea for me and whether I could really do it.   Well, this week I've run 3, 4, and a 13 mile run!!!  They have all been really awesome.  I really had to push myself for the 13 but I didn't walk, only stopped half way to eat a gatorade fit mini bar thing (very good), and stopped twice to tie my shoe and wait for Nicole to tie her shoe.  I am so glad I have her to run with because it was my wanting to stay with her that kept me going yeseterday for the 13 miler.  I pushed myself to always keep her in my sight.  I did lose her with 1.5 miles left, she went over a bridge and disappeared but I figured with only 1.5 miles left that was not an excuse to walk. So it was a good week!  I did cross today and am hoping to get 7 miles in tomorrow.

Things that helped me this week:

1. Heat was down!!!!!!!!
2. My calories every day have been between 2500 and 3000 (closer to 3000 really, no lie).
3. I've been drinking gatorade mixed with water A LOT!!  I've been trying to replace my diet soda with it.
4. Overall mental state has been better - self doubt has been lowered.  And I've been using my CBT skills (google it) to get through my worries of "what if"s regarding running and other life things
5. Loving where I now live - adding to overall life happiness

This coming week I am planning to do 3-7-4-14.  Nicole and I might not run the 14 together though so we'll see how I do with that by myself.  I think it will be a good to try it by myself though.

On the 28th I'll be running the Annapolis 10 miler.  A friend of mine transferred her registration over to me.  I am very excited and my mom is going to come!!!!!!  That makes me very happy.  My mom has run a few marathons and I think its cool that she's supporting me through mine.  I can't wait, she'll also be at my marathon as well.  The 10 miler will also be a good mid distance run like 6 weeks before the marathon.  I just hope it isn't too hot.