Kona Run race recap & review

This post is a week late, sorry! School is crazy busy as there's only a week and a half left. And, I was slightly upset with myself and needed the time to write a real post, not a ranty post.

I left you guys in the clutch after Bayshore (though if you are friends with me on any form of social media, you already know: I got a half PR - by 5 seconds). I ran that half just two weeks before Kona Run and I ran it feeling amazing the entire time. Sub-9 pace felt "easy" the whole time. I went out with zero goals and surprised myself. So, needless to say, I went into this race with some loose goals.

I ran the Kona 10 miler two years ago as my first "double digit" race and ran it in 1:30. I just ran a 1:27 10 miler at Cherry Blossom in April. So, my A goal was less than 1:27. B goal was to match 1:30. C goal was just to finish.

I got through packet pickup quickly on Friday night. It was so well organized with a giant board listing your name and bib number. I also got to chat with Detroit Runner for a few minutes.

I ate a good dinner and went to bed reasonably early. Then, I couldn't sleep. Normal for me. The race started at 7:30, so I met up with RunnerBro and Sis nice and early to head to the race:

It took us a little longer to find parking because we got there slightly later than planned, but it was still relatively easy. We made our way to the start and I got to meet up with twitter bud, Laura.

Before I knew it, we were off.  I was feeling good, as seen here:

The course starts right on the horse race track (kind of cool, I think!) After you leave the track, you head out and up a "big" hill. It looks intimidating, but I honestly didn't think it was too bad. I felt good. The first two miles were glorious. At the 2.5 mark, I got to see one of the boys I nanny (the other was still asleep) and his dad. They were cheering me on and I stopped to give him a quick high-five (the boy, not his dad, haha). He looked somewhat confused as to why I was stopping then leaving, but it was still fun to see him nonetheless.  

By the time I hit the 5k mark, my legs felt like lead. The funny thing is, I was going more conservatively than I intended, just so I wouldn't die out and I still felt like I was dying. The course is hilly, but not crazy. However, it felt a million times heavier than I remembered. I tried to slow and just hang on, but ended up walking right before the 4 mile mark. Some guy running near me tried encourage me to keep going. I kind of smiled and pick it back up.  I ran again for about a quarter mile, then walked again. 

By mile 5, I took a gel and texted Ryan that I was dying. I got a little burst and ran again, maybe for a half mile. This continued on. I would run, walk, text Ryan. It was awful. I was angry at myself, mainly because I didn't hurt, I just couldn't get a pace that worked. No matter how fast or slow, it all just felt so so hard. 

Every time goal went out the window and I found myself walking way more than running. It definitely helped that the crowd support was good. The volunteers were excellent at cheering on runners and that motivated me to try to run. 

I was so glad to see the finish line in the park and actually ended the last mile at a good pace, but crossed the finish in 1:40 or a 10:00 minute mile. 10 minutes off my B goal. At the time, I was mad at myself. Mad that I walked so much. Mad that 10 minute miles felt hard, when two weeks earlier sub-9 felt easy peasy.  

It helped to get a cool-looking medal and a popsicle, though:

I waited for RunnerBro and RunnerSis (he was running with her) and found them a few minutes later. Along, with RunnerSis^2. There was lots of entertainment (music, yummy food, and just lots of socializing).  The atmosphere helped my mood slightly, too.

we ran into some of their other friends and took a goofy pic

siblings pic!

Now that it's been a week, here's my takeaway from the race: it's a harder course when you are only "casually" running through the week. (Rocket science here, I know). My legs were probably dead from casual running plus running Bayshore 2 weeks before and a 5k race the week before. Bad races happen sometimes. No need to beat myself up over it.

The race itself was well organized, love the bling and popsicles are a definite bonus! However, if I do this race next year, I may look to do the 5k or even volunteer! (I've been trying to volunteer for a race forever. This would be an awesome one to do!) If you want a slightly challenging course (it is hilly, but not crazy), it's a great one. The post-race party is fun, for sure!

As of now, I have nothing on my schedule until the Detroit Women's Half in September. I would like to sign up for something before then, but I'm kind of taking it one run at a time right now. No pressure is good. I can get through this last little bit of the semester and I'll be off for 7 weeks. Plenty of time to get in good runs, find a good race, and have a good experience. 

Until then, I'll just be running for me.

A big thanks to Kona for allowing me to run this race for them!

Questions for you:

-Anyone run a race recently? How'd it go?

-How do you bounce back from bad races? Just take some racing time off?

-Who did something fun this weekend? Share!

PS - Happy Father's Day to my dad and all the other dads out there!

Megan

on the possibility...of anything

A few years ago, I had a lofty goal: complete a 10k. I could just finish a 5k, so doubling that seemed daunting. Yet, I wanted to do it. I "trained" hard. When I crossed that finish line in 58 minutes and some change, I was ecstatic just to have finished under an hour. Soon after, I signed up for a half marathon. It seemed like pure insanity to run 13.1 miles, but I was determined. Before I knew it, I was obsessed. I became a race fanatic. I wanted to run all the races!

Then, one day, I pulled the trigger and did it. I registered for a full marathon:

The bayshore marathon in traverse city in may, to be exact. 

I was terrified. I would be running it solo (I couldn't convince any of my running crew) and 26.2 miles is a long freaking way. Training was rough. I encountered some road blocks (like a wonky calf), but somehow I did both of my 20 milers and survived to tell about them. 

A funny thing happened while logging all those long roads. I found myself. That sounds corny. Well, it is, sorry. But, it's true. I was floundering around for so long and needed something. It helped me gain confidence and made me feel like I could do things that felt impossible. It was during that time I decided I wanted, needed to go back to school. 

I was unsure. Would it be too hard? Would I hate it? What if I just couldn't do it?? I still worry about those things, but I'm doing well so far. I just took my first two anatomy and physiology tests and got an A on both. I hope that is indicative of the rest of the semester. Is it hard? Heck yes. But, with every passing day, I feel more confident this is what I want to do. This is what feels right for me. Sure, there are days that I don't love it (super long chem equations, I mean you). But there are days when I get all nerdy and excited about the things I'm learning about. 

I still have a long road ahead of me, but this past week, I got accepted into Wayne State to finish the pre-req classes before applying to the RD program:

official acceptance letter!

Sometimes (read: always) the long, tough roads end up being worth it. The fight makes you stronger in the end. It prepares you for whatever life throws your way. It challenges you and changes you.

When I crossed that finish line last year, I felt like the world was mine for the taking. That anything was possible. I did something I never dreamed I could do. I know people run marathons every day, but I like to think that most people cross that finish line feeling inspired. I have never thought of myself as an athlete. (I still don't, necessarily). When I was in elementary school, I was lucky if I even finished the mile test in the allotted time. So, it was a big deal. It remains a big deal to me. Despite the fact that it was slower than I wanted. Despite the fact that I puked into a garbage can and felt like death the remainder of the day. I still want to tackle another marathon some day. I still encourage anyone to run one. I still feel proud, accomplished, and like anything is possible because of it.

Tomorrow, we head to Traverse City to run Bayshore again. This time, I'll be doing my 8th half. Ryan will be doing his 7th. RunnerSis will be running with RunnerSis^2 so that RunnerSis^2 can complete her first half. RunnerBro will be doing his first full!  I'm excited. I can't wait to return to the course. It's beautiful. But also, I can't wait to return to the course that changed me. I can't wait to relive it. The moment when I realized, whatever course I'm on in life, it's the right one. 

moments from last year

So, in the spirit of true corniness, there are few things I know for sure, except this: if I can run a marathon, anyone can. If I can survive 26.2 miles, truly anything is possible. There will be road blocks. It will be hard, it won't always be fun, but it will be worth it. Do the things in life that scare you, because those are the things that will end up meaning the most to you.  

Cheers runnerfriends, I hope you have an amazing memorial day weekend! And for those of you running, good luck!

Questions for you:

-What's the last big thing you did that scared you but paid off?

-Who else is racing this weekend? What distance?

-Any big plans for the holiday? Fun trips?

-If you've run a marathon (or half, or any distance really), what's your fav memory from one?

Megan

Life, in balance

Hi there! I had so many intentions of blogging recently and it kind of fell to the wayside, so I decided it was finally time to do a post again. Life has been pretty crazy recently. I just started up spring semester and it is NONSTOP. Since it's only 7 weeks, they cram in so much. We have two tests on back to back days every other week. Needless to say, I've been studying constantly for the first two coming up this week.

As I've been trying to juggle everything recently, I've often thought, 'is there a balance to life? Can you really have it and do it all?' Probably not. I wrote a post about that not too long ago and yet, I keep trying to find some way to make it all work. But, I think you can't. Not the way you want it to, anyway.

Yesterday I was supposed to do 12 miles. I'm running Bayshore half this upcoming weekend and I'm not really prepared. Oh I'll finish, but a PR? It won't happen. I got terrible sleep on Friday night because Ryan was out of town and Gizmo was a basket case looking for him out the window every 5 minutes until about 3:30. So, I got out way too late and it was just too warm for me to find a comfortable groove. I ended up just doing a run/walk combo. I was getting frustrated with myself. I called it quits at 8.15 miles.

not my best at all, but it's still 8.15 miles.

The only positive of the run was that I tried a new-to-me gel and it was definitely friendly on my tummy (always an issue for me):

yummo.

Then, just when I was about to beat myself up about not dong 12 or that I had to walk, I got the mail and saw this:

Dean's List letter for the second semester in a row

I worked my butt off last semester and got a 4.0 in both classes and thus far, I have a 3.9 average overall. It was the reminder I needed. I worked hard. I gave up doing fun things sometimes, including some runs to get those grades. And you know what? It was worth it. 

As I thought about it, I realized that the balance lies more in the importance of the things in your life, not in how well you do in all of them. Is running still important to me? You betcha. Do I still love it? Absolutely. It's become my calm in chaos. My time to clear my head where I don't have to think about chemical equations or body tissues (what I've been studying for the last little bit today) or games that will enrich 3 year old minds. Nope, it's just me, my shoes, and an open road. How fast I go is truly irrelevant in the grand scheme of it. How many miles I log doesn't really matter either. As long as I'm getting out there because I want to and not for any other reason.

A year ago, I was gearing up to run my first marathon. It remains one of the best, proudest days of my life. I pushed myself, I challenged myself, I did something I thought was impossible. 

pure bliss at the very end of 26.2 miles.

This year, I'll go run 13.1 miles and I'll still feel accomplished, regardless of time. It will be my 8th on one of my favorite courses. And I get to cheer on my brother for his very first marathon and RunnerSis^2 for her very first half. I can live vicariously through them. Even though it's a solo sport, I think we can all agree that there is a community feeling and a joy we can take in other runner's accomplishments. 

Maybe balance is more about doing some things more for the joy of it and pushing yourself through other things. Right now, school is the challenge for me, the time to test myself and get outside my comfort zone. Running? It can be my happy place. PRs will always be there, waiting patiently. I want to keep racing right now because I love, but not because I need to prove how fast I am. I know I'll never be super fast, so why not just run how I feel and see what happens? No pressure 2013. Last weekend we did a race with my dad. It was small and low key. It was awesome. I was the 4th overall female and Ryan was the 14th overall male. We didn't run our fastest times, but we had fun. Proof we were having a blast:

bonus: we could download race photos for free!

medals for everyone! My fav kind of race. Don't you like how my dad and I kind of match?

I think I will have my cake and eat it too (or in some cases, my slurpee and salad):

my lunch yesterday, because I really wanted a big salad...and a slurpee

So here's my balance for life, as of now: I work hard on the big stuff like school and working full time. I have fun with running. I take runs for what they are. No pressure, doing my thing. In the meantime, I'll have to just cheer on all of you for speedy runs! ;)

By the way, don't forget, Kona Run is coming up soon! Go sign up! http://www.konarun.com/

Questions for you:

-Anyone race this weekend? How'd it go?

-Has anyone else revamped their 2013 goals so they're less pressured and more for fun?

-What kind of balance are you making lately to have more fun?

-Any fun/exciting things to share?

Megan

Inaugural Detroit Women's half (or one big, fun race)

Hello! I'm alive! I survived last semester. I took my last final last night and I was happy to say "adios" to chem equations. Anyway, now I finally have some time to post..and play catch up on blogs.

I'll have to play catch up on life later (because you know, I've been doing realllllllyyy exciting things...er, maybe not). Today's post is full of exciting news.

There's a women only (sorry fellas) half marathon and 5k coming to Detroit! It's taking place on September 22 on Belle Isle. Guess who's going to be a race ambassador?! Me! I couldn't be more excited. Here's why:

1. I love Belle Isle. So pretty and full of Detroit history. Anything by the water is also a win.

2. Women only?  I know some people scoff at that, but I think it sounds like having a blast with a bunch of gal pals without having to worry about men stinking up the place.  Just kidding ;) But, I DO think it's a good way to round up some friends for a fun, healthy time. Especially if they aren't that "into" running. It takes some pressure off and lets you just have fun! (Or it can be super competitive because you're just racing other ladies. Totally can go either way.)

3. This seems like a perfect excuse for me to dress up in a tutu, yet again.  Maybe a tiara too? And pink.  Clearly I love all those things.

Exhibit A: tutu love (before turkey trot)

Exhibit B: tiara love. Just don't ask if that 21 part is accurate (spoiler alert: it's not)

4. Detroit races are nice and flat. Belle Isle is no exception.  PR city = totally attainable.

5. This is the race bling:

(from the website).

I admit, it's busy, but I love the old English D and the colors!

6. There's a chocolate mile! You get chocolate courtesy of Sander's chocolates! Yum!

Okay, so here are the details:

Sunday, September 22 on Belle Isle

8am - Start for the half

8:15am - Start for 5k

Hammer nutrition (HEED and hammer gel) will be along the course. Water stations, as well.

There will be post-race goodies and music too!

I don't have a picture of the shirt yet, but as soon as I get my hands on one, I'll share it with you.

Go here to register for the race (and find more info): 

Detroit Women's Half

And go here to like their Facebook page (chock full of fun motivational things!): Detroit Women's half facebook

So, let's chat:

-Who's in? I would love to get a whole group of local (or non-local!) women together for a meet up before, during, after!

-How do you feel about a women's only race? Love or hate it?

-Who else is excited about this great running weather recently? Training for anything big?

Megan

Rock CF half marathon race report and review

Hello! Today I completed half marathon #7. No PR, but I'm totally okay with that!

The race took place in Grosse Ile, which is about 45ish minutes from the area we live. We hadn't picked up our race packets early, so Megan and I headed out at about 6:15. I think we both kind of felt like a PR would be nice, but knew that it might not be within reach. We decided to just run by feel and see what happened.

We got there without any trouble and parked at the airport. They were shuttling people to the high school from there. This was our wait line:

luckily the long line went fast, but we were freeeeezzzing. (It was about 29 with wind at that time).

We had a pretty backdrop of the sun coming up though:

sorry, slightly blurry from my shaking hands.

We got to the high school and met up with RunnerSis and RunnerSis^2 (who I forgot to give a huge shoutout to last weekend. She made my awesome tutu and headband and definitely didn't disappoint. Thank you again!)

Megan located her name to get her bib, but for some reason, my name wasn't on the list. I had to talk to a few different people, but luckily got it all straightened out and was able to get my bib. While picking up my shirt, I ran into twitter bud, Darryl. He was volunteering for the race (so awesome of him!) and we chatted for a few before I met back up with the girls.

We snapped a quick pic:

RunnerSis, RunnerSis^2, other Megan, me

The sisters were doing the 5k, so we all wished each other luck, then Megan and I checked our gear, as the race was about to start. We made a quick porta potty stop, and then we were off!

We started off strong and held a decent, consistent pace for several miles. At some point in the beginning, we ran into Ty and chatted for a minute, before wishing each other luck and moving on. In the beginning, I was kind of leading, we would be even, then Megan would lead. We stayed mostly together until mile ten, which I hit at 1:28. I had only brought one gel and planned to get another on the course. I thought there were two gel stops, but if there was, I missed the second. Either way, I started feeling like I needed one. Maybe it's just a placebo effect, but I definitely feel like two gels help get me through a half. My knee was also starting to bug me. It hasn't bugged me in forever, but I think I was feeling an effect of training mostly on a treadmill and not running much the past two weeks. Megan went ahead (which I was fine with) and I did a walk/run the last 5k. 

I knew a PR wasn't going to happen, so I just made little goals of running to certain points. The last little bit, I saw an older guy ahead of me, and I made it my goal to beat him. Luckily, I did!

The last 5k I ran so much slower than the first 10 miles (32 minutes). I ended up crossing in 2:00.25 or a 9:12 pace. 

I found Megan, who cheered me to the finish and found out she ran a 1:56.43 - a shiny new PR!  I couldn't be happier for her.

We quickly found the RunnerSisters and found out that they had run RunnerSis^2 to a shiny new 5k PR. Hooray, so happy for her too!

We made a beeline to the school to get refreshments and pick up our gear.

back in the school

They had an amazing post-race spread: panera bagels, bananas, chocolate milk, water, tons of homemade cookies. They were also selling tons of Rock CF apparel. Megan and I wanted to buy one of everything, but didn't have any money with us. Maybe they'll be selling stuff online?

The respective running partners took post-race pics together:

the Megans!

the sisters!

our goodies:

sticker, shirt, and medal. I always love their shirts.

And even though we were freezing, Megan and I both agreed this was necessary:

never too cold for a slurpee

This course continues to be one of my favorites. Even though it was chilly by the water at times, it was also beautiful. (I didn't get a pic though).  Would I have liked a PR? sure. Running time miles at 8:48 then scaling wayyyy back the last three isn't ideal, but it happens. My knee seems to be doing mostly okay now. There will be other halfs (hello Bayshore in May!) I think I ran a solid race, even with a little bit of a setback at the end and had a blast doing it with my running partner in crime. I'm honestly so thankful we found each other. I know it's cheesy, but I know that I couldn't have gotten through today's race without her. We definitely helped push each other at different points and even if we didn't talk a ton throughout the race, just being by each other, kept us motivated and the miles going fast.

Every time I do 13.1 miles, it always feels like a huge accomplishment and I realize just how hard they really are. Obviously not as hard as a full, but they still take time, dedication, and perseverance. So rather than get caught up on not reaching a certain time, I'm remembering that I still crossed that finish line with a smile on my face. I'm also remembering that Rock CF is about helping people with cystic fibrosis, which makes me utterly grateful that I'm healthy enough to cross that finish line, regardless of the time on that clock.

Cheers to half marathon #7! And half PR? maybe I'll see you at Bayshore. If not, I'm sure you'll be patiently waiting at one of the next half marathons I do!

A big thank you to Emily and everyone who helped organize/was a part of today's race. I truly had a blast and am so grateful to have been an ambassador again!  Hopefully next year it will have an even bigger turnout!

Questions for you:

-Did you race this weekend? If so, how did it go?

-If you didn't race, what fun things were you up to?

-best post-race (or post-workout) treat? Slurpees are ALWAYS my number one choice, no matter the weather.

-We were talking after the race: are you more hungry all day post-race or does the hunger monster not strike until the following day?

Megan

Shamrock n roll race recap and review

Hi! Happy St. Patty's Day to you! Hope you're having a great day, whether you're celebrating or not.

Today was the Shamrock n roll run in Plymouth and I did the 10k. It was put on by Kona running company, which never disappoints. Yesterday the expo ran from 10-4 and Ryan and I knew we had to go get my bib early since we had plans the rest of the day. I needed to get my skirt and headband from RunnerSis^2 and last minute ended up meeting up with RunnerBro, Sis, and (not really a baby) baby.

It was well organized and we got our stuff right away. Here was the loot:

I really like the shirts and I think they are better than last year's. (Though I did like those, but these are better).

Ryan and RunnerBaby had a grand old time playing chase in the gym while we got our stuff.

seriously, how cute are they?!

We didn't stay long and made plans to meet up before the race. I actually got good sleep last night (which never happens before a race) and I didn't feel nervous getting ready this morning. I knew it was going to be freeeezing, so I layered up: two base layer long sleeves then my st. patty's tee on top. My running tights, shamrock tights, and shamrock socks. I wanted to get throwaway gloves, but we went to the store yesterday and they apparently stopped selling them for the season.

all decked out and ready to run!

Parking was super crazy and we had park decently far, so I didn't get to meet up before with some local bloggers. I did meet up with the fam:

me and dad before the race

the rest of the tutu gals, runnerbro, and dad (who knows where I'm looking..)

Then I finally got to see another familiar face!

Alexis! 

Alexis and I had talked about possibly going for sub-50 and I admitted I didn't know if I had it in me. I told her we could gun for it and see what we had.  

The race started right on time and we were off! I lost Alexis quick into the run, which I expected and just settled into a groove. I had zero expectations, zero concerns. I was just running to run. It was windy the first few miles and I was sucking back a decent  amount of mucus from it. Gross, but true. I was feeling good and holding a steady pace, but I started to get hot and took off my gloves. Since they're my running gloves, I had to hold them. At one point, I accidentally dropped and had to turn around, weave through some runners and get it. Such a pain and totally set me back by several seconds. It also took me a little bit to find my right groove again.  Oh well.

At some point early in the race, I saw detroit runner and we chatted for a minute before he zipped ahead.

Somewhere in the last few miles, I thought I spotted Katie from Runs for cookies. Then I was sure it was her, but she was a few people ahead, but I didn't want to yell and either scare her or throw her off her groove. I tried to catch up to her to say hi, but lost her.

My 10k PR is 50:35 and I knew I was within reach of doing that or something very close to that today. Then, the last .10 mile, I tried to speed up and I immediately started to dry heave from all the mucus. Blech. Not my finest moment, but I slowed it a tiny bit and just cruised to the finish. 

I crossed the finish and grabbed my medal, then went to find Ryan and my parents (my dad was doing the 5k).

super cute medal

I found them pretty quick and we used the sweet new QR code feature to scan my bib and find out my results. 51:03. I was pissed at myself only in the fact that I would have for sure been in the 50 range if I hadn't dropped that glove and went to get it or if I didn't start dry heaving like a loser that last stretch.  Oy.

However, I AM happy with that time, as it's better than I was expecting (sub 50 would have been awesome, but I also know I haven't been training for it necessarily). In addition, my current PR is from October 2011, so as far as more recent 10ks, this is my best time in a while.  

RunnerBro soon crossed the finish line, then went back to run RunnerSis to the finish. As RunnerDad was prepping to get ready for the 5k he fell on a small patch of ice and scraped his knee. Luckily he said he was okay, and went off to race. It was definitely scary at first though. Right after, we saw several other people almost fall on the same patch of ice. Eek!

Ryan went with me so I could grab a bagel and water from the refreshments tent. It was a long line, but they were efficient and we got through in no time!

Soon after, we met up with the other Megan, her hubs, and baby C who came to spectate. We all chatted until RunnerSis came up and then Megan and her fam decided to try to get us a table at Sean O'cals for post-race beers. I was so cold at this point that I could not stop shaking. We opted to wait for my dad in my mom's car with her to try to warm up. In that time, we found out from Megan that the bar was crowded and charging a ten dollar cover. Thanks, but no thanks.

My dad finished in a great time and we decided just to high-tail it out of there in an effort to warm up.  

Official results:

Hey, I'm definitely okay with those stats. Pretty decent overall finish.

Though I am an ambassador for Kona races, I would do their races no matter what. They're always well organized, start on time, the volunteers are great. It runs smoothly, have high quality medals and shirts. The post-race spread was great (panera bagels, among other things). The addition of the QR code scanner this year seemed like a huge success. I wish all races would do this! It's just easier for everyone. I scanned like 7 people's for them. I was the scanning queen, haha.

I would call this Kona's most successful race to date.  Everything seemed to go off without a hitch and the QR codes made everything run so much more smoothly!

I actually had 12 on my schedule, so opted to run the rest when I got home. I was just so cold and feeling slightly off when I got home, that I waited a few hours. I ended up being a wimp and doing it on the mill. 

this was definitely hard. It seems harder to run, rest for a bit, then run again.

Overall I was happy, even if it was slightly slower than I was hoping.  Yes, doing the 12 all together would be the best, but I'm fine with this too.  I still feel like I got in two quality runs for the day.  

The rest of the day has been spent running errands, studying for micro and just kind of being lazy. No wild and crazy St. Patty's plans over here. Unless you count me putting the shamrock tie on Gizmo:

somehow he doesn't seem amused, but I swear he was ready to party.

A big thanks to Kona for letting me run this race with them!

Let's chat:

-Did you race this weekend? How'd it go?

-How long do you claim PRs? I still say 50:35 as my PR, but it feels old, ya know?

-Did anyone do anything fun/crazy today for st. patty's? Drink green beer? Eat some good irish food?

-Any other exciting weekend things to share?

Megan

the non-pity party.

After multiple people told me they either missed me blogging or questioned why I wasn't blogging, I knew I needed to write a post. (PS - thanks guys for making me feel like there are a few of you out there that still read my babbling).  The short version is: school has been kicking my butt HARD this semester.  9 credits, four nights a week is very, very different from 8 credits, when one is online. Either way, between working more and school, blogging fell to the wayside. When I did have time, something funny happened: I had no idea what to write. I've always had SOMETHING to write, even if it was mundane. But, the words wouldn't come. Or, if they did, I found myself feeling snarky and resentful. In my head, I wrote a whole posts towards big name bloggers involving lots of eye-rolling and how hard their life must be preparing oatmeal for their "tough" job of being a stay-at-home blogger. Which, even if there is truth to that, what does that help? Nothing.

One of the problems with social media is that it can continuously throw in your face all of the achievements of others while you feel like you're failing at everything. I wrote that post saying, "less is more" and felt like I was accomplishing so much, only to then read someone say something like: "I just ran the world's fastest half marathon while curing cancer and solving our country's debt problems!" Okay, nothing that extreme, but plenty of amazing things people were doing while I felt like I was slipping more and more. I was "getting by" but not doing wonderful at anything. It was like a slap in the face getting my dailymile weekly training logs. You know how usually it'll say things like "awesome" or "terrific" training last week! I've had multiple weeks where it just says, "here's your training for last week" without any 'great' descriptive words to go along with it. I just felt bad about it. Like, "gee thanks dailymile, I know I'm doing a mediocre job as a runner right now." There are some weeks I only do my long run. Other weeks I get in a few shorter runs too. I'm taking what I can get for now.

Last week, I had a particularly bad day in one of my classes, came home and proceeded to bawl my eyes out to Ryan. He told me I was allowed to be frustrated, upset, or stressed. That I could cry to get it out, but I wasn't allowed to continually throw myself a pity party. (That guy's a wise one, isn't he?) And you know what? He was right.

It's really, really easy to judge other people and think their lives must be a cake walk, when in reality, when have absolutely no idea what goes on in their lives or the struggles they face. It's also really stinking easy to throw yourself a pity party when the going gets tough. It's easy to point out all of your own flaws and forget all of the hard work we do. It's easy to be hard on yourself and think things won't get easier/better/whatever else.  It's a lot harder to buck up and say, "I've got this", especially when you don't feel like you do.  But, I think that's what makes us tougher - to put on a brave face, even if we don't always feel it.

And then I can't help but think of this quote:

(via Google)

If you remember the Operation Hardcore Fit motto last year, it stemmed from that. I think it's important for all of us to remember. When we're in doubt, when we aren't sure what comes next, when we feel like we're "failing" - even if we aren't.  

I'm on "spring break" this week and this week off has been good for me, mentally. I can regroup and get my head right again. Yes, I'm busy, but who isn't? Yes, it's hard.  Again, what isn't? Things worth having in life aren't handed to you. They take work, day in and day out. Life will get less crazy. And truly, deep down, I know I'm not failing, but sometimes, you need to take a step back and really take a hard look at your life. You have to realize you don't ace every test, don't PR every race, don't have your sh*t together every day. And be okay with it. Because, at the end of the day, will half the stuff that seemed big really matter?  Probably not.

I have no idea if I'll PR Rock CF in two weeks, but I'm hoping I do. My long runs have actually been solid, and shorter runs have gone well too.  Here's yesterday's run:

first time in carpis in a loooong time and a sub-8 pace. Major win all around.

If not? There's always Bayshore. And a whole slew of halfs just waiting to be run.  Next week I have Shamrock n Roll, and while a PR would be swell there too, I'm not sweating it. Hence my outfit:

plus RunnerSis^2 is making us tutus and headbands again!

I'm trying to really prioritize right now. I want blogging to be a prioroity - though I have no idea how frequent I will be for the next few months. But I do promise that I won't be throwing pity parties. No one wants to read that. Instead, I'll stick to things I know - like cheesing it up:

Ryan and I cheesing at our very first hockey game on Tuesday!  

Or sharing ridiculous photos of Gizmo:

I call this his, "hello ladies, I'm just loungin" come hither look.  

So, onto whatever comes next in life.  I'm ready-ish.  As crazy as it is.  In the end, it's all worth it.  Cheers to putting on brave faces and taking life by storm.   And PS - happy ALMOST friday!

Let's chat:

-What quotes do you like to live by to motivate/inspire you?

-Okay, let it out: tell me something snarky you've thought recently (without being too specific).  I won't judge, pinky promise.

-Who else is running a st. patty's race? Are you dressing up?

-What's been going on with you??  I promise I'm catching up on blogs asap!

Megan