Dropping Like Flies

Two weeks from right now I will be on my way to Disney world to run my first half marathon. I say first and not only because if I have learned anything over the last 4 months it's never say you won't do something.

We are down to the wire and I'm doing strange things like emailing the marathoners in my life and asking for advice. I'm reading online articles about tapering your runs and how to carb load gluten free. I've got a pile started in my bedroom of things to take with me.

I ran 5 miles on Tuesday and it was the best run I've had to date. The weather was good. I ran a good pace, I felt great, no aches and pains. I felt good when I finished. I was so excited.

Then it snowed. Again. What's up with that? It snowed once when I was a kid. Once.

Anyway, I finally made it back to the gym this morning and it makes me nervous to not be able to run at least 2-3 times a week. But I'm trying to remember that we are 2 weeks out and it's time to slow down. We do 10 miles tomorrow and then that's the last long run.

It is definitely time to slow down training because we are starting to drop like flies. There are 6 of us going. Among us we've had 2 possible stress fractures, some major hip issues and a fainting spell. It looks like we may all recover by the time we get there, but it's been an interesting few weeks.

I'm just hoping there is an elevator at Cinderella's castle, because....

I'm pretty sure the spiral staircase is out!

A Day of Firsts!

Yesterday was a pretty big day in my little journey here. There were many "firsts" yesterday!

It was the first time I have gotten up early for a Sunday morning run. It was actually pretty easy and kind of nice to get up at 6:30 instead of 5:00. I got my day of rest in though. Nobody heard from me between 2:30 and 4:30 yesterday.

It was the first time I have paid someone to babysit while I run. Obviously when we run early during the week Shane is home with the kids. And if we run in the afternoon they are plenty old enough to hang at the house for an hour while I run in the neighborhood. But Shane and Will were on a scout campout and I didn't want to leave Jenny alone so Jill's oldest daughter Reagan came to my house at 6:30 to stay with Jenny. Bless her heart! I felt so guilty when she was standing there in her jammies wrapped in a blanket. I showed her the couch and paid her well. Jenny thinks Reagan is the greatest teenager ever and would whole heartily agree!

It was the first time I have left the neighborhood to run. We ran straight out of Cypress Lake and down the main road. That was a huge mental hurdle for me.

And last but not least:

For the first time IN MY LIFE I ran 5 miles. It was a great run too! We didn't have to walk very much and except for the time I told Jill I thought I was going to throw up I felt really good! We were lightening fast too! A 12:48 pace over 5 miles. Ok so it was lightening fast for me! I feel so encouraged and excited!

I became a little obnoxious as the day wore on and felt the need to tell everyone I saw that I had run 5 miles. My poor husband! Just as we were about to fall asleep I said, "Oh hey guess what?" "What?" "I ran 5 miles today!" this was about the 10th time this conversation took place and he was appropriately excited each time! God love him!

Just imagine what I'll be like after 13.1 !!!

Official Disney Training!

Today is the point of no return! Today is thirteen weeks until race day! 88 days! Our training Plan is 13 weeks so today is the day!

It's a little overwhelming to think that we are already to official training! Some days I think I can take on the world and some days I can't help but think I have lost my mind! I'm excited though and ready to really push myself and if I think I can't I can't push myself any further I know Jill will be there to give me a loving shove!

We had a great run Saturday morning. It was me and Jill and Regina and it was so fun to be together and run. We did four miles and did faster than the last time we did four miles. We are going to shoot for 5 miles Saturday and I have no comment on that right now because I am working on only saying nice things.

So here we go. I can't believe I am officially training for something I swore I would never do. But I'm ready for the adventure! Today I celebrated "Official Disney Training Day" with a McDonald biscuit.

This could be quite challenge!