Goal MET

23 miles this weekend put me at 119 MILES for the month of August. 

GOAL MET! 

WOOT WOOT! 

Check out THAT bar graph!!!

Hoadly Road

I love this I Love to Run eBib and this week I did respond with 20 a few times! Kimberly and I made it PAST Hoadly Road on our 20 + mile run today. If you don't know where K lives or where Hoadly Road is I realize that this means NOTHING but let me just tell you it is FREAKING FAR! We also did it in the rain… not a drizzle, not a light rain, the pouring down rain! We celebrated this milestone with a selfie at the Hoadly Road sign and THIS was our runner's high around mile 10 when the rain hadn't gotten to us yet!  

Soon after this picture it started raining HARD and after a few minutes Kimberly says, "You know your a runner whennnn… you can rock a long run in the RAIN." My response, not as Suzie Sunshine was, "Yup, OR we are just too freaking far for it to matter if we are rock stars or not. If we weren't runners would we WALK all the way back in the pouring rain?" THIS makes me giggle too and this long sucky run will come to mind during the half or the 26.2 miles and I will smile.  

The rain was so bad that at one point we considered putting in an SOS for someone to come save us. My poor phone got soaked and either died from the rain or exhaustion and we ended up having a dance party with Kimberly's phone around mile 15 to home singing and dancing our way through the rain! 

By the end of the run there was a lot of cussing, soggy shoes and two VERY grumpy and sore runners BUT it did feel pretty awesome to push past 20 miles! 

Marathon Training Begins

Really, a marathon? What was I thinking? Since I did so well with my half marathon training schedule on the fridge I decided to go that route for marathon training too! This time instead of check marks I have boxes to highlight! Right now it looks a little overwhelming and intimidating but I cannot wait to see it fill with color over the next few months. I am most concerned that some of my longest runs will be solo since Kimberly and Eileen will be done training for their marathon! I just might have to find a running group or something to get me through those longer distances. I am also a little worried what training is going to look like when I am back to school and my photography business is at it's busiest time of year. 

 #marathontraining #twentysixpointfreakingtwo #fullcrazy

Marathon

A year ago when I committed to running a race a month I did NOT even like running. Through this journey I have fallen in love with running for so many reasons. I love the challenge that running gives me and the control. Running is a huge stress reliever for me and I have really learned to BELIEVE in myself.

My September race, The Diva Dash half marathon was my big goal for this year UNTIL I blew past 131.1 miles and seriously started thinking about conquering a FULL marathon, twenty six point freaking two miles. I hadn't actually said this OUT loud but I have been holding back on registering for my November race because it's been on my mind. There is a half and full marathon in OBX in November and since marathon made it on my bucket list I have been going back and forth. Ultimately, I decided that I didn't want to run it alone and without having a buddy who is at the last able to jump in and finish the last few miles with me. 

When our 17.16 miles posted to my Facebook page a runner friend, Kimberly B. asked, "Are you training for a marathon?" which really made me think! "Kimberly and Eileen are training for a marathon so by default, I am too but there is no way I will obtain a bib for the MCM in October. " I replied. Kimberly B. then suggested that I run the Richmond Marathon in November, recruit Kimberly to run the half with her and they would happily cheer for me at the finish line. 

Immediately I started doubting myself. It is one thing to consider doing it but it is another thing when it becomes REAL. Can I do this? Can I seriously run 26.2 miles? 26.2 miles is FAR and takes a lot of training so I turned to Roger for some help with this decision. 

Me: So what do you think about a marathon? Do you think I could do it in November?

Roger: I KNOW you can do it. I just don't know why you would WANT to do it. 

I texted Kimberly and got her on board and before I could change my mind I registered for the Richmond Marathon. 

I AM a Runner!

6 months ago I would not have considered myself a runner! I was a "wannabe runner" or a "race addict"! Today I am a badass runner (she says humbly). I just ran 9 miles and I feel amazing! I actually could've KEPT running but decided not to push it since another long run is only a few days away before our cruise! I used to hate running to the end of the block! I am blown away at how far I have come and cannot wait to hit my next mile benchmark! 6 months ago running 3.1 seemed like a stupid idea and 6.2 seemed impossible! NOW 13.1 seems completely doable and I am right on track for the half marathon in September.