making a come back

Did I mention I really pushed myself on Sunday?

Yeah.

I can’t help but chuckle at how relatively comfortable all the runners look while crossing the finish line, where as I, above, seem so … um…. miserable? But that couldn’t be further from the truth; I was ecstatic. Just spent. Ten minutes after crossing the finish line the chills hit me. And I had a wicked coughing fit. Damn cold.

On top of getting sick, I really gave my muscles hell, so here it is Thursday and I’m still trying to kick this cold (or whatever it is) and my muscles are just starting not to be so sore.

I’ve had the sweats the past two nights and a wicked headache the past few days. I’ve been drinking lots of water, including Emergen-C and echinacea tea, and trying to rest as much as possible.

So I’ve been torn about whether or not to exercise. Up to now, just by listening to my body, I think it was wise to have taken the past few days off. But I think it’s time to do something. Even if it’s just a gentle run.

I’m looking forward to Crossfit on Saturday Morning and hopefully having most of this cold out of my system!

she's going for speed

Hello!

I'm back! And I'm here to say "I did it!" And by doing it, of course, I am referring to the Race for the Cure 5K!! Whoooooo-hooooooo!

Sorry, I can't help but get all bubbly and jovial thinking back on it.

So needless to say, the results are in.... but before I tell all, let me recap the days leading up to the race.

After Thursday’s awesome run I crashed early that night. I normally read in bed but couldn’t keep my eyes open. Friday I was more tired than usual getting up in the morning, and napped with the kids that afternoon. By Friday night I felt my throat getting scratchy and knew it: I was coming down with something.

WHY ME? WHY NOW? I was devastated. I secretly hold Leigha’s preschool responsible for the numerous illnesses that have gone through our house this year. But that’s beside the point.

Saturday I took it easy and focused: I drank 4 cups of Emergen-C, drank 3 cups of echinacea tea, sucked on two zinc lozenges, and had one super long nap, thanks to my husband. I drank an extraordinary amount of liquids and went to bed when the sun set.

And when I awoke Sunday morning, I could hardly believe it. I wasn’t in perfect health, but I was SO much better! I had the sweats and a mild fever Saturday night and woke up Sunday morning feeling like I could definitely pull the race off.

Left the house at 6:20 to get to the park by 7:00, and then we were lining up to race at 7:40.

This was my first race ever, not to mention my first competitive race. I was so excited that I could hardly stand waiting through the national anthem. Once we got started, I just stuck with the pack. And, like any beginner, I made a mistake that I learned from: watch my pace! Every one I’ve talked to and every book I’ve read warned me that you feed off the energy of those around you and your adrenaline makes you want to go all-out straight away, but you need to pace yourself. Well, miss brilliant here forgot her watch. Not that it would have helped much; there was only a 1-mile marker and a 2-mile marker and then the finish. By the time I got to the first mile marker I would have already been 1/3 through the race before I realized that I’d overshot my pace…. a LOT. I need to figure out a way to monitor my pace next time.

But, I’ll admit, HAD I monitored my pace, I may have not finished in such an amazing time. My goal for the 5K was 8:45/mile or coming in under 27 minutes. How did I end up doing? Okay…

First off, let’s just say when all was said and done, I had NOTHING left in me to give. I had given it my all. EVERYTHING. And it shows in the above picture. That said, my final time was 25:32. An 8:13 mile. 297th overall, 76th among the women.

And I owe so much thanks to my coach Jennifer, my gym Crossfit, and my husband, children, family and friends and you all for supporting me. I will definitely be racing again!

pre-race jitters

I ran the easiest and quickest 2ish miles today.

It's been two weeks since I've trained indoors on the treadmill; I've been doing all my runs outdoors with the double-jogging stroller. After all, the weather has been so nice. As the days heat up, and the kids inevitably grow heavier, however, running outdoors can be a bit more challenging. Challenging, but all the better for conditioning!

So today, when I hopped on the treadmill, I cranked out a quick run just under tw0-and-a-quarter miles with the greatest of ease.

This was just what I needed to boost my confidence and keep my pre-race jitters at bay.

The Race for the Cure is this weekend and I'll be competing in the competitive 5k.

My running buddy, who's been meeting me at our local (well, okay, not so local for me) park to do our 3-mile morning runs twice a week, is doing the 5k with me. I'm so excited. We've both been training with our double strollers and children. We get a lot of looks. Mostly smiles :-D

I'm going to try to write once more before race day, but if I don't, I'll be back here with news of how it goes. Big hugs and thanks to Z, Ange and Tina for their support. If you have a little extra something to give, you're donations will be greatly appreciated!!

http://sazraceforthecure.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=299184&u=299184-249091060&e=2274195022

Every little bit helps.

writing, releasing, returning

Our experience and our past shape who we are today. We can not change that which has happened, but have the power to change our present and what lies ahead.

I am going to make a point to come here and start writing again. I had been reading The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity but had put it down because I hadn't been keeping up my fair share of the work. (It is a workbook of sorts that requires the reader to do the exercises entailed in order to reap the benefits of the book.)

It dawned on me that while I may not wake up an extra hour early every morning to write my "morning pages" (a requirement by the course book) I can make it a point to come here and at least try to write - albeit type - a little more regularly.

I have appended a poem I wrote about a month ago. It is a reflection of my past. The past that has shaped me; from which I have emerged; to which I refer back to as a lesson of how I wish to proceed now. Sending love and positivity to all of you. I've missed being involved in your lives.


filled with hurt, hate,
regret, shame.

she shut herself in
and freely gave blame.

corrupted her temple
to mirror her [baneful] soul

poisoned herself daily
youth fast growing old

deterioration ensued
warnings abounded

those near watched on;
fears were well founded.

filled with foreboding,
loneliness, addiction

she woke up in a web
of sticky affliction.