To everyone who liked, reblogged, commented on, sent me messages, and just generally had nice things to say about this post, thank you so much! You all made my day, heck even my week!
My journey has been amazing…and its been made even more awesome because of you guys! I have never met such cool people, either in real life or just online!
So once again, thank you! You guys rock! 🙂
On the left: size 22/24 in 2004. On the right: size 8 today. So many sizes lost, a whole new life gained. Sometimes you just need a reminder of how far you have come. I’ve been struggling with running lately, and this is a good reminder of what it has done for me. Never, ever give up!
In terms of problems, mine are pretty typical “first-world problems.” I’m a very lucky girl and need to remember that. But sometimes, its easy to forget and get stuck in my own little world.
Case and point: I have 2 best friends, one is married-has been for 6 years now. The other started dating her boyfriend in February. It was around the same time that I started dating my recent ex. This guy is pretty much perfect for her and the other BFF and I are fairly sure they will end up together. This weekend, he told her that he was falling in love with her.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m super happy for them. He makes her happy and ‘gets’ her. But, deep down, I’m sad. I’m lonely. I haven’t dated anyone since my ex and I broke up at the end of June. Part of that was a self-imposed marathon training break. To be honest, I used it as a way to guard my heart I think. “Oh, I’m too busy right now to date anyone.” When really, no one was asking me out. No one was beating down my door to take me on a date.
And now? Now the marathon is over and I’m still alone. I’m alone as I write this. My roommate has gone out to a town hall meeting on China. (Did I mention that my roomie is a Nebraska State Senator? She’s a good friend of mine and used to be in the TV News biz.) Its pretty cool! And its fine. I like my alone time. Especially after a long day at work where there is constant noise. But there is a difference between a roomie and a boyfriend. And I miss having that.
First world problems.
In other news, I’m finding it hard to adhere to a running schedule when I don’t have anything to train for. My next race for sure is the Lincoln Half Marathon in May and training for that won’t begin until January. I’m still running, just not as many miles.
Friday night I went to a couple of Halloween parties. I went as a Marathon runner. (a stretch, I know!) and I was chatting with a friend of mine who does the same job I do at the other TV station in town. She’s a runner too, has actually run several full marathons. But she just gets me, ya know? Its true that runners love to talk about running; we talked about running for a long time. She even told me she reads my blog! (Hi Amber! 🙂 ) That totally made my day! To know that someone I know in real life that I really like and respect reads and enjoys this blog was pretty cool to learn. I need to be better about updating!
Anywho, that’s all I have for now. Everyone on the east coast, please stay safe!
Have a great week friends!
Welcome to my influx of new followers! I hope that we can inspire and help each other out along this journey. I assume most of you are here because of this post. And I really appreciate all the comments and likes it received! Thank you all so much.
A little bit about me…I’m Melissa. I’m running my first Full Marathon this weekend (yay Chicago!) and meeting the internet! I’m super excited! About a year ago I reached my goal weight of losing half my body weight…and then lost a bit more to have lost 150 pounds. My life has changed since I started running a few years ago. I’ve done several 5k’s, and 10k’s and 2 half-marathons.
Welcome and Thanks for joining me in this journey!
Sometimes, you just can’t see all the changes you’ve made. Sometimes you just need a reminder of how far you’ve come. First picture, October 29, 2008. Second picture, Sept. 28, 2012. What a difference 4 years makes.
I finally got to use my flying lesson groupon today! I actually got to go a few weeks ago, but my friend went first and during my flight, he got sick, so they let me reschedule!
This time my friend Tracey went with me! She has an iron stomach! I had a blast!
I don’t think I have ever told you guys this before, but in my other life outside of running, working at a TV station and trying to have a social life, I do some voice-over work. Its for commercials and spots that air all over the country…so some of you may have heard my voice!
I got involved in it in 2008, a friend had a friend that owned a company and needed a younger female voice to voice some commercial spots. He called me, liked what he heard and the rest is history. I’ve done home real estate spots that have aired in Hawaii, Washington State and Oregon. I’ve done spots for job fairs in Denver, and company recruitment videos for places in Texas. There’s several others that I have forgotten over the years too. I’ve also done several spots for my own TV station. Its all very random. The pay is pretty good too!
If you would like to hear a snippet of my work, scroll forward to about 1:13 in this video. You have to click on the video on the right side of the screen called “Ryan” and start that one. It wouldn’t let me link the actual video. Sorry! I only speak for about 30 seconds. But its still pretty cool.
So, now the guy that I do the freelance work for is having me edit the videos too. Its even better money and I am becoming an even better video editor. So all in all, a win-win! I’ve been super busy this week editing 14 videos for him that will air in Des Moines, IA and Dallas, TX.
Just one of those random things about me!
Have a good day friends!
So my flight got cancelled on Sunday. It was too cloudy. We are making our second attempt this Sunday. Praying for a cloudless, sunny day.
In other news, If I ever say I want to do a full marathon again, somebody please stop me! This schedule is exhausting me, and the amount of running has caused me to gain weight…most likely just muscle mass but I’m still freaking out. The skirts and dresses that I wore last winter are tight now, and I am upset about it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad that I have gained muscle, but I’m up 8-10 pounds and I’m trying not to obsess over it, but I hate feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. And I hate knowing that things I wore only 6 months ago won’t fit right now. Its frustrating and disheartening.
I didn’t get up and run yesterday so I shifted my off days and I ran this morning. 4 miles on the treadmill before work. I decided to run them as tempo miles, which makes the run go faster and more fun. I think I’m getting into a training funk, so maybe this will help.
I’m also giving up pop. I only drink 1-2 cans a day but the caffeine seems to really affect me. I am on day 2 without any and am exhausted! And I don’t drink coffee.
My boss texted me Monday and told me that I have to work late Thursday night so that I can produce our Husker pregame show that we are taping that night. Normally wouldn’t mind, but that was the night I was supposed to go speed dating with Lindsay. So I had to cancel, which sucks. They gave me a rain check to go another time, but I was still looking forward to it! Sigh.
Sorry for complaining this entire post friends. But thanks for listening anyway!
Flashback Friday. My 5 year old nephew started kindergarten this week edition!
First picture, November 20, 2007. The day my first nephew, Jon, was born.
Second Picture, June, 2012. That same nephew and I running our first race together! He started running mile races when he was 4 because I run them!
I love that kid!
So I met an Olympic Silver Medalist today. Former Husker and Volleyball Team USA Member Jordan Larson came to my TV station for her first interview since the London games. I had to get my picture taken with her! I also got to see her Silver medal! It’s the closest I will ever get to an Olympic Medal! Just another day at the office. 🙂
And my co-worker made pumpkin cookies! And I ran 8 miles this morning.
Today is a pretty good day! Hope you all have a fantastic day friends!
Runnin' Down a Dream 