Tag: running

Words are powerful

I forwarded this article to my co-worker who is also running the Lincoln Half on Sunday. She’s a runner too. She gets it. I read her what I wrote on here..how I had I never thought I could do a Full, how successfully running a Marathon changed me, and how I cried when I finished, and how they were threatening to fall once again, just by reading that article.

She told me that SHE was about to cry and had chills from my words. It surprised me. Something I wrote did that to her. Later, I was talking to another co-worker about the Marathon and the article, and read her what I wrote. She said the same thing; she had tears in her eyes and told me how inspiring I am. 

It’s so easy for me to brush that off; to not see the impact that we each have on each other. But we do. We all do. And that’s awesome. 

@keepgoinggreen said: Its so interesting – because we met the day before your marathon. I did not know any of your back story and I already saw: an athlete, a runner, someone with a great attitude and someone who I never once doubted was going to finish the next day!

Rich- Thank you so much! This made my day! That you saw/see me as an athlete and someone with a great attitude? I love that! Thank you.

earlybirdnow said: This makes me want to do a marathon…

Sharon-It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but so incredibly worth it. If you like distance running and want to challenge yourself, then I highly recommend it. It is amazing what the human body and spirit are capable of.

The Marathon

The Marathon is not about running, it is about salvation. We spend so much of our lives doubting ourselves, thinking that we’re not good enough, not strong enough, not made of the right stuff. The Marathon is an opportunity for redemption. Opportunity, because the outcome is uncertain. Opportunity, because it is up to you, and only you, to make it happen.

This one hit me right in the gut. I experienced all of these feelings when I ran the Chicago Marathon in 2012. The fat girl that thought she’d always be fat. The girl that lost the weight but thought 26.2 miles was too far for her to go. She didn’t think she could do it. But I did! I put in the time, did my training and was rewarded with a decent finish time.

It’s true what they say, “the person who starts the Marathon is not the same person who finishes it.” Those 26.2 miles changed me. When I crossed the finish line and finally was able to sit down and call my mom, I did so with tears streaming down my face. 

They’re threatening to fall again right now. 

The power of a Marathon.

The Marathon

How to feel decadent in 5 Easy Steps

  1. Call to make an appointment for a pre-half Marathon Sports Massage for this week.
  2. The masseuse tells you she only does them during the daytime hours, so how does 12:15pm sound?
  3. Agree that it sounds good, and go over your lunch hour for an hour long Sports Massage today.
  4. Make a follow up appointment for a post-run massage next Tuesday after the Marathon. Also during your lunch hour, because YOLO?!
  5. Bask in the awesomeness that is a massage. During your lunch hour. During the week. 

Serenity Now.

10 miles//11:58 pace with 20mph wind gusts in my face and a fair amount of walking.
I don’t allow myself to walk that much during a race so I’m feeling pretty good about this run.
Also, post-run I’m a sexy beast! Look at those strange sweat lines and dried salt on my face! Sexxxxxxxyyyyyy!

Happy Saturday friends! Thanks for all the love, support and encouragement! I couldn’t do it without you!

My Thursday evening run was sheer perfection. Seemingly overnight, spring has exploded across Southeast Nebraska. The trees and flowers are blooming and the air is permeated with their intoxicating scents. Mix that with people grilling out, mowing their lawns and a breeze from the south, along with blue skies and a beautiful sunset and you have the perfect spring night for a run.

I didn’t want to go all day. I spent most of my drive home (all 10 minutes of it!) bargaining with myself that I would run tomorrow. I managed to talk myself into the run. Some notes:

  • I took a different turn than my usual route: it added an extra half mile, but a lot of it was up and down hills. It was fun! I liked “getting lost” in my own neighborhood. I also ran a lot faster on this run. Hooray for improvement!
  • I love Spring in Nebraska. It gives me hope. The renewal of life, the warmth, the sunshine. Love it all.
  • I have a 3rd date on Saturday. Should be fun!
  • Last night at Corky, there was a couple who kept chatting me up. Specifically the guy. He told me (and his girlfriend) that I was “as cool as shi*.” And then he told me that I “was what, 25?” I told him nope, I was 32. And he said I was lying and made me spin for him. It was kind of strange. We talked about dating, and he said he would set me up with his friends except that they were “all fat losers.” Um, thanks anyway? So odd.
  • Corky again tomorrow night and Sunday afternoon. Busy weekend ahead!
  • The Lincoln Marathon is rapidly approaching on Sunday May 4th (Star Wars Day!) I’m feeling much more prepared. Phew.
  • I changed my avatar today. I dig it.
  • I used my new Sonicare Toothbrush for the first time. My teeth feel amazing. Rookie move by Melissa: I took it out of my mouth BEFORE I turned it off, leaving a splattering of toothpaste on the mirror. The mirror has been windexed clean. Whoops! I don’t think I’ll make that mistake again!

Have a wonderful Friday Friends!!

Terrific Tuesday!

  • 3.1 miles before work OUTSIDE this morning! It was a brisk 44 degrees, but it was great to be outside running. I’m a fan.
  • The flowers and trees have burst into blooms recently. I am such a fan. It makes all the difference in the world to me when spring finally hits and the world wakes up from its winter slumber. 
  • This tree is one of many along the hospital that I live across the street from. I love the way the morning sunlight is hitting the buds.
  • I’m having a dinner tonight with my former College professor that I am very close with. She’s a friend now. I like that. 
  • My friend Rob and I are going to a Psychic and then going to get Froyo. I’m so excited. I’ve always wanted to go to a Psychic…just for fun! 

I’ve read some other posts about this community and there are some things I want to address. But right now, it’s time to do the news! So that’s a post for another time!

Have a great day friends!

Scenes from my 10.2 mile run.

The flowers and trees are blooming!
I stupidly waited until 2:30 to run. It was 81°, and humid, and partly cloudy. The heavens opened up and it rained a bit on me. It was nice to get cooled off.

I got yelled at by guys in 2 cars within 30 seconds of each other. They were going opposite directions. It was kind of funny.

I’m a hot, salty, sweaty mess. But, I’m feeling better about the half in 2 weeks.
10.20 miles//12:17 pace.

Sunday Runday Funday!

Happy Easter!

Of No Runs, Bad Runs, and Tired Quads

I’ve been aboard the struggle bus lately when it comes to my training runs. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL, PEOPLE! I’ve been inconsistent at best when it comes to weekday running. But I vowed to get back on the Horse this week.

And I did!

3.1 miles Monday night. 1.5 miles of speed work Tuesday. 3 Miles BEFORE work this morning. 4-5 miles tomorrow and 10-13 on Sunday. We’ll play that one by ear. 

But here’s the thing: for a few weeks now, my legs, specifically my quads have been so sore. Like, they feel exhausted when I run, no matter the time of day. Is this because:

  • I need more sleep?
  • I worked (and stood for 4 hours) at Corky last night?
  • I sit most of the day at the station?
  • I’m a wimp and need to power through it?

Maybe a combo of all of these. But today’s run was kind of eh. I’m hoping sleep will help and I can have a good couple of runs this weekend. 

In other news:

  • I had a blast at Corky last night. I met this great couple (the wife was hilarious!) I told her some of my dating stories. She told me how she and her hubby met and married at age 18. 12 years and 3 kids later, still together and very much in love. Adorable. Insta-friend, you know what I mean? I even gave her my blog address! (hi Rachel!) By the end of the night she was teasing me and told me to get my “whore mouth out of here!” (dating story throwback). I died laughing when she was horrified by what she said. Good stuff.
  • I have a 2nd date tonight with this guy from last week. The guy I went out with Wednesday night on our first date was BORING. I started yawning midway through the date! Whoops. I said to myself, “I grow weary of this dating game.” Seriously. I’m over it. If things don’t pan out with this guy tonight, I’m taking another dating break for the summer. I just can’t even anymore. Ya know? He has been texting me everyday, which is nice.
  • Thanks for all the kind comments on my cheek mishap. Good news? I’m fine. It went away to just a pink spot by the evening. No lasting damage. 
  • I have the weekend off from Corky, heading home for Easter with the fam. I’m also getting my hair cut and colored tomorrow. It’s getting crazy long. 
  • See?
  • Note how flat it is with any curl in it? This is why I have to do my hair everyday. Its not a good look otherwise.

Well, have a wonderful Easter weekend friends!

Let’s Chat

  • I have another date tonight. It’s a first date with a new guy. In fact, I may or may not be seeing 2 guys at once. YOLO and all that stuff, right?
  • On that note, the guy that I went out with a handful of times appears to be disappearing into the night. I HATE that. Don’t ghost me dude. If we’ve gone out more than a couple of times (read: 5) then it’s your duty to man up and be honest about your behavior. I’m an adult. I can take it. Geez.
  • My plan to get back on the Marathon Training horse is going well; I did 3.1 miles on Monday, 1.5 miles of speed work last night, a rest day today, and will do 3 miles tomorrow morning before work. Accountability FTW!
  • I want to go to NYC in July with Brooke . It’s sweeps, and it may be a struggle. But I’m certainly going to try! 
  • A recent discovery: I don’t really like a lot of the old foods that I used to love anymore. Particlulary: Chinese food, cake, fettuccine Alfredo (really most pasta) and others I can’t think of. I find myself craving good for me foods now. I dig it.
  • “Comparison is the Thief of Joy.”-Dwight Edwards. Oh how true this is. I find myself seeing pictures of other people that I follow and thinking to myself, “I weigh less and am the same height as they are, but why do they look skinnier than me?”  No joke. I still struggle with body issues, despite being pretty much where I want to be-weight and size wise. But everyone has a different body shape and ways that they carry their weight. I am tiny on top-like a size 4, whereas my bottom half is an 8. And that’s cool. That’s me. I have hips and thighs. I also haven’t been working too hard lately. I get it. But I see others who post selfies proclaiming self love and it makes me sad. I don’t look like them. My hips are bigger, or appear that way in the camera shot. But why should I be sad? My journey isn’t their journey. My story isn’t at the same point as their story. It’s all relative.                       Which leads me to another point…
  • Who are the selfies and “Body love” pictures posted for? I’m as guilty of this as anyone else. But are we posting the photos for attention or for the praise and attention that the pictures receive because of our looks, progress and new hot bods? Do we get a thrill from the likes and comments about how awesome we look? Or do we want people to see how far we’ve come? I don’t know. These are things I think about.

Anywho, have a great Wednesday friends!