Oh yes ma’am, the runner is making a comeback!

{And why, yes, I am going to ignore how long it’s been since I did anything worthy of writing about on this blog. Won’t you join me?}

I can’t hardly believe it myself. It started just this Monday on a whim. The lifestyle change had provided me with energy such that I felt like taking a power walk. Now, I don’t know if it was the fact that I was exercising outside again or that just then "Waking Up In Vegas” came on my iPod. All I know is that about eight minutes into my jaunt, I was runnin’! And, miracle of miracles, it felt good!

I managed 1.1 miles that day and am now on Day Three of exercising consistently.

Listen, I have to take it slow or I burn out quickly. Trust me.

So far, it’s been power walking with the 1.1 run thrown in again yesterday. Today, I added my two pound weights to my walking {sorry, Jillian, they didn’t like your Shred} which gave me a fabulous upper body workout.

I read somewhere, Us Magazine I think, that Courtney Cox does that too so I should look like her in no time.

Oh, wait. Us Magazine. I think we all know where this might lead…

i did it

Sorry to not have posted sooner, I was holding out for some pictures to post along with my words! And here they are, actual proof that I completed 26.2 miles of running/walking. It was amazing, exhilirating, extremely emotional and definitely the hardest thing I've ever done in my whole entire life. My goal was simply to finish but if we're getting particular, my finishing time was 5:55:06. I don't quite have the words yet to describe it all, I'm still recovering and trying to get to a point where I'm not tired all the time! Maybe after a weekend of rest and celebrating my 30th birthday...with a life goal CHECKED OFF!!!

(These pics were all taken by the official marathon photographer a mile out from the finish and at the finish)

it's almost here!

Tonight, I drive to Ft. Worth to stay with my friend Molly.

Tomorrow morning, I fly to Salt Lake City where I will meet my sister (aka Trainer) and then on to San Francisco!

I'm ready but nervous. I'm excited but soooooo ready to get this thing done and checked off. I'm stoked to see everything San Fran has to offer but really want to get some sleep this weekend too.

Do you think it's normal to have such conflicting emotions when approaching a life goal? Just wondering...

The next time I type here I'll be an official marathon finisher!! And it will be a very wordy post with LOTS of pictures. Get ready....

the last one before the Big One

18 miles.

It's a Really Long Way.

6:45 am found me on the road again, starting my last long run before my marathon in two weeks. I felt pretty good for the majority of the run, even found myself smiling at points and even chewing my tongue one time (if you know me, you know that I must have been pretty relaxed to perform that little quirk!) I made myself go ridiculously slow at the beginning as I think going out too fast the last couple of weeks had made my runs more difficult midway through. I felt good until mile 16 and those last 2 miles were HARD. As I told Debo, I was tired, it was hot and I LIVE IN TEXAS. There is no shade and that freakin' sun shows no mercy.

I ran around Abilene for 14.2 miles and did the last 3.8 at a park that has a mile and a half loop. My sweet husband was waiting for me there and cheered me on at the end. I haven't mentioned much of him here but he has been a wonderful supporter of me in this. Planting water, bringing me extra Gu, making me breakfast after a long run, keeping Knox from pestering me ("Knox, she has run a very long time this morning. Leave her along and go find Jesus.")- all the little things that have made such a big difference on these long runs.

I'm glad I'm done with this part of the training. I've certainly learned a lot about myself and seen what I'm capable of. I'm very proud. And very tired. So, two weeks of basic running, tapering down and then onto San Francisco!