Just like Starting Over...

First of all, I apologize for going MIA on you for the past couple of weeks. It has been an incredibly busy and stressful past few weeks. The good news is I’m moving! I am one step away from being on my own! I'm bubble wrapping my life and moving to Marina Del Rey! From here on out it’s all sunny skies (AKA “The Fun Stuff”). Which means I get to start getting my life back on track. Also? I get to discover lots of great new running routes and running clubs in the Marina. That’s easily the best part of this. The part of my life, which I am still adjusting to is that I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Figuring out what to eat and what not to eat has been quite a challenge. (More to come on that topic as well.)

I’m also looking forward to having a bit more time for me, which I plan to use to regain all of the healthy running habits I’ve lost over the past few months since I got sick. The double whammy of now being a Gluten Free runner, enforced inactivity followed by an incredibly busy past weeks mean I’m completely out of my running routine. It is now a chore to simply put on my shoes, I have to really be motivated to get outside and go for a run. Between not feeling well and getting back into the swing of things it takes a lot of energy for me to get moving.

I’m not going to lie: I’ve spent the past couple of days feeling kind of down about where I am with my running, health and fitness lately. In a lot of ways, it feels like I haven’t really made any progress over the past 8 months towards where I was before I started 13 Going on Crazy. The entire premise behind my challenge was to make myself more accountable. It feels like every time I look back, whether it’s a few weeks or a few months, all I can think is, “I thought I’d be further along by now.” I need to stop directing all of my negative energy on why I can't/don't run. Instead I need to start listing all the reasons why I love running. The sun on my face, the wind in my hair,  discovering new routes, to name a few.

And yes I just realized that is an incredibly unproductive way to look at life. All of this negative energy does is bring me down, rob me of my energy, and make me feel like it’s not even worth trying anymore. Besides it’s blatantly not true. No, I haven’t done as much training for my upcoming Memorial Day Laguna Beach Half Marathon as I would have liked, but I can make it through a 5-mile run without stomach pain. A year ago I was fine, or even 6 months ago. I need to remember and recognize that yes my original goal going into this was just to finish it, not to worry about my time, and understand that I am competing against me and only me. I’ve still got 5 races left and I know that I will be just fine. And besides who quits when the finish line is insight?

No, I may not be even remotely close where I was last September, which brings me back to the title of this post; it’s just like starting over. I will need to accept and be proud of my ‘new’ pace and be sure to interval run at all times. Most importantly I will need to really listen and respect my body. I’m slowly regaining my fitness and endurance, day by day. I now realize that regardless of how I am feeling I need to push myself even if it is just a walk around the block. Besides, if I keep consistent with my workouts, everything will fall into place and I will begin to be the runner that I once was. I already have the proper nutrition thanks to my amazing nutritionist, I don’t really have a choice in that department, but it honestly helps to have proper nutrition when training. For obvious reasons I know the better I eat the better I train. 

I’m eager to get out and hit the pavement again. Am I going to run a new personal record? Unlikely. Can I run a good, solid 13.1 miles to the best of my race-day ability? Absolutely! Who knows, I might even surprise myself a little with the results, if I put the work in.

I'm not too sure who is out there reading this, but I would love to hear from you. Please comment below and share with 13 Going on Crazy why you love to run and the hurdles that you have faced in your own running routines and how you over came them. 

Remember where ever you go there you are...

Melissa

Pacific Half Marathon, The Great Race of Agoura Hills Race Number 7 Recap

The Great Race of Agoura Hills is comprised of several different races: there’s the Pacific Half that’s on roads, which I ran, the trail Chesebro Half Marathon mostly on trails, a 10k, 5k, Kid’s Mile, a family fun run, and even a diaper dash. There was pretty much a race for everyone. This year was the 27th annual race  and it is consistently rated LA’s best running event and best post-race party.

The race started at Paramount Ranch, which is where many old movies and TV shows were filmed. The western town was really cool and a great place to start the race.

The Barber Shop, haircut anyone?

Hotel Mud Bug, wanna room, bed bugs are free!

Mining Equipment, last to chance to buy your supplies!

Hanging out at the Saloon before the race, I wonder where Billy the Kid is!

The course runs on roads around the Santa Monica Mountains passing through the historic districts of Cornell, Malibou Lake and Old Agoura. There were a couple big hills and one long loop back before turning at mile 10 towards the finish line. This is NOT an easy course by any means, it however was beautiful and fun. The weather was overcast, though I did not want it to happen, I kept waiting for it to rain. It was an extremely cold day in my opinion and I was not dressed weather appropriate, but at least I looked cute! I thought that it would be a lot warmer than it actually was. Fashion first, then weather! 

Howdy Partner!

The skies were a slippy grey and I'm waiting on a sunny day!

I seem to be participating in a lot of really hilly races, which I don't feel that I am adequately prepared to run. Would I complete this race again next year, assuming that I train better and add more hills into my training routine, the answer would be YES! It was an absolutely wonderful day and I proud to say that I have completed my seventh race!!

End of the line...The Finish Line!!

Today's Run...

Very upsetting run as I needed to stop to go to the bathroom at 1.25 miles. To the loosers outside the loo please teach your child that it is rude to continually knock on the door, jump up and down, and make groaning noises. I can hear everything that is going on right outside the door. It's not going to make me go any faster. :) Run's like these make me very nervous for the next run, that this will happen again, which it continually does.  Despite these pre-run jitters I know that tomorrow will be another day and maybe I am glutton for punishment or determined to kick my GI issues in the rear, I will lace up my running shoes and go for another run. 

Thursday's Uphill Battle...

Thursday's run might not have been a huge confidence upper, but at least I know that I will be able to complete next weekend's Tinkerbell Half Marathon. I have been having major GI issues while running so I have to admit that I am nervous about next weekends race. GI issues honestly messes with your self-confidence and has caused me hit the emotional and mental wall hard. I understand that with time and better control of my GI issues I will be able to knock down and break through this new wall. Yes I had to stop twice during a 5 mile run to go to the bathroom, but I was able to keep on going I did not give in to my stomach or allow it to dictate how many miles I should run. Besides being lucky to find not only one bathroom, but two bathrooms was amazing, but the success of Thursday night's run was that I completed my goal. Perhaps in life it is not about where you are going, but the journey along the way that counts. Wherever you go there you are. 

Finally a Run!

Okay you can officially call off the search and rescue team, put away the flashlights! I went for a run today, well sort of. It started out as a run and then a quick run home as I was having major GI issues and needed to use the loo! Regardless of today's distance I still feel accomplished. I laced up my shoes and enjoyed the sunshine. I may have only ran 1.50 miles, but as the saying goes, 'if you can run a mile you could run a marathon' and that is just what I am going to do! 

AWOL

I think that if I don't go for a run tomorrow my running shoes might send out a search and rescue party...let's hope that it does not get to that! Hope that everyone is having a memorable holiday season! 

Mental Floss

For many runners not only being motivated to hit the pavement, but to zone out while running is often a challenge. As the great Timothy Leary, suggests,  'just tune in, tune out, drop in, drop out, switch on, switch off,' that however it a lot easier said then done. Being motivated and committed to your running routine could be a very daunting task. As I have suggested paying yourself to run is always motivation to me. A dollar a mile is very enticing, what girls does not love a shopportunity? For some it means wearing your running clothes and not changing out of them until you run. I find my running clothes way too comfy for that to even remotely work. When your motivator no longer does it, you need to readjust your way of thinking and discover new ways of motivating yourself to get out there and log those miles. Running should be categorized in the same category as work, which is expected. At your job, you must show up everyday and put your best foot forward, shouldn't you do the same with your running? Think to yourself if I show up and complete my running routine x amount of days per week for so many weeks, how will you pay yourself  for a job well done? Is there a new running outfit that you have been eyeing? If so tape a picture of it to your calendar with a date circled. If rewards don't cut it or you simply don't want to bribe yourself to run, after every run evaluate the run and find at least one positive aspect of your run.  I being from the school of over rewarding will stick to bribery! Regardless of what motivates you and gets you going, make a promise to yourself to lace up those sneakers and hit the pavement.

Wednesday Run..Finally

Do you ever have one of those weeks where your head is clearly not attached & you can't get your act together. Well it does not take Einstein to guess that I'm having that kind of a week. Taking time out this week to go for a run has been near impossible, but I did it! I went for a run this afternoon and feel that I am ready for the Santa to the Sea Half Marathon this Sunday! I can't believe that race number 4 is almost here! It has been very hectic needless to say. Lots and I mean lots of exciting things are beginning to develop in my life. More on that as it evolves, but I am more than ready to bubble wrap my life and throw it in the back of a moving truck! 

Wednesday Run

Call off the search and hold on to your sniffer dogs, I went for a run today! My run might have been only 3 miles, but I did it! After being under the weather and on hiatus these past few days I am proud that I accomplished these mere 3 miles. I may have done more walking than running today, but a mile is a mile in my book. Next run I will be up to snuff and ready to prove my stuff!!

Under the Weather

It's not easy being green...after a great weekend with my brother I have been feeling under the weather and am hoping that I will feel well enough to run 5 miles tomorrow morning. Too much fun. Too much food. And way too much cake and not enough running! My running shoes might be sending out a search and rescue team if I don't go running tomorrow!

Favorite Running Tee

Everyone has one. You know what I talking about runners, the running tee that you simply cannot live without. I thought that I knew my favorite tee until the really cool girls at Oiselle sent me their half marathon running tee. I opened the packaged and to my surprise not only was it beyond super soft, it was my favorite color, lavender. Before even wearing it I knew that I would love it. It reminded me of my favorite worn-in tees from college, only better. This tee I could actually go for a run wearing and know that it will wick away my sweat. I took Oiselle’s half marathon out for a test run today and it will definitely be replacing my old favorite running tees. It was super soft and the most comfortable running tee I have worn in a really long time.

Oiselle’s running tee is simple with the number 13.1 displayed across the chest. If you are not a runner there are those looks of confusion as to why you would wear the unlucky number 13 across your chest, but if you are a runner or half marathon junkie like me you get it. You understand the number; all those miles logged that prepared you for race day, the sense of accomplishment when you cross the finish line. Wear it, be proud of your accomplishments, and celebrate the journey that has helped you cross the finish line. Thank you Oiselle for helping me share my journey with the world!

http://www.oiselle.com/shop/running-tees/half-marathon-tee

Pay yourself to run...

If I had a dollar every time.. Ever say that phrase? Well here is a fun concept pay yourself to run. This is way better than keep the change. This is keep the change 2.0, hard core. I not only get to keep the change, but I get to burn the calories. Think about it, if you paid yourself $1 for each mile you run while training for a half marathon, you could treat yourself to something really nice after the race or even at the expo prior to the race. I mean what girl does not love a shopporunity? I don't know about you, but I think that something like this could catch on. Today I ran 7 miles and I honestly can't tell you the difference between running 3 miles versus 7 miles besides the extra time. I actually enjoyed the time that I spent outside and felt accomplished at the end of my run. The next time I go to the bank I am definitely going to be asking for a lot of one dollar bills. The teller at the bank might be wondering where I am going with a stack of dollar bills. Should I clarify or let her keep on guessing?