7 Days

I started this post yesterday but apparently it did not save! Oopsies. 

I am, well was (yesterday) a week away from running my first 26.2. I am not going to lie, I am nervous as hell. There are times of my normal calmness about big events and then there are (more frequently) spurts of nerves and the butterflies literally make me sick. I just can't believe I am here. I used to not even be able to run a mile without huffing and puffing, stopping to walk let alone run a sub-7 minute mile. I never thought I would be a runner, a marathoner, an endurance athlete but here I am. And with my mantra which is to inspire at least one person a day to run, which is happening quite frequently already I found out. My passion is clear and running has changed my life forever, I no longer look at things as difficult or a challenge, and when something is a challenge I accept it and I strive to accomplish it and win. My goals are scarier, more radical and exciting. I am fully present all most of the time and I cry when I read Runner's World (please tell me you do to?!?) But honestly, don't ever think you can't do it, whatever IT is and whatever your goals are. Do not think you can't go from running a 16 minute mile to a 6 minute mile, because you can. If I can, you definitely can. 

As the minutes go by and the 12th is getting closer I can't say I am not shaking from my nerves. My goal is to qualify for Boston (what runners isnt) but my ultimate goal is to finish. It has been brought to my attention that, that goal is a pretty audacious one and I think it is feasible but if I can finish in 4:00:00 I can't say I wouldn't be happy. I would rather finish at that pace than collapse at mile 17 from running a BQ pace. And now that I am officially in taper time I just want to run FOREVER, it is so hard to sit still! All this energy I need to get out, which I know I can't (with a projected 7 miles total to run before the big day, that's it!) I am learning, this whole life is a learning process but running has given me so much advice, life lessons, it has taught me to approach and look at life completely differently than I ever had before. To become a runner, which I always wanted to be but never thought I could be, it does mean a lot. I need to take this time to rest, recover and get excited to finish! (qualify :p) but really, this was and is my goal and it is going to happen. 

end note: I am aware I have not made a post acknowledging the Boston bombings and it is for a number of reasons, number one being I was there. I am still processing, and mapping my way through these scattered feelings. I will write about it, I am just not ready to put my feelings effectively into writing. 

Get outta here snow!

Seriously? Snow on the day before the first day of spring? Just a reminder that Mother Nature loves to surprise New England. And throw a curveball in my marathon training (hello treadmill). I can't even put in words how excited I am for Spring and how it needs to arrive SOONER rather than later. Here in New England we got another two inches of snow, that needs to start melting - now. 

I wanted to stray from the usual post of running and yoga and talk about the walking dead for a second. Yes, The Walking Dead and one of my new obsessions thanks to a friend getting me addicted. So I finally caught up to season three and I was able to watch the brand new episode that aired Sunday night and whoa.. is anyone else feeling angry? I sure hope so. Andrea being held by the crazy governor?!? Ugh he just sickens me. What I am really upset about is that these two groups are going to war. Oh there is only a zombie apocalypse going on but lets kill the potential only 50 survivors, oh yeah great idea! Human instinct, shuman shintsict. This is ridiculous, they should just form one super group that will INCREASE their chances of survival and potentially keep the human race going.

Ok, that is off my chest. I also wanted to share some interesting and healthy recipes I have found lately. This delicious one is courtesy of Ambitious Kitchen, which is one of my favorite blogs. It is a flour-less and butter-less Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie ( can you say yum) 

http://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/2013/03/peanut-butter-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies-flourless-no-butter/

I think I will be baking those this week. 

Here It IS!

My first post! Yesterday I went on my shorter run of the week (3 miles) and after running and before working I was craving a yummy, iced latter with WHOLE MILK (which I do not drink). Which is not really relevant but I guess after months of starting to train for a marathon my craving for even a sweet coffee has returned, I think I deserve it!

Unfortunately, my running has taken a backseat to more important events. Watching all the episodes of The Walking Dead. Currently I am on season 3 and my heart is racing as I type this because I have it on in the background (I probably look like a technology junkie if someone were to look in my window right now) This show is SO intense, safe to say it has officially replaced the craziness of Gossip Girl for me (R.I.P Gossip Girl) If any of you watch it please, discuss with me!!! I think it is one of my favorite conversations to have lately (love you rick!)

I am also trying to decide what Yoga class I should go to today. There is a 5:15 at a studio I normally go to or I could go to crossfit. I am loosely following Hal Higdons first marathon training program, which is an 18 week program and gradually increases mileage and intertwines cross training days. Well I didn't have 18 weeks because originally I was going to run the Oceans Half Marathon on the beach on March 11th but figured the Cox Rhode Races Registration is still open! (YAY!) so hence taking on my challenge and goal of my first marathon, so i started training at 9 weeks out and currently I have 8.5 to go (eeeeek). I love talking to people about their marathon experiences so please share!

I am also feeling very springy lately and cannot wait to get out on the beach to RUN and SURF and YAY it will be awesome, it has been warming up in this little state, about 55 degrees today and yesterday, which is AMAZING! 

Here is some Spring/Summer inspiration, get out there and do what you want!