A Decision Has Been Made

First of all, I want to say thank you to my devoted readers. I started this blog when I started training for my first half-marathon.  I had planned to keep this blog devoted to fitness, working out, being healthy, and documenting all the ups and downs of training for a long distance race.  After I trained for my first half-marathon, I was injured from training so fast that I was not in the mood to run another race anytime soon.  Then one year later, I ran in my second half-marathon.  I wrote about training some of the time but my blog was mostly filled with posts about my boring life.  And yet you all continued to follow me and my obnoxious I-Know-All blog posts.  Thank you for continuing to read!

Today, I write to inform you all that I will be following my title and topic a little bit more closely than you are use too.  This blog was started with one goal in mind: to one day run a full marathon.  With polite bragging from some of my crazy running friends, my competitive spirit got the best of me and I have decided I too am capable of running a full marathon.  Since I have moved to Washington, DC my miles have decreased but my heart has gotten stronger for the love of running.  If I wanted to there are races every weekend within driving distance that offer all different distance races.  It is hard to not want to join in on all the fun (for me, at least).

The marathon I have committed to running is the Rock N Roll Marathon in Washington DC on March 16, 2013.  Yes this is far away, date wise, but it is right around the corner with the 22 week training program I have decided to train with.  This is going to be a long, grueling road.  I will start training in October with this 22 week program.  Until then, I need to build up to the mileage it starts with in order to keep up with the program.

I have read a Marathon Training for Dummies book twice now.  Along with millions of running blogs, running articles, and many more running tips.  The first rule of thumb when training for a marathon is support.  You have to have support from your family, friends, and loved ones in order to complete this journey.  There is only so much the runner can do for his or her self to keep their mind, body, and soul into running 26.2 miles!!  It will take a lot of personal time to run the distances required of the training program.  That time could be spent with family and friends but instead I'll be running.  Since I am in DC, mainly by myself, I think this is the perfect time to do it.  But I will need your help.  The more I put my end goal out there, the more likely I will be able to complete it.  I wanted to write this blog post so you all know 1. where the direction of this blog will be for the next year and 2. to ask for your support while I strive to do what less than 1% of the US has already done.  Thank you in advance for your support.  I hope you will follow my journey and share with your friends.

Roller-Coaster of Passion

Since I have moved to DC the weather has been all over the place.  I've experience a "cold" (50 degree) mornings and highs around 70, the power has gone out for 24 hours due to thunderstorms with winds at 70 mph, and temperatures in the 100's.  No snow, just yet, but I know it's coming for me in the winter.

The weather has been all over the place just like my running, training, and workouts.  I set a New Year's Resolution to have a purpose for my workouts.  Not to just go out and run aimlessly through the neighborhood but to have passion behind my workouts.  Yesterday was the second workout since I've been here that I actually had that passion.  My first was in the gym about two weeks ago when I hit my first low of missing everybody and wishing I was at home.  I hit the weights really hard and my body paid for it for the rest of the week.  I was so sore my passion dwindled from my workout for the rest of the week.

Yesterday, I rekindled that fire.  I came home, after work, and was stir crazy from sitting in an office at a computer all day.  So, I set out for what's been my usual since I moved here 2.5-3 mile run.  Once I got out on the road, I channeled everything into that run.  I found a 2 mile loop around my neighborhood with shade and a safe area that I was able to run twice!  I haven't ran more than 3 miles probably since April.

Now, I've mentioned to you all before, music keeps me going and yesterday was no exception.  Last week, I started to want that passion again.  So, I started a new workout regimen and made a new playlist. Thanks to Pinterest, I had a rocking playlist and a workout plan that was going to challenge every part of my body.  Even though I started this program last week, I was just going through the motions of the workout.  Feeling the burn, for sure, but not enjoying it like I use to.

After completing my run yesterday I walked down the hallway to my apartment with my arms in the air over my head and my fists clenched.  I was finally back with the drive to WANT to run.  I've done most of my runs early in the morning, because of the weather, but they have been really lonely.  My music wasn't "pump you up" kind of music.  I just kept wishing there was someone running beside me or that I knew the people I was passing like I did in Auburn.


After realizing I had this burn back in me I've decided I need to set another goal for myself.  My cousin and I have mentioned another half-marathon but I can feel deep in my stomach that my body wants to do a full.  I just need to get that feeling in my head in order to commit to the idea.  I hope I can keep up this passion for my workouts/runs.  It is great feeling.


If you are losing that passion in your workouts/runs, or if you have never really had it, try something new.  You will never keep or get that passion without doing something you love to do.  Workouts shouldn't be a miserable thing.  If you love to dance, try Zumba.  If you like to spend most of your time in quite places, try yoga.  If people energize you, try any group fitness class.  There are so many different workouts you can try to find that passion.  And if you still can't find anything you like, get in touch with me.  I will help you figure it out.  I promise you, once you get that feeling when you workout, you won't ever want to stop.

Let's Catch Up

A lot has happened since my last post on February 1st.  Birthday's, Anniversary's, Holiday's, and Races!  Let's start from the beginning...

February 10th was Brenden's birthday.  He turned 22 and like any college kid just wanted a relaxing night not to worry about college and life.  Well, on Friday Brenden accepted an offer from a company in Arkansas and has an official start day for May! I am very excited for him and proud that he secured a job way before graduation.  And I might be a little jealous. :/  Before the job offer, Brenden kept telling me he has always wanted to see Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw in concert.  The first few weeks of January, I found out Kenny and Tim were touring together this summer and just had to get tickets for him for his birthday.  So I did.  But the concert is in Atlanta... and he just accepted a job in Arkansas.  Let's just hope he can some how make it there because he was very excited about the tickets (at least he acted like it!).  

After a fun night with friends, we made our way to Birmingham were I was running my second half-marathon on Sunday.  We made it to Birmingham and had the opportunity to hang out with my family and see my friend that set Brenden and I up.  It was so great to see her and spend the night at her cute little apartment in Birmingham.  

Sunday morning, bright and early, in the freezing cold, my Dad, Katherine, Allison, Allison's little brother and Dad and I ran a half-marathon in Personal Record (PR) times for all of us.  I cut 23 minutes off of my time from last year and was able to keep up with my Dad which is an accomplishment in itself.  Allison, Jacob, and Katherine completed their first ever half marathon in 20 degree weather with a wind chill of 15 degrees! It was such an accomplishment for all of us and I, for one, could have never cut that much time off of my first one if it hadn't been for the love and support from my family and friends.  Also, I never could have kept a 9:17 pace if it wasn't for my Dad's competitive spirit and drive to push me to be the best he knows I can be.

After running two half-marathons, having support is definitely a key component in running the long distances.  You don't realize how big of a factor that little emotion has on someone.  Knowing that people want you to succeed and do well makes a world of difference when you do anything but particularly long distances.  Now I am trying to decide, "What's next?" Another half-marathon, a full marathon, or a sprint triathlon? Decisions decisions.  As my sister would say, I am mentally ill!! :)

After running and driving back to Auburn shortly after the race, Brenden and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary of dating.  This sounds silly as I type it (like I'm in high school or puppy love) but to me it was something to celebrate.  I'm not big on Valentine's day so our celebration was just on Sunday night.  I got a gorgeous watch and stylish sunglasses from Brenden and I reminded him of the two tickets I gave him on Friday. :)  Brenden made an excellent steak dinner and we were able to talk about all the changes that are soon to happen to the both of us.

In all of my classes, we are reminded constantly "there should be an action plan for any event, it should be updated regularly, communication is vital, and recapping is of the utmost importance".  That's kind of how our talk was on Sunday night.  What's going well, what can we/I improve on, and what is coming up that we need to plan for.  The past two years have been a growing period for the both of us (he is going to be so mad I'm writing about this on the Internet).  We have developed as young adults and are about to embark on a big step into our adulthood.  We still have a lot to learn about each other and we continue to do that everyday.  I've heard before, if you can make it to the two year mark, you can make it forever.  I don't know how true that is but I sure hope it is. :)

Until next time,

Kayla

Experience of a Lifetime

Last week could not have been a better week for me.  I needed to get away from life so bad.  I do not know what I'm going to do after graduation with a real job and no time to escape to the beach.  Earn my right to take vacation I guess.. haha

Spring Break started out in Destin, FL from Friday-Thursday.  I got to relax on the beach with perfect March weather and get a great tan for the gala coming up.  While I was at the beach, I had seafood, shopped at the outlets, and trained for my half-marathon.  Only one day was the training absolutely awful (10 miles at the beach on a Saturday, blah!).  But I did it and could not believe I actually finished 10 miles.  I got a little nervous though during the week because my left knee started to give me serious pain up my thigh and around my knee cap.  I only completed 5 of the 6 miles I was suppose to do on Tuesday but felt like it if wasn't for my knee, I could have easily completed the 6 miles.  The rest of the week was easy training and I was able to rest my knee (a little) to make it through the race on Sunday.

The last weekend of Spring Break I was in Atlanta, GA preparing myself for an event I never thought I would actually partake in: a half-marathon.  I was able to spend time with B's family, have a fabulous pasta dinner prepared by B, and completely destroy my March Madness bracket.  It was a great weekend and couldn't have been a better way to end Spring Break.

Sunday, the day of the race.  I woke up at 4:30 AM EST!!!! Take note: that is 3:30AM CST!!  I was so anxious to get the race started I just could not sleep.  I registered on Friday at the Georgia Dome where Publix had the entire football field covered with booths of health people, fitness guru's, clothes, shoes, food, physical therapist, and huge registration tables lined all the way down the visitors side.  I have never been to a health expo so I looked like a lost puppy walking through that huge mess.  I registered and received my bag with my shirt and bib in it.  I kept telling B, "I'm way out of my league.  These people are serious." He reassured me probably 50 times that my training will pay off and that no one will be looking at me because they will be worried about themselves.  Thank goodness he was right.

I could not have prepared myself for the amount of people that were at this race! It was an experience like no other!!! I completed my race in 2.27.31.  It took me three minutes to get to the starting line though (I already docked it off my time, hehe) so I was extremely proud of beating my goal.  B told me when I finished the first full marathoner finished 3 minutes before I did!! I couldn't believe him! 

The whole race was fantastic.  I was able to run through my dream city, through 4 universities, and over a bridge that crossed over 75/85S and look over and see the beautiful sky line as the sun was just rising.  It was magnificent.  I went through every emotion a human could go through during that race.  When I first started I wanted to cry because I was soo scared of all the intimidating runners, with their serious waist bands, serious outfits, and energy drinks attached to them.  I had never seen anything like it and felt completely out of place with plain Nike shorts on, an Underarmor workout shirt, and an Auburn hat.  The first few miles were calming.  I was able to look around enjoy my surroundings and not believe myself that I was seriously about to run 13.1 miles.  About half way through I was angry.  I didn't know why my knee was hurting so bad, I wanted it to pop or something so it would fix itself, and I wanted somebody to be on the sidewalk holding a poster that said my name on it.  At about 8 miles, my anger was quickly gone, I began to think about the reason I came to run this race: Steve.  I was so excited he was running with me and that he had gotten me through the hills, the people, and out there to actually finish the race.  Mile 11, I could not believe my time, right around 2.00.00.  I was going to finish this race before my goal.  Well, thanks to a big hill I walked up the hill and ran the entire last mile because I was finishing that race at a run!   I got to the 13 mile mark and saw B.  He took pictures and ran with me on the sidewalk to the finish line! I had completed my first half-marathon.  The whole race I just kept thinking, PLEASE don't let me be the last one to cross the line.  So many people passed me and I just knew I was close to the end.  B told me I probably finished in the 40% which made me feel sooo great.

Without the support of everyone in my life, I could have never of finished that race.  I didn't want to let anyone down.  I had made it that far that my body would not let me quit.  Thank you for all your support in following me on this journey.  You all pushed me through it!! But to the person who pushed me to get out there and accomplish it, Steve.  No of this could have been done without him.  I am so happy he asked me every week how I was doing with my running.  Even if I didn't completely it while he was here on Earth, he was running with my Sunday in heaven right beside me carrying me through.  

I want to encourage anyone out there who is afraid of doing something to get out there and do it.  Go out of your comfort zone and do something you've always wanted to do but never in your wildest dreams pictured yourself doing.  If you need some help getting to that goal, I will help you.  The feeling of accomplishing something for yourself is so rewarding.  Take the time to do something for yourself.  Don't be afraid of the unknown.  It will be well worth it once you embark on some new territory. 

Have the courage to endure,

Kayla