22 Things from year 22

So today is my 23rd birthday - and how time flies! I feel like it was yesterday that I was getting married (at 21) and like last summer was only a few weeks ago. And yet, here we are, August 2, 2011. As a reflection on the last year I figured I'd come up with 22 memorable things or noteworthy things from the 22nd year of my life....

1) I learned that living in La Crosse, WI isn't all bad (As AJ made it out to be). I have some great memories of our 6 months there. (June-Nov 2010)

2) I learned what it was like to be on the campaign trail - 24/7. I learned that there are parades to celebrate anything, especially in a small town.

3) I learned that you make friends fast (and in some cases for life) when you're throw together on the campaign trail everyday (and living together too!)

4) I learned that roommates (even when you're married) aren't all that bad and can bring some excitment into your life (Love you Ryan!)

5) We moved to Madison. Being closer to family has had it's perks, but I have missed my dear Minnesota friends and living in Badger land will get real interesting come football season!

7) I learned that dispite how much willpower you have (and how good your 4WD car is) you can't drive through a blizzard from Minneapolis to Madison and expect to make it in one day. I also learned that 24 hour grocery stores are still open, even in a Blizzard, and that Beer, cookies and cold medicine is really all you need.

8) I learned that relying on the Lord's timing takes a lot of prayer and a lot of patience. Something he continues to teach me as I learn to walk with him daily

9) I learned that my 4 years of college paid off and that I wasn't meant for a career as a designer - but in the design industry.

10) I started my first REAL adult job.

11) I learned that daily routinues that are consistent are a great thing, but there is something to be said for the carefree days of college living.

12) I learned that using your natural born talents in combination with what you studied in school is the best way to succeed and be happy in your job - and I know that I'm lucky for figuring that out so young. I have God to thank for that!

13) I learned that it is impossible to make a Siberian Husky cold - you can get close, but not to the point where they actually want to come inside and out of the snow.

14) I learned that throwing a surprise party for your husband is a lot of fun - and hard to keep a secret when you're used to telling him everything. It's even better when you get his mom to fly in from Florida as an added surprise.

15) I learned that weekends are more of a prized possession once those are truly the only days you have off

16) I learned that training and owning a dog is a rewarding and amazing priveldge.

17) I realized that I don't want to have kids for a few years (like 3 or 5). Mostly because I'm more interested in traveling and living life a bit before then.

18) I learned that the start of summer is somewhat less exciting when you're no longer in school (summer events and plans always make it exciting, but you still gotta work 5 days a week). On the flip side, the end of summer is also less saddening.

19) I learned that the first year of marriage goes by really fast. That it probably won't be the hardest and that it also won't be the best. I also learned that working to make your marriage the best it can be is a challenging and rewarding experience.

20) I learned that money is tight when you're young, but being on the right career path is worth the lack of funds. I also learned that budgeting and planning your finanices is a hassle, but also the best thing you can do if you want to stay on track and start to build wealth. (Thanks Dave Ramsey!)

21) I learned that it is possible to run 13.1 miles (in a row) when you train for it. And that my body is capable of things I never thought possible a few years ago.

22) I am constantly learning that when you put your mind to it you can truly be the most beautiful person you always dream of being - both inside and out.

I'm sure I learned much more than 22 things in the past year, and I sm so thankful for all that I learn and how I grow every year. I know the Lord has plans in store for me (and for us), but only time will tell what they will be. So here's to 22 years of life and many many more. :-)

12 weeks and 150+ miles later...

And I have completed my first half marathon!

It was a rough day, but I still finished and I stuck to at least one of my goals (under 2:30).

The weather: HOT and HUMID - heat index was in the high 90s. There was a nice breeze on the bridge but then Lincoln Memorial drive there was no shade and no breeze, it was like trudging along. Once we got into Lake park there was a nice breeze and lots of shade, but by that time I had so much energy sucked out of me I was struggling to keep running. I'm sure my pace slowed to more of an 11 min mile in the heat.

The course: Pretty good. There was lots of space for everyone to spread out and I never felt like I was stuck behind people or had to bob and weave my way to get around people walking or running slower. It was hard to run 5 mi up and over a bridge (twice) and then run another 8mi after that, but overall the course was pretty good. There were aid stations every 1.5 miles in the first 5 miles and then every mile after that. They were ill prepared for the hot weather and ran out of water at several stations - I was always in the group of people right when the stations were running out of water and I managed to get some at every stop. The 9 mile stop was in the middle of the biggest hill in the course - DUMB - and I ended up walking the second half of the hill because I was drained and had to stop for water. It would have been far better to place the station at the top of the hill - a nice incentive for running up the whole thing. 75-90% of the water I picked up went on my body and not in it, partially because of the heat, and partially because drinking too much water can cause issues (and actually kill you ... ekk). With all the roads closed I never felt unsafe or crowded, which was great. By the time some of the narrower parts (running through the park) came everyone was so spread out it didn't matter.

The people: lots and lots! The race numbers were in the 1000s for each race. I heard close to 8000 people registered for both races combined. The only area when I felt crowded was waiting in line to use the port-a-john at the start of the race and in the starting carroals. But we were already at a decent jog by the time we hit the starting mats for the chip timing and everyone spread out really fast. The view from the top of the Hoan Bridge down was awesome to see - thousands of runners spanning 2 lanes of freeway! I ended up settling in around a few key people that I saw throughout the whole race.

How I felt: The first 5 miles were great. I really enjoyed running over the Hoan Bridge - the view was nice and it was a great distraction to watch for all the people I knew running the 10k heading south on the bridge while I was headed back north. There was a nice breeze and it wasn't too hot yet. We even got to see the top finishers go back past us while running the bridge. Once we spearated from the 10k course there were less distractions, but the next couple miles were ok. There was no breeze and no shade for almost all of miles 6, 7 and 8. I started to hit a wall around mile 8 and by the time I reached mile 9 (in the middle of a big hill) I had to walk for more than just a breif stop to get water. I went back to running around mile 9.25 or so and ran to mile 10. I then walked for about another quarter or half mile. By this point I was not only hot but my heart rate was higher than it normally was when I was running in training and my muscles were getting very tired. I ran off and on between mile 10.5 and 12. If my memory is serving me correctly, I walked a lot of mile 11.5 to 12.5. At the aid station for mile 12 they had a "red flag" up which meant stop running unless you are elite - because the heat index was so high. Of course a lot of people were already walking at this point and kept doing so. I think because so many other people were walking in those last few miles it made it easier to let my mind give me reasons to walk. But I'm ok with it. I walked with brief stints of running up until about the last half to quarter mile (at that point I had no clue how much further I had to go). It was taking all the energy I thought I had left just to be jogging into the finish chute and toward the finish line. Then I heard and saw my mom cheering and then my dad, mother-in-law, husband and lots of friends (most of which had run the 10K) cheering me on. It gave me that last burst of energy to pick up speed toward the finish line.

After: As soon as I crossed the finish line I kept walking, trying to figure out where to go/what to grab. I got my medal and wrist band (for free beer and entrance to summerfest) and then someone handed me a glass of ice water. Now I know that body tempurature water is actually better for you, but it tasted so good that by the time I made it to where my friends and family were I had finished it. I then proceeded to fill it with gatorade and drink a glass and a half of that. Big mistake! My body was not happy with the sudden influx of fluids and within about a 45 min of finishing I was throwing up everything I had drank. Eventually, after slowly drinking water, throwing up again and then getting out of the heat my body started to take in food and water. It took me over an hour to drink about 20 oz of water and eat one granola bar. Lesson learned: don't eat or drink too much, too fast after a long hard run.

The Next Day: Today I feel pretty good. My muscles are for sure sore, but it isn't hard to get up out of my chair or walk around - just sore. I can see myself doing more half marathons in the future, but probably more low key - purposeful run/walk pace and no major time goals. Altought who knows, if it wasn't for the heat I was confident in being able to hit closer to a consistent 10 mi mile goal (around 2:10 time), so maybe I'll try again someday. I am considering the Disney half in Janurary, I think that would be fun!

Here's the breakdowns:

Official time: 2:26:06
1746 out of 2952 overall participates in the half marathon
816 out of 1614 females in the half marathon
99 out of 213 in my age group of the half marathon (females 20-24)

It's the final countdown....

*Dooo dooo do do do do.....*

I can't believe that my half marathon is 3 days away! It seems like I started my training not that long ago and now I am in the final stages of preparing to run 13.1 miles.

The last 2 weeks I was much better about my training and got in everyday I needed, including some bike riding as cross training. I did my last long training run (10 mi) in downtown Milwaukee and I had a chance to run part of the course, which was nice. I was right on pace and although my muscles were getting really tired and a little sore by the end I felt pretty good. I am actually getting more excited than nervous. I know I can do it and I know I have a huge support team both on the course (running the half or 10k) and off.

Today was the last training day and I only had to run 2 miles. My goal is to keep limber with some light walks and LOTS of stretching the next two days. Race day will be here before I know it!

Just keep running .... just keep running ....

The last 2 weeks were a little rough, last week especially. The weather was rainy, humid and nasty all week last week and I felt completely exhausted every morning when my alarm went off at 6am to run. I didn't get up and even make an attempt at "stretch and strengthen" on Monday morning. Tuesday I grudgingly ran my 5 mi - all alone because Nakita had a blister on her paw. Wednesday my plan was to ride my bike for cross training but AJ and I ended up taking Nakita for a walk instead. That counts as cross training, so that was at least a good thing. Thursday it was cold and rainy in the morning - AJ and I even got up, and walked outside before we realized it was rainy and cold. We attempted to run after work on Thursday and AJ got in his 2 mi, but I was suppose to run 5. As a substitue, I ran a .6 mi sprint at the end. 

This weekend started off a better week and hopefully a strong finish to the next two weeks. I rode my bike for cross training on Saturday (and have a sore butt still!) which was a huge deal because I haven't truly done my Saturday cross training in weeks. Yesterday I ran 9 miles - 9 MILES! It was a beautiful weather day - on the warm side (mid 70s), but a slight breeze. My muscles were really feeling it by about mile 7, but I made it! I'm not totally sure what my pacing or timing was since I wasn't tracking. 

Today I got up and did a lot of stretching and some strength exercises. This week is suppose to be on the hot side (80s and 90s) but at least sunny and not rainy - and I usually run in the morning, so the heat shouldn't be too bad. Race day is officially less than 2 weeks away. I am getting excited and hope that I can finish out these last two weeks of training strong and have a great race day!

One Month to go

My motivation today was below zero, but I know that if I don't do my runs (especially my Sunday runs) I will regret it. So I got my gear on and drove out to the Ice Age Trail where I have been running. The weather was about perfect for running mid 60s and lower 70s with a slight breeze from time to time. Weather like this on race day would be amazing (unlikely, but amazing!) The run went much better than I thought it was going to go considering how unmotivated I was. I hit 8 mi still feeling pretty good. My muscles were sore but I was in the running mode and just kept trucking along. If the weather is good on race day it gives me confidence in my ability to finish and finish strong. 

I am now a month away from race day, and I am getting anxious and ready for it to arrive. Next week I tackle a 10K and then 9mi and 10mi. After today, it no longer seems impossible to achieve those distances or be successful on race day ... although heat, wind and humidity throws a wrench in that no matter what!