Confessions of an Ex Non-Runner: September 2012

Thursday, September 27, 2012

10 more sleeps!

HOLYCRAP.

Okay, this is going to be the worlds fastest blog post in the history of blog posts full of run on sentences and poor grammar. I have been blog neglectful again and busy as heck! I am on my lunch break right now obsessing about the coming marathon and taking a break from my to-do list to do a super efficient quick blog.

Bullet points, here we come!

I am already obsessively checking the extended weather forecast for Mpls, MN. Weather.com probably judges me for checking so much. Eeeek- some days the extended forecast says it's gonna be sunny.... some days it says rain. Please please please please no rain. please.

So tired of early waking. So ready for training to be done.
Taper. It's weird, yo. I carry this weird guilt.... and feel like I'm carrying extra poundage because my appetite still makes me eat like I'm running 35-40 miles a week and this week I think I'm supposed to run 21?
Is it bad that I'm tempted to go tanning a couple of times before the race so I'm not a pasty gangsta?
What am I going to wear??
Have I mentioned how I'm SO ready for training to be done?
Did my 20 mile run 1 1/2 weeks ago and it went GREAT! So surprised! BUT, at the end of the run I thought, um.... how in the world will I run another 6 on top of this? UPHILL??
Just checked the weather again. 54 and "a couple of showers."
Yes, I know, extended forecasts are wildly inaccurate.
I had lots more to say......... but I'm about as scattered as they come right now.

OH! I am running the "Filthy 5k" on Saturday morning. It's gonna be fun fun fun! I am going to run it very slowly and very carefully so I don't slip in mud and injure myself!

I hope to sit down with my little blog here in the next handful of days and write a legit blog post. This one was just to clear my brain of all the marathon clutter.

Oh! I forgot I was going to blog about all the marathon related dreams/nightmares I've been having. Too late for this post though. Next time.

TEN MORE SLEEPS! AAACCCKKK!.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Finally Fall!!

Ahhh...... Fall is in the air and I am a happy happy girl! I used to think that Spring was my favorite season, but over the years Fall has become my numero uno. Let's just say that I would date Spring, but I would straight up marry the Fall.

Wait, that's a weird analogy.

Whatever.

What do I love so much about Fall?

Pumpkin Spice Lattes from Starbucks, jeans, scarves, hoodies, crisp air, FOOTBALL, crunchy leaves, Honeycrisp apples, boots, chili, low humidity (which equates to good hair days), and THE MOST PERFECT RUNNING WEATHER.

My Beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte

The running as of late has been glorious. After a hot, humid Summer of running in the thick steamy air and sweating upon walking outdoors, the cool, crisp air of Autumn is refreshing. I feel like I can truly breathe and enjoy my runs now rather than just survive it.

This past weekend I went on a weekend retreat to the Brainerd area (to those unfamiliar, it is a gorgeous tree and lake filled wonderland in MN). I have attended this retreat for the past 10 years and love catching up with old friends and making new friends. I love being in nature (but having comfortable modern cabins in which to sleep). Most importantly, I was beyond thrilled that I was going to be able to run there this year! Last year I was trying to shake off injury and could only manage 2 miles. This year I had a 12 mile to do and I couldn't wait!

I felt at such peace during that run. I loved to take in the scenery, stop every so often and snap a picture, and just breathe in the cool Fall air. My friends Laura and Olivia joined me for the first few miles of my run and then I finished the last 9 solo. I missed my training partner Stacie, but through the joys of iPhone, we snapped the occasional photo and shared them with one another while we were doing our runs in different cities.

Sorry I have been neglectful of the blog over the past handful of weeks. I find it's much harder to keep up the blog now that I am back at work full time and the miles are getting longer and longer. The updates may be sparse, but I'll do my best to keep you all updated on the rest of training!

One month till the big day! This week is going to be my highest mileage week of the whole training and then the taper begins.... ALREADY??

Upcoming: 5 Tuesday, 10 Wednesday, 5 Thursday, and 20 FREAKING MILES on Saturday! Lord help me!

Oh and I still need to write a race report for the Women Rock MN 1/2 marathon I ran over Labor Day weekend. No promises, but that should happen... soon? Hopefully this week?

Happy running my friends!!