i survived.

So, I survived. An entire week of not working out and not running, overcoming the frustration....finally! I hit the gym yesterday. Starting off the week right. I didn't run to say the least, but it was just nice. This week I plan to get back into the swing of things, get my schedule back up and running. I am thinking that I will not run as much as I did when I was training, I gained a few (not-wanted) lbs. and know that running less will knock those off. 3 miles at best a few days a week cant hurt. :)

running club.

The Nashville Striders. Middle Tennessee's largest running club. I have been a member since 2007 and FINALLY feel in the know of all of the local running events around Nashville. Its hard to keep a tally on what is going on where - and they keep you in the loop with their very informative monthly FunRunner Magazines which contains a slue of registration forms and an updated race calendar thru the year. They not only sponsor many races around Nashville but they also have weekly group runs. I think the $18 membership is VERY well worth it.

Check them out at www.NashvilleStriders.com

For the current Nashville area race calendar check out www.nashvillestriders.com/racecalendar

down time.

This whole idea of "down time" is a killer.  I have read time and time again that you are suppose to let your body rest after a hard run like the marathon.  I am DYING here.  I don't know what to do with myself.  I am so out of my routine.  My DH keeps telling me that it will all be worth it, to just wait it out.  I have my gym clothes in the back of my car - they have been there since Monday - I guess just thinking to myself that I could just up and go at any time.  But I haven't.  I guess I am actually trying to be smart about this. 

Okay, well maybe tomorrow I will try "light jogging"........

quote.

Meaningful quote that I came across. I posted it on my bulletin board at work next to my 13.1 sticker as a daily reminder of why I do what I do.....

"I am a runner because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far. I am a runner because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not."

- John Bingham.

my FIRST thirteen point one.

Country Music Half Marathon - the greatest feeling of accomplishment that I have ever had. This past saturday I ran 13.1 miles, straight from start to finish. I was on a rigorous training schedule starting in January when I decided that I was going to try this feat - the furthest that I had ever run was 8 miles. Weeks up to the race, I knew that I needed to kick it into high gear if I was ever going to overcome the 13 miles that it was going to take to get to the finish line. My nerves just got the best of me. The last week, I ran outside a few days rather then tackling the treadmill which I believed in the end was the best thing in the world that I could do for myself. The last few days before the race, I took it upon myself to REST. I have a hard time knowing what that is....but I knew that's exactly what my body needed. And then the day came. The day of the race and I was a nervous wreak.

The morning of. It was POURING down rain....I'm not talking runners rain, I am talking downpours. It didn't look good. My husband waited with me in my Corral until the starting gun at 7am. It was still drizzling still and knew that I had a good ways to go before I even reached the starting line. 7:33 rolls around and I finally start.

So, I start the race. I am anticipating a lot of hills....that's what many of the bloggers had mentioned before about this race. I am at a good pace. I passed my husband between Mile 4 and 5 around Belmont Blvd cheering me on. WOW what a feeling. There are hundreds of people lining the streets, they don't know you from Adam and they are cheering you on - telling you to keep going and what an awesome job you are doing. This is the most exhilarating feeling I have ever had. Around mile 7 I hit a wall - my legs feel heavier then lead. Thank goodness there was a Gu station there otherwise I don't think I would have made it. Mile 7 thru 9 were rough. Then when I saw the sign that I had reached Mile 10 - I thought to myself only 3 more miles. I can run 3 miles any given day, I can do this. My pace got faster and somehow I got a second wind. I could see the finish line......its like it had been waiting for me there all along. I finish.

I finish in 2:06 - my personal (and only) best. I cant wait to do this again next year.

my blog.

So, I have decided to start this blog. Not only as a way to motivate myself (and keep track of my daily training) but to hopefully influence someone else. People come across your blog everyday - there are many other running blog's out there. They show people's performace, their struggles, their training and its been an influence. I want to do the same. So here I am, and so I begin..... I dream to run.