Thirty Days Away

I’m 30 days away from joining the exclusive 26.2 mile club.

Gasp!

Even after putting in months of training I still have some what-the-hell-am-I-doing moments. When I look back at my life ten years ago you couldn’t have paid me to run a marathon – or even down the street. Ahem. Now, not only have I coughed up some significant bucks to run (training, shoes, race fees, travel accommodations, did I mention shoes?) I can’t imagine myself not running. The energy I feel after short runs is necessary to get me through my hectic days and the sense of accomplishment I feel after logging long runs is pretty indescribable. It’s a confidence builder in so many ways.

I plan on enjoying every moment leading up to and during my big race. And, yes, afterwards, too. They better have some beer. Just kidding. Sort of.

Speaking of shoes, this week I bought some new running shoes to take me pain free across the finish line. My old ones were way too worn.

Aren’t they pretty? Well, not really, but they feel fantastic.

I’ve been breaking them in all week to prepare for my longest run before I taper – 21 miles. So, my feet are stylin’, now I just have to figure out what the rest of me is wearing …

Winks & Smiles,

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Running … Out of Debt

"This would be a much better world if more married couples were as deeply in love as they are in debt." --Earl Wilson, American journalist and gossip columnist

Husband posted that quote on his Facebook page the other day. Interesting, right? Makes you really think about the things that people put value on, and unfortunately, put first in their lives.

I love that Husband is on board with my Dave Ramsey obsessive new way of thinking. We’re six weeks into our Financial Peace University course and its truly changing the way we handle our money. Dave’s philosophies aren’t rocket science; in fact they’re extremely simple and straight forward. Cash rules. And, get this - don’t spend money you don’t have. Gasp! We’re such a debit driven society that the thought of actually saving money for something before you by it is almost unheard of. Oh, no we’ll just pay more for it afterwards, for the next 10-15 years.

While it’s hard to untangle the mess made from credit (some days running 18 miles seems easier) its definitely doable – and necessary. Just like training for a marathon you should set your goal, come up with a plan, realize it doesn’t happen overnight, then put one foot in front of the other and go for it. Yes, there’s a little sweat and sacrifice involved, but something tells me it’s truly sweet when you cross that finish line.

Winks & Smiles,

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Chocolate & Ice and Everything Nice

Another long run is on the books, or in the blog – ahem. It was supposed to be a drop back week for me, that means 16 miles, but I actually did 17 to help me prepare for the 21 miles that are coming this Saturday. That will be my longest run of my training and I’ll begin to taper back the miles leading up to marathon day.

I was up at 5 a.m. getting ready to run.

Early morning pre-run pic. Don’t let the smile fool you, I’m really not that awake.

I ran the first 5 miles then we did 2:1 run/walk intervals for the rest. I LOVE the run/walk method for long runs. I was so skeptical about including any walking at first, but I’ve found I feel better (it’s not as hard on your body), I’m faster now (that’s relative, people. Ahem.), and I don’t feel like I’m going to die when I’m done. Since I’m doing this for fun I figured I should enjoy it, right?

Immediately after my run I picked up these goodies for recovery.

Once I learned chocolate milk is a great post run recovery drink I was on it! I’ve been known to bleed chocolate.

I also picked up a big old bag of this …

Which led to this …

That’s right, ice bath number two. Gasp!

I’m so sold on the ice bath. It makes a HUGE difference in the way my legs feel. Not sure I’d be walking the next day without one.

I’m resting today because I felt some knee pain on Saturday. I think it’s because I need some new running shoes. Mine have way too many miles on them. Oh, darn, that means I have to go shopping.

Winks & Smiles,

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