Wow....we are less than 10 days out from the start of the Chicago Marathon. My second marathon in a five month period. I thought the jitters would have gone away after the first one, but honestly I feel just like I did before Cincinnati. Tapering is so tough. You have so much energy. You feel like you should be running 10 plus miles a night....and the plan suggests 4. Its nice having more time in the evening, but I am so ready for this race, at this point I just want to run it.
The training for this marathon has been harder than I have ever imagined. I felt like such a pro after the first one, how could the second one be harder. Oh what an inexperienced runner I truly am! First of all the seasons were completely different. Training for a spring marathon is a lot of inside running. The runs on Saturday mornings might have been in the snow, but at least there was a breeze. It was Jan and Feb, so I rarely had week night plans. Summer running is completely different. You have to get up at 5am on Saturdays to beat the heat and it is still 80's at 7am. Traffic is worse so I have less time at night to get your run in, and you constantly want to go out because its so nice out, but you have to get your runs in. PLUS the heat, my worse enemy.
I also mentally struggled all through this training. I gave up when times got tough. I walked a lot more, not because I physically couldn't run anymore but because I mentally couldn't run anymore (running long distances is so damn mental!). On my 16 miler I ran to McCormick place, only to get frustrated and walk back to Diversey Ave. A ridiculously long way to walk, but I just couldn't run anymore. Luckily I finished the training on the best 20 mile I have ever had, ok I have only done 3 (no including the flying pig race) and the other two were awful. But for all the really bad long runs I had, this one went really well and now I feel assured I can finish this marathon. NOW can I make my 4:15 goal?!?! I guess we will know in 10 days! :)
This weekend is the Bucktown 5k. Two years ago this was my first race. I had diligently been training so hard on my 6 week plan to a 5k. I ran the race in 34:03, 10:58 pace. I remember it being so hard, and at some points I had to stop and walk. At the finish line I was completely out of gas, but I finished hard. I was so excited to have completed my first race! Other than the Flying Pig, I think this is the race I am the most proud of running. I worked so hard to finish it, even if it was only 3 miles. At this point, its hard to believe how far I have come. If anyone ever wants to start running here is the plan I used two years ago:
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/running/training-schedules/beginner-training-plan-6-weeks-to-a-5k/
If I can do it, I swear anyone can. You just have to be determined to not give up!
I also credit this 5k to turning me on to racing. I think of running as my hobby, but I don't always enjoy it. I am not always thrilled to get up at 6am on Saturdays in run. I don't like having to build my life around a training schedule. But I love racing. Anyone who knows me, knows how ridculously competitive I am (have you have ever played Monolpoly with me? If so you would get this), so racing is what I am passionate about. I am the person that always quietly competes against the girl on the treadmill next to me at the gym (although she never has any idea this is happening). I was the one who was determined to beat Oprah's marathon time on my first marathon. I pick people on the path and make myself run faster than them and will not let myself slow down so they can't pass me again, although I am running way too fast for my physical abilities. Racing allows me to push myself to do things I never thought I could. I finished a sub 2 hour half marathon....this the same person that ran a 34 minute 5k and was proud! Its amazing what you can do with a little sweat, tears, and miles on the lake front path (well over 1000 at this point).
If anyone in Chicago is going to be out watching the marathon, please text me and let me know where you will be! I will make sure to be looking for you. It is so much easier for a runner to find spectators than the other way around.
If you haven't already, you can still support my Girls On the Run cause at:
http://www.active.com/donate/BofABonusSM2011/CheKir
Thank you SOOO much to everyone that has donated to this cause, I can not tell you how much this means to me!
On a side note since this weekend also marks the year anniversary of this random conversation (happy anniversay Dempsters!!!), I have decided this year as a way to continue good deeds, for every Bears player that I see stop and sign the memorbilia for a little kid I will donate one dollar to a homeless person that I see on the street. In order to make this even worth it, I promise to run at least one day a week after work in Lake Forest. (The extra LF running also helps my chances of Julius Peppers notcing me running by, stopping his Land Rover and pulling over to ask me out....it can happen right?) I will however not donate any money to adults that are standing outside waiting for autographs because that is just strange....
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Girls on the Run
This weekend I had a nine mile run as part of my 18 week marathon training plan. I picked it up a little this time and decided to do the intermediate training. I have been having a lot of calf pain recently and had just ran my fastest pace ever at a race on Thursday night, so my long run on Saturday was going abnormally slow. My first mile was 11:15. I picked it up after awhile running 9:35 miles, but I was use to running 9 minute miles flat. I was mad at myself, and I was trying my hardest to make sure I ran all 9 miles less than one hour 30 minutes, how could I ever run over a 10 minute mile pace? And then as I was on mile 6, I saw the Team to End World Aids cheering on one of their teammates to finish her long run. She was running barely above a walk and looked like she was struggling but their cheering was carrying her all the way to end. At that moment I was disappointed in myself, I felt like I had forgotten while I started running in the first place. I will never be the fastest person on the path, and in all honesty does how fast you run really matter...isn't the finish line the accomplishment? After that realization, the last 3 miles of the run went much better. I reverted to the person who was just happy to be running, happy to have the ability to, someone who was happy just to finish. And you know what the last 3 miles were the fastest miles of the day! Sometimes you have to remember where you came from to get to where you are going. I can not forget the girl who took that jog almost 2 years ago, who couldn't run 500 meters, who couldn't clear 12 minute mile.
But in less than 20 months I was able to change from that obese unhappy person to a marathoner, sometimes I still can’t believe. I have started to eat differently and mentally had to become a bit tougher, but for the most part I can contribute most of this to running. The physical changes are the most obvious. I am quite a bit smaller than I was…. approx 80 lbs, probably 90 lbs lighter when I ran the marathon. But physical changes aside…I feel better. I have more confidence. I am happier overall. I am a better friend and have a better attitude at work (well most of the time). I had thought that I should unfortunately just accept that this was how my life was going to be forever. Thankfully I realized that I was in control of the situation and made a big change. Look at my before and after:
Here is a picture of me at my favorite bar the Pub a few years ago, and is of me TODAY at work! I hope the difference is pretty obvious.
Unfortunately it took me 26 years to realize how running can change your life. But later is better than never. Although, I feel that I can not sit back and just be happy for my accomplishments. It is time to pay it forward. I have signed up to run the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9th, 2011. But I will not be just a regular runner hoping just to finish or to set a PR; I will be a charity runner for Girls on the Run Solemates.
Girls on the Run is an international non-profit program that encourages preteen girls to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles through running. My hope is that it does not take young girls as long as it took me to realize their full potential in life. We all know that childhood obesity, bullying, and other issues continue to plague young girls, and I can not wait to run in honor of an organization that helps teach young girls self confidence and a healthy lifestyle to avoid these issues. The money that I am raising will help fund an entire Girls on the Run program for one school in the Chicagoland entry into the end of the year 5k in November. So please see my donations page below:
and here is the link for Girls on The Run website for more information on this wonderful organization:
Any amount of help you can contribute would be greatly appreciated. I am so blessed to have the support I have had over the last two years, please help me pay it forward! My first marathon may have been to help prove to myself that I could do it, but my second one will be for a much better cause!
Monday, May 2, 2011
The Marathon
I am a marathoner. No one can ever take that from me. If you would have told me 2 years ago that I would be able to say that I would have laughed in your face. I never thought I was a runner nor would I have any interest in becoming one. Its amazing where life can take you when you believe in yourself.
To say I was nervous on Saturday would be an understatement. My friends were very understanding of all my nerves, God bless them. We went to the Expo on Saturday afternoon and was pleasantly surprised by the loot they provided you with, a backpack, poster and a tech shirt! Then we checked into the hotel, met some Sigma Kappa girls for lunch at Rock Bottom, rested at the hotel and then off to a pasta dinner to carbo load. We returned back to the hotel to sleep, but I had a very hard time doing so. Overall I probably got 3 hours of sleep the night before. I was so nervous/excited, sleep was very hard! The anticipation leading up to the race was horrible, I just wanted to run it. The last two days prior were the worst!
By the time we made it to the start line though I was just ready to get the race over. When the gun went off I was more than ready to get it going! It was raining at the start, but in all honesty it didn't matter at that point. The race was great in the beginning. By the time we Victory Parkway I was feeling wonderful and ready to conquer the big hill in Eden Park. I had coordinated with my family to make sure someone was on the hill to cheer us on...thinking that it was the toughest part of the course (boy was I wrong!). Not only were two of my cousins were on the hill, but next to them was Natalie's family! I was so excited to see so many people I knew, the hill didn't see that bad (I was SO excited I awkwardly jumped on Natalie's dad Bud to give him a hug!). Well the hill didn't seem that bad because what I thought was the top was not. I lived in Cincinnati long enough to know how high that thing was, but I forgot about the part around the Conservatory that just keeps going up and up. That is where I lost my cousin Courtney in between all the people. Next up was Obrienville and Hyde Park. When I turned on to Paxton Ave. to head toward Kroger's I saw two girls with signs, one with the word Chelsea on them. I really thought "how awesome someone else named Chelsea is running and her friends made her signs" until I looked at the girls faces, they were MY friends, I was that Chelsea!!! So good to see my old friends from Cincinnati Jess and Jennie out on the course cheering me on. My parents and other family members were at Kroger just a short 1/2 mile away. I was feeling better than ever at that point! I was almost half way done and right on schedule.
Next up was Madisonville and then on to Mariemont. My family was in Mariemont as well and I ran by and high fived all of them, it was so nice to see all of them along the course. It started to rain again in Mariemont, harder than it had been previously. My ipod also locked up then and I could not get it to work; I think it was water logged. I had just put it on shuffle and was now forced to listen to whatever song came up next, which was awful! Once through Mariemont the runners hit what felt like the 345th hill of the course and I think it was at this point that it had become a mental game. When I hit Eastern Ave. in Linwood my legs were beginning to burn. I remember coming to a hill and yelling out "I didn't train for this, we do not have hills like this in Chicago". And running down hill is just as hard on your legs, so it didn't matter if it was up or down hill; they both hurt. I saw my cousins Bo and Josh again at mile 19 and I was really struggling. One of the most frustrating parts of the marathon was during the 3rd interchange of the relay, at mile 19.7. At that point my legs were completely shot, my calves were in pain they had never experienced before and here came these people shooting past you with a fresh set of legs! The competitiveness side in me wanted to try to stay up with all of them...but it was physically impossible. Honestly I didn't like the relayers as part of the race... I pushed on but at mile 20 I had to stop and walk up the hill (yes another hill, seriously you don't notice them in your car but they are ALL over that course when you are on foot!). I was really struggling then.
I pushed on, and at mile 21 I saw my friends Jennie, Jess, and Jill again with a "Team Werner and Kirkpatrick" and "Don't Stop Believin" signs. Exactly what I needed at that moment. I knew a marathon would be tough, but I never thought it would have been as tough as it was come mile 22. My legs were not prepared for the hills. I thought my calves were on fire. I kept up with a run/walk for the next 3 miles. I had realized well into the course that I was not going to hit my goal of 4:15 and had willingly accepted that, but my original goal from the beginning was to beat Oprah's marathon time of 4:29 and that was slowly becoming harder and harder to meet. I hit mile 25 and pushed on, and then what did we have.....oh yeah ANOTHER hill. Seriously it was the worse sight on earth. Then came the straight away to the finish line. In Nashville at my first half marathon, I remember thinking about taking it all in.....not here. I remember seeing my family and acknowledging them, but kept jogging on in misery. They were at the 26 mile marker....only .2 miles left! It was a long .2 miles!
I wish I could say that I had the most amazing experience crossing the finish line, but honestly instead of being excited about finishing the marathon....I was just happy to not be running anymore. I was exhausted, and until I saw my mom I was pretty much numb. It was when I hugged her, I realized I had done it and I started to cry. What an amazing moment. Then I got the rush of texts from my friends congratulating me on finishing (way to go timing people for having the text updates going out right on time). My brother then delivered me a beer after a I chugged a bottle of water, but I could not drink it. I thought I would want one right after finishing, but unfortunately my stomach could not handle it.
Running a marathon overall was an unreal experience. And although there were times I was in agony, crossing the finish line was totally worth it. I must have told myself 100 times along the way...this was suppose to be fun, make sure to take it all in. And up until mile 17 it was just that, an absolute blast. Past that it was much tougher, but that is what makes it such a big deal right? If it was easy, it would not have been such a big deal. The support that I have received along the way has been amazing. Every time I questioned myself on the course I thought of all the people that had told me I was an inspiration....if they believed in me, I thought I had to believe in myself as well. My official time was 4:27:48. I beat Oprah's time! I may keep my college diploma buried in some drawer under some old paperwork, but this:
will always be on display in my home. Even if I do other marathons, this one will always be my first and the one I had to overcome all the obstacles to obtain.
But I definitely did not do this on my own, so here are some necessary thank you's:
Now that the race is over....I'm not sure if I will continue blogging. I guess we will have see what my running future holds!
To say I was nervous on Saturday would be an understatement. My friends were very understanding of all my nerves, God bless them. We went to the Expo on Saturday afternoon and was pleasantly surprised by the loot they provided you with, a backpack, poster and a tech shirt! Then we checked into the hotel, met some Sigma Kappa girls for lunch at Rock Bottom, rested at the hotel and then off to a pasta dinner to carbo load. We returned back to the hotel to sleep, but I had a very hard time doing so. Overall I probably got 3 hours of sleep the night before. I was so nervous/excited, sleep was very hard! The anticipation leading up to the race was horrible, I just wanted to run it. The last two days prior were the worst!
By the time we made it to the start line though I was just ready to get the race over. When the gun went off I was more than ready to get it going! It was raining at the start, but in all honesty it didn't matter at that point. The race was great in the beginning. By the time we Victory Parkway I was feeling wonderful and ready to conquer the big hill in Eden Park. I had coordinated with my family to make sure someone was on the hill to cheer us on...thinking that it was the toughest part of the course (boy was I wrong!). Not only were two of my cousins were on the hill, but next to them was Natalie's family! I was so excited to see so many people I knew, the hill didn't see that bad (I was SO excited I awkwardly jumped on Natalie's dad Bud to give him a hug!). Well the hill didn't seem that bad because what I thought was the top was not. I lived in Cincinnati long enough to know how high that thing was, but I forgot about the part around the Conservatory that just keeps going up and up. That is where I lost my cousin Courtney in between all the people. Next up was Obrienville and Hyde Park. When I turned on to Paxton Ave. to head toward Kroger's I saw two girls with signs, one with the word Chelsea on them. I really thought "how awesome someone else named Chelsea is running and her friends made her signs" until I looked at the girls faces, they were MY friends, I was that Chelsea!!! So good to see my old friends from Cincinnati Jess and Jennie out on the course cheering me on. My parents and other family members were at Kroger just a short 1/2 mile away. I was feeling better than ever at that point! I was almost half way done and right on schedule.
Next up was Madisonville and then on to Mariemont. My family was in Mariemont as well and I ran by and high fived all of them, it was so nice to see all of them along the course. It started to rain again in Mariemont, harder than it had been previously. My ipod also locked up then and I could not get it to work; I think it was water logged. I had just put it on shuffle and was now forced to listen to whatever song came up next, which was awful! Once through Mariemont the runners hit what felt like the 345th hill of the course and I think it was at this point that it had become a mental game. When I hit Eastern Ave. in Linwood my legs were beginning to burn. I remember coming to a hill and yelling out "I didn't train for this, we do not have hills like this in Chicago". And running down hill is just as hard on your legs, so it didn't matter if it was up or down hill; they both hurt. I saw my cousins Bo and Josh again at mile 19 and I was really struggling. One of the most frustrating parts of the marathon was during the 3rd interchange of the relay, at mile 19.7. At that point my legs were completely shot, my calves were in pain they had never experienced before and here came these people shooting past you with a fresh set of legs! The competitiveness side in me wanted to try to stay up with all of them...but it was physically impossible. Honestly I didn't like the relayers as part of the race... I pushed on but at mile 20 I had to stop and walk up the hill (yes another hill, seriously you don't notice them in your car but they are ALL over that course when you are on foot!). I was really struggling then.
I pushed on, and at mile 21 I saw my friends Jennie, Jess, and Jill again with a "Team Werner and Kirkpatrick" and "Don't Stop Believin" signs. Exactly what I needed at that moment. I knew a marathon would be tough, but I never thought it would have been as tough as it was come mile 22. My legs were not prepared for the hills. I thought my calves were on fire. I kept up with a run/walk for the next 3 miles. I had realized well into the course that I was not going to hit my goal of 4:15 and had willingly accepted that, but my original goal from the beginning was to beat Oprah's marathon time of 4:29 and that was slowly becoming harder and harder to meet. I hit mile 25 and pushed on, and then what did we have.....oh yeah ANOTHER hill. Seriously it was the worse sight on earth. Then came the straight away to the finish line. In Nashville at my first half marathon, I remember thinking about taking it all in.....not here. I remember seeing my family and acknowledging them, but kept jogging on in misery. They were at the 26 mile marker....only .2 miles left! It was a long .2 miles!
I wish I could say that I had the most amazing experience crossing the finish line, but honestly instead of being excited about finishing the marathon....I was just happy to not be running anymore. I was exhausted, and until I saw my mom I was pretty much numb. It was when I hugged her, I realized I had done it and I started to cry. What an amazing moment. Then I got the rush of texts from my friends congratulating me on finishing (way to go timing people for having the text updates going out right on time). My brother then delivered me a beer after a I chugged a bottle of water, but I could not drink it. I thought I would want one right after finishing, but unfortunately my stomach could not handle it.
Running a marathon overall was an unreal experience. And although there were times I was in agony, crossing the finish line was totally worth it. I must have told myself 100 times along the way...this was suppose to be fun, make sure to take it all in. And up until mile 17 it was just that, an absolute blast. Past that it was much tougher, but that is what makes it such a big deal right? If it was easy, it would not have been such a big deal. The support that I have received along the way has been amazing. Every time I questioned myself on the course I thought of all the people that had told me I was an inspiration....if they believed in me, I thought I had to believe in myself as well. My official time was 4:27:48. I beat Oprah's time! I may keep my college diploma buried in some drawer under some old paperwork, but this:
But I definitely did not do this on my own, so here are some necessary thank you's:
- Thank you to anyone who came out to cheer on the runners of the Flying Pig Marathon. Your help along the course was much needed. Special thanks to my aunt Sheila who stayed up late the night before planning out the route so my parents could see me three times during the race!
- Thank you to my friends Jess, Jennie and Jill and my cousins Bo and Josh for their special signs along the way. There is nothing like seeing "Courtney and Chelsea Move Your Ass" on a sign to get you up the Eden Park hill.
- Thank you to anyone and everyone that volunteered to help with the race. Even one of the officers from "Police Woman of Cincinnati" was out to help steer us along the course.
- Thank you to anyone who sent me a text during the race. Reading them at mile 22 really carried me to the end.
- Thank you to all the people who have posted well wishes on my facebook wall or sent me messages/emails, I can not tell you how much this means to me.
- Thank you to my Chicago girls for all your support; being there for me on the days I questioned if I could actually do this and for just putting up with my general craziness the last few months.
- Thank you to Christina Mannarino for ever suggesting I start running in the first place, you honestly changed my life.
Now that the race is over....I'm not sure if I will continue blogging. I guess we will have see what my running future holds!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The marathon is upon us...
So here we are...it is the week of the marathon. Words can not describe how excited/nervous I am for this experience. My friends have already been warned what a basketcase I will be, come Sunday morning. I don't do well under stress and lets be honest I stress about everything, and I am especially stressed about this! But more than stressed I am excited! Of all the cool vacations I have been on or weddings I have participated in...I am more excited for this weekend than any other weekend I can ever recall!
I can not put into words what an amazing experience this has been. I am definitely an advocate of anyone trying this at least once. I have learned so much about myself. I know you are probably thinking its just running what is the big deal? But it is sooo much more than that. It is about being mentally stronger than you are physically. Its about proving that if you work hard at something you can acheive it. When I think about crossing the finish line I want to cry.
God help me....if there are thunderstorms and they close the course I will have a panic attack. But I am not going to worry about things that are out of my control right now!
I can't believe how fast the last 18 weeks have gone! Here is a picture of my first training run in December with Courtney (she will also be crossing the finish line of her first marathon this weekend!!!):
It was only 3 miles but snowy and cold, which made it seem longer.
Here is a pic of me today on my last training run today:
I just did my last 3 mile run with my co-worker Karrie, in the rain and it was a breeze. I have now completed the entire Hal Higdon 18 week to a Marathon training program. I think I missed a total of 2 workouts...not too shabby!
All I have to do now is stretch and DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also this weekend is shaping up quite nicely! Not only is the Royal Wedding tomorrow, but one of my best friends Ashley welcomed a new baby boy on April 27th and I get to meet him before the big race. Lots to be excited for in life!
Hopefully the next time I post it will be of pictures with me at the finish line.
I can not put into words what an amazing experience this has been. I am definitely an advocate of anyone trying this at least once. I have learned so much about myself. I know you are probably thinking its just running what is the big deal? But it is sooo much more than that. It is about being mentally stronger than you are physically. Its about proving that if you work hard at something you can acheive it. When I think about crossing the finish line I want to cry.
God help me....if there are thunderstorms and they close the course I will have a panic attack. But I am not going to worry about things that are out of my control right now!
I can't believe how fast the last 18 weeks have gone! Here is a picture of my first training run in December with Courtney (she will also be crossing the finish line of her first marathon this weekend!!!):
It was only 3 miles but snowy and cold, which made it seem longer.
Here is a pic of me today on my last training run today:
All I have to do now is stretch and DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Also this weekend is shaping up quite nicely! Not only is the Royal Wedding tomorrow, but one of my best friends Ashley welcomed a new baby boy on April 27th and I get to meet him before the big race. Lots to be excited for in life!
Hopefully the next time I post it will be of pictures with me at the finish line.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
One week
Happy Easter y'all!
Yes, one week from this moment I will either be marathoner or the most disappointed person on earth (and no matter what the outcome...I will be drunk as well)! I can't believe this journey is almost over. It has definitely not been easy and to be honest I am really tired of running. I have now been tapering for two full weeks and it is amazing how much energy I have without having to log all the miles I was previously! By Sunday I will be bouncing off the walls!
I wish I could say the 20 miler was as great as all the other long runs, but it was not! I was running late that morning and I had to volunteer that afternoon for the Glass Slipper, so when I went out I ran waaaayyy too fast. I hit the turnaround point, right in front of Aquarium on the museum campus, looked down at my watch; to realize that I still had 5 miles to go. I cursed extremely loudly and some nice man slowed down and talked to me. He asked me what I was training for, told me about his running history, and gave me pointers for the big day; he ended up running an entire mile with me. He wished me luck, and ran off at his pace (much faster than my 9 minute miles) and then I realized I had 4 miles to go. I honestly didn't think I could do it. I was in pain, and exhausted. It was cold and miserable that day, and I had been running at a 8:45 pace....I was then at a 9:30 pace and getting slower by the minute. I went to all my go to songs, and I still could not shake the feeling of how awful it was. At mile 18, I thought to myself that I was not going to run the marathon, if 20 was this bad.....how awful is 26.2 going to be? I was actually tearing up on the path, which is never a good sign. Then at mile 19, Christina's "Dirrrty" came on my ipod and I remembered Megan Kovach "dancing" around my room at the SK house and crashing into my dresser and actually laughed out loud. In all honesty, this memory pushed me until the end. It wasn't easy, but I ran all 20 miles without stopping and I did it in 3:05.
Up to this point my long runs had been physically hard but I had never been close to hitting the "wall". Well that changed because I slammed right into it. I had never mentally felt the way I did running than I did at mile 18. I know physically I was in pain, but mentally I was a complete and utter mess. I questioned all my abilities, how strong I was, and more importantly I questioned if I could actually finish it? I am glad that I was mentally strong enough to push through it and finish, but I can't imagine going through that again....
Since that run I have been tapering. The next weekend was only a 13 mile run and it would have been just fine, but I stayed out until 5am the night before drinking (yes I caved and drank in the month of April, twice actually), and I was a miserable mess along the path. Thankfully Ms. Toni Haubert was running with me, and she pushed me to finish, which would not have happened had I attempted to it on my own. This weekend was only 8 miles, and it was great! I felt amazing and didn't want to stop. But I didn't want to push it, so I did stop and now I have 9 miles left to run (3 on Monday, 4 on Wednesday and 2 on Thursday) before the big day. This week needs to go by quickly...I am ready to do this!!!
I always like to donate my clothing to the Clothes Closet in Liberty, instead of the Salvation Army here in Chicago. So today I did a full clean out of my closet. Up to this point I would pull a piece or two out and put them in a bag and when the bag was full I would throw them in my car to take the next time I was College Corner bound. I had done 2 previous sweeps of pants, but I still had a lot of my old clothes lying around. Since I am going home this weekend, and will not be returning until after I move; I decided to do a clean sweep of all my clothing. I was unwilling to move clothes that did not fit into my new apartment. I was hoping it would be liberating, but after seeing all my clothes in a huge pile on my bed I was just sad. I had spent so much of my own hard earned money on all of these pieces and now I was just giving them away. Two whole garbage bags stuffed to top with the suit I wore on my interview for my current job, the dress I wore to Lindsey's wedding, my favorite Banana Republic shirt that I have had since college, and the list goes on. In all reality I could have kept them, but to do what with them? Keep them? They do not fit, and in all honesty they were not expensive enough to have tailored, so I will give them all away. Much harder to part with them than I ever thought it would....
Probably only one more post before the marathon..... :)
Yes, one week from this moment I will either be marathoner or the most disappointed person on earth (and no matter what the outcome...I will be drunk as well)! I can't believe this journey is almost over. It has definitely not been easy and to be honest I am really tired of running. I have now been tapering for two full weeks and it is amazing how much energy I have without having to log all the miles I was previously! By Sunday I will be bouncing off the walls!
I wish I could say the 20 miler was as great as all the other long runs, but it was not! I was running late that morning and I had to volunteer that afternoon for the Glass Slipper, so when I went out I ran waaaayyy too fast. I hit the turnaround point, right in front of Aquarium on the museum campus, looked down at my watch; to realize that I still had 5 miles to go. I cursed extremely loudly and some nice man slowed down and talked to me. He asked me what I was training for, told me about his running history, and gave me pointers for the big day; he ended up running an entire mile with me. He wished me luck, and ran off at his pace (much faster than my 9 minute miles) and then I realized I had 4 miles to go. I honestly didn't think I could do it. I was in pain, and exhausted. It was cold and miserable that day, and I had been running at a 8:45 pace....I was then at a 9:30 pace and getting slower by the minute. I went to all my go to songs, and I still could not shake the feeling of how awful it was. At mile 18, I thought to myself that I was not going to run the marathon, if 20 was this bad.....how awful is 26.2 going to be? I was actually tearing up on the path, which is never a good sign. Then at mile 19, Christina's "Dirrrty" came on my ipod and I remembered Megan Kovach "dancing" around my room at the SK house and crashing into my dresser and actually laughed out loud. In all honesty, this memory pushed me until the end. It wasn't easy, but I ran all 20 miles without stopping and I did it in 3:05.
Up to this point my long runs had been physically hard but I had never been close to hitting the "wall". Well that changed because I slammed right into it. I had never mentally felt the way I did running than I did at mile 18. I know physically I was in pain, but mentally I was a complete and utter mess. I questioned all my abilities, how strong I was, and more importantly I questioned if I could actually finish it? I am glad that I was mentally strong enough to push through it and finish, but I can't imagine going through that again....
Since that run I have been tapering. The next weekend was only a 13 mile run and it would have been just fine, but I stayed out until 5am the night before drinking (yes I caved and drank in the month of April, twice actually), and I was a miserable mess along the path. Thankfully Ms. Toni Haubert was running with me, and she pushed me to finish, which would not have happened had I attempted to it on my own. This weekend was only 8 miles, and it was great! I felt amazing and didn't want to stop. But I didn't want to push it, so I did stop and now I have 9 miles left to run (3 on Monday, 4 on Wednesday and 2 on Thursday) before the big day. This week needs to go by quickly...I am ready to do this!!!
I always like to donate my clothing to the Clothes Closet in Liberty, instead of the Salvation Army here in Chicago. So today I did a full clean out of my closet. Up to this point I would pull a piece or two out and put them in a bag and when the bag was full I would throw them in my car to take the next time I was College Corner bound. I had done 2 previous sweeps of pants, but I still had a lot of my old clothes lying around. Since I am going home this weekend, and will not be returning until after I move; I decided to do a clean sweep of all my clothing. I was unwilling to move clothes that did not fit into my new apartment. I was hoping it would be liberating, but after seeing all my clothes in a huge pile on my bed I was just sad. I had spent so much of my own hard earned money on all of these pieces and now I was just giving them away. Two whole garbage bags stuffed to top with the suit I wore on my interview for my current job, the dress I wore to Lindsey's wedding, my favorite Banana Republic shirt that I have had since college, and the list goes on. In all reality I could have kept them, but to do what with them? Keep them? They do not fit, and in all honesty they were not expensive enough to have tailored, so I will give them all away. Much harder to part with them than I ever thought it would....
Probably only one more post before the marathon..... :)
Monday, April 4, 2011
What inspires you?
Today starts off the biggest week of training. This is the 40 mile week. 2 five mile runs, 1 ten mile run and then the 20 mile run on Saturday. This will be far and away the hardest week of training. I'm excited to finally do the big 20 mile run (excited is a strange word to describe this but I am!), I think if I can mentally get through this I should be able to make it through the marathon with all the added excitement of the actual race! After this week, I will spend 3 weeks tapering, which is great because I am pretty busy in my work life the last few weeks. This race will be here before I know it!
Saturday night, while watching the tournament and all the UConn players jamming out with their headphones on before the game, we discussed what music "pumped" us up while running. Now anyone that knows me really well knows that I have absolutely horrible taste in music, and my running music choices are about the same. I would like to say I listen to whatever is popular on the radio, or I have all these cool underground bands that I listen to while I run....not the case. I have a few songs that really get me going and here are some of them:
So what keeps me going? The thought of ever having to pay more money for a bridesmaid dress because it is plus size (I get it, they use more fabric!), sitting by the phone waiting for some guy to call wondering what's wrong with me if he never calls, or the look on sales associate at a store that says "why are you shopping here, nothing at this store is in your size." Thinking about how I use to feel about myself, can definitely push me through the miles where I start to question if I can run anymore. Natalie always tells me when she wants to quit running on the treadmill, she thinks of me yelling at her (me? yell?....never) and keeps going (so proud of her!). The thought of the finish line also inspires me not to stop. When I am feeling like I need a pick me up, I put on "One Moment In Time" by Whitney Houston and think of the last .2 miles of the marathon, this always makes me smile and keeps me going no matter how tired I am.
So what inspires you to keep going? Is it happy thoughts? Or are you pissed at the world? Do you have an upcoming event you want to look great for, and the thought of that inspires you to not give up? A big race that you are training for and look forward to the finish line? No matter what it is, as long as you stay moving that's all that matters! :) I often see girls that are a little bigger on the treadmills running slowly and I want to yell, "Don't give up! You can do it! If I can, anyone can". But I never want to be the crazy girl at the gym, so I keep my thoughts to myself. Maybe one day I will....it probably would have made my day 20 months ago!
Side note - after a very drunk month of March (Exhibit A of my birthday at my favorite place, The Wrightwood Tap):
I am going to attempt to give up alcohol for the entire month of April. Four days in and going strong!
Saturday night, while watching the tournament and all the UConn players jamming out with their headphones on before the game, we discussed what music "pumped" us up while running. Now anyone that knows me really well knows that I have absolutely horrible taste in music, and my running music choices are about the same. I would like to say I listen to whatever is popular on the radio, or I have all these cool underground bands that I listen to while I run....not the case. I have a few songs that really get me going and here are some of them:
- "Crazy Bitch" - Buckcherry
- "Never Again" - Kelly Clarkson
- "Stronger" - Britney Spears
- "Unstoppable" - Rascal Flatts
- "Defying Gravity" - Wicked Cast
- "I Drove All Night" - CELINE
- "How Will I Know" - Whitney Houston
- "Gunpowder & Lead" - Miranda Lambert
- "Take Me As I Am" - Sugarland
- "Fighter" - Christina, by far and away my favorite. When I don't think I can run one more step, I put this on. It works...try it.
So what keeps me going? The thought of ever having to pay more money for a bridesmaid dress because it is plus size (I get it, they use more fabric!), sitting by the phone waiting for some guy to call wondering what's wrong with me if he never calls, or the look on sales associate at a store that says "why are you shopping here, nothing at this store is in your size." Thinking about how I use to feel about myself, can definitely push me through the miles where I start to question if I can run anymore. Natalie always tells me when she wants to quit running on the treadmill, she thinks of me yelling at her (me? yell?....never) and keeps going (so proud of her!). The thought of the finish line also inspires me not to stop. When I am feeling like I need a pick me up, I put on "One Moment In Time" by Whitney Houston and think of the last .2 miles of the marathon, this always makes me smile and keeps me going no matter how tired I am.
So what inspires you to keep going? Is it happy thoughts? Or are you pissed at the world? Do you have an upcoming event you want to look great for, and the thought of that inspires you to not give up? A big race that you are training for and look forward to the finish line? No matter what it is, as long as you stay moving that's all that matters! :) I often see girls that are a little bigger on the treadmills running slowly and I want to yell, "Don't give up! You can do it! If I can, anyone can". But I never want to be the crazy girl at the gym, so I keep my thoughts to myself. Maybe one day I will....it probably would have made my day 20 months ago!
Side note - after a very drunk month of March (Exhibit A of my birthday at my favorite place, The Wrightwood Tap):
Friday, April 1, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)