Thursday, May 10, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Race Report: Country Music Marathon
AKA Marathon FAIL
AKA Worst Run of My Life
The short of it: That sucked balls.
The long of it: Ugh, that really sucked balls. Seriously. Awful. Splat. I died.
My marathon training started well. I was making my long runs, I was doing my midweek runs. I was picking up speed and gaining confidence. Then RnR NOLA happened...and didn't go as planned. I trained for a 2:15. I ran nearly a 2:30, 2:20-something if you exclude porta-pottie time. I was pissed. I was discouraged. I WAS LAZY.
Yes, I admit it. I got lazy. I started a new job. I made excuses. I got sick (legitimately). And mainly I pouted about blowing a perfect PR opportunity.
Fast forward to early April when I realized I didn't log the mileage I needed to make it to race day. Shit. Oh well, looks like I'd have to run my first full some other time. I decided bir to stress and just be excited about hanging our in Nashville with a friend I don't see very often and just have fun. What's that? She didn't show? AGAIN? That's a different post entirely. But I digress.
Fast forward to race day. After an outfit meltdown and an I-don't-wanna-run tantrum, we did in fact make it to the start line. Shocking, I know. Seeing as I had averaged one run a week in the 3 weeks prior I knew this was going to be a struggle, but doable...
I had heard the course was hilly, but was NOT PREPARED for what was ahead of us. The first two miles ticked by uneventfully in the mid-10's. Then we turned the corner. And hit the first of many long, slow, tortuous climbs. And by mile 2.5 I was walking. That is never a good sign.
And then it got hot. And sunny. And I wanted to die. I made a decision, somewhere between mile 6 and 7, that I was going to embrace the slowest, longest, most miserable 13.1 miles if my life and make the most of it. I took pictures. I complained less than I wanted to. I walked the aid stations, and most hills, and just kept putting one foot in front of the other. At least I showed up, AM I RIGHT?!?
I still don't know my official time, but I expect it to be in the 2:50's. Embarrassing and uncharacteristic, but I am proud to say I hung in there.
What's next? I don't know. I really want a re-do. I also really want a break. And to lose 20lbs, but we don't always get what we want...
AKA Worst Run of My Life
The short of it: That sucked balls.
The long of it: Ugh, that really sucked balls. Seriously. Awful. Splat. I died.
My marathon training started well. I was making my long runs, I was doing my midweek runs. I was picking up speed and gaining confidence. Then RnR NOLA happened...and didn't go as planned. I trained for a 2:15. I ran nearly a 2:30, 2:20-something if you exclude porta-pottie time. I was pissed. I was discouraged. I WAS LAZY.
Yes, I admit it. I got lazy. I started a new job. I made excuses. I got sick (legitimately). And mainly I pouted about blowing a perfect PR opportunity.
Fast forward to early April when I realized I didn't log the mileage I needed to make it to race day. Shit. Oh well, looks like I'd have to run my first full some other time. I decided bir to stress and just be excited about hanging our in Nashville with a friend I don't see very often and just have fun. What's that? She didn't show? AGAIN? That's a different post entirely. But I digress.
Fast forward to race day. After an outfit meltdown and an I-don't-wanna-run tantrum, we did in fact make it to the start line. Shocking, I know. Seeing as I had averaged one run a week in the 3 weeks prior I knew this was going to be a struggle, but doable...
I had heard the course was hilly, but was NOT PREPARED for what was ahead of us. The first two miles ticked by uneventfully in the mid-10's. Then we turned the corner. And hit the first of many long, slow, tortuous climbs. And by mile 2.5 I was walking. That is never a good sign.
And then it got hot. And sunny. And I wanted to die. I made a decision, somewhere between mile 6 and 7, that I was going to embrace the slowest, longest, most miserable 13.1 miles if my life and make the most of it. I took pictures. I complained less than I wanted to. I walked the aid stations, and most hills, and just kept putting one foot in front of the other. At least I showed up, AM I RIGHT?!?
I still don't know my official time, but I expect it to be in the 2:50's. Embarrassing and uncharacteristic, but I am proud to say I hung in there.
What's next? I don't know. I really want a re-do. I also really want a break. And to lose 20lbs, but we don't always get what we want...
Monday, March 26, 2012
Wah, wah, wah....
So marathon training. Yeah what's that?
Somewhere in the stress of life training just sort of stopped happening. It did. I let my motivation slip away, I made excuses, I got lazy.
I'm just a smidge over a month away from marathon day and my farthest run has been 14m. There's technically *just* enough time for me to build to 20m and still have 2wks to taper and recover for the marathon, but it's going to be tight. If I can get my ass out the door tonight or tomorrow for 16m it'll be a step in the right direction.
As of right now I'm accepting the possibility of dropping down and running the half with W. I'd rather put off the marathon than injury myself in the process. I guess we'll see what the next few weeks have in store...
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Working for a Living
It's official, I have a new job. That's right, I am 2 days into my new job and have nothing but good things to say. I work for a company I have always loved and believed in. A company with a mission and people who believe in it.
What a change of pace!
I was hired for what I could give to the company and how my talents would better the team, not because of my last name or who I know. In fact, my parent neither own the place nor work there. We're there because we believe in the cause, not because we're given a a salary to waltz in and bark orders others. A nepotism free workplace? What a novel idea!
The non-profit world is a different place. It won't always been sunshine and rainbows. We won't always see eye to eye or get a long. I'll never make six-figures or bring home a year end bonus. But when I think about what we are accomplishing, the amazing and hardworking volunteers, and the generosity of others, I'm ok with these things.
Don't get me wrong, I love both the PR/marketing world and outdoor industry. I would be thrilled to work in either again. But for now I am relishing in my new job with a mission, other than filling the man's pockets, and enjoying the mystique of being the new girl.
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