Bridge to Brews 2012

I've done a couple races now and all have been no more then a 5k.  Since I am training to run a 1/2 marathon and can run 4 miles fairly easy.  Meaning without falling over or puking.  I figured 2 more miles can't be anything after 4.  I was nervous but knew in the end I could finish.  I went in with no goals.  I didn't want to walk but that first hill, wow!!! You have to get up to the Freemont bridge some how.  All in all it was a great first 10k.  I can't wait to do it again next year. 
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Our fist official 10k.

The one who encourages me every run good or bad.

Lets get this started.

Bridge #1

Bridge #2

Crossing the finish line!

My Girls! Thank you!

Rough Run

I know every run can't be perfect the way I want it. I do know I didn't eat good or drink enough water. Lesson learned.

Love Running

15 Minutes

I needed something quick last night so I decided to refer to Pinterest and see if there was a quick leg or ab workout.  I remembered this one so I decided to give it a go.  WOW.... My abs feel it this morning.  It was hard but worth it.  If you ever need a quick (more like 25-30 miute) workout try it. 



Giving Up

After my run on Saturday I was REALLY discouraged.  I kind of felt like I wanted to give up.  Forget the 10k and the half marathon.  I am just not cut out for this running crap.  As much as I love it some days are just rough.  Saturday I tried to convince myself I could make it.  My knee started hurting, the rain, the tiredness, the constant puddles and the soaking wet feet just got to me.  I just wanted to give up.  I would walk a little and then run.  I made it and was glad I got out there at 6:30am.  I still wasn't convinced I could actually do a 10k in 2 weeks.  The voices were starting to get me down.   

As much as I knew I needed to run last night I just wasn't feeling it. Knowing I have a 10k right around the corner I needed to at least get a few 3-5 milers in this week.  I can't give up now this is what I have been wanting.  After a few encouraging words I pulled up my big girl pants and hit the road.  I was almost done and I told myself to go just a little bit further.  I ended up running about 2.6 miles at a 10:30 pace.  Usually I am between 11:00 - 11:30.  It was a great feeling and I am glad I did it.  Now if I can take that run just a little longer on Wednesday. 

I know I can do this.  Slow and stead, I will make it. 

Quality Time...

Just what I needed today.

April, Realy?!?!

I can't believe we have already finished 25% of 2012.  I look back thinking where the heck did February and March go. 

February started off a little crazy to say the least.  To put it nicely I don't have the best relationship with my biological Dad.  Most people honestly think when I refer to my Dad I am talking about Jack.  Which usually I am.  This time I am talking about my Dad, Mike.  I hadn't seen him in over a year on Christmas Eve.  We tried getting together with him but every time we set a date he wasn't feeling so good. 

The morning of February 9th I got a call on my work phone from my Dad's boss.  He had taken him to the ER because he was having stomach pain and couldn't eat.  After talking to Thomas we decided to head up to the hospital.  Several tests, waiting, waiting and more waiting they discovered he had a blockage in his colon.  Without saying it was cancer they pretty much told us he had colon cancer.  By that afternoon he had his first surgery to give him an NG tube to drain his stomach.  2 surgery's, 1 colostomy, lots of yelling, some crying and 12 days in the hospital he was finally able to go home.

Now after not seeing him for over a year this was a lot to take in.  What do we do now?  Right before he left the hospital we found out that he had Stage 2 colon cancer and would probably only be going through chemo for about 6 months.  Still it was freaky for him since 1, he has no health insurance and 2, he didn't know what to expect.  For me I am was a bit overwhelmed at what to do and what was going on. 

Chemo started on March 28th a little over 6 weeks after his first surgery.  It is going to be a long 6 months but as I keep telling him we will get through it and everything will be over by November. 

I am more emotional of all the unknown and how I went from not having this relationship with my Dad, 1 night not know if he was going to make, to spending 2-3 days a week helping him.  It was kind of overwhelming.  Thursday when I talked to Thomas I told him I needed a break for a few days.  As of today I haven't talked to him since Friday.  I guess I should call and check in.  :)

I have had a fun girls weekend at the beginning of February that came just at the right time.  It was great to get away and have a distraction.  I would post a few pictures but I don't have any. ;-)

Another major event happened at the beginning of March that I just can't find the words to explain the feeling.  Am I ok?  Yeah, I'm ok. Do I feel like I have closer? Little bit. Honestly the feeling is one that can't be explained.  It's a feeling of failure and sadness that can't be described.  Knowing though you did everything, but feeling like you should have done more.  Everything you did still wasn't enough.  Knowing it was what you wanted. Things are ok. They will be and are amazing.  It is just different. 

Now I am looking forward to the next 75% of 2012.

Running Buddy

Murphy's Law for Runners

I saw this today on Pinterest. Love it.

I Did 50

New Shoes

I have known for a while I needed new shoes.  Rule of thumb for anyone who runs a lot or distance runs you should usually replace your shoes every 3 months.  Since I didn't really consider myself a distance runner or a runner I never really thought of it and thought once a year was just fine.  Wrong.

At the end of January I had a trade show in Anaheim.  I ran a couple times while I was down there and noticed my knee hurting a little more each time I ran.  But it didn't stick around it only hurt when I was running.  It would go away within a couple hours or by the next day.  I tried everything people told me to do.  Short of getting new shoes and going to the doctor.  Till I went to do a long run with Erin and my knee started hurting like nothing I could explain.  I was sure I had done damage to my knee.  Finally I  listened and called Kaiser.  I was lucky and got in the that week.  Even luckier I got a doctor who liked running so her answer wasn't just quit.  After a series of test she told me nothing was wrong.  My knee was just over used.  Too much, too fast.  What I felt like I wasn't running enough and not far at all.  But I guess from someone who went from not running at all to running 3-4 times a week and then trying to throw random 4-6 miles in could be a lot in oh 2 months.  ;-) Her suggestion, rest, new shoes and interval running.

I rested, which was hard to do and finally went to RoadRunner Sports to get new shoes.  If you have never been I suggest going.  It is kind of a fun experience.  They ask you a series of questions, watch you run, check your balance, make sole inserts and then you test as many shoes as you would like untill you are confused completely confussed.

After they ask you your name and address they ask you if you are a runner or walker.....HMMMM I don't know I run a little and walk a little....."Ok, you are a runner!"

High Five Tara we are "officially" runners. 

I now have new shoes and I am now a runner. 

Saturday while I was in Lincoln City I put the shoes on and took them on a test run.  Not realizing that I ran out a mile straight downhill and had to run back straight uphill.  No knee pain.  I ran twice this week and feeling great.  Saturday will be the true test.

The Shoes

Bad Weather

I need a kick today.  This weather is not making it sound fun. 

Runner

You are a runner.

Running Obsessions

Could this be my next obsession? Running socks, LOVE THEM!

When Do You Know

When do you know you fall into the, "I'm a runner" catagory?

Is it all the Nike Dri-Fit t-shirts and Nike running shorts?

All the, "Run Hard, "Don't Quit", "Never Give Up", and "Keep Going" pictures you post?

The days and nights of 1 or 2 mile runs, the 30 minute runs, multipule 5K's? 

For me it I think it was when I realized how much I love to run no matter how much I run, how fast I run, or how far I run.  I just love running.

The Best

Tinker Bell Half Marathon

This morning I was wide awake at 5:45am to the sounds of drums.  It was kind of irritating because I didn't have to get up till 7:30am and I couldn't go running. 

They were not just any drums, it was the Disney Marching Band.  Today was the 2012 Tinker Bell Half Marathon. 

I won't lie, I wanted to tackle a girl and take her HUGE Tinker Bell metal.   You better believe I will be there next you.  Tinker Bell Half Marathon 2013 here I come. 

You Can Take It With You

One of the advantages to running or walking when you go on a business trip you can take it with you.  I do love the challenge of running in unfamilar places.  Today's run was a bit of a struggle a few hills and throw in 81 degrees.  Really, I think my phone was a little off when I ran today because there is NO way I ran a pace of 9:56 in 81 degrees.  One can dream though. 

Michelle Branch did help me through the last 1/2 mile or so. 

2012 Bucket List

I've made resolutions or goals in the past.  Some I have stuck to some I haven't.  I think my resolution or goals for 2011 were to stop eating fast food and drinking soda.  For the most part I accomplished that goal.  :)

For 2012 it isn't going to be a resolution, it is going to be my running Bucket List. 

On Monday I signed up for Foot Traffic U to train for a 1/2 marathon one of my 2012 bucket list items.  I am nervous and excited all at the same time. 

With all of that said the 2012 Bucket List.........

Bridge to Brews 8k or 10k
Bay to Breakers 12k
Foot Traffic Flat Half Marathon

I have a few other race I am going to try add to the list.  I want to do a second 1/2 marathon this year as well but think I should get through my first 1/2 first. 

Here is to running through 2012. 

Giving 2011 Credit Where Credit is Due

For the past month I can successfully say I have not been doing amazing. I find things that I let get me down and sad. On several occasions I have said to others, I cannot wait for 2011 to be over and 2012 to begin.

The other night while talking to Erin after a meltdown, I said it again. "2012 cannot get here fast enough".

On the way home I thought about it again. You know if I look back on 2011 it has not been all that bad. It has not been easy don't get me wrong but it has been a year of a lot of first for me.

Ran my first 5K with Erin and Kim.
Completed The Warrior Dash with Tara and Jessica.
Went to San Jose TWICE.
Went to San Diego TWICE, even met Chris Young.
Walk my second PTC with 11 other amazing women.
Ran my second 5K with Erin, Kim, Morgan, Tara and Lindsay. Which were Tara and Lindsay's first 5k.

The list goes on of all the great things I have actually done this year. After thinking about it the laughs, smiles, and adventures far outweigh all the tears I've shed.

My family is amazing. I love spending time with every single one of them.  I love getting random I love you text message from them. They always seem to come just at the right time.

I realized I have this amazing circle of girlfriends around me that I know will never go away. Some were old friends that became closer and some were new friends that became good friends. They will even give up Valentine’s Day with their husband to come sit and drink wine with you so you don't have to be alone.

One of the best weekends of my life was this year. That is hard to say since I will be turning 36 in exactly 10 days. I walked in Portland to Coast 2 years ago with some girlfriends and had a great time. We decided to do it again this year since everyone was done having babies and all. My expectations weren't high because we had so much fun the first year. Clearly this year FAR surpassed 2009. I don't think I laughed that hard ever. Thank you girls, Eric, Morgan and Chad for a great weekend.   All day, all night long, right here.

One Sunday night Zach and Lex decided we all needed to play telephone. After family dinner we all (except grandpa) got to played telephone. So imagine this, 6 adult and 2 kids playing telephone. It was what we would call AWESOME!

In July I made a decision with Nikki on a Wednesday that I was going to lose weight. We went back to the basics. We started counting every single calorie that went in and every single calorie that went out. Currently I have lost a total of 15lbs and 2 sizes. I love it!

Once PTC was over we applied for HTC. A few of us started picking up running but I decided I wanted to check off one of my bucket list item which was HTC. I kept telling myself, "12 months, you have 12 months to get this done". Our team didn't end up getting a spot but I kept up with the running. I found out that I can do it and I love it. I hope to run a 1/2 marathon the summer of 2012. I have not been consistent but do love it and it gives me this amazing feeling. Plus I have all these awesome running shorts. :)

After all that, the greatest part, I started to find myself and my happiness.