Bittersweet Happiness in DC

On March 16th I ran DC Rock 'n' Roll... even though I didn't want to... not one bit.

I didn't want to drive to DC. I didn't want to take the metro (for the first time ever). I didn't want to run Rock 'n' Roll. I didn't want to deal with the crappy weather (it was supposed to rain).

But I sucked it up and I did it. And guess what? I don't regret that decision one bit.

I took a half day on Friday and I met up with Maddi and her little from college (GO DUKES!) to hit the expo. It was also my dry-run (first time ever) riding the metro... I'm such a country bumpkin!

Maddi also gave me the coolest shirt ever (she's amazing)...

Yep. I absolutely love it.

Then, I headed to stay with my BFF from college (GO DUKES!) after not seeing her for FIVE YEARS. I needed days to catch up with her, but only had the night. She was amazing and treated me like royalty (best host ever!)... she even gave me HER BED!

Just the start of the amazing spread of food

Pre-Race Hydration - CHAMPAGNE! 

The next morning she even got up at 4:15am to see me off (MOST AMAZING HOST EVER!). 

Pre-Race

I met Maddi and her little pre-race and hung out (freezing) until the start. Then we were off to our different corrals and I was on my own. 

I ended up running with the pacers for the marathon (the half pacer was not running a steady pace) - my goal was to run a sub 2 hour half. I spent the first 10 miles running along with them, feeling pretty good (except for one killer hill). At 10 miles I decided to kick it in and run the next 3 miles a little harder. Mile 13 was my best mile at 7:45/average! 

I spent the entire week before and all 13.1 miles saying - if I get a sub two hour I'll be on cloud nine. I will be so happy, I will have achieved a huge goal. 

When I crossed the finish line at 1:56:28 I didn't feel any of those things. I had achieved my goal, I had come to a race I didn't feel like running and I had conquered it... but I didn't feel on cloud nine. I collected my medal, waited in line for my bag and then headed for the metro. Then I started crying. 

Yep, walking to the metro, runners and people all around, I started crying. 

It's not that I wasn't proud or happy with my time, I really was... I just couldn't fully enjoy the moment because of everything I was struggling with. It was another realization point in my "new" life. 

Post-Race Pre-Crying

I struggled with being okay with the feelings I had after the race and I eventually realized it's OK. It's okay that happy times can't be completely happy yet. I remember after Ang died it was that way, happy times weren't completely happy because something was missing/we were broken. I've felt a lot of the same pains and struggles of grief as I did when Ang died but at the end of the day I can sleep better knowing that although I lost someone I love, that person does still get to walk this earth and live life. For that, I can be thankful. I can be thankful that this loss I suffered was a personal loss not a loss for the entire world. 

Time to Shelve 2012

The last year of my life has flown by. 

I could never have expected how much fun 2012 could be...

I ran my first 5K, first 10K, First Mini-Mudder, First 10 miler & First Half Marathon...then I ran a few more!

I've successfully maintained an 85lb weight loss for a full year... even tho I still eat way too many sweets (I'm a work in progress!). 


2012 also brought a few new friendships that I couldn't imagine living without! 

A few of our amazing friends had awesome babies (that I’ve enjoyed cuddling & spoiling). 

I am so thankful and blessed!

Here's to 2013...

Schedule {so far} for 2013:

• February 17th Rock 'n' Roll Pasadena 
• March 16th Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon Washington D.C. 
• April 28th Nike Women's Half Marathon Washington D.C.
• September 1st Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon VA Beach

Races...Races...Races...

This week I went a little race crazy! It started because of the 12.12.12 Rock 'n Roll Sale ($20 off races) and ended with a lottery acceptance!

I signed up for RnR's races in:

• Pasadena, California (February)
• D.C. (March)
• Virginia Beach (September)

In February I'm headed to California for work so I decided to make it a vacation and run while I was on the west coast! This will be the first time I've been to California or to the Pacific Ocean!

In March I'll be visiting my BFF from college in DC for the first time! Can't wait to see her place :)

And in September I'll be hoping for better weather than last year for VA Beach RnR!

After registering for 3 races I found that evening my team had been ACCEPTED into the Inaugural Nike Women's Half Marathon on the East Coast in DC!!!!!!!!! 

So far races are planned for Feb, March, April & Sept. There's also some discussion of a longer distance in the fall... we shall see! 

I do it for the bling.... 

My New Medal & Bib Holder

Achieving the Impossible {for me}

In high school I was an athlete. I played basketball and volleyball, training for one or the other in the off season. I was not a runner. I think the longest distance I ever ran in high school was one mile. On Sunday, I ran thirteenPOINTone miles (actually because it’s nearly impossible to run the tangents that they measure the race on, I ran 13.29 miles… but who’s counting?).

I used to dread the mile. I never ran in college. After quitting sports senior year due to multiple leg surgeries, I continued some not so healthy eating habits and 7 years later I had gained 90lbs. Not a fun fact, but the truth. Yet, somehow, I finished my first half marathon. I’m still amazed and thankful.

It was by no means easy. It was physically and mentally taxing. And I’ve never felt so accomplished in my life. It was hot & humid and I missed my goal (2:15) and ended up finishing at 2:16:09. After being disappointed in myself for missing my goal my friends helped me focus on all that I DID do. I ran 13.1 miles. I kept going through the crazy humidity and heat. I ran further then I had ever run before. I accomplished something I’d never expected I could do. 

VIP Porta Potty's bc I bought new Brooks running shoes!

#SweatPink shoelaces

Maddi & I before the start

Ready to get started!

After the finish on the boardwalk!

Maddi & I -- finished!!

The photos look awful. I felt awful and that last mile made me wonder why I ever thought I liked running. It only took about a half an hour for me to change my tune and ask when the next race was! {BTW it's October 13th Baltimore Half Marathon!}

If I can do it, I know anyone can do it. 

Race Details: 

Sunday September 2nd

Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon
VA Beach, Virginia

Time: 2:16:09