42 Days Left......

It is so strange to think that what we have been training for since August is almost here. In 42 short days we will be at the Happiest Place on Earth ready to do what we have been looking forward to. I must say, I am still waiting for that "aha" moment where I begin to love running. I know that training has made me feel better and look better, but that hasn't made me love it. Anyone out there know when I can expect to love it? LOL Training in Maine's winter hasn't been the easiest. Although, today it was 37 degrees out, which is super warm for this time of year. We haven't had snow in over a week, so the roads were pretty clear. All in all, it was a great run...... but I am still waiting to love it! LOL

Polar Bear Dash & Dip

I have been told that I was crazy..... I rarely do things that outwardly prove that accusation. Today I did! I ran a 5k and jumped in the ocean as part of a fundraiser for the Natural Resources Council of Maine. I have been asked for many years to jump in the Maine ocean in the middle of winter by various charity organizations, but always swore that I would never do it. This year, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. I never thought that I would be training for a half marathon and I never thought I would jump in the ocean in winter. I was very excited about entering my first official race ever! I thought that a 5k would be the perfect distance! I was very excited and nervous all at the same time. I tried to act calm, cool and collected. I had no idea where to go or what to do! LOL The walk to the starting line was 1/2 mile! I got to the starting line just in time, so I was in the very back (which is probably where I belonged!) The 3.1 mile race was very cool.... I mean that literally. It was 21 degrees out and very icy. I took my time and was very careful not to fall and injure myself. I ended with a time of 42 minutes 6 seconds. I was pleased.... the jump in the water was a different story. It was freezing! I jumped into the frigid Atlantic at 41 degrees! It really was a great day! I don't know if I will do it ever again, but it is nice to say that I did it once!

My Running Angel

Today was an awesome training day. It started out like most training days.... lots of procrastination and excuses. I finally decided that I just needed to get it over with and laced up the sneaks and headed out the door. My first 1/2 mile was torture. My shins hurt, which made me feel like my knees were going to give out, which seemed to travel to my hips. I was a mess! Knowing that today was "an easy" 3 mile training day didn't make anything better. I hurt and wasn't having fun. This was probably a reflection of how the last few days have gone for my family. The last couple of days have been horrible and I haven't gotten much sleep at all. I typically only get about 5 hours of sleep a night, so getting less really isn't good for me. I was running along in a fair amount of pain and just closed my eyes and ran for about 45 seconds (the length of one of my intervals) and hoped that I didn't hit the edge of the pavement and fall down and twist my ankle. I was trying to re-group because I knew that there was no way that I could continue my full run the way I was going. I seemed to collect myself enough to be in a good spot to run. In the distance running towards me was a very fit woman, probably 10 years or so older than me running and looking like she was having the time of her life. In a few split seconds I had a few decisions to make: was I going to look down and try to run fast to get by her without making any eye contact or was I going to keep my pace and flash her a quick smile. I decided on the latter and as I was looking up I noticed that she was looking right at me and started clapping and cheering me on. She yelled, "It's a great day for a run, so glad that you are taking advantage of it." WOW, just what I needed! I thought about her for the next 15 minutes or so. It was so easy and simple of her to take a few seconds to cheer me on and encourage me. It could have been because she could tell that at any point I could have dropped from my body just giving out on me! LOL I wondered if she knew what a difference she made in the next mile of my run. My stride seemed to be more consistant, my body seemed to be more in tune with what it needed to do and my heart began to enjoy my time in the outdoors.

I was on my usual 3 mile route that goes down my road 1.55 miles and than I turn around (to make it an even 5K). I was running back toward my home and saw that same woman again, the woman who was cheering me on at the beginning of my run. This time, she was walking toward me and eventually stopped right in the path where I was running. I stopped and got a bit flustered because I wanted to turn my running app off so I could keep accurate time and turn my music off because I don't use headphones and it would be a bit disturbing to have it on while I was talking to someone. She introduced herself as Maria and said that on her run God asked her to stop me and assure me that He was with me and that as long as I am running for Him and asking Him to help carry me in my runs that whatever goal I was working toward would happen. WOW! You could have blown me over with a feather. I know that God knows everything, but how did He know that is just what I needed to hear at that time? I mean, really. What does He care about this Princess Half Marathon that we have decided to do? My heart was renewed today. I don't know anything else about my running angel, except that her name is Maria. I hope to "run" into her again someday!

Because I Can!

Today started out rough! Everything my family did or said got on my very last nerve! It wasn't a pretty sight! I was craving diet coke and chocolate chip cookies. I was doing everything I could not to give in and binge on food that I would later regret. I decided that I would eat my lunch (turkey and cheese sandwich) and do a bit of laundry and head out for a bit of exercise. I got my sneaks on and gave my family the warning that I was going out for a bit. I started my running app and headed out. I started out on my usual route and came up to a road and decided to take it. I had an idea where it went, but had no clue on the milage or how hilly it would be. The further I got the more excited I got that I am really training for a half-marathon. I am really doing it! As I was walking and jogging (and looking at the hills) there were so many times that I just wanted to turn around and go back to my flat course that I am used to. After all, Walt Disney World is flat, so why would I need to train on hilly area, right? Everytime I was just about to give up I would glance at my wrist and see my braclets. One of my bracelets is an Orange Emergy Armor bracelet in support of a little boy named Kyle who is fighting the most courageous battle of his life and the other is a purple bracelet in support of the Epilepsy Foundation. For those who don't know, my 5 month old daughter, Katherine is fighting a mighty battle of her own with epilepsy. Whenever I caught a glimpse of my bracelets I knew that I had to choice but to press on, as the two precious ones that I wear them for have no choice! I finally rounded the corner to the road that I live on and was feeling great. I looked down and saw that I had just complete 5.09 miles! WOW! I got a little teary thinking that not only CAN I do this.... I AM doing this!

xoxo, Jessica

Injuries are Bound to Happen!

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It's a fact of exercising life that injuries are bound to happen at some point. I didn't expect any to happen this early, perhaps I need to explain myself. Lately I have felt like I have a little spring in my step. I have limited time to get "chores" done at home and raced upstairs to my bedroom to put something away and while I was racing down I caught my toe in the cuff of my capris. Without going into the pathetic details, I will just say that it didn't end pretty. I landed full force on the side of my foot. My foot immediately began to swell and become bruised. My entire half-marathon dreams flashed before me. It is painful, but I can walk on it. Training will continue and I will be a bit more mindful that the spring in my step isn't as springy as I thought!

xoxo, Jessica

Training in Progress

School in Maine has begun! I am down to 2 little ones at home during the day! This is going to be a great thing for my training program! I will be able to extend my runs and exercise time because I won't have the 2 older asking me if we are "done yet". The weather has been perfect for getting out for some really nice long walks/jogs and I hope it stays that way for a very long time. I just realized where I live and that the bulk of my big training will be in the dead of Maine's winter. I am trying not to focus on that! For now, I am enjoying this wonderful weather we are getting!

xoxo, Jessica

Making It Happen!

Finding the time to make exercise happen with 4 kiddos on summer vacation and a husband who works 12 hour shift isn't easy! But we will make it happen, we are making it happen! We are getting into a grove that is pretty good. The 2 little ones are in the jogger, the 7 year old rides his bike and the 5 year old is my running partner! I keep telling him that if he wants to keep taking gymnastics in the fall that he has to be physically fit and that means walking and running with me! So far it is working! They are very supportive of my desire to be out exercising and not stopping to chat with neighbors or to smell the flowers as we walk by! It is nice to be able to share with my kiddos how important exercise and physical fitness is!

xoxo, Jessica