So, I Ran a Little

Wednesday night, I went for a run.

Last week I couldn't say no to the constant drizzle and went out for a two minute run behind my house, just to remember the feeling.

Literally two minutes in the drizzle and it was the happiest I've been after a workout in weeks.

Those two minutes were like a gateway drug! After that, I just kept thinking about when I could try again. My plan for my legs is to work running back into my schedule and if/when the pain comes back, make sure I have a doctor at the ready to do the necessary tests.

So, Wednesday. In summer, after tourist season, the golf course closes a little earlier and the later sunsets mean it's still nice and bright when the course is empty. That means I can run on it more often. After Elizabeth's and my arm workout Wednesday, I didn't feel I'd done enough, so I let my feet lead me outside.

I set my watch to 4::45 intervals. I put on some music but left my headphones off. And then I just...ran.

In that first four minutes, I saw a little family playing on the green. A girl, maybe four years old, her toddler brother, and her dad.

She caught sight of me and started running full-tilt toward the path I was on. She was smiling and waving exuberantly. She stopped at the edge of the rough and my path, out of my way, and kept waving at me. I waved back, grinning.

"You're exercising!" she cried.

"I am exercising!" I agreed, and my heart was pumping: joy joy joy.

"That's what you do," she called after me as I ran past.

Heck yeah, kid! This IS what I do! It was like she had seen into my soul!

The run was perfect. My paces were in the mid-9s early in my 4-minute intervals, edging into the 9:50s as the time ticked by, and the walk breaks were just the right length. I didn't quite complete two miles because I set a route and chose to stick with it so I wouldn't overdo it. But I couldn't have been happier.

Intervals are new to me so I'm not sure how fast I'm supposed to walk, but I was happy and impressed with the overall effort I was able to put in!

After the run, staring at myself in the mirror, I felt a sense of calm. This is who I am. I am home. I feel secure in this. I felt a satisfaction I hadn't felt in ages. I looked at my reddened face and sweaty hair and was filled with a peace and sense of wellbeing I hadn't even realized I'd been without for these past couple runningless months.

PURE. FREAKING. JOY.

And I felt relief. I still love running. It hasn't forsaken me. It's still a part of me.

I'm not naive enough to think everything is good and I'm cured and healed and whatever else...but I will take this little bit of progress and the joy it brought me, and I will bask in it.

ABK

Spectating Disney

There is, honestly, nothing better than being there to watch a friend accomplish something totally amazing. To watch them overcome obstacles, stretch their limits, and realize their true abilities.

Okay, maybe there is something better...feeling like you had a hand in helping them to get to that life-changing moment is pretty freaking great.

Kristin's first marathon left me feeling awed and inspired. I was moved to tears throughout the day and was so humbled and grateful to be a part of it. In a way I feel guilty that being there for Kristin's big day gave me so much joy because really, it's about her success and victory, but I couldn't help basking in the exhilaration of the day. Being there was simply one of the best experiences and memories of my running life!

Kristin pre-race, courtesy of Stephen. She looks excited and ready!

Sunday morning, I kept waking up before my alarm. I was just so excited and ready to get to ESPN's Wide World of Sports (miles 17.5 and 19.3); I had been warned that traffic would be ridiculous and that GPS directions wouldn't work because of all the road closures. My hotel was only 10 minutes from WWS, but I gave myself two hours just in case.

At WWS extremely early, sitting in my car, way over-excited.

Luckily, I had planned ahead. I had all my notes printed and marked so I knew exactly where to see Kristin. I got to WWS around 8am and listened to the DJ go through his spiel a few times. He had figured out how to recycle his material so he could be on the course for seven hours and never run out of things to talk about.

My favorite was: "How many first time marathoners do we have out here? How many last time marathoners?" (chuckle chuckle) "You say that now, but this time next year you'll be frantically hitting refresh on the Run Disney website, waiting to sign up."

Well, he's not wrong.

Runners in the stadium.

While I waited, I got to see some really inspirational things. There were cancer survivors and people running in honor of others; I saw a blind runner and his guide (both at mile 17 and at the finish line, which reduced me to tears); I saw people well into their 60s conquering the course. It's truly awesome to spectate a marathon of this size. You really do get an idea of how unique each and every story is; what brought those runners out to the start line, and what will bring them to the finish. Each story is inspiring, and I loved being there to witness it.

The weather was weird. Overcast and cool (around 70), but very humid (92%). When the sun peeked out, it was hot, but it actually felt really cold when it drifted behind the clouds. Basically, it was all the best of Florida weather wrapped up into a single day, and the overall effect was a kind of clammy, sweaty feeling.

Around 9am I made my way to our first meeting spot. I was terrified I would miss her and texted Kristin's husband a million times ("What if I'm late? What if I miss her here and at 19? I just saw the 5:30 pacer, am I too late?") like a lunatic. I honestly was so, so afraid to let her down. I knew she was counting on me.

Finally, I spotted her! I handed her a cup of ice and ran alongside her for a bit. At 17.5 miles in, she looked great! She was keeping a steady pace, but seemed to be tiring out a little bit. I reminded her that she was into single-digits - only 9 miles to go! - and that seemed to lift her spirits a little.

Runners entering WWS. You can see how gray the weather was.

I left her and darted across the park, grinning like an idiot. I got to mile 19.3 (where I had parked) and waited at what I thought would be a good place to get some pictures. There were banners for the various weekend challenges, and a few runners stopped and I took photos for them. Not long after, I saw Kristin again. I wasn't able to get pictures after all because she didn't see me in time, so I just hopped back into the race and handed off her Glukos and gum.

At this point, she was struggling. She told me she understood what I had meant by the "dark" part of the race. I did my best to shake her out of it and encourage her. Tell your brain to shut up. Your body knows what to do and is ready for this. You can do seven more miles. At that point I had to leave her, but I knew she'd see Stephen again and then the finish line would be there!

Kristin leaving me for her final 10k!

Buses were going between WWS and Epcot (the finish line) every five minutes. I found the bus parking lot and got in line; ten minutes later I was on my way to the finish.

I speed-walked through Epcot, basically pushing people aside, because the buses were pretty far from the finish and I was on a mission. I refused to miss Kristin crossing that finish line.

The most crowded finish line I've ever seen.

I went through security check to see the finish line, then decided I was too far and wanted to be on the other side. The barricades were set up so people couldn't get near the actual finish chute, and the crowd was eight people deep. But I wasn't going to let my lack of height keep me down. I wove through the crowds and found a spot on the bleachers. I stood on them so I'd have a clear view of the finish line...and immediately knew why I'm unlikely to run a Disney race.

People were crossing the line in huge groups, walking, blocking each other, stopping to take photos...It was just a cluster.

Unamused by all the people between me and my runner.

I knew Kristin's approximate finishing time because I was tracking her on my phone, so I watched the  chute like a hawk. Ironically, it was those notifications that made me miss her actually crossing the line. The alert came and I looked down to check my phone, then looked up and immediately and blindly began snapping photos, hoping I'd catch her.

Luckily, I did. Kind of.

Official time: 5:55!

(She clarified later that the last timing mat was before the arch, which explains why so many people walked through the arch and didn't seem in a rush to get out of each other's way.)

I wound my way back out of the stands and found Kristin sitting on the ground surrounded by family, and I immediately dropped down for the best hug ever. I was grinning wildly, and I kept saying, "You did it!" and she kept saying, "I get it now, I get it."

And that's it, isn't it? You really can't get it until you do it.

We took some pictures and made our way to the resort buses. Kristin and I sat together on the incredibly smelly bus and rehashed the race a bit. Listening to her talk about her experience was so rewarding.

Pure joy! 

Kristin and her support team. Check out Stephen's awesome shirt.

I hung out while Kristin cleaned up and then we had a huge, amazing lunch at the Wilderness Lodge (where she was staying) and Stephen dropped me back at my car so I could head home.

Gluten-free everything, including cornbread and dessert. Best post-race meal ever!

The highlight of the day may have been the conversation we had before lunch. Kristin, still reflecting on what she'd accomplished, said, "When you're around runners, you start to feel like everyone has run a marathon. And knowing that you had done it made me feel like it was the next logical step after running halves. So if you hadn't run a marathon, I never would have even thought about it."

To which I replied, "So you're blaming me?" and we laughed.

Then she said, "Not blaming. Crediting." And I can take that compliment and enjoy it, because it really did remind me that you don't have to be a particularly gifted runner to inspire others and help them reach for new goals - goals they may never have even considered otherwise.

And really, it felt so good to feel included in such a huge moment. I'm just overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. Kristin deserved to have a million people out on that course supporting her, and I feel so lucky that I was able to be there for her like she's always been there for me.

And now, she's enjoying a few days on a cruise with her family and hopefully basking in the glorious afterglow of finishing her first marathon. I'd say she deserves it!

ABK

5 Years Later (flashback Friday - Wedding Edition!)

Five years ago today, this happened:

I can't help but laugh...we've certainly aged a lot in five years!

Five years later and he still makes my heart skip a beat.

Five years later and he's still the perfect complement to every aspect of my personality.

Five years later and he's still everything I could ever want (and more than I ever knew I'd need) in a partner.

I am so grateful for these years and how we've grown together. Matt and I have changed a lot since we first started on this journey ten years ago, but we've always evolved in the same way and along the same path. At the end of the day, I know I'm married to my best friend, and you really can't get luckier than that.

ABK

(Because this is our 5-year-anniversary post, I stuck with wedding photos and kept it short and sweet. If you're newer to my blog, here's a little more about Matt's and my journey through the years.)

I Love Running!

Today, I went for my first run since the marathon.

It. Was. Glorious!

I felt so free and happy. I didn't have any pain in my foot, the cold air gave me a little extra energy, and I hadn't realized how much I missed running on the golf course! The whole run was like being reunited with my best friend!

After my run, Sanya Richards-Ross's voice came over Nike+ and congratulated me on a good workout. I kind of laughed; I did not consider this run a workout. Physically it had all the makings of a workout, but mentally and emotionally it was such a treat. 

I put my shoes on and realized my D-chip was still there! That gave me a little extra pep in my step!

It made me pause and kind of think about how I look at running. I've always said that I don't like working out, and I still mean that. I just don't enjoy "working out" in general. It's why I've never been a consistent gym-goer; it's why I often skip cross-training days even though I know they're good for me.

But oooh, how I love running!

I guess it still counts as a workout (physically, at least), but I just don't put it in that category!

In other news, I got a coupon code for my professional race pictures and ordered them. Here I am crossing the finish line!

This picture absolutely fills me with joy.

I'm going to order prints and make a scrapbook. I can't wait to get started on it!

Do you put workouts you love in the same "working out" category as other workouts?

Does that question even make sense?

  

ABK

A Run Like That

I don't know what got into me today, but I wasn't feeling right. It started after classes had ended, when my planning period began. I sat down to get some grading done and realized it's only Monday.

We had our first volleyball tryout today, which was really fun...but by the time I got home I was feeling a bit melancholy. It took me longer than I planned to get going for my short recovery run tonight; by the time I got outside, the sun was well below the horizon.

I spent a little time watching that lone heron.

The moon was a perfect silver sliver overhead; the trees burned orange with the last rays of the sun. As it grew darker, frogs crossed my path in droves. The night had cooled. I was the only one on the course.

At one point, I closed my eyes and ran with my arms outstretched.

I used the first mile to warm up, to feel a little alive, to shake off whatever was weighing me down.

At the end, I flew. I pushed my last mile into sub-9s and held it there. I felt my mind and body wake up and come alive...I breathed deeply, felt my lungs open, felt the blood rushing through my body. I felt weightless and free.

Sometimes we just need a run like that.

When's the last time you ran just for the love of it?

ABK

I Guess I'm Just That Age

It's a good thing I love weddings, because it seems my friends have all hit this particular milestone at once. This weekend took us up to Port Orange - the same city where the March 1 wedding was held. To say we were happy to go would be an understatement.

This wedding was especially important because Matt was a best man. Actually, he was one of three best men. Mark, the groom, is just too likeable and loyal to choose just one. Like Jeff and Cayla, we've known Mark for nearly a decade, and Shane has been an important staple in our lives for about four years now, so obviously this wedding was going to be amazing just based on that.

Saturday morning, the first photo of the day: Matt and Mark greeted each other with a warm hug.

We arrived at Mark and Shane's house late Thursday. While the boys went to grab food, Shane and I stayed up until the wee hours talking about the hilarious antics of our respective men. I love the ease and comfort of seeing college friends; it's always like no time has passed at all. (I guess it kind of hadn't...we had just seen them three weeks ago!)

Shane and the maid-of-honor, twin sister Danielle, getting their toes done!

My hip had been hurting Thursday, and I woke up to run Friday but immediately decided against it. I was exhausted, and my hip was just twinge-y enough to be a good excuse. Instead, I spent Friday picking up one of the other best men from the airport, then got my nails done with the bridal party before the rehearsal.

The three best men awaiting instructions at the rehearsal.

Afterward, we grabbed dinner and drinks in Daytona.

More socializing...we rarely see these guys, so we had to squeeze as much time in as possible!

Saturday, I rolled out of bed early. I was hoping for rain, but it chose to hold off until the ceremony. We stayed Friday night at Mark's parents' house, and their neighborhood is just gorgeous for running.

Heels, traveling, and dehydration caused some intense calf pain in the first half of the run, so I stretched a little while taking in this gorgeous view.

I wanted to get in six miles; I paused about halfway through to stretch my calves and enjoy the view. I ended up at 5.6, because I was worried toward the end that I might be lost and turned on Google Maps to get myself back home!

Mark's parents' backyard...what a great place to end a run!

When I got back to the house, Matt voiced his concern that he wouldn't be able to go over his speech/have help getting ready without me. I reminded him that he had a tux to wear, and really wouldn't need my help.

I did my hair and makeup, then took a sneaky picture of the dress.

I had the honor of getting ready with the bridal party and riding over to the church in the limo, so I got to have a sneak peek at the dress.

Serious perfection right here!

The limo was a 30-person stretch Hummer. Way more appropriate for clubbing than church!

The wedding was beautiful, of course, and I choked up no less than four times during the first ten minutes alone.

Truly meant to be :)

What else is there to say about weddings? I got to see old college friends, we enjoyed amazing food, and we danced the night away.

The speeches were equal parts poignant and funny.

Can't get enough of these guys!

It was Cayla's turn to just enjoy the festivities!

I seriously think tuxes should be appropriate for daily wear!

The beautiful bride!

Cayla and I agree: being a guest is definitely more fun and less stressful than being the bride!

Mark's parents were kind enough to give us their hotel room, so we were right there for the after-party that night, and had breakfast with the newlyweds the next morning.

I'm tempted to strong-arm some people into getting married soon just so we can go enjoy yet another wedding. Despite the driving and the residual exhaustion I'm feeling today, it was still a fantastic and perfect weekend.

Did your friends all start getting married at the same time?
How do you deal with running while traveling? 
Do you like to run before a big day? Even though getting up early after a late night out is tough, I know a morning run will give me energy for later in the day. Plus, I love celebrating events with a good run!

ABK

The Frosty 5k 2013

Today's race was one I was really looking forward to! It's the first in the 22.4 challenge and marked the beginning of winter break!

The race began at 8am at Twin Lakes Park. Based on my runs this week - fast legs on Monday, heavy legs on Wednesday - I was tentatively hoping for a PR. (Hope only gets you so far; I knew I'd have to push myself.) My goals were: A) break 27:40; B) actually race; C) push through the mental wall I always seem to hit 2/3 of the way into a race.

At the start line...can you find me? (Hint: I'm in the middle, grinning like a lunatic.)

There I am!

The race went well. There were all kinds of costumes to take in on the course (there was an award for best costume) and the majority of the race went through well-shaded neighborhoods. There were two patches of grass that weren't nearly as "firmly packed" as promised, and the final quarter mile was on packed shell around one of the lakes.

I don't envy this guy...he's got some great spirit, but he must have been dripping by the end!

RUNNING'S MY FAVORITE!!

It was a flat and beautiful run. I didn't PR, but I'm really happy with the effort I gave it. (My first mile was a way-too-fast 8:41, and I had positive splits for the rest of it, but I kept each mile safely in the mid-9s.) When I got to mile 2 and could feel that familiar mental barrier creeping up on me, I focused on my positive self-talk and kept on moving. I relished the discomfort because it meant I was actually running a race, not just "enjoying the atmosphere", which I'm often guilty of.

I'm shouting, "Oh thank the looooord I'm almost doooone!" or something like that.

I feel like a hypocrite because I've said in the past that a medal for any distance under a 10k is silly, but today's race awarded a pretty, festive snowflake medal that I can't help but love. Plus it's a bottle opener!

Because this race is part of the 22.4 challenge, I think giving a finisher's medal makes some sense, but I'm definitely eating my words!

So excited for the next race on my schedule!

Just another normal day in Florida.

Official results are: 10/36 AG; a time of 29:03; and 213 of 663 runners. I'm absolutely thrilled with those results!

This was a humbling experience that reminded me that to carve off even a little time from a race, you need to adjust your entire plan for each mile. For awhile I was setting new PRs every race, but I didn't get there by luck. I need to put the work in if I expect to see results.

After the race, we grabbed brunch at First Watch.

Avocado, bacon, and tomato hash with over-easy eggs. Just what the runner ordered!

I've been lounging around while Matt tears up the golf course with my brother. As far as winter break goes, I'd say this is a pretty great way to start, and a great race to cap off the year...2013 is a wrap.

ABK