First Half Marathon - Check!

I am happy to report that I have survived my very first half marathon today! I can't believe it is over and that I didn't perish! It was such a great experience and I feel great about accomplishing one of my goals.

I started out feeling pretty good and keeping a good pace but of course as the miles passed it kept getting harder and harder. By mile 11 I was really struggling and trying to mentally push myself through to the end. Crossing the finish line was such a good feeling even though I felt like I was about to fall over my own two feet with my legs made out of jelly.

My time was 1 hour 58 minutes and I was really happy with that! My goal was to make it under 2 hours and I did just that! I couldn't help but laugh to myself when I found that part of the race was through the cobblestone streets and at the end I was rewarded with a baguette - only in France!

Big thanks to my supporters! I'm lucky to have such great friends!


Now it is time for recovery which might be as hard as the race. Is it normal for my ribs/stomach/lungs to be aching so badly?!

Have any of you run any races or accomplished any goals lately?
You runners have any recovery advice for me?

Ah, now off to the sweet dreams of advil pm induced sleep. Excited.

Runner's Block

I developed a love for running towards the end of college and have been thinking about running a half marathon ever since then. Now, I am 6 days away from finally checking that off my to do list and I feel like my body is trying everything it can to stop me!

I have been suffering from pretty bad shin splints for the past month and have only been able to run 6 miles once in two weeks and it was a painful experience. Shooting pains up my left leg with each step I took. On top of that, I have been sick all week and on antibiotics but still not feeling normal at all. UGH! I'm so frustrated that this is all happening NOW when I have been training for this for two months!

Do any of you runners have any advice for me? I have a compression sleeve to help with my shin splints but I know it is going to hurt either way. Definitely a mental game involved now. I hope I can finish it! Wish me luck :(

Work It! Wednesdays (I'm late!)

I guess you probably expect this whole "I'm never on time" thing with my "scheduled" blog posts. I'm terrible but in my defense my internet was down yesterday so I was disconnected from this little world. Anyway, apologies for awesome punctuality skills but I still wanted to get a health post in this week!

I've mentioned before that I love running. It is, hands down, the best therapy out there. I'm not saying its easy, it is actually really hard to get into if you are not a runner yet. When I started running I never expected that I would ever enjoy it. It was like slow, painful, hot, sweaty self-inflicted torture. Actually, sometimes it still feels like that but now I know that pushing through the pain and the voice in your head saying "its okay, 3 miles is good enough for today" is worth it. Are any of you runners out there? What do you love about it?

Running has so many health benefits to offer you. Its the best workout for your heart, that thing inside that keeps you alive day in and day out despite how you treat it? Help your little ticker out and give it some exercise to make it stronger! Running also helps improve: bone density, immune system, energy levels, mental alertness, weight loss/control, better sleep, lung function, muscle tone, confidence and lowers your chances of anxiety, depression, obesity, diabetes, and more! Don't believe me? Click here, here, here or here to see for yourself!

Still not sold? Give it a try for two weeks and see for yourself. There is such satisfaction in the feeling of a strong, rhythmic stride. Get lost in your mind and your surroundings. Set a goal to give you something to work towards and accomplish. Mine? I will be running my first half-marathon here in Paris in October! We can keep each other encouraged as we go!

Other benefits of working out? Buying cute workout clothes and inspiring music! I love me some Lululemon.

Bon Courage!!