I picked a 1/2 marathon!

After running the Rock 'n Roll Philly Half a few years ago, I swore I wouldn't do it again. Since then, the longest I've run is 4 miles. But, as this post title suggests, I'm going back on my word. 

My end goal is to run a full, but without a little motivation until Sept-Nov (clearly I've not picked out a full yet) I may fail. Here's what I've got so far - an 8 week plan for a 5k and a race on 3/22. And a 12 week plan and a half on 6/8. 

I'm a little worried about the time commitment. With my new job and commuting 2 hours a day, it's going to be a challenge. Not an insurmountable one, though. 

In other news, I hope everyone's holidays were fantastic! Mine turned out pretty good besides a slight mental hiccup this weekend. The bf loved his gift - I got him a smoker! And my parents loved the iPad. After seeing my niece for a whole day, I got to hang out with Liz for a whole night! And my Dad didn't die driving to and from the train station for me in the middle of a surprise snowstorm. Wins a around!!

Failure

I read an article that really stuck with me this week.  It was about failure and how hard we are on ourselves sometimes.  Whoever wrote it made a brilliant comparison between what we tell ourselves when we fail, and how we react to others' failures.  For instance, when a baby tries to talk, our normal reaction is "oh my goodness, you are so cute babbling along!" instead of "stupid baby, I can't believe you can't freakin' talk yet!"

For a long time, I've been struggling with weight.  In the past three weeks, I've lost 7 lbs. Then, I had a really great friend spend the weekend and I ate and drank whatever and proceeded to feel like a total fat failure.  In fact, I've viewed the past 7 years of dealing with weight has mostly a failure.  I did run a 1/2 marathon and I learned how to fight, but past that I've had a few good months but that's it.

Last night, with the article still tickling my neurons, I met up with some friends who haven't seen me in a long time.  I got the "you look great!" comment and immediately dismissed it.  C'mon people, can you not see I've been failing for 7 years!  Then I took a step back and decided to be a little nicer to myself and here is what I saw.

I started college as a size 22, so out of shape it was hard to walk up a hill, forget even walking a mile.  Since then, I've consistently gone down, albeit little by little.  I did run a half marathon, I've been in super good shape, and now I can run a mile and walk everywhere.  I am a size 16 now, I've taking responsibility for my eating habits and am making a very conscious effort to track calories, portion sizes and balance.  On Monday, I start at a gym again.

So taking that all into account, I guess I haven't really been failing.  Sure, my journey is not a fast one, no where near the contestants on "The Biggest Loser" and maybe no where near other people's.  But I'm not failing.

In the next four months, I'm going to focus on my mile time, my assisted pull-up weight and overall lb loss.  I made a calendar and am going to track those things weekly/bi-weekly.  My long term goals are a marathon, 40 lbs down and a pull-up by the end of November 2014.  I'll post updates now and then just to keep myself accountable and to remind myself that I'm not failing.

Because no one likes to fail, it's just a necessary part of life.  Without it, there can be no success.

Can't Finish What I Started

Right, blogging.  Slacking?  Yes.  Sorry.  I'll be better.

This weekend was full of things!  First, the Motion City Soundtrack concert(s)!  On Friday, they played their first two albums at the TLA.  Liz and I hung out with JMJ and sang and danced.  MCS was the first band that I independently liked.  Freshman year, I downloaded their first two albums and had them on repeat.  Most made fun, but my love of punk pop was founded and still thrives today.

Saturday morning, Liz and I went thrifting with my parents.  While the rents drove me a bit crazy, I did find some really cool stuff.

A brand new Old Navy Dress with a 3/4 sleeve stripped Tablot jacket.  Paired together, it could be professional (add leggings and some tasteful accessories).

And to round out clothing, this awesome dark navy and red stripped shirt from GAP!  Perfect for fall layering.

Also, I found this little container for kitchen utensils!  I think it's cute (if a little country).

All in all, my thrifting costs were about $40.  Not too shabby considering I also got a new pair of work pants.

On Sunday, I ran a half-marathon.  I realize running doesn't interest everyone, especially those who consider it asinine and a hateful sport.  But, I'm one of those people!!!  A year ago, I couldn't run more than a city block without having to walk.

I started running because I needed to lose weight and get in shape.  Running is pretty cheap, you really just need sneakers.  Plus, for the past 3 years I've been promising my roommate I'd sign up and run the 10 mile Broad Street run in Philadelphia.  Running and me have a tenuous relationship.  I'm 5'9" and I weigh more than 200 lbs.  I also have a weird schedule, I drink a lot, and I used to smoke.  Yea, tenuous relationship indeed.

In April, I ran the Out&Back Party Run.  It's a four mile race with the promise of free beer at the end.  It was really hard.  And it took me almost 50 minutes.  After that, I convinced myself to sign up for the half-marathon in September.

For the first few months I trained hard.  I lost some weight and running was getting easier.  Then came the heat wave.  For two weeks it was over 100 degrees and there was no way I was going out in that.  After a two week break, I just didn't feel like it anymore.  So I forced myself to go out, but honestly, my long run right before the race was 6 miles.  I had done 8 and 10 milers over the summer, but that was months ago.

Needless to say, I didn't want to think about how the 13.1 miles would go.  I learned a lot about myself though.  At mile 10, my hips hurt so bad I was in tears but I was still running.  WTF?!  I haven't had to tap into that kind of will-power and determination for a long time and it is good to know it is still there.

I finished.  I ran it in 3 hours and 7 minutes.  I wanted to do it under 2 hours and 45 minutes, but things happen and at the end, I still feel accomplished.  AND I got a medal!!!

Anyone interested in running?  Or starting to run?

Tune in later this week to see what DIYs I've been doing lately!!!