The reunion of lizmattliz

I believe we have officially started a tradition - this year we ran the Candlelight Tour Run for the second year. And once again, I had a BLAST. :) I think our common sentiment was that it didn't see to last as long this year as it did last year. I think it helps that we've gotten a better perception of distance and whatnot, so it doesn't seem as long. Plus we were having a pretty awesome time. :) And a HUGE shout out to Sarah B for breaking her record from last year! She's already determined to break 30 minutes next year. :) So proud!

So Matt, Liz, and I all stuck together the whole time since all three of us were not entirely prepared for the run. For example, I haven't run since the half haha. Although Liz and I were joking around that if we ran up the first hill, we had already improved from last year. And we totally ran up that dang hill. Just not the rest of them. Needless to say, we definitely took advantage of the downhill and flat parts of the course! And me being me, we made a new friend while running. :) To round off our tradition, we ate at IHOP on the way back at 1:00 in the morning. Which was also quite delightful, despite the fact that it was dang COLD in the room we were sitting in.

I'm definitely a little sore in my quads today, but that's what I get for not running in the last three weeks. On the downside, since I haven't really had a job, the marathon in January at Disney World just isn't going to happen this year. :( It took a while for me to really reconcile that because I've been set on it for a long time, but I just can't afford it without a steady job. :( But there's one in October and hopefully at some point I'll get one under my belt in the new little while!

I'm really hoping that I'll start getting back into the groove of running at a regular basis. I'd like to keep up that motivation, even if there's isn't a race coming up. :) But the moral of the story is that last night was crazy fun and I really enjoyed it, despite all the hills. :)

HONK!

Still can't believe it

Matt and I did a half marathon. Whhhhhaaaattttt???? I know, right? It's a little intense. The course wasn't that hard in my mind in comparison to other races we've done. I mean, it was longer, but I didn't think it was that hard course-wise. If that makes sense haha. I'm really proud that we did it and didn't die, although for me the last three miles could've easily taken me out. I wore the same compression shorts I wore for the Peachtree Road Race in order to cut down on the chaffing issue I've got. Well, during the last three miles that I thought I was gonna die, my legs started to really hurt right below my shorts line. I kept pulling down my shorts to cover the lovely burning sensation on my thighs, but it didn't really last.

Still in those last three dreadful miles, I just kept looking for the 5k marker because I knew I was almost done. I saw it and did a fist pump. I was that excited. And I don't even watch the Jersey Shore. Then I knew once I got to a certain house, I was even closer. As I got back in to the downtown area, there was a DJ playing music and he started talking to me and this other guy that were coming in about the same time. "I see you runners - don't give up!" and other really bad encouraging remarks. Of which all I wanted to do was punch him in the face. I was making my way to the finish the best way I could, thank you very much. I just completed a crap ton of miles and I know I'm almost done. So please hush your mouth and let me finish! Yep, I was kinda cranky. I just wanted the whole thing to be over!

Back to the chaffing (haha). I didn't realize how bad it was until Mrs. Kerry told me I was bleeding. Sure enough, my legs had rubbed together so long that it was nice and gross. Now it just looks like I have road rash. But that's what happens when your thighs are like mine. The plan for the next time would be to wear compression capris/pants for the really long runs.

Overall I'm really glad that I finished. I'd really like to do it again next year. It continues to amaze me that we're on this crazy journey and our bodies are able to accomplish so much. Plus it's just fun to commiserate and complain about our soreness together. :) Now it's time to get ready for the crazy intense, hilly, IHOP filled Candlelight Tour Run!

HONK!

week 5ish

I ran 5 days last week. FIVE! I never over-achieve. I am a chronic "do the bare minimum" kind of person concerning exercise. I kinda can't believe I did it. I ran day 1, day 2, day 3, then day 1 twice again for the extra runs. Now I have to step it up a notch for week 6 though. and soon after that, its on to only "long" runs. I would really love to be able to continue to do more than the bare minimum. normally i even have a difficult time not cutting corners and just drag my feet when it comes to getting out there and getting it done. i think i've sort of always believed it was just intrinsic and i wouldn't be able to move beyond it, but low and behold, at least for one week, I did. i'm crossing my fingers i can continue the trend.

my knee has been feeling better, but my right hip flexor has been acting up a bit. i've really been trying to stretch before and after i run every time to help prevent any further problems. plus i'm just really inflexible, so I need the stretching.

ok, thats all i suppose.