Exactly one week from now I will have run my first half marathon. I ran 6.55 miles yesterday (a quarter marathon?), and I feel sore today, but I can still move around comfortably. My shoulders and back are what's most sore, and I think that's from yoga. I'm going to do a gentle 5k today, and I've also got to do my English homework, and head to the drugstore to pick up some waterproof sunscreen, since I fly out to LAX tomorrow morning!
I'm so excited to see my mom and sister, and to hang out in Disneyland! It feels a bit odd - like I'm getting my reward before I've done the work to deserve it - but I still plan on having an awesome time! There are a couple more runs to work in (today, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday), but they're all easy distances.
I'm so excited to run this race! I've spent over half a year preparing for it. Granted, I could've tried a lot harder, and there were plenty of times I wanted to quit, but I pushed through. I'm going to be really proud to have "ran a half marathon" on my resume before my 26th birthday. Only one more week until that's a reality.
7 days.
Sunday, 30 August 2015
Saturday, 15 August 2015
The End is Near
Just a little over three weeks before race day. I've only just realized the counter I've been using is counting to the Thursday before the half marathon, as that's the day everything officially kicks off. It was hard to tell when the counter was set at 200-ish days. Now it says 18!
So much has changed since I signed up for this half marathon. I've moved to one coast of America, and then the other; I've crushed a preparatory math course, and signed up for a whole suite of college classes; I've run a 10k; I've run a 5k in 38 minutes and 27 seconds; I've played pick-up basketball and didn't get out of breath and have to stop; I've lost 10lbs and have been keeping it off; I can fit into - and look amazing in - Riki's jeans (which wasn't possible when we were in Portland, spawning the Great Jean Hunt of '15 ... so many tears... ahem); I can run - actually run - for 50 minutes without stopping. I remember being so proud of running 5 minutes without stopping!
There are still other things I want to change in my life. I want my apartment to feel less transitory. Right now it's a dumping ground for things - it's not helping my mood. I want to make friends who aren't just Riki's friends. Friends who are my friends. I want to feel more in control of my life - to have a purpose. School starts in just over a week, and I want to kick its ass. I'm also getting a bunch of furniture this weekend. Once that's all put together Riki and I will finally unpack everything, and I want to start a chore scheduled of sorts. Something concrete to hold us accountable for keeping our space looking and feeling its best. I also want to add running into that schedule. I've got a bi-weekly yoga class, but I really want to keep running. Not as intensely as I have been leading up to this half marathon, but maybe a 5k once a week? I want to keep myself looking and feeling my best. I also want to stay in good enough running condition so that I can have an even better time running the Disneyland Half Marathon next year. And the year after that.
18 days (but actually 21).
So much has changed since I signed up for this half marathon. I've moved to one coast of America, and then the other; I've crushed a preparatory math course, and signed up for a whole suite of college classes; I've run a 10k; I've run a 5k in 38 minutes and 27 seconds; I've played pick-up basketball and didn't get out of breath and have to stop; I've lost 10lbs and have been keeping it off; I can fit into - and look amazing in - Riki's jeans (which wasn't possible when we were in Portland, spawning the Great Jean Hunt of '15 ... so many tears... ahem); I can run - actually run - for 50 minutes without stopping. I remember being so proud of running 5 minutes without stopping!
There are still other things I want to change in my life. I want my apartment to feel less transitory. Right now it's a dumping ground for things - it's not helping my mood. I want to make friends who aren't just Riki's friends. Friends who are my friends. I want to feel more in control of my life - to have a purpose. School starts in just over a week, and I want to kick its ass. I'm also getting a bunch of furniture this weekend. Once that's all put together Riki and I will finally unpack everything, and I want to start a chore scheduled of sorts. Something concrete to hold us accountable for keeping our space looking and feeling its best. I also want to add running into that schedule. I've got a bi-weekly yoga class, but I really want to keep running. Not as intensely as I have been leading up to this half marathon, but maybe a 5k once a week? I want to keep myself looking and feeling my best. I also want to stay in good enough running condition so that I can have an even better time running the Disneyland Half Marathon next year. And the year after that.
18 days (but actually 21).
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
28 Days Later...
I've got less than a month until the half marathon. Things are going well. I can actually run a 10k (I do have to pause and reset the treadmill though, since it takes me longer than an hour). Last night I PBd a 5k running the whole way. My last PB was from intervals - walking a minute, running two - and I didn't think I could beat it with just straight running. I did the first 2.5k running 13 min miles, then upped it to 11 min, then finished out at 10.5 min. My marathon miles are probably going to be closer to 13.5, but if I can get down to 12 I'll be happy. Heck, a 13 min. mile still gets me done in under three hours, but I want some wiggle room for washroom breaks, photos, walking, etc.
I've been doing yoga classes every second week. Even though it's not a lot, my hip feels better (maybe it's just a mental thing), and I feel better about myself in general. It's a good reason to get out of the apartment, and it's nice to feel a spiritual connection to something again. I'm debating whether to do yoga tonight, or go to Game Night at SCG.
Spectating the Pro Tour in Vancouver this weekend has made me really want to up my MtG game. I've been saying I want to get more competitive again, but I want to make the pro tour and day two it within two years. I also want to day two some Opens, but that could be tricky as my current model for going to them involves me working one day so I can stay in the staff hotel with Riki. I dunno. I've got my modern deck all on MtGO now so I can practice at home, but a desk space would make that a lot easier. And a clean apartment would make fitting a desk in here easier... and make me happier. All the boxes lying around, the lack of furniture, everything just tossed wherever there's empty space, it's not making this place feel like home. That disconnect is really throwing me. I guess just one thing at a time - running, cleaning, MtG.
I don't feel great after running. Last night I PB'd and wanted to cry. I think it's because I know I've got to come back here when I'm done. Right now, the reward for me finishing running is me finishing running. Gotta change that. Gotta create a nice space to live in, and pin up the Disneyland tickets somewhere easy to spot.
28 days.
I've been doing yoga classes every second week. Even though it's not a lot, my hip feels better (maybe it's just a mental thing), and I feel better about myself in general. It's a good reason to get out of the apartment, and it's nice to feel a spiritual connection to something again. I'm debating whether to do yoga tonight, or go to Game Night at SCG.
Spectating the Pro Tour in Vancouver this weekend has made me really want to up my MtG game. I've been saying I want to get more competitive again, but I want to make the pro tour and day two it within two years. I also want to day two some Opens, but that could be tricky as my current model for going to them involves me working one day so I can stay in the staff hotel with Riki. I dunno. I've got my modern deck all on MtGO now so I can practice at home, but a desk space would make that a lot easier. And a clean apartment would make fitting a desk in here easier... and make me happier. All the boxes lying around, the lack of furniture, everything just tossed wherever there's empty space, it's not making this place feel like home. That disconnect is really throwing me. I guess just one thing at a time - running, cleaning, MtG.
I don't feel great after running. Last night I PB'd and wanted to cry. I think it's because I know I've got to come back here when I'm done. Right now, the reward for me finishing running is me finishing running. Gotta change that. Gotta create a nice space to live in, and pin up the Disneyland tickets somewhere easy to spot.
28 days.
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