Where did the summer go?

Olympics madness has struck.  I've been obsessed with the Olympics since 2000 when they were in Sydney (That's also when I fell in love with the idea of Australia, but that tends to happen no matter where they are, unless they're somewhere in Asia).  I will now forgo outside activities in the real world in order to plop down in my chair for 4 hours a night and watch the games.  It can really suck you in.  I'm going to try to drag myself away and go out for running club Tuesday night.

Can't believe July is now almost over.  What is with this summer flying by like mad?  This is pure craziness.  I'm just about done with my work for my summer classes and then it's 3.5 weeks off until new classes and a month til practicum.  My feelings toward second year and practicum range from petrified to very excited.  I'm just glad I still have some time left to really enjoy the last of summer.  Can't wait for more adventures in my favorite place--Colorado and the Rockies.

I came across a park near Navy Pier on my last long run.  It had the most stunning views of the city I've seen yet.  I had to stop and take pictures and a video.  Love finding new beautiful things in this city.  In some ways I think it'd be really fun to stay here more than 2 years.  Especially now that I've seen how wonderful things can be in the summertime.  But...I think my journey leads elsewhere.  Who knows what the future holds?

That's half the fun.

Becoming a runner

Shoot, there's so much I want to write.  You have a lot of time to think during long runs.  I did 12 miles yesterday and all kinds of thoughts passed through my mind.  I kept thinking of why I was running the marathon and how come I can't seem to admit that I wanted to do this and no one forced me.  I think I kind of know why now.

Since I started working out and also from the first time I saw the mountains, I started to become the kind of person who likes to push themselves to try new things and to test their endurance.  I love to hike and I thrive on mountain climbing.  Why I still don't live by mountains I can't really explain other than to say I felt called to be here for a time as well.  Pike's Peak was life-altering.  Summiting peaks at Philmont was thrilling.  Hiking the Appalachian trail was an extremely meaningful experience to me.  I love to go and go and go until it feels almost impossible to keep going.  Then I use those experiences to get me through tough times in my life that follow.

So it seems like marathon running would be a natural extension for me, right?  Well, I think running and me have a kind of complex relationship.  I remember the first time I worked out that started me on the path I'm on now.  I had bargained with myself that I would start exercising if I bought an ipod.  I lingered by the workout room at Rockhurst and darted in when someone else went in. I was afraid people would stare and me and know I didn't belong.  I think that a lot of people fear starting to work out because they fear that very same thing.  But really, people seriously couldn't care less about you.  Anyway, I started running and gradually increased by endurance.  Jacqueline introduced me to outdoor running and I found that to be tons better than the treadmill.  But even after the half marathon I completed in 2010, I think I still struggled to identify myself as a runner.  I used to call it jogging.  But over the past year, I've realized I am a runner.  This is a huge part of who I am now.  And I'm proud of that.  I'm going to train and push myself further and further and it's going to hurt sometimes and suck sometimes but it's going to make me stronger.  And it will be one more amazing thing I can use to inspire me when things get tough.

I am so grateful to be here and to have the opportunity to live in this amazing and vibrant city.  I can't wait to run the marathon here and see it on a whole new level.

Marathon training week 7

I'm in my 7th week of marathon training.  Marathon training usually takes 18 weeks total.  I've already had a ton of conflicting emotions, and I'm still weeks away from the race.  I've felt excited, scared, nervous, defeated, tired, and doubtful.  Although I've run several 5Ks, a four miler, and a half marathon, it is still difficult for me to comprehend that I will be able to run 26.2 miles.  I know that I just need to trust my training, but I have always thought of marathons as something that crazy people did.  After all, the first dude to supposedly run one dropped dead.

I just need to remember that I used to think all runners were crazy.  And then I started exercising and running in particular became something that I just couldn't give up.  It may be really hard some days, and you may hate it a lot, but it feels good to know that you did something good for yourself.  And it sure doesn't hurt that you then get to eat way more food without feeling guilty.

On my 10 mile run 2 weeks ago, I started off with a bad attitude.  That is pretty much the worst mistake you can make because it sure makes the 2 hour + run last a looong time.  The weather was beautiful but I was having a hard time moving.  The thing with distance running is that your heart and lungs can handle it pretty easily because you're going at a slow pace.  It's your legs that will make you want to quit.  They can get so tired and sore that it's hard to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Even when I was done with that run, although I was happy I had finished, I mostly couldn't help thinking that there was no way I could run 26.2 if 10 was that difficult.  However, I realize I was only 5 weeks in at that point and have a ways to go yet.

Luckily, this past week was as drop-back week--a week built into training where your long run mileage drops back to help you recover before another increase.  My 7 mile run Sunday evening went really well and I felt strong.  I took a somewhat different path than usual that was pretty beautiful.

This week I go 12.  That's the longest I've run in almost 2 years since the half marathon in Kansas City.  Just gotta keep on moving.

I am excited for the challenge of each week and very much for the marathon.  Just watching the movie Spirit of a Marathon made me cry. I figure when I finish the marathon, I will either be crying or smiling as huge as I did in Harry Potter world. ;)

What really matters

Coming home after being away makes you even more grateful for your family and friends.  I love living in Chicago and following my heart to wherever it takes me next, but a piece of me is always left behind wherever my family and friends are.  Chicago's a blast in the summer and doing things by yourself can be wonderful and empowering, but the thing that is missing there is people who care about me and I know would do anything for me.

So no, I don't want to move back to Kansas City.  But yes, it is tempting to want to come home to where the people you love are.

So, shout out to all the amazing people in my life, wherever they may be.  Distance doesn't matter if you don't let it.