Thank You

Today is 3 weeks until the Dublin Marathon and yes I’m exhausted, but I’m also super thankful. 

Tumblr you are high on the list of people who have gotten me here. From helpful comments on blog posts, to private messages of encouragement, to posting your own success stories to motivate me, as well as posting your struggles which help me feel less alone in mine. Every “like” and fitbit “cheer” etc is noticed and appreciated more than you’ll know. 

I also could not write this post without mentioning T – he’s been so supportive. From never suggesting that I skip a run, to being extremely concerned when I was out for a run waaay longer than I should have, to understanding that sometimes I need to choose running over time with him. Yesterday after my 20 miler he had ice ready for my ice bath (which I asked him to get), but he also cleaned his tub, bought me my favorite powerade zero and my favorite DC tacos to aid in my recovery, as well as gave me a foot and calf massage. 

Mental Health Day

I called in sick to work today. I never do that and I’m also very rarely sick. Work has been stressful lately I top of moving and training which were/are exhausting. I needed to sleep in. I needed to not get up before the sun to run my 9 miles. I needed to accomplish some errands. And I really need to finish unpacking. I hate not being settled. I haven’t had a “free day” in weeeeeeks. Seriously I don’t know the last time I was traveling, packing, running, working etc. I wish I got more done today, but I’m happy to check off the things I was able to check off today.

The tipping point

This morning as I was putting body glide on before my 8 miler I thought to myself: “My body is starting to look pretty good” as opposed to “I don’t look as fat.” As someone who has lost and gained the same 15lbs a few times over in the last 4 years it’s an important tipping point when I can validate my body. It’s been hard work, but I’m glad to be here!

My lunchtime yoga class did yin yoga today. AKA we held poses for 3-5 minutes. It was so good and I was so relaxed in pigeon pose that I DROOLED on myself. 

Today was our last summer yoga class, but it picks up again 8/31!

Just booked a 60 minute deep tissue massage for next Thursday. 

A little Birthday present to myself and a thank you to my body for pushing through the first 1/3 of marathon training! 

Tomorrow I have a 9 mile (15/71)  training run, it will be my furthest run since ummmmmm March 2014, I think, when I did the NYC half. I’m anxious, but ready for 9. 

The prep for that runs starts today:

• Good diet
• Lots of water
• No alcohol
• Bed early 
• Running fuel ready/purchased

It’s also important to check the weather for a “big” run. It’s supposed to be hot as hell all weekend, so my best bet is to suck it up and get up early tomorrow to run. The heat and humidity will only be worse by Sunday morning, so it’s best for me to just knock the run out ASAP. 

The rest of my run plan includes of course post run:

• Hearty breakfast
• Plans to lay by the pool 
• Beer, ya know for “recovery” 

Ready to wrap up week 4 of marathon training! I’m ¼ there!