Welcome Fall

It's absolutely crazy to think that the summer has ended and we are nearing October next week! As I read back my previous post, I feel like I was just reflecting on my year at bodyco, which apparently was three months ago. In reading that post I saw that one of the mentions was my want to give back to others what I have had the pleasure of receiving this last year and a half. This was getting my "old self back" and turning some of my free time into the athlete that I have wanted to be for quite a while. I am so stoked to say that this summer I've done just that. I've brought my passion for Spinning to fruition and became a Certified Instructor. I currently sub at bodyco as needed, and just became an instructor at Fitness Balance in Wakefield. (Come check out one of my classes at either place!) I also completed a course in personal training over the summer, so once I can find a little time to study and take my exam i'll be picking up more classes. :) I'm so excited to have found something I truly love and look forward to doing more of it!

Though I didn't take on as many races as I wanted to over the summer, I was able to get in a Spartan Sprint and the Virginia Beach Half Marathon. The Spartan specifically went really, really well and was a great validation to how much strength training is working for me. This was the first obstacle course race that I've ever done alone, and wasn't sure how I would fare. Most people are really good about helping out at obstacles, but I don't do well with asking for help, especially from strangers. If I can't do it, and someone doesn't offer a hand, i'll generally go right to my burpees. Though I did fail 5 obstacles (monkey bars, multi bars, rope climb, stairway to Sparta & 12 foot wall), I was really proud of my results. I came in 31st of 216 in my age group and finished in a little under 2 hours. For the first time ever, I was able to get over the 6ft wall alone...and the other 5 of them throughout the course. I got some great pics along the way, including this gem.

As you can see, it was a muddy one, but I can't wait to do another! I also had the opportunity to take my mom to the race. Not sure if i'd do that again, since the walking terrain is less than ideal, but I'm pretty sure she had more fun than I did.
My other summer race was the Virginia Beach Half, which I did not train for quite as well. I signed up for another September half marathon so that I would have all summer to train. Well the summer got ahead of me, and previous to the race, the longest distance I had run since my Tough Mudder in June was five miles. Despite the circumstances, I was going to a beautiful place, with one of my best friends, so was determined to make the most of it and run my own race. The weather was about 70, and raining off and on, which made for perfect running weather. The first six miles were great, but as my miles increased, my lack of preparation became more apparent. I ended up walking a good portion of miles 10-11, but still finished in 2:22, which is one of my "better" times.

I was so sore, exhausted and cramped that I laid on the side of the finish and allowed a random man to stretch me out (not part of the race staff), but certainly took it as a positive and reminder of how important training really is. I also learned that i'm beginning to get bored with half marathons. I've bitten the OCR apple and really want to focus on that for next year.
With the cooler weather on our heels, race season is coming to an end, but I do have a few more exciting adventures soon! I am running the Philly Half Marathon on Halloween, then taking on the Fenway Spartan both Saturday and Sunday of the following week. The Carolina Spartan was my very first OCR and it is taking place the week after Fenway. I am still going back and forth as to whether to do it, but I really, really want to. It was the day that I landed back from that very race, where I was told my dad would probably not last more than two weeks (which was accurate within 2 days) and that weekend will be the one year anniversary of his wake & funeral. I really want to honor his memory and do something positive with the day. I think it will bring everything full circle and give me some much needed closure. Since I fly for free, I can play it by ear...but i'm really thinking of it if I can work it out with my schedule.

You all know how much I hate running on a treadmill, but I am going to try and make a better effort of training for my half marathons. I am already registered for two halves in Jacksonville in January and February, so need to keep up my mileage after Philly. If I can get myself into a more regimented schedule, I think I can make it happen. I'm starting to plan out what races I want to do next year, so if you want a buddy to race with, let me know! :-)

Oh! and I have a new niece! She has been keeping me nice and busy when i'm not at work/ training and I can't wait to take her on my running adventures next spring!