30-Day Yoga Challenge

That's it!  I've officially lost my mind.... and it's WONDERFUL!  As if marathoning weren't enough... I've now signed up for a 30-day yoga challenge.  I better mention that it's HOT yoga.  If you're not sure what it is, feel free to google it.  : )

The requirement for this challenge is that I must attend yoga 30 times between January 2 and February 6.  They only allow you to double up (2 classes in 1 day) twice.  

Some poses feel great and others hurt like heck.  All of that running sure took a toll on my body.  Every time we do a stretch that involves my right IT Band I almost fall to the floor in pain.  I just try to shake it out and move on.  

Speaking of running... I am NOT running all month.  I've decided I really need to repair and recover from 2012.  I would even like to run for the sake of running again and not because I'm training for another marathon.  I'm also avoiding processed foods.  So, what it boils down to is that I'm basically doing Paleo, but with occasional soy (unsweetened soy milk) and some dairy (Greek yogurt and half and half).  

Here are some pics to document my journey...

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

The highlight of Day 3 was doing a HANDSTAND.  Not a headstand..... an actual HANDSTAND.  Meaning that only things touching the ground were my 2 hands and my feet were in the air.  I was upside down!!!  

This wasn't something I thought I'd do anytime soon being so new to practice.  The instructor is a former high school classmate of mine.  She's amazing!  Well, she wouldn't take "No" as an answer or accept any of my valid excuses from me tonight.  She helped me achieve a handstand.  Now, I just need to become gutsy enough to actually do it on my own.  WOW!  What a day! 

50 MILES: Personal Reflection

1.  I'm currently sore and tired. 
2.  I can't seen to get warm.  
3.  I'm afraid to take off my shoes and socks because of what my feet feel like at this very moment. 
4.  It feels good to sit, but stiff when I stand and try to get moving again.  
5.  The pain is beginning to set in and I should probably take a pain reliever. 
6.  Trying to grasp my accomplishment brings tears to my eyes.  
7.  It's been a long, difficult journey, but was worth it all.  It has been my journey and has been PRICELESS.

I ran 50 miles this weekend.  I am a 2 time Ultra Marathoner!

Double Digit (MILES) Fall Training

We survived our first double digit training run for the 2012 fall marathon training season.  

10 miles CONQUERED on July 21 at Lake Hefner!!!  

Earlywine ULTRA MARATHON Update

Feelin' good today! My legs don't feel too soar, but that's probably just because my severe sunburn is far more painful at this point. Six applications of SPF 50 sure didn't do much. My legs also look pretty gross from the Purpura and Petechiae. The endurance run was beyond awesome! I may actually be crazy enough to do it again and shoot for more mileage.... and I'd actually train for it. : )

I thought I had heat rash or some sort of allergic reaction.

 Gross!

 This was only one toe.  I have several other blisters.  OUCH!

Marathon #4: First ULTRA MARATHON, Earlywine Endurance Run

On June 9, I celebrated my 32nd birthday by doing something health and fitness related. I participated in my first Endurance Run.  I am now an ULTRA MARATHONER!!!!! 

I ran 33 miles! Yes, 33 MILES.... 33.11 to be exact!  

A mile for every year and one to grow on. : ) 

My friend, Willie, announced to everybody at the starting line that I was the birthday girl and in leading them in singing Happy Birthday. It was absolutely PRICELESS!!!!! I think I need to buy him a beer! 

All day long people were wishing me happy birthday.  I felt pretty special.  It was an absolute blast!

A HUGE THANK YOU to all my running buddies for encouraging me to push past my "limits" and believing in me. A year ago I was still 95% sure I'd never run a marathon. Just since March 2012, I've run 3 full marathons, a 25K, and an ultra marathon of 33 miles. You all have my sincerest gratitude and appreciation. I look forward to hitting the pavement with you again soon!

The temps were starting to heat up

                     Me with my running buddies, Jenny and Ralph.  

This photo was taken when we were approaching the finish line 

on my final lap.  I was about mile 32.8 at this point. 

 Supporting my OKC Zebras!

True Story!

LOVED reading everything on this sign.  

I changed shoes and clothes half way through.  

I also applied sunblock 6 times, but you'd never know it. 

Here I am running with my friends, Jenny and Ralph.

You had to run a minimum of a 50k or 50 miles to earn this super cool belt buckle.  It's some serious BLING!
Since I'm a slow, social runner, 
I signed up for the 12-hour, but only wanted to get in 32 miles. 

33 MILES and I'm still smiling!!!!!

I think I earned a post 33 mile birthday meal.  = )

Me with a celebration beer at Big Truck Tacos.  

Don't worry, I only drank 1/3. 

My HUGE birthday post-run BTT feast!!!!

My eyes are always bigger than my belly..... especially after a long run.

Sooo.... I bet you're wondering if I'll do it again.  Hmmm.....

Marathon #3: Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

This marathon was originally going to be my first.  It ended up being my third.  

It was also my 3rd marathon within 57 days and 2nd within 15 days.  I was worn out!  

Here are some photos from my journey...

A group photo with my fellow Half Fanatics

Here's a bunch of us OKC Landrunners

Me with my running buddy, Lisa, before the race.  It's tradition that I take a giraffe arm pic. = )

 Me with Kathleen, Lisa, and Silver.  LOVE my fellow Landrunners!

I had my very first sponsor!  Sara Sara Cupcakes sponsored me!  How awesome is that?!?!?!  

If you know me at all, you'll know I'm a food snob.  If it's not absolutely amazing, it's not worth eating.  I am super picky with cake.  I haven't even cared much for the taste or texture.  Well, I discovered Sara Sara a year ago.  Their Judge Joe Cannon cupcake is my favorite.  It's banana and has sliced Snickers on top.  The texture, consistency, and taste is unlike anything else I've ever experienced.  I told the owner a year ago that I would run for cupcakes and I wanted one when I crossed the finish line.  I had to be sure they were open on Sundays.  Ha!  Let's just say that I have been a very loyal customer and will run extra miles just so I can eat their cupcakes.  I was absolutely honored to have them as my sponsor.  Thank you, Sara Sara Cupcakes!!!!  

 A nice refreshing beer from a nice family in Edgemere.

 Her sign made me laugh. 

 Gorilla Hill!!!!

 This was the split.  It's where the marathoners divide from the half marathoners.  I spent the last 2 years taking the route to the left and running the half.  I always became so emotional thinking about what those full marathoner were about to endure.  WOW.... I was a full marathoner this time.  Incredible.  

 Me and Aunt Amy

 Absolutely Positively HALF WAY THERE!!!!!!  

 Me and Amy at the finish.  

Amy completed her first marathon.  

We are FINISHERS!!!!!

 Me with my local hero and Olympic qualifier, Camille Herron.

 I visited the medical tent for the first time.  They drained this nasty blood blister and loaded me up with some meds.

 David and I hosted a post-marathon celebration party.  Here I am with my friends Ann and Ralph.

 A bunch of my running buddies! 

 LOVE my Landrunners!

 Family FINISHERS!!!  Me, Amy, and Caleb all completed the full marathon of 26.2 miles.

 THANK YOU, SARA SARA CUPCAKES!  

 FINISHER!

.... And I reached my ultimate running goal!!!  

OKCMM was my final qualifier for Marathon Maniacs.  

Marathon Maniacs is THE most exclusive marathoner's club.  

I had a dream and conquered it.  YES!

What's next?  

Marathon #2: Go! St. Louis

I have been so busy with teaching and running that I never really sat down to blog about my second marathon.  My, oh my!  It has been a busy spring!  

It was kind of a last minute decision, but I traveled to St. Louis with my friend, Ann.  I ran my second marathon there and it was Ann's first.  St. Louis mean a lot to the both of us because it's where we started running.  Here are some photos from our trip along with a few details.....

When we arrived to STL we went straight to Trader Joe's to pick up a few snacks.  We also ran a couple of other errands.  After that, we met up with my BFF, Rachel, at Schlafly's for dinner.  

The next morning we woke up and met Rachel for brunch at Crepes, Etc.  Aren't we cute?!?!

Me and Rachel

Of course I had to post a photo of my incredible Skinny Californian Crepe from Crepes, Etc.  It was delicious!  

After brunch we stopped by Bissinger's Chocolate shop.  Ann always buys there chocolate at Whole Foods here in OKC so she was thrilled to go to their chocolate shop in STL.  

We had to say our goodbyes to Rachel and then Anna and I headed to the race expo.  

 Ann with her race bib!

 

Me with my race bib.  Marathon #2!

 In awe and a little emotional.....  I haven't been to the Chaifetz Arena since David graduated from medical school a year ago.  

 I had to get my photo taken with some big losers from the TV show Biggest Loser.  I informed them that I was a former fatty.  They were excited to meet another biggest loser!  

 After the expo, Ann and I went to Drunken' Fish to enjoy some sushi as a pre-race meal.  Carb loading!

 It's tradition that we lay out our racing gear the night before the big run.  It helps to be so organized.  

Supporting OU today!!!!  Take that STL!!!!!  So grateful to live back in OKC again!  Waiting in line for the bathroom.  Did I mention that I had been sick for an entire week leading up to the marathon?  I caught some nasty stomach bug and had diarrhea 8-12 times a day.  It continued during the race and for a week after.  I finally went to the doctor and had lab work done because of severe dehydration and stuff.  I was instructed to take Immodium AD every 4 hours until my bowels were completely normal again.  It was awful!

 Ann looked awesome, as usual!

 Waiting with the masses to cross the start line.

 Busch Stadium!  Always LOVED seeing the Cardinals play here.  

 The Arch

 The church behind me is where the journey started.  David's White Coat Ceremony was held here in August 2007.  So much has happened since then.  WOW!

 Me and Ann at the split.  This was where we took the road less traveled.  Not very many people ran the full marathon.  

 My race BLING!