26.2 v3
Why? Because I can!
I'm probably going to keep doing it too. Why? Because it makes me happy.
There are people that don't think I should run marathons for various reasons. I understand there is a risk of injury and yes, distance running can lead to problems that could make me unable to run in the future but I don't want to live my life afraid of that. Everything we know can change in a second and I'm not willing to miss out on any of it.
“Haters gonna hate hate hate hate hate hate and Tina’s gonna Tait Tait Tait Tait Tait.”
Seriously though, I was feeling a little lost and not training for anything specific aside from a few half marathons so the universe gave me this little gem. I'm officially running Chicago for the American Heart Association thanks to a generous gift from a friend of my late husband. It was exactly what I needed to get back in the groove.
Happy place. Hill repeats. (visual proof of the groove!)
So I started on week 3 of the official training plan and so far so good except for a back strain and some random knee pain that turned out to be calf tightness. I REALLY need to do what I tell all the people I coach - stretch more!
In other news, I don't weigh myself very often anymore but my miles were getting faster and my clothes were falling off so I decided to check in with the chunk of metal that used to occupy 98% of my brain and wouldn't you know it - I've lost 5 POUNDS! AWESOME considering I gained 10 lbs marathon training last year. I weigh 125 and I'm totally fine with that. I'm not sure I've ever said that. Aside from working out 8 days a week (Mondays are 2 workouts) I attribute the weight loss to the FUEL plan from Good Measure Meals. I knew I needed to eat more for the amount of calories I was burning and as hard as that is to wrap my head around it's true. (Top tip: nutritionists know what they are talking about LOL) Because of my surgically smaller stomach, I'm only able to eat half of the meal (which is 600 calories) but the combination of the high protein and the healthy carbs is keeping me full and energized and satisfied. I was eating salads for lunch and once I started eating real food, I've stopped snacking except for the occasional piece of dark chocolate or skinny pop! So yes, it's true. It works and it's delicious and I'm not tearing through cabinets trying to find a leftover cracker or any type of carb I can find ;)
Sorry, it's only in Atlanta but if you're interested use this link http://www.goodmeasuremeals.com/fuel?utm_source=BRAND_REP&utm_campaign=FUEL&utm_content=TINA and the code TINA for 15% off.
Things have been going relatively well otherwise but the year mark (since Alistair died) is creeping up on me and I'm thinking about it a lot more than usual. There aren't as many long, sad days but more sudden moments that stop me in my tracks. It's like he's forcing me to face it. My role in my job has grown and I've been working out so much that I tend to sweep it under the rug and deal with it later. I still can't think about him without crying which is why I'm at the bar in the middle of the day as I type this. it's also the reason I haven't been writing as much. It's hard to dredge it up when I'm feeling okay. I feel like if I can just make it through July 25th it will be okay and there won't be any more first things. The last day we spent together was one I will never forget and it seems like it was yesterday.
On a happier note, Peachtree is almost here, I have an amazing half marathon in Vermont the week after and lots and lots more running on tap for the summer. Chicago is October 8th -the day before what would have been my 13th wedding anniversary. I will be with 50 or so of my closest friends from the Atlanta Track Club and I couldn't be happier. Yay Marathonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!