Four Wake Ups Left

The costume is complete... the family's matching shirts are done... now I just have to stay calm between now and then. 

There are only four days until the family leaves for Orlando. I can not believe that I will actually be running the Disney Princess Half Marathon. If you had told me this time last year that I would even be thinking about running anywhere, I would have laughed in your face.

There is just something so freeing about running and I am super excited to be doing it Disney style. RunDisney races are supposed to be some of the best.

I have decided to dedicate my run to my dear friend Kate Crawford who recently discovered that she has stage IV cancer. Kate would love to be running next to me but for now I'll run for both of us.

So I hope to see some of you out there on the course... and for those looking for a fun time while waiting for your runner. Check out Team Shay in their bright green shirts as they are sure to provide a good amount of humor.

Dreams can come true...

It's been awhile since I have blogged and with good reason... there hasn't been much to blog about. Upon returning from vacation things went down hill fast. I caught a bad bought of pneumonia and couldn't run for several weeks. Then the holidays were upon us and things didn't get much better. Although I was able to get in a short run here and there.

I've been training for the upcoming Disney Princess Half Marathon but only really been able to get in about 20 minutes of run time before feeling like I was going to fall over. 

Today was the day...

I did 45 minutes and actually felt pretty good afterwards. A little sweaty... but don't they call that liquid awesomeness? That's how I felt when I was done. Awesome!! I was so happy that things were starting to come together again. I also found a saying (thanks mommypants) to get me through and I may just put on this on the back of my shirt:

Today we also booked our accommodations so that the fam could come along with and root me on. They have all been signed up for the chEAR Squad and are already figuring out their route to watch. I must say that I am pretty lucky when it comes to support!!! So keep it coming everyone. The next few weeks are gonna be tough but I know I can do it because after all... where I am going Dreams Come True!!! 

Color Me Rad Baby

I finally ran my first 5K... it was touch and go there for a few days. But I did it and in right under 40 minutes. I am still floating on cloud nine from the excitement. And did I tell you that it was Color Me Rad? 

I had so much fun and got so colorful that I can't even describe it... so I'll show you. Are you ready? This is me before the race. The smile hides my apprehension.

Not too shabby since I can't tell you the last time I wore a white shirt.

Now this is me after...

I'm getting excited for the Disney 13.1! It doesn't seem like too many miles now that I can do 3 with ease. Oh yea... did I tell you?

Running is

A-W-E-S-O-M-E

Official C25K Graduate

It's  official! I am a C25K graduate. I can't believe that I have spent the last 8 weeks learning to run and actually completed the program. Of course I had a few bumps in the road but I overcame them and am now I am just a few short weeks from my first 5K. 

Today I wasn't sure what I should do during my training program. My two year old conveniently deleted my C25K app and I didn't realize it until I was ready to run. So I created my own "app" with a pen and paper. I laid out a 40 minute routine that included a few sprints at a faster speed. 

So as I continue to train in preparation for the big 13.1 in February I look forward to the changes I continue to see in my body and that I feel better each and every day.

Run On! 

My Oh My - It's been a week

It was a rough week with a really bad training day right in the middle. I was so excited to be able to run outside for the first time since I started training eight weeks ago. I worked hard to lay out my route and get a sitter and even find an outfit that wouldn't make any passerby shudder when they saw me running. I got through my first mile like a breeze... literally. It was over in about 10 minutes. Way faster than I have ever run and it made me grin from ear to ear. Then it hit - a cramp and with that cramp I had nothing else to give. I had to walk the remainder of my route. I felt defeated and a little disappointed in myself. And I won't even begin to tell you about the pain in my back. Literally!!!

Disclaimer: This is not my back... but one day soon my waist will be that small.

So today is Saturday and I dreaded getting on the treadmill today knowing that it was the official beginning of Week 8. That meant that I would be running for 28 minutes straight. That meant that I needed to give it my all. That meant that I had to prove to myself that there was no reason to be disappointed.

I did it... not only did I do the entire 28 minutes I did at a pretty decent pace (14 min/mile) and I didn't stop... nor hold on... nor slow down. The first 20 minuets were tough. I won't lie. But the last 8 minutes proved the theory that so many other runners have mentioned. After the first 20 minutes... it gets easier. :)

*** 2.25 miles ***   *** 2.25 miles ***   *** 2.25 miles ***   *** 2.25 miles ***

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I know that it's been several days since I updated the world on how the wannabe princess is doing. My apologies since I know you all are waiting with baited breath. LOL 

Today I am here to tell you that I have completed Week 4 of the C25K training and I surpassed the 2 mile mark. I cannot begin to tell you how great it felt when I saw the treadmill pass the 2 mile mark. I really wanted to keep going until I reached 2.5 miles but I didn't want to push it.

I am getting more and more excited about the upcoming Color Me Rad.I haven't worn white in forever so I'm thankful that I will quickly be covered in a variety of colors. 

BTW - If anyone wants to join me at the Equestrian Center on Sept 29 I think there is still more room to register. 

I own this...

                                  

You see those three minutes up there?

Yes, those three minutes at the top of this post?

Those are the ones I am talking about.

I OWN THOSE!!!

I just finished Week 3 Day 2 and not only did I complete the 9 total minutes of running I also added an additional 3 minute session. Oh yea... I am rocking the treadmill. I feel great and the shimmer of my sweat made me smile. I know that is a weird thing to say but someone said that to me once and I thought that they were crazy. So either I am also crazy or there is actually something to seeing the product (sweat) or a great workout. The only way to tell is to keep on going. So I shall continue on and see what happens next.

Yup... you read that right. The Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon.

I'm doing it and I'm doing it with a smile. There may be tears along the way and I might be in pain when it is all said and done but this is something I must do for myself. Let's just say I started my own little bucket list and this is at the top. Considering I have never even run a 5K this adventure is a little scary. This coming Monday I begin the C25K program and have already chosen my first 5K that will be run at the end of September. Watch for details!

So sit back and enjoy the craziness that is my life as I add just one more thing... but certainly one of the most important because ultimately it is about being happy and healthy