13.1

What a surreal feeling, to finally have my first half marathon behind me.
After spending the last few months training for it, it's hard to let it fully sink in that it's OVER.

The race itself was hands down one of the most incredible things I've ever experienced, I don't even know how to put it all into words. The first ten miles went by so quickly, I've never had a run feel THAT effortless. The entire stretch of the course there were people cheering us on, with hilarious posters and offering so much encouragement. It just made me so emotional to have complete strangers cheering me on, especially after how hard I had worked to be there. I'm a sentimental nut.. but I really kept getting teared up the whole race.

Around mile 10 is when my knees really started hurting, and at the water station I took my first walking break as I drank my water.. but what a mistake! As much as you think a quick walking break will make your body feel a little better, it makes it hurt so much more to start running again. Once I picked back up I just kept repeating to myself "JUST. KEEP. GOING." over and over. The last few miles seemed to drag... and mile 13 I thought would NEVER end. It seemed like 3 miles instead of one. Finally rounding the corner to see that finish line was so rewarding.

My goal for the race was 2:30.. and my time ended up being 2:28:02 so I was thrilled considering it's my first one! I ran my Nike Running app during the race so I could look at my breakdown for each mile, and my paces for several miles are the same, down to the second. So I was very pleased that I was able to maintain a consistent pace throughout.

 I really can't stress enough how incredible training for a half, and finally completing one can be. I thought it seemed impossible, and I would never be able to tackle it. But I'm telling you right now, it's doable. I could barely run a mile in May without feeling like death, and now I can complete 13.1? It's unreal how much you can push your body and overcome things you never dreamed you were capable of. If it's one of those things you've always wanted to do, I'm telling you now to DO IT. I promise you won't regret it. You will hate running some days, and question yourself over why you put yourself through it, but you will learn to love it on others... and the accomplishment is so rewarding.

The Rock 'n' Roll Savannah half marathon is definitely happening again next year, and I'm so thankful for all of you who sent me emails and information about your training plans. You all helped me tremendously!

Hitting the Pavement.

My half marathon is coming up November 3, less than a month left until the big day and I'm starting to feel so anxious.

Running has been such a journey for me, throughout this entire training process. I started running at the end of May/Early June, and at that point in time I could barely run a mile. Yesterday I did my longest run to date-- 8 miles. I have come such a long way since I started all of this, and my next long run is when I'll be going for those double digits: 10 miles.

Something about pushing your body to its limit, and proving to yourself that you are better than you thought is just so rewarding. I've really proven to myself that I am more than capable of things that I never dreamed possible. With every step, and every mile I continue to learn more about myself.

Ben is training for the half too, and we talked last night about how running long distances makes you doubt in yourself, and believe in yourself all at once. I definitely never imagined I would gain so much out of signing up for a half-marathon on a whim, but in any training I think you really test yourself and your limits. You learn a lot of things about yourself physically, but you also find yourself learning a lot of life lessons. There's so much time to think when you're trucking along on that pavement, and as cheesy as all of this is: I've really come to love it.

I've always been the girl who hated running, hated working out, dreaded the thought of even running a mile. Then I started hearing of all these people doing half marathons... and secretly wished I could actually do one. I mean, what an accomplishment! It lingered in my mind for months... until I finally just thought, Why CAN'T I do one? What makes me think that I can't accomplish that too? And here I am, running my little tail off and working towards that 13.1.

A lot of you are runners too, what are some of those things running has done for you?
Aaaaand do you have any advice for first-time half marathoners?

Happy Monday friends!

Running- Half Marathon Training.

Let me start by saying: I have never considered myself a runner, ever.
This summer I started running as a stress reliever, and every single day I find myself actually looking forward to running.

It clears my head,
it makes me proud of myself when I finish and have accomplished something.
Especially because I keep proving to myself that I'm better than I thought I was,
I'm capable of more than I have given myself credit for.

It's helped a lot with all of my anxiety with class too.
I tend to freak out a lot over school, the first week of summer school I felt so overwhelmed during the lectures that I literally came close to having panic attacks. I told my mom I  have NEVER felt so crazy, I was having to concentrate on breathing... it was just the definition of ridiculous. Running has kind of given me a way to just let everything go, and feel good about myself.

Source: livehappyagain.tumblr.com via Leslie on Pinterest

SO with that being said, Jasmine and myself  have decided to start training for a Half Marathon.
I've always wished I could complete something like that, but it never seemed possible to me. Well, I've decided it's time to push myself to do it. There's no better time than the present, right?

We're registering for the Run Rock n Roll Half Marathon in Savannah on November 3rd. With the amount of time between then and now, I definitely think it's doable. If you follow me on pinterest, you've probably seen a ton of my pins about training and stuff... but It's hard to find a good training plan.

So that's where you guys come in. I know several of you are avid runners, and many of you have even completed half marathons. What training plans did you use? Did you do a special meal plan? Any other tips you can share with me would be so much appreciated! 

I'm so excited to commit to something like this, last year I would have never dreamed I'd be doing it, and I feel like that's exactly why I need to prove to myself that I can! :)