A little running...

So I started slowly running again on Wednesday. I will tell you that that even being away from running for even 10 days really hurt my time but I knew I really needed to not go balls to the wall. Which i have never really understood this saying. Other sayings i don't understand is are you shitting me. lol. Sorry got off track. So I started with some easy 3 milers. I can tell you I was very nervous about running. I was scared my hip wasn't going to feel good and that I would be side lined again but it felt really good and really good to sweat and after a mile or 2 I was feeling good. Didn't have any discomfort, pain which made me happy. I have never babied my body so much as I have since this injury. Today I ventured off for a 5 miler and I could tell by 2 and half miles I had started off way to fast because by 3.33 miles I needed to walk a bit. I had to do this twice. I just couldn't slow down. After I got done I did my stretches, rolled my ass and hip and iced it for a bit. About mid day I did have a achy feeling but 2 aleve fixed that right up. And off to nap I went.

But it was mentioned to me by a fellow marathoner that I really need to sow down. I really need to practice this to get through my long distance runs and also I need to not injure myself again. That is going to take some practice. I see the pt on Tuesday, which I am really excited about to be honest. I can't wait to see what he's going to teach me and advice on this hip. So that's all I have right now. My plan is to really start training next Tuesday. I am nervous but I know that I am just as excited.

So until next time...

Gosh it's been a LONG time

Goodness I haven't blogged in so long. As I'm sitting here on a Friday night, looking through Pinterest, I realized that there are so many things I miss in my life. So this is a post of things I am missing right at this moment..

1. Texas... I can't help it. Born and raised. I am a Texas girl

2. Living in the country. I miss quiet. I miss peace. I miss long drives to Walmart or the mall in Denton. 

3. My BFF Amy. I miss seeing her every day. I miss sitting on the couch talking and laughing. I miss her laugh that only I could describe as hilarious. I miss our closeness and our friendship. I just miss HER. 

4. I miss Amy's kids. I miss the friendship of Zack and her son. The way they felt so comfortable and loved each other.

5. I miss cows, horses and all kinda of country living animals. It's awesome to look out your living room window and see 2 cows walking right in your back door. I miss goats getting lose and running to to your garage. 

6. I miss family. I miss the way they make you feel. I miss family get togethers and friends getting together. 

7. I miss running. I miss the mental game you play with yourself. The high of a long run. The soreness of your legs and I miss my running attire.

8. I miss some of my old jobs. Some places I had it so good. Friendships and fun. 

9. I miss being me. I've become someone I don't really even know. I'm working on it but I still miss Amanda. Not saying I'm fake but I do hide my pain through smiles. 

10. I miss my kids being younger to be honest. I miss their innocence, I miss their mommy and daddy I need you days. Now they are independent, becoming little people. It goes by so fast. 

A lot of things I miss. I can't go back to reclaim or redo the decisions I've made. But I can try harder to be happy. I miss being just HAPPY.... 

Confession time...

I've been slacking on my blog a little bit, things going on in my head. Things like planning my training for my marathon in January, getting my house cleaned before my mom comes and other brain activity but I have had one thing on my mind for the last 3-4 months...

I have a confession to make and it's really hard to confess this but I am. I was a smoker up until Friday night. Yep I was a runner who smoked. Well I didn't run and smoke at the same time lol but I was a smoker. Not a heavy smoker but enough that I knew I needed to stop if I really wanted to run a marathon. So I decided about a week ago that I was going to stop smoking and do the Ecig. Now the ecig is a order less vapor but you still get the nicotine. The liquid comes in different mg according to how much you smoke. I am not getting all the smoke and toxins from a cigarette. It's a step to quitting and I am very excited.

Back story.. I started smoking when I was 12. I continued until I got pregnant with Emily. Stopped then well 9 weeks later I was pregnant with Zack. Yes I was pregnant for 2 years lol.. But I didn't smoke during those times. However I started back up again. My husband asks me why I would start back up, are you kidding me. I have 2 babies 11 months apart. Better be glad it's just cigarettes  lol!!! But I did continue and have NEVER even tried to quit. NEVER. 

I started to say to myself " Amanda, you cannot smoke and train for a marathon", I literally don't know how I did all those races at that pace and smoked. My half marathon was amazing, I kept a steady pace of 9:34 for 13.29 miles and I think, oh my goodness that's insane that I did that and had smokers lungs. I would look at other women's runs and pace and think I bet they don't smoke. But I was so scared to quit. Then my coworker who smoked 1-2 packs a day got the Ecig let me tell you, if she can quit, then hell I can to. So I started to try hers and I felt that my nicotine fix was gone after puffing on that for a bit. So my decision was made.

I know it's not a week or a month cigarette free but for me it's huge, but I know I can do this. I love my running and I am excited to see how much it improves over time. I will tell you it works. I don't stink, my lips won't look all wrinkly and my nails will not turn all yellow. I really hated smoking but I needed that drug. Now I feel like I can have my cake and eat it too for the moment. 

I know my papaw would be so proud. He wanted me to stop for so long. I just wish I could have fulfilled his wish before his death. But I know he's smiling down and giving me that support and strength. 

To my wonderful husband: 

I know I've been a bitch, well give it a couple of days, it will fade lol!! Love you bunches!!!

My WONDERFUL run this morning

I haven't had a peaceful run in some time. I've had some awesome runs, good runs, ok runs and horrible runs but this one was just peaceful. It all started about 6 last night. 

Last night, huh.. Let me explain. I had 3 cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, grilled Italian sausage and Texas toast for dinner. I love carb loading ;). I then set the alarm for 6:45, woke up feeling so rested. I haven't slept good the last couple of nights. Last nights sleep was needed. So I make my cup of coffee and read up on some things on my laptop. Yes I still have a laptop. I really need a iPad honey;).

 Then I got all my gear on, starting with my garmin, then my phone case, my buds and my favorite new gear, my camelbak. I have been eyeing one for some time. I need it so bad when running in this heat and humidity. I got the camelbak charm. Holds 50L and so easy to fill and put on and sip through. It's amazing. It's my second time to use it and I couldn't be happier.

 This morning I decided to put ice in it. That helped keep the water COLD. I was all set and ready to go thinking its gonna be a hot one but much to my surprise it was very cloudy and starting to drizzle. The wind was blowing, the air was just right. Off I went into a peaceful 8 mile run. On my way I saw a mama and baby dear. I haven't seen dear since Texas. It was beautiful. I kept trucking along to a nice steady pace in the pouring rain. It was like the rain was just washing all my worries, fears and cares away. I had a goal for 8 miles and I succeeded. I love running in the rain, sure everything was soaked but I felt so clean inside!! It was an amazing run and those are the runs that I remember. Those are the runs I long to run, that's why I run. Not time, pace, place, races.. It's the feeling of peace step after step. That's what it is all about. Ok ok and I met my mileage for the week😊

Rain rain go away...

Holy batman this rain is draining me. How many days can one place get? Oh 14 days thats how many days here in the Low country. So let me explain how this rain is affecting me!!

1. My grass is growing faster than the hair on my legs. 

2. Humidity is a pain in the arse when running. I literally feel like a shirt is over my mouth when I breath. 

3. Flooding, I really need a kayak now.

4. Frizz, yep my hair is so frizzy. I just put it in a wet bun and off I go. 

5. STUPID drivers. People it's rain, please learn to drive in it.

6. My dog is going to need a bath. Mud and going into my house do not mix, I don't like dirty.

7. Dirty, muddy floors which I will have to sweep and mop during my 4 day holiday.

8. Basing your plans around the weather, but of course it is hurricane season here. 

9. Mosquitos are out and full force, tip: clear nail polish helps with itching. 

And last..

10. I hear the weather has been amazing in Texas, I wish I had ruby red heels and make my way there!!! 

So how's the weather in your neck of the woods??? 

Omg, is that sun I see NEXT week??? 

What a wet weekend!!!

I don't know where to start about my weekend.

 So let me go back to Friday morning. Got up and got ready for a good 7 mile run. It was a little nice out. Some sun, some wind, hot as hell but doable. I have got to stop pushing myself in this heat. So I pick a song that matches my heart rate and keep that one song going for 7 miles. Yep you read it correctly, same song 7 miles. So my pace was 10 min miles. I really don't mind. I mean I do but I would rather run longer and run all of 7 miles then to take breaks because the weather is wearing me out. So I'll pick up the pace come fall. Gotta find a good pace for the marathon😬. Then Friday night we set out on the boat with Ash and Robbie and their kids for a ride around Charleston and go eat. Had a great dinner at Charleston Crab House. By the time we were done it was dark, headed back and caught the Friday night firework show from the inlet. It was hands down the BEST firework show ever. So much fun. However rule #1,314 for women with long hair riding on a boat, tie that mop up lol. I seriously could not brush my hair after 2 showers Saturday!! Oh so Saturday was beach day. Went out to IOP for awhile. The waves were harsh;) and beating the crap out of us. Went to dive into a wave and my bottoms went down to my knees lol. So glad no one saw that, tops were falling off, it was wild so we opted to head home.

Came home and me and hubs went to Dicks, where a girl could buy everything in there that's running related. I just ended up getting NUUN for hydration when running. Trying it tomorrow. Then off grocery shopping, HATE Walmart. But who doesn't? After some grub and Emily spending the night at a friends, we watched The Call. That movie was good yet my anxiety was in overdrive. Ending sucked so that was boo:( 

Today was meeting up with Ronnie's coworker and his wife to go kayaking for 3 hours down by Shem creek. I have to say, I am loving all these adventures we have been doing. Kayaking is hard and frustrating as hell. I almost tipped thanks to Gina ;). She got a great laugh and really so was I after the initial shock that I was tipping in a kayak. However the water was only to my knees, I thought it was deeper, much to my surprise I looked like a fool. Someone really should have taken a pic of my face. We had some moments of downpour which seems to be the weather all of June. Damn you need a kayak just to get around Charleston these days. We saw dolphins swimming right around us, crabs, birds and got a historical insight about Charleston. Charleston is very historical and very beautiful.

I'm really glad me and hubs had our own kayak, we really don't do well in certain situations, which he agrees lol. He was about a 1/2 up from me or running into my kayak a time or two. He secretly wanted me to flip, which is mean but that's how he rolls lol!!! 

All in all, it was a very exciting weekend. All involved the beach, ocean and rain!!! Ready for a 3 day workweek and my mama to come visit!!!

This is where we kayaked!!

The ride to din din

Charleston

Beautiful sunset

Din din

ash and me,hubs behind

Awesome fireworks 

My hair the next morning, and duck lips lol!!!

So how's your summer so far???

Mine SUCKS!!! Well not really but only for 2 reasons. Let me explain!!

Numero uno: I hate running in this humidity. Oh my goodness can I please have a nice easy run that doesn't consist of almost having a heat stroke. That's not even the worse thing. It's the humidity. I don't think I can ever get use to it. It's miserable. I can't enjoy my runs cause I'm either dying or drowning in sweat. Wring out my clothes and it would fill half a bucket. I am hydrating like crazy. Drinking well over 100 ozs of h2o!! I mean I should have perfect completion and peeing clear ok, one out of 2 is great. But all this sweat is making me break out, having me go buy new makeup which was 15 bucks. WHATDAHELL!!! So I don't know what it's going to take for me to enjoy running again. Probably a snow storm in July please. Hey it can happen.. 

Número dos: 

The summer is going by sooo  fast. I HATE THAT. I like not having a routine in the morning, but my own lol. I mean who finds getting two preteens up exciting? Not I... So that's my bitch for the day!!! Done