Just Run.

Source

I saw this picture tonight on Pinterest: a site that I do not frequent, but do so every few weeks. Tonight I needed something to get going with this post. In exactly four weeks from today I will embark on my SECOND half marathon! I'm running the Rock and Roll National Half in Washington DC alongside a couple of my dear friends! I'm beyond pumped! I had a BIG goal in mind, and was working very hard for about a month in preparation to beat my sub 2:00hr goal, which would be shaving off 8 minutes from my first half in Philly last September. On Tuesday, January 31st when I woke up with an immense amount of foot pain....

Back story: on Thanksgiving day I woke up and set out to run 3-4 miles before indulging in some turkey for my favorite holiday! I felt a slight pain in the arch of my foot but decided it was probably nothing. I went and met a friend at the park, and within minutes my pain continued. I knew something was 'off'. I took the next few days off from running and came back to NYC still in slight pain. After many reviews and advice from running friends I figured I might have a minor case of plantar fasciitis and one of the first pieces of advice was to REST. So that's what I did. I did not hit the pavement or a treadmill for FOUR entire weeks. On Tuesday, December 26th I started my training for the half and all was well. I was hitting way under 10 minute miles for all my training runs, and felt strong for four solid weeks.

I ran a long run on Sunday, January 29th of 8 miles and kept a really good pace. On Tuesday, I woke up and could barely walk. Each step I took was BRUTAL. I took some meds, stretched a lot, and used a small tennis size ball at the bottom of my foot in hopes it would get better. I did some cross training and by Saturday I had decided I was 'much better' and went out and ran SUPER stupid fast for me for 10 miles. Within minutes of finishing that run I was almost at the point of not being able to walk again. The week of February 5th was awful. I was ready to throw in the towel. I was hurting. I felt defeated. I remember on Wednesday finally letting it all out and I literally cried a lot of tears because of pain, but more because I was SO SO frustrated with myself for not being fully healed the previous Saturday and pushing myself beyond my limits. I made my injury worse. Thursday was better, and I knew I needed to do a long run on Friday because I would be busy the rest of the weekend. I set out and did 9 slower pace miles, and finished virtually pain free. I couldn't believe it. I listened to my body (and my fabulous running coach) and it really did work. Was I running sub 10 minute miles? Nope, but I wasn't hurting anymore. This week I was back in the game and my foot has continued to heal. I successfully ran 12 miles on Friday AM with two new friends basically PAIN FREE! PRAISE GOD! :) Aside from some minor soreness around my toes, my foot feels so so so much better. I'm not saying this injury is completely over and never coming back, but for now I'm doing better. I could not be happier.

Through all of this it made me step back and think about why I'm running at all. I came to the conclusion that running is for ME. It's not for anyone else. I don't need to impress anyone with my times, my goals, or my dreams. I've learned to stop comparing my achievements to everyone else's because it minimizes all that I've accomplished. The bottom line is that I'm probably never going to be as fast as some of my 'running role models', and you know what? That's totally ok. If I dont ever run a sub 2:00 half marathon, that's ok too. Why? Because I now have a body that can even think about running 13.1 miles. I now have a body that does things I never could have dreamed of would be possible. I'm not quitting. I've just had to refocus on why I'm doing this. There's no doubt that I was made to do this. I believe that with all of my heart. God has given me this crazy passion for running and I know He knows the desires of my heart to keep me strong! I'm never giving up. EVER.

MY DREAMS. MY GOALS. MY RUNNING JOURNEY.

Happy Valentine's Day! :)

Happy Valentine's day, friends (all two of you....) In honor of Valentine's day I'm going to write a list of 10 things/people/places that I LOVE!

1. I love to run. There is a freedom I find when I'm deep in the zone, just me, the ipod and the trail.

2. I love my bed. Truth be told, my favorite part of the day is climbing in bed after a long day and knowing that I'll soon be able to slumber for 7-8 hours. Pathetic? Maybe. But I dont care.

3. I love Texas. Born, and raised a Texan. Always and forever.

4. I love the Fantastic Four. My three BFF's are my community, accountability, and truly the best friends I could ever ask for. There friendships mean the world to me.

5. I love peanut butter, breakfast tacos, and chips/salsa/guac. I could LIVE off these things and be content for the rest of my life.

6. I love quality time with people. It brings so much joy to my soul to spend time with people I love.

7. I love my family. Though they are 2000 miles away from me, I love my big ole Mexican family. I love that we speak two languages, laugh, and always have a good time.

8. I love greeting cards, snail mail, and thoughtful emails. Words of affirmation mean a lot to me.

9. I love eating out! It's true. Especially in good company, with my FAVORITE foodie: Lauren.

10. I love, love. God is love. I am able to love you deeply because of HIS great love for me.

11 Random Things...

I was tagged by Michele over at: http://www.nycrunningmama.com/

If you are not already familiar with this, here are the rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself (Jen’s said 12, but Katye tagged me first so I’m going with those rules).
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

Here we GO:

1. Despite being a DIE HARD Texas Longhorn Fan, I actually attended the University of Texas at Arlington for a year and a half before making the transfer down to Austin. Not everyone knows that! Hook'em Horns!

2. I'm the youngest child of EIGHT (8)- ocho. Yep, one big Mexican family! Here are my siblings!3. I have considered myself a runner for less than a year. Last February I randomly decided to run 6.5 miles one Sunday afternoon. Before that I had only run 3-4 at a time. I have been hooked since! I ran my first race EVER in September, Rock and Roll Philadelphia and finished in 2:08:13 :) I am so proud! Hoping and praying to break two hours this year!

4. I don't like sheets. I actually sleep on top of a really soft blanket. This habit started back in High School and has stuck. I'm quirky, I know :)

5. Growing up my favorite color was red, but when my best friend got married and we had purple dresses I've been obsessed with all things purple since! I even have purple Ray Bans that my dear friend, Sara bought me!

6. I am NOT a morning person. I don't like to talk at all, but the one thing I really like to do is workout. I have had so many good workouts in the AM!

7. I have three best friends! I love them so much and we call each other the Fantastic Four. Two of us live here in NYC and two live in Austin: Mandy, Tonya, Candace, and Me.


8. I have a white tattoo on my wrist that no one ever notices :) It says "ὡσαννά" which means Hosanna in Greek. Hosanna is the cry of praise or adoration shouted in recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus. I've been a Christ follower since I was 18 and it's the foundation of my life.

9. I went to undergrad and studied Government and wanted to go Law School.... not so much anymore.

10. My favorite place in New York City is Central Park. It's beautiful and have had some major runners high moments there that I will never forget.

11. My favorite red wine is Lambruso and my favorite white wine is Reisling. I've only liked wine since 2006. I use to HATE it.

Here are Michele's questions:

Questions
1. What was the first race signed up for? When was it? Where was it? How did you do?
Rock and Roll Philly. In September of 2011. AMAZING. I PR'ed! haha! 2:08:13

2. What is your favorite color? Purple

3. Do you prefer to read stories and the training of elite runners or every day runners? Why?
Everyday runners. I love the running community I have found via twitter and reading all of their blogs.

4. Treadmill or dreadmill? Use to be the dreadmill but I appreciate it now that we are in winter!

5. Gear junkie or Run Naked? I ran naked for a very long time but after getting a Garmin, I'm OBSESSED with stats/splits/etc.

6. Is there an era of music that you prefer? Oldies? Classic Rock? 90s? Not really. Just whatever is popular at the moment.

7. Coffee or Tea? Tea.

8. What is a childhood secret you never told your mom? I got a paper clip stuck in a lock once and we had to get the door lock replaced but I never told her it was me! HAHA!

9. Favorite Olympic Summer sport to watch? Swimming.

10. Favorite movie of all time? Home Alone!

11. Cake or Pie? Pumpkin Pie.


I'm cheating and not making any other questions... :)

Happy February!