Thursday, The Third Day

So I'd thought I'd brighten your rainy day with some stuff I haven't told you yet. I bet you'll get a kick out of this. Let's start with the weekend, shall we?

I had a sleepover with the Bit on Saturday night. Sunday morning we put red lipstick on and watched cartoons.

Then I taught her how to throw the crown. My ASA sisters would be so proud. That's a future ladybug right there.

On Sunday afternoon, the roommate and I went to hike the base trail at Pinnacle Mountain. I needed a redemption hike after I tried to run that trail on my birthday. It turns out slow really is the new fast, or at least it is for me when it comes to trail running.

I spent the beginning of the week working in the hometown. It's amazing how I work and check stuff off the to-do-list, and yet nothing really gets done. Is this what adulthood is all about? If so, I need to see more direct payoff. Some cause and effect stuff. You know what I mean?

I've been itching to run, but the weird Arkansas weather has struck again. During my hike on Sunday, it was a sunny 67 degrees. Yesterday a winter storm blew in, and there's ice and rain and sleet and wind everywhere. I don't do winter. Winter and I don't get along. So my running has been at a low this week...I'm gonna hop on the dreadmill this afternoon to get in a few miles.

I'm also going to hit up Kroger for this beauty.

I haven't told you, but I've been pretty much vegan since January 1. During my training for St. Jude's half marathon, I had a lot of stomach issues. While I realize that is to be expected, it seemed like mine were excessive. If I wasn't having stomach issues, I was worried about having stomach issues...so the cycle was pushed forth.

So I gave up meat and dairy. Cold turkey.

I said I would do it for a full month and reassess the situation. And I did.

I felt great. Lots more energy. Always the right amount of full, never miserable after a meal. And my running was at an all-time best. No stomach problems. Not even on my longest runs.

Now making the commitment to give up milk, cheese, eggs, meat and all things with those things in them was a huge step. There was a week where I only thought about cheese. Stringy, melted cheese atop everything on a plate in front of me.

And the whole month, I dreamed of eggs. Scrambled, fried, poached, omelet. You name it. I wanted it. It's funny because before January, I would have told you I didn't like eggs. But I was singing a different tune come mid-January. I LOVE EGGS.

In fact, I love them so much they are really the only animal product I've worked back into my diet. And I'm not proud to say this, but on Saturdays after long runs I would eat eggs for second breakfast. (All runners love second breakfast...can I get an amen?)

To tell you the absolute truth, it's not that hard to be vegan. It's more difficult when you go out to eat, but it can still be done. And I've found that my body has a hard time processing lots of dairy, especially cheese. And I don't really miss anything. They, whoever "they" are, make really amazing alternatives to meat and dairy products.

So there it is. Stuff I've neglected to tell you. But I didn't want to share until I knew exactly how I felt about it.

I guess I could rename the blog to Little Vegan Runner...

Little Rock Half Marathon Training

In two weeks, I will run my second half marathon. I ran my first one ever...and three months later I'm doing it again.

Lots of stuff has been going on around these parts lately, and I'm sorry I haven't gotten to tell you about it any sooner. But let's have some sharing time. Or I'll share and you can read...and then share in the comments. Because I love comments. Seriously. Sharing is caring peeps.

I ran 11 miles this morning. It was windy and cold. But I was in rare form. And by that I mean my attitude was of another person. Usually windy and cold runs means I'm going to be a super Grinch. I mean I hit total diva status when it's below freezing, overcast and windy. You can ask anyone.

But today was perfect. A windy and cold delight.

I've found my most favorite place to run in Little Rock. Or I should say North Little Rock, if specifics is what you're after. North Little Rock did the River Trail right. It's right on the river. I mean so close you could fall in. The rock walls are beautiful, and there are plenty of bathrooms along the trail...if you're into that.

I can't even describe how beautiful it is to me. The Big Guy knew what he was doing when He carved that rock quarry. End o' story.

I spent 9 of the 11 miles singing "I will walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more." Followed directly with "DADADADA..." Nobody sang the responses back to me. Bummer.

So basically the premise of this post is to show you I've been training for the Little Rock Half Marathon, and things have been going well.

I ran 9 miles at Two Rivers Park a few weeks back. Around mile 4, we decided to throw in a mile of trail running just off the River Trail. It was the highlight of the run.

I ran 10 miles last weekend. My  first long run after turning 25. YAY for birthdays. We ran from the Clinton Library to Burns Park and back. Not my best run. I was cold to the bone. No sun. Windy. Total diva princess...and not in a good way.

As a treat to starting my 25th year, I bought some new trail running shoes.

Hello unofficial Brooks spokesperson. #runhappy

After a 2.5 mile birthday trail run on the Pinnacle Mountain Base Trail, I decided trail shoes were a must if I didn't want to die running over all the rocks, roots and occasional small animal.

There will be a post about trail running once I get some more experience with it. But as of right now, I can tell you without hesitation trail running is the best kind of tough. Badassness just exudes out of you. Oh, and you'll be introduced to a new kind of tired.

I'm currently recovering.

Long runs are the best. Reading is the best. How I Met Your Mother is the best.

If I don't see ya before, I'll see ya at the finish line on 3.3.13. BOOM!!!

Three Years Ago

Three years ago today I started this blog. It's weird to think about how different everything was three years ago. I've blogged off and on for three years. I've documented my life for three years, and it's a pretty cool thing.

So in honor of my blogging anniversary, I have an announcement.

On March 3, 2013, I will be running the Little Rock Half Marathon. This is my second half marathon. I ran St. Jude's about a month ago.

I took a month off from running after St. Jude. I ran maybe three times just to see if I still could. Why do I keep thinking I'll forget how to run 5 miles?

I haven't gotten into a solid running routine, but I have been running. Last weekend's long run was warm and rainy.

It was my first run in the rain. I loved it so much the next time a storm's brewing and it's warm outside I will be putting on my running shoes.

I'm going for a little 3 mile run this afternoon, and then tomorrow I'm going for 8 miles. Long runs are my favorite. Something about falling into a rhythm and relaxing. Not all of them are rhythmic and relaxing. Some of them suck. But at least I'm out there putting one foot in front of the other.

 I hate to make this short and sweet, but I have a date with a four-year-old bald baby girl that I haven't seen in a week. Sweet Asher got her cast off a few days ago, and I have to tell her not to walk around. It's gonna be a fun day.

Happy Friday!!

I Run Half Marathons

One month and 16 days ago, I ran my first half marathon. It was a joyous day. The thing about December in Arkansas is the weather is unpredictable. I had no idea if I would be running in the coldest of colds or a heat wave. But at the end of the day, I wouldn't have cared what weather I faced.

I ran 13.1 miles. Or I should say 13.32 miles.

And I ran it in 2:45:37.

Not a world record, but it's a PR for this girl.

The two major things stood out from that day. Two things I will hold near to my heart forever.

1. I ran 13.1 miles representing The Brooklyn Project and Asher Brooklyn Ray.

2. I ran 12.5 miles with my mom, my favorite person on the planet.

I am so grateful for this experience. Running 13.1 miles for bald babies who need love and support is an awesome thing. Running 13.1 miles for a bald baby girl I love to death makes it even sweeter. And sharing the whole run with my mom was the icing on the cake.

But this is what I know.

• Nothing is quite as exhilarating as standing at the starting line of a major race. 
• Running through St. Jude's campus at Mile 4 bring emotions so intense that it brought tears to my eyes. I had to fight back the ugly cry. Towards the end of mile 4 coming out of St. Jude's campus, I thought I was in the clear. But a certain lady caught my eye across the road. We locked eyes. And she mouthed the most sincere thank you, thank you so much. Her eyes broke contact with mine and drifted down the little girl with a pink scarf on her head. I lost it. I was running a half marathon, but that lady reminded me why I was running a half marathon. 
• Miles 8 through 10 were tough physically and mentally. You just keep running out and feel like you'll never turn around. Something about turning around is a mental checkpoint for my brain. I need a turnaround. 
• Break off from my mom and Lisa at mile 12.5 was tough. I wished we could have finished together. And we will very soon.
• The last half mile I ran by myself I felt like I was flying. Alone in my thoughts. Feet hitting the pavement. Passing other runners. Bringing it in. Feet crunching over gravel the last hundred feet. Seeing the finish line. Total sensory overload. 
• Nothing is quite as satisfying as crossing the finish line of a major race. 

I hope each of you find something you are passionate about and hold on to it for dear life. Take time to find it. It's worth it. I promise.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Well it's four days into the new year, and I haven't posted in forever. But that's ok. Just means I have lots of stories to tell you now that I'm back.

I've been wanting to tell the St. Jude's half marathon story for weeks now, but my spare time has been sparse. I do solemnly swear to tell the St. Jude's half marathon story. But for now I give you some teasers.

 Just so you know I finished. Because I did. And it was awesome.

And for Christmas I got this.

One of the few things I have with the coveted 13.1 on it. I need to tell you that the race expo had no small 13.1 stickers. So no new car bling. Zip. Nada. Nan.

Needless to say, I was completely appalled by the lack of stickers. I mean I did run 13.1 miles. And my car has nothing to show for it.

I also need to mention the fact that I wore my medal for an entire day. Yep.

And just for good measure, I should also bring up the fact the Mayans were complete wrong in their end of the world prediction. 2013 is here and going full force. And I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth.

It's crazy to me how time just zooms by. I wake up, eat, work, eat again, socialize, eat again, run, shower, sleep, repeat. My new job has taken over my life. And for a 20 hour part-time job, I'm not sure how it's become such a dominate force.

Aside from things being crazy with the new job and lots of traveling back and forth from the Big City to the homeland, everything is strangely normal.

I rang in 2013 with my two favorite people (the roommate and Chelsey if you're curious). One of which was the birthday girl (a.k.a the roommate) on NYE.

I think the roommate had a pretty good birthday...I mean she looks fabulous. 25 and fabulous.

I'm looking forward to 2013.

While 2012 wasn't a complete bust, it wasn't the best of years either. I mean I broke up with someone. Was jobless for three months. My three-year-old cousin was diagnosed with cancer and had major bone replacement surgery. Stress everywhere.

But the upside is that I broke up with someone that wasn't right for me. Was jobless for three months while I helped take care of the cancerous three-year-old who had major bone replacement surgery. I got a new job that I like a whole lot. I became friends with someone I never thought I would become friends with, and I've realized it was a God-given friendship. I trained for and ran my first half marathon. And I rang in the new year with two of my favorite people on earth.

So 2012 is what I would call a growing year. I feel like a completely different person, and by that I mean a better person. I learned a lot about myself and what I don't want for this one life I get. So that just means the possibilities for what I do want in my life will be easier to find. And that means I must be doing something right. Right?

I hope everyone has a fantastic start to this new year. And I hope you know this means a fantastic start (or I should say restart) to blogging. I'm back!!!!