3 Half Marathons in 2012

One year ago, in November of 2011, I was ready for change.

I didn't know how it would morph, but I knew that it was inevitable.

After having my third child, I was desperate to inhabit my body again and to rediscover me.  And so, I set out, to do some work.

I put one foot in front of the other and decided that I was going to give running a go.

I could barely run around the block or the track at the gym.  I was frustrated...mortified at the place I'd found myself.  My fitness level was in the toilet.

But bit by bit through will and consistency, I started to emerge.

My goal was to run a half marathon on the morning of my 37th birthday.  It was a daunting task.  I had to be able to run for 13.1 miles which seemed impossible.

And then, I did it. It was the best birthday present ever.  Here's me crossing the finish line.

Once I completed that race, I decided that it was time to go back to my roots.  I registered to run the Chicago Half Marathon to reconnect in the city where I went to college and to claim something for my own. I didn't plan on traveling alone for the experience, but with the help of many, I went and had hands down one of the top 10 experiences of my life.  Here's me post the race.

And finally to commemorate the annual anniversary of the year of change, I ran the North Face Endurance Challenge Half Marathon race in Kansas City.  By far and away the most physically grueling of all three courses, it was the best way to end the year.  Here's a post race photo op.

45 pounds lighter, significantly stronger in body, mind, and spirit...here's what I've learned.

• Never ever, ever, ever give up on yourself.  You are a child of God and an investment worth fighting for every minute of every day.

• Anything that is worth its weight in gold is not easy.  It will hurt.  It will be frustrating.  You will want to give up...many, many times.  Don't.  Keep trying.

• Failure is good.  Falling on your face while trying something new and outside of your comfort zone is the best way to know that you are alive, inhabiting your body and living your life.

• You've only been given one life and nobody else will live it for you....it's up to you to decide that you're going to own it...all of it...the good and the bad.

• You are never alone.  More people than you know are willing to support you.  Just reach out.  We're ready and waiting.

• Often, change doesn't have to be all or nothing.  One small tweak today overtime can make a tremendous difference in the long run.

• You are stronger and more capable than you ever imagined.  Your greatest ally is the little voice inside your head and your heart saying, "Keep going.  I believe in you."  Listen to it.  And don't let anyone tell you differently.

• Life is meant to be joy filled.  If you're feeling less than or doubtful that you're "all-in," don't be.  Do something about it.  Change is the only constant.  And, it's a powerful thing.

I don't know what 2013 will bring, but I'm really excited and extraordinarily grateful for this journey.

North Face Endurance Half Marathon-Kansas City

I have this amazing friend.

She's the one who originally inspired and encouraged me last year to run my first half marathon.

This summer, she competed in her first Half Iron Man (which if you're unfamiliar is a 1.2 mile swim followed immediately by a 56 mile bike ride, followed immediately by running a half marathon).  She did it in grueling heat with a smile on her face.

And yesterday, she registered to compete in her first full Iron Man (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, 26.2 or marathon run) which she'll complete next September.

In preparation, she needs to run a marathon and so together, we're headed to Kansas City in November to do the North Face Endurance Challenge.

North Face offers these races in cities across the country.  They're typically off road with crazy ass elevation and some technical difficulty.

Kansas City is one of the few races that will be on the road.

She'll be running a full marathon and I'll be running a half.

Reviewing the course, it's beyond clear that I'm going to have to start running hills and doing some tempo training work.  I'd like to get a bit faster.  And, I'll have to learn to run in colder temperatures.  The high for KC in November is 52 degrees.

I'm excited.  I'm anxious.  I'm hopeful.  And now, I'm re-focused on a new goal, a new challenge, a new opportunity and a new chance to keep owning 2012...the year of Kelly.

Wish me luck!

Come Back Kid

If you've even been remotely connected to me for the last four months, you know that I've been trying to make running a permanent part of my life.

I signed up to run a half marathon race in five weeks on the morning of my 37th birthday.  I've been devoted to my training program.  And I ran two mini races prior to the big one.

And then, around a month ago, I came face to face with shin splints and knee pain, my nemesis.

To be completely honest, I used to think that people that had back problems or joint issues or fill in the blank were just sort of sissies, pansies, attention seekers.

And now I get it, I'm a moron.  When you live with chronic pain and it affects your quality of life such that you can't do that which brings you joy...you get pissed off, and rightfully so.  And, I have been pissy, negative, down in the dumps, bitchy, pessimistic and on a god damn mission to figure out what in the hell is going on with my body.

After hearing multiple people say, I think it's your shoes and I'd already had brand new shoes...I thought, what the hell, I'm going to the running store to have them analyze my gait and help me figure out if I'm a loser runner.

When I arrived, they watched me walk, run, and observed my arch, pronation, stance, and form...and you know what the verdict was....you look perfect, except, I think your shoes are a smidge too small which means that your shock absorption is going up your shin into your knee and leg.  WTF?? 

Did you know that your running shoe is typically one full size larger than your regular shoe?  Yep, me neither.  So, they swapped my old ones for a free pair and I went for a run.  Just a mile and a half.  But it felt good.  I hadn't forgotten.  I hadn't lost my ability to keep the breath or the cadence.

Now, I just have to slowly, very slowly ease back into it.  And, I'm hopeful that in 5 weeks...I'll be dawning my number ready for my first half marathon race.

The Year of Kelly

From time to time (typically around this time), I get an itch...an inkling...a feeling that this coming year is going to be a year to tackle something new, to break boundaries, to grow...and as such, I dub it, "The Year of Kelly."

It's not intended to be egotistical or ostentatious...just simply, an effort to bring awareness to change in my life.

And boy, am I ready for change.  Now, that our youngest is a year old, I'm sleeping through the night and life looks bareable again, I've registered to run a half marathon on the morning of my 37th birthday.

I have lofty goals to grow my jewelry business.

And, I'm intent on writing as much as possible.  I don't know what form this will take and at this point, I'm not too concerned, I just want to keep getting the voices out of head and onto paper (maybe, I should be checking into medication as well.)

It's a beautiful thing to start reinvesting in yourself.  It feels liberating and scary all in the same breath.

As I approach 2012, I intend to take it slow...putting one foot in front of the other...or better yet, running one mile at a time, until one day, I find that I'm doing it.  Embracing me.