Half Marathon #12

Half Marathon #12 is in the books. I went into today knowing this race would be just as tough physically as it would be mentally given my sub-par training. I had accepted my season and was just going to have fun with my running tribe. All things considered it was pretty great race mentally and physically I felt really good until about Mile 11. Mile 12 I realized I missed a nutrition intake, but at that point the damage was done. 

When things got hard I spent those miles thinking about Parker, Peyton and their brave momma. I thought about how sometime in the next 8 weeks 1 phone call will change our lives forever. And in a brief moment when I wanted to quit, I thought about the lessons I hope to one day teach our precious girls - not just through my words, but my actions. Recovery has been a little rough today, but I'm still smiling. I am thankful for the ability to run, for a crazy supportive husband, that I got to run along side some of my very best friends and watched as one of them set nearly a 20 minute PR! 5 years of distance running and can't wait to see what adventures are to come! 

A Goal Without A Plan Is Just A Wish

Well I had a plan when my training started. Having a plan and following it are two different things. So now that we are a week out I'm going to wish for an amazing race. But truth be told I just want to have a good time with my girlfriends and finish upright.

Yellow Shoe Diaries: I Never Want To Forget What Today Felt Like

I never want to forget what today felt like. 

The last minute panic over what I was wearing. 

The mix of nerves and excitement as I made my way up to the start line with up AJ, Jen and Garrison.

 

The moment it hit me for the first time ever I was actually able to pace with AJ and we were running together. And taking silly selfies. 

The brief moments of doubt and the overwhelming peace that quickly followed. 

The moment I realized I was running a race far greater than I could imagined. 

The joy that seeing Kipper and Watts along the route brought me. 

And that last mile. Oh that last mile. My body ached and my emotions were high. I never want to forget that last turn to the finish. The salty tears streaming down my face and my favorite Chris Tomlin song turned up just enough so I could hear it over the crowd. 

Then crossing the same finish line where this crazy dream started. It was surreal. It was so special. It was a defining moment for me as a runner.

Being able to text Lil' Polley my results and her ecstatic response.  

Meeting Jen on the back half of the course and being able to run her across the 20 mile mark and the final bit into the park. 

Watching and cheering Jen cross the finish line of her first Full Marathon! 

And the huge smile that was apparently plastered on my face during every single phase of the day. 

No mater where my journey leads next these are moments I never want to lose sight of. Moments that were all made possible through God's love and amazing grace.  

Yellow Shoe Diaries: One Week To Go

Today was my last long run Sunday before the big day! The next week will be all about hydration, nutrition, relaxation and mental preparation. (With a big emphasis on the mental part!) This season of training has been unlike any before. I am experiencing a weird mixture of confidence and fear. I know what I am capable of. I just have to keep believing in that and stop worrying about the perfect racing conditions. 

Last year was the exact opposite of of perfect conditions and it was an incredible day.  I have learned that while the weather does affect me some, having my heart and mind in the right place is so much more important. In moments of doubt and fear God had carried me. Mental preparation for me is really spiritual preparation. I don't run for my own glory - I run for His glory. 

I just need to accept that I don't know what the outcome of my personal race will be, but I do know it will be an epic day for our little running tribe. Jen is taking on her first full marathon and I can't wait to finish my race so we can cheer her through the back half of the course.  And our newest (and youngest) recruit, Garrison, is taking in his first half. 14 years old and running a half marathon! 

Now for the next week to fly by and Mother Nature to remember to take her crazy pills just in case.

Yellow Shoe Diaries: Worst. Training. Run. Ever.

Running is a humbling sport. 

Today I had my worst long run of this year. Maybe ever. I decided to share this not for sympathy or admiration but because I often look at old running posts when I need inspiration. And I am pretty sure future Allie needs to remember today. 

Mother Nature set the stage for a great 10 miles with gorgeous weather. Seriously is was like an Spring day in late March or early April, but in January. Of course to keep things interesting Mother Nature also threw in some awesome cramps. Every step it felt like I was being stabbed in the stomach with a knife. Sometimes being a girl really sucks. 

By mile 3 I considered calling it a day because I was so off pace and hurting badly. By the time I made it to mile 7 I was still moving slower than I needed but was starting to feel a little better. That was until a group of 7-8 year old boys started "cheering" me on by chanting "Run Fatty, Run!" 

AYFKMRN?!?! 

I would be lying if I said I didn't want to flip them off or knock on their parents door. But then I started thinking how lots of kids learn their behavior from their parents and I was a little scared of what the response would be if I did knock on their door. I just kept going. I would also be lying if I said I didn't shed a tear or two over the next mile or so. I didn't cry because they hurt my feelings. I am fully aware I am a bigger girl. No one looks at me and says, "Oh that girl is totally a runner!" 
The tears that were falling were tears of pride. 

I had every reason to stay on the couch with a heating pad today, but I didn't. I had every reason to quit at mile 3 when Kipper offered to come get me if I was in too much pain, but I didn't. Today I dug deep, gave what I could and made it just over 9 miles. Today I am thankful for the reminder that in the long run of this journey, the accomplishments on my worst days are just as sweet (sometimes sweeter) than setting a PR on my best days.

Yellow Shoe Diaries: Titanic Kind of Day

Some runs I feel like I could fly. And some runs feel like I weigh 500 pounds and I am dragging the Titanic behind me. First long run of 2016 and it was a Titanic kind of day.

I walked in the door afterwards beating myself up about it. Then I realized something. I had three choices this morning: say screw it and go home, take the easy flat loop, or suck it up and run hills. Two years ago I would have gone home. A year ago I would have taken the easy route. Today I ran mile after mile of hills. I knew that my pace would be crap but I also knew in the long run time on those hills would make a bigger difference come race day than a faster pace on a random training run. Just took a little perspective to help me remember that some progress can't be seen in distance or pace.

Yellow Show Diaries: Don't Worry I Know I'm Crazy

Pay no attention to the girl in the crazy pants, quietly sobbing through a good portion of her workout. No, I wasn't pushing myself too hard, but thank you for your concern random treadmill neighbor. It's been a rough day and therapy is expensive. 

Sometimes a girl just needs to cry a few tears of relief and joy because God is oh so good. And sometimes it happens while she runs. I'm an emotional runner. I can think of worse things.

Yellow Shoe Diaries: The Great Ankle Spraining of 2014

Taking in all the Christmas lights on what might have been one of the most incredible runs I have ever had. Everything felt so effortless. It was like I was flying up and down the hills. I even texted Kipper to let him know I was going to run longer than planned. 

Then I  fell off a curb and rolled my ankle! (and before you ask it wasn't while I was texting!!) It took a second for me to realize what happened but when it clicked I just started bawling. I sat down on the curb for a moment thinking it would just stop hurting after a moment. It didn't really stop but I guess I sort of got used to the pain and realized I couldn't just sit on the curb all night. 

Nearly a mile away, I hobbled home. My ankle is so swollen and already bruising. Pretty sure my Holiday Run Challenge has come to an early end this year. :( 

Yellow Shoe Diaries: You Are Enough!

To whoever chalk bombed the trail this weekend with various sayings - Thank You!!! 

My training has been off and I was slightly dreading today's long run. 4 miles in I was miserable and I was just going to quit because I was so disappointed in myself.  Right before made the turn to go back to my car, I talked myself into pushing through a little longer.  

Even though I struggled and fought with myself the entire time - I made it. Kipper met me at the food truck park to eat afterwards and just stared at me as I sobbed post run. (girls are weird, haven't we covered that by now?) Today was an excellent reminder that running 10 less than stellar miles always trumps giving up on yourself! 

The Start Of Something New: Yellow Shoe Diaries

Changing of the guard! 

My faithful pink shoes ran their last 9 miles yesterday. I achieved things I never imagined in those shoes. Can't wait to see where my new pair takes me. 

Welcome to the Yellow Shoe Diaries!! 

Make sure to follow me on Instagram #yellowshoediaries for all my Yellow Shoe Diary adventures as I will only be highlighting the most significant or my favorites on the blog.