Down The Rabbit Hole

 

Miss me?

I’ve attempted a few times to write a blog post in the weeks (months?) since my last visit. Each time, I just get completely overwhelmed and say screw it. I don’t know where my blog will go from here, I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I felt the need to stop in with an update.

Things are not going well. There have been some dates that I had a hard time with, there is an event coming up I’m going to have a hard time with and basically I feel like my support system is slowly crumbling, piece by piece. Getting out of bed every day is a challenge, never mind trying to add blog posts to my day.

Enough boo hoo shit. I’m tired of talking about my feelings, which I’m told on an almost weekly basis that I’m “allowed to feel” by my therapist. Grrrrreat. They feel awesome.

So what have I been up to?

I went to VT for the Infinitus trail race. Since I was injured (shocking, I know), I rucked the 8K with two friends instead of running it. It was a serious trail – real steep inclines and declines, some crazy bushwhacking and challenging terrain. When I finished, I hung out at base camp and watched all the crazy ultra people come in and out as they ran mile after mile. It was a cool environment to be around.

 

 

 

I ran the Gaspee Days 5K again – one of only 2 races that I’ve run every year since I started.

 

 

I’ve done another Carry the Fallen ruck march – this one in Plymouth because we were moved out of Boston at the last minute for Pride. It actually turned out to be a nice change.

 

 

 

 

I attempted my first GORUCK Challenge. The Light I did last year was almost 4.5 hours. A Challenge is normally around 12 hours. The DAY BEFORE the event, I found out I had a rib subluxation and possible rotator cuff tear. I attempted it anyway. I lasted 45 minutes into the Welcome Party and had to medically withdraw. I was devastated and still am. I feel like a quitter. I am so, so proud of my girls though. They all finished and were amazing.

 

 

Shadow Squad

 

 

I’ve shadowed some GORUCKs, including the one I should have been taking part in. I have a passion for it. I really enjoy taking pictures, and being out there, watching my friends embrace the suck inspires me. There is something about walking through a city at zero dark thirty, when everything is still, that’s beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

I tagged along in the pouring rain to the Spartan Super to cheer on my friends and had a lot of fun, even completely soaked.

 

 

We attended my cousin’s bridal shower and I got to see my family.

 

 

 

I spent a fabulous day with some friends at a gorgeous lake and just enjoyed being outside in nature.

 

 

We celebrated the 4^th of July at our house with a cookout with friends. We had so much fun, there really aren’t any pictures (besides one I’m not sure should be shared lol). It was a really good day. A really, really good day. One that I wish I could bottle for the bad days.

I hit a slump in training, eating right, basically anything healthy. I completely self-sabotaged. I’m trying to fix it. I’m doing the best I can for now. I feel like I have more to say, but no words to say it, so I’ll end here for today.

See you when I see you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Face The Music Friday #70

Saturday – Rest – lots happening
Sunday – 8.5 miles
Monday – Rest
Tuesday – 3 miles
Wednesday – 30 min yoga
Thursday – 5 miles
Friday – probably yoga later

 

Just a quick update today. Last Saturday, there was a lot going on so I never got a workout in, but I wasn’t too worried about it. The rest of the week rounded out OK. I had an eye appt in the morning, then later volunteered at an LLS fundraiser at Unleashed and finally went to a friend’s birthday party that night where I played laser tag for the first time (super fun btw)!

 

 

Back to the training, I was a little disappointed in Sunday’s run. It was nice enough to meet up with a friend at City Park for what I had scheduled to be 10 miles. We went out WAY too fast at the beginning (for me anyway). After I finished a loop and was only 8.5 miles in, I didn’t have anything left to go back around for another 1.5. I was happy I got that close – my legs were like lead weights.

Tuesday and Thursday more than made up for that though. Tuesday night I did those 3 miles on the dreadmill, but I’ve noticed my speed is increasing now and it felt comfortable. Thursday was an amazing, amazing run. I decided since the rain was supposed to hold off that I would run outside. I got my head lamp ready and headed out since it would be dark by the time I finished. I made the call in my head I would do at least 3, but aim for 5.

I started out pretty rough. I typically do for the first mile, but I pushed to keep running and not take any breaks. I settled into a good pace and managed to keep it level the entire time! I ran the whole 5 miles and not only that, of the 30 recorded Runkeeper runs I have for “4-6 miles”, it was my fastest ever with an 11:36 average pace! WHAT! Maybe it was the snow (yes, it snowed on me, on April 10th) or the empty bike paths and solitude but it was an amazing run last night and I’m so happy I kept pushing that pace.

I’ve worked out a new marathon training plan that will start in June, so until then I’ll keep up what I’ve been doing to maintain endurance and maybe pick the speed up even a little more. I’m gonna need all the cushion I can muster for MCM so I finish under 6 hours.

This week’s song is a new one, but I’m really into it. The video is weird, so maybe just listen to it instead of watch it…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yoga Studio App Review

There is no way on this earth that you are going to get me to go to an actual yoga studio.

 

 

That being said, I know yoga can only help me become a more flexible runner. Introducing – the Yoga Studio app for iOS. I’ve had a lot of people ask me what I do for yoga, so I’m going to show you a bit about the app. My cousin recommended the app to me initially and I figured it was worth the $3.99 to try it out. It has thousands of reviews and a 5-star rating so that’s a win-win in my book.

There are several ways you can use the app. There are pre-built studio classes that you can download or you can also build your own. I like that they give you the option of choosing a routine based on what it will help you with. I use flexibility the most, but the combos are good, too.

 

 

 

You also have the option of creating your own class by adding together whatever poses you’d like to perform. I have yet to use this feature because I haven’t a clue on how to put them together effectively, but I think it’s a great option to have available.

 

 

I had Tara snap some pics of me doing the 30 min Beginner Flexibility course to show you some of the poses that are incorporated. I’m really happy to see how well my Downward Dog has progressed so that I can almost touch my heels to the ground now. You will also notice my “supervisor” Delilah in the pics on occasion. She gets concerned when I’m on the ground and will spend much of the session coming over to check on me or trying to lay on top of me and get cozy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite pose – Corpse Pose! HAHA!

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 Day Blog Challenge – Day 31

 

#31 – Why do you blog

I blog as an outlet for the thoughts that swirl around my head. I blog to keep track of my training and events as a measure of my progress. I blog because my memory sucks and this is a great tool for looking back on things.

I didn’t think I could complete this challenge. I had a hard time for a while even making one weekly post, never mind one daily post. I’m glad I saw it through and it reinvigorated my writing.

I don’t really know what else to say about it except to thank you for reading day in and day out. Your comments have buoyed my spirits, encouraged me, motivated me and inspired me.

Now…tell me why YOU blog.

 

 

Day 1 and 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17, Day 18, Day 19, Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23, Day 24, Day 25, Day 26, Day 27, Day 28, Day 29, Day 30

 

 

 

 

31 Day Blog Challenge – Day 30

 

#30 – What’s in your make-up bag?

If you know me, you how ridiculous this is. I don’t wear make-up.

Only for my best friend did I ever put make-up on (for her wedding) and it was like torture! I even had to have my hair done and put on a dress. A DRESS!

 

 

 

 

Day 1 and 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17, Day 18, Day 19, Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23, Day 24, Day 25, Day 26, Day 27, Day 28, Day 29

 

 

 

 

31 Day Blog Challenge – Day 29

 

#29 – Where have you travelled

We travelled a bunch when I was a kid, but I can’t remember everywhere we went. We have family in Indiana, so we’ve gone to the midwest a bit (MO, IN, IL, OH) and we travelled down to FL and all over New England camping. Lots of family time in the car because we never flew anywhere.

I’ve gone to San Diego a couple of times. I’ve travelled to GA and TN on business. I’ve been to Montreal twice (once for my Lasik surgery) and Niagara Falls. I’ve been to Las Vegas several times since my parents/brother/niece live there.

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve seen a Cubs game at Wrigley Field.

 

 

I saw a riverboat McDonald’s on the Mississippi River.

 

 

We went to King’s Island amusement park in OH.

 

 

I got scared half to death in the pitch blackness at Alien Encounter while in Niagara Falls. I actually exited using the “chicken door”, which was basically a fire exit into a back alley behind the building.

 

 

I took a trip to the ER while camping in FL because I rode my bike into one of those warning barriers when my dad told me to watch out for an incoming truck. Smacked my head on the ground and smashed all of my fingers.

San Diego the first time was a quick family two day trip when visiting my parents in Vegas. The second time was with Tara for our honeymoon. We visited Sea World, the Zoo and took a dinner cruise. We also hit a couple of places that were on Food Network shows that we like after seeing how hyped up they were. We were not disappointed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What have been the favorite places you’ve travelled?

 

 

Day 1 and 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17, Day 18, Day 19, Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23, Day 24, Day 25, Day 26, Day 27, Day 28

 

 

 

 

31 Day Blog Challenge – Day 28

 

#28 – What are you looking forward to

I’m looking forward to the race season beginning. I’m doing far less this year to save money and keep up with marathon training, but I will be going to a bunch of events as a cheerleader/volunteer/photographer/shadow to root for my friends.

I’m going to continue to work with Active Heroes and fundraise for Carry The Fallen, as well as participate in the quarterly ruck marches.

Tara and I have decided we’re not going to put a pool up anymore in the backyard and will instead build a permanent patio around our fire pit. I’m looking forward to warmer weather to start spending more time working outdoors in the yard.

Lots more time spent with good friends and weeding out those that negatively affect my life. I’ve already made great progress with this and look forward to a more positive future.

What are YOU looking forward to?

 

 

Day 1 and 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17, Day 18, Day 19, Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23, Day 24, Day 25, Day 26, Day 27

 

 

 

 

31 Day Blog Challenge – Day 27/Face The Music Friday #68

 

#27 – Post your favorite recipe

As learned on day 21, one of my favorite foods is the Swedish Apple Pie my aunt makes for all of our holiday gatherings. Tara and I have come to make it ourselves now and it’s SO good. Try it out and let me know what you think. Share one of your favorite recipes with me!

 

Swedish Apple Pie             350 degrees / 45 minutes

Ingredients:

Apples
3/4 cup butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp sugar
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 egg (unbeaten)

Fill 9″ buttered pie plate 2/3 full with sliced apples. Sprinkle cinnamon & 1 tbsp. of sugar
over the apples.

In saucepan – melt butter. Add sugar, flour and egg.  Pour over apples.

 

Day 1 and 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17, Day 18, Day 19, Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23, Day 24, Day 25, Day 26

__________________________________________

 

Training wasn’t on par this week, but was to be expected after Saturday. Carry The Fallen went well and my feet are still a mess, so that sounds about right! I did the complete marathon ruck march with a 27 lb ruck and kept it on the entire time, outside of breaks. The only other training I’ve done is a 3 mile run on Wednesday which felt really good at the time, but my feet are paying for it again today. I don’t think they were quite ready for running again.

Next week is Julie’s birthday so we’ll be spending some time with her and Dan this weekend. Hopefully next week I’ll be back on track and we’ll see more of a normal training schedule again. I have a planned long run of 10 miles Sunday…fingers crossed!

I find my music has been drifting back towards my angsty post-college days, so enjoy this week’s throwback.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 Day Blog Challenge – Day 26

 

#26 – An old photo of you

There isn’t a lot I can tell you about one old photo of me, so I’m making it a bit of a photographic run down my younger childhood…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 1 and 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16, Day 17, Day 18, Day 19, Day 20, Day 21, Day 22, Day 23, Day 24, Day 25

 

 

 

 

Marine Corps Marathon – I’m In!

 

So, I know my blog post for today already went up for the daily challenge, but I had to share this!!!