The run that almost wasn't

I was so busy and tired today.  I had to bake a cake last night, and I was up late last night working on that.  I was super busy during the day today too, that I just didn't make it to Jazzercise.  I took the day completely off yesterday too, so I was feeling bad about two days in a row.  I actually miss Jazzercise!  I'm obsessed, I know. 

My husband Bart was taking the kids to the gym, and I did NOT want to go.  I just wanted to take a nap or take a break from the kids.  He talked me into going with them though, and I ended up running three miles on the treadmill.  Yay!  I was so happy after I finished.  So lucky and thankful for my hubs for pushing me to stay on track.

Amber texted me to tell me that tomorrow is exactly SIX MONTHS away from the big day.

Woohoo!  I can't wait!

I reached SIX MILES today!!

I missed my morning run because of weather, but I really needed to get a run in.

Today was my oldest daughter Ella's field day at school, and I got my first strange look about running a marathon.  While setting up our canopy for her class, one of the other moms helped me - dressed in her workout gear.  She mentioned something about running, and I told her about how I was running the NYC Marathon.  She didn't say anything negative, but I could see it in her face she was thinking, "you!?"  Yes, me.  I know I am not a likely candidate for running marathons, but I hope to change that!   I know she meant well, but it was worth a mental note that not all people will believe I can do it.

At the same time, I am overwhelmed with the support, emails, texts, donations and kind words people have for me since I have made the announcement.  Who knew so many people believed in me!?  I hit over $600 today, which today makes a week that I made the announcement - and that is so awesome to me!

I didn't get my run in until 4pm today.  The weather was cool and VERY cloudy but no rain.  So, I decided to go to my favorite nearby park and tackle that lake once again.  I started off on FIRE!  I zipped through the first lap.  The second lap also felt like a breeze.  I knew I would do it today.  I was listening to 80s Cardio Radio on Pandora, and I felt Perry with me every step of the way.  I really did.  In fact, I almost teared up once or twice when I started that third lap.  At the end of the third lap, I felt like Rocky running up the steps...."Gonna Fly Now!!"

SIX MILES.  This is really happening!

P.S.  I don't have gps "proof" because my gps was acting whacky.  But I promise, I ran six miles in an hour and a half.

 

Jazzy Sunday

Jazzercise today before church!  I LOVE everything about Jazzercise. 

I'm already up to $500 on my LLS donations!  Woot!  Thank you EVERYONE who has contributed!!

Rough run in the heat!!

I set my clock for 6am, and when I woke up, thunder was rumbling and it was raining. I thankfully rolled over and went back to sleep, but the sun eventually came out, and I knew I had to get my run in.  I decided since it was sunny and somewhat nice to go to the nearby park, another one of my favorites, with a two mile walking trail around a giant lake. 

I started around 11am, and the sun was already pounding.  I held my own, but after the first two miles, I was feeling the sun.  My legs weren't tired, but the heat was definitely getting to me.  I was determined to do three laps around the lake.  On my second lap, I noticed a little white butterfly that followed me throughout the rest of the lap.  I imagined it was Perry, cheering me on.  But after that second lap, I just couldn't go anymore.  The sun got the better of me. 

I couldn't be down on myself....four miles was great for a run!   But I was bummed I couldn't make it around one more time.  Next time!!!

4 comfy miles!

Four comfy miles down this morning. It felt great, just ran out of time. 

I did see this little fella on my trail but after passing by him three times, I realized he was dead. Phew!  I just about peed my pants!!

My first official donation!!

Many thanks to my neighbors and friends, Leo and Veronica Ramirez for my very first donation towards the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through my Team in Training program. Not only will this help me reach my goal for entry into the marathon, it will help immunotherapies and research to put an END to cancer once and for all!

I am forever thankful for getting the ball rolling on the donations, friends. 

A little slow but 4 miles!

Yesterday was a day off of running, but I did make Jazzercise. Man, did my legs feel heavier. But I made it through. It was good to be back after a few days off. 

Ran four miles straight this morning. It felt grat, but my pace was a little slower today. I'm not worried though. One hour of running is more important than worrying about pace at this point. It felt great!!  Who knew I would be up every morning to see this.

Sorry so blurry - took it in mid-jog!

So, four miles!  Very exciting!!  Starting to feel like this is really happening. :)

Back in the Saddle

Woke up early today, and I didn't think I got a ton of sleep, but I headed out anyway. I walked for one song, and then started jogging. I kept on and felt GREAT.  When I was done, i jogged 3.75 miles straight!  Major awesome for me and definitely the longest I have jogged up to this point!!

First day back after a stomach virus

Tuesday, I was hit with a nasty stomach virus. It was pretty gross and graphic, and it left me with fever and chills all day Tuesday. After sleeping for 12 hours that night, I felt better on Wednesday but not 100%. I still made it to Jazzercise that morning and did low impact but I was clammy and weak. I made it through though. 

Today, I feel MUCH better. Still can't keep a whole lot in my stomach, but pressing on!!  So, I took advantage of my childfree morning, and I went to my favorite park. I walked one mile, and I was ready!  I jogged the second mile, and I was able to jog the entire mile. Very exciting. 

But then I got really hot and really tired really fast. I don't know if it's my body still recovering or the weather (the sun was beaming), but I was hot.  I walked one more mile and literally went to my car to drink my entire bottle of water at once. 

So, it was a little disappointing BUT baby steps. It will get better. I need to stick to the early morning training when it's a tad cooler. Summer training in the south is gonna SUUUUUUCK. But all I kept thinking is New York will NEVER feel muggy hot like this.  

P.S.  Plus side to a stomach virus is some instant weight loss. Woot!

Saturday Soreness!

I woke up early today and went for a walk/jog.  I like to go early before my husband has to leave for work, but I am a bit on a time schedule.  I wasn't feeling the muggy weather, so I went with what I like to call a verse/chorus course through my tiny neighborhood.  So, for every song I listened to, I walked during the verses and jogged for the choruses.  Some songs had long choruses, and some were quick.  Some songs doubled up or even tripled their chorus (thanks Katy Perry), which was a nice push.  After an hour, I went about 4.17 miles.  Not too bad, but I could do better if the air wasn't so thick.

Later I remembered I planned to meet Silvia for Jazzercise at 9:30am.  It was rough getting there, but I made it (so the kids' hair wasn't brushed - big deal).  It's never good when the perky little instructor announces at the beginning, "I feel like I have to warn you all that this is going to be a tough workout today."  Thank you, Barbie.  And rough, it was!  We did more squats and lunges than I care to do in one hour. 

Needless to say, I was EXHAUSTED after a major quad workout.  Still feeling the pain.  Tomorrow will be better....right?

New kicks!

Got my new shoes today!  Major announcement once I have everything finalized. 

The Story behind Finding Mrs. Farrell

Motherhood is the most amazing and wonderful experience.

For me, I went from my former self - the self that I spent years getting to know, the self that went through countless adventures to build character and morals and strengths, the self that finally became comfortable in her own skin, the wise self with knowledge of all I've learned through life thus far, the self that has experienced heartbreaks, friendships and finally true love - and in just one day, the day of the birth of our first child, all that crap I thought I knew disappeared into a puff of smoke!

All of a sudden, I was holding this little bundle of joy, something my husband and I created, and I felt like I didn't even know myself anymore.  I wasn't that girl who had it all together, who knew everything about life.  This was a whole new life I had no idea about.  I was a WOMAN!  And not just a woman, but a mom.  This kid depended on me.   I was completely clueless and petrified but also completely and utterly in love.  And with each new child we brought into the world, my love for them grew while that girl I once knew began slowly disappearing.  Things that were once important to me were put on the back burner.  Their needs came before mine.  Their happiness came before mine.  And all of that is ok.   But somewhere in the last six years of my newfound motherhood, I lost myself.  And that's not ok.

My experiences became my kids experiences.  Theirs were the only ones that mattered.  I was definitely NOT comfortable in my own skin anymore, going from skirts and makeup to an ongoing relationship with maternity clothes and barely brushed hair.  I gained weight, and it made me feel awful.  I no longer had all the answers, and in fact, I constantly needed help and advice.  My passions that once were entwined with my dreams were far at the wayside.  And that girl seemed like a distant memory.

But one day something happened.  An awakening, if you will.  I don't think it was anything in particular, but something made me remember that girl.  Something made me remember what I loved about her and what others loved about me.  And I wanted her back.  Not completely back (we all have to grow up someday), but somehow, I awakened her spirit and willed for that girl to reunite with the mother I had become.

And so begins my journey.  It's my journey of "finding Mrs. Farrell."  It's not just about losing weight.  It's not just about getting healthy.  Those are great perks, but it's way more than that.  It's about building my friendships and relationships with those who matter most.  And it's a quest to reignite my passions.

Most importantly, it's about remembering that I can take care of my family and inspire my children if I take care of myself first.

I hope you come along with me for this journey and maybe you too will be inspired.