Rocket Run Ten Miler (Success!), my runner's body (Ehhh?), and St. Jude Fundraising (YAY!)

Okay, whew, I have some ideas on what and how to write it. I hope what I type up ends up making sense and I don't have too many typos...

ROCKET RUN TEN MILER 

Stewart, Troy, Matt, Myself, and Susan
Some of the WRH running peeps. We have endured so many long run together! :)

Also, I'm short...

This race had great volunteers and such a great atmosphere, just like last year...it's still one of my favorite races. Wow, what a beautiful day for a race! However, I do remember waking up that morning, still completely exhausted after 8 hours of sleep. I remembered thinking, "Why am I even driving to Mooresville today and racing? I'm sleepy...". I was actually somewhat pessimistic about how this race would turn out. I didn't really have a goal in mind, but I figured a free race (thanks, Huntsville Track Club) would be the perfect motivation & excuse to get ten miles in. So...

Susan, Myself, and Colleen! 

The race went great! I had GREAT company before, during, and after the race. The "during" part was especially important. During the race, I was just so thankful because I felt great...no stomach pain, no shin pain, no headaches...and the weather wasn't too hot or cold for me! Susan stayed with Colleen and I for a few miles, but her fast self had flown by halfway through, but hey, keeping her in sight become one of my goals, and I was able to see her most of the race! Susan is great to talk to, and with us both being educators, we find ourselves with PLENTY of talk about...

Also, I have ran with Colleen a few times before, and every time I run with her, she has a great traveling story to tell, or has a cool story to tell about her kids and their lives. It was so sweet to see them at the finish line cheering her on! :) At the end of the race, Troy met up with me and ran part of the last mile with me (thanks! you rock! :-D)...I still can't believe that I averaged a 9:06 pace at this race. Granted, it was flat for the most part, but I honestly didn't think I could go for that speed for that long. Once of the many cool things about running is that sometimes you find yourself doing the things that you considered impossible at the time...

 Rocket Run Ten Miler Finish Line Photo! That chick in the green behind me went full BEAST MODE and completely out sprinted me to the finish! :-D

 MY RUNNING BODY...YOUR RUNNING BODY...ehh?

So, I hope this next part doesn't come across as unthoughtful, pointless, or false. Honestly, I am just thinking out loud as I type...

At the end of the race, as I said my "good-byes" to my running peeps and was walking toward the car, I had a lady speak to me (and if you are reading this now, just know I am definitely not angry, I just found it awkward and confusing at the time...haha!). She said she recognized me from We Run Huntsville and my blog postings. One of the comments that she made was that I looked "much bigger" in real life that I do in my blog...

....O_o

Seriously, the first thing that crossed my mind was "why would you say that?", and I think she figured out after her comment that it could have been taken as rude, and she apologized immediately. However I did notice that she kept looking at my legs, and she even said that I look like I have "strong legs"...

Let me say this. Runners come in all shapes and sizes. Three years ago, what she commented would have REALLY gotten to me, and I don't even think she meant it to be rude or mean. I mean, really, girls/women can be so insecure/ashamed of their bodies due to whatever reason. It's sad what society portrays and thinks that a "real", "beautiful", or "sexy" woman looks like. I will say this: when I stopped caring about how I looked and just enjoyed the sport of running, I became more confident in myself, and I don't question my body or feel insecure about it.

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with weight goals. If you read one of my first blogs, you will see how I had a vain goal in the beginning of my health journey. Everyone knows extra weight can attribute to many health conditions that you do not want...(high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, knee issues, headaches, fatigue, the list goes on and on...). However, your health journey shouldn't JUST be about weight. When I see people start getting obsessive and continual about "oh, look how I look!" or "wow, look how many inches I lost!" etc, they've lost the whole point...you should want to FEEL better, and how you LOOK shouldn't be #1. I feel like once you get too connected with that, it seems, well, like idol worship to me, and I feel like you are going to eventually let yourself down because one day, yes, you will be at your "ideal weight" or "ideal look". Then what?

Am I making any sense? Maybe I am just blah blah blah-ing...

This is coming from someone that went to the doctor on Monday, and when I hopped on the scale at the doctor's office, I thought "Oh, that's how much I weigh. I didn't know that...cool" Let me just go ahead and tell you...

Now I know that I weight 125 lbs. 

I do NOT have a thigh gap. Yes, I lost weight since I started my running journey in late 2011, but Body Glide is my best friend on a long run.

I love chocolate, cheese, and Coca-Cola, and I am not going to act like I don't. Do I eat/drink it every single day? No. Am I going to give it up completely? NO.

I dread getting on a treadmill, and I dread Jillian Michaels and her evil workout videos, but I love how I FEEL afterward.

I still cannot do a pull up. 

I do NOT have a six pack, and yes, I do ab workouts 4 times a week.

However, I DO have thighs, and yes, even some cellulite! Running, squats, lunges, hip bridges, etc has made me toner and stronger, but heck, I am not what America considers a model. 

 

But...I sure am strong and pretty, and I have a husband that reminds that I am beautiful every single day! <3 comment-3--="">

With that being said, let me tell you what running has done for me...

1) I have met amazing people who I consider role models in the sport of running, and people that I truly look up to and consider my friends. 

2) I have seen myself run races, distances, and speeds that I NEVER thought possible. 5ks, 10ks, 15ks, 10-milers, half marathons, full marathons, and one 50k (30+ miles...)

3) It gives me more time to pray, think, and clear my head on my solo runs. Running also taught to be a good listener for my running buddies, and to be more talkative (I'm such a hermit...). 

4) Running has taught me to eat healthier (no, not EVERY meal, let's be real here) and to consider food portion sizes. 

5) Running has helped me with my anxiety and stress. 

MCKAY HOLLOW MADNESS 12k

So, my next blog should be interesting. My third trail race is tomorrow. I hear it is technical, and I hear it's a challenge...these pictures should sum it up...

  and of course this...

...and did somebody say that there will be Bojangles at the race?!

 

My goal for Saturday: NO INJURIES. I'm looking forward to blogging about trail race #3!

-Holly 

Oh, and of course...

Runkeeper.com---get the free app today and find your Couch to 5k Plan!

Hal Higdon's Training Plans...do you want to walk or run for your first 5k?  

 A great list of what beginning runners need to know/do...a humorous/informative Runner's World post for beginners

Get the RIGHT running shoes for YOU. It's a BIG deal! 

 

And THANK YOU to everyone that has donated to ST JUDE to help these precious children & families! If you want to be included in the $50 Fleet Feet Gift Card drawing, have your donation in by April 1st! For every $10 you donate, your name will be added to the drawing!

Holly's Fundraising Page