Today is the day, and “oh and…”

Today is the day…

Today is the day I take my test to become a certified running coach. I am beyond excited for this new chapter in my life, and cannot wait to help others discover their own love of running.

Oh and… I’m becoming a certified running coach.

A couple months ago, after much consideration, I applied for the Marathon Running Coach certification program through the NAASFP (North American Academy for Sport Fitness Professional.

While I plan to do a full recap of the certification program after completion, I opted for this one over, say RRCA (though I do eventually plan to become dual-certified with both organizations), because it is a more intensive program and takes a minimum of 22 weeks to complete. There are three components to the NAASFP program, the written test is the first. Next I will have to create a training plan for a hypothetical client, and finally the third tier, will be to train a real-life client through a 18-week marathon training plan.

Oh and… did I tell you I got a second job coaching?

Early Fall, Fit2Run Tampa (finally) adopted a Galloway-method training program. I immediately volunteered to be a “coach”, and have loved every moment since. In November, the store was looking to hire an additional coach for the training group, and things just lined up correctly, and it just kind of all worked out.

So, while I had to dust off my decade-old retail-world shoes, I am so thrilled for the opportunity to do what I love- and to get paid for it.

Oh and… did I tell you I’m running again?

I FINALLY, in October, got cleared to start running again. It took me a good couple weeks to actually start trying. It’s scary being injured. Still to this day, I have to ask myself, is what I’m feeling in my leg, or just in my head. But, I will get there!

Oh and… did I tell you what I signed up for?

IRONMAN AUGUSTA 70.3!!!

I may be crazy, but I’m also determined. For these next few months, I will be gradually increasing the number of workouts I do weekly, and once I complete my next Marathon (April), that’s when training will kick into high gear. I’m looking at 6 days a week, with some days days being 2 workouts a day. I’m such a dork, but I cannot wait!

Oh and… my next marathon is in April

I’ll be running the Newport, RI Rhode Race in April, and… MY BABY SISTER WILL BE THERE TOO!! Since dad is living in RI until June, I figure it’s a great time to check off RI on my states-to-run-in list, and to spend some time with dad. The whole family is making  a vacay out of it! 🙂

Oh and… speaking of races.

Last month, I did the Hot Chocolate Run in Tampa.

I had registered for the 15k pre-injury, and while this was the first race I could do some running in, I still had to walk the majority. But, almost my entire Galloway group did it too! And they rocked it! 🙂

And, then of course there was Vegas! Pre-injury, I registered for the Rock ‘N Roll Las Vegas Marathon as a charity runner for St. Jude’s. We also planned out a week-long vacation around it. I eventually had to drop-back my registration to the half marathon, and decided I would just walk the half. And, I did!

Word to the wise: walking a half marathon is not fun. It hurts. A lot. 😉

But… we had an amazing time in Vegas! We got to see Celine Dion (OMG!!!) as well as “O” by Cirque Du Soleil. And, while I didn’t strike it rich playing roulette, we will definitely be back.

So, there you have it. The last few months summed up. I can sit here and make excuses for why I went MIA, or I can just try to be better. And, that’s what the new year is all about, right…?

Happy running!

Life is good!

It’s been a few days… 😉

Let’s catch up!

I had my MRI done on the 18th (of August). I am a bit claustrophobic, so I was super nervous and freaked out going in for the appointment. All the worrying I did, was all for nothing. The top half of my body was out of the machine, and while it was loud, it was not anything to be too concerned with.

I was given headphones, and was surprised that the musical selection was actually pretty good (Ray LaMontagne for the win!). The whole MRI process took about twenty minutes, and I can honestly say, at one point I got bored.

The next day I went in for the results.

Four weeks no running. Once again, not at all what I was expecting to hear.

But, I figured I had two choices. 1) I could make the most of my time off (from running), or 2) I could let it ruin my life. A bit dramatic? Perhaps.

So…

When life gives you lemons, you buy really expensive lemonade.

The doctor prescribed lots of biking and swimming. Is it just me, or does it feel like he is forcing me to add triathlete to my resume?! 😛

I figure now is as good a time as any. So I upgraded my mountain bike to a beautiful new set of wheels. Hello Red!

I was a bit rusty getting back on the bike- no lie, it has been years- but… Now that I have learned I am not invincible and injury can happen no matter how careful (or slow) I run, I am putting cross-training higher up on my to-do list.

I even went out and got myself some fancy pedals and clip-in cleats, and a trainer to practice at home. Um hello! That’s not an easy thing to do!

The “practicing” has (and will continue) to help build up my confidence on the bike- which is something I greatly lack. Without it, I don’t think I would have been quite as successful as I was with my FIRST EVER 20 mile ride this weekend! Woot! Woot! Talk about excitement!

Christine and Shanny (from the Fit2Run training group) met up with me early this morning at the Suncoast trail, and we had such a blast.

Oh, and not to pat myself on the back or anything, but… I DID NOT FALL!!! Nope, not even once!

In addition to all of these grand cycling adventures, I bit my lip and (re)joined LA Fitness. This is the only chain of gyms in the area that touts indoor swimming pools among their list of amenities.

In the past, I have not been a fan of LA Fitness. I always found them to be way too crowded. I decided to join the location on the opposite side of town, and have been very pleased. Granted, I have only been going for a couple weeks. It has felt pretty darn good being back in the pool. It makes me feel like a kid back on the rec swim team again. 🙂

My followup with the Ortho is scheduled for Friday this week. I’m nervous and excited. I hope I get cleared to start running again, but regardless of what happens, I will keep my head up and my wings out. #volée

 

If you’d like to contribute to my fundraising efforts for St. Jude, you can do so by clicking here. Together we can make a difference!

Reflection on burnout: an open letter

It’s been awhile (again)… I know!

With one of my last updates I talked about some concerns/issues I was having training for the Daytona 100 50-miler Ultra. Call it a cry of help; call it a release. Whatever it was, that post helped me find my way.

It still took some time, but I’m back.

I have decided that 2016 will not be the year I became an ultrarunner. And you know what? I’m okay with that.

My heart just wasn’t in it- among other things.

But, if not that, then what…?

What would make me happy? What would make me excited to train for? To want to put in the hard work for?

And, that’s when it hit me… Rock ‘N Roll Vegas!

Registering for the race took some time. There was a lot of “what if” standing in the way and holding me back. Until I decided to do something bigger than myself…

The official charity partner of Rock ‘N Roll race series is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For years, I have been a huge fan of St Jude and what they stand for. And like that, something clicked.

I will be running Rock ‘N Roll Vegas on November 13, 2016 as a St Jude Hero, and I could not be more thrilled to do so.

AND! If that wasn’t exciting enough! This week kicks off Fit2Run’s first-ever Galloway Run/Walk Training Program, and guess who will be a group leader… Yours truly! 🙂

I am a HUGE proponent of the Galloway Method, and when I saw Fit2Run would be hosting the program, I was beyond stoked. To be approached to be a group leader was just the icing on the cake. To give back to something that has given me so much, it’s a no-brainer!

I may have burned myself out, and been in a bit of a funk, but I’M BACK!!! And it feels good to be back!

Happy running!

If you’d like to contribute to my fundraising efforts for St. Jude, you can do so by clicking here. Together we can make a difference!