Thank goodness for Spring Break

Spring Break is like having a cupcake first thing in the morning. =) It's so sweet and makes me happy. I have been going none stop since Jan. 18th w/ school and all the other millions of things going on in my life. However, Spring Break is here and I can breath, get caught up on some things that I enjoy (blogging) and I get to see some dear friends while camping in the Ozarks. I hope to be able to continue having time to blog so until next time. =)

Sick and falling behind

Obviously I'm not very consistent at blogging but I'm doing my very best to keep you updated. The last 2 weeks I have been sick and not completing my miles for the week. It's very depressing because I feel like all the progress that I have made up until 2 weeks ago is slipping through my fingers. It's amazing how slow and hard it is to progress but how fast and easy it is to regress. It's extremely discouraging but I'm hoping to hit the pavement again real soon. Come on antibiotics!

My missing link, mosquitoes and Evil Cyclists

I completed my first Saturday run this week without having my great running buddy next to me. Not having my sister there made the run less enjoyable so whether she knows this or not, she's not allowed to miss any more Saturdays. =) It was not a fun Saturday run all together. Thanks to all the rain we've had recently, Nichols Hills with all its beautiful foliage and perfectly landscaped lawns have become the breeding grounds for mosquitoes. I swear these were not normal mosquitoes, they were Jumanji size mosquitoes. They could have carried me off but instead they chose to annoyingly leave silver dollar whelps all over my body that itched like CRAZY! For once, I was thankful for the unshaded, drab part of the run near the highway. I was hoping they would buzz right on by the faster I ran but instead they stuck to me like bugs on a windshield. I even had one dive bomb my forehead. Despite whacking myself in the face, I killed that little bugger. For a brief moment, I fist pumped and was VICTORIOUS! I then realized that I was left a nice parting gift. I huge goose knot of a whelp right on my forehead for all the world to see. Thank you Mr. Mosquito.

Now, I have always heard that cyclists dislike runners but after this Saturday's run I'm convinced they're just evil. I believe that they have a daily mission to try and take out as many runners as they can. I'm sure there is a pot of money somewhere within the cycling world for the cyclist who takes out the most runners at the end of the year. I can think of no other reason why they would choose to be so mean, rude and inconsiderate. " CYCLIST COMING THROUGH!""GET OUT OF THE WAY!" ON YOUR LEFT! ON YOUR LEFT! I SAID ON YOUR LEFT!" Well,I just don't understand what else they expect from me when I'm running on the curb, the furthest right I could possibly go without running through someone's lawn in order to accommodate them passing on the left. Just because you're traveling 20 mph on 2 wheels doesn't make you king of the road. It truly makes me want to drive in my Expedition through Nichols Hills honking and yelling, " Big ass vehicle that will run your ass over ON YOUR LEFT! ON YOUR LEFT!" I mean they seriously need to just calm down and share the road with the rest of us.

Anyway, I'm currently up to 7 miles now and still going strong. Thank you all for your generous donations and words of encouragement. =)

Ups and downs

It has been a challenging past couple of weeks. I have not been feeling very well and the last thing I want to do is go run. Yesterday I was a little light headed after my run and I'm sure it had something to do with the fact that I had unbelievable nasal congestion. It was not fun. Despite the breathing troubles and feeling icky, I have grown to love running. I've never been much of a runner. I've always had to be involved in other things like chasing after a ball or stealing bases. I find myself counting down the minutes until work is over so I can go run. It's freeing and I just feel so much better afterwards. My miles are slowly increasing and I am now at 6 miles. I never in a million years thought I would be running six miles unless a bear was chasing me or something. I am though and I enjoy it. Here is to another day of running and another day of helping to fight blood cancers.

Hot Hot Mess

I would like to start this blog by thanking everyone for the words of encouragement and donations. You are greatly appreciated and making a tremendous difference in so many individuals lives so thank you.

Today was a scorcher. I am a hot hot mess right now sitting at the computer typing this to you all. However, it was a great run.

Last night, my husband and I were watching a broadcast of 20/20 regarding "Super humans". It was a broadcast about humans that have accomplished unbelievable things. Things we grew up thinking that the comic book heroes were the only ones that could accomplish. It ranged from a man that can withstand subzero temperatures for long periods of time to "Marathon Man" who can run for hundreds of miles without stopping. It was pretty fascinating. Particularly, Marathon Man intrigued me the most. I imagine it's because of the training I'm going through but he said something that I decided to implement today. He said that you're body is only as tired as your mind tells it and that's how he gets through his hundred mile runs.If you think you're tired or can not do anymore then most likely you can't and won't. I've always known the mind to be an extraordinary tool when pushing your body to the limits but I was still uncertain to what extent. I decided to give it a shot and see if there was any truth to his madness. As I mentioned earlier in the blog, it was a hot day and I found myself becoming hotter and more exhausted by the minute. I remembered what he had said and kept thinking over and over in my head, " Tamara, your body is only as hot and tired as your mind tells it". Believe it or not, it actually worked. My pace picked up, my legs stopped cramping and it seemed like my body was cooling off. I realize that my body probably was still straining and literally wasn't cooling off but it made my run more enjoyable. I was able to get through 2 miles today in 90 degree weather and not feel as if I was about to die. It was phenomenal. The mind truly is a powerful thing. Today the saying " You can do whatever you put your mind to" was brought to light in an entirely different way. Thank you Marathon Man for helping to make today an enjoyable run.

1000 lbs

Wow, what a beautiful day today. There were blue skies, sun shining, warm but a nice cool breeze...it was B-E-A-UTIFUL! I was so excited to get home, put on my running shoes and hit the pavement. As I was stretching, I couldn't help but admire the gorgeous spring flowers and green all around. It is always nice to go run with white, red, pink, and yellow blooms as your scenery.

Okay, so I'm finished stretching and still feeling good. I put some tunes on (I was feelin' Linkin Park today). I start running and running and running. I notice the more I run the heavier my legs seem to get. I reach my mile marker and my legs feel like they weigh 1000 lbs. I'm seriously dragging ass at this point and thinking there is no way I will finish another mile. My strides are getting shorter, my feet are barely leaving the pavement and the end of my run doesn't seem to be getting any closer. My strides were so small that I at one point had to look down at my feet and make sure I wasn't just running in place. I felt like I was going no where with my legs weighing a thousand pounds and my gluts being on fire. You would think with your ass being on fire, you might want to run a little faster. I just don't understand how you can feel so good but perform so poorly. Right now, I feel like Bambi trying to walk for the first time. My legs are wobbly and I just want to fall over. Not because I'm tired but because my legs feel like...... Jello. I had all the elements lining up to have a great run today but my body said, " I don't think so". If only the elements, my brain and my body could get synchronized. Oh well, I still finished my 2 mile run so chalk a bad run down and it's a new day tomorrow.

Now, me and my wobbly legs are headed for a bubble bath. =)

Finding motivation

I can't remember the last time I was up at 6:30 am on a Saturday. It's hard to find the motivation to get out of bed early on your day off knowing you are about to go train and run for 4 miles. Somehow I did that today and although I'm a little tired, I feel great.

For those that know me, you already know about my personal medical struggles. For those that don't, here is a short and sweet recap. This past year I was diagnosed with Scleroderma which is an umbrella disease with a bunch of smaller medical issues ( Calcinosis, Raynaud's Phenomenon, Rheumatoid Arthritis) under it. Just like anyone else battling a disease, I have good days and I have bad days. Since I've started training, I have not come across a bad day yet due to my condition. Now a bad day due to work and/or school is another story. Staying committed to my training has improved my range of motion, my immune system, circulation and decreased my inflammation in my joints. I mean I actually have an ankle bone when my ankles aren't inflamed and I can squat! Hooray! I know this may not be exciting to you but this is exciting stuff for me. At 25 years old, I should be able to squat, run , skip, and leap but that hasn't been the case for me. It's been a struggle to cope with the physical limitations and only being 25. However, training has improved it all and it is getting easier every day.

When I go searching for motivation, I think of why I signed up for this to begin with. I signed up to raise funds for blood cancer research and help save lives. The truth is this could ultimately save MY life and that's just icing on the cake. However, knowing that I don't have to go any further than my bathroom mirror to find motivation, helps with those days that I struggle to go run at six thirty in the morning. When you find yourself searching for motivation, it may only be a few steps to the mirror. On those tough days getting out of bed, remember to look within first. It may make the difference between a good day and a bad day.