Only 2 miles... or was it 8?

Running is much like your favorite TV Show, if you don't stay caught up then it becomes almost unbearable to catch up. Almost. (I suppose that depends if the shows you watch are as awesome as mine are!)

With the Holidays and adjustments we had made- it happened- running fell to the background. I had done such a fantastic job of staying on top of purely maintaining just so I wouldn't set myself back but the two weeks of Christmas/New Years, and then a week with the flu and other incidentals, well... let me be honest here- I didn't MAKE the time to hit the pavement, and I was behind.

Can you claim that you are back in the game, back on the trail or hitting it hard after a 3 week hiatus with only one run after your belt? I hope so because that is what I am going to claim!

It was time for that fateful day to arrive and for me to get back out there to see just how bad off things were. With the Heartland Series peeking around the corner I was going to run out of time- and likely not survive. So I put on my big girl panties, laced up my well worn shoes and headed out. I jokingly told my husband I would be back in an hour (for a 2 miler), but sadly he didn't see the joke (or he truly agreed it may take me that long!) and noted the time --Most likely to look for my body along the trail when I didn't make it. 

But at some point every runner has to make a decision. the decision to get out there and just do it- stop talking about it and put one foot in front of the other. On this particular run, the first mile was great- running a  PR mile time and not really having any pains or breathing issues (pretty much a rock star) and then it hit me... I might actually not make it! every muscle started burning, you would have thought I smoked a whole pack of cigarettes and weighed 800 pounds for as much as it was hurting. But guess what-- I survived. I didn't die the gruesome death on the side of the road, no one hit me with their car (even though they might have slowed thinking I was in need of assistance from a mortal wound) and I made it back to my house on my own accord. While walking to the front door I didn't have one ounce of regret. My whole entire body sure felt as though I had finished an 8 miler, not only a 2.... But the important word here is FINISHED. And that was good enough for me!

Just like the office bully that seems impossible to deal with, get around and always seems to get her way... Running is a mind set and if you let the bully talk you down, you will never be able to rise above it! There are some of you that have mentioned that you really want to do a series, a run or even a half marathon this year... Just do it! Right foot, left foot, right foot.... Show em what you are made of my friend! I promise you, that you will not regret it

Things are never how they seem and anything, ANYTHING can be accomplished!

Nothing but love, hugs and calories burned to you!

~ K

If change is good....

Then why does it seem to be one of the biggest fears that most people have?

Change.

According to Webster; change is 

: to become different

: to make (someone or something) different

: to become something else

how do those options NOT sound like fun? Recently I have gone through a decent amount of change.

And it brought me to my knees.

For those of you that don't know me personally- I am a woman of faith. I do believe that every living being has a purpose on this earth and that there are times where you have to walk out of faith. That was a VERY easy sentence to type- but in the last three months I have actually HAD TO STEP OUT OF FAITH! Most terrifying and exciting thing I have ever done! I have worked all my life, both in school and than in the work place. I have worked hard to excel at anything I am tasked to do and have not done to shabby if I say so myself. But the one job I NEVER thought I would have is to be a stay at home mom. And then it happened. The forces of the world aligned and I resigned in October to be at home full time with my little ones.

As of late- I have begun to embrace it as well as recognize that I also need to do some things for me- and be the best version of myself. Although it is quite scary to admit that I haven't been!

So here it is... 2014... and I have set a goal for both myself and for you, if you are brave enough to accept it. 

Find something that scares the living daylight out of you this year... and then conquer it. 

That being said, this year I will be participating in the 2014 Heartland Series.... GASP. I cannot even believe I am doing this as I type it! But I am. What is that you may ask?


5 WEEKS – 3 RACES – 2 STATES

39.3 Miles

The Heartland 39.3 Series is a challenge for all of the half marathon fanatics who love to run half marathons and who want to take on the challenge of participating in three area half marathons in five weeks! 

No, this isn't my GREATEST fear, but this is definitely something I didn't want to do because I am afraid of it! So here we go- let the fun begin and the training commence.... (And yes... my sister MAY have peer pressured me into facing this challenge :))

What are you doing this year? Challenge yourself and please share it with me! I love to hear from you- remember YOU keep me going!

Happy training and be the change you want to be!

First run of the season.... Fast feet to you and yours this year!!

~K