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Nothing out of the ordinary to report here, just wanting to check in ...

Louisville is still hilly and on most days has only grey skies. Yesterday, I was able to sneak in a 7.5-8 (Garmin was dead) mile run in the sun!! This made me smile.

I've been working out at lunch (lifting weights) with three other girls from work. I'm happy that I'm reforming this habit and have some ladies to hold me accountable.

Otherwise, I've been working a TON of hours.

Tell me something fun to make me smile on this beautiful Wednesday!!

NYC: 1 week down, 19 to go!

Week 1 is in the books and it was a success. For the first four weeks, I'm building my base back up. Here's how the week went:

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 7 miles - 58:17 (8:20 pace)
Wednesday: 7 miles - 59:29 (8:30 pace)
Thursday: 4 miles - 33:12 (8:18 pace) --> This run also had 2 400m sprints in the middle of it.
Friday: 7 miles - 56:17 (8:02 pace)
Saturday: 3 miles - 24:39 (8:13 pace)
Sunday: 10 miles - 1:24:36 (8:28 pace)

Total for the week: 38 miles

I was pretty sore on Wednesday and Thursday, but by Friday I was feeling really good! Suprisingly good. That carried over to my easy 3 miler on Saturday, too! Both Friday and Saturday I ran when it was probably 80 degrees out.

This morning, I set out for my 10 miler and was very tired. I didn't even wake up until 9:15AM and then managed to lay around and drink coffee and watch tv until around 11:30. When I finally got out the door, I just wasn't into it, but was determined to finish and complete my long run. I ran through the neighborhood and somehow managed to find 10 miles. I climbed many hills and even one mountain. I kept telling myself that this was hilly than NYC and would be good training. I didn't let myself look at my Garmin for the first six miles.

Overall, I'm very pleased with my week! 19 more to go!

The hardest part is the first step ...

I dreaded my run yesterday from the moment I woke up! I was incredibly sore and tired. When lunch time finally came, it was drizzling and I found myself still unmotivated. I changed clothes, hopped on the treadmill and knew it was going to be a long 7 miles. Within .1 miles, I knew that I didn't have the mental strength for almost an hour-long run on the treadmill. So, despite the drizzly rain, I headed outdoors reminding myself that it was an "easy" run and that the goal was to go easy and to complete the distance.

After a mile, my legs started to warm up and my calves loosened up and felt almost normal. I never looked at my watch until the last mile. The rain felt amazing and my lunch time run left me refreshed the rest of the day! :)

It's true, no matter how bad I've ever not wanted to run, I've never regret a run once finished!

7 miles - 59:29 (Day 2 of NYC training)

PS: Check out www.amandavanvoorhisphotography.com for my wedding pictures preview. Love love love!!!

20 Weeks Until NYC . . .

For the next four weeks, I'm re-building my base. I never quite lost my base, but now I have a schedule and am not cutting my self any slack. No more saying "It doesn't really matter if you sleep in today," because it does. The truth is NYC is 20 weeks away. My plan is to run 38 miles, 39 miles, 38 miles, 42 miles for the next four weeks so that I can begin NYC training with a bang!!

I'm excited to have a schedule to follow again, though a little nervous. I'm trying something completely new this time and am writing my own schedule. I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of what I need to be successful. That, along with a lot of research and reading, should help me put together the perfect plan for NYC.

I'm trying something new this time around - Sunday long runs instead of Saturday. I'm not a stay up all night kind of girl on Friday's but I figured with moving to a new city and working full days on Fridays now, it will be good to cut myself a little slack on Saturday AM. That way, I can make plans for Friday nights, too! It's not like I have a group of people meeting me on Saturday mornings anymore :( I'll have to have all of my online friends help keep me accountable! That, and daily calls/emails to Penny :)

I joined the gym yesterday but I'm hoping for some sunshine today! It's been grey skies and raining since I moved to Louisville. I'd love a little blue skies. Please!!

XOXO

Married!!

I have so many updates to give you - most importantly 1) I'm married and 2) I moved to Louisville, KY. And, while 3) NYC Marathon is 20 weeks away, I'm still more excited about #1 and #2. No worries, though ... I've been running. But, for now, let's talk about the wedding!

Everything (minus the fact that I was diagnosed with bronchitis six days prior) was perfect!!! David and I flew into Key West and had a very small ceremony on the beach. We'll celebrate in a few months with a reception, but for now we're enjoying the fact that we were able to run away to get married. I won't give you too many details, but will share some photos that Penny was able to take on her phone! I'm dying to get the professional pictures back!! Until then ....

So much going on ...

I have a lot of updates, but at the same time, I feel like I'm still missing so much information. There is a reason I haven't posted in a while as I have so much going on in my life. For now, I will share the following:

• Last Monday I found out that the company I work for is closing down the Tampa office. They are transferring the employees back to Louisville, KY. Lots of decisions to be made asap!
• Last Saturday, I ran a 5K in Brevard, NC and I won overall female. There were 86 females and 157 total runners. I was 1/86 (females) and 12/157 (total runners). I climbed 394 feet total and it was the hardest race of my life. I won with a 22:21. No joke. The most important part of this race was that I ran it with my 11 year old brother, Dakota. He won his age group with a 28:03. He didn't walk at all. I'm so proud of him. I almost walked up those mountains myself!
• My little sister, Morgan, got married last Saturday. She was so beautiful and it was so nice to spend the weekend with my family!
• I got back from NC late Monday and had a great wine date w/my favorite Penny! :) Before I let myself enjoy the wine, I ran 5 easy miles w/an average pace of 7:58.
• Got fitted for my wedding dress on Tuesday! :)
• Went to track on Wednesday to see everyone and for my sanity. Opted to run in my own group and not worry about time. The last thing I need right now is a breakdown because I can't hit my target paces. I love running and need to keep it that way. The workout was 1200 1200 400 1200 1200. I ran 5:07 5:05 93 5:05 4:55 My normal group's goal times were: 4:54 for the 1200's and 93 for the 400. All things considered, I'm more than okay with how I ran.
• I've spent countless hours with David weighing all of our options ....
• I ran 5.3 miles with the group this morning which included one parking garage for hills.
• Got my marriage license today.
• Going to Busch Gardens today. Need to get use out of my annual pass.
• Need beach time this weekend.
• Dress Fitting #2 on Sunday
• Birthday on Monday
• Packing for Key West on Tuesday
• Leaving for Key West on Wednesday
• Getting married on Friday
• Getting back to Tampa on Sunday
• Possibly moving on Monday or Tuesday ....

So, there you go ... I may not be online so much over the next two or three weeks, but I will have wedding pictures for you soon after that! I'll be reading all of your posts, but please forgive me if I do not comment!

Everything happens for a reason! Trying to remain positive with all of these changes! :)

XOXO

Jaime