!0 miler

Today was the day that I have been waiting for. Actually, it was the week that I have been waiting for. The high mileage. It's not that I didn't dread today, it's more like I actually feel like I am marathon training now. Doing a marathon is extreme so, I felt like I needed to run more. Now, I am.

I had to work all day today so I couldn't just run while I was at work like I have been doing. I woke up at 4 AM and drove out to a paved bike way. I want to say that it is 7.5 miles long. I will be able to use that road for awhile and I have another that I have in mind for my 20 milers that are coming in the few weeks.

I had been thinking about this run for a few days now because I had to wake up super early and also because I had to run in the dark. It's something that I haven't done before on my own. I ran the Disney Wine and Dine but, it was lit and a half marathon so I felt safe. Well, even though I was scared I prepared. My husband had a head lamp that I used and where I ran had some lighting and that was enough to get me through.

When I first started put on the run, I almost dreaded it because I felt ridiculous until I got about a mile in and I noticed that all of the fishermen had headlamps on too but I was the only one running. All I could think to myself was OH the joys of training for a marathon ha ha. I listened to my Dave Ramsey podcast and just kept thinking about keeping my mind right and running and getting out of debt. It was really weird running with the headlamp, it kept tripping me out. I am sure it will not be the last time that I use it so I am keeping things in my mind that will help me to make my run just a bit more comfortable next time.

After my first 5 miles I turned on the music and when I turned around I was facing the horizon and the sun was rising. I can't explain to you how beautiful it was to just look at the sky change it's colors. Colors that are so deep, and that are never quite the same. That pretty much held my attention for the rest of the run. Oceans came on my iPod and I just started smiling and enjoying everything around me. I saw the shadows of the fishermen trying to get their catch and I saw the canal come to life with more bikers and walkers getting their morning walks in. I wish I would have brought my phone with me but I brought my iPod because I brought my water bottle in hand, I have a gigantic iPhone 6 plus ughhhhh seriously great phone but that is not really meant for runners LOL.

Overall my run went great. I made it to work on time, I am really tired as I am writing this but I can't go to bed until 10......duty calls. I feel great. My legs feel a little bit worn out but that is normal as it has been a REALLY long time since I have run anything over the 9 miles I ran a week or so ago. I booked my hotel tonight and I have to stay a little but aways from the race but it's only 20 minutes so I am mentally planning now how and when I am going to get to the race without getting in tons of traffic. It looks like it will be a 5 AM wake up for us.

It's a pretty crazy thing to say but I am enjoying the journey that running is taking me on. I am getting to be at peace with myself and think things through, it's a truly wonderful feeling. Until next week with another running update.

Revisiting getting out of debt.

Debt......

Well all have it or had it at one time and well, it sucks! 

I am getting anxiety over being debt free and I am getting serious about it. It is one of those things that you wish you could just get rid of in a day and you can't. It takes time, patience, and a way of living that many of us are probably not comfortable with right? I mean that's why we ignore it ha ha! 

I have been researching ways to pay debt and I have always known about Dave Ramsey but the thing about him was that I could not wrap my mind around the fact that I had to save $1000 before paying off my bills. Now, I am to the point where I am desperate to get rid of this garbage so I am ready to start my little nest egg and get my debt paid off. 

Another mistake that I make consistently is the fact that I give myself an allowance but I don't tell my allowance where to go and I leave it up in the air all the time. The problem with that is that I don't tell my money where to go and when I need to make a big purchase or I have to service my car I don't take it into account because I don't save for it and well, now that I am actually ready to tackle this thing I am totally ready to commit and do it the very smart Dave Ramsey says to do it. 

Dave Ramsey has 6 baby steps. I don't think it is appropriately named though. The thing is, saving $1000.00 and paying off all your debt (the first two steps) are not baby by any means. Those are the hardest ones to accomplish! So I am just going to call them steps.....I don't know why just let me do my thing here LOL. 

So. This month I begin saving 1,000.00 for my emergency fund. I am not quite ready to disclose how much debt I am in but it is enough for me to FREAK out. The do include my car payment, credit cards, and student loans. I will be going after the credit cards, student loans, then my car. It is not going to be easy and I couldn't tell you for the life of me when I am going to get done. I would love for it to be by the end of next year but I think that it is big bite to chew......I am going to think about a total end date but I will say that I am giving myself until the end of next year to be credit card debt free. THAT I know I can do. 

We are in the process of getting ready to move again so our income is going to change and we are not quite sure what our rent, utilities, among other things are going to be so I would like to be conservative for right now in judging how fast I can pay it off. 

I will be keeping accountability updates on my blog for me so that I can go back and look at this journey much like my marathon journey. Wish me luck! 

Back on track with training!

Whew! Labor Day weekend came and went didn’t it. I had such a blast with my cousin  and son that I would just like to go back and do it all over again. 

I don't usually do my makeup or hair so I am documenting the moment.

I went to New Jersey where my cousin had planned a big bash with all of my cousins but I unfortunately was the only one that showed but I made it worth their while. I ate a lot and we danced, laughed, and talked the night away. Let’s just say that marathon training was not on my mind that weekend and I knew that would be the case because when I am with my family it becomes about being with my family. I am sure many of you would agree. I really think that there are times where you just have to live life to the fullest and then get back on track. Honestly it helps me stay sane!

I knew that I would be going to my cousins house so I adjusted my schedule at work and I did my 9 mile run in the morning. I drank my Generation UCAN and out the door I went 30 or so minutes later. I always go out on my run and think WOAH lady how are you going to do 9 MILES! Even though it is not the furthest my little feet have taken me, I have not run that far in a VERY long time. I also took my water bottle with me and let me tell you what a pain in the rear that is! It was pretty annoying to carry a fanny pack for my gigantic phone, and my water bottle. I was a mess to say the least and very uncomfortable. I digress……I started my run thinking how I was going to finish it and that it was going to take forever (for those of you that aren’t runners the first mile is always negative talk). Around mile 2-3 is when my bra strap unattached itself and when my little fanny pack and water bottle started irritating my life. I can say that the beginning of this run was not going how I wanted it to so I put on some music in order to change my mindset and BAM that was the magic that I needed. 

My feet feel into stride and I began finding my pace, breathing, and started thinking about life. I always tend pick apart my days, solve problems, and come up with my most creative ideas and it started happening and my run became better. I forgot about the discomforts and just kept going for it. 

I did start thinking about Brandon this time which I CRIED during my run but only for a second and then I put a stop to that! I started visualizing myself running to Brandon and that the end was finally there. The end, being him being 18 and both of us not being held back by what a stupid piece of paper, a judge ordered, or the control of when we can and can’t see each other is finished. I thought about all of it being done and him coming to live with me and wanting to hang out with me and see what living with me was like and then BOOP I started to cry and smile and cry some more. 

I thought about the journey that we are going through and the journey that we still have left and the bittersweet moment that I want things to go by so fast but I don’t. Being me is weird and confusing sometimes but I feel into the emotion and let it sit there for awhile because I can’t…..I can’t be who I am when I am alone all the time. I can’t be weak all the time. I have to  be strong so Brandon can be strong and so that people don’t pity me because that’s not what I want. I had the moment and I think back to it and now I smile because I just let myself be me. 

My Monday Morning Run

I think that is why I like running so much. It is that time when I can be by myself and feel the things that I need to and pray when I need to because if you are a Mom, wife, and you work full time there is never enough time in a day and when can you really be by yourself? I am always surrounded by people. I am always thankful of the fact that I get to run a few times a week and truly be me if just only for 30-60 minutes at a time in a place other than the rest room! ;)