Guess Who’s Back?…

Who finished the song lyric in their heads? (Ralph??) Lol!!

Anyway, I’m back as in back to the blog-o-sphere and back to running, but let me tell you, I am not back as in “running shape”.

Back to writing— In this point of my running life, I’m in a vulnerable state. I’m the heaviest weight wise I’ve ever been not pregnant and the most out of shape I’ve ever been since I’ve started running.

Back to running— The itch to get back into the running game is strong, the goal running game, that is. The I-Feel-Like-I-Want-To-Die-While-Training running.

On a serious note though, I’ve always loved reading about real people and their journeys. It’s what motivated me to start running in the first place–I NEVER thought I would qualify and run Boston Marathon. But I’ve seen what I can do when I put mind to it, test my limits, and become comfortable with uncomfortable.

–Do you sometimes feel defeated before you even start training? How do you get out of your head?

–Do you keep goals attainable? Just hard enough but still realistic? Or do you go big or go home?

Tonight, I Fly To Boston…

Tonight, I fly to Boston…still in disbelief that I will run the 123rd Boston Marathon.

Tonight, I fly to Boston…knowing it was not too long ago qualifying was a far-fetched dream.

Tonight, I fly to Boston…and will be picked up by one of my bestest friends. While running brought us together, our friendship has grown through our belief that God brought us together for a purpose much bigger than running.

Tonight I fly to Boston…inspired. My BQ bestie, Ashley, suffered an injury while training and even though she couldn’t run in preparation for the big race, did everything else she could to be able to toe the start line. Her positive attitude is so contagious, and I’m so grateful for friends who teach me to look for the good in all situations.

Tonight, I fly to Boston…with my husband. It was our ultimate goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon together. An incredible feat that we had no idea how/if we’d accomplish it. It’s no coincidence that training to qualify and training for Boston helped our relationship grow so much this past year. The encouragement and support we’ve shared has brought us so much closer together, and together, we fly to Boston.

Tonight, I fly to Boston…the most unprepared I’ve ever been for a race. And even though I go knowing that the 123rd Boston Marathon won’t be my best marathon, tonight I fly to Boston knowing it was my best marathon that got me there. It was that marathon which has me going to Boston knowing I can do hard things.

Tonight, I fly to Boston.

 

One Year BQversary

Hi everyone!! I’m still here!!

What brought me out of the blogging shadows?? Last weekend was my favorite Mesa-Phoenix Marathon!!! Happy One Year BQversary to me!!!!!!!

BQ pain cave, woot woot!!!

Sub 3:30!!! #goals #done

 

2019 stats

Gah!!! I love that race.

This year though, it was a half party for me as I opted to go 13.1 in preparation for Boston.

In freaking preparation for BOSTON!!!

I seriously still can’t believe I’m going.

Surprisingly though, training for Boston has not been the sunshine and rainbows I anticipated. Like the elevation chart the race poses, it has been a lot of up and downs with an overall net of down.

I’m not sure if training to BQ at Phoenix last year took everything I had, the excitement of my new job taking precedence over running, or a combination of the two plus being a mom, wife, friend–the truth is, I’m exhausted.

So I’m excited about Boston. I’m pumped about Boston. But any “goals” I might’ve had have gone out the window. And I know, I know, Boston is THE race to fun run, but the Type A competitive person in me doesn’t like training (especially for a marathon) without some type of end goal. Usually, I refuse to let it go.

Hoooweeeever…..I know I’m at a different stage of my running life now because frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn about end goals right now.

I won’t be looking back at training for my first Boston fondly, like I do looking back at my qualifying race, but I have a feeling that going in to the Boston Marathon with no pressure of a time is going to make for a super fun race–one that I’m sure I’ll look back on with as much joy as Phoenix.

You know who else is going to remember Phoenix Marathon for all its awesomeness? Elle at Afastpacedlife!!! Homegirl threw it down last weekend and you gotta go read all about it on her blog. There’s no way I can re-write her story ❤

I’ll try not to be a stranger!! So much to catch up on…

xoxo,

helly

P.S Kim K, you rock girl. That is all.