jenngetsfit

[jenngetsfit]

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible" -Walt Disney I finished the WDW Marathon this past weekend and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but also the most rewarding. I actually can't believe I did it. It's a kind of proud most other things can't bring, I did this, I wanted to run a marathon, so I did, and all while starting a new nursing job as a new grad in an ICU. Sorry but I'm kind of a bad ass.

[jenngetsfit]

I ran the Star Wars Half Marathon: the Dark Side Challenge last weekend and had a fantastic time! Got some pretty big blisters before I came to Disney so the races were a bit hard. I took them easy and waiting in line for pictures. It's nice to just enjoy the run sometimes. I think this may be my intro to running a lot again. I graduate from nursing school in a few weeks and will finally get to have some time before starting work and hopefully start having a more set schedule. Stay tuned!

[jenngetsfit]

Ran the Bullcity Race Fest 5 miler today with my friend Jen. I haven't been running that much, but have been in the gym quite a bit lately and could tell I was stronger going up the hills. This course had rolling hills which I actually didn't mind cause it helps to break up the run. 

Really positive experience after that horrible 10 miler I ran in April!! Also my friend is gearing up for the New York City marathon in 2 weeks and she did the half marathon as her last double digit run for her taper! So crazy. I get jealous cause we started running together and now she's so much father ahead than me but I'll get there. 

 I also was able to cheer on a couple of other school friends for their first half and they BEASTED it in under 2 hours. Crazy...let's not talk about how long it takes me to run 13.1 miles...but hey that's the beauty of running is you're only ever competing with yourself and not each other! It's not like any of us are going to win... 

 My precious PR for an 8k (which is a little less than 5 miles) was 1:11:41 and I did this 5 miler in 1:10:19, so hey, progress is progress! I've been meaning to get back into a regular running routine and I think this was a good push to get me started, especially as I waited for Jen to finish and watched most of the half marathoners finish! That was a tough course and I love thinking of everyone's stories and how they got to this moment. 

This race is finished with a FOOD TRUCK RODEO. Holla! so basically the best type of race. After Jen finished we got in line for a LOBSTER food truck, and picked up our TWO free beer/ciders while we waited in the ~45 minute line but it was definitely worth it. I think all races should end with some lobster don't you!? 

 Here's to another race, another medal, another (kind of PR), and hopefully much more to come!

[jenngetsfit]

Oh hey, I ran the Tar Heel 10 Miler this weekend. This was the hardest race of my life by far. My head just wasn’t in it. Dehydration (or hyponatremia? who knows) hit me HARD around mile 6. I all but crawled across the finish line. It was so strange, usually during races at each mile marker my motivation rises “mile 6? only 4 miles left!” but at this race was the exact opposite. “Mile 6?!? but 4 miles is SO F***ING LONG. Mile 9?! Do you REALIZE how long a mile is?” I just couldn’t shake the negative thoughts. The course is SO hilly and I started tearing up at one point - crying + running is NOT good, you basically start wheezing. My friend kept saying “are you ready to run again?” and I didn’t quite know how to tell her that I can’t run but I also can’t stop because I WILL pass out. I’m glad my friend ran with me, but all I did was apologize for being so slow. I just don’t know if I am someone who enjoys running with others - it’s kind of my “me” time. 

Now I know that I wasn’t as prepared for this race. I’m in school now and have VERY little free time - though that is no excuse as we all know “someone busier than you is running right now.” But truth be told I don’t really think my heart is in it at the moment. I can’t tell if it’s because I NOT in shape right now and I’m just discouraged or if I need to take a break for a bit. I mean I run for “fun” right? Maybe if I take a break I’ll start missing it? who knows. All I know is that I do NOT want another race like this one. I wasn’t even that excited about the medal, it didn’t remind me of a triumph but of a failure. It really is amazing what mind set can do too...

I also NEED to figure out my hydration/fueling. I am quite obviously doing something wrong. Though I will say I usually have Gatorade and woke up Saturday morning and realized I didn’t have any. Then I went to the pantry and we were out of peanut butter (which I usually add to my oatmeal on race morning) and THEN I had weird stomach issues that morning once we got there which I JUST started feeling better as the race started. Basically I was doomed from the start. 

Here’s to hoping I have a change in attitude. I’m gonna take a couple of weeks off and then try to start slow again. No more long distance races until I have a solid foundation beneath me. Here’s to hoping I’ll be up and running soon!

[jenngetsfit]

Can't believe I almost forgot to show y'all this! Me and Meb!

[jenngetsfit]

The queen of hearts is not amused after that half marathon. Half marathon #5 done - one year after my first!

[jenngetsfit]

I'm all official and stuff with my pink stethoscope.

[jenngetsfit]

2014 in Review

2014 was a year of self discovery. Lots of highs and lows. I ran 4 half marathons and felt in shape and excited about my future of running. I developed some pretty bad health anxiety, manifested from all of the stress of what exactly I was going to do with my life, mixed with my fathers heart attack and uncle's sudden passing last year. I ended up seeing a counselor for a couple of months and I think it helped to just say some stuff out loud. Anxiety is something I will always have to deal with from now on but I think I have the tools now to meet it head on and cope in a healthy way. I got into nursing school, a top 10 nursing school, into a school I NEVER thought I could get into. I'm still scared they'll realize I'm stupid and kick me out. I visited 6 states (2 new), 2 countries (1 new) and countless new cities. This was the year of strengthening relationships and finding out who my true friends are. With it being my first year completely removed from college life - it was the first time I've ever really experienced loneliness and got to know myself a little better. Next year will bring lots of new experiences and people so I'm glad i got some time to myself this year.

I'm going to take a month by month look, cause I find that fun! Let's see how many of you are with me by the end :)

January 2014

January 1, 2014: I started off January LITERALLY on the right foot - with a 5k starting right at midnight with my best friend V. I also developed tendinitis after this race which caused my running to slow down a bit as it was super painful and took a while to go away.

January 11, 2014: I kept the running ball rolling, traveled to Disney World, and ran the Walt Disney World Half Marathon - my first half marathon!   

February

February 8, 2014: I ran my second Krispy Kreme Challenge. 

February 21, 2014: I visited the arctic tundra Chicago for the first time. In hindsight, February isn't the best time to visit Chicago :P

March

March 1, 2014: I visited Greenville, SC and ran a 10k with my friend Jen. Greenville is just beautiful and I LOVE their downtown area - if you ever have an opportunity to visit you should make a weekend trip. Very active city too! 

March 8, 2014: I visited Boston for the first time with my old roommates! 

March 17, 2014: I had a pretty memorable St. Patty's Day weekend, lots of friends and too much drinking. Was an homage to my college days and lots of fun with new and old friends. :)

April

April 5, 2014: I ran the Color Me Rad 5k with my friend Katie. Very fun race!

April 13, 2014: I ran my second half marathon - the Rock 'N Roll Raleigh half and loved running through my college city, but the heat and hills made this my toughest race to date. 

April 27, 2014: I ran my third half marathon (and second in 3 weeks) the Diva's Half Marathon in North Myrtle Beach. This race I was finally prepared and uninjured - until my friend Jen, who I had promised to start and finish with, injured her knee badly and we had to completely walk the last 7 miles. I don't regret it as I know how hard it is to finish a half marathon when you're injured. 

May

May 1, 2014: I traveled to Taiwan to visit my friend L who was teaching English. This was my second trip to Asia and Taiwan was much more beautiful than I realized. It was fantastic! 

June

June 26, 2014: I traveled to Cincinnati, OH for my cousins wedding. And got to meet some brand new family members.

August

I spent most of this month at the beach it seems. I went with my aunt one weekend and with my friends another. 

I found out I got into nursing school in July but made the final decision to commit in August. I am going to nursing school!!! 

September

September 1, 2014: I spent the first week of September at Myrtle Beach. This was the perfect time to go as the water was warm, it was still 80 degrees, and it wasn't crowded at all because all everyone has to go back to work/school after labor day!. 

September 12, 2014: I traveled to Ocean City, MD for my best friends bachelorette weekend. 

September 19, 2014: Me and my friend K ran the Electric Run 5k.

I spent the rest of September and some of October at football games. 

October

October 11, 2014: My best friend got married to the love of her life and I was lucky enough to stand beside her. 

October 19, 2014: I ran my 4th half marathon and PR'ed by 15 minutes. Still not fast but making my way there! 

October 26, 2014: I ran a and my first time running a race where I was helping someone get through it/pacing them. It was a very fun and rewarding experience.

November 

November 12, 2014: I lost my best friend of 16 years. 

November 20, 2014: My best friend who lives in Australia came to visit. 

November 23, 2014: I went to Disney World, on a Disney Cruise, and to Universal Studios with my Australian friend. 

December

I ran several 5k's and mostly just enjoyed family time and the holidays. 

December 26, 2014: My family took an end of the year trip to Charleston, SC. 

December 31, 2014: I rang in the new year with a low key celebration with friends in Greenville, SC. 

Well there we have it. 2014 was a pretty good year looking back on it. 2015 will be the year of change. Change in career path, in friends, in cities. It's terrifying but I think I'm ready. Here's to 2015!   

[jenngetsfit]

I'm going to have to do a lot more running to fill this one up!! Merry Christmas everyone!

[jenngetsfit]

I think I forgot to tell y'all....

But I got into nursing school!  I start in two weeks...oh dear lord. We'll see how the healthy eating goes. I would say that I will eat much better being around sick people but some of the most unhealthy people work in medicine - my best friends mom is a pulmonologist and she always used to talk about the smoke breaks her coworkers would take - crazy! 

Anywho, I am on the first step of a journey that will end in: Jennifer, RN MSP FNP :))

[jenngetsfit]

Oh hey! Still runnin along. I had my best friend from Australia come and visit and we've been traveling the past couple of weeks! We did a turkey trot a couple weeks ago and then the Castaway Cay 5k during our Disney cruise! I got back this week and did a 5k with my parents! They walked it and I ran it - I love that they're getting into the races too. Gets them some exercise and I don't feel as bad making them wait in the cold for me! :) Hopefully I'll get around to some race recaps and more posting!

[jenngetsfit]

We said goodbye yesterday to my first love. He taught me about unconditional love, loyalty, friendship, fun, and that if you stare at anything long enough - it’ll come to you. Thank you for 16 great years, for growing up with me, for making me laugh and filling my life with so much joy. I love and miss you, you were one of the greats. I know you are running around and annoying the cat in that big blue sky. RIP ❤️

Making the decision to put a dog to sleep is one of the hardest someone can make. It was time though, we all knew it. We tried to ignore it but eventually we knew he wasn’t enjoying life anymore. He used to have this spirit about him, full of life, he barked constantly and was always running around and causing trouble. He hasn’t been that way in quite a few years. He had a neurological disorder called degenerative myelopathy where the myelin around the nerves degenerates and the body just can’t do what the brain wants it to do. It can be one of the hardest decisions because they’re brain is fine, they’re in no pain, and they look at you the same way they always have.

I’ve actually in a way enjoyed the last year as his motility had declined. There is something so powerful/meaningful/philosophical about raising and animal from a puppy to being elderly. It says a lot about life. From the energy and joyousness of being young to the vulnerability and reflectiveness of growing old. Knowing both the young and old versions of him gave me a perspective and appreciation for life unlike anything else.

Toward the end we had to help him walk and were very hands on while we helped him eat, walk, and use the bathroom. And while most of our neighbors looked at us in pity because of his failing health but I wouldn’t trade those last few months. As I said, this disease has no pain associated it - it actually is a lack of sensation that is the problem. So we didn’t mind being inconvenienced so that he could still enjoy his walks around the yard and his love for turkey. We were there for him until the very end, making him comfortable, I was the last thing he saw, and for that I will be forever touched.

I know people will probably think this is a mighty big write up for a dog, but I hope that everyone can learn these lessons and know the unconditional love of a dog :)) there are few dogs who were as loved as him.

Rest in peace buddy.

[jenngetsfit]

[jenngetsfit]

The family that races together, stays together! A year ago last week my father had a heart attack. Today we celebrated one year healthy with a family 5k. 1:03:09 not one of my fastest but one if my favorites

[jenngetsfit]

Finished the Spinx Run Fest Downtown Greenville 10k this weekend! If you remember I ran this race last year with my friends as a training race for my first half marathon at Disney World.  Just coming off of my half marathon last weekend, I decided to take it slow. Greenville is HILLY and I was really just using it as a fun run. My friend Caitlin signed up for the Disney World Half in January and this was her longest run to date!  Caitlin doesn't have much experience racing, just one 5k last spring so she was pretty nervous. We did our best to help ease her nerves but she was scared she would be last. Me, being a slow runner, and currently employing the run/walk method to decrease my risk of injury - I know EXACTLY what this feeling feels like.  We were staying about a mile from the starting line and decided to walk. Which was fine but we were running late so we had just enough time to make it to the starting line - literally run to the bathroom and were lining up as they announced the start of the 10k. With the Spinx Run Fest there is a marathon, half marathon, 10k, and 5k taking off every 30 minutes, starting with the marathon at 7:30.  We were off! I learned from last week to have a plan and stick to it. I was also worried how my legs would feel from last week as I hadn't run. I decided on a run 1:30 walk 0:45 and tried my best to keep that up and pace myself.  Caitlin decided to try to run with Jen and Kevin - they are much faster than me. So after about a mile I saw someone stretching their calves up ahead - it was Caitlin and she was cramping. I told her I didn't mind pacing her. I think she really learned the importance of pacing and how running can actually be fun when you go at a comfortable pace! Her goal was at least to finish in less than 1:30 and I told her that wouldn't be a problem. 

I really like this race, it's a beautiful course run on the Swamp Rabbit Trail around Reedy River in Greenville, and it's a very well run course - except there was only one aid station a mile from the end...I would have thought they would have one at least half way through?! but this is a HARD course. I may someday do the Half Marathon here but I would have to be in much better shape - those hills would kill me!  We finished in 1:26:30 so just under the 1:30 mark. (14:01 pace) 3 minutes faster than last year on this same course.  I was feeling great the whole race except the last mile is almost all uphill until the last .2 or so which is downhill or flat as you finish by running around the baseball field. The last mile I was really feeling tired and was ready to finish - hard to believe I did more than twice that distance last weekend. Can I just tell you I loved turning when they said "10k to the right, Half Marathon straight."  I enjoyed sort "sharing my wisdom" with Caitlin. I think she was discouraged a bit because she couldn't keep up with Jen and Kevin who finished in ~ 1:09 but I think I did  good job of encouraging her and not making her feel so alone in the back of the pack - where i live. I used to be like that but now sometimes I really enjoy being in the back of the pack. There are a lot of inspiring people back there - 80 year olds trying to improve their health, people who have lost 100 lbs and started running, those who are trying to lose weight, and people like me - just trying to put one foot in front of the other to do something you (and everyone else) didn't think you could do. I've gotten used to it and I am getting slowly, but surely faster but isn't that what's great about running? you're only competing against yourself. 

[jenngetsfit]

Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon Race Recap

Yes I'm still around, still truckin along. I signed up for this half marathon a while ago but then during the summer I had some swelling. I went to the doctor and she ordered me to not run for at least a month to see if that helped the swelling - welp it's still swollen but after x-rays and medications I think it may just be here to stay. So I really wasn't that prepared - I didn't have a solid foundation for this race but I didn't have an injury which is just fabulous. Running without hurting really is the best! So I was looking for this just to be a fun race which I think definitely helped. 

The weather was just perfect - on Saturday it was 80 degrees and we were able to go to the beach and on Sunday it was 60 degrees - great running weather!

We left our room at around 6 and arrived at the starting line around 6:25. Parking was a breeze cause it was at a mall - parking can be such a stress that I love when it's easy. I will say that they NEED more porta potties. That was the number one complaint - the line was absolutely ridiculous and with a race with 3000 people, 15 porta potties is not enough.

After getting through the porta potty line we had about 10 minutes to the start. Since I wasn't really all that prepared I had some guidelines of a run/walk routine for the race. I usually make a plan for myself but this is the first time I actually kind of FOLLOWED it - it feels great. I was going to run a minute walk a minute. I planned to keep the walking portions under 18mi/mile and the running portions under 14mi/mile that way it would average to around 16min/mile and finish below the 3:30 time limit. 

In April we did another race in myrtle and my friend Jen ended up being injured and we walked the majority of it (from mile 5 on) because I know exactly how it feels to have to finish a race in pain and knew that I would have killed to have someone with me! So we viewed this as our redemption race!

The race started and we were off! 

I started off and kept an eye on my watch. I am the worst at starting out super fast and I always tell myself " you can keep this up!" except 13 miles is a long time and no, you cannot improve your pace by 3 minutes suddenly one random day. I made sure I kept my pace around 13:30. I also know that no matter how fast I run I am a slow walker so I made sure I didn't slack on my walking!

Miles 1-4: 14:17, 14:47, 14:59, 14:43

After many races and long runs I just know I need to have my own water/gatorade with me, if anything it makes me feel better. I brought my fuel belt filled with gatorade and I had a water bottle I planned to throw away once I was finished. Since it wasn't that hot I was able to bypass the first couple of water stations. Again during the race they needed more porta potties - they didn't have any until mile 3 and then they had 3 every 3 miles or so. I don't know about y'all but I always have to pee at the beginning of a race because of nerves and pre-race hydration.  

Miles 5-8 14:52, 15:26 (bathroom break), 15:05, 14:18

Around mile 5 I realized I was running pretty fast and feeling okay. Each time I looked down I was running around 12:15 - usually I run around 13:30 so I was pleasantly surprised but still scared that I was going too fast. I told myself to slow down but I kept creeping back up until I was running around 11:30 during my running portions and 17 during my walking portions. I took a gu around mile 6 with some water and kept drinking gaterade every couple of minutes form my fuel belt. 

Miles 9-13 14:03, 14:34, 14:45, 14:26, 14:12, .1 = 13:33

Since I couldn't seem to stop running around 11:30 I kept it there for a while. At mile 9 I could feel myself losing energy and took another gu with some water. I definitely was feeling that fast running and really had to push myself from mile 11 on. Finally we got to the boardwalk and I could see the ocean and the ferris wheel I knew I was close! And I new I would PR! I just wanted to get below 3:15. 

As soon as I rounded the corner onto the boardwalk with about .1 to go I just thought "i dont feel so good." I wonder if it was just the stress on my body from not being as prepared or that it was getting hotter and I was dehydrated but I felt a little nausea and just weirdness. Good thing there was only .1 miles left. 

Finish: 3:14:09

Although I loved this race, the medal, the course, support, finish, start etc they need to work on having more food at the finish. Apparently they had bananas, apples, bagels, pretzels - the usual stuff but by the time I got through they only had bagels and pretzels left! And Jen finished at 2:45 and they were already out of apples and she got one of the last bananas. I mean I'm slow but there were at least a couple hundred people who finished after me, and we had been out there for 3+ hours! 

I loved that the finish was right there on the beach - it made for some great pictures. It was extra sweet cause both me and jen PR'ed!

Another complaint that was because the starting line was far from the finish we had to catch a shuttle and we were in line for an HOUR! At least we made friends with the other people in line, but our legs HURT and I was still feeling pretty off so having to stand in line for an hour I was NOT happy. 

The medals were great, they were the size of my head, AND they doubled as a beer can opener! 

Overall this was a great flat, well run, great course, great finish, great parking and fantastic medal! I will definitely be doing this one again! 

[jenngetsfit]

Holy PR batman!!