A New Adventure

(I’m singing Staind in the back of my mind… ‘It’s been a whhhiiiiiillllle, since you….’)

Ok, I'll completely admit I suck at blogging.

It’s been too long since I’ve last wrote a blog post, even after promising (both to you and to myself) that I would maintain and keep up to date on the blog. Apparently I lied, or life just so happened to get in the way a bit. Again. (I am sorry about that! Full-time job, part-time job, school, social life – wait, what’s a social life again?)

How in the world has it been since September 2014 since I last wrote a blog post?! It HAS also been way too long. Quite a bit has happened since, both in life and in weight loss, ups/downs/all-arounds, in addition to switching from weightloss-mode to maintenance-mode.

Since September, things have been a bit nutty. School is still ruling my life as I alluded to previously, as I am knee-deep in my 11-to-go classes to graduation, still plugging away. (I am almost there, right?!) I’ve also been working towards my dream, still digging to get where I want to be in five or so years, but that’s not the point of this. But, in speaking of dreams…

I’m going back to Boston.

(WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO! Can you hear me shout in excitement?)

I love that town!

The plane ticket has been bought, (some) accommodations have been made, and in May I’ll be running with 11 other weight-loss rock stars as part of a team competing in the Ragnar Relay: Cape Cod.

In late September or October, I was fortunate enough to be asked by Dacia over at My Roots to Grow if I would be interested in traveling back to Boston to run this crazy, two-day race I’d never heard of with a team comprised of 12 individuals, all who have lost a significant amount of weight. I (for lack of better terms) weighed the options, and quickly said ‘yes’ without even really knowing what in the devil a Ragnar Relay was. Admittedly, I had to ‘Google’ it and research, but…

To be quite honest, even five months later, a team conference call, and plenty of coordination and logistics of who/what/where/when/how, I’m still not exactly sure what I’ve got myself into. It’s all a bit hazy, but from what I can tell, this may be something I’ve needed for quite a while; an adventure that scratches my wanderlust-itch that flares up every so often.

For those who aren’t exactly sure what a Ragnar Relay is, I’ll do my best to explain:

Two days, running (by foot) up to 200 miles, split up between 12 team members in two “support” vans that hand off a “baton,” or slap bracelet in this case.

Each team member is assigned as Runner Number X (for example – I’m Runner #6 during the Ragnar at Cape Cod), and have certain “legs” they run, total distances spanning anywhere from (for Cape Cod’s race) 11.4 to 21.3 miles. As the name suggests, it’s a relay. Once Runner #1 has completed their first leg (total of three for each runner), Runner #2 takes off. This continues until (for this race) we’ve ran from Hull (all the WAY around Cape Cod) to Provincetown, Massachusetts. (…and I’ve taken a selfie with Plymouth Rock.)

I'm going to have to invest in that damn selfie-stick, aren't I? (Well, DUH! Who wouldn't?!)

(A MUCH better description is provided here, by Active.com.)

Each runner's 'Legs' can be found here for Ragnar Relay: Cape Cod.

Oh, and the best part? You get to snuggle up with your sweaty teammates in a van for TWO DAYS while you cheer each other on, supporting fellow runners in camaraderie and spirit. 

“Gee, Ash. That sounds a bit insane. Why would you do this crazy thing?”

I am so glad you asked! ;)

…because it’s about an adventure, a quest that quite possibly could be life-changing for me; a venture that I may never be able to experience again with people who could potentially become life-long friends, who in differences and multiple walks of life, all share something in common – we’ve all lost a significant amount of weight. It’s about camaraderie, teamwork, inspiration, discipline, and dedication with 11 other individuals who have shared my journey not necessarily the same way I have, but share that bond, to achieve a lofty goal. Challenges faced, obstacles overcome, and dreams realized all through a complete lifestyle overhaul, one that I’ve found is one of the best choices I’ve made, even if my days in this journey can still tough. It’s a decision that I only regret not starting sooner, and for that I’m thankful, and am certainly blessed for all that I've gone through to arrive at this point.

For me, it was running. I never in a million years dreamt I’d ever run a solid mile, let alone eventually 13.1 in one sitting. Now I get to be a part of something that could potentially be huge, something added to another chapter of “my book,” something that could change my life and inspire me for the better, while hopefully inspiring others to just go for “it,” whatever your "it" is. Why wouldn’t I want to do this?

I’ve already began training as my total distance to cover for the Ragnar is 13 miles, split up in three chunks – 4.2 miles, 5.7 miles (overnight), and 3.1 miles. How will I train? I’ve already started using PopSugar’s Beginner Half-Marathon plan (spanning 16 weeks, however I jumped in on Week 4), the same plan I used to train for 2014’s Indianapolis Mini Marathon.

Oh, and by the way, I’ll also be running the Mini and kissing those sweet bricks at the start/finish line of Indianapolis Motor Speedway…again…the week before. Gulp. 

Yes Momma S., to answer your earlier question, I truly am a bit insane.

It just so happened I was verbally coerced by runner-friends verbally committed to running the Indianapolis Mini Marathon before I agreed to run Ragnar, not knowing they would be back-to-back weekends. Looking back, I should’ve probably thought this through before saying yes but, what the hell - go for it, right?

Am I a little nervous and scared? Of course. But my father reminds me constantly, "Don't confuse fear for excitement." Many of the individuals on this team have achieved so much more than I have, whether it's completing an Ironman, marathon, half-marathon, etc. I only have one half-marathon under my belt, but I look up to and continue to be inspired and motivated by these team members, some of which I've not even met but only through online channels. Am I intimidated? A little, yes. But I know that I have been blessed and given such a great opportunity not only to connect, but to learn from my teammates. That is something I hold near and dear.

With a little faith, luck, discipline, determination, and training, it can be done.

I’ve never been to Cape Cod, only have viewed it by air when leaving Boston Logan, and can eventually scratch it off of my to-travel list. One of my first thoughts (besides snapping a #selfie with Plymouth Rock or the Mayflower, or both?), was ‘what a great way this will be to see the Cape.’ The ENTIRE Cape.

Travel more is on my Bucket List, after all, and my list certainly isn’t shrinking is continually growing.

In addition, I plan to sight-see a bit more of Boston I didn’t cover during the last trip. When the time comes, I’ll certainly have one, if not a two-part recap of all of the fun from the East Coast, but you’ll also be able to follow along via Twitter & Facebook. 

To say I can’t wait is a complete understatement. I was ready to leave five minutes ago, even with an impending blizzard this weekend out there.

But…. Despite the snow and cold, it’s appropriate to bust out my favorite hashtag - #IsItMayYet!

Normally, the hashtag refers to my favorite month and proud heritage in the Hoosier state (referencing the burning anticipation I carry of the Indianapolis 500, and ultimately everything surrounding the event). May will bring many, many busy, long, stressful, blessed, and wonderful days and nights. As if training wasn’t enough as May quickly approaches, I’ll be gearing up for final exams, running the Mini, then transitioning focus quickly to packing and flying to Boston, all within about two weeks. 

This year, the Mini however, looks exciting to me, not scary. For that I’m a bit relieved now that I’ve had one under my belt.

It will be my second half marathon, and going in I have four main goals:

• Avoid post-race wrath-of-Satan (Ashley should learn NOT to do things differently on race day – I’m looking at you CLIF Shot Blocks and dehydration)
• (Side Note: I am looking at more natural alternatives to fuel myself during the Mini this year, using either dried fruit, gummy bears (preferred choice ALWAYS), or KIND/protein bars. More on that in a future post.)
• Run fast-ish without killing my legs pre-Ragnar 
•  Pucker up (and take a brick-selfie this time!)  
• Finish strong

I’m already looking at setting a time goal of sub-2 hours, 30 minutes, and with a little luck and training intervals, I may just get there. Last year, I finished 2:43 with a blistering turtle’s pace of 12:30 per mile. This year, I’m already running at a consistent and comfortable 11:15 (per mile), and would need to maintain 11:25 in order to finish sub-2:30. “I think I can, I think I can…”

I’ll do my best during this crazy time to keep you updated through the blog (no promises), but you can also stay up to date on all of the Ragnar Relay: Cape Cod happenings through our team’s Facebook page, and website. (That’s probably the best way for Ragnar!) The website gives great background information for everyone on the team, including their stories, which I've read in both awe and amazement. They've continued to inspire me greatly every day, and essentially have started to become friends, all through one event that will link us forever. I highly encourage you to read about my teammates!

Please make sure to ‘like’ our page, visit the website, and share with your friends too! We greatly appreciate all of the support we have, and hopefully will continue to receive in this journey!

A Battle Within

I'm not going to lie, I've been struggling a bit lately when it comes to body image, the number on the scale, and what I see in the mirror. I have days where I feel absolutely fantastic about myself, proud of what I've accomplished, days I don't really think about it, and days where I'm still ashamed of the flab/loose skin/stretch marks/cellulite that still exists, negative voices secretly whispering in my mind to rip the mirror off of the wall. I see the fitness models and images I gain inspiration from through Instagram/Twitter/Facebook that help keep the "drive alive" when it comes to getting fitter/better/faster/stronger/leaner each day, but some days it makes me even more ashamed of who I am. Some days I crave to look like a beast; other days I realize I don't want to put that much time in each day at the gym because, to put it bluntly, I have a life. I have husband and a four-legged child I adore and love, a full-time job, a part-time "job," another part-time job, a school life, and somewhere in the middle, a social life too. I love to travel, I love to spend time with family, and I love to be myself. But some days, my thoughts can get lost or convoluted...

To be honest, even if I have lost 110+ lbs., even if I lost a "baby horse," a person, whatever you want to justify it with, I still have days where I find myself feeling awful about the way I look.

...as you may or may not have read in my last post, I started weight training. Though I had thinned out and was able to "run" off quite a bit of weight/mass, I didn't have much muscle tone throughout my upper body and midsection. I wanted to change this so, after the Mini Marathon, I decided to back off my miles to something manageable for me, 8-9 miles/week average, or run at least 3 times a week, 1/2 hour at a time, with two days (at least) of strength training.

So far, strength training has blessed me with what appears to be obliques and a line running between my bicep and deltoid on my upper arm. (Side note: I squealed like a little girl the same as when I found my jawline or collar bone for the first time.) I do monitor my measurements more, but what I've found most difficult to deal with is the fact I've gained back about five pounds according to that pesky number on the scale.

I'm sure you're thinking, "big whoop, Ash. You've lost a metric crap-ton of weight." Well, for me, it's just like buffets. It's a slippery slope; a slope I don't want to have to climb back up. With buffets, or an abundance of food available, I have a hard time managing how much I eat. I'll keep eating until the point of sickness, especially with sweets. If I get around food, my mind honestly turns to mush. I'm like a zombie searching for brains to feast (and I will tackle someone standing between me and cake).
I have a very difficult time saying no, and give in to temptation way too easily.

...and I eat irrationally with emotions during difficult times.

Seeing the number on the screen creep back up has caused me to crack down, taking myself out of a difficult "food" situation, and trying to track every single thing I put in my mouth. And even though I've been focusing on it, with weight training, I've slowly watched my weight creep up the scale still. Now, of course you hear "muscle weighs more than fat." I don't necessarily think that's true. Sure, muscle is much more dense than fat, however one pound of fat is one pound of muscle. It's just a difference in mass & size.

I track calories every day using My Fitness Pal. It's easy, you can scan UPC barcodes for nutrition information, and set goals, whether it's nutrition or exercise levels.

Typically, I limit myself to 1400 calories/day, however I bend here and there every once in a while for a splurge. I try to limit them as much as possible, and eat as "clean" as I can, but I'm only human. Lately though, I feel as if I haven't been eating enough, or that my body is going in to "starvation mode." I've been gaining where I should be losing, in that I haven't been "eating back" calories burnt while running or working out, and only going over my daily calorie limit here and there, in hopes of losing that pesky five pounds I've put back on.

Plateaus can go kick rocks.

After speaking with a few "weight loss"  buddies, friends, and a family member who also is a fantastic Zumba/Spin/Piyo instructor and personal trainer, I've decided to bump up my calories a few, to 1600 a day at least to see where it gets me. Maybe it's that I need to eat more to lose? It is possible afterall, and is a common weight loss myth.

...but just eating more calories doesn't mean you will eat more to lose, you have to eat more of the right things.

 ...and you have to persevere.

:)

My, My How Time Flies

....where did you go, Summer? I miss you already and you've technically not left us yet?!

I can't believe it's been months since I've last blogged, and I feel awful for it. I'm sorry guys! This is me, waiving "Hi!" I'm still here... ;)

Summer has been super busy, but shall we catch up?

To answer some folks' questions, yes I'm still running! No, not as much as I did when training for the Indy Mini Marathon, but I am still running. Currently, I've began to train for a 10K race, representing my employer at the ISC Corporate Challenge again this year, only stepping it up a notch. (Side note: I also signed up for the pit stop challenge. #becauseracecar) They've switched venues from IUPUI to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and my fingers are crossed I'll be able to kiss some bricks for a third (yes, third) time. We'll see! But I needed a goal anyway, as I've recently started losing sight, or just plain getting lazy. I'm currently running an average of 8 to 9 miles per week, three times a week, which is just enough to make me happy and "run off the day," (if I'm feeling it. Enter laziness. No bueno).
 

"Running off the day" is great. Except this day. It was disgusting.

I've started toning and lifting weights, or at least continued it. (Be gone, jiggle!) I am in LUUUUURVE with PopSugar's workouts, either by using kettlebells, dumbells, or just the ol' fashioned body weight. So far, my arms are starting to show definition and I think I have obliques? I am still frustrated with stubborn belly fat, and the saddlebags I can't seem to eradicate, but as I always say, I'm a work in progress. This couldn't be more true with strength training.

In addition to both running and strength training, I've saddled up on the bicycle again, logging miles through cross training. I once read that runners are the most injured, yet still going, athletes out there.  The bike has been able to give some aches and pains I had after the half marathon a break, and a chance to recover. In biking, I've rediscovered my hatred for wind.

I lived to tell about this ride.

Switching gears, Boston was absolutely incredible, despite my displeasure with a certain airline. Thanks to said airline, I missed the majority of my planned sightseeing, and the opportunity to continue my "City By Shoes" series. I saw the "city by shoes," however it was with my grey Converse, not my black and pink Brooks Ghost 6 like I had hoped. Argh. But here are a few of my highlights:

MiniAsh tagged along. Here we are, waiting impatiently to take off from Dayton.

This is me, delayed in Dulles, VA.

I survived navigating the "T." This country girl rocked Friday's commute!

Quack!

Acorn Street: The most photographic street in Boston.

From the Green Monstah.

I can't wait to get back to the city. I fell in love with Fenway and the Red Sox (sorry, Mr. K!), witnessed whales playing, feeding, and breaching (a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for this landlocked-by-corn farm-girl), and ate some of the best (grilled) seafood I've had...ever. But the most important and memorable experience was catching up with my friend Robin - one of my greatest supporters in my weightloss journey, the reason I'm finally comfortable enough to "act like a girl" and buy dresses (and prefer shopping for them), and someone I miss. We shared the delectable Mike's Pastry goodies in honor of her belated birthday, and her and her hubby took me to a gorgeous arboretum and farm nearby their home. It was absolutely wonderful, and again, I can't thank her enough for "taking me in" for the weekend. I honestly can't wait to get back and see her.

This summer, I also completed an internship that I truly "lived the dream." Motorsports, and hockey are both something I'm strongly passionate about, and I had an amazing opportunity to observe and learn processes, procedures, and "behind the scenes" work that goes in to a sport I hope to some day work in. We'll see, but you never know where dreams could take you... I've discovered that with this weight loss journey.

 
My niece/mini-me turned five. She is also officially a Kindergartener. She's still a fighter, and still one of my biggest inspirations, and has truly taught me what it means to be a warrior. She can stop growing up now.

Can you handle the cuteness here?

...and with that, come August 25, I'll go back in to "education hibernation mode." I hope to continue blogging more even though my semesterly duties will pick up, and I've been working on a blog that I think will be quite a bit of fun! It just takes some time, research, and for me to sit down and just "get 'er done."

I'll also be traveling this Fall; at least one more trip is planned with Mr. K come October. We'll be celebrate our five year anniversary, and we both thought we needed to get out of town for a bit. I'm super, super excited to plan our vacation, and where we're going, but I'm not going to reveal anything just yet! I hope to have a "City (or resort?) By Shoes," adventure again, though I promise this one is going to hurt. I've ran hills, but not these hills.

Currently...

I've been stalking reading Dacia's blog 'My Roots to Grow' again, and she's giving me another awesome idea for a blog post! I love her post Currently, borrowed from another blog I've started reading, Fit and Free with Emily.

So here it goes!

Thinking

It's finally May, my favorite month of the year to be a Hoosier. The Indianapolis 500 is a holiday much like Christmas in the motorsports world, and it's almost here! I've been watching the sports coverage on local news outlets obsessively, following the drivers I love and cheer for on Twitter, Instragram, and others, showcasing our wonderful state capitol, and the love of such a historic event they have, as much as I do.

For as long as I can remember, I've been mesmerized by my Opa's stories of the "good ole days" of Mario, A.J., Al and several others from the days he worked at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, skipping out on work at a local grocery store as a butcher to compete in the annual chili cook off with Ma Unser or spending long days and longer nights hanging around the garage area while the world's best race car drivers compete for the Borg Warner trophy and a kiss of the bricks. He's the reason I'm such a huge racing enthusiast.

Also, the weather has finally turned, and I'm finally able to get back to the dirt track. Bring on summer!

Feeling

Relieved. My Spring semester is over, and I survived Statistics with an A (along with an A+ in Business & Society). I still have my 4.0 GPA. Highly thankful for that!

Watching

The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, of course! However, I've slacked a bit since Washington is tumultuous, and the Columbus Blue Jackets were eliminated by the Pittsburgh Penguins... but what a series that was!

Excited

...for my upcoming trip to the east coast! It won't technically be my first visit there, however a layover in the Newark, NJ airport doesn't count, so it'll be my first "overnight" stay, and I plan to take full advantage of the four days I have in Boston, Mass. I alluded to not being in Indiana for the first time since I can remember during Memorial/Race weekend for the Indianapolis 500, and Boston is where I will be! I'm heading out to spend a few days within downtown Boston, then taking the train west of the city to visit a special friend. I can't wait to see you Robin!

Side note: In talking with a coworker who grew up in the city, I shared my amazement that I could take a "water taxi" from the ferry dock at Boston Logan across the harbor to Long Wharf as opposed to the T, or subway for us out-of-towners. It'd give me a welcoming view of the Boston skyline, and I opted for this, as I felt it was a great introduction to the city! He proceeded to give me a look of amazement before busting out laughing. All I could think to say was, "we don't have boat taxis in Indiana, much less a subway system."

Missing

Thunder & Lightning, as my Opa preciously refers to my two favorite hoodlums. I'm really missing my niece and nephew and I can't wait to see them again soon. They always know how to make their aunt laugh!

In talking with my mom on the phone last night, she shared with me she waited for my nephew to get off of the bus from school the other day, and while they were swinging in the backyard, he out of the blue asked how I was:

"Mamaw Jill, how's Aunt Ashley?"

"She's doing really good buddy, her and Uncle (Mr. K)."

"Well, that's good."

"Do you remember seeing all of those runners on the TV last weekend?"

"Yes, Mamaw Jill, I do."

"Your Aunt Ashley was there. She ran that day with ALL of those other runners!"

"What was her number?!"

"Your Aunt Ashley's number was 26446." "Wow, Mamaw Jill, that's so cool!" (This made me cry while smiling. I miss that boy!)

Reading

...a book that finally isn't considered "required reading material." Thank goodness for summer break! I just sat down to start Janet Guthrie's biography:

Wondering

What tomorrow will bring! I plan to run for the first time since the half marathon, as I decided to just take a week off to recover, especially after the stomach flu/Satan's wrath of a recovery I had, and that it lingered for a few days this week. I'll be running a local 5k to benefit a local horse stable that offers therapeutic riding and lessons.

Working

It's that time of year again at my in-law's farm, and Mr. K has been hard at work preparing the fields for #Plant14. This year, we're drilling soybeans (again, I think...), and the field has been tilled, weeds sprayed, and now we wait a week until the actual "drilling" begins. It's not much land compared to some local farmers, but I see how much Mr. K enjoys himself when he's on the tractor. I also love riding along when I get the chance, either on the fenderwell of the Farmall while tilling, or scrunched up in the cab while planting. I didn't grow up on a farm, but yet in a small town where agriculture is still a huge part of life for many. I was a proud 4-H'er, my twin showing hogs while in high school and helping with them, but I have such a huge appreciation for what farmers do. It's their livelihood. Simple as this: We farm. You eat. And I appreciate Mr. K and my father-in-law's patience when I ask the dumbest questions ;)

Stressed

...when am I not? Next section...

Proud

I'm so proud of my "Mini Me," my niece Kaylyn. My niece is on this Earth all because of a lifesaving heart surgery at four days old under the care of Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. The days after she was born were some of the longest days of my life, not knowing how she was or how she would be affected later in life by a congenital heart defect. At first, it was something we thought could've been fixed somewhere during the first six months of her life (no biggie). That didn't exactly happen, but because of that surgery, and her awesome cardiologist and his team, I get to see her grow in to the young woman she's rapidly becoming. Quickly. (And I don't like that!) This week, she had her yearly check up, and she's all-clear! The doctor is ecstatic with her progress, and I'm so dang proud of her. (...and proud that she's picking up on my love of motorsports. My corruption is working!)

Wanting

Ice Cream. Ugh.

Wishing

...I could call up my mother in law to wish her a Happy Mother's Day.

This week has been incredibly hard on Mr. K and I, as my mother in law would've celebrated both her birthday and Mother's Day this week. Instead, we reflected, celebrated the time we had with her, and shed many tears. This weekend is going to be brutal, and I only wish I could just pop over to the farm while Mr. K's in the field, to hang out with her in the kitchen. But I can't.

Eating

...waaaaaaaay too many damn sweets. I've been on a bit of a Pinterest tear, and my sweet tooth has been craving overtime. It's something that's always a work in progress to tone down, but I'm going in to next week with the goal of limiting my sugar intake. It's really getting out of control.

Drinking

Mucho water. Ever since the Mini Marathon/Stomach Flu/Satan's Recovery Wrath, I've been super thirsty, and I've been drinking plenty of needed water. Also, trying to curb cravings, but clearly we see how that's working...

Loving

Brantley Gilbert. Sorry Mr. K! I've recently found myself on the verge of obsession with songs off of his soon to be released album, including "My Baby's Guns and Roses," and this one:

"...that girl from Indiana sure was pretty..."

Shamrock 5K/10K Recap

See that title up there? Ya know the part about 5K/10K? Well, I ran it/survived it/didn't die on stairs. (More on that later....)

And I ran my first 10K ever, my first race of 2014, and finished 2nd in the Females 20-29 age group!

(Now before you start thinking I'm an elite-runner, medaling and stuff, just know there were two in my age group. But still, I placed. In something. Ha! And received a fancy water bottle ta-boot!)

Today was fun! After an up and down week of emotions, it was great to not only great to get outside, set a new (and fastest) pace post-knee surgery, and finally get back into race-mode. Part of the run used a trail that skirts the river through the gorge that divides the city of Richmond. It was wonderful to be outdoors running the 6.2 miles set out in front of me, and to breathe fresh air. My, it was wonderful.

(And thank God the turn in to the gorge fell at mile 5. I needed a change of scenery, and the trail was perfect-ish. There were hills. And stairs. It was iffy. And ugly. Still more on that...)

The race started out as a combination of both 5K and 10K runners/walkers, starting at the local high school's football field, snaking out down the southside of town on to one of the main country roads. We ran, for what seemed like forever, down to mile 3/turn around point (in to the wind). I will say I didn't see my first water station until mile 3, which was a bit of a downer, and had only two during the entire 6.2 mile course. It wasn't the greatest, and I believe I'm feeling the effects a bit of slight dehydration due to it. (Or my own unpreparedness. I didn't have a belt or water with me: just gloves, my iPhone, and a pack of Honey Stinger Energy Chews to down at mile 4 - my bad.)

As we turned back to head towards Richmond, we ran forever, again, on the country road, however the wind finally to my back. Heading out was rough (though the wind wasn't as bad or as cold as previous runs this year), but coming back was wonderful. As we headed in to town, we split off to the right on to Test Road, and then down a valley away from Abington Pike, where we just came from.

My first thought, as I'm sprinting down this massive hill was, "Um, hey Ash. Ya know we're going to have to get back up some how, right? What goes down, must come up."

At first I thought, "you've got to be kidding me, that at mile 4+, you're going to make me run up this monster hill ahead of me?" But nope! Thankfully, at mile 5, the route took you to the left and in to the gorge along the paved trail.

(Side note: I now officially know why you shouldn't run in the gorge alone if you're female. I was in a pack of other female runners, 3 or 4 total, and one male runner, as we approached a total creeper just hanging out. Alone. EEEEK. I won't be running without Mr. K there any time soon...)

As we approached 5.5 miles, things started to turn up hill. And this is where the, "You've got to be kidding me," cursing that makes a hockey player blush started. I knew it couldn't be that much further, but this is where I figured out how we're getting out of the gorge and back to the finish line on the high school's track...

Up.

After one hellish hill I NEVER thought I'd survive, there were stairs.

Stairs. STAIRS.

Who in their psychotic offroad-running mind puts a set of stairs at the end of a 10K?

I wanted to die.

After putting some distance between another female runner who I kept trading leads with, and a couple that was hot on my heels, I kicked in to high gear. For the first flight. The second? Ha! Nope.

But I made it up both, ran across the parking lot, across the street, down the sidewalk, rounded the gate to the left, and BAM! Finish line!

My official gun time was 1 hour, 12 minutes, 13 seconds, breaking down to 11:36/mile - improving significantly while in a race setting from last Saturday's 12:05/mile/5 miler.

I'll take it!

After an emotionally-wrecking week, it was nice to be able to get back to a bit of normalcy, while knowing my mother in law was smiling down on me today. I said a few prayers while out running, mostly to get me through and to remind myself never to give up, but it was much-needed fun, and another great race to get me ready for the Mini in May.

Here are some more pictures from the day, from Mr. K or Speedy-Feet.com:

(Sorry for the last few grainy/blurry/crappy photos. But still, proof I survived! And didn't die! Who woulda thunk it?)