Melting!

It's 11 o'clock at night and still 100 degrees. That is disgusting. Today we reached 105 degree here in DC, one of the hottest days ever on record in the area and putting the heat index over 112. All I can say is YUCK! Can't wait for some heat-relief. We are going on day 10 of the temperature above 95 degrees (heat index >100).

Kick Ass Life!

I have such a kick ass life! Seriously! I feel like I have been complaining A LOT lately and that I am constantly feeling down and throwing myself a bit of a pity party. I have had a rough month, with a lot on my plate. I feel like I have every bit of room to complain…but I don’t! I really have such a cool life and I need to be more grateful for the awesome things I get to do and amazing people that are in my life.

I am sitting in first class on a flight home from Ukraine right now. I am watching the Lion King, gearing up for my fourth trip to Africa (third in the last 6 months), following a long-anticipated vacation to New Orleans for the wedding of one of my closest friends and her lovely fiancé. Seriously I have NO room for complaining about anything in my life!

So, while I actually have time to really sit down and write, I am going to give the life update from 2012, as a reminder to myself about how amazing my life is! 

I will post it all at once, soon...with photos. I almost finished writing what I wanted to, but will complete and post after I am back from the May travel madness!

First long run

Well here we are, with just under 10 weeks for me to train for this half marathon. I'm nervous and am definitely wishing I would have given myself a full 12 weeks, at minimum. It is what it is though. So Saturday afternoon, with 70 degree weather on a January afternoon, I set off for my first long run - probably the most I have ever run at one time, to be honest. I'm not going to lie...I'm hurting pretty bad!

I wanted to document all of my training here and hold myself to the truth (no exaggerating to make myself sound better) and be able to document my success and look at how I can improve. I think it helps motivate me, too.

Distance:  6.77 miles
During the run:  I felt really great during the run, overall. It was a bit rough during mile 2 and 3, but once I got in the groove of things, I was good to go. I did have to walk here and there.
After the run:  I felt tired immediately following the run (didn't sleep much though the night before) and ended up feeling a bit gross later that afternoon, but overall felt good.
Next day:  I went for a short run (1.8 miles in total, which I ran about 1.45 of) with my friend Shon...I was very tight and sore and it was a bit chilly outside.
Areas of soreness:  Mostly my calves and the ligaments/tendons around my ankles and feet
2 days after the run (today):  I haven't been able to do too much. I am really sore! Realizing that it may not have been the best idea to jump into an almost 7 miler after taking 3 weeks off from running during the holidays...but it was a beautiful day and I really wanted to get a long run in and it just happened that way. Tomorrow I've got to get on the treadmill though for a 3-4 miler.
Next long run: 7.5 miles Saturday (I am feeling ambitious?)