About One More Month!

I can't believe it, Christmas has already come and gone and its almost time to celebrate the new year! And to think, one year ago I was on the couch sleeping with mono and so many other problems! This year I started my running career, I went on a trip of a lifetime to the Amazon, I shared a lovely vacation to Hilton Head with my family, I moved into a new house at school, I turned 21 years old and so many other wonderful things! I'm sure 2011 holds many more adventures and I can't wait to get the year rolling. I leave for South Africa officially (although I don't have my Study Permit yet, but my flight is booked!) on February 2nd and I won't return until June 26th! A whole five months away from my family and friends! It is going to be tough, but I'll be able to talk and send pictures the entire time I am gone which will make staying in touch so much easier. As of right now, I am just working and relaxing until I leave. I am beyond excited and can't wait to add another push pin to my world map that marks the places I have been. It isn't even close to being full yet, but I am hoping by the time I am out of college there will be quite a few push pins at the far corners of the world!

Blizzard.

So ever since my last half marathon, my left knee has been bothering me a bit. I've given it two days of rest this weekend, although I did get some serious Christmas shopping in with my mom on Saturday. Hopefully I can get back on the track or the road (depending on the weather) tomorrow! I've got about a month and a half till I leave for South Africa, where I can run everyday and only have to worry about rain, but for now I'm stuck in northeast Ohio where lake effect can trap you in your house for a few days! So, I found a nice alternative to running for awhile that might be easier on my knees. Cross country skiing! It's at Chapin Forest and it is only 5 dollars for an hour with ski rental! I've convinced a few of my friends to accompany me this week after this huge snow storm. I'm really excited because it is something I've never tried before and next up would be down hill skiing, which Nikki already talked me into! haha I can't wait to get out onto those trails this week!!!

Also, with my study abroad prep list. I have to get my visa within the next week. I need a background check, a TB test and some other things that I have to gather up before I can send it in. Then all I have to do is pray that I get it back in time for my trip. This makes me extremely nervous because of all the trouble I had with my trip to the Amazon and getting my passport and visa on time. Hopefully I get the background check back relatively quick because that is what will take the longest, I should have gotten this out of the way a lot earlier than this!

Lots to do this week! And I'm looking forward to the weekend because I am heading to PA to see all the family!!!

Dead Legs.

So the big race was this morning. Super cold are two words that can describe my day today. I wore plenty of layers so I was kind of warm, but my hands, even with my gloves on were frozen to the bone. I was shaking for at least a half hour after the race was finished. During the run, I stayed with a lady I talked to at the start of the race and she was very nice. She said she was about a 9-10 min mile pace so I figured she would be good to follow. I stayed behind her all the way till mile 11 until she took off. I also felt my groin get a little tight and start to pull right around that time so I slowed down a tad to a pace that felt suitable for the muscles. Once I saw the track, where the race finished I decided it was time to go. Even though I was hurting real bad I thought, the sooner I get this over the better off my legs will be! There was music playing and I pasted a few people at the end and sprinted full out the final 200 meters. I finished 2:04:and some odd seconds. It was about 5 minutes slower than my time in the spring for the Earth Day half marathon, but I was happy with it. I think that this shows, since I haven't ran much in the past week and a half because of finals that I can still get back into it pretty quick. Now all I have to do is push an extra 13 miles and I'll be ready for a marathon! And today after 13.1, I don't think I could have ran anymore. I have A LOT of work to do! haha All in all it was a great day and I was very proud of myself!

My next task is to prepare to study abroad in South Africa and from there I will continue my training for a marathon, which I plan to run in South Africa! Less than 2 months and I will be in my new home for 5 months!!!

Resting up tonight and I'll take an easy bike ride tomorrow to loosen everything up!

Finals. Ugh.

As I sit here listening to Bob Marley, I am thinking about how much I really don't want to run this half marathon tomorrow. I signed up about a month ago because it was cheap, something like 25 bucks, with a t-shirt. The reason I don't want to run it isn't the few inches of snow that fell over the past few days or the fact that I have to drive an hour and a half to get there. It's because this past week has kicked my ass mentally. I've been hung up with papers and presentations that were all due yesterday, so I obviously had to get them done. I haven't worked out since Tuesday... That isn't like me AT ALL! And I haven't ran outside since the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. These 13.1 miles are going to drain me mentally and physically, but that will only make me stronger. As much as I don't want to run, I feel like I need to. The 2 hours that it will take me to get through this challenge will relieve me of all the stress I have been building up all week and hopefully give me that outlet for a few hours and reenergize me for the next week which includes 3 tough finals, all of which I need a good grade on!

Side note is that I get to see Alyssa tonight! She is letting me stay the night since she lives probably within walking distance of the starting line!

I suppose I will post when I get back home tomorrow. Hopefully my legs don't fall off! haha