Half Fanatics!

After I ran the Tinker Bell Half Marathon, I was all set to take it easy until the Glass Slipper Challenge at Disney World a month later. I looked into Half Fanatics and was disappointed the races were too far apart to qualify, but I figured I'd worry about that once I cane back from surgery. A smart individual who had only just completed her first half marathon ever would probably have left it at that. However, a runner would immediately start looking up other half marathons, because waiting to go completely insane would just be silly. I found a local race that would take place on February 16th, exactly one week before the half marathon portion of the Glass Slipper Challenge. I was going to run the IMS Arizona Half Marathon.

Inexperience be damned, I signed up. The day before the race, I found out that my grandmother had passed away. I almost decided to cancel, but as I was looking over the course map, I realized I'd run through the town she lived in. So I opted to run anyways, hoping that somehow I'd find a sense of peace and closeness. Somehow, being near where she lived made me feel like I was near her. It gave me the time I needed to apologize for not visiting more, for not calling, for not being there. Honestly, I have no idea if she knew how much I cared for her. But I took that time to make sure I said everything I forgot to while she was here. 

As for the race, it was alright, but not one I'll likely do again. Personally, I feed off of crowd support. And as one of the slower runners, I felt crowded during many parts of the race where we ran in the shoulder and oncoming traffic was only a traffic cone away. However, there was till water at every stop and the volunteers I spoke with after I finished were extremely friendly. 

On a side note, I ran in a medium Sparkle Skirt for the first time. My weight loss was finally starting to pay off and I was thrilled. Overall, it ended up being a wonderful day, and it made me reflect on mow truly blessed I am. Not only do I have a body that can push me to limits I never imagined, but I have the support of friends and family along the way. I have a wonderful husband who allows me to spend money to do races that make me happy, and running has given me peace, strength, and sanity that I never knew I had. This was a particularly difficult race because I was alone, depressed, and afraid, but by the time I reached the finish line, those feelings were replaced entirely with comfort, pride, and joy.

Next week I'll start recapping Princess Half Marathon Weekend. But as I write this post on Mother's Day, I want to take a moment to say thank you to all mothers and grandmothers. Some women have children and never become a mother, others who haven't given birth become mothers to children who aren't even theirs. I've been blessed to have several amazing women in my life who acted as mother figures for me when I needed them the most. It is from their love and strength that I become the woman I am now. Happy Mother's Day one and all!

And We're Back!

Okay - there's no denying it's been a while. I slacked off, pure and simple, and the past three months have been so consumed that I haven't written a darn word. I could say it's because my grandma passed away, or that it's because I had hip surgery, or that my husband has needed my help with his business. However, there's no reason I couldn't drop a line, and a lot's happened in that time. Instead of making (any more) excuses, I'm going to go ahead and try to briefly recap what's been going down. Then, this weekend, I'm going to write and post a recap of a race I forgot to tell you about. Deal? Good.

You'll read about the races I completed since the Tinker Bell Half Marathon in subsequent posts, so I'll use this time to talk about a few other things. First, I'll mention that I had hip surgery on March 13th, and I'm still not allowed to run (five more weeks... only five more weeks... has it been five more weeks yet?!) so pardon me if I get a little loopy. I miss it. Desperately. The surgery was due to hip impingement. Basically, the bones in my hip joint weren't shaped properly, so the doctor had to shave them down so they moved more freely in the joint. There was a little tissue damage that had to be cut out as well. In case you're wondering, I'm fine. Recovery hasn't been so bad. The first three weeks (during which I couldn't put ANY weight on my right leg) were hell, but once I was allowed to walk again, life got back to being mostly normal.

On a side note, I can't stress enough how important it is to follow up with a doctor whenever you feel something unusual. I felt a little bit of pain in my hip and thought it was just a groin pull. If I hadn't gone to get it checked out, I could have suffered a lot more tissue and cartilage damage, which would have greatly reduced my ability to run later. So yeah, see your doctors people. Just do it.

Aside from running I've been busy with work, school, and the hubby's new business. I also lost my grandmother in February to leukemia. It made it tough to run for a bit. I felt selfish and lost, especially since I went to Disney World a week after we lost her for the Princess Half Marathon. It was a good reminder to spend time with the people you love. Sometimes things change so unexpectedly, and the regret and guilt you're left with are so bitter that you lose sight of the joyful memories that should keep you afloat while you grieve.

Today, I ask that I'd you're reading this and are able, go for a run. Enjoy what you've been given and find reasons to be grateful. And call someone you love (no text, no Facebook... A real phone call), just to remind them that you love them.

Until next time,
Krystina

Princess Half Marathon Blog Hop - First-Timer Fears

One thing I've learned over my first year of running (holy cow - a year already?!) is that fear is a normal part of the process. Trying to convince your body that it can do things it's never attempted before is a daunting task. As some of you may know, I've spent several years studying psychology and I'm absolutely fascinated by science of how people think and behave. Since I've started running, I've learned even more about the application of psychology.

Now, I've completed my first half-marathon, but I have another first ahead of me. During Princess Half-Marathon Weekend, I'll be participating in my first runDisney challenge. For those unfamiliar with the Glass Slipper Challenge, this means that I'll be running a 10K on Saturday and the half-marathon on Sunday. And, as I felt just a few short weeks ago, I am terrified.

This sense of impending doom... or impending sweepage, whichever you prefer... made me start thinking a bit more about the psychology behind these fears. What they mean for training, for racing, and how they affect a runDisney experience.

Fear and self-doubt do play an important role in running, and having none at all could be a bad thing. If we are afraid, we may take extra care of ourselves, and we tend to be more aware of injuries and take appropriate actions to prevent further injury. If we fear being swept at a race, we may run a little faster. If we doubt-ourselves (in SMALL doses), we can surprise ourselves and that sense of excitement will keep us going when we want to give up. However, too much of either can seriously degrade a runner's will to get out there in the first place. So, as you gear up for the Princess Half-Marathon, Enchanted 10K, Royal Family 5K, or the Glass Slipper Challenge, keep what I'm going to say in mind, especially if you're a first-timer like me.

First, before you do anything else, take a deep breath. Then, take another. Better? Good. You have to make a conscious choice to be positive. This can be difficult, but if you visualize success, you're more likely to experience it. When you have self-defeating thoughts, take note and come up with a counterargument. For example, if you think "I'm going to get swept," try thinking about all of the evidence behind why that isn't true. For me, it might be that I'm determined, or I know I've trained well. Don't just let the negativity settle, tell it why it's wrong.

It's totally normal to be nervous. During the races, dispel some of those jitters by talking to other runners in your corral. You'd be amazed by the support you'll get. Make new friends and maybe even a running buddy. Don't underestimate how much of a difference that cane make. If you want proof, read my Tinker Bell Half recap here. Other princesses will serve as distractions during the difficult parts of the race and will keep you entertained during every minute in between. Use positive self-talk. Remind yourself of all the hard work that's led you to this moment, and think about how incredible you're going to feel crossing that finish line. Don't give up, (barring serious injury of course). And most importantly, be proud NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.

Yes, I seriously mean no matter what. Obviously finishing the race in whatever time goal you have is the best-possible scenario. But finishing, no matter what the time, is still pretty freaking incredible. So is starting. Do you know how hard it is to make the decision to register for a big race and commit yourself to something difficult? Of course you do; you've done just that! There are thousands of people (millions, likely) that don't even have the courage to consider something like that. Yet you did. That's truly something to be proud of.

I'd love to go over the details of how science plays a role in our ability to mentally prepare for and succeed in a race. But that could take quite a while. In the meantime, feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions about the psychology of running or positive thinking at any of the contact options here on my blog. And as you prepare for Princess Half Marathon Weekend, check out this awesome blog hop, where you can find loads of valuable information about the races ranging from race fashion to food, and everything else. Click the image below to get to a list of great posts by other incredible writers!

Full Circle

Running is many different things to each runner. For some, peace. Others, strength. Others still, overcoming. For me, running embodies a sense of amazement. Every time I lace up, I'm faced with new challenges. I also learn more about myself than I could ever have imagined. Every run surprises me and every run exhilarates me. Even my worst runs leave a mark. One year ago, I wasn't a runner. I wasn't a walker, or any type of athlete. I was lazy, I was unhappy with myself, and I felt broken. Then I stumbled across a health expo during Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend at Disneyland and my life immediately changed. Sparkle Skirts and runDisney drew me in. The running community and my new self-image kept me going.

I started finding pride I'd never experienced before. I starting loving myself, and my flaws became less obvious. Then, on January 19th, 2014, I accomplished something that I'd never before imagined was possible. I crossed the finish line of my very first half-marathon. Of course, it couldn't be just any half-marathon. I ran the very same event that inspired me to run in the first place. The 2014 Tinker Bell Half Marathon marked a day of personal victory, and incomparable joy.

Before the race I attended a meet-up for a Facebook group created specifically for this race. I've never encountered such an incredible group of people. I was amazed by the support the group had provided online, and the members were just as inspiring in person. I was moved by how welcoming everyone was, and it was so much fun to meet other runners in person! The leaders of the group provided goodies and prizes and shared inspiring stories and messages. I couldn't think of a better way to prepare for what seemed, to me at least, the extremely daunting task that lay ahead.

The next morning, I woke up at some freakish hour so early that even the sun was still sleeping. The energy in the corrals was far different than anything I ever experienced before. Women (and I'm sure men, although I wasn't near any) were giggling and sharing stories of runs past, their lives outside of running, their hopes and fears... Several women were passing out tokens of good luck like adorable tiny magic wands to be pinned to bibs, or glow sticks, among several other items. It's amazing, but there was so much excitement in the air that it was impossible to be sleepy despite the time.

Now, I'm not too shy to share that I had pre-race jitters. I'd had nightmares, one of which suggested I'd be swept by mile five. Butterflies invaded my tummy for days before the race; they were almost as active as when I met my husband! However, I was truly blessed to have a wonderful woman run with me, and she helped me realize how strong and capable I was. When we got to the start line, she told me to turn around and look back. I could see an ocean of runners, waiting for their turn to take off and fly. It was so humbling to see so many other wonderful people behind me, and quite comforting to know that not only did I have a buffer, but that I wouldn't be alone.

When the time to run came, I was deeply impressed that the camaraderie and joy remained, even for those who were serious about their race.As I chatted with my wonderful new friend we saw other runners pass us, some slow down, but almost all smiling. I found out that my running companion and I are apparently twins and have a ridiculous mass of interests and beliefs in common. Passing the time with her made running seem... *gasp*... easy. In fact, it was the best run I'd ever had, simply because I enjoyed the company so much.

Beyond that, there was plenty going on to keep me motivated and in awe. We passed some of the floats used in the Disney parades and I specifically recall passing the Mary Poppins based float and singing Supercalifragalisticexpialidocious. Loudly. Very loudly.

There were marching bands and cheerleaders, dancers, and hilarious spectator signs. And the characters. Oh, the characters! I have a special place in my heart for the fabulous characters (and the wonderful people playing said characters) at Disney parks. They're always so animated and play their roles so well. Captain Hook was no exception during the race. I had dressed as Captain Hook - but with a twist. I was Captain Hook being attacked by Tick Tock the crocodile. Naturally, A torn up outfit wasn't enough; I had to attach a stuffed Tick Tock to myself. Hook was the only character I wanted a photo with on course, so after waiting in line for several minutes, I was thrilled when my turn came. I ran up next to him, and before I could say a word - he ran AWAY from ME! He saw Tick Tock and hid behind another pirate. It's this kind of dedication that blows me away every time. We certainly got a good laugh before moving on, and I am so grateful for that experience.

There was no best part of the race, but crossing that finish line is certainly one of the moments I will treasure for the rest of my life. I was emotional, and my new RBF (running best friend) was so exited that I just couldn't stop myself from cry-laughing. Made for an awkward finish line photo, but I love it nonetheless. Now that the race is over, I should try to be getting back to the rest of my life. But, of course, that's ridiculous. Instead, I'll wait not-so-patiently for Princess Half Marathon Weekend and keep on running! And maybe admire my new bling...

Until next time!

Catching Up...

Life certainly has a way of getting in the way of...well, life. Sometimes I feel like I'm two separate people who have completely different goals and lifestyles that want to be congruent but can't seem to get together. There's the "responsible" me that just started a new job and master's program. And then there's the "fun" me, the one that wants to run, play, and spend ridiculous amounts of time at Disneyland with her husband and friends.

Sadly, the responsible me has taken over for the last couple of months. Now I know she's important, but she's so BORING! I've actually made a couple of very significant changes. I left the counseling program that I'd spent the last year and a half obsessing over. I realized that although I desperately want to help people, the capacity I'd do so with a master's in counseling just isn't the way I want to do it. So now, I've started a master's in a subject I NEVER thought I'd pursue. I'm in a dual degree program that will earn me a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Leadership. I enjoy leadership, but business? I may be going insane (if so, beware of heads exploding... maybe I just need a good long run?). Honestly, I'm mostly doing it to help my husband. He'll be opening his own craft brewery soon, and it would be useful for one of us to know something about business. On top of that, I just started a new job, and that's always a source of stress for me. I hate feeling like I don't know what I'm doing.

Well, enough of that sob story. I'm baaaack! Can I be that excited to return to something I had only just barely started? I'm really looking forward to sharing more of my experiences with you all, and there couldn't be a better time to do it... On January 19th, everything changes!

We'll come back to that in just over a week. For now, here's a recap of what I've been up to, running-wise. First off, I ran the ROC Race (Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge) in Scottsdale, AZ in November. That was ridiculous alright... ridiculously AWESOME! I had a blast! The giant moon bounce really sealed the deal. The very next day I ran my second 10K - the Phoenix 10K. That was really nice also. It was hard, but I PRed by about a minute and went to lunch with a friend and her boyfriend afterwards. She'll be running the Princess Half-Marathon with me, so we were hoping to get a decent proof-of-time to move up a corral or two. We turtles will take every break we can get!

From there I also did a Turkey Day 10K that I sort of DNF (at least that's how I feel since I had to cut off part of the course). When the cops say the streets are opening in that part of downtown Phoenix, you find the rest of the group. Period. Now, I'm slow, but not that slow. However, I couldn't get past the 5K runners so I started the 10K later than everyone else! I did an Ugly Sweater 5K with a few friends, although we basically walked the whole thing. The Ugly Sweater Run wasn't my favorite, but hey, you can't win them all.

The best running moment since my last post, and arguably, my best in 2013 as a whole, was the Hot Chocolate 15K. I cannot say enough good things about this race. Maybe I loved it because I had some pretty special PRs, but I honestly thought it was fantastically organized. All of the volunteers were cheerful and friendly. The hoodie all runners received was extremely comfortable and durable. They had enough aid stations, we had a great course, and the fondue and hot chocolate available to finishers was insanely delicious! But what really got to me about this race was my performance. Of course I was in a SparkleSkirt and Minnie Ears (isn't that the normal thing to do?), but I didn't just look good. I usually use a 2/1 run/walk ratio. I'd never run more than a mile and a half without a walk break. But that day, when my watch beeped to let me know to walk, I decided to keep running. I felt good. Next thing I know, I'm thinking I can make it to two miles. Then, 5K. Then, I somehow ended up making it to the 10K mark, still holding strong. I didn't feel like I needed to stop until about mile 7, but by then sheer stubbornness kicked in. I RAN the whole 9.3 miles! I was just as slow as if I'd used the Galloway run/walk method, but I had never been so proud. The sheer joy (and shock) I felt was completely new. I think it was the first time I ever truly felt like "a runner." I know it was the first time I couldn't have cared any less about pace. And later that day, a couple of women who I'd run alongside for quite a while actually stopped and told me they tried to keep up with me but couldn't! It was like my first kiss all over again. I was dazed, and utterly elated.

After all that, I think it's time for this girl to get some sleep. But I do want to thank you, whoever you are, for sharing my story with me. I'd love for you to continue to follow along as I get the hang of this running thing, and I'll be back very soon with another chapter.

Happy running!