Chicago 26.2: A Recap of #13

Thirteen is supposed to be an unlucky number and that wasn't lost upon me when I started training for this marathon. This was my second marathon of 2018, my sixth Chicago Marathon, and 13th total overall, and I still can't believe it. Running a marathon is not an easy task.Ever. No matter how many times you do it, it's hard, it's stressful, and ithurts. But I love it, and I keep coming back for more as long as my body cooperates (which actually hasn't been much in the last few years). People constantly ask me why I continue to do them and it's because I truly love running and the purpose and sense of accomplishment it gives me. Sure, there are moments where it totally tears me down and makes me question myself, but there are way more times that it makes me feel like I can tackle anything. And those are the moments I stick around for. 

Illinois 26.2: A Recap

12 is my lucky number. Champaign is one of my happy places. And running is something that I love so much. When you put all three of those things together, you'd expect some magic to happen, right? I would. On Saturday, it kind of did, and I am so so happy about it. I got to run my 12th marathon, the Illinois Marathon, in the very city where I fell in love with running in the first place, get a little redemption on my body for being hurt for so long, and prove to myself once again (because for whatever reason, I seem to need constant reminders) that I am a strong, determined woman.

Big Admission...

I feel like every new post I write lately is the first one in a while, so why would this one be any different? I haven't written in almost two months just because there isn't a ton to report on the comings and goings of my life. And even though my last post was about running, this one will be about it as well, and my next one will most likely be about it too. Sorry not sorry. Running is something that I love to do, is finally back in my life, and it just makes me happy, so I'm going to continue write about it.

Can We Call it a Comeback?

Picture this: I'm in my race corral with a few minutes until it's my turn to go. I turn on my iPod shuffle and randomly, yet perfectly, Young Jeezy's "Go Getta" comes on. (I mean, could this be any more symbolic?!)  The start gun goes off and I'm about to get this thing started. I'm really about to do this. Finally. My first 13.1 in over 15 months. My first real race since the Chicago Marathon of 2016. It's on!

This was the scene Saturday as I started the F3 Lake Half Marathon after a long hiatus from racing due to injury. So how did it all happen? I know I've talked about it a bit before on, but in case you don't know, here's the short version...

Biking Back to (Some Sort of) Normalcy

If you follow me on Instagram (@rmgoldma btw), you may have noticed that my workouts have not been my usual long (or even short) runs lately. Instead they have taken form as early (and sometimes late) morning bike rides. (I don't post them all because that's annoying and boring, but I do it just enough where I hope it's not totally unacceptable.) I finally got a bike a little over a month ago and it has been life-changing for me in these difficult it-hurts-to-run-so-I-can't-do it times.  Everyone that knows me well (and even not so well) knows that I love running. It gives me a sense of purpose, allows me to set and work toward goals, helps clear my head, and lets me see some amazing sunrises as well as get to cover a lot of ground early in the morning before the rest of the city wakes up. However, as previously mentioned in older posts, I haven't really been able to run since like January because of my currently undiagnoseable and frustrating knee injury. Not being able to run was not only taking a toll on my mental health, I felt myself physically getting softer and weaker and feeling just plain gross. Not being able to workout everyday was a huge drag and I missed all the endorphins and as well as a consistent release of all my excess energy. (And not gonna lie, I missed starting my day with a super sweaty workout.) Swimming wasn't cutting it and SoulCycle is always great, but I could only afford to go once a week. I needed something I could do everyday that would make me feel like myself again.

Chicago 26.2: A Recap of #11

I did it!!!! Yesterday I completed my ELEVENTH marathon and I crossed that finish line with huge smile on my face and then completely broke down in tears. Big, happy, hard-earned, sobbing tears. After everything that has happened with my injury over the last six months, I couldn't believe that I actually did this. Sure, I've run a marathon before (which doesn't make it any easier), but this was one that I wasn't totally sure would happen, even down to the last day. But now I sit here sore, accomplished, proud, and happy. And still can't believe I did it.

DC Day 2: Some much needed Soul

I wish day two in DC wasn't my last day here, but that's the deal with these quick weekend trips. You look forward to them, have such a fantastic time, and before you blink, it's time to get back to reality. But regardless, I was happy to have the time away from "real life" and get to go somewhere that I love. Yup, Washington DC is one of those cities that I could easily live in. Easily.

Brooklyn Half Recap: A Big Ouch for #30

I've run a lot of races in my life and yesterday's Brooklyn Half Marathon one of the first times I've ever felt that I didn't deserve the medal at the end. Sure, I completed the course, I just didn't feel like I earned that medal. I wasn't sweaty. I wasn't out of breath. I wasn't tired. I didn't feel like I accomplished anything when I crossed that finish line. I just felt relief, frustration, and a lot of pain. In my third running of the Brooklyn Half, I didn't exactly run the race, I had to walk it. It wasn't my choice; it was my only option, and it was miserable.

Yesterday was the Brooklyn Half Marathon and it was my 30th (!!) half marathon. The day this race opened its application, I set an alarm for it and immediately signed up when the time came. The race sold out in 47 minutes. From that fact alone, you can tell how popular it is. The Brooklyn Half Marathon is the largest half marathon in America and is a super fun one to run. You run the streets of Brooklyn for a bit, do one loop of Prospect Park, and then run along Ocean Parkway out to the Coney Island Boardwalk where you cross the finish line. So needless to say, I was excited to run this race from the moment I signed up. It's such a great race and I was actually really looking forward to be a part of it again and maybe even get my sub-2:00 half (something I have done once, but haven't gotten in quite a few years.) However, the race did NOT go as planned. Not even close.

Chicago 26.2: A recap of #10

Well ladies and gentlemen, I am officially a ten-time marathoner. I'm not gonna lie, that feels pretty great. But thats really the only thing that I am feeling good about right now. My body hurts and I'm pissed about my time. I know that being able to run 26.2 miles one time is a big deal, so ten is great, but this race was just not my race. Not even close. And I can't help but be super disappointed about this.

I had a very different mindset coming into this race than I did last year in Chicago. Last year I was aiming for a PR and walked away without it. (I can't even go back and think about that because it will make me cry.) This year, I knew that a PR wasn't going to happen and and pretty much had expected that. I knew I'd be okay if I finished this race under 4:45. With the feelings of perpetual leg fatigue most of training, putting on ten pounds out of nowhere (stop telling me its muscle from training cause its not), and the whole bladder issue, I knew this wasn't going to be my best race. I also however, did not expect it to be one of my worst. And that sucks. It really fucking sucks.

Big F*%$ing Deal

For the last 17 weeks, I have been training for the Chicago Marathon.

I've been training through the summer heat and humidity.

I've run through DC, Spain, Portugal, Prague, Chicago, Boston, and of course through NYC.

I've been eating lots of carbs (and everything else within a one millimeter vicinity).

I've been hydrating and sleeping excessively.

I've been wearing compression socks for countless hours.

I've been listening to some of the same songs over and over again.

I've drunk a ton of chocolate milk and watermelon juice and Nuun. 

I've been worrying.

I've been crying.

I've been training for a marathon.

Summer is Dunzo

Well, September has come and its almost gone and I didn't write one post this month. What the heck?!?! This is hasn't happened once since starting this blog and I'm not about to have it happen now. So, as I sit in the hospital during my Remicade treatment, why not write a post of what's been going on lately? Right?!?!?

I feel like a lot has been going on, but at the same time, very little has also been going on. Summer is officially over and that's fucking depressing. I really had such an incredible summer that, like every other teacher out there, I didn't want it to end. (I also am in severe denial that my tan is fading. Sigh.) So now that summer is dunzo, the school year is in full swing, and fall has begun, here's what's been going on with me...

You know I'm a runner because...

Today is National Running Day! Yes, this is a real holiday for us runners so Happy National Running Day to you and yours. Last year on this day I wrote about all the reasons that I run and what running gives to me but this year I am going to write about all the characteristics that I possess that gives me a away as a runner.

Sometimes I feel weird calling myself a "runner" because I am not very fast or built like a runner at all; however, I get out there and run 5 days a week and compete in races so yes, I am a runner. And believe me, if you saw my closets and drawers (and shoe collection) you would know this all to be true. So how does one know I am a runner? They know I'm a runner because...

An Active Spring Break

I am currently on Spring Break and this break was beyond overdo. Although I am nowhere warm and tropical, a week off work is just what I needed. Work has been hellish and I want to cry everyday I go in there and it sucks feeling that way. I feel overworked and under appreciated and I just don't want to be there anymore. This year has been incredibly overwhelming and stressful with all my roles and responsibilities and I these days off are just what the doctor ordered. I went home to Chicago for this break to just hang out and see my family and relax.

More and more it seems that the more time I get off from work, even on the weekends, the more and more I realize what it is I love doing: and that is working out. I know it sounds super lame, but I seriously have such great days when they consist of a great run or group fitness class, whether its SoulCycle or something else. Challenging myself in these classes and getting out and being active makes me ridiculously happy.  It gives me not only a sense of accomplishment but its fun for me.

Lately...

I know I have been kind of MIA lately but life has been so hectic. A lot has been going on and my mind has been racing and my body has been moving. It's been hard to slow down for a second and really write. Nothing specific has really happened that has inspired me to write a post but since so much has been happening, I thought I'd kind of put it out there what I've been doing and what I've been into.

In the last month, I still have been living the usual life of working out, work, basketball, sleep, repeat. Of course there is eating in there (you can trust me on that), but that's about it.  I have time for the occasional errands and TV (duh!!) but not much else because in the little down time I get, I try to get just lay around alone to maintain my sanity. It's amazing though how you can be around people literally all day and then want some alone time, but then be lonely. But it's true because it happens to me every day.

All in all though, I can't really complain that much of my recent coming and goings, but here's the recent scoop of what's new. Here's what's been happening lately...

1) I discovered Broad City. Ummm where has this show been all my life? I don't know why it took me so long to find my absolute new favorite TV show, but this is it. Broad City is the shit. My parents bought Amazon Prime when it went on sale a few weeks ago and I got access to the account, naturally. I then ordered the Amazon Fire stick, and vóila, this was on there. I had heard about it a few times in passing but didn't really know what it was about. But as soon as I started it, I couldn't stop. It was freaking hilarious. Abbi and Ilana are my spirit animals and we need to be friends. They are too fucking funny. Seriously, if you haven't seen this show, start now. I am now all caught up with real time and it sucks having to wait a week in between episodes. #firstworldproblems

Sunrise Sensations

I am a morning person. My alarm goes off and I pop out of bed ready to take on the day ahead of me. I do my workouts early in the morning before work starts and its the best way to start my day. I find that on days that I don't workout, I am actually not as awake and personable as my usual charming self. I need those morning endorphins to get me going. I really believe they make me a better person.

Running has allowed me to explore places of this city, and others that I wouldn't necessarily have gotten to see. Whenever I am on vacation I like to go for my morning runs and explore places (with map and phone in hand) that I may not have a chance to see otherwise. I feel that I have gotten to see so much more of some cities, especially on my Europe vacation and even last summer to the Pacific Northwest, because of my passion for running.

Super Spin Songs!!

About two years ago I got my certification to become a spin instructor. I was enjoying taking spin classes so much, I wanted to be able to teach them. I am high energy and enthusiastic so combine this with my love for spinning, I thought it would be great. I couldn't audition for SoulCycle or Flywheel because I didn't have enough experience or the time to make it my full time job which those two studios pretty much require. So the next best thing was to audition at local gyms in hopes of getting a class there. I ended up getting a gig at Boom! Fitness, a local gym in my neighborhood as well as in Murray Hill and got on their sub list. When I finally taught my first class, it was amazing! I loved every second of it. Was I really getting paid to do something I love? To encourage and motivate others to get in shape and get a great workout? To actually earn money while exercising? It was crazy how great it was.

Go(al)ing for it in 2015

Last year, right at the start of 2014, I made a list of goals I wanted to conquer during the year. By typing them out and putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards), I was holding myself accountable. I also felt I was very realistic with my goals so it was upsetting that some of them were not reached. But all hope is not lost! There did happen to be some that I was able to accomplish and will keep up with but I did not achieve a majority of them and they are very much still works in progress.

Out of my eight goals, I was only able to really achieve two and a half of them. I was able to complete a five minute plank, I was able to get more involved with the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (CCFA), and I was more conscious of what types of food I was eating (that's why this counts as half), although not consistently. So two out of eight it was. Blah. Better than zero out of eight.

New York 26.2: A Recap

Two marathons in three weeks! Chicago and New York. Numbers 8 and 9. I can finally take a sigh of relief and give my body a rest. And perhaps chill with all the crying too. Yikes. As I lay here in bed with sore legs and a full heart, I think I can actually say that I am proud of myself. This is quite different than the feelings I was having three weeks ago after the Chicago marathon when I was a big ball of disappointment. Sure, I ran this race slower than Chicago, but I wasn't running this race for me and wasn't concerned about getting a PR. I was running this race for a fantastic cause (Team IBDKids), wanted to enjoy the ride, and really just wanted to finish it (in under five hours). And that I did with a time of 4:42:50. I'll take it because once again, it wasn't an easy road to the finish line and I am just so happy to be healthy enough to make it there once again.

Hey Girl...

With one marathon down and one to go, my life hasn't really slowed down at all. Wake up, eat, run, eat, go to work, eat, work (with eating in there), eat some more, coach, eat, go to bed. Repeat. And that my friends, is a day in the life of me.

Don't be too jealous of the exciting life that I lead. Really, don't. I am a creature of habit and routine so I don't really mind so much. What I don't like is the feeling of being hungry and tired like 99.999% of the day. All day. Every day.

Chicago 26.2: A Recap

As I sit here on my parents couch the day after the Chicago Marathon, I am physically in some pain and mentally kind of numb. I don't feel like I ran a marathon yesterday. I just can't believe its over. I had been looking forward to it from the moment I got accepted through the lottery and now its over.

The prep for this race has consumed me for the past four months and I had one goal in mind and that was to PR. All I wanted was a sub-4:30 marathon. I did the best I really could preparing for that and I missed it by 10 seconds. Ten mother-fucking seconds. Honestly though, I handled it a lot better than I thought I would so that's a mental victory for me. However, that means I am still on this mission to PR, which means Chicago 2015 might have to happen. But lets take a look back at Chicago 2014 while it's still fresh in my mind.