Rescued

This is basically what has been consuming the majority of my time and energy. This new little bundle of joy.

Brody the golden boy is officially 12 weeks old but we are on our 4th week together and as puppy raising goes....all has gone well.

The only thing is that he is SPOILED rotten. Even Bailey didn't get the kind of treatment Brody gets.

Brody already sleeps with me and goes EVERYWHERE in the truck with me.

Unfortunately, I don't have children.....really it was not because I never wanted kids...but I spent many years in a relationship I should have gotten out of. I made a series of bad relationship choices and now I'm in my 40's with the perfect man....but it's very questionable on whether well will have kids. A bit risky at my age.....

Long story short.....my maternal instincts have all been dumped on this puppy so I speak like a googly dumb new mommy in this video and I swear I treat him and talk about him like he was a 2 year old human!

Well, running has really been tough since Shamrock...and not for lack of motivation but damn! It hurts like hell right now! I'm so frustrated too because it just doesn't seem to want to let up. I feel like maybe its just knotted up muscles in my butt....that's where all the pain is. My knees, calves and quads are all fine. Just my butt.....ooooh....its so sore still!! I have been getting plenty of rest too.....um slept and fought allergies for the majority of my spring break.

So, I bagged the 1/2 marathon last weekend and pussed out of a 10K I was signed up for today. I'm just not up to it. Its pitiful.....

The weather has turned around on the East Coast FINALLY and I'm going to shift gears and start riding my bike.

I need to work on a running goal....I'm a little lost right now with out a goal.

Until then.....my time and energies go here-

A rescued soul....who rescued mine......

Better Late then Never.....

Holy late post...it's been three weeks since I ran the Shamrock Marathon.....and really it was certainly a race blog worthy.

So, again here is my story in all it's glory and the lessons I learned.

As far as marathons go.....the "day" itself could not have been more perfect. The temps were in the mid 40's to start and the skies were clear and blue....there was absolutely no wind. So, weather was never ever a factor.

Nerves, however, were....

I got to the start line with Running Buddy so full of nerves, I could have lit up the entire city of Virginia Beach....

And it all started a week prior to the race. 

If you have kept up with my blog, you would know that I had lost my beloved pet companion "Bailey" in January....and I was on a list of potential "adoptive" parents for a puppy from a litter rescued from a puppy farm just an hour outside of were I live. I was on pins and needles to even know if I had been approved to adopt.

Marathon weekend was more than just about the marathon....it was about the puppy, trying to qualify for Boston....and of course my year long running journey with my running companion....Running Buddy, who was also looking to PR her 2nd marathon.

So, you can imagine the mental wreck I was at the start line.

Time marched on....and the gun went off. 

I had made the decision to stay in between the 3:40 and 3:50 pace group....which in the end bit me in the ass.

First of all, the 3:50 pacer started off WAY too fast....like at an 8:15 pace for the first 5k. It scared me and about a half dozen others in the group. But, luckily, the lead guy realized his speed and slowed drastically which pushed me about 30 sec. ahead of the group overall by the first 10K.

And that is where I stayed for the entire run.....until.....mile 22. 

This is officially, where my race and fight for the BQ time began.

Friends....for all of the first 21 miles, I was in an awesome place.....felt good, strong, confident and steady. I was on my own, but I stayed within a reasonable pace.

But, by mile 22, I had to start praying. I wouldn't say I "hit the wall" like I did in Outer Banks. I felt ok, tired, but cardio wise, I felt ok. Muscles....well the fight was on. I got a nasty, gnarly and wicked unfamiliar cramp in my right calf. Weird....but painful....

And it slowed me down. It never stopped me....but it slowed me down on the last 4 miles.

Those last 4 miles were a fight for my life....literally, a fight for my BQ time.

I have NEVER, pushed and struggled so hard and worked through the worst "charlie horse" in my LIFE!!!

I used to think that people who got "charlie horse" cramps were crazy...and there I was...on the last 4 miles with a wicked Charlie Horse cramp.

I struggled and used mental strategies as the 3:50 pace group started closing the gap on me.....closer and closer....mile 24, mile 25 and that group was breathing down my back and my cramp was bringing tears to my eyes. I had not one second to stop, stretch, or catch my breath.....literally, I had to speed up.

The 3:50 group caught me and passed me on the 26th mile.

Has it been said that the marathon has been won or lost on the .2 mile? Because mine was WON on that .2 mile.....

3:50:40....

But really 3:40:09.....because my chip time and start time are the same and I did NOT start with the gun.

I only had 19 seconds to spare to qualify for Boston....

And although I'm proud and happy....it was WAY too close for comfort.

My training efforts payed off....and despite the emotional loss of my golden retriever pet of 10 years mid way through my training cycle....I pushed through.....with the love and dedication of a good running partner, boyfriend and mother/best friend....I met my goal and qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Running Buddy still asks me to this VERY day....."do you feel like a different runner now??" and I say...."no....not really..." still I feel very humble.

But....today.....3 weeks later, recovered, stronger and happier...yeah....I do feel like a different runner...and person....

Because, I found strength in me that I NEVER thought existed.

It would have been so easy to quit after I put Bailey to sleep.....

But I didn't.

It would have been so easy to quit after I felt so weak...so tired.....and SOOO sad.....

But I didn't....

And I won...

I won the greatest honor a runner can achieve...

I qualified for the Boston Marathon...

A 41 year old woman...

who only ever ran to lose weight...stay in shape...and stay healthy.....

The dream came true...

And a stronger runner, more motivated person....more grateful individual had been born.

Man....did I learn some life lessons.

Live every day like its your last....sounds so cliche' dear friends....and I used to think I was the poster child of appreciating every moment until my dog died. He was all I had.....then I had nothing. And I didn't know how to go on.

Run every run like it could be your last......

You never know when you can't or won't be able to.

Dig deep into your soul...you are always..... ALWAYS....stronger than you think you are and you can endure more pain than you think you can when your dream is on the line.

Am I a different runner now??? As my Running Buddy would ask....and who by the way PR'd by an ENTIRE HOUR (thanks to my special training and dedication to her dream!) and finished 4:14 ( last year her time was 5:12)

HELL FUCKIN' YEAH I feel different now! I'm goin' to BOSTON BABY!!!!!

 But still, there is a humbleness about me....and a deep appreciation for my own strength...and for the powers above...

Because not only did I did make the Boston time.....but I was ALSO blessed with a golden retriever puppy marathon weekend. 

I am very happy and satisfied with all the work and efforts......

I am blessed...

Thank you blogger friends for all of your kind comments and thoughts through my journey...

More great things to come!

Next weekend....well.....another half marathon I hope to PR by at least one minute!

Stay tuned!!

Toodles from the East Coast!!