There is always a reason behind every decision, and the decision to run a half marathon was no different. Especially when you choose to run one 8 months after you have a baby. And, no, I haven't lost my mind!
I remember sitting on the couch looking at races when I signed up for the 10K talking to CL about how it would be a great way to get back in shape post baby. He agreed. He also liked that it wasn't a monthly gym membership, yoga, spin, or barre classes. (Although for the record, I love my yoga classes!)
When I started training for the 10K (that sounds so lame now, but yes, you have to train for 1 mile, 2 miles, a 5K and beyond) I was looking at my training app and it had me running 10 miles for conditioning. I was like, "Well if I have to run 10 miles, what is 3.1 more on top of that? I should just run a half marathon". And that's how it started.
I was literally in the movie theater with my friend Ashley when registration opened for the lottery for the Nike Women's Half Marathon. I called CL and had him register me, like it was no big deal. People try for YEARS to get into this race. I was safe, there was no way my number was going to get picked! 
Time went on, and I honestly didn't think about it. Then I got the email. My heart sank, my palms started sweating, and my bank account was $187 lighter. CRAP. I was running a half marathon.

So that's the how, but why did I choose running as my way to get back in shape? It's free. It's a mood booster. It gives you energy. It helps with self esteem. It burns a lot of calories AND boosts creativity. Plus I had a lot of motivation!

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My Son. I want to show him that you can set any goal and reach it. My journey hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it. I also want to show him that a healthy lifestyle is attainable at any stage of life. 

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To prove to myself that I was strong enough to do it. After running 10 miles (continuously) I never felt stronger, weaker, prouder and more tired then I had in my entire life (giving birth included!)

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To prove to everyone else that I could do it. All the girls in junior high that bullied me. All the girls that never included me in high school. All the girls that I wasn't accepted by in college. And all the girls that think i'm invisible post college, you are all my motivation. I am a woman of worth, and I don't have to prove it to anyone anymore. I have a wonderful man that loves me, a beautiful baby boy, and a wonderful family. That's enough for me! 

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To get healthy. Mentally and physically. Yeah losing weight is great (i've lost 4 pant sizes to date), but being mentally healthy is also a great perk of running. For the physical I had a huge motivator- I had gestational diabetes (surprise!) while I was pregnant with Beckett (For all you out there, being overweight is a factor, but skinny bitches get it too! But it was caught early, early, early in my pregnancy so we were able to be very proactive about it! My fasting was high, but everything else was normal. I did have to take insulin shots, though. IT WAS NOT THAT BAD.) Getting my health under control was top priority, so this was a great way to help lessen any later risks! As for mental health, dealing with the stresses of being a new mom, life, finances, being away from family, and having a very small circle of friends is very rough. But my runs everyday (well almost every day) allow me to clear my head. Postpartum depression is no joke, and exercise is a great way to run those demons away! (For the record, I was never diagnosed with PPD, but i'm pretty sure every new mom deals with some depression/ anxiety and I was no different)

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To say I did it. Yeah, I know, not the greatest of motivators, but in a couple days i'll forever be able to say I ran a half marathon. And to me that's pretty impressive.

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So, today Beckett and I are off the the Nike Women's Marathon Expotique to get pumped up for the race on Sunday I doubt he's as excited to go as I am, but he's coming anyways! He's part of my 'why' I run-what's yours? 

#WeRunSF Training: Week 1

As most of you know (if you're friends with me on FB) that i'm running a half marathon in October. I signed up on a whim for the lottery for the Nike Women's Half Marathon a couple months ago with the thought of 'i'll never get picked!". Needless to say when I got the email saying I was 'in' my heart dropped. 

A half marathon? Me? With a baby? While breastfeeding? Have I lost my mind?
Yes. To all of it.
I can't say that running has ever been something i've enjoyed, but as I train, it's slowly getting easier. This is definitely a bucket list item, especially since B is only (currently) 6 months old and i'll complete this before he's 1! While it's helping me get in shape, it's also setting me up for a healthy lifestyle, and im hoping to keep this up to show Beckett that not only am I his momma, but Im healthy and active.
  I've set up a couple smaller goals as I work up to the half, which has been really great! A 5k, a 10k then the half is where i'm headed! (Although I already ran the Sharks Fitness Faceoff 5k and run 5ks with almost every run now!) I've even almost convinced CL to run another 5k with me in September! Im running the San Jose Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon Mini Marathon (10k) in October, followed by the half 2 weeks later!
Anyways, training, like anything that is new has its ups and downs. Some days are easy and I feel great. Some days my legs feel like weights and my knees feel like they can't carry me. 
It's been really great having an amazing support system at home. CL has been amazingly supportive with both words of encouragement and helping with B in the afternoons while I go for runs. He even sends me photos of B saying 'Go Momma Go!' He tracks me during my runs and knows when i'm on my way home so I even sometimes get the 'You're almost there!' texts as well! It doesn't seem like much, but they really help get through those miles!
My Mom and Dad have also been on support duty and have been sending me words of encouragement and running tips. It's really great to have them on my team! My mom even 'ran' with me the other day via FaceTime!
Now, what keeps me on track? The amazing Nike+ App partnered with the We Run SF app. Seriously. Nike has this down. The Nike+ app keeps track of all your runs and training mileage. I'm using both to help me train. They both have training programs so I don't even have to do the math on how many miles I need to run and when I need to run them or when I need to strength train and take a day off. Plus the two apps sync so that one knows that you actually completed your training.. now that's accountability! Plus, you can connect to other friends running the race, or challenge someone. It's been a really great, positive tool! I highly recommend it!
Oh and Thank you to Nike Training Club (@Nikewomen) for all the tweets of encouragement! It's really great that you interact with your runners! 

So without further ado, here's week 1!

#werunsf #fatgirlsruntoo
Its been a learning experience, but it's also been really great for my well being, posture, health, and soul. So follow me on my journey to a half! I'll be checking in every week!