Highway to Hell

An appropriate title for the "Rock n Roll" half marathon I just ran today.  It was quite the event.  And by that I mean it was one of the worst races I've run in a while. It wasn't my worst race, but it was far far from my best race.

Last year, at this time, I started my running adventure with my first race ever - the Va Beach half marathon.  I thought it would be an appropriate way to start the racing season this year; to come full circle.  And while I have improved greatly in my running, you wouldn't know it from my race today.

The next part of this blog is kind of painful and somewhat humiliating to write.  My pride's been a little bruised and I've had quite the serving of humble pie.  My time...wait for it... 2:10:11.  Ugh, one of the not so greatest times I've run.  Like I said, not the worst, but certainly far from my better races.

The day started with a 4:30 AM wake up call, lots of hustle and bustle (not to mention some parking traffic), and a quick jump into the corrals.  And just like that we were off. I started off ahead of the 2:00 hour mile marker feeling pretty good the first mile.  It didn't last long.  By mile 3, I was struggling from the heat and humidity.  I was already dripping in sweat and mascara just trying to put one foot in front of the other (I've learned some days that's all you can ask for).  By mile 4, I was ready to throw in the towel.

I got through mile 4, but unfortunately slowed my pace.  I watched the 2:00 hour mile marker drift further and further away out of reach (dramatic, yes).  But at that point, I didn't care.  My goal switched from getting a personal best to just finishing the race without walking.  Around mile 7 or so, Kim and I randomly met up and ran together for the next few miles.  We both were struggling, so it was nice to have the company.  The rest of the race is pretty much a blur.  Between miles 8 - 13 there were cuss words (in my mind), popsicles, sprinklers, one not-so-big-but-oh-so-tough hill at mile 12, a never ending boardwalk, and a whole lot of mental triumph.

BLAH.  I totally just word vomited all over this blog post and I'm not even sure where that leaves me now.  We spent the rest of the day lounging watching trashy reality tv, eating way too many calories, and complaining/justifying my poor race time.  Will I be a contender next year?? Hm...maybe in the relay??

I'd post pictures, but honestly they're not that great and I just don't have the energy. Happy running.

Movin' & Groovin'

It seems my blog posts are getting more and more sporadic as time goes by.  As life would have it, I am officially in week 9 of my 12 week fieldwork experience.  There has been a lot of cool stuff going on.  Mostly, I am proud of the fact that I am training and working hard for my first marathon in November.  It's going to be pretty amazing in the way that something brutal and physically painful can be.

This past weekend I ran more miles in two days than in some previous months.  Saturday I ran a whopping 16.2 miles.  Yes, that's right - 16.  I am so proud of myself.  A year and a half ago I was almost 100 pounds heavier and could barely run a mile.  Now I'm running more than I've ever dreamed.  I absolutely love running and am so blessed to enjoy something so healthy for me.  So Sunday, I ran 9 miles and then Monday I ran 4.5 miles.

It was a brutal weekend.  I took Tuesday off and finally my legs have recovered.  Just in time for me 8.2 mile run this morning.  If you couldn't tell, my life literally revolves around the miles I have to run.  But I like it that way.

On another note, I am absolutely loving acute care and am hoping to get a job in that setting when I graduate.  In fact, right now there is an open position in Richmond where I ultimately want to get a job.  I'm hoping to talk more with my manager about it and see what positions will be open in the long run.

Lastly, I have been having so much fun since KIMMY came back from Maine.  I didn't realize how sad and lonely I was when she left for her summer break.  Though, I'm glad she had time off to relax and spend time with family, I am selfishly pleased that she's back in Richmond.  We've been doing a lot of fun things.

Love it. That's all for now.  Hopefully, I'll be back soon.

Hey, it's been a while...

Wow, it's almost been a month since I last blogged and I have to admit, a lot has happened since then.  A quick run down is in order I suppose.  So here it goes:

-My grandfather was in the hospital for a week and is now successfully home
-I have completed 6 full weeks of fieldwork and am working on week 7
-I have started training for the marathon
-I ran my longest run ever last weekend, a whopping 14.1 miles!!!
-I subscribed to netflix and am on season 3 of gossip girl (yea I started at the beginning too so it's kind of pathetic)
-I've been home more times than I can count on one hand - which is a record for me actually because I've been home more in the past month than I was all last year
-I've learned the value of sleep, but running means more to me than rest
-I'm finally plugging into my church and small group and have made some really amazing friends.  It makes me feel like Richmond is home.

There's been a lot more here or there that's happened too, but right now, these seem to be the things that stick out the most.  I'm hopeful that I'll get around to blogging more this weekend since I'll actually be in Richmond for a change.  I have a whole list of ideas that I want to blog on, but I want to make sure that when I do, it really means something.  I can't stand blogs that are lists of things to do or have no real significance.  Other than that, nothing new is going on here.  I'm just working out hard, running harder, and filling the in between time with work.  :)

Whirlwind of a summer

As I've mentioned before, my summer consists of paying JMU to work full time for free. How messed up is that?? As annoying and frustrating as the part is, I am learning so much more than I thought and really feel like I'm an OT.  Of course it's not easy and each day hosts its own challenges, but it's so rewarding and worthwhile. That said, I am freaking exhausted and ready to have a summer.  Sad news though is that I don't get one.  

My internship isn't over until September, when I get a week off, and then Jo and I move to NC.  Did I also mention Jo and I haven't found housing yet?? Man, there is a whole list of things I need to do soon including getting all of my financial aid straight for JMU for the fall.  Ugh.  Sometimes being an adult is so annoying.  I'm ready to retire and enjoy the good life.  Haha.

The good news is, I am running consistently at least 5 times a weeks, training for the marathon!  YAY! And also going go the gym after work.  And reading my Bible.  Actually, it's really great because even though I'm getting up between4:15-4:30 most days, I get to spend the first part of my day with Jesus and then running.  What better way to wake up?? Of course, I'm also crashing in bed around 9:00/9:30, but it doesn't bother me. 

Anyways, I have to run out the door so I can make it to clinic on time.  But perhaps I'll post tonight about going home and Jo's birthday!  

Nashville Blues

Last week I got to spend about 5 or so day in the wonderful city of Nashville, TN.  It was everything that I hoped for and more.

Laura, Ryan, Pickle, and I got in around 4AM on Tuesday morning, slept a bit, and then got on our country way.  It was awesome.  We spent a lot of the week lounging around, running, going to the YMCA, and seeing the sites around town.  Some really fun things we saw were the Grand Ole opry hotel, the Grand Ole Opry, Vanderbilt University and the children's hospital (where I will one day hopefully get a job), some really amazing malls, downtown Nashville (wild horse saloon & coyote ugly), not to mention other little hidden treasures that only the townies know about it.

It was a fantastic trip! We did a lot, but rested a lot too.  It was also really great, because Ryan and Laura wanted to run and workout all the time too, so I didn't feel like I was putting anybody out.

We drove back Saturday and hung out that night in Waynesboro.  It's only an 8 hour drive, but even that can be tiring after a while.  I moved to Richmond on Sunday and started my clinical the next day.  I'll post more about that later this week!

But the beauty of grace...

...is that it makes life not fair.

Good lyrics from a great song that always seems to remind me of God when I need Him the most. I'm a really lucky person.  I say that because I've been given grace from my Savior even though I am absolutely unworthy.  But in my mind, that's what grace is - undeserved forgiveness.

Which leads me to my next thought.  Forgiveness.  Knowing when to ask for it and when to give it are two equally hard concepts that I know all too well.  I'm trying to figure out which one is easier to handle, but in all honesty, I don't think I could give an answer.  It's definitely something I need to work on in my life however difficult it may be.  I'm learning right now to let things go, let disappointments fade, and handle every situation with the grace that it does or does not deserve.  

We all I make mistakes, we all I disappoint, we all I lash out, cry out, and hurt others whether or not those are the intentions we have my intentions.  And though the pain involved often seems greater in the moment, in the aftermath once the smoke has settled, there's grace sitting patiently waiting for you me.  I really need to step up my game and learn to be more forgiving and less demanding and incredibly more giving of grace.  

2 weeks

2 weeks and life changing events later, I can barely believe it's already June.  It feels like I just started my graduate OT program, that I just moved into a new apartment with new roommates, that I just started going to Valley Church, and that I just started making some really incredible and meaningful friendships.

But believe it or not, in 2 weeks I move out of Harrisonburg and start my full time clinicals, I leave some of the really great (and not so great) people that I've met here and grown to love, and I'll be on the search for a brand new church.

The great thing is I'll be in Richmond so for 2 weeks, Kim and I will be able to run, work, live, and complain about life together.  Another great thing is that I'm only an hour and a half from my incredibly cute and growing sisters.  12 weeks seems like an awfully long time though.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm scared about the fieldwork/clinicals and not doing well, or if I really am just having an issue with change.  Most likely the latter.  For 6 1/2 years, I've come to know and love JMU.  I've lived here since I was 17.  My life is planned out here and things are comfortable.

But I'll admit, I'm excited for change, the new possibilities, and the opportunities that await. Never in my life have I been more content in so many aspects.  My relationship with Christ is the most important and influential thing I have to hold on to.  And though it's taken me a while to get where I'm at, I've never been more satisfied and content.  I know God has a plan for me and that it's greater than anything that I could ever come up with for myself.  In His time, all things will work out and I'm in no rush to grow up faster than I have to.

I'm in a good place right now.  And in 2 weeks, the journey continues.