Another 12-miler done!

Is it bad that I'm already starting to get nervous?

I can sing in front of crowds and not feel one nerve, and yet the thought of running this 1/2 marathon with tens of thousands of other people is making me crazaay!

I spent this past weekend in the town I was raised in - Warner Robins, GA. (If you have been there before, I will personally make you a Lightning100 swag bag!) It was an amazing trip, so relaxing, and it was so good to be with family. But it was HOT! Upper 80's the whole time I was there... which made my running routine quite, interesting...

I debated whether or not I would actually run the scheduled 12 miles. "Hey, I'm on vacation...," "no one will know!"... etc., etc... but no! I didn't listen and I got my butt outside (in the evening so I wouldn't die of something heat-related). I made it in just over 2 hours. I felt great, too! Well, the last 3 miles kicked my butt, but I didn't stop, so for me, that counts for "feeling good," ha!

This has been such a beautiful experience for me. I have learned so much; from challening myself physically, to raising money and awareness for this amazing group, along with the interviewing, blogging, and commercials, I have learned so much. Thank you for being so kind and generous and reading this goofy blog. You make me happy. :)

Almost There!

It was another long one, folks! WHEW! And it's countdown time! In almost one month, I'll be running thirteen miles in a purple jersey, being cheered on by musicians, volunteers, and loved ones. Even though I believe I'll be ready, I am still so nervous! I've never done anything like this before. If any of you are reading this and have run the Country Music 1/2 Marathon (or full) before, please send me some comment love; I'd love any tip I can get!

Please donate! :)

12 Miles - Be Still My Heart!

Is it true?

Is it REALLY true?!


Why, YES, YES IT IS!


I ran 12 miles! This past Saturday! When I started, the farthest I had ever run was 4, maybe 6 miles. But now, I'm like a running machine! (please note the slight sarcasm :P) It was pretty hard, but it feels so good to see that I can accomplish this challenge. I finished the 12 miles in a little over 2.5 hours, sportin' some new kicks (yes, I said it), and the weather was absolutely beautiful. I hit those hills and made them cry for their MAMA! It was hard, but it feels so good to accomplish a challenge.

About 1.5 months, and 1.1 (ish) more miles, and I'll be ready. :) Can't believe it!

Just Call Me Speedy!

This past week, I finally got a break from the long runs. Well, not really, but sort of :). Speed was the theme of the week. So, I ran shorter distances, and worked on running at faster paces. I worked with more weights this week, too, which is making me quite sore, but trusting the future results.

...and I am finally caving and going to buy new running shoes. I've had mine for over a year, and they are great, until I run those long distances. Hopefully Fleet Feet will have a great shoe for me - what an awesome store! They find the right shoe for you based on how your feet are shaped, how you run, and all these other things I don't know much about, ha!

Speaking of shoes, have you guys seen these bad boys?

Crazy! Apparently, these are running shoes. There's a part fo me that is quite intrigued. I've always secretly hoped I could run around shoeless all day long like I used to as a kid (yes, I grew up in the south, ha!), and this looks like the closest thing to that dream. They're called the "Vibram Five Fingers." hmm...

And in other news, I have received more donations! I can't wait to get them turned into to Team in Training and further our support for this cause! I still have a little less than $1000 to raise by the end of this month, so please, if you can, please please donate! It's truly a wonderful cause!

MWAH! :)

Getting Closer...

I'm so excited!

I have word that I have some corporate sponsorships coming in! Now, this won't reach my goal in and of itself, but it sure helps!

I am actually a bit nervous right now... Reaching this goal is important for my marathon training, but it is most important for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We have all been directly or indirectly affected by cancer, and I believe it's safe to say that every human in our country runs the risk of developing it. I don't say this to sound negative as much as I say it to explain the importance of this cause. If any of us do have to battle this disease, I think it's very important that we have organizations like LLS well-funded and supported so that we can have the best possible medicinal and treatment advances.

If you are able, it would mean the world to me to receive your donation (large or small!) to this cause. I (obviously) get none of these proceeds, and are donated straight to Team In Training, which is owned and run by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Click on the link connected to my face above!

Please help me raise $1400 by March 15th!

Truckin' Right Along

I caved. I've been trying not to join a gym, as hard as I could. But after yet another weekend of freezing cold weather, I finally gave in.

I cannot tell you what cold weather does to my very soul. I become cranky Jessie. It's not pretty. Take a look:

Like I said. It ain't pretty. Anyways...

I joined a gym. Oh, the wonders of workout equipment variety, men taking up all the weight machines (what is UP with that?!), and the best part - cardio machines with tvs! THANK YOU, blessed inventor of that idea.

I went this past Sunday to get my long run in, as I couldn't do my usual Saturday run, thanks to an irritating cold and the fact that it was butt cold outside. While I ran, I watched the perfect chick flick take-me-away-from-everything-but-happy-thoughts movie - "Failure to Launch." It really and truly made the run feel more enjoyable. Now if only someone could invent a tv helmet you could wear outside while you run. That wouldn't make you run into cars. Ok, maybe that's a bad idea...

And though my run went well, my knees are not feeling too hot. I think my joints are taking a beating with the long runs, so if you're reading this and have any suggestions, that would be greatly appreciated!

And as I leave, just thought I would, once again, direct you to my donation page. I know that this is an extremely trying time for so many Americans, and now, with so many unbelievable natural disasters happening to our fellow brothers and sisters, it is hard to know where to help. I understand this, as I am in the same boat, so I do understand if you cannot find the resources to donate to this cause. However, if you can, it would mean the world to me to receive your financial gift. It goes directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I'm getting nothing for this at all, except some sore legs and a stronger heart. :)

They really do great work. And they have helped a lot of sick people find healing and gain their life back. Women, children, men, all kinds, have been helped, thanks to their medicine and research advances. Please help them stay afloat and keep doing what they're doing.

Love,

Jessie

:)

Can It Be True??

Is it true??

Did Jessie really run 8 MILES? Without stopping??

YES!!

I still am in shock. And I still don't know if I could ever do it again. BUT, I'm learning that's the beauty and irony of this whole situation...

The run went well, but it was cold and windy. My long-sleeved t-shirt didn't keep me warm enough. My heart did well (especially since I was running a snail's pace!), but afterwards, my knees were killing me. They still kind of hurt today, but feel much better than Saturday.

After the run, I rewarded myself with some Blue Coast Burrito fish tacos and chips and frozen yogurt from TCBY. Thank you, and amen.

I found an awesome website that has helped me find good running routes. If you're a runner, and you don't already know about this website, it is amazing. Well, it will be amazing when I actually figure it out (sometimes, I'm a bit directionally challenged.) It's called mapmyrun.com. Anywhere in the world, you can map out a run for whatever distance you'd like, on whatever area of town you'd like. Do it!

And have a BLESSED week!

6 Miles!

This Saturday, I ran 6 miles. 6 MILES!!
Clearly, this excites me. And I didn't stop! Except for that one part when I got kinda lost. But other than that, I didn't stop! I think it took about an hour and a half. I'm slowly still learning my pace and learning what it feels like to run that far of a distance.

Long-distance running is so much different than what I have done for exercise in the past. In my (short) experience, long distance running requires far more psychological stamina than I ever imagined. For most of the run, my heart was good, my joints felt good, and I was breathing well. However, keeping my mind in check was more difficult. I kept pushing down the urge to quit, or to take a rest, or to curl up into an egg-like position and just roll the rest of the way. I tried my best to think of the scenery around me, the fact that the weather is finally warming and all the pleasant things about life, but it was hard. I thought about good memories and bad memories, and the bad memories tended to try and dominate, making my run seem far longer than it was.

This week, I want to focus on how I think while I run. I want to find things I can listen to while I run, and things I can think about that would give me hope, keep me positive, and keep my mind off of monotonous activity.

I like marshmallows. Maybe I'll think about them. Who doesn't get happy when they think about marshmallows? :) Marshmallows and roller gel pens. *sigh* I'm in heaven.

Ok, so my list needs a little work. :)

Woohoo!

Great week! Finding my pace, actually enjoying the running, but WOW, it has been unbelievably cold here! Over the past week, there has been about a 1-degree windchill, with around 18-degree weather. This GA girl can't take much more of this!

Thankfully, today it has warmed up to the 30's. Never thought I'd see the day when I'd be excited about 30-degree weather!

I can't talk long today, but I just wanted to reiterate that I would greatly, humbly appreciate your donation to this cause. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is worthy, hopeful, and needs our support. Your donation to my run goes directly to them, and they use your donation to help find cures and medicines for victims of blood cancers.

Have an amazing week! <3

New Year, New Donations!

What a beautiful week! I hope your holidays were wonderful and restful. I'm totally off my sleeping patterns, thanks to New Years, but it was worth it. :)

I have found my pace! The way I have been running has been a quicker pace than I realized, thus making me tired before I hit my running goals. I guess you could say that my perfectionism got in the way of my progress (ha! Imagine that! I thought perfectionism makes me work harder. Now I know better!). As soon as I slowed my pace down, two things happened: first, I felt way more confident about making it to my 13 mile goal, and secondly, I enjoyed the run so much more!

I also wanted to say a HUGE, RESOUNDING Thank You to my first two Team in Training donors! Georgia and Bruce, thank you for your kind generosity and for supporting this worthy cause that is far greater than my running. I can't thank you enough.

If you feel compelled to give, click on my face at the top, and it will direct you straight to the donation page.