Trying so hard to run faster

Breathing a sigh of relief that the fundraising portion is done! Now it's all about the running! We are in the tapering off phase so that means race day is VERY close. I'm beyond excited! I'm still hoping to set that PR. My PR is 2:18:51 for the half, but I believe I'm capable of 2:15 or less, 2:10 if its a great day! Sometimes I get frustrated with my speed or lack thereof.

 People assume because I'm a trainer I can run these 8 minute miles and that's really not true. The 10 minute range seems to be my plateau zone and a tough one to get out of. I try to push into the 9 minute zone. Some days are better than others, but i just feel like i have a hard time getting faster. At least I'm consistent. Sure, there's the excuse that I'm super short and I really don't have the "runners body" going on. Runners tend to have long legs, shorter torso, and are very lean, I have a long torso, VERY short legs and as some say, a little top heavy. I still get told I'm built like a gymnast even though i haven't done it in years. Sure, it doesn't help that I have that body type, but I'm doing my best to work with it. Another problem is old injuries. i have no arch in my left foot. i don't mean low, it's collapsed, i get plantar fasciitis A LOT! I bare 25 more pounds on my left leg than my right. i also have that nagging neck and scapula pain from a high school cheer accident. Really wish that girl didn't land in my head:-/

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That said, I'm trying to eat very clean yet get enough carbs to fuel my running, a little easier said than done. I also drink a ton of water, which you have to in this Arizona heat! I try to get in massages since that helps my neck a lot. Lots of icing for my foot too.

The great thing about San Diego is it will be nice and cool, especially since we are running in the morning! That will be helpful. I hear the motivation of the Team In Training community is amazing! I guess I'll have to find out for myself:-) until then, I'll keep eating clean and running the best that I can.

I did it! I did it! I did it!!!!!! Now the real fun begins:-)))))

Guess what? I not only exceeded my fundraising goal, I beat it with 6 days to spare:-) I know I annoyed a lot of people stressing whether I'd make it or not. Sorry for that, it's just it meant so much and I'm not the kind to back out. Even as stressed as I get, I know I'm good at getting what I go for. Thanks to everyone who donated, whether it was a dollar or $250! It's so awesome knowing that my nearly $3,000 donation will help the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in a huge way! According to my captains, it sinks in on race day.  

Yes, I've run San Diego a couple of times now, but always went solo and just kinda ran the race and went home. This year, I'll be with my amazing teammates experiencing the race weekend in an entirely new way. The other exciting aspect of it is Carlos is coming with:-) He has been a big supporter in everything I do and this TNT season was no exception! So sweet how his entire family donated, from his parents to his sister to his aunt:-) my moms donation put me well over goal! She's always been supportive:-)

The real fun begins now! We get to go to the Mayo Clinic to meet the researcher who actually does the research we raise funds for. So cool! Also the travel plans for San Diego are all booked and we get to focus on having fun! 

The longest run of the season was so brutal!! It was really hot and we ran Granada. It seemed like everyone had a rough run. That said. I'm still on track to set a PR on race day! Two long runs away from race day; one more 2 hour and drops to 90 minutes the following week. Getting close!

Can't wait to blog to you all about race day. See ya! :-)

Tired, frustrated, trying to keep going.....

Two more weeks until fundraising deadline and I am freaking out. I still have about $700 to raise and I just feel like I'm getting burned out. Yeah, there's the party tomorrow, but sadly, not that many people can make it. Too many other priorities I guess. I'm so beyond tired that I don't feel as excited as I should. I know I shouldn't be frustrated, but I am. I just feel like I'm not accomplishing much. I AM putting in the work, but I feel like I'm sledge hammering into the wall and I'm running out of resources. At first I really thought I'd make $3,000, but I'll be lucky if I make my $2,800 minimum by the 17th. I was hoping to do the beads for a cause thing like I did for St. Patty's but I'm stuck with 100 beads and no one to pass them out with. I could go alone, but still. We all know I'm too awkard to be doing that, haha! I'll need shots first....

Training hasn't been going too well in recent weeks either. Maybe it's burn out. I guess what bums me out is knowing I'm not going to make my time goal AND my fundraising goal. There is good news though....I GOT NEW RUNNING SHOES! I love them! My boyfriend and his family have been very supportive. I don't know how I can get through this without their love and support.

I don't mean to sound whiney. Really, I don't. I'm just beyond exhausted and frustrated. This whole thing has been harder than I ever imagined. Some of the teammates can effortlessly raise thousands and breeze through the long runs like no biggey. I guess I need to accept I'm not one of them. I do want to do another season, but maybe I need to wait until I can afford it again. Who knows? Probably shouldn't be making decisions right now. Blah!!!!!

If people don't show up for the party, I guess I'm downing some Coronas;-)