B.R.E.A.K. and hopefully some dancing.

Having just read my blog, I realized, "Dang, it's been some time since I have posted!" Since I have last posted I have gotten a new job (career, actually), had my heart broken (again--no surprise there), completed my second marathon (exactly 6 months to the T after my first one on October 11th 2009), and did St. Anthony's for a second time in Florida. The past six months (It's freakin' June already!) have gone by quickly, but boy, they have been a great six months.

After I completed and PR-ed the EXTREMELY hilly St. Louis marathon in 4:32 on an 80 degree sunny Sunday on April 11th, I knew I wanted to tackle my first ultramarathon in October, and of course Racine, my first half-ironman was ahead of me as well on July 18th. The St. Louis marathon hurt. like. hell (it's supposed to, right?). I literally could not walk for the next three days, and my back went out a full week later. Ouch. I loved it though. I left every dang thing I had in my legs, heart, and soul out on those 26.2 grueling miles. I cried crossing the finish line, of pain and happiness and joy. I wanted more.

I took a whopping 2 weeks off before racing an Oly in St. Petersburg Florida with TNT. Having lost my timing chip, the swim was shortened, and having been a mentor with 8 mentees/newbies on the course, I committed myself to having fun and helping others enjoy his/her very first triathlon. I helped a fallen biker, and ran in an injured teammate, and walked with and encouraged several others along the way. I never had more fun at a race.

I returned from Florida with Racine looming in my somewhat near future. The struggle to find a plan that now fit into my what comes first now career at Planned Parenthood and my waning social life became overwhelming. I spent an entire weekend crying and debating...Do I want to do Racine? Do I have to do it? Do I want it bad enough? I had to sit and remember that I have been moving, training, racing, on a schedule for now three consecutive seasons with NO off season due to the timing of St. Anthony's (training starts in December...my season ends in October--whooppeee). Since I started racing, I went through ending a three year relationship with someone I thought I would marry, I finished a Master's Degree, moved into my own place,went through another 9 month horrible relationship/breakup, and started a new job. After a long weekend of debating--I gave in--I would do Racine--I felt I had to. Of course I am going to do Racine--it's the next step...it's the next progression in my triathlon career. The next three weeks I spent training. I started liking my trainer, but started to hate swimming, and loved running even more. One night grilling and talking with my good friend Rob, and that was it...I realized BOOM...I do not want Racine. I don't want anything to do with it. It was a crash of a moment. I had spent 72 hours on the phone and in person with friends weeks before debating...but nope...not this time. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I don't want to do a half-ironman. Who cares if I don't do one? I certainly don't So it's not in the cards right now for me--SO WHAT. I look at Achilles, and I sneer, and I stuff my chlorinated bathing suit into my drawer. I will come back next year for sure. But for now, I want to run. My heart (and feet) belong running marathons and ultras.

Since making that decision, I looked up my plan for my first ultramarathon. It doesn't start until August 2nd. In the mean time, I am following a marathon training plan until the plan starts, and signed up for Pilates reformer classes--something I have always wanted to try. I am focusing on strengthening my core, strength training, and focusing on a goal to hopefully qualify for Boston over the next 2 years. I found balance and peace, and my love for running. I recently joined DePaul's gym again (thanks alum discount!), and it's funny...that is where it all started. I am running on the same treadmills in which I was only able to run for 7 minutes (SEVEN) 3 years ago, and now I am running 7 minutes x 47. Crazy.

I am now in a job I absolutely love at Planned Parenthood, and have free time for dates (this has been admittedly fun), friends, quiet time, and an extra flow of cash 2 days a week as a hostess at a little Scottish pub in the city. I have found myself at Millennium Park enjoying the free music, at art fests and street festivals, and realizing all that I have been missing here during my busy summers training. I have always hearted Chicago, but now I am really finding out why, AND I am still training, and finally balanced and happy.