Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Trying to Make up for the past Nine Months

Last week was a doozy. I'm not even sure why, but Bria and I were both feelin' it. Perhaps it's the changing seasons and the new school routine, but we were both on edge for a while there. This week is better-- especially today. It could be because I am wearing a new shirt and nail polish. I always underestimate what a mood boost it is to feel put-together.

I was talking to Whitney today and mentioned a couple super fun things coming up. This year has been awful. Like, possibly the worst of my adult life. Extreme? Maybe. Accurate? Totally. But I have a ton of fun things to look forward to in the next couple weeks. Is the year trying to make it up to me? Here is its effort so far:
1. Cirque du Soleil on Saturday!
2. A conference featuring one of my favorite people ever. I'm totally starstruck
3. A staycation with Sam next weekend-- Bria will spend four days with her cousins!
4. An extended weekend trip to Madison to visit my besties, Elisa and Matt.
5. I'm running a half marathon? This will only be amazing if I actually accomplish it. (I think I can. I think I can.)
6. Thanksgiving is going to rock: Elisa, and my SIL Rachel and her partner Theresa are coming! We're renting a beach house in Ocean City too. It's going to rock.
7. Then it will be the holidays, and who can even be grumpy during the holidays??

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Motivate

I signed up to run a half marathon.

. . .

Yes. I. Did.

I can't believe it. (I know, I know, there are people out there who run full-fledged marathons.) But this a big, huge, fat deal for me. I've said I would run one forever, but I haven't run consistently since high school cross country. I have exercised consistently every day for the last year, so I feel like I'm coming from a good place to start, plus I have friends running it too. And I want to do this. I know it will be hard, but I know I will be so, so proud of myself if I do it.

When I was finishing my 3-miler yesterday, I started thinking, "yeah, girl! you got it! you can totally do this!" and then I thought "but a half marathon is ten miles longer than this." And it kind of made me want to cry. Obviously I instantly realized this was a bad way to view things. I am working my way up, baby! So what if I can only run 4-5 miles right now? It's like I tell Bria every time she complains about walking anywhere: if you keep going when you're tired, that's what makes you stronger.

When I registered for the race, it asked if I wanted a nickname printed on my bib. I deliberated on it for a couple minutes and then settled on "McPhie." It's what my sisters and I say to ourselves when we need to stoke that Scottish fire coursing through our veins: "You can do it, McPhie!" I have a feeling I'm going to be saying that a lot over the next two months while I train. You can do it, McPhie!