Learning to Love Alone Time

Before I delve into this post, I wanted to mention the snow. Snow?!?!? Yes, snow. I really shouldn't be that surprised seeing that I live in New England after all, but this morning, I woke up to about six inches of white stuff on the ground. Yuck.

I had planned to go for a run, but I guess an a quick home work out will have to do. Usually, I join a local gym for the winter, but I haven't done so yet. When it's nice out, I spend a majority of my days exercising outside in the beautiful air. And, on the occasional day, I'll use the school gym. However, seeing that it is school break, the gym is closed...boo. One positive thing positive about this snow is that it is teaching me to be flexible. Flexibility is key in life! I did a 10 mile run on Monday and a recovery run yesterday. I really don't even need to run today.

Anyways, today I wanted to talk about being alone....as in spending time by yourself. To be honest, I hate to spend time alone. There was a time in my life (just a few years back) when I craved alone time. I would cancel plans, lie about plans, and not make plans just so I could spend hours by myself of with close family members. Why you ask...? Well, because I was in the depths of my eating disorder. Since then, I've realized that Ed was the one who wanted the alone time. He wanted me to be alone, so I could have complete control over my food choices and I didn't have to deal with anything outside of my control.

For the past couple years that I have been recovering, I've hated alone time. My mind shift has taken a complete 180 degree spin. I now try to avoid alone time because I associate it with Ed. I plan my day, so I see people often and only have short periods of time to myself. Although it's good that I'm so social, it makes for a pretty hectic life sometimes. And the truth is, you can't avoid time with yourself.

Take today for instance, I really have nothing to do this morning, and seeing that it's super snowy outside, I probably won't venture far from myself. My brain immediately tries to send me into a panic. ALONE!?!?! What are you going to do with a whole morning to yourself??!? One thing I've learned, though, is that alone time is okay and even necessary. Although I hate being by myself, I need to spend time by myself sometimes and learn that Ed can't get me.

So, I believe I'm going to spend the morning relaxing by myself, do a quick home workout, maybe go to barnes and noble with a friend, and then spend the evening out to dinner with the family, and shopping for tomorrow's turkey day feast!

Do you enjoy alone time? 
Any big plans for Thanksgiving? 
Any good at home workouts? 

Upcoming Excitement!

Hi everyone,

I don't have time to do a super long post, but I just wanted to let you know about two big updates in my life.

Well, actually I don't have huge updates, but I have two very exciting things planned for the next few months!

Next month, I'm going to Vegas with one of my best friends.

Don't worry, I won't be gambling. I just want to see the sights!

We decided we wanted to go somewhere over winter break, and Vegas's low price tag made it a winner.

And.....

I signed up for my second half marathon.

In february, I'll be heading to Florida with my mom to participate in the Disney Princess Half Marathon!!!!

I'm so excited to run with the princesses.

Although traveling pushes me out of my comfort zone and causes me some anxiety, I love going new places, experiencing new things, and setting new goals for myself. I can't wait to tell you about both of these adventures.

Any exciting plans in your near future?

Exceeding Expectations

I just finished my first half marathon!

Not only did I finish and meet my goal, I demolished it.

Let me preface this by saying, I'm really not that fast of a runner. I love to run, and I love following all the bloggers who are crazy fast, but on a regular day, my splits tend to be in the mid 9:30s, especially on a distance run. On short runs and races, I can usually get my splits into the mid 8:00s, but I'm pushing it.

Given my turtle speed as a runner, I was hoping to finish the marathon somewhere in between 2:05-2:10. The course, although beautiful, was super hilly, so I wanted to give myself some extra time to get up those hills.

At the start of the race today, I tried to pace myself. In shorter races, I usually go out too fast and end up being winded by the end of the race. Although I usually feel like I want to collapse towards the end, I can push through because in  a 5k and 10k, if you are feeling breathless half way through, you only have 1.5-3 miles left to go. In a half marathon, though, if I you go out to fast in the first few miles, you have ummmm....10 miles left!

Despite my best efforts to keep my pace under control, I got caught up in the wave of runners, and my first split was around 8:40. I tried to pace myself over the next few miles, but my legs wouldn't let me. No matter how much I tried to control my pace, my splits kept hovering between 8:00-8:50.

Although I was worried I would burn out, I DIDN"T!!!!

I finished my first half marathon in 1:52 minutes! (That's my unofficial time; I'll update you all with the official time once it's posted.

More pictures to come soon!!!

I'm so happy I pushed myself so hard in my training and was able to excel in my race!

What made the race even better was the fact that not only my parents but my three best friends were there to cheer me on!

I think I've caught the half marathon bug! I'm ready for my next!!

Do you ever exceed your expectations?
How was your weekend?

No Music!!!

Hello blog world,

I'm just popping in quickly because...well....

I'M FREAKING OUT!!!!

Like seriously......

I just found out the half marathon I'm running this weekend doesn't allow the use of earbuds.

How am I supposed to run 13.1 miles without music?

I always run with music. It pushes me. It motivates me. It allows me to zone out.

Okay, I'll stop complaining and suck it up.

Some suggestions about how to run without music, though, would be greatly appreciated!