*BIG ANNOUNCEMENT* What Scary Thing Am I Doing Next?
/We've all heard a time or two that the magic happens outside of your comfort zone.
Or living starts outside of your comfort zone.
I think we all understand the message going on there.
Right?
Well I took another leap far far out of my safe space.
Since taking the first big plunge of my journey - finally deciding I was worth it - in 2009, what I consider "normal" have morphed time and time again.
I picture my comfort zone in 2009 as a fraction of the size of what it would look like in 2016.
If I could travel back in time to chat with the me 7 years ago and I told them of the adventures I go on now, then me would've fallen over with laughter.
But that is what growing, evolving and challenging ourself is all about. Right? We want to see what we are truly capable of.
I love proving to myself time and time again that I am stronger than I think I am.
So how has this related to my fitness and running career, I'll show you.
After having back surgery in 2011, I really started dabbling in the unknown.
2011
I returned to running and completed a half marathon just under 7 months after my microdiscectomy (L4-L5 area). I finished the RnR Chicago Half in 2:12:15 (a then PR).
2012
I ran my second-ever marathon and recorded my first (and only) sub-4 marathon! I ran the RnR Savannah Marathon in 3:58:49!
2013
There were three goals for 2013: Complete my first Boston Marathon with Tedy's Team in honor of my Stroke Heroes, compete in my first triathlon (Boston Sprint Tri) and qualify for the Half Fanatics by running 2 half marathons in 2 days in 2 states.
2014
Wow! I really went BIG in 2014: completed the inaugural Dopey Challenge (4 races in 4 days for 48.6 miles), ran 2 marathons in 6 days in 2 states for Tedy's Team and to qualify for the Marathon Maniacs and finished my first Half Ironman. Man I am tired thinking back to that year, but damn I was in the best shape of my life!!
2015
It's all about new experiences right? So in 2015 I set out to complete my first-ever relay race. I had the honor of completing two: Ragnar Relay on the Cape with Running Down A Dream and Reach The Beach with #NBGirlsRunBeta (thanks New Balance)! Both groups were absolutely amazing and taught me so much about running and life!
2016
So what will 2016 hold? If you have made it through this whole post to get to this moment - bravo! ;)
Well I don't want to keep you in suspense any longer...
The Big Announcement is...
I will be tackling my first...
ULTRA MARATHON
GGAAHHHH!! I cannot believe I am even typing those words!
I have registered for the TARC Summer Classic 40-miler on August 13 in Medfield, MA.
Here is the proof:
I really had to take a picture for myself to know it really did happen.
So there it is in writing. I had alluded to possibly signing up for one when I did the interview with The Beer Runner, but I wasn't 100% serious. I don't listen to some of the things I say.
But it was time to bite the bullet. If I had been looking at so many websites and asking friends for recommendations, deep down I must've known I was ready to try it.
I am ready to prove that "then" me that was scared to try and didn't think she would amount to anything that she was wrong!
I will go out there and celebrate life, health and happiness!!!
Big thanks to Greg for being the nudge I needed to register last night! :) Greg is a sub-3 marathoner, an Ironman and a badass ultra runner, who I am lucky enough to call a friend and inspiration of mine.
Now that the decision is out there. It is on the race calendar. It is time to start thinking about training.
But for now. I will head to the treadmill, knock out Day 472 of my runstreak and grab a beer to celebrate!
Cheers friends!
Have you run an ultra marathon? Any good training plan suggestions?
