I have a confession...

Hi!

I bet you thought I wasn't going to come back :p. 

Well I'm backkkkkk!! And I have a confession:

I have really been slacking with my running and I mean really. I know I can sit there and make 1000 excuses about how super busy I was but it point blank comes down to I just didn't get up and run like I needed to. I didn't make the time, I just didn't do it. 

I really got caught up in doing races and most of my runs were stressing me out because if I didn't make a certain time I dubbed myself an ultimate failure. I almost made a fatal mistake and burned myself out. 

I know I have harped on slow runners before and I will try not to sound like a broken record, but there is something to be said about the "slower" runner who gets out there and completes it no matter what. There is something to be said about someone just simply trying to do it. I let myself get caught up in comparing myself to every runner that passed me (which is a lot of people :p) and comparing myself to people who have been running for way longer than I have. 

I began to feel sorry for myself and the fact that I am slow rather than just getting out there and trucking on. And believe me this is not easy to admit to literally everyone and anyone out there. 

In my little hiatus though I realized that I really missed running and that that was what it's all about. I missed it because I love it and it makes me feel wonderful. So I'm starting new this week and really going to be working through a lot mentally. I CAN do it, why am I so hard on myself? Also, I need to get un-caught up in comparing myself to "faster" runners and wondering what people think about the girl who comes in from the 5k at 42:xx. 

If I can inspire one person to get out there and try something new that is good for them, then I'm ok with that.

So to sum it up, I'm back!! I can't promise that I will be 100% consistent with my blogging the next two weeks because I am getting married in 12 days, but I will be around! 

I hope you have a wonderful day! I am off to the gym to run! : D

xoxo,

Regan 

I also forgot to mention  my sis-in law sister started an awesome Facebook group for moms to motivate and share their workouts with each other, it's called Mommy Fitness. I'm not a mommy but she let me join : p 

Check it out here: Mommy Fitness

Gracie's Gear + Weekly randomness!!

Hi!

Another busy week gone by..didn't get in my workouts like I should have. The weather was gorgeous though so I did take advantage of it and go on 2 runs! I went on another "naked" run on Monday! Well, I did have my music in one ear but no watch or no app tracking my speed/time. It felt great to just get out there and run and I did a great job (if I must say so myself :p) and I felt really strong and that's what it is all about! 

such a pretty day!

The Jeff Galloway training program for the marathon begins in July and it starts with 3 miles. I already have a solid 3 miles so I am concentrating on improving on that before really having to buckle down on my training schedule in July, I am excited though!

In other news, earlier this week I was contacted by a sweet lady named Gracie! She started a company in 2006 called Gracie's Gear; they make these awesome sports bras and tanks!

source

 They aren't just any normal sports bras and tanks, these have nifty 3 compartment pockets on the front of the for storing cell phones, credit cards, a key, etc. They also have iPod cord management, which is awesome because I am all of the time fighting with my iPod cords! 

To make a long story short, Gracie had a fight with cervical cancer in 2008 that lead to her having to shut the company down. She is on Kickstarter trying to kickstart her company again and needs backers to make a pledge so she can open her "doors" again! 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/drbotts/gracie-gear-and-powerpouchtm-designed-by-and-for-w

I really like this product though because I am all of the time putting my phone in my bra and wondering where to put my key at. I think this is so nifty and such a neat idea. They are also made for women by women and as of 2013 will be made in the USA! 

Let's spread the word and help Gracie's store open back up!

Check out her website: http://www.graciesgearandtraining.com/! 

Later!

xoxo,

Regan 

I promise I will be back several times a week after my wedding! : )

Run with the big dogs!

Hi!!

It's been a busy week! This time of year is always really busy; you have the end of the school year mixed with final wedding planning which equals a crazy time for me! 

This weekend was the Run with the Big Dogs 5k my step-dad puts on every year, well for the past 2 years. It's at a local high school and it is a route me and my mom run all of the time. I love it, it's such a nice run. It was also a PM 5k, which I was excited about! I am used to getting up at the buttcrack of dawn to run races so I was glad for an evening one for a change, I think more races should take note if this. 

Also, I talked Markus into running this one with me! We didn't train at all like we should have this week so I was quite worried as to how this was going to go over. By the time we got there my attitude was more of a "I'm just going to have fun and do my best because I love this route" kind of attitude. 

Me and Markus before the race (and his goofy shirt : p)

To make a long story short I felt great the whole time despite the muggy, humid GA weather. It was cloudy and overcast and had a little breeze every now and then, it was overall just so nice feeling outside. There were a ton of people I knew there and the atmosphere was great. I really had a fun time and came in at 42:23, and after the week of eating like I did and not properly training, I'll take it! 

Markus did great! He came in at 39:xx!! He really did such a good job. He also got 2nd in his age group; we will keep it a secret that there were only 2 in his age group. : D I am glad we could do that together, it really meant a lot to me. I really just had a lot of fun! I was shooting for 39 min but that's ok! I left feeling great and proud of Markus! I am already looking for another one to sign us up for. 

Us after the race!

 I am proud because this was the FIRST time I have ever run without my music, without my phone, without my watch or anything. I made the last minute decision to throw all of my stuff back in the car and just run, and I'm so glad I did! I actually may run more often without music. I really loved looking around and thinking and I spent a lot of time talking to God. It was overall very nice not to have the clock ticking and me stressing over that. I think everyone needs to run without all of their gear every once in a while. 

All in all my time was not what I wanted it to be but I am proud of myself because even though I am slow, I am now able to run 98% of a 5k. I only walked about twice and each time it was through a water stop. I may be slow but I am able to run the distance and I will take that, speed will come as I get more experience. I am going to be adding on some distance soon. I know I said I was going to do that a while back but things happen; I am still making progress though and getting stronger each time!

Happy running! The weather is supposed to be great here this week so I can't wait!

xoxo,

Regan 

Let's talk about "slow" runners!

Let's talk about being a "slow runner"!

After an inproptu 5k Saturday, in the pouring rain I might add, I came to the conclusion that it really is tough being a "slow" runner. It can be very discouraging to run as slow as some people are walking. It can be very discouraging to be running in the back with the walking croud. You wonder if you should even call yourself a "runner".

Those were some of the thoughts I had Saturday after the 5k, coming in at 45 minutes and who cares seconds. Granted it was pouring down rain the whole time and the 1st mile and a half was uphill, I for some reason just felt really "slow". Mostly because I could see people in  front of me walking casually and strolling about. It can make you feel very defeated very fast. Here I am struggling and working hard to run and here they are walking along.

But instead of feeling bad for myself I held my head up and finished. I only walked a couple of times for no longer than a minute each time. I am just really slow. But I get out there and I do it, I get out there and try and because of that I will get better.

I have earned the right to call myself a runner. You also have, no matter how slow or fast you may be. Running is such a personal journey, that's one reason why I love it. It's me, myself, and I. It's about me doing my best and making goals for myself and learning what I can do now and can't do yet but will be able to do. As I was watching the 20 minute 5k'ers pass me, I was thinking about how they have so earned that. They put in the time, effort, blood, sweat and tears just as I am going to do. One of my favorite songs came on at the end of the 5k Saturday, it's called "Your love never fails" and I love it. As I was coming in I couldn't help but smile and be thankful I had two legs able to carry me, slow or fast. 

Don't be discouraged because you think you may be too slow. Keep on keeping on and you will make progress. Hold your head up and be thankful you can run. It takes time and major effort to make progress. It is not guaranteed overnight, but I promise you you can do it!! Most of all have fun! It's a journey, one I will one day look back on and smile. I may be slow now but I'm not ruling out ever running in Boston. I'm not ruling out ever running 7 minute miles. I dream big and no one can stop me. : )

xoxox, 

Regan 

My first trail run experience!

So on Saturday I experienced my first (and last) trail 5k run. 

Oh boy. It was rough! The trail was very narrow, hilly, stumpy, winding, rocky, etc. It was overall just very difficult. I almost twisted my ankle like 3 times. I *knew* it was a trail run, but I guess I had a different image in my mind. And of course I forgot to take actual pictures of the trail. 

I went into this 5k actually feeling very mentally strong, I misread that not very much of the 5k was on the actual trail and so I was like "I've got this!" That mood quickly shifted once we started. I ended up turning off my Garmin around 1.5 miles because I was just as that point concerned with compleation not a PR. The trail seemed to be no problem for the "faster" people, I am going to go on the assumption that several or a lot of them had seen it before and maybe even ran on it, but I could be wrong.

Pavement, pavement, glorious pavement!! 

Out of this experience I did get to talk to some nice people! Most of the time I was alone on the trail, but every now and then I would come across someone looking about as *happy* as I was. I think most of us were just point blank period ready to be off of the trail.

As soon as I hit the pavement to the finish line I hauled tail, I just wanted to be done. See photo above :p

All in all, it supported a great cause and one close to my heart (my job), Autism Awareness, but I don't know if I will do another trail run anytime soon; maybe just solely to support a good cause but I will go in with the mindset that I probably won't PR.

Also, with this being such a small race, it wasn't chip timed annnnddd I did not turn in my time card at the end due to being annoyed (bad sportmanship, I know) annnnddddd my Garmin was turned off at about mile 1.5 so I don't have my exact time but I know it was around 49 minutes. Believe me, if I was going to lie I would make it much better than that.

Watch out, I plan to come back in full force! I may do another 5k this Saturday with my stepdad, I'm not 100% sure yet. Other than that my next one is May 11 at 6pm! I can't wait to do an evening one, I think it will be nice to do something different!

Later!
Regan



I can do all things through Him!! Marathon 2014! 

Hi!!

I really have a lot going on this time of year so I am trying to blog at least once a week, I will pick back up with it consistantly right after June 15; after my wedding!! Between work and wedding planning I really have been swamped.

But I am just going to be honest, I have a 5k tomorrow supporting Autism Awareness and I am very underprepared for it. My *goal* was under 40 minutes and I am going to be positive and say I CAN achieve that goal, but we all know what I'm thinking. I am just going to go into and just run, no thinking required. Tonight I have a spring fling at my job until 8pm so that won't help the issue any. No excuses!

I will have a race recap by Sunday for you guys!

By the way, who has tried these?

They are awesome! They make a great little snack and satisfy a chocolate craving for only 100 calories and only about 13 or so grams of sugar. (I couldn't find the sugar amount online : p) I will definitely be buying more of these though! 

So anyway send me good thoughrs and prayers for my 5k tomorrow! I know its only a 5k but still.... : D

Later!

Regan

I was not paid by Chobani to say that the Chobani Bites are delicious! : ) hehe.

Busy week + Wedding planning!

So this week was pretty busy! I am in crunch mode right now with my wedding being less than 2 months away. We have gotten most of the large stuff handled so now it's on to little details and stuff like that! I'm getting excited! Also, I went dress shopping yesterday and found my dress!! It's so me. I love it! Obviously I can't post a pic :p

Here is me holding my dress 

Anyway, my workouts this week slacked majorly. I could sit here and make excuses about how busy my week was blah blah but the fact of the matter is just that, that those are excuses. I had a wonderful almost 4 mile run on Tuesday that I managed to do in 51 minutes!! I felt wonderful and was really "booking it" (remember that term is relative to the person : p)! It was a nice run after Monday's run, which I felt like I could have done better.

As you know I have officially signed up for the Disney Marathon so it is time to get super serious. I have been making myself drink at least 2 liters of water a day. I'm not going to lie, some days it is very hard and by the end of the day I am so sick of water; but it is good for me to stay hydrated and just good for me overall. It makes me eat less because I feel full and I really am slimming down and toning up. A good idea is to purchase a water bottle that is 1 liter and carry that around with you everywhere you go. It is mentally easier for me to drink the whole liter and fill it up one more time rather than filling up a small one like 50 times, I'm not sure why this is. You can see my trusty 1 liter bottle with me in the pic above!

Also, I mayyyy have talked my fiance, Markus, into running the Rock-n-Roll Savannah half with me in Novemeber!! He has been going to the gym with me and running some and has been doing great. This makes my heart happy!

I love this time of year though when there are lots of fun races going on! I have an autism awareness 5k this Saturday and 2 or 3 more coming up in the next couple of months, I also have my 1st 10k coming up at the end of May!! 

Sorry to ramble on! I guess if you get anything from this post let it be that hard work and dedication really do pay off!! I am no where near running 26 miles yet, but I am getting stronger and a little faster over time! Running takes a lot of dedication and effort put into it, but I promise if you stick with it you will progress and be able to achieve your goals! You CAN do it! : )

xoxo,

Regan