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half marathon training + a playlist


so word is out that i am running my first half marathon at the end of the month. and i am totally stoked about it....never thought i'd hear (or read!) myself say that! growing up, i ran cross country during the summers, but always backed out of the races, or made up an excuse. i was too scared i'd end up in last place and i somehow envisioned that there would be like, a million girls laughing at how funny i looked while running. so SO dumb. man i wish i could reverse time and give my little 14-year-old-self a pep talk.

i started running for me, when i was a junior in high school, but really started loving it more my freshman year of college. it got me out of the dorm and let me think (and gave me a good excuse to procrastinate that homework assignment i was dreading). i loved a good run. then i had little mr. B-man, and running slowed. i'll never fully admit i "stopped" running, but there was a good month or two or three that i was only running once or twice a week (remember this post? <<that Oregon rain was a killer for me)! then i had little miss T, and i slowly picked it up again. but i never really felt as strong as i did before. i missed that but didn't really think anything about it until one of my girlfriends told me she had signed up for a race.

i'm a total believer in timing and that there aren't any coincidences. i have had multiple girlfriends sign up and run races, and they never appealed to me. or they may have appealed, but i didn't want to fork over the $$ for it. pay to run?? so silly.....HAHAHA. but for whatever reason, i really felt a desire to do this one. i can do a half. that's totally doable. right? heck yes. i was also a little sick of my excuses for not running in an "organized event", and wanted to do this for me.

i signed up and started training about 6 weeks into the 12 week program (found here, totally basic). sounds a little crazy huh? luckily, if you remember from this post, i had started running on my treadmill during naptime. then i decided to do something way out of my norm and run 4 miles, 5 days a week for the month of February (which was crazy in and of itself because we were moving/packing all in that time frame). my point is that i had only been running 1-3 miles since having Bronx and Tinley, and now all of a sudden i am running 4...then 6...then 8!...then 10! 11 miles! what is going ON? it amazes me what my body can do. i went from thinking: man 4 miles is sooooooo long! to oh only a quick 4 today? it's insane you guys.

(on a cool down jog, when i let B ride his trike along side)

so. i've been running outside each morning with my two babes. yes, i've been pushing them in the stroller almost every run (i've only done about 3 runs without them), and i'm hoping that will help me up my Agame even more, come race day. it's hands down one of the best parts of my day. the other best part is watching them play afterwards while i stretch and cool down. also, for the most part they are both good sports about sitting in the stroller, but for my longer runs i do have to have distractions ready for Bronx (Tinley usually just falls asleep/takes her morning nap). his bubble gun, tractors, and fruit snacks are my saving grace for those!

i love that-just like everything in life seems like-the small runs are helping me get to this giant feat i never thought possible. running 13 miles? what a joke. BUT here i am basically doing that already. it kind of blows my mind. plus, i love that i've gotten outside every day of the week, and i am so happy with the results that my body has gotten from all this cardio training. now if only i can convince the hubby to turn our garage into a personal gym...(i totally am obsessed with weight lifting too, but that's a post for another day!)!

oh, and by the way, i'm certainly no fitness pro/guru. just wanted to letcha all know that i'm alive and pounding pavement over here. i love me a good treat (seriously. just ask my hubby) and am a big believer of all things in moderation. so there's that :) AND for those who always are on the lookout for a new jam, here's what i've been listening to lately:

Blank Space by Taylor Swift

Black Widow (feat Rita Ora) by Iggy Azalea

Immortals by Fall Out Boy...........(seriously love this movie! so cute!)

How We Do (Party) by Rita Ora

Glamorous (feat. Ludacris) by Fergie............(an oldie, but a goodie)

Live It Up (feat. Pitbull) by Jennifer Lopez

My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark (light em up) by Fall Out Boy

Popular Song (feat. Ariana Grande) by Mika

Problem (the monster remix feat. will.i.am) by Becky G.

Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon

Shower by Becky G.

Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) by Shakira

When Can I See You Again (Wreck it Ralph) by Owl City

Va Va Voom by Nicki Minaj