No Running–Week 2 Recap

Posted by hellyontherun in Family, Half Marathon, Race, Running and tagged with Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon, Injured Runner, No running, PR December 13, 2015

This is awkward. A recap about not running….

It was quite the eventful week despite no miles and I’m now 4 weeks away from hopefully getting back into the game 🙂 In fact, I have an appointment in two weeks to see how things are progressing.

Monday found myself at the dentist as I had been having some serious teeth pain from two molars. This pain had been happening for several weeks and I actually had an appointment upon returning from San Diego; but, I got sick and they would not perform oral surgery if I had any issues with my sinuses…so, more time with pain.

But finally, Monday came and I had never looked so forward to getting teeth yanked out. It was a complete disaster as what was supposed to be a simple procedure turned into a Saw movie. My teeth broke as the dentist was trying to pull them out and because he had to get a good grip, mechanical utensils were brought out. I heard every single thing as I had chosen to not be put under. Good times.

I took the day off from work Tuesday as I was pretty much an immobile, starving mess.

The doctor had said no exercise for 2-3 days so Wednesday was day 2. I made it to work and spoke as little as possible telling my students to make sure they brush and floss daily and to lay off the soda.

Thursday was actually the day I felt the worst but I pulled up my big girl panties and went to work. It was also beautiful in Phoenix that day and I really wanted to take advantage of the weather since we were getting a cold front the upcoming weekend. So after work, my little family went to our zoo’s annual Christmas light show ❤

A lot of hilly walking but I felt fine. No pain at all.

It was a tough day on Friday though, not because of anything injury related, but because I finally announced something I had been thinking about for a few weeks. I wouldn’t be returning to work the following semester. My students took it pretty hard–most actually like me!–but they understood once I explained.

My husband has been taking on new responsibilities at his job the last few months that have required him to travel extensively, sometimes out of the country and sometimes for multiple weeks at a time. It’s been tough on me as I become the sole caretaker for our kids–I’ve mentioned my 45 minute morning and afternoon commute before and when my husband is not home, I have to get myself ready, my kids ready, drop them off at school, then drive my 45 minute drive to make it to work by 7:45–if there’s traffic or an accident, that time increases and inevitably I don’t make it to work when the bell rings.

I knew it was becoming a problem when I was late several times and had to call security to cover my classes. And my decision was sealed when I tried waking my kids up a little extra early so I wouldn’t be late–seeing them sleep so comfortably and wanting to wake them up at 5:30 in the morning so I could get to work on time absolutely killed me. I just couldn’t. And I knew that I would have to make a decision. It was a no brainer; my kids are my first priority.

I don’t know how long this teaching hiatus will last, but I feel good about my choice.

I was glad we had some more family fun time on Saturday because I needed a pick-me-upper. We went to our local rec center and had breakfast with Santa 🙂

My son was not impressed.

And on Sunday, my husband ran the Fiesta Bowl 1/2 Marathon. This was supposed to be our goal 1/2 marathon race for the both of us but of course, I couldn’t run it. He did, and absolutely killed it finishing with a new PR of 1:36:31!!! He also helped our run club finish 1st team overall 😀

My champ.

Many of my friends finished the race with PRs and it was fun to be there cheering them on. Fun, but I’m lying if I didn’t say I wished it was me. I know things happen for a reason, yadda yadda yadda, but I miss running dammit. If anything, I’m glad that I’m finally starting to feel a little better from this teeth business and I can finally get myself to the gym. I need some sweat time. Need.

To end on a happy note, last week’s Hot Chocolate 5k/15k pics were released this week (and were FREE). This was my favorite pic as I crossed the finished line with my walking buddies ❤

I think we had fun.

Anyway, there’s my no running recap! I hope you all had a great week–tell me all about it!!

–Any dentist horror stories? Do you like going to the dentist? I have friends who actually do. Of course, they have perfect teeth.

–Share with me a high point of your week something positive 🙂

Thankful For My Brother

Posted by hellyontherun in 5k, Family and tagged with Brother, Family, Inspiration, Thanksgiving, Transformation, Turkey Trot November 29, 2015

Another update on the bro!

He flew home for Thanksgiving and I was so excited to see him again–I hadn’t seen him since he ran his very first half marathon back in May!

After the USA Half Marathon on Saturday, my husband and I drove immediately home because my brother would be arriving that evening. We didn’t get to really enjoy San Diego, but we knew we’d be back 🙂

The day after the race, my brother and I had plans to hike Camelback Mountain. It’s a popular hike here in the Phoenix valley and one that is a lot more challenging than people think. I wrote a little about it here.

Anyway, my brother had been looking forward to this hike so much because finally, he was going to be able to do it. At least he hoped so! (I had no doubts.)

But because of my cramp fiasco, I was worried about attempting such a difficult hike so soon–in addition to feeling under the weather (hello upper respiratory infection!). So, very very unwillingly, I stayed home and my husband took my place.

And of course my brother made it to the top!!

brother, husband

My husband said that when they were looking at the 360 degree view of Phoenix, my brother whispered, “I can’t believe what I’ve been missing.”

❤ ❤ ❤

I’ve said it a billion times but seriously, I’m so ridiculously proud of him.

Later that week, we went down south to spend Thanksgiving with family. My husband and I, whenever we go home for the holiday, like to run in our local Turkey Trot. This would be my brother’s first!

When I first signed up, I had planned on trying my hardest to keep up with my brother. He’s my newest competition 😉 But, I was coughing up a storm and did not feel well at all, so I decided to just run for fun. When the race started, I started my watch and never looked at it again.

My brother finished waaaaay ahead of me with a killer 24:30 time (not even a PR for him!). He was so happy to have run a race in our hometown and have people he knew cheering him on.

My dad was a the finish line. It was the first race in my life he’d ever been to. ❤

We stuck around after the race because we had a feeling my husband’s 20:50 would snag him an age group placement–the race has ten year age groups (20-29, 30-39, etc.). So it was HUGE surprise (not to me though) that my brother placed!!!

My husband, 1st–my brother, 2nd!!

It was funny because my husband ended 7th overall and the 6 guys in front were between the ages of 14-18. When we saw the bulletin board announcement, it was a bunch of teenagers and then a thirty year old, LOL!

It was such a fun week and seeing my brother continue to run and enjoy it makes me so happy. He was so beside himself at having placed–he couldn’t believe it! I don’t think he stopped smiling all day. I’m so thankful to God that he’s been able to make such a monumental change in his life and that he’s committed to his new life. Every time I write about him, I mention how sometimes we doubt people can change their ways, their bad habits, their addictions, their attitudes. But here is living proof for you. Here is proof that if you never stop believing, hoping, trusting, having faith–that change can come.

Believe that it can and it will.

12295461_10105672612306361_8834336860581811011_n

me and the bro

–Those stateside, how was your Thanksgiving? Do any Turkey Trotting?

–What are you thankful for these days?

Another Brother Update

Posted by hellyontherun in Family, Half Marathon and tagged with Brother, Columbus Half Marathon, Family, Goals, Half Marathon, Inspiration, PR, Sub 2 Hour Half Marathon, Weight Loss October 30, 2015

In case you’re interested in brother news, he recently ran the Columbus Half Marathon with an ambitious goal…..

But before I get to that, if you’re unfamiliar with my brother’s badassness, I wrote about his weight loss here (80 pounds now and counting!!) and about his first half marathon ever here (where he almost beat me!), and his most recent 5k (where he did beat me, my PR that is!).

310 to 233

Me and the bro after his first half marathon

After his 5k PR (and 5th place overall AND 3rd in Age Group win!!)

So his goal for his second half marathon ever??? Sub 2 hours.

He was pretty nervous leading up to the race having felt he hadn’t trained as hard as his first. I assured him that his paces during his training all projected a sub 2 finish. He had it–he just had to keep telling himself that (really, Helly? Listen to your own advice!!)

My sister and her friends had driven up to Columbus for his big day and made him some pretty sweet signs, LOL

And I made sure I registered for runner tracking not caring it would be 4 in the morning my time–heck, I’ve woken up earlier than that to run! 😉 I actually woke up a little before my alarm and sent him a quick good luck text.

Then my phone buzzed that my runner had crossed the start line ❤

I didn’t want to obsessively track the little dude on the course line, so I hit my pillow and when I felt he was about 5k in, I checked.

He was on pace!!

At mile 9, still going strong.

My phone beeped not too long after that. He was cramping. I texted him telling him he was doing so good, to not stop now!

But I began to worry. He didn’t have a lot of wiggle room as he’d been hitting the paces right on.

It was going to be a close one.

And then…my phone beeped again.

HE DID IT. I screamed to my husband that my brother had done it!! He ran a sub 2!!

I immediately texted him, wishing I was there to give him the hugest hug.

I never doubted him. He’s been shocking the hell out of me but not once did I not think he could do this. He is so amazing and such an inspiration. I keep telling people that he is what hard work will do. He is the anything is possible.

I texted him a little while after the race to see how he was feeling.

He is my champ. ❤

I hope everyone has a great weekend!! Who’s running, who’s racing? And who’s dressing up??? I’ve got a Haunted 1/2 tomorrow 😀 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

❤ , helly