Minnesota is ON

So, what do you do when you get when you add a healed stress fracture, renewed love for running, and a non-refundable registration for the Twin Cities Marathon? 

You get a marathon runner. My plane ticket has long been purchased, hotel arranged, family planning to be there, the whole 9. So, when this last weekend I was on my run and feeling awesome, I thought, "why not?" Then I said,"No...seriously. Why NOT?" 

And that, my friends, is how I decided to try to run this race. Although I am extremely undertrained, I don't mind crawling the last few miles. Or walking intermittently. I just want to do it. My very dear friend Kelly and I planned to do it, and although she will now finish before me (as she should!) -- I want us to start this together, as planned. I don't know what I would have done last year without my sweet sweet friend, and for that reason doing something this epic with her just feels right. :) I'm excited for our families to meet and celebrate this crazy event.

There's nothing better than this spontaneity -- this is something I rarely do. Spontaniety is not a word ANYONE would EVER use to describe me (sad, but true). 

I may have to drop out. I'm ok with that. I may not be able to walk right for a week, or do yoga as I do, or sit. Or bend over. I mean..let's not think about that any longer...but the point I was trying to make is...

I may not finish.
And that. is. ok.
I will be surrounded by the love of my parents, partner, and friends. That will be enough. Trying is what I am promising to do.



For those of you that know me, and know me well, this self-kindness is not something that comes easily, but I have really been humbled by this stress-fracture and I know that everything happens for a reason. And maybe the reason for it to happen this way was for me to be able to ENJOY this race. ENJOY the process, finish or not. PRACTICE self kindness. TRUST in myself, my feet, my faith, my determination, maybe even my pure stubbornness -- because lets face it, I've got plenty of that.


Twin Cities Marathon -- 2013. That's what I'll be doing this weekend :) 

Everything Summer (Recap in Fast Forward)

Wow blog world. I've been absent :) Summertime is  almost over, and I haven't wanted to miss a beat!! Hence my absence. :) Lo siento!

All things Texas: Sunshine, dirt roads, family, graduation, friends, beer, grill, pets. I mean, need I elaborate? Our family is growing up and transitioning to something different, which will take some adjusting. My youngest brother graduated, so pretty soon we will all be out of the house
 *woah* It's such a blessing to see my sweet brothers grow up and become men.
How strange is that? My "little" brothers aren't so little, and it's so great to see our relationships grow and deepen. Can't imagine not having those crazies.

All things Florida: One of my favorite family vacations. We truly enjoyed each other and it was such a blessing to have my partner join in on the family fun this year, as well as Devin, my brothers' partner. While it was different to be missing the WHOLE fam, it was great to relax just us 5 and reconnect. We saw some dolphins, watched Shark Week, saw a sea turtle, kayaked, I ran in the rain, and we slept a lottttt. Sound perfect? It was. :)


Running: WELLLLLLLP. I was training for the Twin Cities Marathon, and I suffered a stress fracture. Right after 14 miles. *sob story* I was doing great with my training and had read some really great books on eating for running and Ha's marathon guide. However, since then I've been doing yoga (namasteeeee) and riding my bike some and cutting back on my runs dramatically.
Dramatically = one run a week, 3-4 miles max. Since the first week in August. *ouch* I'm slowly adding in more runs but experiencing soreness in my R leg fibula, so I just listen to my body and adjust as necessary.

Really stinks. But, I am excited to be getting back to it. Fall is my favorite running season, anyhow <3
I'm still headed to MSP for the race to support my friend Kelly and run the last 5-6 with her, and spend some fun quality time with my parents and P-I-C (partner in crime). Really looking forward to it! I just got a new running belt since my last one was acting crazy, and I got a sweat belt to maybe help shed some extra inches in the belly. If not, oh well, it is supposed to support better breathing and posture, so I'll be trying that out the next few weeks!

In other news -- Michael got a new job -- so no more overseas traveling! Exciting stuff. That's all about that.

This semester is going to be exciting and packed -- and I am so excited to be starting my last year as a graduate student at MSU. #gogreen
I'm interning at the Michigan State University Counseling Center and have been there since the beginning of July. I have been learning so much and really enjoying the experience. I'll be there for the year! I'll also be waiting tables once a week, working as a nanny, and doing a work study at the East Lansing Hot Yoga studio that I LOVELOVELOVE in exchange for free yoga practice. While this is a very busy time for me, I am focused on being present in each day, and allowing myself to love this time, as come May it will be over, and I will then miss it. Such is life.

I realize I am LATEEE to this gem of a show, but The Newsroom, anyone?! Hello, my new favorite show. Just started Season One and officially in love. I wish I wasn't, because I have papers to write, but this show is seriously good.

Traverse City: Bayshore Half Marathon Photo Dump

Hey guys!! Here to recap my fun weekend in Traverse City! For those of you that don't know, Traverse City is in northern Michigan (about 4 hours north from the Lansing area) on Lake Michigan, known for wineries, cherries, and beautiful lake views. And I'm sure the trees are stunning in the fall. Anywayyyy The Bayshore Marathon, half, and 10k is super popular and the spots sell out so fast. I got up at 8AM on registration day in order to be able to race it. It's no joke. So, Friday I drove to Grand Rapids to meet Kelly and we drove up. It was a beautiful drive! 

Pack light? What's that mean?

On our way :) 

So we got there and immediately got our race stuff together for Saturday morning. We had to get up early (4:20A) so we wanted to be ready! 

Kelly had some work friends who were running the race too, but were staying at the campsite next door to our hotel, so Friday night we went there and hung out/ate/laughed. It was really chilly so the fire was perfect.

It was STILL chilly Saturday morning. Like low 30s. Getting up and standing around for an hour and a half before our race started was not fun. We whined a bit (not a shock).

Yay the sun came out and was SUPER bright. I think this is a great look for us, agreed?

This was our view for basically the whole race -- and it was stunning.

We finished the race on the Traverse City Central track which was kinda cool. The post-race treats included: cherry ice cream (Moomers), homemade cookies, chocolate milk, bagels....and the kitchen sink :)

Driving up the peninsula!

Old Mission Lighthouse

Grand Traverse Chateau winery

Obsessed.

What a view :)

Post-race celebratory wine tasting!

We took about a million of these. For your sake I'm only posting one.

Saturday night s'mores!

Sunday we went to breakfast (feeling FAMISHED) and walked around downtown TC before heading home. It was suchhhh a great weekend. I finally got to see a part of Michigan people love.

Someone was happy to have me home :)

Soooo --- as we watched the marathoners finish, Kelly and I said,"You know...I used to want to do a marathon..but now, no. There's no way..." Apparently that lasted about an hour...because now..

this.is.happening. 

SAY WHAT?!
Yep. It's official. We have decided to do the Twin Cities Marathon October 6th. I've got my training schedule all finished, and will start next weekend with an 8 mile run. I'm using Hal Higdon's Novice 2 marathon training plan, and just ordered a book called The New Rules for Marathon and Half Marathon Nutrition: A Cutting-Edge Plan to Fuel Your Body Beyond "the Wall" by Matt Fitzgerald.

Happy training :)

Fargo (pre-trip post)

Ummm -- you know people that stress MAJOR when packing? Hi, my name's Kat, nice to meet you. I've packed and re-packed. And now instead of giving into the crazy of packing yet AGAIN -- I decided to post a quick blog. 

How excited am I? SO excited. I get to see the boy and run in a new half marathon this weekend! I've never ran the same city twice in a half marathon so far.. fun to think about! First was Dallas, then Chicago, next will be Fargo and then Traverse City. Look at me go. Anywho -- 

My cat is NOT excited to see me leave ...


Luckily I have some sweet friends to come check on him and give him some lovin' when I'm gone. 

Everyone has been saying I'm looking tan, and it's because I've been running outside.


SOOOO excited to get to Fargo! I'll update you guys when I get back.

Byeeeeee.