Yoga in the A.M.

5:00AM rolled around way too early this morning. After hitting the snooze button twice, I finally rolled myself outta bed, got dressed in the dark, carefully trying not to wake B. Then I stumbled through the dark house trying to locate my keys, phone, water bottle, yoga mat and yoga towel. 

In the light from the kitchen I did a quick double check. Got everything on correctly. Nothing inside out. Good to go. 

I blasted my spotify to wake myself up while driving to pick up my sister about 10 min away. Coffee sounded so good. I passed by a Starbucks looking longingly, imagining a nice hot cup of brewed coffee and cream. Luckily, my willpower held out. A rare occurrence.

I got to my sister's, picked her up and we made our way to my favorite yoga studio. 

This was my first try at vinyasa yoga in the AM. I usually go in the evening because it puts me right to sleep. I should have known it would do the same thing in the morning.

The room was so cozy and warm. While waiting for class to start, I laid on my mat, closed my eyes and thought of snoozing through the next hour. Hard wood floors had never felt so comfortable.

I kept trying to make myself be "present", at least that's what the instructor kept saying, "be present in your practice". Translation for me: don't doze off. My poses were wobbly, my body was extremely tight, but I still got that warm fuzzy feeling after I was finished. 

Running or even Bikram Yoga is great for getting me up and going in the morning. It could have been the beer from the night before or staying up 30 minutes later than normal to catch the end of on of my Real Housewives episodes that kept me so groggy. Eh, I'll give it another try. It was nice to get it over with in the morning, but I do enjoy those evening yoga classes. 

No running for me today. I was on call at my second job and they're making me work tonight. I took up a second job on top of my full-time job to help with wedding $$$. I'd much rather enjoy this beautiful weather we're having here in Dallas, TX. Its 83 degrees and sunny! 

This was a short post, but I'm getting back in the groove of things. 

I failed to mention that I have 16 days until I become a married lady. 

Tulsa Route 66 Marathon - Boston Qualifier

It's been almost 6 months since I ran my Boston qualifying race, but I thought, if not for my own benefit, it would be fun to do a nice race recap. Ya know, to help me remember. 

To start off, the race was in November. November weather in Tulsa can be kinda iffy and I had been checking the forecast everyday for the week leading up to the race. Sure enough the weather prediction said 26 degrees with the opportunity to get up to 28 degrees. 

Running in 26 degree weather is cold. And icy.

Luckily, with my legs frozen numb, I couldn't feel all the knee pain that I usually get after I cross that mile 13 barrier.

John (the older brother of one of my closest friends from middle school) is an amazing athlete and runner. He, himself, qualified for Boston at this very same marathon the year before and volunteered to pace me. 

I told myself I would stay at an 8 minute pace or faster for the duration of the race. The first 13 miles went by fast and I was feeling pretty good. Around mile 16 I started to hurt. Around mile 17 John dropped off (he had given me a good start!) and I kept at it, checking my garmin often to make sure I wouldn't slip.

Mile 18 I started to drop to about an 8:05-8:15 pace. When I hit mile 20 I saw my friends and wonderful fiance cheering me on and couldn't help myself from getting a little emotional. I must have looked a mess with my face bright red and swollen from the cold with tears streaming. 

6 miles to go. I heard my fiance yell, "you got this, baby!" So, I kept on trucking. 

Mile 24 and 25 I thought I was gonna lose it. I knew I had gone out fast so I had some cushion time, but I hit the point where my legs were starting to give away. I just couldn't get them going. I think my last mile I was at a 10 minute pace. I went under a bridge and something with the light change made me start to feel as though I was going to faint. 

I thought about me having to do this all over again if I did not qualify at this race and decided that I better keep my butt moving! 

At the last stretch before the finish line I literally gave it my all. Oh boy, when I saw my time flash I KNEW I had it in the bag. Literally one of the best feelings. 

Finished 26.2 in 3 hours and 32 minutes. I qualified for Boston.

My fiance met me through the fence at the finisher corral and I, again, had tears coming down my face. But so did he. He was so excited :)