Bachelorette

I have to work today, which is terribly unfortunate as I haven't slept more than 5 hours in the last 4 nights, and I could REALLY use a nap-coma today. What makes it even worse is that I don't actually have anymore work to do...

This past weekend was my bachelorette party/bridal shower weekend in Fernandina Beach. I took Friday off of work and went for a beautiful 6 mile run before my 1:25 flight to Florida. The temperature was just below freezing while I was running, so I got to try out my fancy new compression pants that my sister got me for Christmas. AND, miracle of miracles, the sun was shining! I had almost forgotten what it looked like! My body seemed to hold up decently, but my right knee and left foot were still achy. I think I have decided to defer my half marathon registration until next year. I had been thinking that if I could run 10 miles with minimal pain two weeks before the half is supposed to happen I would do it, but if it hurt after a 6 mile run on a lot of running rest, I probably shouldn't do it. I might do it anyway if I weren't hoping to do the full marathon in June--but for now, I concede defeat. Especially because I did 3 miles on a treadmill during my lunch break today and now my foot is hurting again.

I loved having my friends in one place to celebrate my upcoming marriage, and am especially grateful because all of them had to drive/travel at least 3 hours to do so. My MOH did a spectacular job with the decorations and organization, and I was just so happy to be with my friends and family. I really took it for granted when we were all in the same place, and I really treasure the few days a year that I get to see them now.

I was short two bridesmaids; Caitlin couldn't manage the trip from Germany and Kathryn wanted to be with her mom because the terminal cancer she had been fighting for so long was...winning, for lack of a better word. We got the news late Saturday night that the beautiful Kate had left this world and gotten her wings. It seemed appropriate, somehow, that the rest of us girls were together... we all understood how the others felt because we ALL love Kathryn and Elizabeth deeply. We cried together and prayed together, and I pray still for Kathryn and Elizabeth and all those who loved Kate. The contrast between the silliness of the night with too much champagne and my giant flashing "engagement ring" and the somber news that came soon after we got back to the hotel was so stark and unsettling--I couldn't help but cry my eyes out for all the broken hearts she left behind.

Of course I didn't get much sleep either of the nights we were there. I was just too excited to sleep in, and we stayed up to the wee hours of the morning just chatting and laughing (or crying... or both). I wouldn't trade those girls for anything in the world--I carry their hearts in my heart, and I am so glad I got to celebrate with them this weekend.

Slacker

I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I wrote. I could make a lot of excuses (holidays, travel, work, etc.) but the truth is that I was just uninterested. I started this blog to record my efforts to train for a marathon and I haven't been doing that. I've hardly been doing any running at all, to be honest. Between foot pains and knee pains, I just haven't been able to do much without putting myself in danger of serious damage.

Mac and I at Teotihuacan in Mexico

I have been exercising, nevertheless. Lately I've been focusing a lot more on strength and flexibility than endurance training. I'm still doing something active 5-6 days a week, and now that the wedding is creeping up, I really want to focus on my arms and shoulders. When I was rock climbing regularly a couple of years ago, my back and arms were so strong--they weren't big and manly, but they were definitely more sculpted than they currently are. So I've been doing 3 days of upper body work, plus 20-30 minutes of biking or the elliptical or some running, and then 2 days of lower body work and 1 day of just longer cardio (45 minutes or an hour). I also try to do some light yoga a few days a week.

I ran last week outside in the rain. It was really fun, but my achilles tendon was so tight that it was painful and I had to stop at 1.75 miles. I know the achilles is a dangerous tendon to mess with (hence the phrase "achilles heel" that is used to allude to weakness in a person's character), but I don't see how it could possibly be in danger of tearing since I feel like I haven't REALLY been pushing myself at all for what feels like forever. I miss running, and I am hoping to start training for the Rock 'n' Roll marathon in a month or so.

I have a lot of things to look forward to here in the next few weeks. Shannon is throwing me a bridal shower here in Birmingham on Sunday, and I am going to have my hair trial done that day too. I am also having my second meeting with the Sonnet House so I can finally figure out what else I need to do for this shindig. The following weekend will be my bridal shower/bachelorette party weekend in Fernandina with my bridal party and other college friends. I am SO excited about that and I can't believe how close it is! I am such a lucky girl--I have wonderful friends, a wonderful family, and a wonderful boy to marry :)