Jump Into The Fog

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Woodcock Trail Adventure

Yesterday I ran at Woodcock Dam / Park.

I have never ran here before. All I knew was that there was park...and a dam of course. My original plan was to do 6 laps around the Park (10 miles). I parked by the dam and realized it was a pretty neat view. So I threw out my plan and started at the dam, having no idea what would be ahead.

It was at least 80 degrees, but the view helped forget that.

So off I went, having no idea where I was headed. It seemed like a lot of people started with the dam but I didn't see them coming back around, so there has to be something on the other side right?

Yes.

So I continued onto this trail, and the view just kept getting better!

FINALLY ENTERING SHADE.

After a while being on this trail, I was suddenly at the entrance of the Woodcock park.

I turned left onto a road and kept going. Once I saw the dam on the distance to my left, I started to get an idea of where I was, and was heading to 198.

On 198, with the shaded trail in the distance.

The road was tough. Was a long stretch of harsh sun. And when I saw the dam (where I started), I thought I was dreaming.

I was now starting my second loop.

To give you an idea, this is what the loop looked like.

(Dam on far left, shaded trail in green, etc.)

From that moment on, I started to feel pretty drained. If you know me, you know that I'm a camel when it comes to drinking water. I was so excited to run there, that I didn't drink as much as I should've beforehand. I pass the dam, the trail, and entered the shaded trail again.

This was when things got worse. My temperature dropped from the shade, I was seeing spots, getting cramps, and feeling vertigo. I shrugged it off and kept going. Then the spells kept coming back. As much as I wanted to keep going and do 2 full loops, I was getting dehydrated and needed to turn around.

I returned to the dam and the sun didn't help. Numerous times I had to pause and crouch down. I could see my car parked, sizzling in the distance. I was very close in passing out.

I finally made it to the parking lot and plummeted into a shaded area of grass, and dazed at the branches above me. But I had to get water. I drunkenly got up and saw a lone water fountain by the parking lot, so I straggled over and was able to recoup. My goal was to do 10 miles, and I believe I did about 9, which I'm very content with.

So take it from me,

DRINK

WATER!

That concludes my adventure. I was fun, brutal, but rewarding. From here on out I'm running light and resting until the race. . . in ONE week!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Crunch Time!

10 more days until the race.

When I first signed up for the Half Marathon, it was more than 100 days away, and I had quite a bit of doubt that I could do it. I figured I would get an injury while training, slack off, and get a refund from my bid. Early on I had felt discomfort in my hip, but I kept going. I had felt exhausted, thinking to myself "... you really are crazy", but I kept going. The thought of removing my spot from the race was devastating.

So I kept going.

I can't tell you how many times I've been on this treadmill,

but it's a lot.

Not to get all over dramatic, but this treadmill, this lonesome treadmill sitting in my [future] in law's house, changed my life. When I originally started simply to get in shape, this is where it all started. It's when I realized I can push myself. I am in control. And quite simply, YOLO! So I started adding mileage, and instead of the treadmill collecting dust, it has collected my sweat... lots of it. Oh, and you want to know my glorious view when I run? The view that strives me to keep going? Let me show you. Prepare to be blown.

A framed deer puzzle, and a baby portrait of my fiance.

Classy right? In a way it's quite relaxing. Sometimes I like to think I'm in that forest. Or what Jake was laughing at while sitting in that chair.

But mostly I just zone out at the ceiling.

Today I ran a comfortable but solid 4 miles.

I could've done more, but this week has been physically tiring due to my early work shifts, and running after being awake for 12 hours. But somehow I've been feeling great once I start running, but my muscles need as much rest as possible. Anyways, on Saturday I plan on running 10 miles at the Woodcock Dam, so that will be loads of fun! It will be the last weekend of training, so I'm going to make it count!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Here, we... go.

Once again, it's been quite some time since my last post.

To start where we left off, I got a job in February at WJET-TV as a CG.

I can honestly say, this is the first job I've ever had that I actually enjoy. I never feel like I'm working, and the coworkers are great. I've been there for 5 months now and it's been an awesome experience.

Now the sad but happy part. About a month ago, I was finally contacted by the postal service and was offered a position. Starting at almost double what I make at Jet, and most likely more hours, the right choice for me was to accept it. I'll be leaving Jet in a couple weeks but it will be for the better. (I will miss you ALL! )

On May 23rd I finally got my college grad gift!

My first car...a '99 Dodge Stratus. 76,000 miles, super clean inside and out, a sunroof, and a pretty rad color. Thank you Mom and Dad, I no longer have to beg you (or my sister) to pick me up from work at 11:30pm.

Last but not least, I've done a 180 with my health, and I couldn't be happier with it.

I've lost about 23 pounds (and still counting), and I'm running a Half Marathon in about 12 days.

...

TWELVE.

When I first signed up for the race I was straight up petrified. But it's crazy what you can do when you put your mind to it, and I'm now very excited and confident that I can do this! Everyday I can imagine running the course and I just can't wait to conquer it and check it off my list. Who knows, maybe this is just the beginning with running long distance!

Don't worry friends, I plan to keep blogging about my running adventures/races.. so stay tuned!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Good Riddance.

It's been quite some time since my last post. Guess I have some catching up to do.

The year 2013 wasn't the greatest year for me. I left a retail part time job for a rewarding full time job. Long story short, it wasn't the right fit for me. Since then, I have been unemployed for almost 3 months. On top of that, at the end of the year I found out I have high cholesterol at 285. Well, that escalated quickly.

Although I had some bumps in the road, the time off has given me the chance to think things over. I realized that a lot of my habits need to change, and to set my priorities right. My first goal is to work on my health. Going from a college diet of ice cream and chocolate, to now a diet of oatmeal and fruits is quite a big transition, but it was easy to adjust with cholesterol lurking in the back of my head. I started to run again. I never get sick of it, and I've always wanted to push myself further than I've ever gone. I plan to run a half marathon sometime this year, so I've got some work to do. I'm taking full advantage of this time off to run, because I know when I have a job, it could be limited. With that being said, my next goal is to obviously GET A JOB. I've lost track to how many jobs I've applied to, but I can only hope something will come my way. Once that happens, I hope so save some money on the side for my WEDDING! Time is flying by and 2015 will be here before we know it.

That about wraps up my life at this point, hopefully things start to pick up, and Jake and I can get back on our feet.