Same Thing, Right?

So in my quest to learn as much as I can about the best way to train as a runner, I read several places that Chocolate Milk was a great post workout beverage. Something about the right ratio of protein and carbs.

I ran thirty minutes on the treadmill this evening and foam rolled for another 15 and figured that if try out this whole post workout chocolate milk thing. But then I drove past the fast food place and thought- Chocolate Milk Shake!?! Pretty much the same as chocolate milk, right?

Right. 

The chocolate shake almost made up for the pain of the foam rolling. Foam rolling is great but it hurts like a mother when you are doing it the right way. 

I just keep thinking that after the Princess 1/2 I'll be able to pit a posture of myself in a Tiara on my desk at work and it will be perfectly acceptable!

Finished the 1st 1/2 Marathon

Yes,1st. Because I am already registered for a 2nd and considering a 3rd! 

Not only am I proud I finished a 1/2 marathon but I'm congratulating myself on reaching my goal without giving up. In the past I would have quit four times by now. But I kept going. Step after step after step.

I've learned a ton about willpower. I actually have some! And I like working out. I crave the days my body can sweat out all of the stress and aggravation. I can thrown all the negative energy and things that are unfair in the world into my workout and physically feel it dripping out of my body. 

My goal was to complete a 1/2 marathon. I did. I did it in under 4 hours. I was still upright at the end. I was in pain and I walked funny for 2 days but I was upright across the finish line. I didn't run all of it. I hit my wall between mile 8 and mile 9. And that was okay. I ran farther then I ever imagined I could. I beat all the people who didn't have the courage to start. I did it once, I can do it even better the next time.

The next time will be in Walt Disney World at the 2015 Princess 1/2 Marathon. I will run through the castle with my best friend and sister-in-law. My goal will be to finish and enjoy such a fun race. (And to collect as much princess swag as possible. Other runDisney runners don't judge tutus and tiaras!)

The focus for July and 1/2 of August is strength training for weight loss. Then in late August and September I will switch gears and focus on training for the Ditka Dash 5K in September and the Hot Chocolate 15K in November. 

I've made peace with the treadmill. I have conquered the fear if the gym. I am ready, ready to run.