Mel On..."Sunday Sick"

Several people have e-mailed me this past week and asked me if I was still training and/or still alive.  FYI, love that fact that people are looking out for me.  The answer is, YES.  Yes, I am somewhat alive and somewhat training....

Mel On...Why, Mel, Why?!

I made the mistake of graphing out the race course online last night.  Totally took me back to these thoughts.  Let's just say next time, I will refer to an elevation graph before I sign myself up for another 26 mile race! 

10 miles straight uphill in the middle!

Mel On...The Taper

This week I officially start tapering for the marathon.  WOW.  I can't believe it's almost here already!

I busted out my long run on Tuesday, which was only 14 miles.  But, it was 14 miles on the dreadmill with this bad boy on my heel.  NOT FUN.

UGH, why are feet so GROSS?!

Mel On...Bad, Dreams, BAD!

Last night I had a horrible dream...HORRIBLE!

I was in a car with my friend, Maria, and two other girls who I knew in my dream but have no earthly idea who they are in real life.  We were heading to the marathon but instead of it being in Athens it was in a really lush, green forest and there was a HUGE mall/high school track building thing where we were supposed to start from??  We had to park in the very back of the parking lot and we got lost in the mall part of the building before finding the school part of the building.  Anyway, we end up finding the right place but the race was delayed for a couple hours. We went to someone's house and the toilet was overflowing and I realized that I didn't have my Camelbak, earphones, fuel, NOTHING for the race. I even left my phone in the car so I had to run back to get it but it was coming close to the start of the race so I had to sprint and got really tired.  Then when I got back, the race was delayed again.  There was also some roach-coach type food trucks outside by the field but instead of selling food they were selling running stuff.  I kept asking people about what to do for blisters but no one would tell me.  Then I saw Billy sitting at a picnic table, but I didn't have time to talk to him because this huge football coach guy started making everyone do stretches.  Then we had to line up for our race packs and Maria (8 months pregnant) was there wearing a white karate uniform and so was the guy from Kendrick Fitness (just not pregnant or in a karate uniform).  What is going on?! So, we get our packs then have to run around the building to the starting line but the line out the door is packed with Kenyans (Kenyans again!) and I lost my phone!  I was trying to retrace my steps in my head to find my phone when I woke up.....AGH!!!  WHAT WAS THAT?!

Needless to say, I woke up quite flustered so I thought I'd look up why this horrible scene played out in my  mind.  This is the article I found, "5 Reasons You Dream."

Mel On..My First Running Clinic

Today I went to my first running clinic.  I was really excited because I thought they were going to take us to the track and watch us run, analyze our form, do some drills, etc.  I guess I got the wrong class...

Mel On...Surviving

Well, after the horror that was yesterday - which made me rethink everything down to my mere existence - I am better.  Check that.  I am proud.

Mel On...When Things Don't Go As Planned...

Today was my last big run before Athens and it was supposed to be 20 miles long.  Supposed to be.

However, a series of mistakes and unforeseen events changed that plan several times both before and during the run.  I was really excited about this one too but as soon as I realized that things weren't going as planned I tried to refocus and restrategize; but, alas, there was no hope for what was about to happen.

**Spoiler Alert**

Probably delving into a little TMI 
but I promised myself not to sugar-coat my experiences...

so here's me keeping it real, ya'll

Mel On...26 Days of Inspiration

Well...26 days from now I will be running 26.2 miles...holey moley...I still feel like I am just at the start of this journey and not nearing the end!

So in honor of my 26 miles in 26 days I thought I would share 26 of my favorite running inspirations from my dear friend, Pinterest.  Enjoy!

Mel On...(Trying to) Play It Smart

Sooooo....I've been wanting to do another obstacle-course-type race for a while now and I've had my eye on the Strongman Run in Luxembourg this month; however, by the time I committed myself to it mentally, I thought the race had sold out.  Then, I get a message from a fellow runner that she has a transferable spot on her team and that if I wanted it, it was mine....well, YEAH!

Mel On...Calling In a Favor!

Welp, only ONE MORE MONTH until the big day and I am getting SUPER NERVOUS over here.  Super nervous....

To calm my nerves, someone suggested me have family and friends write down encouraging words for me to read the night before the race. I love this idea. But I'm thinking after about 20 miles, I'm going to need some reinforcements on the day of too!

Sooooo....I'm calling in a favor....can you please send me a short voice-recorded audio file that I can shuffle into my playlist to keep me going during the race?  It can be as short or long as you like as long as it is motivational and upbeat.  The kids are recording some of my favorite running mantras and I can't wait to hear their little voices as I run along.  Thinking about it makes me get excited...but still super nervous...super nervous!

30 days, 11 hours, 11 minutes, 44 seconds

Mel On..Never Underestimate the Power of a Good Running Buddy

This morning I woke up to a downpour. I knew for sure it would be raining too hard to do my run with my friend, Bri...and I'm not going to lie...I was a little excited.  We've been having such nice weather and this morning it was rainy and cold and just not fun weather to go run in and my bed was soooo nice and cozy...

Mel On...Why Blog?

Someone asked me the other day why I chose to blog about my running adventures. 

To be honest, I really didn't have a good reason.  I just started it as a means of recording my marathon journey, mainly to keep me accountable.  And, although I haven’t been doing it for very long, it is already fun to re-read all the ups-and-downs I've experienced along the way…and there are a LOT of them, lol…either that or I am suffering from an undiagnosed bipolar disorder.

Mel On...Putting the Tiger in the Cat

Today was the best - and the weirdest - run I've had in a long time...and it was EIGHTEEN MILES!

Mel On...Mind Games

Well, today I had a 5 mile run scheduled ON THE DREADMILL.  Yes, the dreadmill.  And here is the kicker...I did it on purpose.  ON PURPOSE.  And, if you can believe it...I actually didn't mind the fact that I was on the dreadmill!

Testing out the new shoes!

Mel On...15 Minutes - er, Seconds - of Fame

Take a look...the kids and I made it into the RAB Half Marathon video!