1. Confidence – One of the best things I got out of the recent Blue Ridge Half Marathon is confidence. I’ve been questioning my ability to run far. I’ve been convinced I can never run fast again. I honestly wasn’t really sure I could even finish the race (and this was before I saw that big ass hill!) While it was far from a speedy half marathon, it was a really good time, considering where I am in my training and what the course was like. McMillan says I could run a 2:06 half based on my recent 5k time (my 4 miler and 8k fall in line with this as well). And, based on my performance, I think McMillan is right. Without a mountain in the middle and with a few extra long runs to strengthen my feet, I do believe I could run a much faster half. And I will. Maybe not this spring. But it will happen again.
2. Consistency – Yesterday I went to a yoga class again at Mind the Mat. Every time I go, l am reminded how good it makes my body feel. Unfortunately, yoga takes more time than running (I have to drive there, class is longer than most of my runs, and then I have to drive home…), so it’s the first thing I drop off my plate when I start running out of time. Yet every time I go, it strengthens parts of me that would aid in my running. Having a stronger core would have really helped me on the downhill this weekend (and we won’t talk about the fact that bathing suit season is upon us). But I can’t seem to consistently attend. I have two months before my kids get out of school. It’s time to consistently head to yoga class at least once a week. I want to see how my body performs if I actually make a concerted effort to strengthen it.
3. Connections – I started this blog because Beer Geek was tired of hearing about my training for the Marine Corps Marathon in 2008. In fact, he pretty much told me to start it and gave me the name. Voila! MCM Mama was born. I am now approaching 4 years and about 1000 posts (numbers are squishy ’cause I lost some early stuff when I moved to WordPress.) I’m not one of the biggest running blogs around, but I’ve still gotten so much more out of this blog than I ever imagined. The most important thing I’ve gotten though is *YOU*, my reader. I’ve gotten so much good advice, gotten to run with so many awesome people, and gotten to drink a beer with a few others. So, as I approach 1000 posts and 4 years (boy, that calls for a giveaway), I just wanted to say thank you for coming here and being part of my babbling.
Congrats on your 1/2 and on 4years of blogging, that is an awesome accomplishment!
I started Yoga just a couple of months back. I’m trying to include it into my schedule at least once or twice a week. I love how much my mind and body focus on every single posture I practice. It is me, in that present moment, strengthening not only my body but my mind as well.
Have a great day 🙂
3 C’s I can get behind! I have been enjoying practicing yoga twice a week for the last few months. I practice in the mornings before work on the days I have class after work, because those days leave me no time for the gym at night. However my semester is about to end, and so I’m worried yoga will fall by the wayside! I’m going to need to make a plan to be consistent with my yoga like you’re doing, because now that I have gym time at night I feel like I’ll be going for that instead.
1000 posts and 4 years is a big milestone in the blogging world so congratulations! I always enjoy reading what you have to say about anything and everything.
Woohoo! Congrats on 4 years! So amazing and a great accomplishment:)
freaking love the photo. You amaze me in those vibrams girl.
1000 posts. holy. crap.
YOU KNOW I LOOOOOOOVE the 4 part!!
Wow 4 years! Congrats!
Sounds like Blue Ridge was a strong race for you and a confidence booster….excellent. Yoga drops off my plate first as well. Even though I know I was running my best when I was going twice a week.
Awesome job!!
Stellar post! Keep em coming! We should have a celebration cake for that 1,000 post! We can all leave comments that say “whooooooooooooooo” — that’s us blowing out the virtual candle.
Wow! I hope I can say I’m still blogging in 4 years! That’s true dedication.
I hear you on yoga. I absolutely love it but when my mileage creeps up for training my mat time decreases. Not good! I’m thinking about volunteering at my yoga studio just to make myself attend classes more.
Congrats on almost 4 years! I love your confidence from the race too – such good stuff all around.
Congrats on pushing past those distance limits…they really are only mental! Also another congratulations for that 4 year milestone.