See Jane Run

Well, it’s that time of year again. My soon to be roommate and myself will be hoofing the 13.1 miles of concrete in downtown Seattle. That means for the next two months and some change, the drinking gets cut to a bare minimum, healthy eats all around, and my runners are on, ready to go. Last half marathon I did, there was little to no training prior, which YES makes a goddamn difference. This go around I’ll be able to finish a full training program and be ready to run, run, run for champagne and chocolate at the finish line.

If there’s anyone in the greater Seattle are that is looking for a running buddy, let me know! I’m hankering for new routes, and I fucking hate treadmills. I literally have to chew gum, listen to music, and watch a TV to keep me from going insane. Plus, the weather is starting to look up, and I’m never opposed to a destination run to find a happy hour.

Zozi, I.Love.You.

Photo cred: zozi.com

Maybe I am behind on the times with this awesome site; but thanks to Facebook and their eerie ways to advertise, I found Zozi. It is quite similar to Groupon, etc etc, but I love the layout and photos. The “featured” deal was what drew my attention,  and alas, suckered me into yet another half marathon. Check it out and see if there’s something in your area!

Here’s the link: ZOZI

The Beauty of Sports

The inch long scar on my left calf from a rough game of seaweed wars. The two off white circles on my left index finger from playing defense at a Cal lacrosse camp. The ones on my palms that can only be seen when it’s cold from falling on a run home. The three on my left forearm from that cigarette butt. The one in my belly button from my emergency appendectomy. The four straight lines on my thigh from falling through a rotten deck on the Oregon coast. The countless ones around my ankles from sloppy rushed shaving jobs. My fractured eardrum from diving into our California swimming pool, not noticing my sister and her surprisingly hard head in the way. The fifteen or so overlapping scars on my knees from turf burns, hiking, and falling purely out of clumsiness. The one on my left foot from a beer bottle the summer before my sophomore year of college. My two knotted bumps on my ankles that have been sprained for almost four years. And my meniscus that is now missing in my right knee; if I don’t crack it to move the bone every thirty minutes or so it locks up.

Our skeletal muscle is the largest single organ of the human body and accounts for nearly 50% of the body’s weight. We put this organ through some of the toughest challenges. We can feel our ATP pumping through our body, replenishing tired muscles. Muscles work through an anaerobic and aerobic cycle. When we are sprinting up and down, digging into the grass to ask for the ball, we switch into our anaerobic cycle. When this begins our oxygen flow to our muscles is cut off, causing us to heave, grip our thighs for that extra gulp, and eventually get those aching muscles that make even walking to the bathroom a challenge. We breathe in, and the oxygen is distributed through our blood into the capillaries and cells. Oxygen would be toxic to our body if we didn’t have specialized organelles to put it to use, instantly throwing other atoms on it to make oxygen in our body useful. What makes a body push through everything? How have we been trained to fight through pain, add stories to our injuries, and still be on the playing field fighting a war with our own joints?

13.1 Miles Complete

Photo Cred: Rachel Bellamy

*Actual RACE PHOTOS to come!!

The past couple of years, half marathons have been events I sign up for months and months in advance, giving me time to train and prepare for the long haul. The Bellingham Bay Half Marathon couldn’t have been on a better day. It was a typical Northwest gloomy morning, the kind of morning you curl up in that old favorite sweatshirt, make a pot of coffee, and read a good book- or wake up and go for a (hellish long) run. Jessie and I met up near our old High Street house and marched down to the Bagelry for coffee and some good ol’ carbo-load, we watched as people in their trendy spandex and runners walked towards the starting line just a block away. “Uh-uh”, Jessie shook her head and rolled her eyes at me. “Never, ever wear your race shirt on race day, it’s like wearing your concert t shirt at a concert.” Three people ahead of us in line, and there she was: a woman sporting her freshly purchased shirt- yikes. Mental note everyone, wear an old marathon t shirt/half marathon- you look like a pro this way, even if it did cost you two bucks at Value Village.

So, the first 8 miles we were cookin’, hoping cones, singing songs aloud and passing people left and right. Mile 9- we passed the finish line on our way to complete the last 4 miles. The last 2 mile stretch was something I was not prepared for, it was mentally exhausting, my knees were about to cave, and I was seeing spots. But alas, the finish line came into sight and it was just about the most rewarding feeling to stop moving my feet and to see all of my lovely friends standing in the rain to cheer me on. It’s a harsh reality, when you find yourself using any free time you have to sleep or eat a meal. Working so much can be exhausting, but now I just have to kick myself in gear and quit hitting the snooze button. I can handle getting up an hour early and going for a jog, I just have to pull myself out of my down comforter coma and suck it up.

Mustaches were purchased, and margaritas were sipped on in celebration. Looking forward to the next half.

Thank you Jessie, Peter, Schu, Amy, Jamie, and Rachel!

Bellingham Bound, Race Time

It’s like christmas eve, minus the awkward matching PJs and a motion censored Santa Clause shakin his booty near the stairs. Cannot wait to see my favorite place again with my favorite people! It is so strange how quickly you can grow up. College is like this bubble filled with naps, different busy hours everyday, and people to see no more than a mile away (any farther than that is too far). I will be driving up with one of the most amazing people I know, the one and only Jessie BOB Purcell.

My other lovelies, Schu and Amy need posts all on their own for me to begin the rediculousness of our trifecta. I could honestly continue a list of amazing friends, but I’m actually trying to get people to read my shit…so sorry Rachel, Jamie, Sally, BO- er, well I guess that’s about it. ASIDE from the friends and Bellingham itself, Jessie and I will be running the ever so daunting 13.1 miles for the Bellingham Bay Half Marathon- Waahoo! As for training goes? I got a reality check, that being in the real world with three jobs doesn’t mean I can do my usual 2hrs at the gym everyday, I need those hours to sleep. Motivation has been lacking, but this will be my second half, and considering how much fun I had with the first, I will be expecting a whole lot of adrenaline and laughter while running next to miss Jessie.

So if you’re in Bellingham and want to crawl out of bed on a Sunday after the craziness of the first back to school weekend, come and support all of the daring people who paid way too much to run next to other people- and get a t shirt that says it. And if you can’t or find it ridiculous to watch people repeatedly cross the finish line, come join for the second race at Jalepenos where I will be fighting a brain freeze to own Jessie in a Margarita-off.

26 more hours!