Venture outside your comfort zone: the rewards are worth it! KSellers88’s Journal (Comments Welcome)

[KSellers88]

How was your race here in Mississippi?

It was good! I'll be doing a post on it within the next day or so. Very well organized and good scenery!

New follower, I skipped for the last few pages! And OMG, 27 months! You are amazing!

Thank you! Not sure how long it will last, but I am going to keep trying!

So many exciting things for you!!

Congrats on the promotion and home changes! And as always, you're killing it with running

Thank you! Life has been crazy and will only get crazier once our house sells (fingers crossed that it's soon!)

WOW! What an amazing March!! Congrats on the promotion and on building a new house. So exciting.

Your running totals inspire me! Barkley is no slouch either.

Thank you so much! He would go on much longer walks if I would let him, but these legs need a break sometimes!

Congrats on your races, promotion, and new house plans. Lots of exciting things.

Thank you! Very exciting but a bit overwhelming. LOL.

I was really thinking about doing the HM or marathon this year, but decided in favor of the very flat Shamrock marathon (on the same day). But I'm happy to hear that it's as pretty as advertised - maybe next year! Those challenges are intriguing. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

It was a great race and I highly recommend it! Just be prepared for some hills!

 

[michigandergirl]

I think it's awesome that your running doesn't suffer when life gets super busy. That is an amazing streak!!

 

[KSellers88]

I think it's awesome that your running doesn't suffer when life gets super busy. That is an amazing streak!!

Thanks! It is a struggle sometimes, but I try to get something done at least.

 

[KSellers88]

Bay St. Louis Half Marathon Race Recap

Well...this recap is only about a month late. LOL. Life has been crazy busy recently and this training journal has suffered, but I am going to work on that!

This state helped me check Mississippi off my state list, but I am going to have to seriously think about this 50 state goal and my fear of flying. I'll get to that in a little bit and do the recap first since y'all probably don't care to hear my ramblings.

My mom and dad came to this race with me and helped save us some dog boarding fees since Brad stayed at home. My dad loves Biloxi and we were only about 30 minutes away so it was easy to persuade them to join me.

We left Thursday after work and spent the day Friday at the casino, outlet mall, picking up my packet and watching my Auburn Tigers advance to the Elite 8 for the first time ever. We all probably know how that ended up, but it was a very exciting few days for us fans!

This race was really small, but very well organized and easy to get to. I managed to win $50 on a $1 slot machine, so I was happy with that!



Saturday morning my parents drove me to the start line and napped in the car while I ran. This race runs over the Bay St. Louis bridge to Pass Christian, MS and back. That bridge is over TWO MILES long, but provided some amazing views.


I was supposed to run this race at EA pace (9:53) and speed up to 7:41 for the last two miles. I thought my legs were going to riot, but I managed to get it done. There were some moments during the race where I was completely alone due to the small amount of people running, but luckily everything was marked very well and I didn't get lost. Splits are shown below...


The after party was at a local bar and provided lots of yummy options. I was very surprised with the swag and after party offerings for such a small race, it was well worth the money. I took all my signature pictures (with a photobomber) and we headed back to the house to get ready and go back to the casino.



Sunday my parents dropped me off at the Pensacola airport to fly to Atlanta and then on to Charlotte for work. This is when I realized that 50 state goal may be more difficult than expected. I can't reasonably drive to all 50 states (hello, Hawaii!) so I am going to need some serious anxiety medication to fly to some of them. I made it to North Carolina and back home safely though, so maybe I can work on that fear. I'll keep crossing off nearby states until I have to fly as a last resort for now

 

[evre13]

Wow! What a March - hopefully April was just as enjoyable but not as hectic!

This race runs over the Bay St. Louis bridge to Pass Christian, MS and back. That bridge is over TWO MILES long, but provided some amazing views.

I have driven over that bridge many times (from Mobile, law school in New Orleans), and I can't imagine running over it. Way to go!

 

[TeeterTots]

Nice job! Cute medal! Awesome views!

I wanted to share what the Easter bunny brought the Teeter Tots
9 week old, Roxy, a Mini Goldendoodle!

 

[garneska]

@TeeterTots She is adorable, both dog and little Teeter Tots.

 

[KSellers88]

Wow! What a March - hopefully April was just as enjoyable but not as hectic!

I have driven over that bridge many times (from Mobile, law school in New Orleans), and I can't imagine running over it. Way to go!

April has included a cruise, so it has been much more relaxed! LOL. Thank you!

Nice job! Cute medal! Awesome views!

I wanted to share what the Easter bunny brought the Teeter Tots
9 week old, Roxy, a Mini Goldendoodle!

View attachment 396284

OHMYGOODNESS!!!! Look at that face! She is adorable! You've got yourself a fluffy running buddy now! The kiddo is pretty stinking cute too!

 

[run.minnie.miles]

That bridge looks very intimidating! Glad you enjoyed your race and checked another state of the list. That means you're 1 state closer to Nebraska So fun that you were able to enjoy a little getaway with your parents!

 

[KSellers88]

That bridge looks very intimidating! Glad you enjoyed your race and checked another state of the list. That means you're 1 state closer to Nebraska So fun that you were able to enjoy a little getaway with your parents!

LOL! The company I work for has an office in NE so I may get there sooner than my race plans! I think they are in Omaha though...

Thank you so much! We travel together a good bit since I am their only child.

 

[run.minnie.miles]

LOL! The company I work for has an office in NE so I may get there sooner than my race plans! I think they are in Omaha though...

Thank you so much! We travel together a good bit since I am their only child.

Omaha has some decent races- maybe the schedule will work out someday!

 

[SarahDisney]

Congrats on the race! That bridge looks like an interesting thing to run over...

In terms of flying - if you think you will want to fly more, either for work or for all the races, you may want to talk to a therapist about it. A therapist can help you figure out some ways to deal with your fear of flying. Or if all else fails ... prescribe anxiety meds.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I'm glad Mississippi treated you well! That bridge is intimidating. Your pace was awesome. Also, shout out from another only child

 

[KSellers88]

Omaha has some decent races- maybe the schedule will work out someday!

I hope so!

Congrats on the race! That bridge looks like an interesting thing to run over...

In terms of flying - if you think you will want to fly more, either for work or for all the races, you may want to talk to a therapist about it. A therapist can help you figure out some ways to deal with your fear of flying. Or if all else fails ... prescribe anxiety meds.

Thank you! Interesting is a very good word. LOL

I think I will have to fly more for work, so I will need to figure something out. I was on anxiety meds last year, but had to stop them since we are planning to start a family soonish. If I find out I have to fly more, I will definitely be looking into one of those. I know it is safer than driving, but there is something about the loss of control and turbulence that freaks me out.

I'm glad Mississippi treated you well! That bridge is intimidating. Your pace was awesome. Also, shout out from another only child

It was so peaceful! We stayed on a bayou and loved it. Thank you so much! HOORAY for only children! LOL.

 

[KSellers88]

Time to stop being a chicken...

Hello again friends! Time for a bit of an honest post. I was originally supposed to race two different 5ks in April and chickened out. I never even registered for them because I was afraid of failing. I have not raced a 5k in over two years and with a current PR of 23:04 I would have to maintain a 7:24 pace. I still stuck relatively close to my training plan for both races, but never even signed up and didn't even attempt them. I've decided it's time to stop being a chicken and get out there and try. So I am restarting my plan provided by Coach Billy and shooting for a PR in June. Attempting these in the heat of the summer is probably not my smartest decision, but I'll never know until I try.

I'm also hoping to do a better job of updating this journal because it really helps with my accountability as well, since y'all are all amazing! Thank you all for sticking with me for so long!

Upcoming Training Schedule:
M: 4 miles @ EA (9:53)
Tu: 6 miles @ EB (9:13) & Strides
W: Rest day!
Th: Blind Progression (20 minute WU + 15 minutes steady + 10 minutes faster + 5 minutes fastest + 20 minute CD)
F: Rest day!
Sa: 4 miles @ EB & Strides
Su: 7 miles @ LR (8:58) + 2 miles @ HM Tempo (7:54)...this one will be tricky as we have an open house scheduled for Sunday, but I will figure out a way to get it done!

 

[garneska]

To make you feel better, i have wimped out of signing up for a few 5ks too. I don't feel i am at my peak and honestly i don't like to run 5ks for fun, i like to race them. I am using my butt injury as an excuse and it is working for now. I am thankful I can still run and it is getting better. I definitely don't want to start the speed work too soon and get set back. i was hoping to run a 5k at memorial day. Will see about that. I also have a 10k on July 4th that i am signed up for, so that is a go, but i don't count on PRing because of the weather. Yes June is not the best time for those 5k PRs. Weather is blah. Good luck though. See you in Oct for the Atlanta 10 miler.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Don't chicken out! I'm much slower than you, have never finished in the front half of the pack even, but I still do my best during a race and have lots of fun. Not every race is a PR, or even a PR attempt.

 

[KSellers88]

To make you feel better, i have wimped out of signing up for a few 5ks too. I don't feel i am at my peak and honestly i don't like to run 5ks for fun, i like to race them. I am using my butt injury as an excuse and it is working for now. I am thankful I can still run and it is getting better. I definitely don't want to start the speed work too soon and get set back. i was hoping to run a 5k at memorial day. Will see about that. I also have a 10k on July 4th that i am signed up for, so that is a go, but i don't count on PRing because of the weather. Yes June is not the best time for those 5k PRs. Weather is blah. Good luck though. See you in Oct for the Atlanta 10 miler.

We just currently live so far from town that it is hard for me to justify driving that distance for a 5k if I am not going to PR. It is completely irrational. PRR is going to be so much fun though so a PR isn't even important. Cannot wait until the 10 miler! That doesn't normally fill up does it? I haven't signed up yet and wanted to be sure. LOL.

Don't chicken out! I'm much slower than you, have never finished in the front half of the pack even, but I still do my best during a race and have lots of fun. Not every race is a PR, or even a PR attempt.

Thank you so much! I completely agree, just hard to get my brain to accept that sometimes.

 

[garneska]

I forgot you live out in the sticks. Yes having to drive to get to a 5k and run it for fun is not really fun. I never ran 5ks when i was out in the sticks, now at least i can pick 5ks that literally start less than .5 mile from my condo. Those are the best. I warm up jog there and don't have to get up early. i am not sure on the 10 miler how fast it fills up. i have not signed up yet either. i am still toying with doing the triple peach, the PRR, the 10 miler and then the half on thanksgiving. I am leaning towards doing it. i really need a half marathon to do and for a change i will be in town for thanksgiving.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Living in the sticks blows. Most "local" race require at least a 30 minute drive.