Updates, Updates, Updates!

I supposed before I dive right back into blogging, I should give you some updates since it has been six weeks!

The foot- The foot and I are still working on things.  I was in the boot for 3.5 weeks and I followed the rules to a T.  Afterwards, I was in a smaller, less annoying brace.  Throughout being in the boot/brace, I was still training but not as much or as intense as I would have been if it had not been for the boot/brace.  In the last few weeks out of the boot/brace, my training has picked up significantly and my foot is holding up well.  (Knock on wood.  Seriously.  Right now.)  So far, when running, I have no problems with my foot.  At times, after a long run (usually 10+ miles) my foot will ache but after a good stretch/roll and some time resting, it feels normal again.  Best of all, I am able to walk the next day without issue.  This is all good news and I pray constantly that it keeps up through the entire training cycle.

The training- Training is going well.  Much better than I thought actually as far as mileage and recovery are going.  I am definitely not on par with where I wanted to be at this time, but after everything with my foot, I had to re-shift focus on my marathon goals.  In addition to my foot, you may or may not heard about Hurricane Irene which cause my August half-marathon in Wildwood to be cancelled.  That was supposed to be my “A” race so that I could get a real grip on how my training was coming along.  Without that race, and since having bagged Baltimore (I love that race, but logistically it sucks as far as overnight accomodations and I couldn’t deal with the stress!) I don’t have an actual half-marathon race in the fall.  So between the foot, the modified training schedule and the lack of a fall half-marathon, I had to re-assess.  And basically it came down to one thing.  I want to finish the marathon.  I let go of the time goal and decided that as long as I crossed the line uninjured and smiling, the marathon would be a success.  And if my race is anything like my training has been, I have no doubt that I will be smiling! 

The job- I got a new job…I got a new job…I got a new job.  THIS IS THE BEST NEWS EVER!  My job was without a doubt the number one stressor in my life.  I absolutely hated working for my boss and I was constantly stressed out.  Do you know what kind of toll that takes on a person?  I wasn’t sleeping, I was either not eating or overeating and it was affecting my relationships with pretty much everyone in my life.  I was always beyond exhausted- it takes a lot of energy to deal with a situation that bad on a daily basis.  My anxiety was completely out of control.  I was getting headaches and stomachaches all the time.  I was frustrated and in a state of constant anger for 8 hours a day.  It would take until Saturday afternoon for me to calm down from the week and I would begin getting anxious about the week ahead on Sunday mornings.  It was horrible.  To say the least.  BUT….THAT IS ALL OVER!  In July, I found a new job.  I am still at a Middle School and basically doing the same work, but I am happy.  The day I gave my resignation was awesome!  I left the office with a sense of freedom.  It was like all the weight was lifted.  I finished out three weeks and was done!  I have been sleeping, eating normal and functioning like a human again.  It has been grand!

The boyfriend- I am happy to report that R2 and I are still together and happy 🙂  We even survived being away from each other while he was on vacation with his family.  Ok…I won’t lie…I was a mess.  What can I say, I missed my guy!  Now that busy insane racing summer is over, R2 and I are looking forward to spending a lot of time together- some of our fall plans include apple picking, pumpkin carving and hayrides.  In November, we are taking a 5 day vacation to Vermont.  I cannot wait!!!!

Happy!

 

Ok…I caught you up, now catch me up.  Tell me one thing AWESOME that has happened to you in the last six weeks!