Where'd my mojo go?

My last two runs have been pretty much crap which has got me thinking...can I really do this? It is after all only a half-marathon. I was reading another girl's running blog and she does a full marathon every month or so and she hardly trains (that bitch). Maybe my body just isn't built to be a runner?

I am running more than I ever have before in my life, yet I keep gaining weight and that's a bit discomforting. I read this interesting article about training for these long runs and 'compensating' our food intake. Yes, I've definitely been compensating - - eating way too much food, which is probably not the healthiest kind.

I want to be a runner, but I just feel so burnt out. I feel mentally exhausted and my knee has been bugging me. I really hope I find my mojo...and soon. I WANT to do this race to prove to myself that I can run 13.1 miles and not feel like complete death afterwards.

6 miler is complete

I was pretty nervous for my run yesterday because my 5 mile run last week didn't go over all that well. I made sure to start out nice and slow so I didn't wear myself out in the end. The run was awesome! I felt strong and wasn't that tired in the end. There was an overcast, but it was still a bit balmy.

I really enjoy Creve Coeur Lake Park. The walking/biking path is flat and you are often shaded by trees. I do have a bone to pick with the bikers though, as I almost got ran over by one. That irritates me.

We took the pups there a week ago for a nice long walk.

Our little urban jungle - -

Simon and Gus were pretty tuckered out in the end.

I'm planning on going back to Creve Coeur Lake for my 7 mile run. I'm starting to get pretty excited for the half-marathon!!

I Love Travel

Warning - - Lots of pictures of Josh and I.

I can get a really bad travel bug. I'm always wanting to experience something I've never felt or seen before. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our travels.

September 2008: Traveled to Seattle, Portland and Vancouver.

February 2009: Colorado Trip

September 2009: Hawaii

March 2010: Montana/Yellowstone

May 2010: New York City

July 2010: Costa Rica

* Yup, we flipped. It was scaaaaary. Josh and I are on the top left.

October 2010: Texas

December 2010: Upper Michigan

June 2011: Estes Park, Colorado

Self Motivation

Training is really starting to pick up and I'm finally starting to feel stronger. Today I ran the bitch hill not only once...but twice!! I remember the days when I had to walk the "thing". I curse in my mind all the way up, telling myself just to walk it. Then good Rachael kicks in and tells bad Rachael to shut up. Oh, how I wish I could transcribe my thoughts while running. I bet I sound pretty bipolar.

I have a nice 6 mile run planned for Saturday. No hills involved. Flat and shady.

A Timeline

So, I stumbled upon my old 2005/2006 date book and I have to say, I am pretty jealous of my younger self. I was just amazed at how much I used to travel and sad that "growing up" means spending more time on the house, the yard, cooking and working. Don't get me wrong, I love my house, but it's fun to get away too.

So here is how I spent my time in Grad School (Iowa State University):

February 2005: Traveled to St. Louis for the grand Mardi Gras festival... little did I know at that time that I would be living in Soulard 4 years later.

March 2005: Spent 1 1/2 weeks in Grand Cayman Island. It was amazing and a bit saddening to see the post Hurricane Ivan destruction. *I also ran my first 5k race in Grand Cayman, on St. Pats Day! After the race, we went straight to the bar for a much needed Screwdriver.

May 2005: Great Lakes Tour. Traveled to Upper Michigan, Toronto, Niagara Falls.

early-July 2005: Drive to St. Louis again to see fireworks under the Arch.

mid-July 2005: Embark on a 2 1/2 week road trip from Iowa to California. Spent time in Denver, Moab, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Palm Desert, Temecula Wine Valley, Escondido, San Diego, Tijuana Mexico, The Grand Canyon...

late-July to August 2005: Fly to England for 3 1/2 weeks...travel around southern England, London, spent 3 nights in Paris France.

November 2005: Camp in Kauai Hawaii with friends for 2 1/2 weeks.

December 2005: Drive up to Michigan for Christmas, fly to New York City for a week. Spent New Years Eve in Times Square (amazing).

January 2006: Leave all my stuff behind and "move" to England, stayed there until late August 2006. Traveled to Scotland, all around southern England and spent many days in London. Profession: Barmaid. One sure thing, I was happy to come home in August.

August/September 2006: Spent time in Iowa working/living at the Bed and Breakfast (I had worked here throughout Grad School). Traveled to Florida for an interview. Trying to finish up school and find a big person job. While staying at the B&B, I woke up to the most gorgeous sunrise...it was truly breathtaking.

October 2006: "Move" to Florida to start job and continue to work on thesis.

November 2006: Decide I don't want to live in Florida and interview for a job in Missouri. Spend time in Florida finishing thesis - - defend thesis in Iowa mid-November. Move to Missouri in late-November. WOW, can I just say how STRESSED I was!

December 2006: Start job in St. Louis Missouri. Graduate from Iowa State!

Grad School was awesome, but woah, what a whirlwind. I'm kind of surprised I made it out!