Yellow Polka-Dot Bikini

So for my next venture into writing... make sure you have a reliable internet source. I know this could be on the list of 540 other things that hindered my blogging ability over the last two months, but more recently - this has been the issue. Thanks, smarty-pants neighbor for locking your internet.

Wednesday, April 27th. 9:22 am.

Never in my wildest dreams could I get up two hours before work and go for a nice five mile run. Go to my favorite neighborhood coffee shop to blog - Different story. So here I am, drinking a scolding cup of Cinnamon Biscotti; little skim, two Sweet-n-Lows. I've already burned my tongue, typed two paragraphs and haven't once talked of my ongoing training for this race that is looming at the end of the week.

Since my last post, which seems to have been forever and a day ago, a lot has changed. For me as a runner and as your average 24 year old.

I have always said when starting to get in shape (last year and the present) that I would be content with running just three miles without stopping. I know to most that doesn't seem difficult, but it's a task for me. I can honestly say, that in these two months of (barely) training for CrazyLegs, if there is one thing I can take away - it's that.

I'll admit, I don't think it was necessary to start training for this 8k - two months in advance, but the challenge just seemed so daunting. And it more or less put my physical health into perspective for me. Taking these pictures and weighing myself more often, opened up a little door in my mind that I need to take better care of myself. That was solidified when I got this wicked virus a few weeks ago. While everyone around me got a hospital visit with their stomach flu cocktail, I walked away practically unscathed with a high fever, no appetite and a stiff back. Had my mother convinced I was suffering from the early signs of Meningitis. (Note to self: Don't joke with your mother about those things. It's not in good taste.) After nearly 50 hours of eating about one and a half crackers and 20 ounces of orange Gatorade, it not only ruined my FAVORITE Gatorade flavor for me, but my poor body lost almost SIX POUNDS! In TWO DAYS?!My feverish and delirious self had to document this. After countless hours spent working out last year, getting wonderful results and in the end only losing 10 pounds - it disgusts me that it took just two days to drop half of what I lost in four months last year. It's comical actually.

Downfalls in the last three weeks. Where do I begin?

• Skinny Caramel Lattes
• M & M's
• Rather LARGE Chocolate Bunnies
• Red Wine with my Sister
• Cinnamon Gelato (I know. Shush.)

Pro's

• Shiny, *New* futuristic phone that has more than a radial dial. Uploaded a couple running applications that map my runs, how many calories I burn, etc. I can actually SEE my results when I run outside!
• Started drinking much, MUCH more water in hopes I'm not dehydrated on Saturday. (Says the girl drinking a large coffee.)
• Completed 2.9 miles in 25 minutes. Almost died, but thank you wind for pushing me. That one's all on you.
• Used the "Wicked Virus" as a jump start to my bikini season... diet? That's what we're going to call it.
• Speaking of bikini. That "yellow, polka-dot bikini" song that plays in some weight loss-yogurt/cereal/gimmicky commercial... Well I bought mine in February in hopes it would look great by "Bikini Season." I think so.

Posting my CrazyLegs results next week, but until then... :)

24 days? That can't be right...

A realization was had today. I could not be any less prepared for this little running shindig I have planned on April 30th. Physically. Mentally is another story.

This week was a step in the right direction. Being the non-runner I am, I figured I was helping out my training by increasing my incline on the treadmill. Yeah, that was an amateur mistake. Made perfectly clear when I attempted to run outside for the first time this spring. Don't let the clear skies fool you - it might look like fantastic weather to run in, but you don't experience 20 mph-sustained winds with wind chills, bright sunshine and rolling Wisconsin hills on a rubber conveyor belt. Normally I would never complain of such a gorgeous spring day, but oh my goodness was that an eye opener. Made me realize I hadn't been moving in the direction I had planned with my CrazyLegs "training."

Clearly I was a fooled on that first day of April - By my ego. So to mend what was bruised, I trekked a healthy three miles on the treadmill the next day. I was Freud's dream model that morning and just like that - ego restored.

On the list of downfalls this week:

• Obsessive amounts of caffeine.

• Cranberry Almond scones from Barriques.

• Opening Day at Miller Park. ('nuff said.)

The upward slope:

• Had a monumental hour and a half long massage. Worth every penny.

• Spring decided to show it's pretty little face.

• Drove with the windows down and belted out some tunes this afternoon.

• Met a potential running buddy. Someone who hasn't completed the Chicago Marathon, like my one running partner has. That's also a plus for my ego. (See: Paragraph 2)

• Did a circuit training exercise for 15 minutes that included wind sprints and abs. I regretted that decision the next day. (Kind of like the time I thought 1/10 of a mile in lunges would be a smart move.)

• Spent a few days in the Milwaukee area. Cleared my head. For sanity's sake.

I know all of those perks of the week weren't entirely detrimental to my running ability, but more so for my mental health. Something about that first breath of cool, spring air. An uplifting face-to-face conversation with someone for the first time. Being able to sit down to dinner with my family - all five of us. The sound of your cracked muffler as the bass to your Sara Bareilles' tune. It all makes you put life into perspective.

It was a good week - for "me."