The Eye of the Tiger

Libby

I was in the zone.  I remembered why I loved running so much. The zone is hard to explain but when you experience it, you know it. I do know it has something to do with endorphin and feeling high...it is pretty good.  My husband and I ran a 5k on Saturday morning, you may have heard me talk about it, the Philly Rock 'n Roll 5k.  It started out as a half-marathon but my husband got hurt mid-training and I was not as committed as I needed to be in order to be ready.  We made a decision to downgrade to the 5k.  It wasn't disappointing at all, we went the expo on Friday and got to check out all of the latest running trends and gear.  Celebrated all of the cool, free swag we received, and we pre-registered for the 2017 rock'n roll half marathon next year.  We also got a free t-shirt, that was a pretty big motivator.  Although we were not disappointed at our decision not to run the half this year, we still want to finish what we started..together.

Sweet Socks!

 Pre-Race...Check out the Photo Bomb!

This 5k was different for me.  I have run many local and destination runs all of different distances.  Normally I run alone with my music and my thoughts.  I always have my sister with me but she is such a good runner, I insist that she run at her pace.  My husband and I ran this 5k together the entire time.  I warned him ahead of time, I do not talk during running because I have to save my breath for breathing.  I also listen to my music for motivation.  If you want to stay with me you have to go at my pace, if you want to run faster, it is totally fine, but I run at my pace, period.  I know I am a diva runner.  He agreed to all demands.  We experienced the water table together, the relief of the mile 2 marker, the trickery of  people saying the finish line is right there..it's not, and crossing the finish line together.  As I kept myself from throwing up I realized at this point, he was my partner in ALL things. This was the one thing in 12 years he was adamant that he would never participate in.  He said, "I will never pay to run."  I am not sure what changed his mind, but at that moment that high beat out my runners high.  Then we had the usual post-race water and banana...yum.  Oh yeah and we got some sweeeet medals.

The only other big thing that I have to tell you is my diet.  I stayed in Philly all weekend and I am on the very strict Whole30 diet.  I am so sad to report, that I, did NOT cheat.  It was hard, I never ever ever ever have showed this much resolve and dedication on a vacation.  My husband and I were very annoying to every waiter and restaurant we went to.  We combed menus before hand to find accepted food options, we said we could have no dairy, sugar or gluten. The waiter was like...ummm, ok.. (eye roll).
Awkward.  We made it a game and it was not hard to do once we had the right mind set.  It is all about wanting something more and not stopping until you get it. I guess you could say we embodied the spirit of "Rocky".  Get it? Rocky..Philadelphia.