A Half Marathon Recap.

I did it!!!

It's amazing to see how far I have come in such a short period of time.  This time last year, I was struggling to run 3 miles still, let alone fathom running 13.1.  It's pretty incredible.  

I had a rough go of it the last few weeks, with an IT band injury.  I knew I was prepared for the race--I had done all my long runs and I strength training, but I was still nervous.  I hadn't run more that three miles for over three weeks in an effort to heal my legs. Friday night, I was a hot mess (let's be honest...when am I not a hot mess??).  I was scared out of my mind, I felt like I was developing a cold, etc.  Then I got a wonderful package from Erin, who sent me a good luck note and a little gift (headband pictured above).  It seriously made my day.  And when I say that, it means that I sat on my bed and cried, overwhelmed by how blessed I am.  I have the GREATEST friends. :)

Saturday morning rolled around, and I was feeling much better.  I sprung out of bed (literally) and 4:15 a.m. pumped and ready to go.  Typically breakfast of banana and toast w/ peanut butter, and I felt unstoppable.  We got on a bus, which drove us up the canyon to Tibble Fork Reservoir.  The race started promptly at 6:00 a.m. and after a quick dash to the porta-potty, we were off!

(Follow me on instagram @sammidodson!)

The course was just gorgeous.  I would do this race all over again in a heartbeat.  After running 8 miles down the canyon, the rest of the course was on the Highland Trails and through golf courses.  Only the last 2 miles were really on the road.  There were aide stations every couple of miles, and I grabbed a cup of water at each one.  I also ate a couple shot bloks at miles 5 and 10 (thanks to Erin!).

I started experiencing hip pain around mile 3.  Thankfully, it just felt tight throughout most of the race, although that was probably the result of the copious amounts of ibuprofen I took before we left.  The last 2 miles were incredibly painful, but at the same time, I was sooo pumped because I knew I was going to finish.  As I reached the final stretch, I saw my mom (who is super speedy and finished way before me) and she ran almost to the end with me.  What an amazing feeling to cross that finish line--I was exhausted, mentally and physically, and in quite a bit of pain, but at the same time I was just so thrilled.  Seriously guys, I ran a HALF MARATHON!! And I just loved it.  

I am so blessed to have been able to run.  After my injury, I was scared because I love running and I didn't want to have that taken away from me.  I have done a lot of research and will be taking a little time off to recover and improve my running form, but don't worry.  I already have multiple races planned for the fall.  What can I say? I'm hooked.   Yipee!  

Let's Try Again

It's time to bring back the blog.

I walked away for a while, trying to figure out who I am and how to make my life work, for lack of a better term.  I'm not going to lie, the last few months have been incredibly difficult for me.  I struggled.  I didn't know who I wanted to become anymore, and the things I wanted seemed out of my reach--scholastically, physically, and mentally.

I'm in a much better place.  I'm healthier.  I've got a little more figured out.  I am excited for what my future holds.

When I started this blog, it didn't truly represent who I am.  I thought I could become some wonderful blogger, who could share delicious, healthy recipes accompanied by pristine photographs regularly.  I was meant to be a star in Bloggerdom.  That was unrealistic.  I am a college student, for crying out loud!  That's why I have changed the name from Cookin' College Girl to Simply Sammi.  Because I want this to be a place where I can be real.  Where I can share with you whatever I want to share, and not feel pigeonholed.

Here we go.

Stand

Lately, I have been a hot mess.  I have been absolutely terrified of this upcoming semester.  I have now officially (well, technically I still haven't done so on my records) decided to become a Computer Science major, and I feel soooo out of my element.  I don't know what's going to happen.  I don't know if I'm going to be good at programming, or even like it.  Seriously, I during Christmas break I woke up almost every night from nightmares about not getting a program to work or that my hands are shaking so badly I can't type (both of which have happened...).  In the last couple days, I have had nervous breakdowns where my heart starts racing and I can't breathe.  Last night it all culminated in a frantic, sobbing call to my dad to "talk me off the ledge".

I had to step back and realize that I have enough time to get everything done.  And I don't have to know everything right now--that's the point of going to school!  I'm smart and I work hard.  It's going to be o.k.

Today I went for a run.  About a mile in, I got crazy cramps and I thought I was going to have to turn around.  I was debating what I was going to do, and I decided that I was tired of being a baby.  It was time to push myself instead of not trusting that I can do hard things.  So I did. I pushed through the pain and rain out a decently fast 4.5 miles.

A few weeks ago I was reading a blog where the blogger was talking about why she runs.  Some days, I run to get/stay in shape.  Some days, I run because I have to or because I want to.  Some days, I run because it feels good.  Today, I ran to remind myself that I can overcome any challenge put in my way.

I'm still a hot mess.  But I'm going to be o.k.  I have a wonderful family and great friends who support me, I have faith that the Lord will support and sustain me, and I have confidence that I can do hard things.

Freakin' Out

Hey y'all! So I'm leaving for New York in less than 24 hours. And I'm about to pee my pants. Part of me is really excited about this adventure. I'm going to one of the most fascinating cities in the United States--I'll see all the sights, travel like a New Yorker in the subway, eat way too many calories, and see some fantastic plays.

But I am also running a 9.5 mile obstacle course, and I can't think of anything more terrifying right now. I keep telling myself I'm prepared. I mean, I have run 7, 8, 9, and 10-milers to prepare. I have lifted, sprinted, and squatted to get into my peak physical condition. But what if I can't do it? What if I die on the side of the road? What if I give up (gasp!)? I'm doubting myself mentally right now.

Anyways, thanks for listening me be a baby. I can do this, because I can do hard things. nbd. ;)

See you in the Big Apple!

Study all Night Long

Ok, so maybe not that long. But still. Four midterms in a week! I have been living in the library the last few days, and I am soo sick of it. But at least I have happy snacks to make me feel better...

Overnight Oats = best. idea. ever. No mess, no fuss. I made a huge batch and took it with me. In this batch there's oats, blueberries, honey, greek yogurt, 1% milk, and almonds. I had it packed on the counter and my roommate was shocked that I could eat oatmeal cold. I replied that I could eat oatmeal all day, everyday, warm or cold. Yeah, it's that good.

Had to use up the broccoli. Since I don't like it raw, I steamed the "trees" then seasoned with lemon pepper.

It's sweet potato season! I'm a little picky about sweet potatoes...first of all, I don't like "yams". I don't buy the orange sweet potatoes. I like the more mellow sweetness of other varieties. I also like a sweet/spicy combo, so toss the potato chunks with olive oil and Tony's and roast. It's like french fries!

Last of the summer berries. :( 

Quinoa. Once again, Gift from the Gods. Cooked it in chicken broth. Super easy.

Haha. So I wasn't planning on taking asparagus with me to the library, but it was about to go bad...this morning I quickly tossed them with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray (0 calories. Check it out.), salt, pepper, and garlic powder. No the easiest to-go food, but still my favorite veggie!

Not all of these snacks are really great "to-go" foods. But bear in mind that I have been leaving the house at 9:00am and getting home around 8:00pm every day this week. So yes, I have probably been getting some weird looks from my desk neighbors. But hey, they are probably just jealous that their food isn't as delicious as mine, right?...right??

I'm so fried right now. But whenever I am fed up with studying, I take an hour break to head to the gym. Seriously. The other day I was in a PowerPump class (taking a break from studying) and at the end of it I realized that I hadn't thought about the homework I still needed to do a single time. It felt great.

Inspiring Friends

I went with two of my best friends to Zumba this week. I already go to R.I.P.P.E.D. twice a week and kickboxing, but I wanted to go with them because I LOVE that they are trying to workout more often. Erin is going to try and go to Zumba almost every day, and I think that is just fantastic.

You know, while we were in class, they really inspired me. Nowadays, working out and eating well comes pretty naturally to me. Yeah, sometimes I cheat (see the PB Cookie recipe!) but even then I try to make as many healthy substitutes as possible and watch my portions. So when my best friends are making the effort to work out more often, it reminds me of the beginning of my journey--when it was so difficult to force myself to workout, the frustrating weeks when my weight loss when south, and the adjustment to a healthier approach to cooking. Some days, it was difficult to even get out of bed because I dreaded my day so much (though that probably has a lot to do with hating my summer job...).

So thank you ladies, for being awesome and inspiring me to recommit. 

Love y'all, mean it!

(Just ignore the fact that I look like crap in this picture lol)

Rockin' It

Holy cow this has been a big week for me! Meeting goals is the best feeling ever...especially because it means you get to set new ones! I hope you don't mind, but since this is my blog I'm going to brag a little about what I have done the last few days... :P

First off, eight miles. Nailed it. New York is so close I can almost taste it. Its truly amazing what your body can do. Actually, its truly amazing how your body can adapt and become stronger. I'm loving that I can push my body hard and it responds.

P.S.--JCPenney is totally having a fantastic sale on workout clothing! Inexpensive, good quality stuff. I went a little crazy and bought three shirts and two pairs of running tights (for only $70!). I always need most stuff right?...right??

In other news, I also hit another goal this week: 30 pounds lost! Its been really difficult to reach this point because I'm mostly just working off extra fat (ew). I'm still pushing to get another 5-8 pounds before the race, but its definitely going to slower than this summer. And that's ok. I realize that I'm almost done--its scary and exciting. I'm terrified that I'll gain it all back. I don't trust myself that much. But I also am so excited to prove myself wrong--that I can be healthy and fit the rest of my life. I cannot thing of anything more wonderful than being healthy forever. 

P.S (again).--I'm too pathetic to hold this up which is why its sitting happily on the weight rack. Need to work on that arm strength...

Goals

Today, I accomplished something huge.  I ran SEVEN miles. SEVEN freakin' miles!

I can't believe how far I've come. I remember when I first started running. I decided to run up to the temple and back--from my apartment at the time, it was a little less than three miles. It's uphill the whole way, but it gets even worse right before you reach the temple. The road becomes steep half-mile climb up around the temple, where you can then loop around and head home. Last April, I couldn't even get halfway up the hill. I went home, satisfied that I sorta ran two and a half miles.

Don't get me wrong, two and a half miles was great for me at the time--the problem was, I settled. I didn't care if I got up to the top.

Today, not only did I run all the way around the temple, but I ran two miles uphill before I hit the steep hill. I pushed to the top without stopping, and then ran another four miles.

I have been pushing to reach six miles for a while now, but I kept running (excuse the pun) into problems. I've had digestive issues. This week, I developed knee tendonitis. It's been frustrating, but mostly scary. I have been terrified that I won't be able to run the Urbanathlon--I was afraid I just wasn't strong enough, mentally or physically, to reach that goal.

Today I proved myself wrong, and it felt great. My knee still throbbed, my mouth was dry, and I felt like puking part of the time, but I knew that I could keep going.

Although I have not met all of my goals yet, I'm going to keep pushing. Because I can do hard things.

New York, you better watch out because here I come!