I ran my April race this weekend – the Chardon Maple Festival Sap Run. I aimed to finish in less than 55 minutes and I actually ended up cruising in at about 46 minutes. I was impressed with myself as I ran an 8:30 pace for the first mile. If you know anything about me, then you’ll know that I don’t like running very fast. I think that’s why I loved the full marathon so much and why I don’t think I’ll ever quality for Boston (being completely seriously here). I just like running and if it’s too fast or I get obsessed with a PR time than I don’t enjoy it. Plain and simple. Long, slower paced runs are my favorite. I’ve been running 10 miles every weekend for the past couple weeks and I’ve loved it and look forward to it every time. I’m just out there on the trails by myself going whatever pace I want.

Race 4 of 12 for the year.

So up next on my 12-month race calendar – the Cleveland Half Marathon on May 18th. I ran this race last year and vowed I would be back every year for the rest of my life. It was a complete blast! Both the fiancé and my good friend Nicole are running it with me.

Also – I signed up for the full Akron Marathon in September! I’m coming for you marathon #2! I got my tax return back and registering for Akron was at the very top of my list (apart from putting the deposit down for our wedding reception venue – what the!? Stay tuned for more wedding plans later!)

I also signed up for my first ever triathlon in June! I’m still flipping out over it. I’m doing the sprint event for the Great Western Reserve Triathlon. It’s a .46 mile swim, 13 mile bike ride and then a 3.1(5K) mile run. The fiancé isn’t doing it with me though, so I’m a little scared because usually I have him next to me during most races, but I’m excited because this is another one of my lifelong dreams. I’ve been swimming a quarter mile once a week. In May I plan to up my training to at least two days a week and I plan on practicing the full .46 miles a handful of times before the actual event. I’m also aware that swimming in a lake/reserve compared to a pool will be totally different. I think if I go in there ready and under control I’ll do fine. I know I won’t win the event, but that’s not the point. I just want to compete in a triathlon and I’m super pumped I’m making it happen this year. I’m also glad that we get swimming over with first, because that’s what I’m most nervous about.

Huge shout out to the fiancé for competing in his MMA debut fight this weekend, Combat Challenge 27. He lost, but that’s not even on the radar. He fought the toughest fighter on the card for his debut fight and I am incredibly proud that he trained and got in the octagon. He is continuing to fight and train and I know he’ll be back in the ring again. This weekend it really hit me how thankful and blessed I am that my fiancé is so athletic, active and driven. I know I am super ambitious myself, so it’s nice to be with someone who does the same thing and encourages and supports me as well. This weekend I was reminded of how amazing he is and how incredibly strong he is. He has such a great, positive attitude about everything. I am truly blessed to be with someone so special and supportive. He is the best part of me and everyday I am more amazed that I get to spend the rest of my life with him.

One of the only semi OK pictures I got of him in the cage.

Now before I make you guys throw up over my lovely dovey speech, I’ll leave you with this quote:

Keep running!