WOW and WIAW #5
That which you manifest is before you.
Race Start NCSU Bell Tower
Race Finish
Wow it’s Wednesday!
I’ve finished my (official) second Half Marathon after months of WOW posts leading up to this event. The WOW posts have helped me with my training, I know now that I hit my peak much earlier than I anticipated! I may have gave the impression that I was not happy with my time.
I am very happy even though I didn’t meet my goal time. I don’t view anything as a failure. Rather, I’ve always maintained that when you miss your goal – you have been given an opportunity to change, do something different next time. Running has helped me see that especially since I ran my first half marathon in 2009.
I am so overwhelmed by the joy of being able to run, being able to push myself, being able to reach for something and being able to support a wonderful cause with my running (The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Girls on the Run). It was a fantastic day and I did it all before 9:00 am on a Sunday morning. That, my friends, is success in my opinion! Here are more positives about the race:
Long run – a fabulous workout
It’s ridiculous to think our human existence, our one sole means of functioning is our body. We get one of those for life people! Just one. Mine is wallowing at me a little for the race but ultimately, grateful and eager to get back to training.
Fresh air and sunlight
Deep breathes help calm your body and supply oxygen. Sunlight is our easiest and main resource for getting Vitamin D – a fat soluble vitamin that is synthesized through hormone reactions in your skin when sunlight graces it. Hormones… vitamins…. these are crucial for your mood as well as several other highly important bodily functions, like maintaining your bone density!
Smiles
Did you know that smiling automatically releases a neurotransmitter ( brain chemical) that is responsible for mood ? It’s called serotonin. Ever hear of “Fake it Till you Make it?”. Well there is some truth to that after all! When you smile or see smiles, your brain signals for this happy enducing hormone among others… Happiness may lead to smiles but smiles also lead to happiness. Race day made me 
and I got to see countless happy cheering faces. Hugs, human touch, has a similar effect on mood as well – plenty of hugs to go around!
Sunday: Half Marathon.
Place (in Age): 21 out of 190
Time: 1:48
Pace: 8:11
Overall Result: 89th female finisher (out of ~1000)
Monday: Light Elliptical for 1 hour ( really light just to get blood flowing)
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Yoga and Pool maybe
Friday- Sunday: Rest – see if I’m up for an easy jog or something
WIAW
So… when I made the recipe of the week last week – Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Bread Truffles – I made the bread in a muffin tin, creating Pumpkin Muffins. So… when I had left over muffins, I stuffed them with cream cheese. So… when I made enough to last for several days, I happily enjoyed them for breakfast and lunch with this week’s recipe of the week: Egg Bacon Muffin cups. So when I ate them, it made me SMILE 
My friend Andrea made this ridiculously tasty Brussel Sprout recipe, chopped brussels with bacon vinaigrette salad. You can’t see the brussel sprouts (that’s the point) but they were in there and tasty!
Who eats 10 oz of salmon in one sitting? This girl
Had a few of these guys laying around…wouldn’t want those to go to waste
Finally- Not a wednesday food but my post-race brunch- just because I like to share
I like to decide what my “perfect life” consists of- I’m not much of an aimless wanderer. I enjoy getting to that place by taking steps to make it all happen. This race was one step in the right direction, whatever time I finished it in.
What does your “perfect life” consists of ?
