ONE MONTH!!!!

Ok, here's the deal: OUR 1/2 MARATHON IS ONE MONTH FROM TODAY!!!!! I'm super excited about it too. I ran about 10 miles on Friday. I actually ran for 90 minutes. In Clinton, that's definitely 10 miles, but I was running in Dalton, which is FAR hillier. I'm not a fan of hills, just in case you were wondering. I don't think Atlanta (location of said race) will be as hilly as Dalton, should be pretty flat!
Anywhoo, so training is going well. I just need to start eating better. I have noticed that when I eat healthy things I run better. Well, I haven't been doing much of that lately because I think I'm invincible or something like that, I suppose. When it comes to food, I simply say, "Well, you ran ________ miles today, so why not have as much as you want of whatever you want." In the beginning that was fine, but now that the milage has increased, and my body needs some real nutrients. Now this transition might just become the hardest part of the training. I need help! I was able to read a book that told me when/how/where to run, and now I need directions on how to eat. All advice is appreciated.
Here's my life aside: I just spent the weekend in Nashville visiting Jenn (who is also running a 1/2 marathon! See everyone can do it!). We experienced a little bit of Dance Marathon with the hypnotist, not so much dancing though. Jenn gave me a tour of Vandy, took me to the Apple store to replace my power cord (alas, it died), and then we went to the UK/Vandy game (excellent game for those who might have missed it). Last night, we went out for drinks and caught up on life. Oh how I miss her! After traveling through TN, GA, and SC, I've finally made it to school. I'm now not doing my work and writing this blog. I did not run at all this weekend, shame on me, but I'm really going to try and pick it up this week (Katie ran 95 minutes today!!!! YAY!!!).
Now, I must try to be productive so that I will have time to run this week. Hasta Luego (No worries, I'm not back in Spain)!

finally...an ACCOMPLISHMenT!!!

yesterday, Monday February 15, I, Katie Lee Whitten ran for 70 min. straight. yes 7 and a 0!! that is over 7 miles for me!! im so proud of myself. once i got past 4 miles it was really really easy, i couldve kept going if it werent getting dark outside! today i am not even very sore! i'm confused on what i should run today though because yesterday I was suppose to run 5 and today 6 so does that mean i run 4? nah, im gonna try to do 5 i believe. okay im pumped and def. am remotivated for training! yippee! my only problem is that i need new shoes desperately so hopefully i can go home friday to get some! i have blisters that are so painful all overrr! esp on the bottom of my feet!! xoxo -klw :)

get it together...

I NEED TO START TRAINING FOREAL AND GET IT TOGETHER. SEriously...this past week all I did was eat a LOT of junk food and sugar---this week i will eat healthy and train hard. that is all i have to say. PEACEEE.

During the time, I've been away...

You are probably wondering where I have been , and the only thing I can say is that I turned 22. I know that might not sound like much, but if you haven't done this, it can be taxing! Ok, so I get that I'm not that much older, but my body is beginning to experience its appreciation (rather LACK of appreciation) for this whole half marathon training thing. If my body were writing this blog right now, it would say something like this: "I can't believe she hasn't stopped yet. I've tried to cramp every muscle she has. I've even made her aware of a million muscles she never even knew she had (I'm sneaky like that), and she still hasn't given up. Guess I'll have to try something else. I don't know how much more I can take!" Though each day I do find a new muscle, I can't lie and say that I'm not super excited that this past weekend I ran close to 9 miles! I was scheduled to run 8, so I ran for 80 minutes. My mile time is close to a 9 min/mile, which I know for you runners that's practically standing still, but for me, it's almost "as fast as lightening"! Anywhoo, I also feel like I am making loads of progress. The shortest run on the schedule from here on out is 4 miles. Remember that time in my life (slash just two months ago) when 1 mile was a battle in itself?? Well now I run four miles and feel like I could do more. It's like a little break....uhh who is this person typing?? 
With all this running, I have had an unusual amount of alone time with my little thoughts, and let me tell you, I have probably had enough time to figure out the world's problems (mine are still in question!). No, but seriously, I have been doing a lot of thinking, and I have decided that I am very happy with where I am in life right now (you can clap or whatever you want because that's huge!). Sure I have a million things to stress about: each day I am responsible for cramming new information into 50 kids' brains; graduation is on the horizon (and by horizon, I mean I'm at the ocean and can see it!); the whole job thing is still panning (or at least hopefully) itself out; oh, the list could go on, but I'm sure you have better things to do than read about the things that should be stressing me out right about now. Where was I? Right, this training thing has given me an opportunity to think about all of this and more; however, the thoughts are usually interrupted with a "oh my goodness, are my knees about to fall off", "it feels like there are daggers in my shoulders", "I've got to pee", "I've only been running for 10 minutes? It feels like 100!". Ok, so the thinking part is something I want to work on, but nevertheless, I digress.
Anyway, I will continue to stand by my goal of promoting a physical lifestyle among my friends and family. I have found how beneficial running has been. I clearly wasn't a "runner" when I began this training. I was just the average girl that loved to pig out and then go "work it off" at the gym or vice versa, but I have learned that exercising has given me a much needed confidence boost, and I am on my way to accomplish a goal that I never dreamed possible. If you are reading this and still thinking she's crazy I could never run a half marathon, start by going to the gym and walking on the treadmill for say 30 minutes three (or one) times a week, and you'll start to notice a difference in your self image! I promise!!
Ok, I'm off my soapbox. I will be back though! Hope y'all are loving this lovely weather we've been having. It's added an extra challenge to this whole training thing. Oh right, I was hailed on today as I was attempting a 5 miler. The 5 miles did not happen, but I can now check "run in the freezing cold hail" off the life to do list. Hasta proixmo tiempo!

this is my WEEK.

this is my week to shine. hardcore training ahead. watch out.

mk ran an impressive 7.5 miles on saturday! congrats to her!!! :)

so i gotta get re-motivated and caught up.

physical therapy is going well-i went on friday and will go next friday too. the doctor really seems to know what he is talking about and has given me some great exercises to work on.

today i did 10 min. bike-3!!!! sets of circuits and 30 laps swimming. tomorrow is 4 miles..worddd.

time for rest i suppose. xoxo- klw

misaligned.

so i don't even feel like going into detail about my retarded little body but if this gives you any hint of how big of a joke my body is... i went to the doctor for my mri results and he sent me to the physical therapist... the physical therapist just loved me so much! he told me he wanted to do a case study on me for one of his classes (i guess he teaches college anatomy or something smart like that). now i would totally be honored to have a case study done on me any OTHER time, but he wants to do this not because of how perfect I am, but how IMPERFECT my alignment in my body is. He said I should have had surgery before I was the age of 12 and that he doesn't understand how I can physically exert enough energy to run everyday. He also said I should "probably not try and pursue a career in athletics" or anything that remotely had to do with running. what a JOKE. He does want me to do this half marathon (i guess because I started tearing up a few times as he told me my issues) but that i should "retire" after i finish. I wish i could explain these alignment issues better but basically it just makes me walk and run completely wrong which makes me have issues in the knees, ankles, etc. OF COURSE. anyways I am trying to be positive but it sure is hard and I am failing miserably at it. I want to run this race SO SO bad!! The physical therapist gave me lots of exercises to do this week and I go back to him on friday. Not allowed to run this week--but I can do the elliptical and bike. Yesterday, I did 15 min on the bike, 65 min (6 miles) on the elliptical, and 15 min bike cooldown. It felt good especially because I was reading the BEST BOOK EVER! or at least one of them..."The Last Song"- Nicholas Sparks. I'm a sucker for anything he writes. Alright. Time for bed, not that I am tired or anything because I have literally been reading in bed most of the day. Gotta get up early and cook b-fast for mk to celebrate her job interview!!! AHH I HOPE SHE GETS IT SO BAD! :)

xoxo- kt

A Week of Firsts!

Oh what a week it has been! Katie got some pretty heart-wrenching news this week: her ankle is not working properly. I'm sure she'll tell you the full story soon, but as a result she has to take a hiatus from the training. I am very saddened by this news as you might expect. We were just getting into a running routine. As sad as I am, I have to continue with the training, but I can't wait till she is back in working order!!
Due to faculty meetings on Tuesday and my work schedule for Wednesday, I was forced to do my distance for those days on the...treadmill. Thank goodness it was only 3 and 4 miles respectively. I'm not sure I could have made it further than that. On Tuesday, I got the treadmill with the broken tv, so I ran for 3 miles with just my thoughts... on the treadmill. Awful! I got lucky and on Wednesday I had a great episode of NCIS to watch while I struggled through those 4 miles. I did however run them in 36.11 minutes which was my fastest time yet (that's 6.7 on the dreaded thing for those of you who speak treadmill). That was the first time I have run that far on the treadmill. I usually give up out of boredom after 10 minutes! Great self discipline there my friends!
Also, another first would have to be after a night of celebrating our teacher work day on the following day (Friday), I woke up at 5:45 AM and ran 5 miles. Yea, not so sure how that one happened, but it felt great when it was over!!!
Today was my last first of the week. I ran S-I-X miles. That's right, SIX whole miles!!! Never in my whole life have I ever, EVER run that far at one time. My body aches, and I was feeling pretty terrible afterwards, BUT I did it! I also ran in the rain for a bit, which was miserable; HOWEVER, there was an incredible rainbow after the rain stopped. I haven't seen a rainbow that amazing since this summer while driving to Illinois, but that's another story in itself I think.
Anywho, tomorrow I'll be running 3 miles and having my first interview for a job, post graduation, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME. I get to run 4 miles on the big day, Tuesday. Best birthday present ever...uhhh! Just kidding y'all! Alrighty, it's 10:00 PM, and I'm hitting the sack. I had a great weekend at the SC Leadership Forum and am just plain tuckered out! Check ya later!