Cap City

I ran my first race (other than a 5k) this weekend! I ran a quarter marathon (6.55 miles). My goal was 1:30, and I made it in 1:33. At first I was disappointed in this, but my first mile was the best time I had ever done (11:11). I think I started out too strong and puttered out. But I did it! And I'm so excited that I did it that I will be signing up for a half marathon in October. Training starts at the end of June! I'm super excited! 

One year!

Today marks one year without smoking, and I couldn't be more proud. I decided to quit smoking in March of 2012, after Nathan and I went hiking in Hocking Hills and I was wheezing on the way back up the hill. I was WHEEZING! I was 24 years old and wheezing at the end of a four mile hike. This was not acceptable. I picked a date to quit (April 19), and I stuck with it for once. This did not go smoothly though. I remember crying and yelling at Nathan that night that he was pressuring me to quit smoking when I wasn't ready. 

But I was ready. I was tired of not being able to breathe when I was working out or getting winded while wrestling with a dog at work. The first 10 days were the hardest. I cleaned out my car to get rid of the smell. I took a different route home from work to try to break my habit. I didn't drink at all for almost 6 weeks, and I didn't drink beer for three months. I knew that if I had a Blue Moon or Woodchuck, I would need that cigarette. And it got easier.  The Quit Now! app really helped. I still keep it on the homepage of my phone, and it reminds me how much money I've saved, how many cigarettes I haven't smoked, and how many days I've gained back of my life. I don't want to ever hit that "reset" button that takes me back to zero. 

I was so lucky to have a great support system during this time. Nathan put up with my tantrums (they were plentiful), my family gave me space, and my co-workers tolerated my rollercoaster of emotions. I couldn't have done it without help!

Columbus, Ohio

I love living in Columbus. The cost of living is reasonable, Nathan and I both like our jobs, it's pretty pet friendly, and there's lots to do. I've liked Columbus even more now that I am more active.

There are so many parks and trails and downtown is pedestrian friendly. The park I frequent the most is Three Creeks in Groveport. They have an awesome dog park and lots of trails. This is where I do at least half of my running. The other half is by Pickerington Ponds. 

Other things I love about Columbus: There's always something to do. We have Jeni's. And Columbus is pretty vegetarian friendly. 

So why am I inside doing nothing? I ran six miles this morning.

And I'm covered in cats.

The Crunchy Car

So yesterday we decided to look around at cars. I've always wanted a hatchback and since our cars are both not doing so hot, we had started looking online at cost and specifics of cars that we may want. I liked the Ford Focus, but since I drive 55+ miles per day, I really needed something that was going to save on gas if we were going to have another car payment....

So we bought a Prius.

Isn't it cute!?!?! 

We were so proud of ourselves because we got a good deal, and stuck with our guns about the monthly payment amount. We have now dubbed the Prius "The Crunchy Car." 

Happy Easter, everyone!

Multiple Musings

So I have a confession... I haven't weighed myself in almost a month. I hadn't lost more than a few ounces since December and I was starting to get frustrated. No matter how hard I was working out or how well I was eating, the scale didn't move. It was so frustrating because I feel better than I ever have. My body can do pretty much whatever I ask of it. So I put away the scale. 

This week also marks six months since I've worn Spanx. I used to wear them everyday, for over two years. Even in the summer. I was embarrassed about how I looked without them. In September, I decided that I felt better without them. And I feel like I even look better too.

I am making vegan chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting and spring time quinoa salad for Easter dinner. Nom.

Self Injury Awareness Day

I have struggled with depression and self injury my entire life. It started as a young teenager, when I realized that cutting myself made me feel less anxious about pretty much everything. When I was finally diagnosed with depression at the age of 15, medication helped with the extreme emotions, but it made me feel completely apathetic to everything. The cutting got worse on medications. I had an abusive boyfriend who put me down and made me feel like garbage. When he dumped me, I cut up my entire arm. After that day, December 4, 2003, I decided I would stop. The first three months of not cutting were really hard, but I didn't slip. 

I have never gotten over the struggle with cutting. When I'm going through stressful or depressed times, I have to keep myself in check. I can't be alone around razors or pocket knives. It's actually harder for me to not cut than it is to not smoke.

I have self-inflicted scars all over my body to remind me that my past is real. Self injury is real, and well-adjusted people struggle with it. Please visit TWLOHA for more information.

Evolving Workouts

When I first started working out last year, I started with the elliptical I have in the basement. We bought this off of Craigslist for $100, it's a really cheap elliptical. I would do this for 20ish minutes several times weekly while watching a TV show. This helped me maintain my weight while I quit smoking. Then we had a gym open up about 10 minutes away with fees of $10 per month. I was not able to pass this up. I've been going to Planet Fitness since it opened in July 2012. At first, I started with walking on the treadmill and continuing with the elliptical. I also started training for my first 5k. I started weight lifting, and I really enjoy it. That's also where I've noticed the most difference in my body. A few weeks ago, I bought a Groupon for fitness classes. I've never been comfortable in classes, I feel like a group is not the way to go for me. I tried yoga and loved it, but definitely not the classes. I have been doing some of the stretches I learned at home. My sister got me to try Zumba, which I really thought I would hate. I absolutely love it. It's fun, and you don't even realize you've been working out for an hour. I've grown to love my workout time, and it is ever evolving. I'm hoping to try a boot camp next!