Every year when school's about to close for the summer, I literally get so sad, even though I love summer as much (if not more) than anyone. It's funny though. I get to the end of winter, and I'm sad because there's no skiing, no snow days, no snowmen lining the yards of the neighbors. I get to the end of summer, and it's back to school, back to long nights and long classes, but I get to see my friends. I get to the end of fall, and its bittersweet because the snow comes down and we all freeze, but I get to ski and Christmas comes around… Life is bittersweet. Every up is going to be followed and preceded by a down. Some are worse or better than others. We all fail. We all fall. Yeah, I know I say that a lot. But, at the same time, we all have our moments, our little (or massive) victories. And we can all sit and bask in the glory of those. Of the little things. The snacks we have with our friends. The conversations that bring smiles to our face. The runs that leave you feeling absolutely defeated, but oh, so accomplished.
Every day is going to be a challenge, even if you've been waiting on it your entire life. Don't expect it not to be. There's no such thing as perfection, because if there was perfection, nothing would be worth living out at all. But, we can get pretty darn close.
I've been telling myself for the last day, and in reality, the last several months, that I have grown up so much in the last few years. I came out of my shy, timid phase. I grew up when I thought I might forever be a child. I set goals and achieved them--- most of the time. I made friendships and I backed my friends up, and sometimes I wasn't there when I should have been. But, like I've said a thousand times, we all try and we've all failed and fallen. We've all fought and been knocked down, but it doesn't matter, because someday there will be a moment where you'll open your eyes and look around and all will be worth it. Every moment where you doubted yourself, every relationship that didn't work out, every attempt at a task that you didn't follow through with, will be worth it.
This summer is going to be amazing. I will travel and see and do things I never thought I would. I will work and slowly teach my leg muscles how to work together again, on a run, on a bike. I will make memories with family and friends. I would not trade any moment in my life for anything. Not the failures. Not the moments I'm not proud of. Not the challenges and definitely not the blessings.
So for today, I blast music in my ears as I go over a final paper and get ready to beast out finals week. It hasn't been an easy road, but it isn't for anybody. We've all struggled. We've all lost people we love. I know there are people I wish could be here today and throughout the next few years to watch me become a Marine Officer. I know I'm not the only one. We've all disappointed ourselves and others, and watched our dreams seem to disappear a little, hanging out just at the edge of our fingertips, but in the end, those things molded us into who we are today… Those people pushed us to discover who we wanted to be and what dreams we were going to chase.
So now, I'm going to go over my final history paper, crank out some Navigation assignments (theoretically the last time I'll be doing ocean navigation… Land Nav here we come!), and get ready for a strong last week before I go on an epic trip.
Semper Fidelis!
Thanks for reading,
Sarah
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
United States Marine Corps
I'm not going to lie. It has been quite a semester. It's been a hard term, especially with the injury sidelining me for so long. Missing the bike racing season was a downer, as was not competing at regionals and nationals for skiing. There were times where I didn't believe I'd ever see a day where I wasn't on crutches and there were times where I never thought the term would end. But, yesterday, the semester hit a climax when I found out I got a ROTC slot to ultimately become an officer in the United States Marine Corps. I've been waiting to find out all year, and it's a crazy feeling now that I have. I could not be more thrilled, even though I am definitely aware that I have a long road in front of me.
This year has taught me more than ever that challenges are only around to make you stronger. I've taken some of the hardest classes, had the most work, been off my feet longer than I ever thought was even possible... I've hit my limits. I've watched myself fall. I've pushed past those limits and kept pushing through. I've watched my friends fall too, but in the end, we all got back up again. Because no matter what, there was hope at the end of the tunnel. There were things to look forward to, because in the end, no matter what happens, we all have lives to live, we all have dreams to achieve, and we all have a ridiculous amount to learn.
When I was on crutches, all I wanted was to be able to walk from the kitchen to the dining room. I can do that now. When I was in the walking boot, all I wanted was the all clear to take it off long enough to walk onto campus. I can do that now. There are definitely still things I can't do. Running is still a little while out. But, in these last few months, as much as I've discovered that I'm not invincible, I also know it's not over. It could be so much worse than a stress fracture. I've met Marines who have been wounded overseas and they were so dedicated to surpassing any setbacks they might meet, and continued to do what they loved no matter how much they had to adapt or push through to do so, whether it was running marathons, racing bikes, doing triathlons, etcetera…
I could not be more honored to be given this opportunity, and I swear I will fight as hard as I can to make sure to push through and pull this off. Thank you to everybody who has given me so much support over the last few years. Semper Fi!
This year has taught me more than ever that challenges are only around to make you stronger. I've taken some of the hardest classes, had the most work, been off my feet longer than I ever thought was even possible... I've hit my limits. I've watched myself fall. I've pushed past those limits and kept pushing through. I've watched my friends fall too, but in the end, we all got back up again. Because no matter what, there was hope at the end of the tunnel. There were things to look forward to, because in the end, no matter what happens, we all have lives to live, we all have dreams to achieve, and we all have a ridiculous amount to learn.
When I was on crutches, all I wanted was to be able to walk from the kitchen to the dining room. I can do that now. When I was in the walking boot, all I wanted was the all clear to take it off long enough to walk onto campus. I can do that now. There are definitely still things I can't do. Running is still a little while out. But, in these last few months, as much as I've discovered that I'm not invincible, I also know it's not over. It could be so much worse than a stress fracture. I've met Marines who have been wounded overseas and they were so dedicated to surpassing any setbacks they might meet, and continued to do what they loved no matter how much they had to adapt or push through to do so, whether it was running marathons, racing bikes, doing triathlons, etcetera…
I could not be more honored to be given this opportunity, and I swear I will fight as hard as I can to make sure to push through and pull this off. Thank you to everybody who has given me so much support over the last few years. Semper Fi!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Relay For Life
This
weekend was my school's American Cancer Society Relay For Life. Don’t let
the name deceive you. It’s not an insane
endurance event (in fact there was tons of candy, pizza, cupcakes, etcetera. I even won a raffle basket with marshmallow
peeps and godiva chocolate). But, it was
definitely still worth being at. I’d be
talking to one friend, and then I’d look around and see someone else I knew. There were very few times throughout the
night where I had no one to hang out with or talk to. Whether it was kids in ROTC, kids on the ski
team or friends from class, there was always someone around. Furthermore, there were cool events going on
all night, whether it was Mr. Relay, a date auction, henna tattoos or a psychic,
there was always something to keep you busy.
And
even though I’m in this weird transition stage of wearing the walking boot less
and less, and learning to walk again, and someone I knew came up to me and said
jokingly, “I feel like this event is anti-you.
Because it involves walking and you’re not supposed to be doing that.”,
and to be fair, I did opt out of the bouncy house even though I wanted to, I
enjoyed every minute of it.
I’m
an athlete, and most days listening to long speeches or lectures is a struggle
to focus, since I really just want to go for a long run most of the time, but I
was one hundred percent still and focused as students from our school shared their stories
last night. From the survivor who just
finished Chemotherapy after being on the medication for 9 years to the boy
who’s childhood best friend lost his 5-year long battle with cancer last year
to the kid who said, “I’m here today because for the first 17 years of my life,
cancer didn’t affect me”, but it stole his father away within three months,
just a week before his high school graduation, everyone has a story. Some have had it harder than others.
But,
last night, everyone came together to honor those we have buried, as well as
those who have survived, and to fight for a better future, where adults like my
parents, aunts and grandparents, teenagers like Zach Sobiech (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NjKgV65fpo)
and young children like Ben Sauer (http://bensauer.blogspot.com)
don’t have to face this beast. And
there’s something beautiful about a community like that.
That’s
all I’ve got for now. In fact I have to
go write a history paper… But stay strong, and keep running,
Sarah
Friday, April 4, 2014
A Snippit on Training for a Marathon
So, recently I had a couple fellow midshipman ask me how exactly I trained for the marathon. As we get closer to the event and I remember exactly how I did it, I'll add more, but for the time being, here are a few tips to get started (also, refer to my other posts).
1. For me, one of the most important part of the training runs was learning how my body would respond...
That means, what can you eat before? What can you eat during? How much do you need to drink? Will you need to stop for any reason during the run? Or walk? How can you make sure you don't? A lot of this is trial and error and you'll figure it out pretty quick. Some people can't eat anything at all. I generally won't either, unless it's a few hours before, and then, I'm ridiculously meticulous about what I put into my body. And I've never actually had any problems there. But, for me, the kicker is heat. Heat = death. I legitimately can't think of a run that I walked for a reason other than heat. As a result of the heat, I got up earlier or ran later in the day. I opted not to run summer marathons in hot states, and crossed my fingers that the weather Gods would be in my favor the day of the event.
2. Get your post run routine down pat.
This might change by season too. And there's always room for adjustment. But, do what feels right and don't overdo it. Stretch, hydrate, eat, whatever works. I usually sit down on my porch for a second in good temperatures to catch my breath when I finish, and then I head indoors. In the summer, I go straight for one glass of gatorade and one glass of water, or a popsicle and water. I have a friend who can literally down a glass of Coke, a glass of Grape Juice and water before I have time to pour my own. I take time to nurse it, and then I start stuffing my face with whatever's in sight, whether it be cinnamon buns, walnuts, bread and cheese, whatever… And then I shower… In the winter, I generally hit the shower first thing before I freeze to death. But, hey, we're establishing quickly that I'm a wimp about extreme weather conditions.
3. Get your during training-run routine down pat.
I have a rule. Less than or equal to 10 miles equals iPod, headphones and no water. More than or equal to 10 miles equals no iPod and a small water bottle. I'm weird though, because I despise the waste band water carriers and iPod armbands so I just carry both in my hand, and I like to have a hand free. It took me a while to get headphones that stay. If it's a super long run, I might eat some honey stingers or a GU energy gel in the middle, but I usually don't see a reason to use those unless I'm planning on a 15 miler. But, he, that's just me.
4. Run a half marathon before the full. Just do it. You'll thank me later.
Just like you get your training routines all figured out, get your race routine down. You can do 5ks and 10ks too. I usually do 1 of each of those every year too, but the half marathon is useful for other reasons. For one, it's one of your main training distances. Also it's a half marathon, so you get an idea of how you'll be feeling halfway. A lot of people forget that you can actually pace just barely slower than your half time, and do fine in a marathon. One metric to use to gage your full marathon time is to multiply your half time by 2 and add about 7 minutes. It's not as hard as you think you stay on track with that. I ran a half early in my training and another a week before (although I'd recommend doing it a few more weeks before), and it gave me the information I needed to decide how to pace the marathon and do well there.
5. OK, now we can start discussing mileage.
If you're actually still reading right now, hit up the Hal Higdon Training programs. But, I'm me and I don't see a point in putting on my running shoes for anything less than 5 miles (unless it's 1000 degrees and then I'm more open to the idea), so I tended to do 3 ~5 milers a week (sometimes more like 4.5, and other times close to 6, depending on the day, time, place and route), with a long one on the weekend. I made sure I was staying ahead of the training plan (I "followed" novice 2), so when the summer ended and I got busy in the fall, I had already maxed out at 20 miles and was OK just doing 10-13 milers every weekend. Also I did A LOT of cross training. My mom and I bike a lot, and when I got back in the fall, I was hitting the gym a few times a week, swimming, and riding, as well as running 4 times a week. You'll be surprised, but even though it takes up a lot of time, training is really fun and the races are even more fun. When I got back from the marathon and took off from running to focus on other things, I missed it A LOT. So if you're not already signed up for one, DO IT.
Alright,
That's all I've got for now,
Sarah
1. For me, one of the most important part of the training runs was learning how my body would respond...
That means, what can you eat before? What can you eat during? How much do you need to drink? Will you need to stop for any reason during the run? Or walk? How can you make sure you don't? A lot of this is trial and error and you'll figure it out pretty quick. Some people can't eat anything at all. I generally won't either, unless it's a few hours before, and then, I'm ridiculously meticulous about what I put into my body. And I've never actually had any problems there. But, for me, the kicker is heat. Heat = death. I legitimately can't think of a run that I walked for a reason other than heat. As a result of the heat, I got up earlier or ran later in the day. I opted not to run summer marathons in hot states, and crossed my fingers that the weather Gods would be in my favor the day of the event.
2. Get your post run routine down pat.
This might change by season too. And there's always room for adjustment. But, do what feels right and don't overdo it. Stretch, hydrate, eat, whatever works. I usually sit down on my porch for a second in good temperatures to catch my breath when I finish, and then I head indoors. In the summer, I go straight for one glass of gatorade and one glass of water, or a popsicle and water. I have a friend who can literally down a glass of Coke, a glass of Grape Juice and water before I have time to pour my own. I take time to nurse it, and then I start stuffing my face with whatever's in sight, whether it be cinnamon buns, walnuts, bread and cheese, whatever… And then I shower… In the winter, I generally hit the shower first thing before I freeze to death. But, hey, we're establishing quickly that I'm a wimp about extreme weather conditions.
3. Get your during training-run routine down pat.
I have a rule. Less than or equal to 10 miles equals iPod, headphones and no water. More than or equal to 10 miles equals no iPod and a small water bottle. I'm weird though, because I despise the waste band water carriers and iPod armbands so I just carry both in my hand, and I like to have a hand free. It took me a while to get headphones that stay. If it's a super long run, I might eat some honey stingers or a GU energy gel in the middle, but I usually don't see a reason to use those unless I'm planning on a 15 miler. But, he, that's just me.
4. Run a half marathon before the full. Just do it. You'll thank me later.
Just like you get your training routines all figured out, get your race routine down. You can do 5ks and 10ks too. I usually do 1 of each of those every year too, but the half marathon is useful for other reasons. For one, it's one of your main training distances. Also it's a half marathon, so you get an idea of how you'll be feeling halfway. A lot of people forget that you can actually pace just barely slower than your half time, and do fine in a marathon. One metric to use to gage your full marathon time is to multiply your half time by 2 and add about 7 minutes. It's not as hard as you think you stay on track with that. I ran a half early in my training and another a week before (although I'd recommend doing it a few more weeks before), and it gave me the information I needed to decide how to pace the marathon and do well there.
5. OK, now we can start discussing mileage.
If you're actually still reading right now, hit up the Hal Higdon Training programs. But, I'm me and I don't see a point in putting on my running shoes for anything less than 5 miles (unless it's 1000 degrees and then I'm more open to the idea), so I tended to do 3 ~5 milers a week (sometimes more like 4.5, and other times close to 6, depending on the day, time, place and route), with a long one on the weekend. I made sure I was staying ahead of the training plan (I "followed" novice 2), so when the summer ended and I got busy in the fall, I had already maxed out at 20 miles and was OK just doing 10-13 milers every weekend. Also I did A LOT of cross training. My mom and I bike a lot, and when I got back in the fall, I was hitting the gym a few times a week, swimming, and riding, as well as running 4 times a week. You'll be surprised, but even though it takes up a lot of time, training is really fun and the races are even more fun. When I got back from the marathon and took off from running to focus on other things, I missed it A LOT. So if you're not already signed up for one, DO IT.
Alright,
That's all I've got for now,
Sarah
The Ins and Out of Being Injured
1. Running is Life.
2. People with the ability to run deny that running is life.
3. These people complain about running.
4. Their complaints will make you miss it more.
5. The inability to run will make you less likely to do other types of workouts due to sheer laziness.
6. You scoff at any exercise that doesn't involve pounding feet on the pavement.
7. You can walk around campus in a walking boot for 6 weeks and some of your old friends/ acquaintances who haven't seen you in a while will still ask what happened to you.
8. You will be called "Gimpy" and become the object of all your friend's jokes.
9. They only joke because they love you.
10. You hope.
11. The world's favorite question will be "When do you get out of the boot/off crutches/ cleared/ etc?"
12. You will be like, "YOU DO REALIZE THERE IS MORE GOING ON IN MY LIFE THAN MY BROKEN LEG, RIGHT?"
13. Well it'll be like that, except you'll be cordial. You won't yell. (We hope).
14. And they only ask because they care...
15. Or maybe they just don't know what else to say.
16. Sometimes you walk by people and your boot is clicking on the ground really loudly and they turn to you and say "Jeez" really loud and you're like "YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME. STOP JUDGING!"
17. Except you keep walking in the direction you were heading, because you'd beat them in a race any day of the week (even now probably).
18. At least once a day, one of your friends/acquaintances complains that you're lucky to get out of working out/standing at long intervals/ etcetera.
19. You'd give anything to be them.
20. You're starting to enjoy the consumption of vegetables.
21. Which makes you really realize that you need to be working out more, to get back to cinnamon bun love.
22. At least once a day, you ask yourself if your leg feels up to hitting the pavement yet.
23. At least once a day, you remind yourself that doctor's visits really break up your day, so you begrudgingly skip the run…
24. You're still planning your race calendar for a few months out from now.
25. You swear you're not in denial.
26. But, you probably are.
27. But the doctor said you'd be clear well before the event, so you swear you're all good.
28. Your friends shake their heads.
29. But, as much as you love them, they're not runners. They will never understand.
30. When you're on crutches, some people assume you're a fragile little baby who can't do anything but sit in a recliner.
31. STAIRS PEOPLE. There are times when they are unavoidable! #crutchtalents101
31. The rest complain that you're too slow.
32. Hey, I'm pretty quick but I'm not an Olympic Level crutch user!
33. You remind yourself every day that you could have it a thousand times worse.
34. ACL Tears and Knee Surgery.
35. Bone Cancers.
36. The verdict that you will never run again.
37. I mean, I could go on forever, but I think you've got the drift.
38. Every day you promise yourself you will never complain about running again, once you're cleared.
39. And for the record, every day you complain that you can't run.
40. You receive zero sympathy.
41. You probably deserve that.
42. For the record, you swear it wasn't running that got you injured in the first place!
43. Just the nordic skiing and the running in combat boots…
44. Every day is a countdown to losing the walking boot.
45. When the boot breaks, it takes you less than five minutes to find a friend willing to donate theirs.
46. The countdown to hitting the roads again began the first day you started experiencing pain.
47. Running IS LIFE.
2. People with the ability to run deny that running is life.
3. These people complain about running.
4. Their complaints will make you miss it more.
5. The inability to run will make you less likely to do other types of workouts due to sheer laziness.
6. You scoff at any exercise that doesn't involve pounding feet on the pavement.
7. You can walk around campus in a walking boot for 6 weeks and some of your old friends/ acquaintances who haven't seen you in a while will still ask what happened to you.
8. You will be called "Gimpy" and become the object of all your friend's jokes.
9. They only joke because they love you.
10. You hope.
11. The world's favorite question will be "When do you get out of the boot/off crutches/ cleared/ etc?"
12. You will be like, "YOU DO REALIZE THERE IS MORE GOING ON IN MY LIFE THAN MY BROKEN LEG, RIGHT?"
13. Well it'll be like that, except you'll be cordial. You won't yell. (We hope).
14. And they only ask because they care...
15. Or maybe they just don't know what else to say.
16. Sometimes you walk by people and your boot is clicking on the ground really loudly and they turn to you and say "Jeez" really loud and you're like "YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME. STOP JUDGING!"
17. Except you keep walking in the direction you were heading, because you'd beat them in a race any day of the week (even now probably).
18. At least once a day, one of your friends/acquaintances complains that you're lucky to get out of working out/standing at long intervals/ etcetera.
19. You'd give anything to be them.
20. You're starting to enjoy the consumption of vegetables.
21. Which makes you really realize that you need to be working out more, to get back to cinnamon bun love.
22. At least once a day, you ask yourself if your leg feels up to hitting the pavement yet.
23. At least once a day, you remind yourself that doctor's visits really break up your day, so you begrudgingly skip the run…
24. You're still planning your race calendar for a few months out from now.
25. You swear you're not in denial.
26. But, you probably are.
27. But the doctor said you'd be clear well before the event, so you swear you're all good.
28. Your friends shake their heads.
29. But, as much as you love them, they're not runners. They will never understand.
30. When you're on crutches, some people assume you're a fragile little baby who can't do anything but sit in a recliner.
31. STAIRS PEOPLE. There are times when they are unavoidable! #crutchtalents101
31. The rest complain that you're too slow.
32. Hey, I'm pretty quick but I'm not an Olympic Level crutch user!
33. You remind yourself every day that you could have it a thousand times worse.
34. ACL Tears and Knee Surgery.
35. Bone Cancers.
36. The verdict that you will never run again.
37. I mean, I could go on forever, but I think you've got the drift.
38. Every day you promise yourself you will never complain about running again, once you're cleared.
39. And for the record, every day you complain that you can't run.
40. You receive zero sympathy.
41. You probably deserve that.
42. For the record, you swear it wasn't running that got you injured in the first place!
43. Just the nordic skiing and the running in combat boots…
44. Every day is a countdown to losing the walking boot.
45. When the boot breaks, it takes you less than five minutes to find a friend willing to donate theirs.
46. The countdown to hitting the roads again began the first day you started experiencing pain.
47. Running IS LIFE.
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