Holly Two Point Zero

A woman on the run. See also: swimming, hiking, kayaking, camping, backpacking, et cetera. Getting healthier day by day. Currently residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. #ThankYouForNotSmoking Upcoming Race Calendar July 16, 2016 Spartan Super, San Francisco Aug. 13, 2016 The Town's Half Marathon, Oakland Aug. 27, 2016 420 Games, San Francisco Oct. 29, 2016 FEED & Women's Health 10K, San Francisco

[hollytwopointzero]

Happy Earth Day!

2016 has been a great year thus far.

Jonathan and I have confirmed two more trips this year:

Havasupai in July Half Dome in September

Time to step my training regimen up so I can conquer these hike-ins! 

We’re going to have to reschedule our Spartan Race, but I’m OK with it! It was darn hard to get those two reservations. 

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Sometimes running hurts,but nowhere close to the numb existence of not running. Never stop, never weaken

Dean Karnazes (via run-bassel)

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Honestly, I stand taller in my running shoes than I ever have in a pair of heels.

(via girlrunswilde)

I can relate. Who's with me?!

[collegerunningprobs]

When you meet someone and you find out they like to run

[hollytwopointzero]

Yes! If you run, we'll likely get along just fine!

[bubblywubblydubbly]

[hollytwopointzero]

I have no room for hate in my heart. To friends turned foes, I wish you the best on your journey. I pray you find happiness, so you need not feel bitter about mine.

[jillxrae]

[hollytwopointzero]

Reminder to self.

BBG Week 3 is off to a rough start, but I’m getting it done, anyway.

If running half marathons has taught me anything, it’s to finish what I started even when I think I’m tired. Speaking of which, I MUST get a run in tomorrow. My sanity depends on it.

[hollytwopointzero]

I saved this image from a professor’s PowerPoint presentation years ago. I loved it then (even as a smoker), and I love it now. The message is simple and effective: smoking cigarettes harms yourself and others. It’s a choice made every single time you light up. 

Back in college, I wrote an opinion piece for the student newspaper about this bad habit. (No need to revisit it.) I acknowledged my inability to quit smoking despite my frequent desires to do so. At the time, I was not ready and I accepted it.

Sidenote to my 20-year-old self: You finally did it, kid. Sticking it to the tobacco industry for 15 months now! 

Quitting cigarettes is not easy, so I feel for anyone going through it. Don’t give up. Push through the withdrawal symptoms. It’s worth it! 

[hollytwopointzero]

Let’s try this again

January 11, 2016

Let this be the last time (for the next three months) that I complete Week 1 of Kayla Itsines’ Bikini Body Guide. Last year I completed the four weeks of pre-training and pushed through the first six weeks of training. I was getting strong! And then life happened.

My father passed away, and suddenly I was planning a funeral. I couldn’t eat well. I stopped training. I stress-smoked two packs of cigarettes. I drank more beer than usual in the month following his death. 

I’m still processing how I feel, seven months later. But this much I know: When things go wrong, I don’t want to be the person who turns to cigarettes and alcohol for relief. That was my father’s move. It used to be my first instinct. He drank himself to the grave, and I won’t accept that lifestyle for myself.

While I can’t undo the damage I’ve inflicted on my body in earlier years, I’m just happy I fought to change. I’m still here. I’m alive and well. 

Health, then, for me, is not something I chase for vanity’s sake. I want to be strong enough to run long distances, to hike and backpack across the tallest mountains, and to complete even more crazy obstacle races. I want more life, more experiences, in my years. 

So, today, I completed BBG Week 1, Day 1, for what feels like the millionth time. This time, I’m going to complete all 12 weeks. I need to get ready for the Spartan Super. I know it’s early, since the event is in July, but why not? Leaving this here to hold myself accountable. =) 

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[invisiblemusings]

And in a desperate attempt to love myself, I began to run. I fell in love with my spirit. My self discipline. My determination. My passion. The feeling of pride after I pushed myself and my body to do things I never dreamed of doing was what kept me going. It kept me living. Running became more than a sport, or a hobby, or a way to stay in shape. Eventually it became what kept me alive.

(via runrunrun-asfastasyoucan)

[milesofsmiles22-blog-blog]

Learn the fine art of running, and you can change your life.

Micah True, “Caballo Blanco” (via milesofsmiles22)

[hollytwopointzero]

Spotted on San Pablo Avenue in Berkeley. 

I ran 362 miles in 2015. Incredibly proud of myself as it's the first time I embraced running and cross-training for an entire calendar year. I've quit cigarettes for good, and I love this healthier lifestyle. 

For 2016, I don't have a mileage goal, but I plan to run consistently. There were weeks last year I fell off, and it's difficult to get back on track after a break. Also, I must focus on proper running form to prevent injuries. I couldn't run for weeks in September because of pain I identified as the early stages of shin splints. 

My overall mindset for 2016: Get Stronger and Faster.

[infinite-running]

[tribesports-deactivated20180127]

(via We run because we’re runners)

[hollytwopointzero]

We did it! The 2015 Nike Women's Half Marathon is now a thing of the past. I'm proud of the progress I've made from one year ago. I volunteered last year at an aid station along the course, and at the time, I was not sure I was capable of running 13.1 miles. That experience ended up being practice into visualization, because here I am, now a FINISHER. Victory! I'm looking forward to next year. My newest goal is to run a sub 2-hour half marathon. I finished the Town's Half in ~2:30. I finished Nike in 2:16. With the right preparation, this can happen in 2016. Third time's the charm, right?

[probalicious-blog]

13.1 Miles… It ain’t half of anything!!! I remember running my first half and thinking, “Oh, I’m only doing the half.” Excuse me? I’m ONLY doing the half? NO. No, no, no, no, no. I’m running 13.1 miles. THIRTEEN POINT ONE MILES. I’ve trained for 3 months, giving up most of my Saturday morning sleep in time to get up and run. I’ve forgone the Cheetos for Cheerios. I’ve swapped the brewskis for water. I’ve chafed. I’ve been sore. I’ve lost toenails, had blisters, pulled muscles. Basically, I’ve worked hard to get to the point where I can run more miles in one morning than most people will drive the entire weekend. So this is a big reminder to me and to all half-marathoners not to cheapen the distance. It’s COOL to be a half marathoner. No, it’s not the big dog, but that doesn’t make you any less of a runner. Be proud of your accomplishments! You’re able to run 13.1 miles! And that is pretty frickin’ sweet.

- Amy (The Bookworm Wife)

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