Here's a little update for everyone. My marathon is in about 3 weeks. This fast Sunday I ran 20 miles, last Sunday I ran 18 miles. To say it nicely, the 18 was one of the most painful runs I've ever done (and I've ran a marathon before!) I felt crampy, my legs were heavy, my body was literally revolting at the thought of moving another inch let alone a mile. I'd say by mile 9 my body already shut down, it was done, i was tired, weak, dizzy, nauseous. It was literally just as shitty was it sounds... so then why the hell was my 20 mile run the most graceful, steady, fun, casual run of my life (more or less of course.) PREP. I completely 360'd my run prep routine with the advice from my amazing brother @nickbrodnicki who thank god also happens to be an endurance athlete and coach! Below is a little summary of my prep which I will be using (parts that are possible) for the marathon.

You've got good pre run tips or tricks, LET ME KNOW! Prep is everything people!! 

When I mention to someone that I'm training for a marathon they first ask how far that is, and second they say, "OMG that's crazy, how do you motivate yourself to run that far?"... I usually don't think into it to much, until now. 
I realized I don't really have motivation to run that far. I'm not competitive by any means so signing up for something and needing to accomplish it isn't really a "motivating" factor and I'm not that motivated to just go out and run 26.2 miles, but i do it anyway.

​I run because I can.
I run because at the end of the day, getting a run in feels complete.
I run to feel the breeze, to taste the salty sweat running down my face, to feel my body get stronger, to take in the fresh air.
I run because it's who I am.

There is no amount of motivation that can get my ass up at the crack of dawn to eat, pack my things, and drive out to a bike path to run for 3 hours in the cold.. there has to be more to it...and there is.

At the end of the day when you go to bed you should be able to look on the mirror, exhausted, yet relaxed, and know that you did something for yourself today, you bettered yourself, you respected your body, you fed your desire to be whole and you nurtured your soul. ​

It didn't happen after my first run... or my second or third. I don't know when it happened, but one day when I woke up to run it wasn't motivation lacing up my sneakers, it was just me.

Rumor has it I have cellulite on my legs. Most people do. Some people have a lot. Some a little. I have yet to meet anyone with none. What people don't seem to realize is fat is not a bad thing! Male or female, fat fills us out, gives us curves,insulates us, and give your body some personality!

People are so afraid of their own fat because:

1. ​if they accept their fat they're then admitting to having it
2. if they are in support of their fat then they look like slobs who are pro cookies for breakfast
3. if they show their fat then they "dont know how to dress for their body type"​

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While running yesterday down a busy road I thought about my fat, i thought about my legs jiggling as cars fly by. I thought about my cellulite peaking out every time i took a step, each dinple waving at oncoming traffic while hissing at me to run harder. Luckily i also thought about how much i dont give a shit what people driving by in their cars think of my fat, my cellulite, or my leg giggle. Maybe they think i need longer shorts? Maybe i should stick to less traveled side roads and tame my cellulite and it's unruly ways. MAYBE.... maybe i dont give a shit. My legs are powerful and muscular and kick serious ass. My legs carry my dimply ass through mile after mile never once judging. We need to start silencing those that bring us down... even if it is ourselves. If you notice not once did i say anyone actually told me i had fat, or mentioned my cellulite, or explained their feeling ls regarding the length of my shorts. Odds are no one ever will, why? Because im confident.