New Personal Records Feel Awesome!

Race-2-Place 10K yesterday and I ROCKED IT!!!
I beat my 10K pace from last year (different course) by 17 minutes and 56 seconds.
Can you say "New PR!"?
Plus! I had my fastest per-mile pace to date.
Say What?
I was behind another runner the whole time and all I could think
was, don't let her get too far ahead.
She'd gain some ground on the straight aways,
but I'd pick up the distance on the hills (of all places).
Coming into the last stretch of the run, I put everything I had into
finishing as close to her as possible.  I didn't end up beating her,
but, as I told her, she was great motivation to help me push myself.
And, because of her, I crossed the finish line right as they
were calling my bib number as the winner of a free sweatshirt!
10 seconds later and they would have went on to the next number
and I'd have never known.

Nice tech tee from the race.  I got caught up in the event and forgot to take any other pics...oh well!

This quote is so very true.  My body will never be perfect, but every time I run I become more of the person I want to be--physically and mentally.  Even if I have to walk, even if my times are slow, my body can do some amazing stuff and that's all I can ask for.

Will Run For Sushi

MmmmMmmmm Love me some Sushi! I may or may not have motivated myself
with the prospect of a post-run sushi trip yesterday.

Dinner is ready! I don't like "real" sushi so I get mostly vegetable and avocado rolls,
with lots of spicy sauce!

Actually, I got a call from my mother-in-law during my run UPHILL and
once I hung up I thought about how I told her I was running.  And I told a friend
I was running.  And I told my husband I was running.  So, dang it all, I was going to
RUN! I picked up the pace and thought about why I run--because I can,
because it makes me feel alive and accomplished,
because I am a runner.
Before I knew it, I finished five miles with a pretty dang good pace
(something that has been lacking lately for me).

He gets a slimy spot on the left side of his face from where his tongue
hits him while he is running.  yum.

Someone is watching me...he wouldn't get up until another dog came along.
Even then he kinda just stood around. Score one for me.  A tired Mac is a happy family.

Today is a rest day and then tomorrow I have the Race2Place 10k.  I like doing runs that

have a purpose.  The Race2Place was founded by the family of 8 year-old Parker

after he died of Leukemia.  They raise money to support the camp they started to help

families that have lost a child or family member to illness.  I'm excited for the run--weather should be warmish but a little windy.  Here's hoping for a PR!

Here is the pic from the Bulldog Jog 5K a couple weeks back:

See me? I'm where a blue long sleeve shirt, middle left. It was a wee bit chilly with the wind going.

Perseverance

Just finished a morning run with Jessica and her husband, Sean.

I forgot how much I missed running in the morning.

It was a beautiful day and we got in a little over four miles along the river

with the sun shining on us...perfect way to start a day!

I'm planning on taking Mac out later today for, at the minimum, a walk and

quite possibly another run. 

That's one thing I love about morning runs--you have your afternoon/evening

to get in a second workout. Or, you get it out of the way and 

can relax the rest of the day.  

Monday I did my long run and boy was it l-o-n-g.  

Before I even started I didn't want to do it.  My body was tired but I made myself

get out there and move.  It took me longer than I wanted, I walked quite a bit

more than I wanted (dang knees) but I did it.  I set out with the goal of doing an 8-miler

and that's what I did. I didn't break any records, but I learned a lesson in perseverance.

At 4 miles, I wanted to stop.
At 6 miles I told myself that was an admirable run, time to stop.

But I kept going and stuck to my plan.  I know there will be a point (or two or three...)
in my half marathon when I think those same things.
Now I know I don't have to listen.

I know how to keep going.

 Mac enjoyed the first bit of it, then after a while

I could tell he was wondering why we weren't stopping, especially when
I had to double back a couple of times to make sure I got all the miles in. 

He got a rest day yesterday (I don't want to overdo him), but I can tell he is antsy

to get back out there.  Luckily for him, so am I.

Mac proved his point. He took my arm band so I couldn't run anymore.  Good thing we were already done.

Once he realized we were done, he took a breather.

Just For The Run Of It

Happy Sunday, all!

This morning I ran the Komen Run for the Cure 5K with my great friend, Bronwynn and her daughter, 12 year-old Brooklyn.  No PRs were set But I had a wonderfully fun time!

We laughed through every step of the 3.1 miles and afterwards Bronwynn and I were 

able to sit and catch up--we haven't seen each other in AGES!

Bronwynn actually asked me to do the run with her right after my post about running

the Bulldog Jog solo.  Whether it was because she read the post or just serendipity,

I'm glad she asked.  While I wanted to run full-out and try to get a good time,

it was a great reminder of why I run--for fun.  For enjoyment, not for numbers.

Numbers have their time and their place, and they definitely help motivate me,

but if I'm getting good numbers and not having fun, what's the point?

I'm going to have to start asking people to take pictures for me so I can not always be doing the same "arms out, body back so I fit in the picture" pose.

Gorilla for the cure? Why not?!

If The Shoe Fits...

So I took my New Balance shoes back.  They weren't cutting it for me.  

I realized I don't want a minimalist shoe. 

I want a minimalist-like shoe.  Meaning I want to be able to connect with the 

ground underneath my feet, I want a zero-drop, but I also want a bit of padding.

The first pair of running shoes I bought were Brooks PureGrit.  

I. Loved. Them.

They were pretty darn ugly, but function over form, right? 

Why I didn't just buy them again when it was time for a new pair I have no idea.

The shoes I most recently had were Brooks PureFlow2; 

they seemed to be a bit too thick in the sole for me--I just didn't feel connected with 

the trail when I was running. 

After trying to push through it, trying a different style all together,

I decided to do what I should have done from the beginning: 

go back to the shoes I loved.

I went for my first run in them yesterday (approximately 30 minutes after I purchased them.  I wasn't too worried about hurting myself with a new shoe because their design/style is close enough to the shoes I was currently running in that it wouldn't be a huge transition for my body).

Four miles with Jessica along the river.  Ran the whole time (great job, Jessica!). 

 Pain. Free.

Whether it was our pace, the shoes or pure coincidence I don't know. But I felt no pain.

There are different camps that either say the shoe doesn't cause the pain or the shoe is the ultimate factor because it effects everything else.  I tend to be in the latter camp. 

When did my pain start? When I switched up to a different type of shoe.  When did my pain get a little better? When I switched to a shoe that was part-way to being my original shoe. When did I go on a run with no pain? When I switched back to that original shoe.

It could all be in my head (I don't think it is, no matter what the guy 

at the last store said. Idiot.),

it could all be coincidence. Whatever it is, if it makes running more enjoyable? I'll take it.

Happy Feet.

Quit Whining and Keep Running!

This is what I felt like yesterday.

I did my 7 miles and at mile 5 was feeling ready to stop.  So I thought, I'll at least do 6.

And then I thought....eff that!

I came out here to run 7 miles and that is what I'm gonna do! I didn't do it particularly fast
 (it was slow, even by my standards), but I committed and I finished.

The feeling of overcoming a challenge is freaking awesome! 


Next week: 8 miles.  
Seven was hard; can't wait to see what eight is like!

I'm also starting to see some major weight loss results.  In fact, I may or may not have tried my husband's pants on and found that they fit...!

That's always been something that really bothered me...how much bigger I was than my husband.

He is pretty dang skinny just by nature (he doesn't work out OR eat anything resembling a healthy diet)

and I felt like it just highlighted my own body and diet (even though I was trying).

While I am seeing the number on the scale change, and I am noticing 

a change in how clothes fit,

I did my measurements the other day and found that most of my numbers went up.

And those that went down only did so by trivial amounts.

Some of that might be due to muscle versus fat, but my waist was one that went up...?

Stuh-range.

All that matters is I feel great and am enjoying eating healthy and running.

Couldn't ask for more than that.

He was so tired after 7 miles (and 6 the day before) that he couldn't even bring himself to pose for the camera.
He will be getting a rest day today :)

A Run With A View

Jessica and I went on a post-injury run yesterday and we rocked it.  Our typical run is 3.5-4 miles, usually with no set distance in mind when we start out.  At mile 2 I asked her how far she wanted to go--she didn't care. I said, "how about 6?" She was game so we just kept going.  At the turn-around at the top of the hill we stopped to enjoy the great view of the river and sunset.  Running with a view is so much nicer than watching cars drive by!

 A little past mile 3.  Don't go into the light!

I was a little worried about what the distance would do to my calf and knees (which were a tad sore during the run), but today they feel great.  I have my 7-miler this afternoon and am looking forward to getting into the groove of a longer run.  Yesterday before our run I was so dang tired I almost didn't want to go.  I am so glad I did! The run energized me, put me in a great mood and made me want more.

Hooray for nice weather.  Hooray for running. :)

Sidelined

UGH.

I've been out of the game since Friday due to injury.

Totally my fault, though.

I bought some new shoes Thursday night.  I have been struggling with my shoes lately,

feeling like they have too much cushion, too much barrier between me and the ground.

I loved my first pair of Brooks (PureGrit) and my second, current pair just aren't the same (they are Brooks PureFlow 2). So I bought a more minimalist shoe:

The New Balance Minimus 10V2 Trail 

And then, I went out for a run Friday.  I TOLD myself I'd just do 2 miles.  But I started running.

And it was windy and rainy and Mac was having a blast and so was I...So I kept going.

I did 4.5 miles. Not a huge distance, but a huge no-no in new shoes.  

Like I said, totally my fault.

I felt great after. In fact, I felt great all the way to Saturday evening, around 5, when my right calf started to hurt.  And then my left one.  And by the end of the night I knew I was screwed.

We had a disc golf date on Sunday...canceled.  Instead it was a sit-around-play-board-games,

wrap-my-calf-so-I-can-walk date.  Which helped.  Today it feels better--I can walk normal

(Billy can't call me "grandma" any more).

I'm thinking that maybe tomorrow I'll be able to hit the trail again.  Maybe.

And this time, I'll do it right and transition into my new shoes.

I'm thinking Wednesday I'll do my 7-miler since I couldn't do it this weekend.

Who woulda thought I'd be bummed about THAT?!

books, running, and friends

Yesterday I got to meet the hilarious Christopher McDougall,

author of Born To Run:

A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes and the Greatest Race the World has Never Seen.

I am in the process of reading his book and find it encouraging,

entertaining, inspiring and overall a fun read. If you haven't heard of it, or haven't read it,

GET ON IT! He went from barely running due to injuries to running pain-free and almost barefoot and loving it.  His book goes into his personal stuff a tiny bit (just to give you some history) but mostly focuses on his experiences with other runners, the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico, 

and various races and fun tidbits about this or that.

For a better synopsis and more info, check out him and his book here.

The picture is a little (okay, okay.... A LOT) blurry. But you get the gist.
I also got him to sign my book. YAY!

Today the infamous and mysterious Jessica and I went for another run (this time I have PROOF!).
We went a little farther than we did on Monday and her time got faster.
We started out with some wind and rain--not the most fun, but we had a good time.  After about seven-tenths of a mile we got into the trees and found a whole different world:

The sun came out, rain stopped and the wind died down.  Absolutely beautiful!!
Around mile two we even saw a deer (well, the tail-end of a deer far off).

And proof that I'm not a liar:

I've been feeling pretty good about my runs lately.  Faster times on runs that, at the time, I feel are sluggish and tedious.  I'm starting to feel like I am making some headway.

Except that my knees started hurting after my double-run the other day :(

But...I quit doing my at-home PT exercises.  I have since started them back up and hope they will help. Again.

Tomorrow is Friday and this weekend I am hitting the roads for a 7-miler.  Woo Hoo! The longest I've ran without stopping was 7 miles last September during my half so I know I can do it.

  I'm feeling pretty optimistic.

Happy Running!

I get by with a little help from my friends

Today was an historic day. I did something I haven't done in over a month.

I have been wanting to do it for quite some time now.

I just hadn't found the right person to do it with.

That's right...I went running with a buddy!

It. Was. Awesome.

I meant to take pictures (at least one) to prove that I really DO have friends, but I forgot.

You'll just have to take my word for it.

It was Jessica's first time running in a while and she did awesome.

We did three miles with Mac in the field and even conquered the hill at the end of mile two.

I forgot (well, maybe not) how much more enjoyable runs can be with a friend.

And then...

This afternoon...

I went back and did another 4.5 miles. And conquered the hill again.

That's what I was scheduled for today.  I didn't want to short myself out with the morning run, but I REALLY wanted to go running with Jessica and figured she wasn't

up to a 4.5 miler on her first try. Plus, getting ready for the Ragnar Relay in June

I wanted to start working in double runs.  This was a great way to do it.

My knees hurt a bit, but not horrible.  Considering a few weeks ago I couldn't even run 2 miles without pain and now I am up to only feeling pain after a double workout...PROGRESS!

Mac went both times and was absolutely tuckered out in the end. Praise the lawd!

He better sleep well tonight.

And the best news? Jessica is going running with me again on Thursday :-)

Schmoozing for the camera.  Little Stinker.

Usually the longer the tongue=the more tired he is.  That's one long tongue right there!

Bulldog Jog 2013

This morning I ran the Gonzaga Bulldog Jog 5K.

A 5k.  Shorter than most of my

training runs.  So why was I nervous?

Apparently, no matter how long or short the event, nervousness is unavoidable for me.

But, once the run started, I settled into my groove and didn't

do half bad! I logged my fastest pace since I started recording them 

and didn't have any knee pain.

But I didn't really enjoy it.  I was at an event full of college-age kids 

that all seemed to know each other and have a running partner or two.  

And I was all by my lonesome.

I've run races by myself in the past; in fact, most of my races I run solo.

But normally the ones I run alone my mom comes and cheers me on.

This time I went absolutely, 100% alone. 

I showed up alone.

I waited alone.

I ran alone.

And I left alone.

At the time, it kinda sucked.  I felt like a loser.

But, now I am feeling pretty proud of myself.

I showed up.

I waited.

I ran.

And I kicked butt.

AND...I got a t-shirt out of it :)

Ups and Downs

I've been a little M.I.A. on here--sorry 'bout that.

Last week I was in Vancouver visiting my family and working without my computer

so keeping up on the blog was a bit of a challenge.

But I'm BACK.

Also a challenge? Celebrating two birthdays, catching up with friends and family and not gaining weight.  Whenever I go back and visit (about every 2-3 months and during summers)

I either gain weight or plateau. It isn't that I stopped running. I didn't--I stuck to my training schedule.

It's that there are so many good restaurants there that I don't have

in Spokane.  And so many friends and family to go out to dinner with.

And my momma's home cooking 

(which is actually pretty healthy, it's just so dang good I eat too much).

Needless to say, I gained a few pounds.  And not just last week, but the week before.

I think I new what would happen on my visit so I threw in the towel before

I even started.  7 pounds in all.

But you know what? I don't feel horrible.  I had a great visit, my clothes still fit (even my "skinny" clothes) and now that I'm back home I'm back on the eating right wagon.

I've already lost a little over 2 pounds by rigidly sticking to my weight watchers

and I know the rest will come off with a little bit of focus.

It's nice to know that my weight doesn't control me; that the number on the scale, while important to me for my journey and my health, can fluctuate but not ruin my life.

I'm still less than 10 pounds to my next goal weight and they are the 

HARDEST flipping pounds to lose!

But I'll get there.

Panting it out while I stretch.

Beautiful day to go running in the woods.

I'm pretty sure this is what Mac thinks when I say "heel".  Maybe I should change it up

Can't pee on my parade

WOOHOO!!!

Ran my long run yesterday with Mac.  On the leash.  Let me repeat that.  I ran 5 miles with Mac, the hyper-as-heck, OMG-I-have-to-smell-and-then-pee-on-everything-dog attached to me. 

 And I'm still alive!!

He only tried to trip me 4 times (yes, he made sure there were people watching EVERY time) and only slowed my times down

a tiny bit.  Overall, it wasn't too shabby of a run and he was pooped afterwards!

That's all I have time for now--out of town and working like crazy.  But still running!!

Run as fast as you can

Did my 3.5 today. Started out with beautiful blue skies, if a bit windy.

by the time I got to the end and was doing my cool down walk?

I was in the middle of a snow storm! Like full blown swirls of snow coming down sideways and pelting my face cuz the wind was blowing so hard. 

I put Mac on his leashed and BOOKED IT back to the car which was still

.7 miles away.  So much for a cool down.

It's hard to see, but it WAS snowing.  And the hazy look to the hills back there? Yup, you guessed it: snow.

So, I got in my car, proud of myself for pushing through my run and not walking up the hill

(yes, that means I jogged..er...ran all the way up the sandy thing) but not feeling

overall good about what I just did.  Until I checked my stats and I had 

a faster per mile pace than any of my other runs thus far.  BOOYAH!
Proof that even if I don't always feel like it, I am making progress and this running
business is paying off.

Now it's out to dinner with the hubs.

But first, some Mac pics:

Always after our runs he hangs his head through
the seats and DROOLS on everything up front.
I think it's his way of saying "thanks".

He loves car rides.  Especially when they lead to runs.

Easy Peesy Lemon Squeezy

I SO did not want to run today.  I was tired, it was getting cold and cloudy out.

My knees hurt a bit from squats and lunges yesterday.

Wouldn't the smart thing be to let my knees rest so I don't injure them?

HECK NO.

Instead, I went to REI to buy new headphones since mine broke. And since I had my dividend

money, I also bought a new pair of socks (I LOVE new socks!!!) and a shirt that plainly says "RUN" on it--how can you deny that?

I went home, collected my running partner, and we headed to our trail.

Score:

Inner Critic--0

Me--1

First thing I thought when I saw the field? It is friggin cold out here and I am not dressed for it.

Give up? Nah.  

I just changed into a long sleeve shirt my husband left in the car (don't tell him though).

Score 2 for me.

I started running and my first thought was--keep a slow pace (usually this thought doesn't creep in until around half a mile, so I was already doing good).  And you know what? It worked! I finished my first

mile pretty dang slow compared to my usual off the block speed and it felt great!

Ya know what else felt great? My knees.  I was trying out a new 3:2 breathing technique (breathe in for 3 steps and out for 2).  The point of it is to alternate which foot you land on when you begin exhaling

because that is when your core is weakest and therefore puts the most strain on your knees.  If you constantly land on one knee like that, it puts that knee at a disadvantage.  

They didn't start bothering me until after mile 3 (usually it hits before mile 2).

Did someone say "progress"?

Cuz I freaking lept for joy!

All this equaled a pretty easy and enjoyable run (yes, I said EASY!).

Last week, 3.5 was a hurdle.  This week, it was a piece of cake all because of training, some simple breathing adjustments and determination.

I used to run because I wanted to be "a runner".  Because I wanted to lose weight.  Now, I run because I enjoy it and I want results, baby!

Goals

Today was a stretch and strength day on my workout schedule so I decided to do a little home gym workout.  I want to focus a bit more on my arms (since there isn't much focus on the arms when running) so I came up with this little circuit:

It took me about 9 minutes to run through it once (I did it twice) and you can substitute a dumbbell for the kettle bell--I did for a couple of them because my arms are wEaK! I also included side steps with a resistance band as part of my ongoing physical therapy.

My cute little home gym set up. I'm hoping to add a step and jump rope to it, as well as setting up my bike trainer to supplement my running cardio.

I took a couple of pics of my arms so I can have a comparison and I also took some body measurements the other day to document my progress. Once I have my new and improved arms I will post before and after pics here.

I am trying to focus on specific, attainable goals.  Besides following my training schedule and getting ready for the half in May, I want to focus on a specific part of my body 

and have a goal in mind when working out (thus, the arms bit above).  

Also, and I am putting this in print so it's out there....

drum roll.....

I am giving up soda. WHAT?!

I LOVE my diet soda. I don't just drink it whenever, 

but with most meals I want a diet to go with it. And if we are eating out?

Keep the refills coming, baby! But, no more.

I am really enjoying the liquid drink mixes (Crystal Light and Mio)--they taste yummy, you control

how much flavor to add and they are portable. Plus, diet sodas are just plain bad for you!

Check out this info here.

Working on amping up my motivation for workouts--Running, no problem.  But weights and other supplemental cross trainings? Most of the time, I just don't feel it.  But, no one else is going to do it for me, so the pressure is on.

No time like the present

Today was my rest day but I decided to take Mac out for a run.  

I thought, I'll just do an easy 2-3 miles and call it good.  My long run was supposed to be Sunday (5 miles).  We got to the trail, I started running and it was so nice I just kept going. 

 It is an out and back trail and when I went 2 miles I figured I'd at least be doing 4 because I still had to get back so why not just go the whole 5? 

So I did.

What is this? Could it be...sunshine?

The trail has a 1,200 foot elevation gain (and not a gradual gain, but an all-at-once hill that is covered in sand and is a b**** to run up) but even with that my pace was faster than the

3.5 I did yesterday.  And faster than my first long run 2 weeks ago

(which was a 4-miler).  And my splits weren't half bad either (a huge slow-down at the elevation change, but other than that relatively close together).  I'm still not at race pace-- today was 11:40 

and I want to be at 10:30 for the half marathon in May. 

That's a big difference, but I'm only 3 weeks into training so it's doable.

And my pain is starting to decrease in my knees.  I'm able to run a bit farther before they start to hurt.  

And I've found that if I just walk a bit (instead of stopping and stretching) I can start running soon after and they're better.  The walking part sucks, but it is what it is.  As long as I am still able to get out there and run :)

Quite possibly the best thing about running is how tired it makes Mac.  I feel like a better pet parent when he is exhausted :)

Mac watching me stretch after our run.  It's been a while since I've been able to take him for longer runs (or even walks) so I guess he is reconditioning, too.

Listen to this!

Seriously, what do you listen to when you're working out?

When you need motivation?

Sometimes I like to listen to music--Pandora's Today's Hits, Imagine Dragons, personal workout mixes--but sometimes I'm not feeling it.  Or I've heard the same songs over. 

and over. and over. 

And let me tell you, it's really annoying

to run to music that is getting on your nerves or to be reaching across your body trying to skip to the next song.  

It ruins the mood.

Sometimes, a lot of times, I like to listen to books. 

Not boring, self-help, yada yada books.

Books that are engaging and action packed and fun.

And usually books that include fighting off bad guys or facing physical challenges (I don't specifically look for that, but it seems to be a common theme for me).

I enjoyed listening to Divergent so much the first time (while not running) that I started listening to it again when I was hitting the treadmill.  And it was great! Really the whole series so far rocks, but listening to the scenes about the Dauntless really revs you up.

Currently, I'm listening to the Strange Angels series--I'm on book numero trece--and it is great running fodder.  Them fighting off vampires, running for their lives while I'm just plain running.  Listening to their combat and running skills, even though fictional, makes me want to run harder. And having to pay attention to the story details distracts me and pretty soon--VOILA! 

I'm at the end of my run and I feel great.

When the end of the world comes and the zombies hit, remember:

:)

Running splits with Ryan Gosling

So, I've been trying to make an effort in paying attention to my running splits.  With Ryan there to cheer me on, why wouldn't I?  Currently, I run posi-negative splits which is my way of saying I don't pay enough attention and end up all over the board--I start out with a huge negative split, have positive splits for the middle miles and maybe a slight negative split for the last mile (for more information on running splits and what they are check here and here). 

Please do...

I had my alarm set and my workout clothes all ready to go this morning, but when my alarm went off I just couldn't make myself do it. BUT, I did go this evening after getting done with work around 4:45 and realizing IT WAS STILL LIGHT OUT!!!

I checked online and saw that I still had 2 hours before sunset. Halle-freakin-lujah!

I jumped into my running clothes, grabbed one happy dog and headed out.

We did 3.5 miles--not one bit of it walked, thank you very much. Saw 7 deer along the route...7 not very happy deer once Mac caught sight of them.

  After our run...who looks more tired? Admittedly, I did not chase deer all over a field.

My splits weren't very good (sorry, Ryan).  I did my usual too-fast-first-mile, too-slow-second-mile, and started to even out a bit on the final mile and a half.  But, I was aware of my pace which is more than I can say about previous runs.

I came home and did my kettle bell sets.  Once again, I am so glad I purchased my own kettle bell.  It's so nice to be able to pick one up whenever I want and not have to hit the gym!

Happy Tuesday!!

Victory is MINE!

What a beautiful day in Eastern Washington today!! I actually debated sunscreen as I began my run today, but in the end opted out for some good ol' vitamin D exposure.  

I started my day out working, after which I planned to head straight to the start of my run and GO! All morning the only thing I could think of was finishing work (even though I LOVE what I do) and hitting the trail.  I brought food with me to make sure I was fueled before I ran (I think that is a big problem for me--with Weight Watchers looming over me I don't think I am eating right before and after my runs and causing my own fatigue....but that's another story) and made sure to eat it early enough that it wouldn't effect me whilst doing said run. Finally work finished, I changed and headed out.

I ran the same 4 mile out and back I ran last weekend for the sheer ease and beauty of it.  I told myself this time I would not walk and I DIDN'T.  But I must admit that I stopped a few times when my knees started hurting, stretched for 10-30 seconds and then kept running. I felt jazzed the whole run, found myself smiling and waving at everyone and even got a high-five from another runner when we both reached the top of a hill.  THIS is why I love running!!

After my four miles were up, I walked around downtown a bit, found a spot not covered in geese poop to do my stretching, and walked around a bit more. And guess what?? Not only did I have fun, but I beat my time from last weekend by 31 seconds! Say what?! 

I'm still not fast, it still wasn't as easy as I would like it to be, but it's an improvement. Both in my attitude and in my body and that's the whole point.  I don't run to look good or do it for other people (I had to tell myself this as I got passed several times today), I run to better myself and today I felt like I did that.  Today, victory was mine.

Excuse me, I have excuses to make

Well, it's been a few days since I posted.  Mostly because I haven't done anything blog-worthy.  Yes, I've ran, but not with gusto (excuse).   I tell myself, at least I get out there and do something when I REALLY  don't want to...but when I don't want to do something, it's hard to give it my all (excuse).  And when I don't give it my all, I feel frumpy.
I had a case of the allergies this week (excuse) which made me all congested and tired so I switched my rest day from Friday to Wednesday.  And today my knee was hurting (excuse...it's been doing that a little the last couple of days but usually goes away...I've been debating: call the PT? Take a break even though I just got started again? Stretch through it?) so I decided, since it was a short "two-mile or cross train day" (excuse) it was an okay one to skip and let my knee rest.  I have to remind myself that it's ok to feel tired sometimes and rest--running isn't about pushing yourself until you're injured or sick or burnt out.  It's about pushing yourself to improvement and sometimes in order to get there, you have to rest up a bit.

This quote got me this week.  It makes me think, one foot in front of the other; give it my best, even if this week my best is a really slow 3 miles because I'm out there doing more than I want to do, more than I was doing just a minute ago and because in giving it my best today means maybe tomorrow my best can be a really comfortable and evenly paced 4 miles.




Tomorrow I am doing my long run (another 4-miler) and am actually pretty excited for it. The weather is supposed to be a balmy 50 degrees and I am well-rested and ready for it.  I'll let you know how it goes, but in the meantime, here's a picture of my pup and I (and his tongue).  He is an absolutely wonderful running partner who helped me push through my 3 miles yesterday.  It's hard not to enjoy running when he loves it so much.

Let's run....to the restroom!

Well, I survived my first "long run". I did everything in my power to NOT make it happen, but eventually I ran out of excuses and just did it.

My long run was Sunday so Saturday I went online to try and find a good route to run that was 4 miles.  If I don't already know the route I am running, I like to be able to see it beforehand, or at least pace it out, just so I can visualize where I am at in the grand scheme of the run. I ended up picking an out-and-back route that runs along the river and through one of the many college campuses here.

I had run the route before so I knew it was fairly flat, pretty, and somewhat populated.

Morning of, I slept in an hour longer than I had intended to. When I finally got up (to blue skies instead of rain-YAY!) I started doing my pep talk about how I WAS going to run and I WAS going to like it and I WAS going to be sorry if I didn't.  Finally, I was dressed and in my car.

I had about a 10-minute drive to get to the route and in that 10 minutes, I suddenly really had to go to the bathroom. Hadn't I gone TWICE before leaving the house?? Of course, there were no public restrooms where I ended up so I walked around downtown trying to find a place that was open at 9am on a Sunday morning.  

That place ended up being Starbucks--I used their facilities and left, much to my guilt (my husband said he buys enough coffee from them that I'm ok).

The plus side is that all the walking and stair-climbing I did looking for a restroom was a great warm-up.  I finally began my run and immediately did not feel it.  It was cold and I was tired and I still had 3.95 miles to go?! But, I kept pushing. The first mile was incredibly laboring and I even had a stitch in my side.  I thought maybe it was the difference between treadmill running and road running until my phone chirped in my ear that I had just run a 10-minute mile.  Not fast by any means, but a whole two minutes faster than what I had been doing at the gym getting back into this game.  

I told myself to slow down, enjoy the run, and focus on what I'm doing.

I ended up finishing in 47 minutes, with an average pace of 11:44.  It turned out to be a great run and the weather was beautiful.

Sometimes I ask myself why I run. If going on a long run is such a chore, why do it? I really do enjoy running (maybe not always at the time of the run, but definitely before and after.  And usually during it, too).  I like the soreness afterwards, the feeling of accomplishment, and the feeling of belonging to something.  I run.  I am a runner.  A slow, plodding, incredibly red-faced runner, but a runner nonetheless.