Funk

So I have not been feeling the best lately, I have really bad seasonal allergies and this year they are the worst they have ever been.  I can not breath unless I take my medication and I hate taking medication.  It makes me feel all strange but I guess I need to breathe.  Sunday on my long run I had a bad run.  It was hot and I had to walk a lot.  I actually have not run since then because I just do not feel good.  Today I was exhausted.  The girls would not sleep last night and I couldn't breathe.  I woke up feeling like crap again.  I took the girls to preschool and I had two choices.  To take a nap or to go for a run.  It was hard I was so tired but I set out to do an  "easy" 4 miles.  I did it I ran the whole way and when I came to the bottom of the big hill before the end of my run, I found my favorite motivating running song,  "Lose Yourself" by Eminem.  I turned it up and went for it facing the hill head on, the lines "feet fail me not" and "You can do anything you set your mind to, man" stuck out to me today.  I am now sitting here post run still tired and still struggling to breathe but I feel stronger, every step, every hill helps me feel this way.  I feel like running to the top of the hill helped me out of my funk and I feel ready to run again ( tomorrow).

A New Running Experience

I am not a runner. I've never been a runner.  I'm not sure I'll ever be a runner at this point.  But my goal is to get to the point where I actually enjoy running because everyone I know who likes running seems to have this zen attitude and I could really use some zen in my life.  Currently, I run because I want my legs to stay toned and I want to keep eating dessert. Are those good reasons?  My current motto is: "I may come in last but at least I'm doing it!"

I am loving this Sole Sisters group, though!  I am amazed at how much farther I can go when I am running with someone!  So when I got a chance to visit a friend in Colorado (who is a "real" runner), I took her up on her offer to run with me.

Ignoring the fact that I had biked approximately 6 miles that morning, (with a tag-along, no less!) Julie and I set out for a late run in the beautiful Colorado night air under a waning full moon.  Sounds pleasant, right?  Well it turned out to be less so when I started running up a hill.  Ladies, 24 hrs is not enough time to acclimate to a different altitude! I was huffing and puffing before I even went half a mile.  Again, though, running with a friend made it all better--talking while running ate up the distance.  Unfortunately, I made her turn around shortly after a mile.  A 2 mile run at about a 12 mile pace.  Not my best, but "at least I'm doing it!"

I also learned that running shoes are not the best shoes for hiking.  Or at least not my current pair, which are Adidas ClimaCool shoes.  For running, they are fantastic--the name says it all.  They are lightweight and breathable, so I don't feel like I'm clomping around when I run and my feet stay dry during my runs.  Also, they fit my flat feet well because they don't have much in the way of arch support.

Looking forward to cooler Fall weather so I don't have to wait until 10pm to run!  Of course it will start getting dark sooner.  What do you wear to run at night to stay safe?  Recommend some running wear/safety gear!

Regret

Now that I am a runner, I can't stand the feeling of regret. It haunts me after a bad run, it follows me like a wounded puppy moaning and whimpering in my ear... what could you have done differently? What should you have changed? Most often, its that I should have pushed through. Yah, my shins hurt, but I could have run those last 3 blocks!

When I first started running, I cared more about what others thought, how they saw me as I jogged, huffing and puffing up and down my same route, three times a week. I feel I transitioned into a "real runner" once I cared more about how I felt. I don't want to let myself down. I want to feel proud of what I just did- whether a quick 1 miler, or a new long distance, or tackling some crazy hill I couldn't even bike up before! Now, I push myself further and harder, because I want to avoid that nagging regret.

I look forward to having a lack of regret in my workouts. It pushes me, motivates me through. I know I'm only cheating myself if I don't accomplish my goal, no one else will know, but me, how that regret hangs over me.

We all have bad runs, days where our feet are 20lbs heavier, our breathing isn't right, we're on our periods (Amen, sista?). I allow myself to wallow some, but try to channel the bad run mojo into something new and more purposeful, knowing that there is a new day on the horizon, a new chance to plod forward, one foot after another, slowly stomping that regret away.

Running

Man, do runners love running. They love everything about running. They especially

like talking about running. After running, talking about running is the #1 thing runners seem to like. Also, is it just me or are runners crazily "cultish" about their running? Like, if they find out you’re a fellow runner, there is nothing you could do to sever the relationship. You could murder an elderly man and the only reaction would be, “See you at Red Coyote this weekend!” In summary: though very clearly insane, runners are sort of adorable and infectious in how enthusiastic they are.

- The Lost Ogle

Thanks to I <3 to Run For the above quote. 

Running like a new woman!

Fellow Sole Sisters and myself at the Glow Run

I am less than two weeks away from running my first 10K. I have been training for this run all summer. Admittedly, I chose an 8 week long training plan so I had plenty of weeks where I could fall behind and still have time to catch up. I have completed a 6 mile training run so I feel pretty good about being ready for the race. Pace-wise, I am less confident, but that is part of the challenge!

I started running when my youngest was nearly a year old. I completed a 3K with some friends using the beloved couch to 5K plan. I never got really into running at that time though, I had no desire to push myself. My 'baby' was not fond of sleeping and my energy showed it.

Fast forward to last October, a move and a new sleeping arrangement for my 'baby' and I was ready to push myself and really start running. The move was important because for the first time since I became a stay at home mom I had access to a gym with child care!! How amazing, right? The sleeping arrangement is not ideal, but it does involve all adults getting a full nights sleep, so I can not complain too loudly!

I just finished my first 5 mile race!
 

I am not a fast runner or even a middle-of-the-packer, I am proud to be with the final third of the runners in any race! But I do have endurance and I am really, really proud of that! I went from never running unless forced (think gym class miles and bear chases) to being able to run 6 miles without collapsing at the finish.

My future goals include completing a half marathon next year. Well, hopefully two half-marathons! My biggest goal is to not give up, but to keep going and improving.



I just keep running and running and running

1st half marathon

2nd half marathon

"try"athlon

My journey began over three years ago.  One of my best friends was doing the Beginner's Luck running program and she had signed up for a 5K.  We were talking at dinner and I thought that sounded fun and after having twins I could use to get back in shape.  I made up my own training plan, every time I ran I just ran two houses farther that the last time.  I soon could do 3 miles and was ready to go.  My friend called and decided not to do the run.  I ran it anyway.  I started out WAY to fast and had trouble counting the loops around Salt Dog stadium but I finished.  I then ran off and on until I signed up for the BIG race.  I was going to try a half marathon.  In May of 2011 I ran my first half marathon and in May of 2012 I ran my second half marathon.  I enjoy running.  I feel strong inside and out and I am amazed at how far I can push myself.  I completed a mini triathlon this summer am excited for what is next.  Run on Sole Sisters

A fun list!

Would you do any of these runs??? Have you done any of these?


Themed-Running-Races