Update

Despite my lack of training, I did set out early on that September morning to run the race. Right from the start, I was behind. I was sure it would be okay because I knew that at some point all those people would realize they were running too quickly and be forced to slow down. Long story short-I was done right before mile 3. My mother's beautiful golden saving grace on four wheels sped past me and pulled over just yards in front of me. I jogged my way to the vehicle and admitted defeat. We (myself, my mother and my stepfather) went and got breakfast. We then made our way to the finish line and I passed over my timing chip, "No, I don't need it," I said to the collecting lady. On the way out I grabbed a vitamin water-I earned it... kinda.
I know I wasn't prepared, yet somewhere in my brain I was sure I could still do it-so I tried. And maybe I could have done it, if forced. I'm not even mad. Maybe I'll try again later. As of right now I'll stick to the short races... if I even want to try the running thing again. I ran a 5K for Breast Cancer in the beginning of October and I was okay with that. Not everyone was running, so I felt okay about not being in the front of the pack since there were a lot of people behind me-no one was in it to win. I know I am capable of a lot, but that doesn't mean I should set my goals unrealistically high.

Two Days!

I ran two days in a row!

Yesterday I ran 4.11 miles-I'll get back to you on how long it took, a little over an hour though, for sure. It was way to hot, even at 9am. I actually weighed myself before and after the run, I lost one pound due to sweat. At about the 2.5 mile point, I started to melt. By mile 3 or so, I was more falling forward than jogging. It's just hard because I know I can't make myself get out of bed any earlier than that; definatly makes me glad I signed up for a half marathon in September and not July. This run also made my ancles hurt-I need to check into that. It can't be because of my shoes-I have only had them since March, and I haven't used them much.
Lessons from this run? Running when it's about 80 degrees sucks. I want one of those fancy running hats to block the sun; they have holes on the top to allow heat to escape.

Today, I ran in the rain. It was still warm, but the rain felt great. I completely prefer rain to the deadly sun. It amused me to think about all the people wondering 'what that crazy girl is doing running in the rain.' I was not the only one though! In the last mile I saw another running soul, he did not seem to be very happy though. I smiled, he might have smiled back, looked more like a grimace though. For me, the rain was constantly renewing to my body and to my emotional self.
I went about 4.5 miles, which is the most I have ever run at once in my entire life. My ancles didn't bother me during my run. Although, at some point during all this training (or lack of training last week) I managed to pull a muscle right under my right butt cheek. It's starting to feel a little better, but it really only bothered me while trying to take longer strides.
Lesson for today? Don't be afraid of the rain, get up and GO!

Slacker

I'm in a slump! This past week I ran once, and I've even dissapointed myself. Friday afternoon before work I ran 2.5 miles in about 40 minutes.

Friday:
My worst fear when running, obviously besides getting hit and killed by a mad passing car with a crazy phone texting driver, is being passed by a walker. So far this hasn't happened. But on this run, in the distance I could see two walkers. I imagined them turning around periodically and wondering just how slow I was going. Or maybe even thinking I was walking because, while I'm sure I gained some ground on them, the gaining was slow. In my head I saw myself running towards them, and in the next frame there I am still super far away... Like the Scene in Monty Python.
I also found some inspiration... In the form of shirtless muscles. A running man crossed my path a few yards ahead of me, and I almost had the urge to catch up to him. Can't even fathom what I would have said to him, "Hey, I noticed you're running down the street... that's what I'm also attempting to do." I picked up my pace, but alas, muscles was too quick for me and he slowly edged his way out of view. It was fun while it lasted though.

This is a new week.

Kickboxing?

I think I would like to throw kickboxing into my training. It should count-I ran and bounced around a lot. Not only that, but it's just as boring as running and I'm just as uncoordinated during it. The class also lasted longer than I ever have out on the road: one hour. Maybe if I had someone running next to me, yelling at me to go faster, change directions, and move my arms, I'd run better. It actually amuses me to imagine this because I know the only outcome would be me punching that person in the face. It really doesn't please me to be told what to do, especially if it's something I don't want to do.

I rode my bike 2 miles today as well. My cousin lives a mile away and she has a pool; so after kickboxing, I rode my bike over there and hung out by and in the pool. A bathing suit tan is a whole lot sexier than an Ipod armband tan. Although, the armband tan does make me feel kind of cool: "Yeah, I went for a run today-what did you do?!"

one mile at a time

I didn't run today. I can't even with any honesty say I wanted to. I could blame work, but I got out pretty early today-it was hot and I only wanted to be inside.

There wasn't complete failure this weekend though, I did run yesterday. I went 2.29 miles; the going was slow thought. It took me over 37 minutes. I guess I'm a little embarrassed about that, but what can I do? I know I'm getting stronger, and I have more faith in my abilities than I did in the beginning... Not every day can be a record breaker.

Things I learned from my run yesterday:

1. Do NOT run on a completely empty stomach. It made me angry and tired. I'm not saying eating a full meal before a run is a good thing-because it isn't; that will only lead to aches and pains. I should have at least eaten an apple or a piece of toast. The only thing is, those extra minutes it would have taken to eat may have been enough to talk myself out of leaving the front door.
2. Try not to run in the late morning/afternoon-in the summer it gets hot. I went around 11am... The way out wasn't that bad and there was even a little breeze. On the way home, the sun just got stronger and hotter. Not to self: get one of those silly looking running hats with the holes.

In the morning I'm going to a kickboxing class with my cousin...

45 minutes

As for today's goals: I did drink two 24oz bottles. I did eat breakfast, but I did not remember to take my vitamins. Not bad.

I meant to get up early in the morning to go for a run down the road, but I slept in. My bed felt a lot better than I knew any 45 minute run could ever feel.

I did managed to bring myself to the gym at about 7pm though. The AC inside that big building was a lot better for my body than the humidity would be, I figured it was the way to go. In 45 minutes I went 3.53 miles. Not only that, the first two miles took me 23:20. That is yet another personal goal for myself and it actually feels pretty good-I'm proud of myself. I did not run the whole 45 minutes; I ran the first 23 minutes 20 seconds, then I walked about 10 minutes, ran 10 minutes, and walked about 2 minutes. Not too bad.

Now, the treadmill is very boring so I have to turn my Ipod up so the music is the only thing I can hear (the heavy thud of my 168lb body is not very inspiring). Also, it's not very easy to keep my focus on one unsuspicious place and not on the people around me. No one wants to be caught staring. This concentration became even more difficult as a middle aged man prepared to step onto a treadmill in front of my by stretching-including a stretch down to his toes....

I feel pretty good after today.

oops!

As I sat in my room eating twizzlers, one after the other, I realized that maybe I should set side health goals along with my running. I want to start with the goal to fill and consume my 24oz. water bottle twice daily. Secondly, I want to work on eating breakfast. Sometimes I'm very good at eating breakfast, but there isn't always something readily available for me to eat-my brain doesn't work well enough to make food. If I eat breakfast, I can also make sure to have my vitamin each day (it makes me sick if I don't eat before I take it). So, that's three goals. Three goals is kind of pushing it, so the water will take the number one priority spot.

And, I regret to inform that I did not run today. Laziness became me and I did everything in my power to find other things to do instead-like pretend to clean my room. I can't even claim that it was my 'rest day' because I didn't run Sunday or Monday.

Tomorrow is a new day!

Time: 31:03

Today I set my alarm for 8:30 and after a harsh fight between my mind and body (which lasted at least 15 minutes), I rolled out of bed and right into my sneakers. I quickly brushed my teeth (the last thing I needed was nasty morning mouth to hold me back) and stepped out my front door. As a last psych-up for the near future I sit on my front steps to wait for my Garmin to catch some satellite rays-and I'm off.

My goal was a 35 minute jog. I came a little short-but in the process I ran two miles in a little over 26 minutes. This is the first time I've been able to keep up a pace like that for over a mile. So, I'm happy. =]

On another note, I almost got hit by a taxi. Okay, so I'm being completely dramatic. I didn't have to jump to the side, nor did I feel the brush of death, but "Dodging Cars" is no joke. If I had stretched out my elbow the cab would have taken it off! And it's not like it had to stay as close to me as possible-there was no one coming in the opposite direction. I think the cab company got wind of my blog and decided to make a game out of it.

One of the reasons morning is the best time to run is because then I don't have to spend the majority of my day dreading it. Also, it's cooler in the morning. Although, this morning, the breeze was pleasant on the way out, the way home got a little toasty and the breeze disappeared.


31:03 minutes. 2.29 miles.

The Beginning

I don't run... My body complains and my mind plays lazy tricks on me. But it's done-I signed up for a half marathon; for better or worse I will be on the road September 25th next to my dear friend, Erica, with 13.1 miles in front of me. If that's not scary enough, we will be on that road at 7 o'clock in the morning.

My experience:
I 'ran' four miles twice in my life. My other adventures consisted of one or two miles at a time. I'm lucky if I can run a mile in 15 minutes and the fastest I've ever traveled a mile on foot is about 10:45. So, I don't ever really run-It's more of a 'plod'. Not only that, I do it irregularly.
A year-and-a-half ago I promised my mother a half marathon in return for a gym membership. Needless to say, I came a little short. I'm easily distracted and during college I was always just too busy during the day and there was no way I was going to get up at 7 a.m. to go for a little jaunt.

Today:
It's been two weeks since I signed up for the half marathon, and I've 'run' about four-five times. I got a training schedule from a woman's marathon running book; I liked it because for the first few weeks it sets running time goals instead of mileage goals. Unfortunately, the program is a 20 week one and I only had about 15 weeks. I started at week 5, and so far I'm slacking. But I have faith in myself. If I can jog four miles, I'm sure I will be able to go for 13.1 miles... eventually.

I'm 23 and in relatively good health-possibly on the line of great health. In theory, this should be a greatly achievable goal. It should also be a great way for me to get to know myself. Setting a challenging goal is a way to push limits and see what your body and mind is capable of. I'm excited to succeed.