Running to Clear Creek

So far things are going well with my new plan. I have stuck with the past two days. I know that doesn't seem like much but the problem I have been having lately was trouble starting, not just following through. I would make up the schedules and then when day one rolled around, I wouldn't do it. The fact that I have done my long run and my first workouts are a good thing because at least this time I started. Tonight I did have some frustrations with TurboFire and getting the moves down. I know I will get better but when you can't seem to catch on to the first combo, it makes it tough to keep going. I didn't finish that part of the workout but I did do Insanity and my stretching. I think I may have to ease into TurboFire a little slower than I planned and make sure I have each of the moves down before I get completely into it otherwise, I will never finish a workout. I also have to get a non-slip pad to put under our new workout matting because having it slide around when you are jumping around doing the kick boxing moves is not a fun feeling. The last thing I want to do is pull or twist something because the flooring slides and end up injuring myself so that I can't run.

The big thing about these two days though was the long run Mac and I did on Sunday.  Originally on my training plan it was supposed to be 8 miles but we will be running a 10K on the day that should be 9.5 miles so we decided to up Sunday's run to 9 miles. It ended up being just over 9 miles but that's OK too. We typically run close to home. Even when we do longer runs, we just run extra "laps" on the closed gate road next to our neighborhood.(There is a road that was added for a new post gate and that gate is only open certain hours during the day on week days and closed on weekends.) We typically run there because it is an easy place to get a good run on asphalt without having to worry about any traffic. When I was thinking about our 9 mile run, I didn't want to run up and down the same road over and over and over again, so I started looking at other options. Then I thought about something I have always talked about but never had the guts to do. I could run to Clear Creek.

Clear Creek Rd is one of the main roads on post that is the other side of the post from where I live. If you drive from my house to there it seems like it is so far away. In actuality, it is about 3-4 miles depending on which road you take. I decided to take one of the less traveled roads so that we wouldn't have to deal with traffic or trying to run on a sidewalk the entire time.(Concrete= bad on joints) I mapped it out and found that if we went to one of the last drive ways on North Ave, it would take us to the 4.5 mile mark so we could turn around and head back. As I mapped it out on RunKeeper, I noticed the elevation changes and knew there was a pretty good hill but I figured it shouldn't be too bad. WRONG! It is TWO MILES up hill. It was TOUGH and it meant that I walked a lot more than I planned but I knew if I tried to run up that hill I would be DEAD and the top of the hill was only at the 3 mile mark. So we walked most of the way up and then returned to our run intervals on the way down. I checked my phone at the top of the hill and I was surprised to see that even with all of the walking, we were still under the required pace for the Princess. We were going along really well on the way down and as we got closer to the midpoint, I told Mac where we would need to turn around. He said, "Don't you just want to run all of the way and tag the Clear Creek sign." The more I thought about it, the more I really wanted to actually go all the way to Clear Creek. I knew it would put us over the 9 miles but I also knew that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. So we agreed to go to the sign. I knew I wouldn't be able to touch the sign because It is really high and I can't jump that high but Mac touched it and I got a picture.

I must admit, it was kind of cool to be able to stand there. Then we turned around and headed back and that meant back up the hill. We went back to walking because that hill was a bitch. By the time we got to the top, I was FREEZING. The temps dropped pretty drastically in TX this weekend and the 14 mph winds just cut through to the bone. My quads were like ice and running became very hard because they were so tight. So even when we crested the hill, we kept walking because my body was just too tired and cold to run. It was taking a lot of effort just to breathe so I knew I couldn't run. I kept checking my phone and I was constantly shocked that we were still doing fine when it came to our pace. I realized that even if I had to walk the entire Princess, I could do it now and not get swept. That would have been an impossibility a year ago and was obviously not possible two years ago when I was swept.  It is crazy when you have these moments where you can see how far you have come. We finally made it back to the house and Mac realized that even when walking, 9 miles is no joke. For the first time in our training, I saw some fatigue in my Army boy at the end of a training distance. Typically, since he is just going at my pace, the runs aren't that hard on him but increasing the miles has finally gotten to a point that he isn't used to yet.

The little things like realizing I can now walk faster than a 16 minute mile have given me a little confidence boost this week. I had been feeling like I was stalling out and I was wondering if I was really getting anywhere anymore. Another thing was earlier tonight when I updated my weight in the ticker below. I know that it has taken me a long time to lose those 34 lbs, but I have still lost them, and kept them off. I also realized how close I am to losing 50 lbs. and being half way to my target weight. I'm not going to say 160 is my goal weight but for now it is my target weight. If you look at BMI charts and several other methods of calculating ideal weight, they say that I should be between 135 and 165. I am targeting 160 so that once I get there, then I can decide if I really NEED to lose more weight or if that is closer to what is a healthy weight for my frame type. I am hoping to lose the next 68 pounds of this journey faster than I did the first 34 because I think I have figured out what my body needs and how things work better. I stalled out in the 240s for a long time but in the last few months I have been putting the pieces into place better and I have seen a steady change. I am hoping that now that I am working out more and focusing on nutrition better that those changes will continue at a steady and possibly increased pace. I'm not talking about anything crazy, just 2-3 pounds a week instead of 0.5-1 pound a week. I know that I will lose more in the first few weeks and then taper off and that is fine as well. I just want to reach my full potential instead of hanging back because I'm scared of what's ahead.

I'm just ready to be a new person and I know that this is the time to do it.

A little time off

One thing I have learned over the last two years and especially during last year's training is that a little time off every now and then isn't always a bad thing. Right after Mac deployed last year I had a really hard time finding the motivation to run. It ended up meaning that I skipped a chunk of my training. No short runs, no long runs, nothing for a little over two weeks. By the time I got to my parent's house, I was facing a 7 mile run and I was terrified. I had not done the 6 miles before and 5 miles was the longest(and last run) that I had done. I decided to take it easy and walk as much as I needed too but I knew I had to try or I was never going to start running again. The craziest thing happened. The run went GREAT. I felt good, had a good pace and even felt like I could have continued. It was crazy. It didn't take me long to recover and I was very encouraged by the run. A similar thing happened later in my training just before my 11 mile run and it went great as well.

Sometimes your body just needs some time off and giving it a little rest will make a world of difference. I've been in a slump lately, mainly due to the time of year but I haven't let it get to me the way it has in the past. On the 15th, I "ran" the Trail of Lights 5K and it was the first time I had run in a while. It felt great and I had a really great pace until a little after the 1 mile mark where I hit the crazy traffic during the Christmas lights portion of the race. It made it nearly impossible to run so Mac and I ended up giving up and just walking most of that mile and then took it easy for the last. We decided to come home and run again since I was technically supposed to do 6 miles that day and I had only done three. We ran 3 more once we were home but thanks to eating supper and having a headache, it wasn't as great as the first attempt that night. We haven't really done much this week either. We had plans to start Insanity and sort of did but with the holidays and other craziness going on(I had another allergic reaction) we didn't get in all of our workouts. At first it bugged me but then I sat down with our training calendar, made a few adjustments and now we have a plan again. Now instead of finishing the weekend before the race we will finish the week of but that is fine with me. If it improves my running as much as it did in July/August than I am all for it.

For now the hardest part is going to be dealing with workouts and travel this weekend as we go home to do Christmas with the families. Getting in the long run won't be too hard, it will just take a chunk of time out of our time with family. I find it a little funny that I will once again be doing my 7 mile run in GA instead of TX but I like doing long runs there so I am looking forward to it in a way.

I'm trying to make a few small changes to help me focus more now that things are calming down and we are getting closer to the race. Also we are only 5 months away from my 30th birthday and for me to reach some of the goals I have set for myself I need to "buckle down." We are finally getting through the "honeymoon" period after Mac's return from the deployment and settling back into a semi normal daily life. That will be even more true once we get back from visiting family and he is back to a normal schedule at work. Once things start falling back into a regular groove and we see what the schedule is really going to be, I think it will be easier to make sure we are getting our workouts in each day and eating better.

The holidays always make sticking to your routine hard and falling off the wagon can make you feel discouraged about your journey. Just know it's never to late to get back at it and that if you stay focused and determined and don't get too down on your self, anything is possible.

Rest

I sort of feel like a slacker since I didn't start back with my workout program today but I figure my body could use another day of rest after Sunday's race. It's actually been a few days since I've done one of the Slim in 6 workouts but this time there was a real reason instead of just skipping them. I decided that since I was doing a lot of moving in the preparations for my yard sale that I was getting a decent workout. I could have done it Friday but I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a couple days off right before the 10 miler so I wasn't sore from phase 3 before the race even started. I was a little stiff and sore after the race yesterday so took it easy and made sure to take something for the soreness so I could sleep last night. Today I felt pretty good with the exception of some soreness in my back and my butt of all places. My legs feel fine but my glutes are still really sore. Since there is a really big portion of phase 3 that focuses on the glutes, I decided one more day of rest would probably be a good thing. I did go for a pretty good walk tonight. It was about 2 miles so I didn't completely slack off, I just didn't do the hard core workout.

I don't have too much longer before Mac gets home so I am going to try to really buckle down and hit phase 3 hard for the next 5 weeks. If I feel up to it I may move on to the Slim Series follow up workouts that I have but we'll see how it goes. If I feel like I have "mastered" the phase 3 workouts or if I get bored with it, I will move on. Otherwise I will probably stick with it until he gets home because it is a really good, intense workout.

I did have some more encouragement when I stepped on the scale Saturday. I  lost another 1.2 lbs so I am down to an even 135. I was finally able to say goodbye to 240 for good. I know that may sound a little odd but it really isn't. I only count my Saturday morning weigh-ins but I commit the cardinal sin of weight loss and weigh myself all the time. I can't help it, I just have to know what it is all the time. Your body naturally fluctuates a few pounds from day to day thanks to water weight and whatever, because of this, for a while, even though my weigh-in days were in the upper 230s, I would still see 240 every now and then, especially later in the day. I haven't seen 240 in over a week now and I couldn't be happier. Saturday's weigh-in also puts me at an overall weight loss of 27lbs since my heaviest. I have finally lost my first 10%. Now to focus on the next 5% and getting stronger.

I have another race next weekend, the Diva Dash 5K with obstacles. I'm looking forward to it. It will be my first obstacle course. I'm a little worried about some of them but knowing that you can bypass them if you struggle is making it a little easier to be excited for the race. Even though I am working out and getting a lot stronger, I am still seriously lacking in upper body strength and things like monkey bars scare me because my arms can't handle 235 yet. I don't know that anything like that will be part of the course, but if it is, I will be going around them. I'm just looking forward to a shorter distance again. I never thought I would think of a race as "just" 3 miles but I am glad that all of my upcoming races are just 5ks. I need to get better at the shorter distances so that I can train better for the longer ones later on.

I know I will be doing an 8K in September, the Wounded Warrior 8K in San Antonio. I have added a picture below that links you to my fundraiser page for the race. If you can, please consider giving to this cause that is very dear to my heart. I can't imagine what our wounded warriors go through and I pray that my husband never has to experience that but we know so many that have. This is the first race I have ever done with a fundraising requirement but I feel like it is worth it and a cause that more people need to be aware of.

Austin 10/20

Today I did my first big, non-Disney race and I think I chose wisely.  Even though this was the inaugural race, it was done very well. There were a few hiccups but nothing major. The course was laid out well and they had PLENTY of water stops. They didn't have any medical stops but there were ems guys on motorcycles that paced different groups so there was always one near you if you needed them. The bands were great and really helped distract you. Some were better than others of course but most of them were very very supportive and encouraging to the runners between their songs. A couple of them were more interested in promoting themselves but they majority of the bands were great about keeping us all motivated which was really nice for those of us int he back of the pack. 

There were just over 6,000 runners and I was in the last corral since I registered so late.We started a little late because they had a little trouble clearing the traffic from the course but around 8:05, they finally let us go. Less than 2/10 of a mile we were at the first band.   They were high energy and a great way to start the race. They were really troopers too because they played the longest of any band since we passed them at the beginning and the end or the course. They were still rocking out over two hours later when I came back by.  It wasn't long before we hit the next stage. Since I was so far back I was trying to make good time to get a comfortable distance from the back so I wasn't able to listen to them too much but what I could hear sounded great. We passed three stages within the first mile but I wasn't paying much attention to the third one because I was focused on the huge lie about the flat course. Yes, that course would be flat for some people but it wasn't as flat as they made it out to be. From around the half mile mark all the way passed the tow mile mark was a constant gradual incline. It was draining. By the time I hit the 5K mark I was happy with my time. I was averaging around a 15 minute mile. Since the pace requirement was 18 min/mile and I was doing well, I decided to slow down because I have only ran once since the Princess so I knew I was going to get tired quickly if I kept that pace. 


Another thing that made the race tough was the weather. It was so incredibly muggy because we had storms moving in. The wind was insane and it rained on us a few times. I was glad I had my sunglasses with me because there were several times that we were running into a head wind and then it would start raining so it was blowing directly into your face. I was so happy when I hit the 5 mile mark and knew I was half way. After the first 5K, I started walking. After mile 5 I decided to run a little more. Mile 6 ended up being a 14 minute mile. I was shocked, but my body was tired so I decided to start walking again. The first frustration with a band came around mile 5 1/2. They were going to stop playing but then one of the race officials near their stage told them they had to keep playing until the last person passed them. They weren't happy about performing until a guy on a bike rode up and said he was going to video them for YouTube. Then they got all excited and decided to perform again. Basically the same thing happened with next to last band as well. I understand it is a long time to be out there playing but that's why you plan accordingly. Choose songs that give each member a break every now and then so you can all keep playing. 


I started getting really tired about 5K from the finish. actually I don't think I was that tired, I think it was because I was over heating. The humidity was so bad and sweating didn't help cool you off. I kept drinking water and Gatorade at each stop but it didn't seem to help. Around mile 7 I realized my hands were so swollen I couldn't make a fist and my arms were swelling and made my elbows stiff. I was very red because I was very hot. I knew that I just needed to slow down and walk the rest even though I had planned to run the last 5K. I was starting to struggle a little and then I passed the most awesome band, Clyde and Clem’s Whiskey Business. They were great and the song they were singing when I went by was HILARIOUS. It was just what I needed that late in the race. I pushed on and soon I was back at the starting area and nearing the finish. One mistake that was made was the fact that the course was about half a mile longer than it was supposed to be. Mile 8 was actually closer to a mile and a half. Since I was are tired and so close to the end, I was pissed when I realized the mileage was wrong. There was an area on a divided road with runners on each side. The runners we were meeting were only about a half mile from the end and I really, really wanted to just jump the median and head to the finish. We were heading into The Domain which is a high end shopping area and the last mile wound through it. As we were going in, I experienced the first traffic control issue. All of  a sudden there were cars mixed in with the runners and it made me really nervous. What pissed me off more was that it was runners that had finished already. I felt like it was very disrespectful and they should have known better. 

Finally I made it to the end and got my absolutely awesome medal. Then I was able to get a cold towel and finally start to cool off. I made my way over to the headliner concert area and found my friend that came to watch me.  I made my way over to a grassy area to lie down because my back was bothering me. We sat and listened to Everclear and commented on the weather. You could see that the sky was getting really dark. All of a sudden, there was a huge gust of wind and it was frigid. Within 30 seconds, the temp dropped 15 degrees and you could feel the rain coming. Since we had about a half mile walk back to the car and since my friend had her little boy with her, we decided to head to the car to try to beat the rain. We hated missing out on the Everclear concert but we were glad that we left when we did because it started rain as we got to the car. 


It was a really tough race for me but all in all, the race was a ton of fun. Having all of the bands was great and they really did a good job considering it was the first year. I will definitely consider signing up for next years race and hopefully Mac can do it with me. 


My Medal

Here is a list of all the bands that were on the course.
Stage 1 & 17 (Mile 0.2 & 8.3) – Sponsored by Endeavor Real Estate Group

The Space Rockers:
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….. Well not really.
Joining forces to fight intergalactic crime, five of the universe’s most famous superheroes traveled through space on their ship until one day they received a distress call. Earth has lost its groove!
The Space Rockers are a show band primarily focusing on Hip-Hop/ Dance music but also play hits from the 80′s and 90′s. The show is definitely unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
The Space Rockers mission……Make earthlings dance and bring groove back to the planet! To listen to The Space Rockers click here.



Stage 2 (Mile 0.6)

Danger*Cakes:
Danger*Cakes is an all-female, rock ‘n’ roll, big band based in Austin, Texas. Fusing elements of rockabilly, soul, jazz and blues, the band aims to drop kick fans back into the early days of Rock ‘N’ Roll! For more information on Danger*Cakes click here!

  Stage 3 (Mile 1.2)

Seize the Eternal:
Seize the Eternal launched late in 2009 to deliver powerful music and an unabated message of hope and life. In 2011, this indy Christian rock band released its self-titled debut CD and continues to take musical ground in 2012. For more information about Seize the Eternal click here.






Stage 4 (Mile 1.7) – Sponsored by Genesis Today Superfruit Beverage

Lost Element:
Lost Elements music ranges from acoustic piano ballads to unique blends of guitar distortion and pristine vocals. Covering the likes of bands from The Fray to AC/DC, their originals however, have earned them “New Alternative Rock Band of The Year” from The Texas Buzz in late 2011. For more information on Lost Elements click here!





 Stage 5 (Mile 2.3) – Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Austin

Diesel and Dixie:
Rising from the darkness, Virginia drummer, Adam “The Hacksaw” Brady’s furious backwoods pounding was Floridafied by True Lawton’s “The Swamp’s a Burnin” electric guitar stylings. The duo began to create a fiercely hard-hitting original blend of blues-infused Southern Rock. To learn more about Diesel and Dixie click here.





 
Stage 6 (Mile 2.9) – Sponsored by Boundless Nutrition

Burning Avalanche:
Burning Avalanche plays rock & roll with passion and aggression. Dig in! What you can expect is an energetic rocking experience. They may often be found spinning The Stooges, Mc5, Mountain, Humble Pie, as well as other various dusty, worn down, warped, vinyl. To learn more about Burning Avalanche click here.

  
Stage 7 (Mile 3.4)

The Castaneda Project:
Chris Castaneda has recently shared the stage with such artist as Los Lonely Boys and Al Green… just to name a few. An open mind with open music, Chris plays with an intensity that can only be described as “Electrified”. To listen to The Castaneda Project click here.




 
Stage 8 (Mile 3.8) – Sponsored by Econo Auto Painting

Shaka:
Shaka is a 3 piece band from McKinney, Texas. Just outside of Dallas.
“We play whatever we feel like playing and we love playing shows.” For more information on Shaka click here.




 Stage 9 (Mile 4.4)

Chasing Lions:
Chasing Lions is a local Round Rock alternative/pop/punk band dedicated to showing you some love. Whether you believe in our God or any other God is not what matters best; what matters is that you know you are not worthless. click here.

  
 Stage 10 (Mile 4.9) – Sponsored by Under Armour

Black Ladder:
Black Ladder was formed by Ray Cardenas, Shane Lamb and Clarence Riley IV in 2009. With Influences ranging from classic progressive rock, funk and traditional Latin music, Black Ladder is one of Austin’s most original and exciting new bands. For more information on Black Ladder click here!





 Stage 11 (Mile 5.3) – Sponsored by Manchester Texas Financial Group

We Paint The Town:
Austin native female fronted group “We Paint The Town”, brings a bigger/bolder sound to the pop punk genre. Expect a high energy performance backed by a wall of sound and sweet melody lines. For more information on We Paint the Town click here!

 
Stage 12 (Mile 5.7)

Stillborn Skies:
Originally from Hawaii, Stillborn Skies is three friends doing what they love most…putting on a show. Now permanent residents of Austin, Texas, the band shows how catchy tunes, constant harmonies, and non-stop energy can really fill a stage. To hear Stillborn Skies click here!
  

 Stage 13 (Mile 6.4) – Sponsored by Miller 64

Clyde and Clem’s Whiskey Business:
Clyde and Clem’s Whiskey Business is an Austin band, with a unique bluegrass sound. Their music includes a washboard and cow bell that will motive you to run. To hear their music click here.



 
Stage 14 (Mile 7.0) – Sponsored by Luke’s Locker

Fighting Gemini:
Full of passion for music, four music lovers come together and bring their own originality to the table to create the Fighting Gemini sound. Fighting Gemini is your new source for hot, main stream Alternative Rock is a fairly new band out of Houston,TX. For more information on Fighting Gemini click here!

 
Stage 15 (Mile 7.6) – Sponsored by IBM

Blue Diamonds:
Originally conceived in 2001 as an 18-piece jazz big band, The Blue Diamonds have morphed over the years to their current 8 member format which focuses more on funk, R&B, Latin, and classic rock. The Blue Diamonds are able to bring a wide range of music which is enjoyed by both those who want to fill a dance floor as well as those who prefer to sit back and “listen to the music”. For more information on The Blue Diamonds click here!

  Stage 16 (Mile 8.0) – Sponsored by TurnKey Operations

The Artillery:
The Artillery is an edgy Alternative Rock band, based out of Round Rock, TX. Forged in 2002, they have 3 CD’s under their belt, with a 4th CD named ‘Lighthouse’ releasing Summer of 2012. With hard-hitting guitar riffs, and infectiously catchy vocals, The Artillery is sure to have your bouncing and hands clapping along with each song. For more information on The Artillery click here!



Stage 18 (Mile 9.0) – Sponsored by My Fit Foods

Woody Russell
RHYTHM AND BLUES AND BEYOND FROM THE HEART OF TEXAS- Woody Russell is a Featured Artist on the new television series that explores the lives of several Texas based singer-songwriters, “Troubadour, TX”, airing nationwide on the CW Network in over 20 million households. He is currently in production for a forthcoming album due for release in late 2012. For more informational on Woody Russell click here!




Stage 19 (Mile 9.3) – Sponsored by 3 Way Events

Brothers Grymm:
An army of sound is emerging from the tired and war-torn troops, determined to breathe life back into the Battle of Conventionality, wake the sleeping tyrant of the norm, and bring it to its knees. They are Brothers Grymn. For more information on them click here!

 

 
Stage 20 (Mile 9.9) – Sponsored by RREEF

Vallejo:
A striking blend of classic rock grooves, potent guitar work, Latin percussion and soulful lyrics has made VALLEJO one of the most popular bands to hail from Austin, Texas. For more about Vallejo click here!

Holy Cow! It has truly been a day of victories.

(Three posts in one day, crazy huh? But I just had to share this)

So I just finished my run and I am in shock.

3.28 miles in 47:42, average pace 14:33min/mile

What the hell happened? haha, I was shocked but very happy. I probably could have finished closer to a 14 min/mile if I hadn't walked a little extra.


I guess I shouldn't be surprised since I was able to keep around a 16:30 average pace for both half marathons so of course 3 miles would be faster. I was just not expecting it since I really felt like I wasn't doing that well and I was slowing down a lot. I wonder what my time will be like when I feel good about my run, haha. I am really just baffled because I really felt slow. I did my usual 90 second run, 90 second walk intervals but I did walk an extra interval in there because I was fighting with my phone. OH! And that pace includes my 5 minute warm up walking.

Wow, is all I have to say.

So for the most part, today has been a great day. There have been a few moments when I was reminded that sometimes people suck and I will probably post on that later. But all in all, it was a great day.

Back on track!

Ok, so it has been a while since I have posted, sorry! Things have been crazy ever since Mac left. He has now officially been gone for a month(Wow, that's hard to believe.) Between finding my new normal and being sick it's been hard. The last time I really ran was the 3 mile run the weekend after he left. I didn't do my 2 weekly runs and then I was sick as a dog the weekend that I was supposed to run 6 miles. Getting over the virus and and Thanksgiving made it hard to run the 2 weekly runs that week and then a head cold knocked me out that weekend. I felt horrible but I wasn't sure what to do. I knew my training plan had a 7 mile run on the schedule for the first weekend in Dec. but since it had been so long since I ran, I was scared. Plus I was going to be in Florida at Disney World that weekend.

I decided to try to get a long run in before I did too much walking at the parks. I arrived in FL on Wednesday night and my friend Rachel wasn't getting there until Friday night so Friday I decided to give it a shot. I wasn't sure how it would go but my goal was to get the distance in, even if i had to walk the last few miles of it. I took my vibrams with me on the trip. It has been a while since I ran in them but I decided to give it a shot. I knew if
I needed to I could run by the room and swap to my NB minimus. I decided to use the little running trail in front of the All-Star resorts(i stayed at AS Sports) since it was about a mile long and there weren't really any people on it. I decided to shorten my intervals since it had been a while and I had been having a little trouble with my run interval feeling too long at the end of each run.

Well, I did it. I ran every interval and and actually felt good after. As soon as I was done and sat down for a minute, my feet were killing me but I felt good on the run. It was also a little surreal running there. Knowing that I was running half of the distance I will be repeating there in a few months. I caught myself tearing up towards the end of my run because I felt like I can do it. Like if I had to do the half tomorrow, I could. It wouldn't be great but that I could finish. It gives me hope, which I need a lot of right now. The Tinkerbell is in less than 50 days now. I'm still nervous about it since my training is leading up to the princess not the Tink. The tink is listed on there and the day of the race would be a 12.5 mile run. The Tink isn't much longer than that I just worry about my time. I pray that I can actually do it fast enough. My pace on the 7 miles was better than I expected. It wasn't great but it was ok. I loved running in my vibrams again. I love those shoes so much, but I am still unsure that I will be able to run in them for the half because I just need the little extra cushion that the minimus offers but I know that once the weight is off, I will go back to my beloved VFF Bikilas for the majority of my runs.

I just feel like it is all sneaking up on me. Both races are right around the corner and I am no where near where I wanted to be physically. I'm hoping I can get things moving again. I have the motivation of being reunited with my husband in 9 months for R&R and wanting his jaw to hit the floor when he sees me. I really want things to be different next year when he comes home.

Anyway, I'm glad to be back on schedule. I have still had a few problems getting my short weekly runs in but I am trying to figure that out. It's a little hard figuring out how to run in the cold and what is the best time for me to do it. Tomorrow I will be doing my 3 mile run from this weekend.Now to just keep moving forward and do the best I can.

Good run that would have been great but...

That describes tonight's 3 miles. It started out great and could have finished that way if I wasn't cursed by damn running shoes. Every time I get fitted and I try to find a shoe that proves me wrong, I am only proven right.

Tonight for the first 2 miles of my run I had a great average pace(for me, it is slow as hell for most people) and I was feeling good. Then the same old thing happened. I got a sharp pain in the bottom of my foot and I physically could not keep the same pace anymore. It happens every time I wear traditional running shoes. All this does is prove to me that I made the right decision when I switched to minimalist running shoes. I just wish the people at the running stores could understand that. Last week I went in to get a new pair of shoes as part of this new fitness program that I joined  that is being conducted by a local running store. I explained to the guy that I wear Vibrams or other minimalist shoes(New Balance Minimus - love them!)  and that I have never found a regular running shoe that doesn't hurt my feet. Instead of putting me in one of the minimalist shoes they carried he insisted that I needed a different style and that I should try something else. After trying on 5 different pairs, I found one that I thought I could live with. So tonight I tried them on my run. They made my great run end up just being a good run because during the last mile I could not do my run intervals because the pain was so bad. They seemed to be fine if I was just walking but I cannot run in them. I guess it just proves why I should be a barefoot runner. I never have any pain in my feet with my minimalist shoes. Oh well.

With the exception of the foot problem, I had a really good run tonight. I wasn't sure how I would do since this is the first time I have ran since Mac left. I was supposed to do two 30 minute runs this week but Tuesday night I had to take a friend to the ER and it was freezing ad midnight by the time I tried to run so I waited until Wednesday to try again but my body wasn't feeling it so I only did 10 minutes. Thursday, I just didn't do it because I missed my husband and I just didn't feel like it. Tonight was hard. I missed having him with me. I did really well but I broke down at the end because he wasn't there to give me a high five. I know that sounds dumb but it's the truth. I really haven't cried at all this week but now I am. I am sitting here with tears running down my face because I miss him so much. I know I am doing this all for me but I am also doing it for him. I was so proud of myself tonight and I know he would have been too and it makes me miss him that much more. Even though I miss him, I will keep moving forward so that I am a different woman the next time he sees me.

5 miles

So as per the Galloway training schedule, I did 5 miles tonight. I feel good. Better than I expected. They weren't great but my pace was better than I thought. The whole point was to finish them, and though I want to be faster by the race, if I end up at that same pace, I will more than likely finish if I have a good starting corral.

I also started something new this week. I want to talk about it more but I actually need to learn more about it first. Today was our first meeting and it was more of an orientation. Next week things will really kick off and I can better explain all of it. But as part of this program, I can purchase discounted food from a company that makes fresh refrigerated meals that are all natural and mostly gluten free. We were given coupons for free samples today and Mac and I went to pick some up. I was a little skeptical at first but they are DELICIOUS. I am really looking forward to trying more things from there and having a way to have good healthy meals while Mac is deployed, because cooking for one sucks.

And on that note. I am going to do my best to keep my training going but I can't guarantee many posts in the coming weeks. Things are about to get really tough and I always need some time to process before I can get back to normal so please bear with me. 

I am a Penguin

A while back I wrote the post Embrace your Pace. I received a comment on it about the penguin runners but had no idea what they were and didn't bother to look it up at the time. Part of me wishes I had but then another part is glad I didn't because I think finding them now was the best thing.

Back in September, I reposted a post I had written last year when I decided to do the 2011 Princess. In the post I talked about how a picture of a shirt with a quote was what really gave me the kick to make the decision. The quote was,

The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start. -John J. Bingham.

I think I may have passingly noticed that it had a little picture of a penguin by his name but I didn't really pay much attention to it.

Then, last month, I was scouring the internet looking for a shirt that a girl posted to an online group. I was using the expo vendors list for the wine and dine to check each website to see if I could figure out who had the shirt for her. One of the websites I looked at was One More Mile Running. While I was checking their site I noticed on the right side bar a picture of a penguin and the words penguin gear beneath it. I was intrigued so I opened it in a new tab and continued searching with intentions to go back and check it out later. Once I had given up on my search, I clicked the tab to check out what Penguin Gear was. As I read the little blurb at the top I was even more interested:

One More Mile partners with John "The Penguin" Bingham!
One More Mile and John Bingham have the same philosophy: that running is more about having fun and less about putting a lot of pressure on yourself. Now you can get Penguin gear from One More Mile! 

And then, when I clicked on the shirts, there it was, the shirt and quote that started it all. I had to know more so I clicked on the link for John Bingham's website.  As I read What is a Penguin? I knew I had found my place. As I read through "You might be a Penguin if... " I had to laugh because I knew the feeling all too well with the police car, the truck with the cones and the award ceremony. It felt good to find all of this. It reminded me that I am not alone in my fight. There are lots of people out there that aren't the best runners but still run. Just because I am slow, doesn't mean I am not a runner.

With all of this, I have wholeheartedly embraced that I AM A PENGUIN!! Mac and I visited Sea World recently and they had these awesome car decals of all the animals, one of course being a penguin. I plan to cut off the Sea World Logo and just put the penguin on the car with my turtle sticker. I'm sure at some point I will get a shirt or magnet from Penguin Gear. I've always loved penguins, so it almost feels fitting.

This of course leads me to something I alluded to in the last post. I have decided on my running costume for both races. Hehehe. I already have things in the works to transform this everyday runner into a real penguin runner.  You'll have to wait until after the Tinkerbell to see a pic of the fairy penguin but I am certain it will be well worth the wait. Then with a few small changes she will turn into a princes penguin for the Princess Half. I'm so incredibly EXCITED!!!

(It feels so good to be excited again.)

If anyone here is a member of Fitocracy and you feel you are a Penguin, feel free to join the Penguin Runners group I started.  If you are not a member of Fitocracy but would like to be, Click Here to use my invite code or give me your email address and I will send you an invite. Fitocracy is a fun way to track all of your activities and connect with others.

Excitement

I'm starting to get excited about the races again. I have been so overwhelmed and frustrated lately that it has been hard. I'm gaining a little more confidence and that has helped. I know one of the reasons is that I am trying to focus more on the fun parts of it all right now instead of thinking about my husbands deployment that starts WAY TOO SOON. I need things to focus on while he is gone so I don't waste too much time missing him and being said. Yes, I will miss him and, yes, I will be sad, but I also need to keep moving forward and reach the goals this deployment that I wanted to last time.

I have so much that I want to talk about but little focus to do it at the moment. I have decided on my costume for both races and I am SO EXCITED but I want to talk about my inspiration for the costume first so that will have to wait until I can get that one written.

It feels really good to be looking forward to all of this again instead of just dreading it. Nothing major has happened to change my outlook, I simply kept moving forward. I still have a long way to go but I am starting to see the possibilities of success instead of just inevitable failure.

Getting back into the swing of things.

That's what part of this week has been about. Trying to get back on track and back into a routine. It's been a little challenging because we aren't at home but we have found the time to get my runs in.

A while back I talked about starting the Princess training plan early enough to finish it for the Tinkerbell. Well, that didn't work, so I started it again in time to finish it for the Princess. I was a little worried at first since I have the Tink first but Galloway includes it in the plan so it works out fine. It also helps with something else I had been worrying about. I wasn't sure how to keep training between the two so this solves that problem as well. I've hit a few bumps in the road since I started the training plan but they have been minor and I have been getting it done. I was knocked off schedule this past weekend but I haven't let it get in the way too much.

Sometimes people are more important and that was the case this past Saturday. While I should have been out running 4 miles. I was sitting at a friend's house. She recently lost someone and her husband was deployed( he just arrived home yesterday for emergency leave.)  She just needed a friend so I took her food and we just sat and talked for a few hours. Sunday, Mac and I had to pack and leave for our trip. He actually did all of the packing because I had some business I had to take care of before we could leave. I had considered running once we arrived but it was so late that I put it off. I finally got my 4 miles in on Monday. It ended up going better than I expected which was nice. It means that I am a few days off schedule but not so much that I can't get back on.

Tonight we did my 30 minute run and I will do another on Friday. Then after we get home on Sunday I will do my 2 miles and then I can get back to the Tues, Thur, Sat schedule. I'm really trying to get back on track 100%. I know that I need to keep everything up but that is going to be hard during the coming weeks as I deal with my husband deploying. But I know that if I don't get it together now, it will be impossible to do it then. It's going to be hard once he leaves but I need running to be my constant while the rest of my world is turned upside down.

Starting Fresh

Tonight I started the Galloway training. I will finish it in time for the Tinkerbell in January. I skipped week one but I think it will be ok since I have been running for a while now. I am definitely taking a step back and not pushing as hard because I was starting to hurt myself by doing too much too quickly. I have to keep reminding myself that even though I have been running since March, I have only been running since March. That probably sounds stupid but what I mean is I am still a new runner. I am still a beginner. I still need to take it slow.

Tonight was a short run of just 30 minutes. I love that with his plan, I am only doing three runs a week, two of which are just short 30 minute runs. Doing so many long runs, like I was with the 10K plan, made me feel like my legs never had time to recover and I didn't progress as much as I could. I'm excited about it all but it is hard to believe the Tink is only 20 weeks away.  Anyway, back to tonight's run. It went well. I had to stop after 20 minutes but in my eyes, it really wasn't a bad thing and was the result of a conscious decision. I realized about half way into the workout that my pace was faster than I expected. I knew that I couldn't keep it up for the entire workout so instead of slowing down and running longer, I decided to keep pushing and just run the faster pace for 20 minutes instead of 30. I was a full 2 minutes faster than I have been. It was very encouraging. My plan is to slow myself down on Thursday to make sure I get the entire 30 minutes in but I was still happy with my run tonight.

I'm playing around with my run/walk ratios right now. I have definitely found that doing the shorter intervals definitely helps my pace. Now I just need to find what fits me best. Right now I am doing an even ratio but we'll see if I keep that or change it up.

I really have to get my routine figured out. With Mac leaving soon, I know I can get very thrown off if I don't have it all figured out already. I have my training schedule all mapped out with the dates and everything and the funny thing is I have a workout scheduled for both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. I thought about moving them but I think having time away from people to just center myself on those days will actually be best. It will be hard enough having Mac gone, I would feel guilty if he was gone and I didn't get my workouts in. Plus, like I said, it will be nice to have a minute to myself away from everything, a way to forget that it is a holiday and just treat it like any other day.

I'm excited about what is to come and trying to focus on my training now. There are still lots of things that can make me very discouraged but I am trying to ignore them at the moment. I just need to keep pushing forward and working towards my goals.

Labor Day 10K

Well, I have officially done a 10K. I didn't do very well, but I did it. Nothing really went as I had hoped.

I was all excited for awesome weather, unfortunately Lee had other ideas. It didn't rain but I wish it would have. The temp was only 72 but with 99% humidity. Not really fun..

It all just started very badly. We ended up getting to the start late even though we thought we had left in time. That meant that the race actually started when I was still about 100 yards from the start line. I ended up sprinting to try to catch up and get in front of the ambulance that was following all of the runners. That was what made everything else suck so bad Because I didn't have time to warm-up, my legs protested the sudden sprint and my left calf immediately cramped up. The race had barely started and I already was unable to run. I couldn't stop to stretch it out because the ambulance  was on my ass and I felt like I had to keep moving. It was very frustrating because I started the thing dead last and stayed there for a while. There was a woman that was closer to me but the rest of the pack was quickly leaving us. By the end of the first mile, my leg was killing me. I was hurting so badly and really just wanted to quit. I turned around and realized that I was being followed by every police car that had been blocking an intersection. They were all creeping along because of me. That's when I lost it. I started bawling. I tried to call my husband because I felt so ashamed and so alone. He didn't answer. I tried our house and I tried his cell and there was nothing. Finally,  I called Rachel. She was my ride for the morning and I was really just going to tell her to come get me. I was crying pretty much uncontrollably when she answered. I finally told her what was going on and she tried to calm me down. She reminded me of all I had been doing and what I did at the Princess while she cheered me on. I was finally able to calm down after having a chance to talk to someone. I just felt so alone and needed a little support.

Not long after I got off the phone, I caught up with the lady in front of me. Her name was Patty and we understood each other. She is on a journey to lose weight also. She has already lost a good bit but still has a ways to go. She is training for the Rock-n-Roll Half in Savannah. We talked about the struggles of training when you are overweight. We talked about how hard it is for others to understand what it really feels like. We also talked about how bad it sucked being dead last. Having someone to talk to made things better and as I walked on, my leg finally started to loosen up.

After about 3.5 miles, my legs were feeling a lot better and we were on he last all downhill portion of the race. I decided to try to run as much of the end as I could. I pretty much ran the last 2.5 miles of the race. I finally felt good and really wondered how I would have done if the race had a better start. I did really well with the last few miles. Finally, I made the last turn and I could see the park where the finish line was. I fought back a few tears because I couldn't believe I was actually going to finish after the morning I had. There were two people waiting by the finish and, surprise, surprise, they were my friends. The place was deserted but I didn't care. I finished. I took a second to sit and catch my breath before I went back to meet Patty and finish with her. I felt bad for leaving her but she told me to run ahead once I felt better so i did. I was actually really surprised by my average pace. It was much better than I expected since I walked over half of the race. I ended up finishing with a pace just over a 16 minute mile which is slow as hell but is almost good enough for the Disney races.

As much as it all really sucked, it still gave me some hope for the future. I still have a lot of time to get better and several more races to help me watch my progress. This week I started the Galloway training program. It is the one they posted for the Princess but it was perfect timing for me to start it for the Tink since it was posted 21.5 weeks before the race and it is a 21 week program. I have heard great things about it so hopefully it will be a good one for me. I did a very short workout today since I am still very sore from the race. I felt ok but I still need a little recovery time. Up next on the list is the Army Shadow 10 miler in October. Hopefully, it will go better than the 10K.

No matter how the race went, I can cross one more thing of my list.

Here are a few pictures from the race. 

 I was laughing because Patty was saying some not so nice things about the photographer. Notice the Ambulance on our butts.

 

Crossing the finish line after a long morning.

Crossing a second time with my race buddy.

Finding Myself Again

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement and mostly thanks so much for not lecturing me about what I am going through. It is just one of those times when you just don't feel like things are going well even though you know you are trying. After a while it just starts to wear on you.

Fortunately, tonight was a good night. I had a good run. Not a great run, but it was good and I needed that. I basically did a 5K. Knowing that I could do 3 miles again was encouraging, and if Lisa was right with her comment, that should mean I will have no problem with the 10K on Monday since it is about 15-20 degrees cooler in Macon than it is here in the mornings. Right now the forecast says the temp for Monday morning is 67. SIXTY-FREAKIN'-SEVEN!! I'm so excited.(If you couldn't tell) It will probably be between 70 and 75 when I am running but that is awesome too. I haven't had a run below 85 in months and the last few weeks it has been 90 or 95 while I was running. Tonight it was around 94 when we went out.  I felt good. I took it slow and my husband had water for me this time. I know that I can do better than I did tonight because my time at the last 5K(which I struggled at) was about ten minutes faster than tonight. That is giving me some hope because I felt really good after the run tonight. Knowing that it will be cooler and that the course is mostly down hill, I'm feeling more confident and more excited about the run on Monday.

Right now my plan is to get in a short easy run Thursday night after I get into GA just to see how I feel, see how the different temps feel and to just get one more run in before the race. Then I'm just going to take it easy until the race. I'll be on my feet a good bit on Friday so Saturday and Sunday will be lazy days. The reason I will be on my feet Friday is because I am going dress shopping with my best friend back home. I'm getting more excited about the big party too. I LOVE my dress. I can't wait until the next payday so I can pay it off and go pick it up. I'm so excited to find something gorgeous for her. We will also be on the search for some killer shoes to go along with mine. It's just so nice to be happy and excited when I think about the upcoming event instead of beginning to dread it like I was.

I'm starting to feel a little more like myself. I think I just needed to get it all out there and then have a decent workout again. Honestly, the weight loss plateau was not bothering me nearly as much while I was still getting good workouts in, but as soon as those started sucking it just all hit me like a ton of bricks. Having one thing back on track makes me feel like getting everything else back is possible. I'm also changing my outlook and expectations for the coming months. I have a lot of races coming up. A 10K next week, a 10 miler in Oct and a half marathon in November. My goal for the Disney races have changed. Now I just want to finish. I was trying to push myself to be able to run the entire 13.1 miles. I'm starting to realize I have been putting too much pressure on myself and now I am focusing more on the walk/run method and just making sure that I get my pace down enough to stay ahead of the balloons.(For those unfamiliar with Disney races, the balloons are tied to the race pacers, and if they pass you, you are in danger of being picked up. I know, I followed that witch for my last mile of the race this year. No matter how hard I willed it, she never tripped so I could catch up. Haha)

Now that I am not planning to go home for my high-school reunion, I will be able to participate in the Army Shadow 10 miler here. I'm a little nervous but I know that I can do it even if I end up walking most of it. I still have 5 months to get ready for the Tink so I am not going to kill myself for an untimed race. Then it will be the Run to Remember in November which will be my first official half marathon. Once again, I'm not going to push too hard because I am just using it as a reading of where I am. That way I know how much I have to do to be able to keep pace for the Tink. One of the things that I love about races here is that there is no time limit. You don't feel as much pressure and they don't care how long it takes you to get done. It will be a great way to gauge my progress and see how far I have to go.

Things are getting back on track. I really just want to thank you for your support and understanding that sometimes you just need to get something off your chest. Like I've said before, there is a reason the word battle is in the title of my blog. This journey is not an easy one and sometimes I may feel like I've lost a battle or two. The point is to move forward and win the war.

I will be healthier, I will get fit,  and I will be the woman that I have always wanted to be.

Sweltering

The heat here is really doing me in. I almost feel like I am going backwards because the runs are getting harder as it continues to be so unbearably hot. For a while, even though it was over 100 during the day, it would fall to around 80 or 85 by 10 or 11 at night. Now, it is still 95 degrees at midnight. It is just an oppressive heat. My pace is suffering and I feel like I am over heating every time I run.

Tonight was the worst one so far. We decided to go a different route and it meant that we weren't right near the house. Unfortunately we did not have any water with us or any way to get some so I had to stop running about half way through the workout. I was afraid if I kept pushing without water, I was going to pass out. I am thinking of investing in a camelbak waist belt. The reservoir sits in the small of your back and you can tighten it down as you drink so it doesn't slosh around as much.  I can't run and carry a water bottle. It is just too awkward for me.

I'm struggling with a lot of doubts right now. I am scared that I won't be ready and I will fail again. I really hope this all gets easier when the temps drop again. The temps should be much more pleasant at the 10K and hopefully that will give me a better idea of where I am. I know that I still have 5 months before the first Disney Half but I am still feeling unsure. It's just a lot of old insecurities creeping in.

Ugh, I would LOVE to run in the rain. We need rain so, so badly. Not just a day but a whole week of it. It would feel heavenly.

Hotter than Hades 5K

Well I ran my 5K yesterday. I shouldn't have but I did it anyway. The reason I say I shouldn't have is because I am fighting some sinus crap and I had a touch of food poisoning yesterday. I didn't realize it was food poisoning until later in the day and it was too late by then.

I did better on the run than I thought I was going to do during it. I felt bad, really bad, and almost quit a few times. My stomach didn't bother me too much during the race but the increasing pressure in my head coupled with the intense humidity has brutal. The temperature wasn't that bad since it was very overcast and the sun was hidden but we had about 95% humidity to go along with our 89 degree weather so it didn't take long for you to feel like you were on fire. The race definitely lived up to its name. I got a little too hot on the course but I still managed to come in 7 minutes faster than my last time. I was really surprised by that since I ended up walking a lot more than I planned. I was going to do the suggested 4 minute run, 1 minute walk but it ended up being more like 4/4 because I was getting so hot during the run portions. Like I said, I probably should have stayed home in bed but oh well.

It gave me a little confidence though. for a moment I was defeated and decided to skip the Labor Day race back home but once I really started paying attention to my run times and factoring in the crap that made yesterday's race so much harder, I realized a qualifying time at the 10K is still possible. I just have to make sure I keep training and I'm not sick for that race too.

Learning

I'm skipping my run today. Part of me is screaming in protest because it is saying I need to stick to the plan exactly and I should have been out running this morning. But the reality is that I am planning on running a 5K in the morning and I am hoping to have a new PR after it. I know that for me to do my best in the morning, I will benefit from rest today. I'm also learning what works best for me with running. I may be making a few changes soon. I'm afraid I may be pushing myself too hard some nights. I think I know what I need to change and if it works, I will let you know.

I've been feeling like I am way behind when it comes to training. Hopefully tomorrow's race will help me feel better about it all. I'm hoping that I do better than I am expecting but we'll see. (maybe my stupid allergies won't screw everything up. I currently can't breathe through both sides of my nose but I am planning to use some nose spray to open things up in the morning.)

Shift Forward

So I have decided to start running earlier. It's hot as Hades but it means Mac can go with me and honestly it means I burn more calories. It's sort of like running in a sauna. Haha.

I wasn't sure how it was going to go because I was battling a headache and it was a lot hotter than normal when I started. I did much better than I expected. Especially during the first half. I am doing longer run intervals right now so I am only doing two reps. I struggled a little more during the second one. I was feeling the heat and my legs were just tired from running longer. I ran about half of the second interval and then switched to the 4min run/1min walk suggested by Jeff Galloway. That way I was still getting in a good run but with a little recovery time in there. I made sure I stopped my timer when I was walking so that I actually ran the full time I was supposed to it was just broken up a little. I think I'm going to use the 4/1 method for the 10K because I think allowing myself a little recovery time every now and then will help me maintain a faster pace overall instead of burning out too quickly. I still have plenty of time to work up to a longer continuous run but for now I think I am going to play it a little safer and a little smarter instead of pushing too hard.

I have another 5 K Saturday morning. Originally I wasn't going to do it but I decided I might as well because it will give me a good idea of where I am in regards to the 10K that is coming up. Right now my biggest worry is just how I am going to get to GA for it. I don't want to drive because 18 hours in a car is hard on your body but I don't want to spend a fortune on airfare either. I am hoping Priceline will come through for me and I can get a cheap ticket home.

I still need to clean up my bike and take pics, oh and start riding it more. Haha.

Here's hoping this is a good week!

Huh?

So I confused the MPs(military police) that were in my neighborhood tonight. I was just out for my run but they found it odd. Maybe because it was 12:30AM. They were in our neighborhood checking the houses of residents that are out of town. I ran by them about 3 times and every time I passed them, I got a weird look. I'm used to seeing the post cops in our neighborhood and by this time, they are used to seeing me, but this was the first time I saw the actual MPs.

I tried to run earlier tonight with Mac but it was just too dang hot and my body didn't like it. I decided that I would just try again after he went to bed and the temp dropped a little more. I did better on my second attempt but not great. I'm not sure what the issue was but hopefully it will be better on Friday.

It's nice having Mac back but it is either going to mean that I HAVE to get up early in the morning or I will just have to run without him at night. I'm not sure which way I am going to go with it.

Tomorrow is another weigh-in. I'm not expecting great results. I have been watching my food pretty well but I haven't been drinking enough water and that is affecting things a little. My workouts are getting tougher and tougher and I am hoping that along with being more diligent about the food will help me to start shedding pounds again.

Ooooo. I have to tell you all about my bike. I want to get it cleaned up and take some pics and show you the awesome thing I learned about it tonight.(mac rode it while I tried to run the first time.) I just really wish I knew what kind it was. The people that had it before pulled all of the stickers off of the frame so there is nothing with a brand or anything on it. Oh well, I still think it is too fun.

(I updated the commenting options so that hopefully it will be easier for people to comment now. I know a few people have said they have had trouble with it in the past. Hopefully it is fixed now. One change is it will open a pop-up window so make sure you are looking for that.)

FINALLY!!

Finally I had a good run!!

Today...

Today was ...

What's a nice way to put it?

Today was a really shitty day. (that'll have to do)


The week in general hasn't been that great but this afternoon it got worse. Thankfully in the big sense, everything is fine, or fixable, but in the emotional and stressful sense, it was a bad day. (I'll explain later once I can tell my husband everything. Especially since the aftermath may affect my workouts and such.)

Anyway, it was a bad day.

There was a bright spot early on. I bought a bike at the village wide yard sale for $35. It is a cruiser hybrid, or at least that is what I call it. It is styled like a cruiser but still has a few gears. It seems like it is in really great shape, i just need to get an adapter for the tube because they are European.

I missed my run last night. I wasn't looking forward to it in the first place because it was jumping up in time again and I wasn't sure I could do it. Things were a little more hectic than I expected yesterday and by the time I realized I needed to run, I didn't have it in me. I decided I was going to try to sleep and then do it this morning before hitting the yard sales. My alarm went off and I had not gotten much sleep so I ignored it. I decided that if I got back early enough tonight(I was supposed to go to a concert) I would do it then. Well, then all hell broke loose. I got home, didn't feel great but knew I needed to run. I felt bad because I hadn't ran when I should have. Not guilty-bad, more of a not normal kind of bad. I felt like I was missing something, like something was off. I decided that maybe it would help me feel better and seeing as I have no idea how I will feel tomorrow, I better get it over with. I also didn't want to fall too far behind on my new 10K plan because as it is currently laid out, I will complete it just in time for the Labor Day 10K.

I did not have high hopes for tonight but I kept praying that God would give me the ability to have a good run, and he did. I was smart. I slowed down a lot. I am still averaging an acceptable pace but I am slower than I want to be on Labor Day. That's ok, I'm still building up so I really don't want to push it too hard. I just wanted to finish the workout. I modified the plan a little since I knew I had struggled with the last run. It called for an 8 minute run followed by a 2 minute walk repeated 3 times. I knew that in recent runs, 2 minutes wasn't enough for my calves to recover before I started the next run. I decided to extend it to 3 minutes instead and it worked out GREAT. I know in time that recovery time will decrease but for now, having legs that feel good and are able to continue is more important to me.

My run time increases again on Monday. I am hoping that I can stick to tonight's pace so that I can complete it as well. I am really hoping that I am entering a new positive swing with all the workouts instead of having some of the discouragement that I have faced lately. I really want to feel good about all of this again instead of just frustrated.