Training... Week 1

First week of training, here's how it went:

Mon - 0 miles.  Day 1, slept in.  Not a good start!
Tues - 3 miles with the dog.  Won't do that again.
Wed - rest day
Thurs - 6 miles - in the dark.  Won't do that again.
Fri - rest day
Sat - 5 early morning miles.  Good :)
Sun - rest day
Total for week 1: 14 miles

Sum it up:  Week 1 was challenging for me. 

Getting back into the routine of running, eating to run, finding time to run, finding a place to run, etc.  I live out on a highway, but only 1 1/2 miles from a great park for running.  I tried running from my house, but by the time I got to the park, it was time to turn around since I only had 3 on the schedule. 

Highway is NOT a good place to run - especially at night.  I couldn't get a consistent pace going because I was constantly hitting the ditch. 

Lessons learned this week:  1. Even though I would much rather run from my house, I need to drive to run in a safe place.  2.  The dog will trip you and break your face.  Dog stays at home.

Giveaway coming SOON my runner friends!  Jewelry!!  :)

I'm in!

It's been awhile since my last post.  Not much to say about running lately, other than I just haven't been doing it.  I am lacking the time, energy and motivation.  Summer is slipping by.  No excuses, it is time to get off the tush.

I decided what I needed to get it going was to register for a race, so I did today :)  This will be my 6th 1/2 marathon for the books.  Time to start training next week!

Enjoy a giggle, at my expense

I really had a blond moment recently & only my runner friends will truly appreciate the ridiculousness of it all. 

As endurance runners, you all probably know about Nuun Hydration products.  Well, I'm always searching for on-the-go hydration that doesn't upset my tummy, isn't too sweet, but does what it should do.  Hydrate.  I sweat alot, so I really need salt on my runs.

A friend of mine suggested I try Nuun.  I bought a cute little bottle of lemon lime.  Portable, easily carried in my belt, didn't take up much space - so far so good.

I couldn't IMAGINE why anyone would like these. 

I got home and threw them out.  Then called my friend and told her how awful those were.

She was shocked - she loves them & couldn't imagine why it was so awful.  We laughed a bit about it & decided, well, we all like different things - I guess that's why they have so many things on the market.  Left it at that.

A few days later I talked to her again, still puzzled at how she could possibly like them.  I described why I didn't like them....

"After 5 miles in the heat the absolute last thing I would ever want is to have to chomp up a chalky lemon limey tablet. It was like eating a pack of tums all at once."

 It then dawned on her that ....

What I didn't realize about Nuun is .....you have to mix it with water. I thought they were chewable tablets - not mix ins.   I chewed the stupid tablet without mixing it in water!

I guess I learn my lessons the hard way  ;)  I am entertainment for my friends that's for sure!

Spin Spin Spin!

Well, my hip paid for that 4 miler I did last week.  SO.  Plan B.  I rejoined the gym & have turned to spinning.  Running is going to have to take a back seat for now.

I am giving in to my injury at this point - not forever - just for now.  Spinning helped me lose alot of weight last year while I was rehabbing my knee - I know it's a great workout. 

I know if I try to jump back into running at this point I will be frustrated & hurting, & I'll quit.  I will run again, but I need to get back into low impact cardio, strength training & do some PT on that hip before I dig back into training.

Saw some of my old gym friends who were happy to see me back :)

Trying now to get the exercise habit back.  Got my buns up Friday for 6am class, Saturday 8:30 & today again at 6am.  I'm sleepy.  lol

It feels good to be back to doing something good for myself!  Funny how we forget to do that.  :)

Wednesday Morning Run

Well, I did it.  Got my buns up & out for a 4 miler before work.  My hip is sore & I'm tired .... but it surely was nice to see the sun pop it's head out this morning.  Have a great day friends!

Truth Is ....

I'm barely running anymore.
Or anything else for that matter.
I have gained pounds since my marathon in Oct.
I'm not saying how many.
My hip has bothered me since the marathon.
So has my knee.
I quit the gym.
I lost contact with all of my running friends.
I feel tired.
And I know why.
I haven't been eating right.
Or sleeping enough.

Truth also is this. In the last 9 months I have:
Gotten divorced.
Sold my house.
Moved out of that house.
Downsized to an apartment.
Started a wonderful new relationship.
Ran a marathon.
Quit my job of 16 years.
Started a new job.
Moved again.

Now I didn't make these lists to have anyone feeling sorry for me or to justify my lack of running & fitness. That second list is nothing but good.

But when I reflect on the last 9 months, I see alot of big lifechanging events there. Even if they are good - they are still stress. It has been very hard to focus on running.

I have been so hard on myself for not keeping up on my running. I ran 26.2 a short 7 months ago, and 5 is my limit today - and I'm super inconsistent in pace. Now that things are settling a bit, it's time to get back on track.

So .... today is a practice what you preach kind of day. If my friend came to me today with this list, this is what I would tell her:

Start over.
You had knee surgery, started over and ran a marathon.
You've gotten it back before, you can get it back again.
It won't be easy and it won't come overnight, but give yourself a freaking break. Not an ice cream break, just a break. ;)

Today I am starting over. Tomorrow my butt will be out the door by 5:30 am to run. No excuses.
Hold me to that people! It's time to get moving!

The Hardest Part is Getting Out the Door

4:30am "I hate to run, I'm going back to bed"
4:45am "Well, I'm up, so I'll get ready"... "maybe I should go back to bed"
5:00am "I'll regret not going"
5:15am (mile 1) "I should of stayed in bed"
mile 2... "oh, hey look at my pace"
mile 3..."I need to sign up for that 10K next month"
mile 4... "I'm so gonna kick arz in that race"
mile 5... "I AM a running goddess"
mile 6..."that was freakin' awesome, can't wait to get up tomorrow and do it again!"

Just need to make myself put those shoes on!