Successful Week

Another successful week has been completed.  I simply feel that it is successful because I moved.  I got out and did my runs.  To me that is very successful.  I have to say I have once again found the fun in running.  I have found the amazing feeling of success.  These are amazing feelings!!!

Sunday was my long run day.  I decided since this long run was a 5K and the weather was nice and snowy, that I would run indoors.  I also decided that I would take this as a race.  I was very happy with my run.  I finished in 29:15, and pushed the entire run.

The rest of the week went as planned.  I took each run and simply got out and ran it.  It made me feel energized to accomplish each individual run.  I also thought about my running for quite a while.  I know that I am over weight, and I want to get back on track.  My runs are helping me to tone up.  I have been concentrating on eating well.    I decided I needed to do more.  I know that by losing some more weight and toning up my running will become easier.

In this I decided to do a Beachbody Challenge.  Next week I will start with Shakeology and ChaLEAN Extreme.  I know that this will take more time, however I also know that this will help me to get back on track and change my life.  I am excited to see where this takes me.

Suck It Up Cupcake and Move It

My Running Top 10 List

I decided that I would put together a Running top 10 list.  For me running has changed my life.... But Why?

1.  I have time to clear my mind, get rid of the bad that is going on that day, and focus on the good around me.

Lets Face it.... So True!

2.  I am only competing against myself.  It does not matter what my friends are running, or anyone else.  I just can do my best and forget the rest.  For me running is about fitness and getting stronger.  I am not looking to be an elite runner, I just want to be the best that I can be.

3.  It does not matter how many miles I do in a day.  Just getting out there and running is all that matters.  

4.  Runners High!

5.  My time for prayer and reflection.  I can look at the beautiful scenery around me and see all that God has given to us, and thank him for it.

6.  Burning extra Calories.  I am on my weight loss journey, and getting out and running helps me to burn calories, and slim down.  

7.  The Challenge.  I challenge myself every time I am out there.  Some times the challenge is simply to run, others it is to complete a distance or a pace.  It is a great feeling to know that I made a challenge then completed it.

8.  Meeting the most wonderful people.  Through running I have made some of the best friendships.  They are strong and supportive.  I love the fact that runners are good people who want to see everyone succeed.  They do not look at you and think you are slow because you run a 11 min/mile pace, they think great job getting out there and hitting the pavement

9.  Races.  I love races.  The excitement, the preparation, the people, just everything about the different races.

10.  Last but not Least the sense of accomplishment that I get every time I am done.  I did it.  I got out, did my run, did the best that I could do that day.  I am ready to take on the rest of my day.

Why do you run?

Suck It Up Cupcake and Move It!

Down With The Sickness

This week has been more difficult than most.  My entire family got sick, including myself.  The lovely stomach bug that has been going around made this week difficult when it comes to running, and having energy to do my exercises.

My oldest relaxing on the couch

Sleeping Peacefully

So Sunday was my long run.  This was a difficult run, since for some reason I thought that running the long run up hill for the first 3 of 6 miles was a good idea.  But I pushed through and felt great when I was done.  I was so tired from this run that I did not end up doing my 10 minute trainer for the day.  Tuesday was difficult run because I was putting pressure on myself, and forgot that running should fun.  I needed a run like that to remind me.

Wednesday was when the bug hit, but I still made it out for my run.  I needed it to focus a bit.  I knew that it was not going to be a speedy run, but just a run to get the blood flowing.  Thursday I made it out for my run.  With problems from my garmin - user error ( I forgot to restart it after I stopped it for a second)  So I had to guess what mile I was at.  I was starting to feel a little ill, but thought nothing of it, until later when the bug hit me.

Since I was sick I took Friday off.  Today I went to see my trainer.  I gave all I had during the workout.  I know that it was not perfect, but I gave it all.  Since I knew that I was still recovering I decided to not do the 10 minute trainer, just to play it safe.  

My Pretty Nails :)

I was excited that I decided to paint my nails also.  I never paint them, so this was fun.  I am learning to put more fun in my life:)  I also made no excuses this week.  I may have held back a bit, but I still got out there and moved it.  Never give up, never make excuses.  I know I deserve it, and there are going to be difficult at times, but in the end it will be worth it.

Enough Said

Suck It Up Cupcake and Move it.

New Perspective

I know as a runner many things happen.  One of the most important things that happens is during a run, when you can think.  For me today was a breakthrough run.  I was able to reflect on the past couple weeks and my thought process when running.  Many things started to become clear for me.

First, running is not easy.  Simply putting on your shoes and getting out to run can be difficult on some days.  But as you are out there, battling the weather, the feeling that you need to stop, or anything else that is making you want to stop, but learning to push through is a challenge.  No two runs are the same, they each have different qualities that makes them unique.  Some runs are easy others are more difficult.  But by putting on your shoes and going you are taking up a challenge.  Then if you add in training for a race you start to take your running to the next level.  Having specific amount of miles that you need to do that day.  Some days worrying about speed or splits that can be difficult.

For me today was about running and doing it more for fun.  I was starting to take it way too seriously.  Panicking when I could not run when I was ready because I was afraid I would not want to run.  Being hard on myself when I started feeling tired during the run, or my pace was simply way to slow.  Running was no longer fun, but pressure to do better and go faster.  I have decided to stop thinking this way.

First I know that I am in a process of losing weight.  This is difficult enough on its own.  I have seen that the leaner I am the easier it is to run, so that will stay my focus.  Second I am no longer going to worry if I am going a 11 min/mile pace or a 9 min/mile pace.  The only thing that matters is to get out and run the miles that I am supposed to for that day.  I am going to be proud of every single run I do.  I know that by simply lacing up my shoes and hitting the pavement, I am becoming a stronger runner, and burning the calories I need to burn to become a leaner runner.

With this being said, I do want to improve my times, but not just yet.  I want to find the fun in running, enjoy races and be proud of each and every accomplishment that I make.  Then the focus will change more on the speed and other aspects of running.

Suck It Up Cupcake and Move It

5 weeks and Counting

Each week I am feeling stronger and more prepared for any challenge that comes my way.  This week has been a bit difficult, but overall successful.  The difficulty was that I started the week out with a cold.  I felt OK but was having a difficult time breathing, which I know when it comes to working out that can be a bit of a problem.  I just took the goals I set for the week and stepped them down a bit, I was not going to give up, just be realistic.  For me that made the difference in my week feeling like a success and a failure.

This week was another "step up" week for my running.  So far my plan has been two weeks the same mileage, then what I call my step up week.  So adding a bit more distance was difficult only because I was not feeling 100%.  My long run was a 5 mile run.  It went well, I felt a little slow, and there was some wind but over all was a good run.  The rest of my runs felt good.  I knew that I would not be at my top pace, but that was fine, because the runs felt great.  Thankfully the shin splints have not been too bad, but I am still taking caution with them ( I am icing my legs as I write this)

I also put my second part of my training together.  I mentioned last week that I am doing the 10 Minute Trainer.  I decided to do the plan of 7 days a week, 2 of them each day.  Some days have been more difficult, but I have made it through each day.  I love the fact that in 10 minutes, I am sweating, and I feel that I am getting in a great workout.  Honestly when I started this plan I never thought that I would feel this way, I mean come on honestly how much can you do in 10 minutes.  Now I know you can do a lot - which gives people no excuses not to get up and move there body.

The last part of my week has been eating.  I mentioned in my January in Review   blog that I am taking Jodi up on her "no Sweet" challenge.  The first day was difficult, seeing as I am a sweet lover, but each day it is getting easier.  Honestly I feel better than I thought I would by cutting out the sweets from my diet.  I have also been tracking all of the food I am eating and staying on track drinking my water.  Each of these is helping me to continue to be successful on the scale.  Each week I am losing, and I am going to achieve my goals.

If I can do this, anyone can.

Suck It Up Cupcake and Move It!

Successful Month

Wow I can't believe that I am saying how successful January was, but I feel good about the month.  I have not been shy sharing that I struggled after the marathon to get back into running.  I know that was my motivation.  The couch sucked me in.  Be careful those couches are dangerous.  I started to make many excuses why I could not go exercise that day, especially run.  This all changed in January.

• Miles Ran:  56 miles the most since April 2011 :) ( I only ran 51 miles the month of the Marathon)  I feel great and the couch is no longer sucking me in, my shoes are calling me out the door to go run.
• Cross Training:  I successfully worked out with my trainer every Saturday.  Monday is also my strength and stretching day and I have been great about that. My hubby also borrowed a copy of 10 minute trainer for me to use and I have to say I love it.  They said I could have it a bit longer, so I am excited to see how this will help me in the upcoming month

I also have struggled with my weight as long as I could remember.  I love my sweets, and that has always been a problem with me.  Once I start eating sweets, I really can not stop.  It is worse when I have a diet pop, or any pop for that matter, my will power seems to go out the door.  I start craving every thing that is sweet around me.  I have been much better with this, where I am not drinking the soft drinks and I am not eating as much sweets.  I joined Weight Watchers again.  Since I have joined I am tracking my food and staying with in my daily points allowance

• Eating:  I joined Weight Watchers 1-6-2012 and I have tracked food each week.  This is  one of the biggest keys to my success.
• Weigh In:  I am down 12.2 lbs ( home scale not Weight Watchers starting January 1, not January 6)  According to Weight Watchers down 7.4  either way I feel great:)  Both are great for 1 month 

I know how important water is for me.  I have in the past struggled staying hydrated.  I have made sure that no matter how far I am going I always have my water with me.  I make sure that I am drinking enough water to keep me hydrated and keep hunger at bay.  This has been great this month.  I hope to keep it up.  

I am looking to February.  I know that I can continue working hard, and keep seeing success.  I also have decided to add in something new for the Month of February, I accepted a challenge.  Jodi in one of her blog entries was talking about giving up sweets.  Of course I know that sweets is my weakness, so I decided to join her.  The challenge is basically 30 days no sweets.  So I am going to join her with this.  While I love my treats - I know that will make a difference in helping me to keep on track.  I do have to say that I would not ever have joined this if it was a challenge to get rid of coffee:)

Now that January has come to a close, I am excited to see what February has in store for us.  We have been blessed with a mild winter so far so running outside is not a problem.  I am excited to see if we have more of the same or if we are going see the winter we have missed.

Suck It Up Cupcake and Keep Running

Tips For New Runners - Part 1

Lets face it many of us runners, that are just starting out, simply get a pair of shoes and hit the pavement or treadmill.  Once you commit to your first road race things stay the same for the most part, until you choose to up your distance to a 1/2 marathon or marathon.  Then you start to realize that you need more that just a pair of shoes that you got from the local discount store.  That was one of the first lessons that I learned as a runner.  I found that going to a good running store (I go to Second Sole) to be fit for a pair of running shoes is important.

My Asics Gel-3030 Running shoes

When you go in, they have you run so that they can see what you do, then they recommend shoes for, have you try them on and run around the store.  I have had great experiences of this.

Secondly I learned that there is a lot to say about the running equipment that you have.  First finding wicking clothing is important.  I found out quickly that running in cotton is not good.  I found that out in a couple of runs where I over heated, that makes your run feel horrible.  From that point I learned to dress for the weather, and how important it is.  Since I have a phone that allows apps I decided to get a app that would help me dress for the weather since I am bad at that, LOL

My What To Wear app

I also learned about hydration.  Keeping hydrated is important.  For short runs I don't worry about it too much, however long runs are different.  You need to make sure that you are drinking enough water during your run.  It is also very important that you keep hydrated when you are not running.  What runners often forget is that we need to be hydrated before we even lace up our shoes.  We also need to hydrate after we are finished with running.

For me these are the first and most important lessons to learn as a runner.  There are so many more that we need learn, but these give us a great start.

Suck It Up Cupcake and Keep Running