As you go to leave my house, if you look on the left wall beside the door, you will see a sign that says:
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Life the life you have imagined."
I wonder Henry David Thoreau had any idea how long after he was gone that people would still quote him? I digress.
When I put that saying there I really liked it because theoretically you would see that as you were going from the house and maybe remember that on the way out. Well, for that to work for us, I guess I should have posted it in the laundry room leading out to the garage, since that is how we leave most of the time. =)
This blog might just affirm that I have undiagnosed ADD.
Anyways, after making a commitment to run a full marathon, I decided to break it up into more manageable race goals. For instance, a 5k coming up, a 15k in February, a half marathon in San Diego in June, and then the full Marine Corps Marathon in October 2013. I contacted my friend out in San Diego and decided to plan to get out there for the half.
Well, a couple of weeks back, she sends an innocent enough looking post on my Facebook and asks if instead of the half, I would do the Tough Mudder. Now, I'm not sure if you have seen the Tough Mudder website, but it is intense. It is a 10-12 mile run with obstacle course. Obviously, in the mud. I immediately felt sick. Like physically ill at the thought of someone like me trying to complete the course. I was counting myself out before I even began. I thought about it and then responded back that I would do it. I don't know what got into me. I was absolutely terrified. What terrified me the most is that this is best as a team event, so I would be on a team with some of their friends who I'm sure, like them, are super fit. Terrified.
I woke up the next morning, and decided to stop counting myself out. I believe that we become who we think we are and if I believe I am nonathletic and not capable - then I become that. Well, from now on - I am not saying that to myself again. There are areas of my life that I would never even consider telling myself I am not capable, but in this area, I have told that to myself my entire life. I have decided to not only go confidently, but go boldly in the direction of my dreams.
This is a beautiful life. One that I will live boldly.
Showing posts with label committments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label committments. Show all posts
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Back Again...
Well, after a great start to the year, and really blogging consistently about my weight loss journey, I fell off the blogging band wagon. Truthfully, that is not the only band wagon I fell off.
Since February, a lot of things - some great, some not so great - have transpired around here. In April, JD went to a state competition in Orlando and advanced to World Finals, which in turn meant we went to Iowa for a week in May. Not only did I spend the month between Orlando and Iowa stressing out over what would eventually be an amazing financial blessing from God, I spent that month pretty much eating how I wanted - when I wanted. June came, with a complete lack of motivation and feeling down on myself, but determined to get in back together come July. Well....July started with the death of a co-worker - completely unexpected and utterly devastating to me as this person decided to take his own life, and then a few days later, another employee was killed on the job. Needless to say, it seemed as if July went by in a whirlwind of funerals and sadness. However, come August, I knew it was time to crack back down. Not only had I sadly gained back the weight I lost, but I was completely in a rut. Not just physically, but spiritually as well.
One Sunday, I decided to do something drastic. I made a plan to train and run my first marathon. That's right, on Sunday August 12, 2012, I committed to training and running a full marathon in October of 2013. Now some of you might think that this is crazy. However, I completed the half marathon and I know that if I put the time in, I will complete the full. Yet, this commitment isn't just to running. It is about reminding myself who I am. I am not a failure. I am not someone who will struggle with weight loss for the rest of her life. I am someone who is taking control. I know that to complete the marathon and do it in a healthy way, I will have to lose some of this weight I am carrying around. Well, I am looking at it as not only losing some physical weight, but losing some emotional weight, too. I have realized that I am not overweight because of a medical issue, or because of a lack of knowledge; I am overweight because of a heart issue.
I find that I struggle with admitting out loud - or at least in written word - when I am down or feeling defeated. I think I struggle with that because I know how blessed I am, so when I do feel down I then start to feel guilty. Yes, it is a vicious cycle. Yet, I have decided to blog here and just be completely honest with where I am. I also think that I sometimes feel like others have bigger things they are going through and it is selfish of me to want something different when I know how absolutely great I do have it.
So, I'm back...and determined to allow God to work in all areas of my life - not just the easy ones.
This really is a beautiful life.
Since February, a lot of things - some great, some not so great - have transpired around here. In April, JD went to a state competition in Orlando and advanced to World Finals, which in turn meant we went to Iowa for a week in May. Not only did I spend the month between Orlando and Iowa stressing out over what would eventually be an amazing financial blessing from God, I spent that month pretty much eating how I wanted - when I wanted. June came, with a complete lack of motivation and feeling down on myself, but determined to get in back together come July. Well....July started with the death of a co-worker - completely unexpected and utterly devastating to me as this person decided to take his own life, and then a few days later, another employee was killed on the job. Needless to say, it seemed as if July went by in a whirlwind of funerals and sadness. However, come August, I knew it was time to crack back down. Not only had I sadly gained back the weight I lost, but I was completely in a rut. Not just physically, but spiritually as well.
One Sunday, I decided to do something drastic. I made a plan to train and run my first marathon. That's right, on Sunday August 12, 2012, I committed to training and running a full marathon in October of 2013. Now some of you might think that this is crazy. However, I completed the half marathon and I know that if I put the time in, I will complete the full. Yet, this commitment isn't just to running. It is about reminding myself who I am. I am not a failure. I am not someone who will struggle with weight loss for the rest of her life. I am someone who is taking control. I know that to complete the marathon and do it in a healthy way, I will have to lose some of this weight I am carrying around. Well, I am looking at it as not only losing some physical weight, but losing some emotional weight, too. I have realized that I am not overweight because of a medical issue, or because of a lack of knowledge; I am overweight because of a heart issue.
I find that I struggle with admitting out loud - or at least in written word - when I am down or feeling defeated. I think I struggle with that because I know how blessed I am, so when I do feel down I then start to feel guilty. Yes, it is a vicious cycle. Yet, I have decided to blog here and just be completely honest with where I am. I also think that I sometimes feel like others have bigger things they are going through and it is selfish of me to want something different when I know how absolutely great I do have it.
So, I'm back...and determined to allow God to work in all areas of my life - not just the easy ones.
This really is a beautiful life.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Oh My Goodness....I Think I'm a Real Runner
It's official....I'm officially over the half way point to the half marathon. Huh? Yeah, repeat that again....half way point to the half marathon (that's a lot of halves in there). =) For some of you natural athletic types, I realize that running a 12'35" mile might not be something you'd be proud to tell your friends (and some strangers) about, but if you are a short 5'1, blond woman, with a big smile and even bigger...well...I think you know where I'm heading with this, that is a sure enough accomplishment. I told one my co-workers I think that is why I get random people who pull up along side me while I run and encourage me - because I don't look like your typical runner. I mean, if you see some lean athletic person barely breaking a sweat running a 5k in 15 minutes you hardly have time to register what you're seeing before they are gone, but if you see some chubby woman sweating it out, singing along to an iPod that the ear buds are not in her ears, but around her neck, pretty much running slow enough as to appear to jog in place, and it's almost 100 degrees outside, you have plenty of time to articulate your thoughts before she can get away from you. I'm being funny about it now, but those random words of encouragement have gone a long way some mornings.
I thought I'd share some things I'm learning during this journey.
1. I am physically stronger than I thought. If you ask me about mental strength, I would tell you I'm a pretty tough cookie, but physically, I've never really pushed myself passed that "oh crap, this really doesn't feel good" feeling. It is wonderful to know that I can do it. I've decided lately that it is a shame that I haven't been using my physical capabilities to the fullest of my potential. I wonder how many people in my town alone would love to be healthy enough to even walk a short distance. You know what? I am. I just allowed myself to be lazy - and for that I should be ashamed. I am blessed with wonderful health and I plan to continue be thankful for that and take care of myself in the best way possible.
2. There is a moment in almost every run where I question just why exactly I thought it would be a good idea to do a half marathon. Funny enough, I don't question my physical ability, because I know I'll make it. I cannot tell you that every single day three minutes before I walk out the door to run that I feel the most excitement ever. However, I can tell you this without a shadow of a doubt - feelings change. Just how you felt like parachute pants were going to be the fashion statement of a lifetime, or it really was cool to shave your eyebrows like Vanilla Ice, or an extra large can of Aqua Net and some hot rollers were God's answer to any hair dilemma, your feelings about exercising will change. Some days, I hit the door without an once of real motivation, but once I get out there it's on. The hardest part is putting my shoes on some mornings.
3. The above being said - there is a moment in every run where I know I'm going to make it (usually over the half way point), I block out doubts and I run a bit straighter. I just feel strong. I remember EXACTLY why I made this commitment and I keep that in my heart. Each and every single time I am finished, I am proud of my efforts. They might not be the fastest, they might not be the longest in distance, I might of had better days, but what counts is that I'm doing it. Who cares if I run 30 seconds faster today than I did yesterday. Shoot, my goal isn't to win this thing (good thing because I'd be sorely disappointed...ha!), my goal is to finish. With that thought, I'm able to put it all in perspective. I will finish the race I have started.
4. For those who read my earlier blogs about the proper running attire, here's one you'll appreciate. I LOVE MY RUNNING PANTS. Yes, you know, the ones I went on and on about how tight they are. I love them. I even purchased a new pair of capri running pants. Those things hold everything where it needs to be and besides my perfectly fitting shoes, are the best purchase I've made. I will only wear proper running pants to run in from now on - none of this yoga pants to run in stuff...shoot no. I've spent more money on running clothes this year than new other types of clothes. Nice. You can see wear my priorities are. ha!
5. It was an amazing feeling to know I actually ran over 8 miles in one run. It was awesome to think that I only have 5 miles left and I'll be at the half marathon distance. Yeah, I know that seems like a big jump, but let me say, I really feel like if you can get to 8, you can get to 13. =)
6. My one last thought....this is more a mental task than a physical one. There are several people who have asked how I am able to do it and here are my two pieces of advice:
I thought I'd share some things I'm learning during this journey.
1. I am physically stronger than I thought. If you ask me about mental strength, I would tell you I'm a pretty tough cookie, but physically, I've never really pushed myself passed that "oh crap, this really doesn't feel good" feeling. It is wonderful to know that I can do it. I've decided lately that it is a shame that I haven't been using my physical capabilities to the fullest of my potential. I wonder how many people in my town alone would love to be healthy enough to even walk a short distance. You know what? I am. I just allowed myself to be lazy - and for that I should be ashamed. I am blessed with wonderful health and I plan to continue be thankful for that and take care of myself in the best way possible.
2. There is a moment in almost every run where I question just why exactly I thought it would be a good idea to do a half marathon. Funny enough, I don't question my physical ability, because I know I'll make it. I cannot tell you that every single day three minutes before I walk out the door to run that I feel the most excitement ever. However, I can tell you this without a shadow of a doubt - feelings change. Just how you felt like parachute pants were going to be the fashion statement of a lifetime, or it really was cool to shave your eyebrows like Vanilla Ice, or an extra large can of Aqua Net and some hot rollers were God's answer to any hair dilemma, your feelings about exercising will change. Some days, I hit the door without an once of real motivation, but once I get out there it's on. The hardest part is putting my shoes on some mornings.
3. The above being said - there is a moment in every run where I know I'm going to make it (usually over the half way point), I block out doubts and I run a bit straighter. I just feel strong. I remember EXACTLY why I made this commitment and I keep that in my heart. Each and every single time I am finished, I am proud of my efforts. They might not be the fastest, they might not be the longest in distance, I might of had better days, but what counts is that I'm doing it. Who cares if I run 30 seconds faster today than I did yesterday. Shoot, my goal isn't to win this thing (good thing because I'd be sorely disappointed...ha!), my goal is to finish. With that thought, I'm able to put it all in perspective. I will finish the race I have started.
4. For those who read my earlier blogs about the proper running attire, here's one you'll appreciate. I LOVE MY RUNNING PANTS. Yes, you know, the ones I went on and on about how tight they are. I love them. I even purchased a new pair of capri running pants. Those things hold everything where it needs to be and besides my perfectly fitting shoes, are the best purchase I've made. I will only wear proper running pants to run in from now on - none of this yoga pants to run in stuff...shoot no. I've spent more money on running clothes this year than new other types of clothes. Nice. You can see wear my priorities are. ha!
5. It was an amazing feeling to know I actually ran over 8 miles in one run. It was awesome to think that I only have 5 miles left and I'll be at the half marathon distance. Yeah, I know that seems like a big jump, but let me say, I really feel like if you can get to 8, you can get to 13. =)
6. My one last thought....this is more a mental task than a physical one. There are several people who have asked how I am able to do it and here are my two pieces of advice:
- Decide to do it - purpose in your heart that you will complete whatever your goal is
- Do it - get out there and take action - even when you don't feel 100% you will be so happy you tried
Saturday, July 23, 2011
90 Minutes, 6.66 Miles, and My Favorite Meal
Today was what I would consider my first long run. Yes, I've done quite a few hour long runs, and while that is the longest I've ever run, I've done hour long spin classes before or walked for an hour. However, I can say that I've never done any kind of cardio for 90 minutes before today. To say I was a bit nervous about it would be an understatement.
Last night, I took JD and my nephew, Robbie, to see Captain America. It was a spur of the moment decision, in which we would go to the movies and then Robbie would stay the night. We got home around 10 and I knew I would need to get in bed pretty soon, so I could get some rest. The boys, however, were free to stay up and watch movies or play Wii. After a while of boys being boys and playing around, they settled in and I went to sleep. I had strange dreams about my shoes being too small. Seriously. I told y'all this half marathon thing can be consuming. haha!
When I rolled out of bed this morning, it was already after six - about an hour later than I wanted to be running. I got dressed, told the two sleeping teenagers (okay, one just turned a teenager and one will be a teenager in a couple of months) that I was going for a run, and set out. Thankfully, it was very cloudy this morning, so it wasn't quite as warm as I imagined it would be.
I started out walking for the first five minutes and then decided to do a slow jog. I knew I would need to pace myself because I had to go a long way. I also knew this run would be important because I realize that I'm going to be running or run/walking for three hours for the half marathon. I knew that if I struggled today, it would be a little discouraging since I'm only doing half the time that I will need to be at in November.
By the time I hit the half way point, 45 minutes in, I cannot begin to articulate how great I was feeling. I was feeling so strong - mentally and physically. Yes, I was going slow, but I knew without a doubt that I would be able to complete this run. I really felt like not only would I complete this run, but I would complete it feeling good - not absolutely worn down. That is also important, because I still have 14 or 15 weeks left of training and I don't want to not be able to get back out there tomorrow because I about killed myself today. At one point, I truly felt like I could just keep running forever.
I finished up the run strong. I came back in the house - to the same two sleeping teenagers - and realized that I, non-athlete that I am - just ran over half of a half marathon. haha! Today, I completed my first 10k and then some. I felt absolutely amazing. Yes, I was nasty sweaty, hot as all get out, and pretty thirsty, but feeling wonderful. In the end, I ran 6.66 miles in 90 minutes.
The best part of today's run was that I really didn't feel absolutely wiped out. I have run before and felt the need to just lie down and sleep after. Surprisingly enough, not today. Today, I felt energized. At some point, I did end up falling asleep on the couch for about 45 minutes, but trust me, that wasn't long at all - considering after the Firecracker 5k I pretty much slept off and on the rest of the day. I took a minute or two video of myself after and thought I would post it on my blog, but I can't figure out how.
On a different note...
Later this evening, JD and I went to a 4:45 movie. Yes, we saw two movies in two days - we are movie people - what can I say? We got home a little after 7. I had mentioned to JD that we might just do something easy for dinner tonight. Last week, Winn Dixie had this deal where if you bought a box of corn dogs you got a tub of Country Crock mac and cheese. Now, I have never had the mac and cheese from Country Crock and corn dogs aren't something we normally eat, but it did seem like something quick to put in the oven. We got home and I was going to go change my clothes, so JD set the oven to preheat. A few minutes later, I hear the oven beep because it was preheated.....when what do I hear next? I hear cabinet doors being opened and the sound of pans being moved around. Sure enough, I come out and JD has put the corn dogs in the oven. I mention that I'm going to go figure out what needs to happen with the mac and cheese and he says no, he wants to do it. He wants to finish making dinner and fix out plates. He even made more Crystal Lite pink lemonade.
Baked corn dogs and mac and cheese may be my new favorite meal. It's not what was cooked, but the fact that he cooked it. It made me almost tear up - seriously. It just made me realize - once again - how fast time is going by and how quickly my son has gone from a baby to a child to a teenager and one day, he'll be a grown man. I know I have a few more years until then, but time has gone by so fast. I know I'll wake up one day soon and hardly believe the years have passed. When your children are born you can't imagine loving them anymore than you do that day and are just proud to call them yours, but as any parent will tell you, that is only the beginning.
Anyways...that is it for tonight. JD says it is my turn on Word With Friends...that is another thing - I love playing Words With Friends with my kid. =)
This is a beautiful life.
Last night, I took JD and my nephew, Robbie, to see Captain America. It was a spur of the moment decision, in which we would go to the movies and then Robbie would stay the night. We got home around 10 and I knew I would need to get in bed pretty soon, so I could get some rest. The boys, however, were free to stay up and watch movies or play Wii. After a while of boys being boys and playing around, they settled in and I went to sleep. I had strange dreams about my shoes being too small. Seriously. I told y'all this half marathon thing can be consuming. haha!
When I rolled out of bed this morning, it was already after six - about an hour later than I wanted to be running. I got dressed, told the two sleeping teenagers (okay, one just turned a teenager and one will be a teenager in a couple of months) that I was going for a run, and set out. Thankfully, it was very cloudy this morning, so it wasn't quite as warm as I imagined it would be.
I started out walking for the first five minutes and then decided to do a slow jog. I knew I would need to pace myself because I had to go a long way. I also knew this run would be important because I realize that I'm going to be running or run/walking for three hours for the half marathon. I knew that if I struggled today, it would be a little discouraging since I'm only doing half the time that I will need to be at in November.
By the time I hit the half way point, 45 minutes in, I cannot begin to articulate how great I was feeling. I was feeling so strong - mentally and physically. Yes, I was going slow, but I knew without a doubt that I would be able to complete this run. I really felt like not only would I complete this run, but I would complete it feeling good - not absolutely worn down. That is also important, because I still have 14 or 15 weeks left of training and I don't want to not be able to get back out there tomorrow because I about killed myself today. At one point, I truly felt like I could just keep running forever.
I finished up the run strong. I came back in the house - to the same two sleeping teenagers - and realized that I, non-athlete that I am - just ran over half of a half marathon. haha! Today, I completed my first 10k and then some. I felt absolutely amazing. Yes, I was nasty sweaty, hot as all get out, and pretty thirsty, but feeling wonderful. In the end, I ran 6.66 miles in 90 minutes.
The best part of today's run was that I really didn't feel absolutely wiped out. I have run before and felt the need to just lie down and sleep after. Surprisingly enough, not today. Today, I felt energized. At some point, I did end up falling asleep on the couch for about 45 minutes, but trust me, that wasn't long at all - considering after the Firecracker 5k I pretty much slept off and on the rest of the day. I took a minute or two video of myself after and thought I would post it on my blog, but I can't figure out how.
On a different note...
Later this evening, JD and I went to a 4:45 movie. Yes, we saw two movies in two days - we are movie people - what can I say? We got home a little after 7. I had mentioned to JD that we might just do something easy for dinner tonight. Last week, Winn Dixie had this deal where if you bought a box of corn dogs you got a tub of Country Crock mac and cheese. Now, I have never had the mac and cheese from Country Crock and corn dogs aren't something we normally eat, but it did seem like something quick to put in the oven. We got home and I was going to go change my clothes, so JD set the oven to preheat. A few minutes later, I hear the oven beep because it was preheated.....when what do I hear next? I hear cabinet doors being opened and the sound of pans being moved around. Sure enough, I come out and JD has put the corn dogs in the oven. I mention that I'm going to go figure out what needs to happen with the mac and cheese and he says no, he wants to do it. He wants to finish making dinner and fix out plates. He even made more Crystal Lite pink lemonade.
Baked corn dogs and mac and cheese may be my new favorite meal. It's not what was cooked, but the fact that he cooked it. It made me almost tear up - seriously. It just made me realize - once again - how fast time is going by and how quickly my son has gone from a baby to a child to a teenager and one day, he'll be a grown man. I know I have a few more years until then, but time has gone by so fast. I know I'll wake up one day soon and hardly believe the years have passed. When your children are born you can't imagine loving them anymore than you do that day and are just proud to call them yours, but as any parent will tell you, that is only the beginning.
Anyways...that is it for tonight. JD says it is my turn on Word With Friends...that is another thing - I love playing Words With Friends with my kid. =)
This is a beautiful life.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Faster Than A Slug, Slower Than A Turtle...
As of today, I have 15 weeks and 5 days until that day - November 5th - when I lace up my shoes and run or run/walk or crawl or whatever I have to do to complete 13.1 miles. So far, I have gone a little over 126 and I estimate that I will do at least twice that much before November 5th.
Some time in the last few weeks, I have really started to believe that I will be able to do this. Yes, yes, I know - I signed up, so I better be able to do this, but there is a difference between thinking you should be capable of something and truly believing that you are strong enough and if you keep doing what needs to be done, you will have success.
Here are some things that I've noticed in the past 10 weeks...
1. Pretty much most of what I do starts with this question: How will this affect my running program? The shoes I wear, the food I eat, the things I drink, what time I go to bed, what time I get up...yes, pretty much all those essential things are done with running in mind. Now, that is weird for me. Obviously, I am not now nor have I ever been an athlete. I don't think there has ever been a time in my life when I've felt that way. Yes, it is a good thing, but I will say it is consuming, too. I pretty much know that if I eat junk, I'm going to feel like junk when I run and I made a promise to run, so that means I'm running -whether I feel great or not.
2. I have run over 126 miles and I have not lost a single pound in probably 6 weeks. Yes, at first I did lose a few more pounds, but since then...not one single pound. I'm really wondering how this is possible. I see people and they ask if I've lost weight because they think I look thinner, but the scale says - nada. Did I mention not one pound? For now, I've decided not to worry too much about it. Yes, I need to lose weight. Yes, I'm a bit confused as to why the weight is not budging, but losing weight was not the focus of this journey. So, I've decided to stay focused on one reason for this journey and remind myself that the goal is to complete a half marathon - whether I am one pound less on the scale or not. I have lost some inches, but eventually you would think the scale would start to move down. I'll keep y'all updated on that.
3. After the above paragraph - I would like to say that my running pants are still tight, but I can actually tell a difference when I put them on. I will count that as success....those things were not made to have room in them. ha!
4. For this one - you will have to stay with me. When I first started running, I can remember how excited I was when I clocked my first 13:33 mile and that was only for ONE mile. I realized the other day that I ran for an entire hour and for an ENTIRE HOUR I averaged faster than I did when I hit that 13:33 milestone (I averaged like 13:09 that run or something like that). I think the fastest I've maintained is 12:something for 50 minutes...probably closer to 13 than 12, but still. =) You see...I am still slow - very very slow - but I am reaching milestones I really didn't think were possible for me.
5. I've realized that while I've previously not put too much thought into my toe nails or how I want them to look, I am now constantly checking to make sure they aren't showing signs of bruising. I've done a ton of reading on how people who train for half marathons or marathons often lose their toenails, and the way you know that is starting to happen is if you start to see bruising under the nails. I realize that in the grand scheme toenails aren't that big of a deal, but when I'm not wearing running shoes, I like to wear open toed shoes and I'm a little freaked out about the possibility of losing my nails. I'm okay with gnarly looking calluses, but I want my nails gosh darn it. I guess vain inner Kim isn't quite as squelched as I thought. So far, they are looking just fine. I took the polish off over the weekend just to make sure. Just like the weight loss - I'm sure I'll let y'all know if my nails started to fall off. Please, Lord, no.
6. This is probably the most shocking to me: I am actually looking forward to running. Okay, let me be very very honest here. I am not saying that every single day three minutes before I run, I am just jumping for joy to go out in 90 degree weather with 95% humidity and sweat like I've been sitting in a sauna. However, I am saying that I look forward to that feeling I get when I hit that runner's high (trust me, it even happens to those who are basically running in place...ha), and I'm definitely looking forward to how I feel after I'm done. As I sit here on the couch tonight, today was a rest day, so I actually am looking forward to going to get in the bed and set my alarm for 4:50 and see how much I can bring tomorrow. It's very weird. Weird, I tell ya. Of course, I am more of a morning person, so I know that I have to get up and do my running in the morning - if not - I'm grumpy all day thinking about how I have that hanging over my head.
7. I'm more competitive than I previously thought. No, I'm not feeling like being in a competition with others, but I'm definitely pushing myself to do more than I thought possible. It's nice to look back over my Excel spreadsheet - where I've documented each run - and see the progress I've made. Who knows where I will be in 16 weeks....
8. Last for tonight, but definitely not least - my skin is nicer than ever. I have not suffered from dry skin one single time this summer. It is seriously baby smooth. I'm sure that has to do with the fact that I'm drinking close to a gallon of water every day - that's why I'm including it here. All those things that "'beauty experts" say about how water makes your skin look so healthy really is true. Try it. =)
Okay, it is about time for me to call it a night. I've got to try to get a little sleep before my run tomorrow.
This is a beautiful life.
Some time in the last few weeks, I have really started to believe that I will be able to do this. Yes, yes, I know - I signed up, so I better be able to do this, but there is a difference between thinking you should be capable of something and truly believing that you are strong enough and if you keep doing what needs to be done, you will have success.
Here are some things that I've noticed in the past 10 weeks...
1. Pretty much most of what I do starts with this question: How will this affect my running program? The shoes I wear, the food I eat, the things I drink, what time I go to bed, what time I get up...yes, pretty much all those essential things are done with running in mind. Now, that is weird for me. Obviously, I am not now nor have I ever been an athlete. I don't think there has ever been a time in my life when I've felt that way. Yes, it is a good thing, but I will say it is consuming, too. I pretty much know that if I eat junk, I'm going to feel like junk when I run and I made a promise to run, so that means I'm running -whether I feel great or not.
2. I have run over 126 miles and I have not lost a single pound in probably 6 weeks. Yes, at first I did lose a few more pounds, but since then...not one single pound. I'm really wondering how this is possible. I see people and they ask if I've lost weight because they think I look thinner, but the scale says - nada. Did I mention not one pound? For now, I've decided not to worry too much about it. Yes, I need to lose weight. Yes, I'm a bit confused as to why the weight is not budging, but losing weight was not the focus of this journey. So, I've decided to stay focused on one reason for this journey and remind myself that the goal is to complete a half marathon - whether I am one pound less on the scale or not. I have lost some inches, but eventually you would think the scale would start to move down. I'll keep y'all updated on that.
3. After the above paragraph - I would like to say that my running pants are still tight, but I can actually tell a difference when I put them on. I will count that as success....those things were not made to have room in them. ha!
4. For this one - you will have to stay with me. When I first started running, I can remember how excited I was when I clocked my first 13:33 mile and that was only for ONE mile. I realized the other day that I ran for an entire hour and for an ENTIRE HOUR I averaged faster than I did when I hit that 13:33 milestone (I averaged like 13:09 that run or something like that). I think the fastest I've maintained is 12:something for 50 minutes...probably closer to 13 than 12, but still. =) You see...I am still slow - very very slow - but I am reaching milestones I really didn't think were possible for me.
5. I've realized that while I've previously not put too much thought into my toe nails or how I want them to look, I am now constantly checking to make sure they aren't showing signs of bruising. I've done a ton of reading on how people who train for half marathons or marathons often lose their toenails, and the way you know that is starting to happen is if you start to see bruising under the nails. I realize that in the grand scheme toenails aren't that big of a deal, but when I'm not wearing running shoes, I like to wear open toed shoes and I'm a little freaked out about the possibility of losing my nails. I'm okay with gnarly looking calluses, but I want my nails gosh darn it. I guess vain inner Kim isn't quite as squelched as I thought. So far, they are looking just fine. I took the polish off over the weekend just to make sure. Just like the weight loss - I'm sure I'll let y'all know if my nails started to fall off. Please, Lord, no.
6. This is probably the most shocking to me: I am actually looking forward to running. Okay, let me be very very honest here. I am not saying that every single day three minutes before I run, I am just jumping for joy to go out in 90 degree weather with 95% humidity and sweat like I've been sitting in a sauna. However, I am saying that I look forward to that feeling I get when I hit that runner's high (trust me, it even happens to those who are basically running in place...ha), and I'm definitely looking forward to how I feel after I'm done. As I sit here on the couch tonight, today was a rest day, so I actually am looking forward to going to get in the bed and set my alarm for 4:50 and see how much I can bring tomorrow. It's very weird. Weird, I tell ya. Of course, I am more of a morning person, so I know that I have to get up and do my running in the morning - if not - I'm grumpy all day thinking about how I have that hanging over my head.
7. I'm more competitive than I previously thought. No, I'm not feeling like being in a competition with others, but I'm definitely pushing myself to do more than I thought possible. It's nice to look back over my Excel spreadsheet - where I've documented each run - and see the progress I've made. Who knows where I will be in 16 weeks....
8. Last for tonight, but definitely not least - my skin is nicer than ever. I have not suffered from dry skin one single time this summer. It is seriously baby smooth. I'm sure that has to do with the fact that I'm drinking close to a gallon of water every day - that's why I'm including it here. All those things that "'beauty experts" say about how water makes your skin look so healthy really is true. Try it. =)
Okay, it is about time for me to call it a night. I've got to try to get a little sleep before my run tomorrow.
This is a beautiful life.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
This is a Journey....Not Just a 5k
Let me start by saying, that I realized that sometime during this process, I would encounter obstacles. I also realized that the majority of these obstacles would be mental - not physical. However, after almost two months of consistent running, that had yet to happen. Open main stage curtain on a little drama we like to call - The Firecracker 5k.
This morning dawned as most mornings in Florida - in July - do. Hot and humid. Is that surprising to any of you? You'd think it's surprising to me because every morning that I get up and it's hot and humid, I still feel unprepared. I've even quit checking the weather before I run in hopes that I'll open the door to low humidity and cool temperatures. Someday, probably in November, I expect that will actually happen. I picked up my friend, Ashley, and her husband, Jake, and off we went to join the other eager runners who wanted to support the Ronald McDonald House. I made sure to tell Ashley that she really needed to run at her own pace because I would be slowing her down.
The race starts and I fully understand now about how when you are in a race type situation you just go and have a hard time settling into your normal pace. After about 15 minutes I knew I was in trouble. It was hot, and I had started out faster than I normally run, and now here I am sucking wind. Somewhere closer to mile 2, I realized my shoe was untied, so I stopped to tie my shoe and here comes Ashley. She had been ahead of me, but she circled back around so she could finish with me. Well, I was discouraged. I felt like puking and I was off the pace I've been doing lately. Ashley was so sweet and encouraging. I kept apologizing for slowing her down and really felt bad. You talk about someone who was down on myself....well, I was DOWN. I was ready to beat myself up...and maybe cry. ha!
We finally finished and I couldn't be happier to see the towel bucket where you get your icy cold towel. Oh boy...it felt amazing. Ashley, Jake, and I are standing there when these two men walked up. They started talking about how good they thought I did and how consistent my pace was. I remembered these guys because they were behind me earlier on - and they were also an Ashley and Kim situation - one was the encourager and one was needing encouragement. I can remember hearing the encourager telling his friend that he should just look at me and that although I was being passed I was being consistent. They didn't know though that once I stopped to tie my shoe - I just walked the rest of the 5k. I didn't puke though - and that's really what I was going for by that point. =)
I wish I could find those guys this afternoon and tell him how much their random encouragement meant to me. It truly almost brings tears to my eyes because they had no clue the internal struggle I was having with myself because I had done so much worse than I've been doing. They had no idea that I really was just so disappointed in myself. It really made me feel great...it turned the morning around for me. It made me feel so great about what I'm doing. Remember that...maybe someone needs your words of encouragement today.
Speaking of that....thank you to all of you who are following this journey with me. I've had several of you ask how I stay motivated and honestly knowing that there are people who are looking for those updates from me keeps me motivated. So, I appreciate y'all. I appreciate your words of encouraging.
On a funny note...with all the encouragement I've received, I've had a few people who want to point out the flaws with my plan. Mainly - how in the world do I expect that I will be able to complete a half marathon. I even had one person say, "Don't you think you're kind of cheating by running early instead of the time the actual race will be - you won't be ready." My immediate inner response was "When is the last time you ate a bug before 6 in the morning because I've done that twice this week while running." My outer response to that was "Well, the race is in November, so it is going to naturally be cooler outside than it is now and when we hit mid-September I do plan on running on Saturdays at the time the race will actually start." I don't feel like I'm cheating by running early. After today, I realize I'm probably doing the best thing for my mental and physical health. It is just too darn hot outside for 7:30 or 8:00 runs.
Well, it's almost 11, the air is down to 70, and the heat from this morning is but a memory....I think I'll take a nap. hahaha! Resting today - will be back out there running tomorrow.
This is a beautiful life.
This morning dawned as most mornings in Florida - in July - do. Hot and humid. Is that surprising to any of you? You'd think it's surprising to me because every morning that I get up and it's hot and humid, I still feel unprepared. I've even quit checking the weather before I run in hopes that I'll open the door to low humidity and cool temperatures. Someday, probably in November, I expect that will actually happen. I picked up my friend, Ashley, and her husband, Jake, and off we went to join the other eager runners who wanted to support the Ronald McDonald House. I made sure to tell Ashley that she really needed to run at her own pace because I would be slowing her down.
The race starts and I fully understand now about how when you are in a race type situation you just go and have a hard time settling into your normal pace. After about 15 minutes I knew I was in trouble. It was hot, and I had started out faster than I normally run, and now here I am sucking wind. Somewhere closer to mile 2, I realized my shoe was untied, so I stopped to tie my shoe and here comes Ashley. She had been ahead of me, but she circled back around so she could finish with me. Well, I was discouraged. I felt like puking and I was off the pace I've been doing lately. Ashley was so sweet and encouraging. I kept apologizing for slowing her down and really felt bad. You talk about someone who was down on myself....well, I was DOWN. I was ready to beat myself up...and maybe cry. ha!
We finally finished and I couldn't be happier to see the towel bucket where you get your icy cold towel. Oh boy...it felt amazing. Ashley, Jake, and I are standing there when these two men walked up. They started talking about how good they thought I did and how consistent my pace was. I remembered these guys because they were behind me earlier on - and they were also an Ashley and Kim situation - one was the encourager and one was needing encouragement. I can remember hearing the encourager telling his friend that he should just look at me and that although I was being passed I was being consistent. They didn't know though that once I stopped to tie my shoe - I just walked the rest of the 5k. I didn't puke though - and that's really what I was going for by that point. =)
I wish I could find those guys this afternoon and tell him how much their random encouragement meant to me. It truly almost brings tears to my eyes because they had no clue the internal struggle I was having with myself because I had done so much worse than I've been doing. They had no idea that I really was just so disappointed in myself. It really made me feel great...it turned the morning around for me. It made me feel so great about what I'm doing. Remember that...maybe someone needs your words of encouragement today.
Speaking of that....thank you to all of you who are following this journey with me. I've had several of you ask how I stay motivated and honestly knowing that there are people who are looking for those updates from me keeps me motivated. So, I appreciate y'all. I appreciate your words of encouraging.
On a funny note...with all the encouragement I've received, I've had a few people who want to point out the flaws with my plan. Mainly - how in the world do I expect that I will be able to complete a half marathon. I even had one person say, "Don't you think you're kind of cheating by running early instead of the time the actual race will be - you won't be ready." My immediate inner response was "When is the last time you ate a bug before 6 in the morning because I've done that twice this week while running." My outer response to that was "Well, the race is in November, so it is going to naturally be cooler outside than it is now and when we hit mid-September I do plan on running on Saturdays at the time the race will actually start." I don't feel like I'm cheating by running early. After today, I realize I'm probably doing the best thing for my mental and physical health. It is just too darn hot outside for 7:30 or 8:00 runs.
Well, it's almost 11, the air is down to 70, and the heat from this morning is but a memory....I think I'll take a nap. hahaha! Resting today - will be back out there running tomorrow.
This is a beautiful life.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
From Mother's Day to Father's Day and All The Miles In Between...
Well, it's Father's Day and a lot has happened since I made the decision to do this half marathon journey on Mother's Day.
First off, I am actually able to run - okay, a very very very slow jog, for almost an hour. I am strictly staying on my running schedule, so I've only had to do 50 minutes so far, but still. I seriously NEVER thought I'd be able to continuously jog for that length of time in just 6 weeks of training - or EVER - for that matter. Y'all might be questioning how I signed up to do a half marathon thinking I wouldn't be able to run for at least an hour - knowing that a half marathon in 13.1 miles - but my goal was never to run the whole thing, only to finish....crawling if I had to. I tell people that I'm pretty certain if the neighbors are looking out the window they probably have to stare a few minutes to decipher if I'm running in place or actually going somewhere I'm moving so slow, but I'm still doing it! The goal is to not injure myself so I'm being careful to not push myself too far too soon. November is still awhile away.
Second, I've realized that Vain Inner Kim is silenced - at least temporarily. I rarely - okay, never - match when I walk out the door to train. I'm proudly wearing my scary running pants, dark purple sports bra, and lime green tank top. Y'all I even bought - okay I hesitate to say "fanny pack" - but it is a small fanny pack. It's just big enough to hold my cell phone and keys, but it is still a glorified runner's fanny pack. I strap that thing on each morning and then pretend like it's not there. The neighbors see me sweat soaked, running around, sometimes singing out loud, and I don't even care anymore. Of course, when Laura is with me, I still don't match, but the talking to myself and singing are out. ha!
Third, I've realized that while I must like every song on my iPod because I'm the one who bought all the music, I only like about one in every ten songs when it is on shuffle. No, seriously. I think the reason some of my long runs seem to go by fast is because I'm spending most of the time hitting the "forward" button my iPod to move to the next song. What is up with that? I've made an "exercise" play list, but let's be real, there are only so many times you can listen to the same songs OVER and OVER before you start to get grumpy.
Along this same vein I've realized that some of the songs I thought would motivate and got put in the "exercise" play list, only managed to tick my off by the time I got to them. Take for instance, Summertime by Kenny Chesney. Now, I LOVE that song. I put it on my play list and thought it would be a nice fun song to listen to. Well, one Saturday, I was out jogging around the neighborhood and I had a later start, so it was burning up outside. I was cursing the fact that there are no trees in the neighborhood and wondering what the cost would be to transplant full grown oaks in every yard along my run, when said song came on. All of a sudden, my fun song made me feel grumpier. Here Kenny is singing along all great about how the temperature says 93 down at the deposit and guarantee, but that swimming hole is nice and cold, and all I could think was "Buddy, I don't even know what I ever liked about this song...who thinks 93 degree weather is something to wax poetic about - obviously someone from North Dakota or somewhere super cold who doesn't even know what 93 degree weather feels like." Never mind that Kenny Chesney is from Tennessee, not North Dakota, and I'm not even sure who wrote the song, but I was not being reasonable. hahaha! On the other hand, one day I was struggling along and "Are You Ready For A Miracle" came blaring out. That pepped me right up. Plus, I got to laughing thinking about how me - running - is very close to a miracle.
Fourth, I've realized that I absolutely LOVE my Nike+ app, but I am so glad that I could change the voice from female to male. Now, this is where y'all are going to think I've lost my mind, but I'm okay with that. You see, the default on mine was set to a female voice and each time you reach certain milestones along your way the voice comes on to let you know where you are. All I could picture was some super skinny woman, who believes that two pieces of lettuce and an ounce of grilled chicken make a meal, who has been running since she was 9 months old, running backwards in front of me, not even breaking a sweat, beckoning me to run faster. All the while, I only want to catch up to her so I can kick her. Did I mention that y'all might think I was crazy? So, I changed it to the male voice. Now, in my head, this guy is just as fit as the female, but he's more comfortable in his own skin, so instead of running backwards in front of me, I picture some guy sitting in a lawn chair - feet up on a Gatorade water cooler - just waiting for me to run by and encourage me and he somehow magically appears at all the milestones along the run. Crazy? Maybe. However, it's working for me. haha!
Fifth, I've realized that I think about my feet more than ever. No, really, it's true. I am constantly concerned with my feet. I bought new shoes for work and boy, they are unattractive, but they are comfortable. I'm about to stop gifting myself with pedicures as weight loss celebrations and come up with a new gift. I just don't want anything to happen to my feet. Let's be real - nothing will throw your plan of quicker than sore feet. So, I am doing everything I can do make sure I'm good to my feet. I'm almost obsessive about it. I did go get a pedicure a couple of weeks back and I found myself more uptight than relaxed when it came time for them to exfoliate and when they brought out the clippers, I really felt like this wasn't a good idea. So, there will probably be no wearing of any of the 4" heels I own between now and then. Probably no wearing of cute shoes at all. Boo. Someone needs to design shoes that are both cute and comfortable. Really people....we either have one or the other. It's time for someone to come through for me on this.
Since this could go on and on, I'll close with this. I've realized that the vast majority of people who hear I'm training to do a half marathon will say "I could NEVER do that...I can't even run to the mailbox, or kitchen, or fill in the blank with some ridiculously short distance". I think "I know y'all are looking at me and are not seeing a runner's body here." I then tell them "Yeah, you could. You just have to make up your mind that you are going to do it and then start." Sure, there are people who legitimately cannot do the half marathon because of physical limitations, but most people could do it with a bit of mental strength. I saw a bumper sticker and this person was a marathon runner. How did I know that? Well, because they proudly had stickers all over their mom van. Anyways, this sticker said "It's not amazing that I finished - what's amazing is that I had the courage to start." There is a ton of truth to that. Isn't that how it is with most things in life?
And just in case you're wondering.....when I complete those 13.1 miles, there is a good chance I'm going to have every single piece of clothing I own monogrammed with 13.1. Seriously. Forget just putting a magnetic sticker on my car - I'm going to go all out. Who knows - I might get a gigantic 13.1 tattoo. Okay, probably no tattoo. That might be a little much.
This is a beautiful life!
First off, I am actually able to run - okay, a very very very slow jog, for almost an hour. I am strictly staying on my running schedule, so I've only had to do 50 minutes so far, but still. I seriously NEVER thought I'd be able to continuously jog for that length of time in just 6 weeks of training - or EVER - for that matter. Y'all might be questioning how I signed up to do a half marathon thinking I wouldn't be able to run for at least an hour - knowing that a half marathon in 13.1 miles - but my goal was never to run the whole thing, only to finish....crawling if I had to. I tell people that I'm pretty certain if the neighbors are looking out the window they probably have to stare a few minutes to decipher if I'm running in place or actually going somewhere I'm moving so slow, but I'm still doing it! The goal is to not injure myself so I'm being careful to not push myself too far too soon. November is still awhile away.
Second, I've realized that Vain Inner Kim is silenced - at least temporarily. I rarely - okay, never - match when I walk out the door to train. I'm proudly wearing my scary running pants, dark purple sports bra, and lime green tank top. Y'all I even bought - okay I hesitate to say "fanny pack" - but it is a small fanny pack. It's just big enough to hold my cell phone and keys, but it is still a glorified runner's fanny pack. I strap that thing on each morning and then pretend like it's not there. The neighbors see me sweat soaked, running around, sometimes singing out loud, and I don't even care anymore. Of course, when Laura is with me, I still don't match, but the talking to myself and singing are out. ha!
Third, I've realized that while I must like every song on my iPod because I'm the one who bought all the music, I only like about one in every ten songs when it is on shuffle. No, seriously. I think the reason some of my long runs seem to go by fast is because I'm spending most of the time hitting the "forward" button my iPod to move to the next song. What is up with that? I've made an "exercise" play list, but let's be real, there are only so many times you can listen to the same songs OVER and OVER before you start to get grumpy.
Along this same vein I've realized that some of the songs I thought would motivate and got put in the "exercise" play list, only managed to tick my off by the time I got to them. Take for instance, Summertime by Kenny Chesney. Now, I LOVE that song. I put it on my play list and thought it would be a nice fun song to listen to. Well, one Saturday, I was out jogging around the neighborhood and I had a later start, so it was burning up outside. I was cursing the fact that there are no trees in the neighborhood and wondering what the cost would be to transplant full grown oaks in every yard along my run, when said song came on. All of a sudden, my fun song made me feel grumpier. Here Kenny is singing along all great about how the temperature says 93 down at the deposit and guarantee, but that swimming hole is nice and cold, and all I could think was "Buddy, I don't even know what I ever liked about this song...who thinks 93 degree weather is something to wax poetic about - obviously someone from North Dakota or somewhere super cold who doesn't even know what 93 degree weather feels like." Never mind that Kenny Chesney is from Tennessee, not North Dakota, and I'm not even sure who wrote the song, but I was not being reasonable. hahaha! On the other hand, one day I was struggling along and "Are You Ready For A Miracle" came blaring out. That pepped me right up. Plus, I got to laughing thinking about how me - running - is very close to a miracle.
Fourth, I've realized that I absolutely LOVE my Nike+ app, but I am so glad that I could change the voice from female to male. Now, this is where y'all are going to think I've lost my mind, but I'm okay with that. You see, the default on mine was set to a female voice and each time you reach certain milestones along your way the voice comes on to let you know where you are. All I could picture was some super skinny woman, who believes that two pieces of lettuce and an ounce of grilled chicken make a meal, who has been running since she was 9 months old, running backwards in front of me, not even breaking a sweat, beckoning me to run faster. All the while, I only want to catch up to her so I can kick her. Did I mention that y'all might think I was crazy? So, I changed it to the male voice. Now, in my head, this guy is just as fit as the female, but he's more comfortable in his own skin, so instead of running backwards in front of me, I picture some guy sitting in a lawn chair - feet up on a Gatorade water cooler - just waiting for me to run by and encourage me and he somehow magically appears at all the milestones along the run. Crazy? Maybe. However, it's working for me. haha!
Fifth, I've realized that I think about my feet more than ever. No, really, it's true. I am constantly concerned with my feet. I bought new shoes for work and boy, they are unattractive, but they are comfortable. I'm about to stop gifting myself with pedicures as weight loss celebrations and come up with a new gift. I just don't want anything to happen to my feet. Let's be real - nothing will throw your plan of quicker than sore feet. So, I am doing everything I can do make sure I'm good to my feet. I'm almost obsessive about it. I did go get a pedicure a couple of weeks back and I found myself more uptight than relaxed when it came time for them to exfoliate and when they brought out the clippers, I really felt like this wasn't a good idea. So, there will probably be no wearing of any of the 4" heels I own between now and then. Probably no wearing of cute shoes at all. Boo. Someone needs to design shoes that are both cute and comfortable. Really people....we either have one or the other. It's time for someone to come through for me on this.
Since this could go on and on, I'll close with this. I've realized that the vast majority of people who hear I'm training to do a half marathon will say "I could NEVER do that...I can't even run to the mailbox, or kitchen, or fill in the blank with some ridiculously short distance". I think "I know y'all are looking at me and are not seeing a runner's body here." I then tell them "Yeah, you could. You just have to make up your mind that you are going to do it and then start." Sure, there are people who legitimately cannot do the half marathon because of physical limitations, but most people could do it with a bit of mental strength. I saw a bumper sticker and this person was a marathon runner. How did I know that? Well, because they proudly had stickers all over their mom van. Anyways, this sticker said "It's not amazing that I finished - what's amazing is that I had the courage to start." There is a ton of truth to that. Isn't that how it is with most things in life?
And just in case you're wondering.....when I complete those 13.1 miles, there is a good chance I'm going to have every single piece of clothing I own monogrammed with 13.1. Seriously. Forget just putting a magnetic sticker on my car - I'm going to go all out. Who knows - I might get a gigantic 13.1 tattoo. Okay, probably no tattoo. That might be a little much.
This is a beautiful life!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Get Your Run On...
Lately, I've had an old blog post on my mind. Sometimes I blog because I think that maybe - just maybe - if someone stumbled across this they might read something that would encourage them where they are. However, I also blog just for myself. It's a stress reliever, an outlet, a way to remember some of my past journeys - a story, written in my own words, which I sometimes come back to just to reflect on where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going.
So, even though this post was originally written in the Fall, and it certainly is not Fall-like weather outside, I wanted to share this again. Pretty appropriate that with all the running I've been doing lately training for the half marathon I would be thinking of an old post about running.
I hope you enjoy....and although it was 100 degrees outside today, I still look forward to going out and running tomorrow. =)
Originally Posted October 20, 2008
Okay, so I know I tend to blog a lot about the same things...however, I guess it's just me. Maybe that means God is trying to tell me something and apparently He feels the need to tell me over and over because I'm a little thick headed. In turn, I share it with y'all.
Tonight, I decided to run down the road for something...not literally, but in the car. It was right before the sun was starting to set, and as I headed out I couldn't help but notice just how beautiful it was outside. It just felt clean. I ran my errand, and headed back west - right into the beautiful sunset. I felt like I could drive forever - and just watch the sun go down. It was a sky filled with colors that really have no names...hard to describe because words like, pink, orange, red, with a hint of blue, just don't seem to describe the majestic painting that was there for all to see. Once again...Fall is here.
This is my probably my favorite time of year to run. The air feels clean and crisp, and after months of feeling like you are breathing under water with all the humidity, you really appreciate the change. It's like one day it is 97 degrees with 98% humidity, and the next it is a nice 80 without humidity.
On my drive tonight I once again began to think about how we are all running. We are either running from something or to something, and sometimes we are doing both.
Sometimes we lace up our shoes and just start running trying to outrun ourselves, or someone else, and we have no destination in mind - just running to get away. We run until we can't breathe, until our legs are jelly, until there is no thought but just putting one foot in front of the other and moving. We run so that we don't have to think. We get up, go to work, go through the motions, compartmentalize, run home, do all of our errands, and run until exhausted, we fall asleep - or not. Even then, we are running to something. However, because we are running blindly, we are not creating our destiny, but desperately just trying to stay out of the pot holes, briars, or ditches that come up. We have our heads down, blinders on, and just can't seem to stop for fear that the stray dog that is chasing us just might catch up. We know that if we stop, we are through. We are running out of desperation.
Then there are the times when we lace up, map out our plan, strap on the iPod, drink some water, open the door to a new day, and begin a run that will put us on the path to fulfilling God's greatness in our life. We say a prayer, we put our faith in Him, and we set out. We start at a nice jog, breathe in the fresh clean air, feel our muscles start to kick in, and realize that this will be a fantastic run. We look at the obstacles around us - the pot holes, briars, ditches, stray dogs - and see them for what they really are - just a test for our strength. We look around and see the wondrous mercies that have been afforded us. We take in the scenery. We pick up the pace, wave to the neighbors, run with our head held high, run until our legs start to feel stronger, until our lungs are filled with praise, until our heart starts to beat with His. We run until we realize that while we might have mapped out a plan, He has a greater one. He has a plan that might not lead us where we thought - as a matter of fact, it probably won't - yet, we look around and can see that you are right where you are supposed to be. We are running out of praise, out of love, out of thankfulness, out of excitement for the future.
I have been in both pairs of shoes...on both paths. I ran out of desperation. I ran until I realized that unless I am running out of love, I'm not going to be able to complete the course. I ran until, exhausted, I finally decided that nothing, not even the pot holes, briars, and dogs, could be worse than that feeling. Nothing could be worse than always trying to run faster - and not being able to outrun the true reason I felt couldn't stop - because no matter how fast I ran, I couldn't outrun myself. I woke up and realized that I was so tangled up in everything, that I was really running in place, like on a treadmill, and it would never end. I took off the blinders, looked around, and promptly broke down.
Then thankfully, I began to run again. I began to move in a new way, with new thoughts, with new beginnings. I stepped off the treadmill, and hit the road. I gave it over, and now I no longer run alone. I always have Him there to guide me. I have Him to run ahead, check out the path, and tell me how to proceed. Now, do I always go with the plan? I would like to say, yes, however, sometimes I forget that I don't have to do it on my own. You know what, though? As soon as I come back to my senses, He is still there waiting. Always waiting for me. Always reminding me that the path ahead will lead to His plan. Always telling me that even when it's raining, when the mosquitoes are out, when the sun is so hot it is almost like the pavement is melting, when the path is bumpy, He is right there.
So, tonight, I am thankful. I'm thankful for this beautiful weather, thankful for this beautiful life. I am most thankful for His plan for my life. I am ready to put on my running shoes and continue to run into my destiny. The one that is created just for me - not out of desperation, but out of love. I am thankful that I don't have to do it on my own, because truly I am not that strong.
I hope y'all have a wonderful night! I am so looking forward to literally putting on my running shoes tomorrow, and taking it outside! Woo hoo!
So, even though this post was originally written in the Fall, and it certainly is not Fall-like weather outside, I wanted to share this again. Pretty appropriate that with all the running I've been doing lately training for the half marathon I would be thinking of an old post about running.
I hope you enjoy....and although it was 100 degrees outside today, I still look forward to going out and running tomorrow. =)
Originally Posted October 20, 2008
Okay, so I know I tend to blog a lot about the same things...however, I guess it's just me. Maybe that means God is trying to tell me something and apparently He feels the need to tell me over and over because I'm a little thick headed. In turn, I share it with y'all.
Tonight, I decided to run down the road for something...not literally, but in the car. It was right before the sun was starting to set, and as I headed out I couldn't help but notice just how beautiful it was outside. It just felt clean. I ran my errand, and headed back west - right into the beautiful sunset. I felt like I could drive forever - and just watch the sun go down. It was a sky filled with colors that really have no names...hard to describe because words like, pink, orange, red, with a hint of blue, just don't seem to describe the majestic painting that was there for all to see. Once again...Fall is here.
This is my probably my favorite time of year to run. The air feels clean and crisp, and after months of feeling like you are breathing under water with all the humidity, you really appreciate the change. It's like one day it is 97 degrees with 98% humidity, and the next it is a nice 80 without humidity.
On my drive tonight I once again began to think about how we are all running. We are either running from something or to something, and sometimes we are doing both.
Sometimes we lace up our shoes and just start running trying to outrun ourselves, or someone else, and we have no destination in mind - just running to get away. We run until we can't breathe, until our legs are jelly, until there is no thought but just putting one foot in front of the other and moving. We run so that we don't have to think. We get up, go to work, go through the motions, compartmentalize, run home, do all of our errands, and run until exhausted, we fall asleep - or not. Even then, we are running to something. However, because we are running blindly, we are not creating our destiny, but desperately just trying to stay out of the pot holes, briars, or ditches that come up. We have our heads down, blinders on, and just can't seem to stop for fear that the stray dog that is chasing us just might catch up. We know that if we stop, we are through. We are running out of desperation.
Then there are the times when we lace up, map out our plan, strap on the iPod, drink some water, open the door to a new day, and begin a run that will put us on the path to fulfilling God's greatness in our life. We say a prayer, we put our faith in Him, and we set out. We start at a nice jog, breathe in the fresh clean air, feel our muscles start to kick in, and realize that this will be a fantastic run. We look at the obstacles around us - the pot holes, briars, ditches, stray dogs - and see them for what they really are - just a test for our strength. We look around and see the wondrous mercies that have been afforded us. We take in the scenery. We pick up the pace, wave to the neighbors, run with our head held high, run until our legs start to feel stronger, until our lungs are filled with praise, until our heart starts to beat with His. We run until we realize that while we might have mapped out a plan, He has a greater one. He has a plan that might not lead us where we thought - as a matter of fact, it probably won't - yet, we look around and can see that you are right where you are supposed to be. We are running out of praise, out of love, out of thankfulness, out of excitement for the future.
I have been in both pairs of shoes...on both paths. I ran out of desperation. I ran until I realized that unless I am running out of love, I'm not going to be able to complete the course. I ran until, exhausted, I finally decided that nothing, not even the pot holes, briars, and dogs, could be worse than that feeling. Nothing could be worse than always trying to run faster - and not being able to outrun the true reason I felt couldn't stop - because no matter how fast I ran, I couldn't outrun myself. I woke up and realized that I was so tangled up in everything, that I was really running in place, like on a treadmill, and it would never end. I took off the blinders, looked around, and promptly broke down.
Then thankfully, I began to run again. I began to move in a new way, with new thoughts, with new beginnings. I stepped off the treadmill, and hit the road. I gave it over, and now I no longer run alone. I always have Him there to guide me. I have Him to run ahead, check out the path, and tell me how to proceed. Now, do I always go with the plan? I would like to say, yes, however, sometimes I forget that I don't have to do it on my own. You know what, though? As soon as I come back to my senses, He is still there waiting. Always waiting for me. Always reminding me that the path ahead will lead to His plan. Always telling me that even when it's raining, when the mosquitoes are out, when the sun is so hot it is almost like the pavement is melting, when the path is bumpy, He is right there.
So, tonight, I am thankful. I'm thankful for this beautiful weather, thankful for this beautiful life. I am most thankful for His plan for my life. I am ready to put on my running shoes and continue to run into my destiny. The one that is created just for me - not out of desperation, but out of love. I am thankful that I don't have to do it on my own, because truly I am not that strong.
I hope y'all have a wonderful night! I am so looking forward to literally putting on my running shoes tomorrow, and taking it outside! Woo hoo!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
I Do, Backwards Pants, Tossing Cookies, and Towels on the Carpet...
As you may or may not know - more likely may, since I talked about it for a year - my younger sister, Mae-Beth, got married last weekend. It was a GREAT time filled with laughter, tears, kickball, manicures, and even beer - for those drinking beer. I'm personally not a drinker because of two main reasons #1 and really important - I have never found anything that I thought actually tasted good and #2 - I like being in control too much, am always the driver, and don't want to feel like crud the next day. Okay, that was really like reasons 2, 3, and 4, but you get the point. =)
That being said, when I woke up on Sunday morning, I felt like someone who had been drinking the day before. It suddenly dawned on me that I probably had not drank enough water and we had spent most of the day outside in over 90 degree weather. Yeah, I was a little dehydrated. That wasn't going to stop me though - I was staying on the half marathon plan. So, I left my house, met Laura, and did three miles all the while wondering why my pants kept feeling like they were slipping in the back. I was aggravated. I had a headache, it was H-O-T hot outside and dadgum if my pants weren't slipping down. ARGH!! I got back to the house, go to get in the shower and had to laugh...I had put my pants on backwards. Nice. Just nice. I decided the hardest decision I would make the rest of that day would be whether I was going to eat leftovers or just some peanut butter toast for dinner.
On Tuesday, I got up, met Laura, and she informed me that her friend - the one who I'm hoping likes to water her grass while we run - is going to go with us. So, we go off in to meet her at her house...only she's not there, so we take shortcuts through the neighborhood and still can't find her. Turns out - she was taking shortcuts looking for us. It was already warm outside, but reminded me why I love to exercise in the mornings because it is not nearly as hot outside at 5 as it is at 8. No, not nearly. It's amazing how much of a difference a few hours can make.
When I got to work on Tuesday, a reminder popped up on my calendar that a few of us were supposed to go to lunch for finishing a major project. I had totally forgotten about that, but it was a free lunch so YEA! Let me just say, that "free" lunch cost me a lot more than anticipated. Within a short period after finishing lunch, I knew something was very wrong. More wrong than I like to admit. Wrong enough that I tossed my cookies four times from the time I got back to the office from lunch until I walked in my house less than an hour later. Even the cats wouldn't come around. Seriously. For almost an entire day, when I would walk in one room, they would run out. Probably because it was more like I was running past them to the bathroom, but still. ha! I lost 4.5 pounds in a day and decided to not do any exercise on Wednesday. It was the first time since I've started this program that I had an unscheduled rest day. I needed it.
It's been four weeks since I've made the decision to run/walk a half marathon, and one action made me realize even further the difference between renting and owning my own home. You see, last Sunday, when I was sooo hot, I stumbled into the house, wanting nothing more than to chug 4 cups of water and lie down under the ceiling fan. The only problem with that is I was soaked with sweat. Yes, soaked. Ugh. Now, some of y'all wouldn't see what the problem is - and honestly, 6 months ago, I wouldn't have either, but now I am a homeowner. I'm a homeowner who doesn't want my sweat soaked body laid out on my carpet - only to sweat soak my new carpet. So, I did what anyone would do...I put a towel down and promptly did my best Rip Van Winkle impression - well, if Rip Van Winkle had just finished exercising in the Florida heat, lacking hydration, and facial hair (I know y'all have seen the beard on that mug and I'm not sporting a beard...thankfully - because I just realized how nasty that would have been after a run....ewwwwww).
Anyways, now I have a pre-run/walk routine. I get a huge cup of water, put it on the coffee table, put a towel down beside said coffee table and make sure all is ready to go for when I come back. That way, all I have to do is come in the door, unlace my shoes, take about 6 more steps and everything I need to recover is waiting on me. =) I say it's pretty smart - you might think it's weird - I'm okay with that...after all, this is about me, right? hahaha!
This is a beautiful life!
That being said, when I woke up on Sunday morning, I felt like someone who had been drinking the day before. It suddenly dawned on me that I probably had not drank enough water and we had spent most of the day outside in over 90 degree weather. Yeah, I was a little dehydrated. That wasn't going to stop me though - I was staying on the half marathon plan. So, I left my house, met Laura, and did three miles all the while wondering why my pants kept feeling like they were slipping in the back. I was aggravated. I had a headache, it was H-O-T hot outside and dadgum if my pants weren't slipping down. ARGH!! I got back to the house, go to get in the shower and had to laugh...I had put my pants on backwards. Nice. Just nice. I decided the hardest decision I would make the rest of that day would be whether I was going to eat leftovers or just some peanut butter toast for dinner.
On Tuesday, I got up, met Laura, and she informed me that her friend - the one who I'm hoping likes to water her grass while we run - is going to go with us. So, we go off in to meet her at her house...only she's not there, so we take shortcuts through the neighborhood and still can't find her. Turns out - she was taking shortcuts looking for us. It was already warm outside, but reminded me why I love to exercise in the mornings because it is not nearly as hot outside at 5 as it is at 8. No, not nearly. It's amazing how much of a difference a few hours can make.
When I got to work on Tuesday, a reminder popped up on my calendar that a few of us were supposed to go to lunch for finishing a major project. I had totally forgotten about that, but it was a free lunch so YEA! Let me just say, that "free" lunch cost me a lot more than anticipated. Within a short period after finishing lunch, I knew something was very wrong. More wrong than I like to admit. Wrong enough that I tossed my cookies four times from the time I got back to the office from lunch until I walked in my house less than an hour later. Even the cats wouldn't come around. Seriously. For almost an entire day, when I would walk in one room, they would run out. Probably because it was more like I was running past them to the bathroom, but still. ha! I lost 4.5 pounds in a day and decided to not do any exercise on Wednesday. It was the first time since I've started this program that I had an unscheduled rest day. I needed it.
It's been four weeks since I've made the decision to run/walk a half marathon, and one action made me realize even further the difference between renting and owning my own home. You see, last Sunday, when I was sooo hot, I stumbled into the house, wanting nothing more than to chug 4 cups of water and lie down under the ceiling fan. The only problem with that is I was soaked with sweat. Yes, soaked. Ugh. Now, some of y'all wouldn't see what the problem is - and honestly, 6 months ago, I wouldn't have either, but now I am a homeowner. I'm a homeowner who doesn't want my sweat soaked body laid out on my carpet - only to sweat soak my new carpet. So, I did what anyone would do...I put a towel down and promptly did my best Rip Van Winkle impression - well, if Rip Van Winkle had just finished exercising in the Florida heat, lacking hydration, and facial hair (I know y'all have seen the beard on that mug and I'm not sporting a beard...thankfully - because I just realized how nasty that would have been after a run....ewwwwww).
Anyways, now I have a pre-run/walk routine. I get a huge cup of water, put it on the coffee table, put a towel down beside said coffee table and make sure all is ready to go for when I come back. That way, all I have to do is come in the door, unlace my shoes, take about 6 more steps and everything I need to recover is waiting on me. =) I say it's pretty smart - you might think it's weird - I'm okay with that...after all, this is about me, right? hahaha!
This is a beautiful life!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
New Running Partner, New Kicks, and Greatness Within...
I know it has been almost two weeks since my last update, but man has that time gone by fast. Without further ado, I will fill you in on what's going on...
1. I have a new running partner. Okay, so we actually have only done walking lately (we'll cover this in the next point), but still. It's funny how life works out, but I actually live in the same neighborhood as a friend from school, Laura. I have made a commitment to this half marathon and she has made a commitment to getting up early during the week, and even on the weekends to run with me. I will have to admit - it's nice. I am usually unable to carry on a conversation while exercising, but I told her that if she can keep up her end and a lot of mine, we'll be good. So far it's working for us. =) There's something nice about not only feeling like I've told everyone I know, some folks I don't know, and posted all over Facebook that I'm doing this, but knowing that she is counting on me to show up each day. It's that whole accountability thing. If you don't think you need it - well, you're wrong. Oh yeah, we've got this. Plus, it's good to know that our houses are spaced out (6 tenths of a mile one way from my house - and 4 tenths of a mile the other - yeah, y'all know I clocked it) so if during the longer days I feel like I'm about to die from needing water, some one's house is close. Now if we can just recruit her friend that also lives in our neighborhood, we'll have water stops all over the place. Shoot, even if her friend doesn't run, just makes sure to water her grass while we run by, and can run through, she might end up with a special place in my heart. ha!
2. Remember our previous discussion about the appropriate running attire? Remember how important that decision is? Well, I failed - epically - in the shoe department. The last time I bought shoes, I went to this store in town, Running Wild, and had them fit me for shoes. BEST. DECISION. EVER. However, three or four years later, I thought I would do it on my own. I really wanted the Nike+ shoes that you can put the iPod sensor in to track all my statistics. I went to Shoe Station, found the Nike+ shoes, realized they didn't have my size - and they sure didn't have a wide shoe - so I bought a half size larger than normal thinking I could make it work. Let's just say...shoes, like relationships, don't work like that. If it doesn't fit today - it's not going to fit tomorrow. No matter how hard you try, you'll just be left with tears, scars, and a pain in the....well, we'll go with foot. Yeah, foot. However, I'm no quitter, right? Right. So I ended up running/walking 12 miles in those shoes.
Last Thursday night was a turning point for me. I sat on my couch and glared over to the door where the shoes were sitting and I'm telling you - the shoes smirked back. It's then that I realized in the contest to break in the shoes...the shoes were winning. The shoes were breaking me - with no hope of me breaking them. I had a blister on my toe the size of a quarter, a cut on my heal, and three or four other toes that looked like they had been run over with a lawn mower. I made a decision. I went and got the box out of the recycling, packed those bad boys back in them, and put them in the car to take back to Shoe Station. I figured if they took them back - great...if not, oh well - I'd donate them to someone else's cause and drive myself to Running Wild anyway. Well, low and behold, they took them back. I limped out of the store and on to Running Wild.
If you've never been to Running Wild - let me tell you - that place is a runner's dream. Clothes, GU (that's a story in itself), shoes, gadgets...you name it - they have it. If they don't have it, they'll order it. Here's the deal: You go in, tell someone you're looking for shoes, they have you roll up your pants and walk the length of the store, maybe jog a little bit, pull out a foot measure and measure your feet, skip off to the back room and come out with three or four boxes of shoes for you. You sit down, they do all the work. You just have to say which feels the best. The first pair he put on, I really felt like the heavens parted and the angels sang the Hallelujah chorus. I was in love. However, I went ahead and tried several other pairs - only to end up with the first pair. They didn't have a wide in stock, but he ordered it for me and I bought a handy little pouch to hold my iPod sensor...problem solved. Now, you don't really know the price on the shoes when you're trying them on, so I was nervous. Surely shoes that feel as great as these did are about to put a hole in my wallet. I remembered that I would be running over 500 miles between then and the 5k and decided to for once go with comfort over price. He rang them up and I was surprised to learn that they were only $20 more than the other shoes I had returned. Oh, and so incredibly worth it. I have made a pact with myself....just like I will never again Nair my armpits (see a previous blog), color or cut my own hair, or admit to having had a crush on Hoss from Bonanza (y'all, he was a super nice character), I will never again buy running shoes that aren't the right ones for me.
My shoes weren't due to come in until Thursday, so I had to wear my old New Balance until then and decided that walking would be better than running. Yesterday I got the call that they had come in early, went and picked them up, and walked in them this morning. Y'all I'm seriously about to get my run on. Okay, okay...let's be honest....I'm seriously about to get my run/walk on. The point is that whatever I'm about to do...it's on!
3. For those of you wondering what it's like to undertake this, let me say - I am not looking at the big picture now. I am looking at the picture for today. Today I most definitely cannot run 13.1 miles, so I don't think I about that. Today I think my schedule says I have to do 5 minutes more today than yesterday - oh, I can so do that! Guess what? Come November 5th all those extra 5 minutes are going to add up to one great moment where I will accomplish what I would have not previously thought possible. If you are wondering if you can do something - even if it's not a half marathon - get up and do a small something today. Just like the road you are on in life, it's rarely monumental events that brought us where we are, but small, maybe even seemingly inconsequential decisions, that add up to shape us into who we are.
4. My last thought today is this...I weighed yesterday, and I am down over 23 pounds now. That is exciting. I still have a long way to go, but just like the half marathon, I am not looking at this as a major number that needs to be conquered, but a small change today which will bring me where I want to be. That being said, I laughed loudly today when putting on my wonderful running pants. Inside the back of the pants - where the label is printed - is also the name of the maker of the pants, with their slogan "Greatness Within"...I thought "Oh goodness, y'all have noooooo idea the greatness within these things. hahahaha! Oh well, soon the greatness within will be a little less noticeable on the outside, but a whole lot more cemented on the inside of who I am.
Well crud....I had one more thought. I burst through the door yesterday morning, and thought "Hmmmm, I sound familiar. I sound like someone I've seen on tv or a movie before". Then it dawned on me - daggum, if I wasn't doing an amazing impression of Wheezy off Toy Story. The fact that I had my black running pants on, with the white decorative part - which I affectionately call my Shamu pants because they look like something the trainers at Believe in Sea World wear to train the animals - only solidified my resemblance to that wonderful character. hahahahha!!!
This is a beautiful life.
1. I have a new running partner. Okay, so we actually have only done walking lately (we'll cover this in the next point), but still. It's funny how life works out, but I actually live in the same neighborhood as a friend from school, Laura. I have made a commitment to this half marathon and she has made a commitment to getting up early during the week, and even on the weekends to run with me. I will have to admit - it's nice. I am usually unable to carry on a conversation while exercising, but I told her that if she can keep up her end and a lot of mine, we'll be good. So far it's working for us. =) There's something nice about not only feeling like I've told everyone I know, some folks I don't know, and posted all over Facebook that I'm doing this, but knowing that she is counting on me to show up each day. It's that whole accountability thing. If you don't think you need it - well, you're wrong. Oh yeah, we've got this. Plus, it's good to know that our houses are spaced out (6 tenths of a mile one way from my house - and 4 tenths of a mile the other - yeah, y'all know I clocked it) so if during the longer days I feel like I'm about to die from needing water, some one's house is close. Now if we can just recruit her friend that also lives in our neighborhood, we'll have water stops all over the place. Shoot, even if her friend doesn't run, just makes sure to water her grass while we run by, and can run through, she might end up with a special place in my heart. ha!
2. Remember our previous discussion about the appropriate running attire? Remember how important that decision is? Well, I failed - epically - in the shoe department. The last time I bought shoes, I went to this store in town, Running Wild, and had them fit me for shoes. BEST. DECISION. EVER. However, three or four years later, I thought I would do it on my own. I really wanted the Nike+ shoes that you can put the iPod sensor in to track all my statistics. I went to Shoe Station, found the Nike+ shoes, realized they didn't have my size - and they sure didn't have a wide shoe - so I bought a half size larger than normal thinking I could make it work. Let's just say...shoes, like relationships, don't work like that. If it doesn't fit today - it's not going to fit tomorrow. No matter how hard you try, you'll just be left with tears, scars, and a pain in the....well, we'll go with foot. Yeah, foot. However, I'm no quitter, right? Right. So I ended up running/walking 12 miles in those shoes.
Last Thursday night was a turning point for me. I sat on my couch and glared over to the door where the shoes were sitting and I'm telling you - the shoes smirked back. It's then that I realized in the contest to break in the shoes...the shoes were winning. The shoes were breaking me - with no hope of me breaking them. I had a blister on my toe the size of a quarter, a cut on my heal, and three or four other toes that looked like they had been run over with a lawn mower. I made a decision. I went and got the box out of the recycling, packed those bad boys back in them, and put them in the car to take back to Shoe Station. I figured if they took them back - great...if not, oh well - I'd donate them to someone else's cause and drive myself to Running Wild anyway. Well, low and behold, they took them back. I limped out of the store and on to Running Wild.
If you've never been to Running Wild - let me tell you - that place is a runner's dream. Clothes, GU (that's a story in itself), shoes, gadgets...you name it - they have it. If they don't have it, they'll order it. Here's the deal: You go in, tell someone you're looking for shoes, they have you roll up your pants and walk the length of the store, maybe jog a little bit, pull out a foot measure and measure your feet, skip off to the back room and come out with three or four boxes of shoes for you. You sit down, they do all the work. You just have to say which feels the best. The first pair he put on, I really felt like the heavens parted and the angels sang the Hallelujah chorus. I was in love. However, I went ahead and tried several other pairs - only to end up with the first pair. They didn't have a wide in stock, but he ordered it for me and I bought a handy little pouch to hold my iPod sensor...problem solved. Now, you don't really know the price on the shoes when you're trying them on, so I was nervous. Surely shoes that feel as great as these did are about to put a hole in my wallet. I remembered that I would be running over 500 miles between then and the 5k and decided to for once go with comfort over price. He rang them up and I was surprised to learn that they were only $20 more than the other shoes I had returned. Oh, and so incredibly worth it. I have made a pact with myself....just like I will never again Nair my armpits (see a previous blog), color or cut my own hair, or admit to having had a crush on Hoss from Bonanza (y'all, he was a super nice character), I will never again buy running shoes that aren't the right ones for me.
My shoes weren't due to come in until Thursday, so I had to wear my old New Balance until then and decided that walking would be better than running. Yesterday I got the call that they had come in early, went and picked them up, and walked in them this morning. Y'all I'm seriously about to get my run on. Okay, okay...let's be honest....I'm seriously about to get my run/walk on. The point is that whatever I'm about to do...it's on!
3. For those of you wondering what it's like to undertake this, let me say - I am not looking at the big picture now. I am looking at the picture for today. Today I most definitely cannot run 13.1 miles, so I don't think I about that. Today I think my schedule says I have to do 5 minutes more today than yesterday - oh, I can so do that! Guess what? Come November 5th all those extra 5 minutes are going to add up to one great moment where I will accomplish what I would have not previously thought possible. If you are wondering if you can do something - even if it's not a half marathon - get up and do a small something today. Just like the road you are on in life, it's rarely monumental events that brought us where we are, but small, maybe even seemingly inconsequential decisions, that add up to shape us into who we are.
4. My last thought today is this...I weighed yesterday, and I am down over 23 pounds now. That is exciting. I still have a long way to go, but just like the half marathon, I am not looking at this as a major number that needs to be conquered, but a small change today which will bring me where I want to be. That being said, I laughed loudly today when putting on my wonderful running pants. Inside the back of the pants - where the label is printed - is also the name of the maker of the pants, with their slogan "Greatness Within"...I thought "Oh goodness, y'all have noooooo idea the greatness within these things. hahahaha! Oh well, soon the greatness within will be a little less noticeable on the outside, but a whole lot more cemented on the inside of who I am.
Well crud....I had one more thought. I burst through the door yesterday morning, and thought "Hmmmm, I sound familiar. I sound like someone I've seen on tv or a movie before". Then it dawned on me - daggum, if I wasn't doing an amazing impression of Wheezy off Toy Story. The fact that I had my black running pants on, with the white decorative part - which I affectionately call my Shamu pants because they look like something the trainers at Believe in Sea World wear to train the animals - only solidified my resemblance to that wonderful character. hahahahha!!!
This is a beautiful life.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Kick Off Week...
Disclaimer - If you're not wanting to read about sports bras, running pants that ride up, blisters on feet, dry heaving in public, etc...you probably don't want to follow my half marathon journey. =) Sure, all of those things haven't happend quite yet, but I'm just warning you before we get too far along.
Almost a week has passed since I made the committment to run a half marathon. During that time, a few things have happened. First, I have told pretty much everyone I know - and even some people I don't know - because nothing helps you stick to a program quite like having a ton of people know you're supposed to on it and asking how it is going. Second, I bought a book about marathon training, and found a plan to get me from where I am today, to where I will be in November. Third, after much thought, I decided to go ahead and transition from HMR to Weight Watchers.
This week has gone pretty well. I started out slow - only ran/walked 4 days. I bought new shoes, the Nike+ system, and remembered how much I do actually like running/walking outside.
Here is my schedule for next week. Each new week starts on Sunday, and since the plan is for 20 weeks, for the first few weeks I will just repeat the week before. Because last week was kind of my easing into it week, tomorrow will be the first day that I am on the real plan.
Sunday, May 15 - Run/Walk 35 Mins
Monday, May 16 - Rest
Tuesday, May 17 - Run/Walk 35 Mins
Wednesday, May 18 - Run/Walk 40 Mins
Thursday, May 19 - Cross Train or Walk 45 Mins
Friday, May 20 - Rest
Saturday, May 21 - Run/Walk 45 Mins
As you can see, at the early stages this is really not any more than what I'm already doing. Two days of rest, five days of interval running/walking. With this program, I won't transition from minutes running/walking a day, to miles until sometime this Summer.
Another thing happened this week...my neighbors got to see me in a whole new way. A way that included breathing hard, sweating it out, almost cursing out loud, and talking to myself. Yeah, I'm pretty sure some of them are concerned about my mental stability and that concern is guaranteed to increase over the next six months.
You know what? Just like it felt great to make a committment to a healthier me by dropping some weight, it feels wonderful to have made this goal. I will see both become a reality - this year - and that is an amazing feeling.
It will be hard some days. I will be grumpy some days. I will want to cry and give up some days. I will wonder if I lost my mind some days....BUT.....
I will NOT give up. I WILL keep running. I CAN do this. I AM strong enough.
And yes, I'm smart enough and gosh darnit people really do like me!!! ha!
Almost a week has passed since I made the committment to run a half marathon. During that time, a few things have happened. First, I have told pretty much everyone I know - and even some people I don't know - because nothing helps you stick to a program quite like having a ton of people know you're supposed to on it and asking how it is going. Second, I bought a book about marathon training, and found a plan to get me from where I am today, to where I will be in November. Third, after much thought, I decided to go ahead and transition from HMR to Weight Watchers.
This week has gone pretty well. I started out slow - only ran/walked 4 days. I bought new shoes, the Nike+ system, and remembered how much I do actually like running/walking outside.
Here is my schedule for next week. Each new week starts on Sunday, and since the plan is for 20 weeks, for the first few weeks I will just repeat the week before. Because last week was kind of my easing into it week, tomorrow will be the first day that I am on the real plan.
Sunday, May 15 - Run/Walk 35 Mins
Monday, May 16 - Rest
Tuesday, May 17 - Run/Walk 35 Mins
Wednesday, May 18 - Run/Walk 40 Mins
Thursday, May 19 - Cross Train or Walk 45 Mins
Friday, May 20 - Rest
Saturday, May 21 - Run/Walk 45 Mins
As you can see, at the early stages this is really not any more than what I'm already doing. Two days of rest, five days of interval running/walking. With this program, I won't transition from minutes running/walking a day, to miles until sometime this Summer.
Another thing happened this week...my neighbors got to see me in a whole new way. A way that included breathing hard, sweating it out, almost cursing out loud, and talking to myself. Yeah, I'm pretty sure some of them are concerned about my mental stability and that concern is guaranteed to increase over the next six months.
You know what? Just like it felt great to make a committment to a healthier me by dropping some weight, it feels wonderful to have made this goal. I will see both become a reality - this year - and that is an amazing feeling.
It will be hard some days. I will be grumpy some days. I will want to cry and give up some days. I will wonder if I lost my mind some days....BUT.....
I will NOT give up. I WILL keep running. I CAN do this. I AM strong enough.
And yes, I'm smart enough and gosh darnit people really do like me!!! ha!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
I Press Towards the Mark...
This morning started out simple enough. Yes, it is Mother's Day, but yesterday was Johnny's day with JD, so I knew I had some time this morning before JD got here. I got up, checked the food level in Cheese and Crackers' dish, poured a drink, and sat down to check in on what was happening with everyone on Facebook. I read all the status updates about mothers, even a couple about my mother. As it is, today is also the 11th anniversary of the day my mother passed away. I was determined to count all my blessings.
A short while after logging in, a post showed up on my wall. A post that would change my day.
It was a harmless enough looking post. It was put on there from a friend who is determined to raise money for cancer research. You see, her husband has been diagnosed with cancer and she decided to run a half marathon in November to honor him and raise money. No problem. I almost immediately chimed in with the response that she would get my financial support. You see - her husband has a special place in my heart. I won't go into the details, as his story is not mine to tell, but suffice to say that I have no problem admitting my love for both of them.
Just a short time after responding with my financial support, I found myself hitting send on a rather shocking post to her wall. I found myself telling her that I would train with her. I would train and run the half marathon in November. WHAT? No, seriously....WHAT? Do y'all know how unathletic I am? Y'all do realize I was the drum major in the band in high school - that does not equal athlete. Yes, I've done some 5ks, and yes, I get on my treadmill, but this is a different level. This is a committment to run for over 2 hours.
Actually, it is more than that. It is a committment to dedicate myself to an incredible journey. It is a committment to stand (or maybe fall out) at the finish line one day in November, and hug them, and know that without a doubt, I am supporting them in a way that is beyond my comfort zone. It is beyond something I could have even imagined saying I would do yesterday....or even 5 minutes before I spoke up and volunteered to do it. It is me - going beyond what I am currently physically capable of - pushing myself towards the mark.
It is for my friend, as we believe in a cure. It is for my friend, Nan, who four years ago this month lost her 3rd and final battle with cancer. It's for all the people who crossed my path when I worked in radiation oncology. It is for the dads, sons, mothers, and daughters who have lost their fight - the ones that are still fighting and standing strong - and the ones of us, who while we have never heard that diagnoses for ourselves, we are angry at having to hear that for even one more person. We do not accept that cancer will take another person we love.
So, tonight, I went to Barnes and Noble and picked up the book "The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide For Women", and tomorrow I will start putting one foot in front of the other. I will not think about completing 13.1 miles. I will think about completing the next step. I will think of my friend and his amazing wife. And one day in November, I will show up a stronger person.
I will press towards the goal. Oh, and I'm sure I'll blog about it along the way. Are y'all ready? Break out those running shoes...it's time to get my run on.
A short while after logging in, a post showed up on my wall. A post that would change my day.
It was a harmless enough looking post. It was put on there from a friend who is determined to raise money for cancer research. You see, her husband has been diagnosed with cancer and she decided to run a half marathon in November to honor him and raise money. No problem. I almost immediately chimed in with the response that she would get my financial support. You see - her husband has a special place in my heart. I won't go into the details, as his story is not mine to tell, but suffice to say that I have no problem admitting my love for both of them.
Just a short time after responding with my financial support, I found myself hitting send on a rather shocking post to her wall. I found myself telling her that I would train with her. I would train and run the half marathon in November. WHAT? No, seriously....WHAT? Do y'all know how unathletic I am? Y'all do realize I was the drum major in the band in high school - that does not equal athlete. Yes, I've done some 5ks, and yes, I get on my treadmill, but this is a different level. This is a committment to run for over 2 hours.
Actually, it is more than that. It is a committment to dedicate myself to an incredible journey. It is a committment to stand (or maybe fall out) at the finish line one day in November, and hug them, and know that without a doubt, I am supporting them in a way that is beyond my comfort zone. It is beyond something I could have even imagined saying I would do yesterday....or even 5 minutes before I spoke up and volunteered to do it. It is me - going beyond what I am currently physically capable of - pushing myself towards the mark.
It is for my friend, as we believe in a cure. It is for my friend, Nan, who four years ago this month lost her 3rd and final battle with cancer. It's for all the people who crossed my path when I worked in radiation oncology. It is for the dads, sons, mothers, and daughters who have lost their fight - the ones that are still fighting and standing strong - and the ones of us, who while we have never heard that diagnoses for ourselves, we are angry at having to hear that for even one more person. We do not accept that cancer will take another person we love.
So, tonight, I went to Barnes and Noble and picked up the book "The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide For Women", and tomorrow I will start putting one foot in front of the other. I will not think about completing 13.1 miles. I will think about completing the next step. I will think of my friend and his amazing wife. And one day in November, I will show up a stronger person.
I will press towards the goal. Oh, and I'm sure I'll blog about it along the way. Are y'all ready? Break out those running shoes...it's time to get my run on.
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