Reflections on the year and 2012

I was thinking the other day about all the things I want to do for 2012.  It is that time of year you know.  I was thinking about the Spartan Super in 7 weeks and wondering if I am really ready or just how crazy I am and so glad to have my brothers doing it too.  Thinking about being excited to do the Race to Robie again this year.  Thinking about my daily grind and how to make it less of a grind.  Part of me became very overwhelemed.  I had to step back and instead reflect on 2011.

One year ago:
I had not started running and learned that after the first 1 1/2 miles, I LOVE it.
I had not gotten to know my friend Betty so well and I am soooooooooooo blessed to have her in my life.
I had not considered running the Race to Robie, EVER.
I had not done a 5k.
I had not done a half marathon.
I had not finished a FULL MARATHON!!
I had not considered signing up for a Spartan Race.
I had not realized how much power is 'IN ME'.
I had not fully appreciated the amazing friendships I am surrounded by (how many people do you know that will come run part of 22 miles with you and support you on the rest of them during their weekend retreat?-thank you Kimberlee!)
I had not realized and appreciated how silently supportive my fabulous husband is even when he just doesn't 'get it'. 


I am truly blessed!

Now, it is time to build on this.  Really build.  I have made so much progress, but I am not done!  I will constantly BE a Work In Progress.  That is what it is all about.  So, for 2012...

I will continue to set goals for competitions.  I have learned these are what keep me motivated to get out there and MOVE.

I will continue to improve my eating habits.  I have learned (but need reminded sometimes) some things about myself.  Sugar is my addiction.  I love sweets.  I am very much one of the one bite is too much and the entire pan is never enough variety.  IF I do not have the one bite I am fine.  Once I do, the will power is out the window.  I completely agree with everything a person reads that one bite will satisfy and the first bite is the best, etc., etc., etc.  If you can do this, DO!  It is correct.  However, I need to just not have it.  That is when my will power works.  I can say no to the entire spread, until I start, then the will power no longer exists.

There truly is NOTHING that tastes good enough to do situps, pushups, 5 mile run and burpees for.  NOTHING!  Not even creme brulee, and for those of you that know me, you know what I just said.  I can NOT complain about the way I look and eat the way I have.  That is hypocritical.  If nothing changes, nothing changes.  The ONLY person responsible for this is ME!  I either want it enough or I don't.  End of story.

My time is valuable.  I need to spend it doing things that make me happy.  Now, with regard to my daily grind.  I only have a certain level of control there.  BUT I can control how much I invest.  I will give it my BEST on a consistent basis.  Yes, I will have bad days, but since I am there I need to truly 'show up'.  Will it be perfect, nope.  Will I survive, yep.  Can I give more, most certainly.  I am being paid to be there, I need to give what they are paying for.  Show up, put up and shut up - or get out.

Life is too short to be surrounded by misery.  People who drain me, may no longer get my energy.  I can love people and care about them, but I can NOT change them.  I can't help anyone who doesn't TRULY want it.  That is not mean, that is taking care of me.  The only person I CAN change.

For the last several years, a group of gals I am blessed to know have participated in an exercise to select a word for the upcoming year.  This year, I spent a lot of time thinking and am actually reusing one from several years ago.  My word for 2012 is STRENGTH.  I have learned there is more strength in me that I realized and I need to call on it.  I also need to develop more of my physical strength, intellectual strength and strength to be the best I can be.  I want to continue to strengthen the wonderful relationships around me.  I am truly blessed and should nurture that!   I want to be an example and source of strength for those around me that wish to have it.

So, what did you DO and LEARN in 2011?  How will you 'TAKE IT FORWARD"? 

Wishing you all the very best in the upcoming year of 2012, and THANK YOU for being part of my journey this far.

lots of hugs and strength!
Get Inky!
Alex

Make your dreams you GOALS!

Here it is. THE medal. Yep, THE one from THE marathon.

I did it, yep - I did!

I finished the marathon.  Yep, after all that hard work, months of miles and my family putting up with me either gone running or completely useless when I returned on Saturdays, I have completed my marathon.  I am proud.  Very proud.  I am also never doing it again.  EVER!  Well, as of right now.  I have to tell you, it wasn't the marathon itself, it was all the time it takes to train.  Hours and hours, many of those in a row!  I just don't want to spend my life that way.  I don't like leaving my family hanging that much either.  Perhaps later in my life, I will do this again.  But, for now, half marathons it is :)

Some days ARE harder than others

There are days that you don't want to work out.  Or there is something you want to eat you shouldn't.  But then there are the days when it isn't that, it just really is a hard day!  You do the workout, but no matter how hard you work, the results aren't quite up to normal.  You just can't get the muscles and the brain and the lungs all working together.

What do YOU do on those days?  I have learned to listen to my body.  Sometimes these days are my body telling me to take a day off.  Time for an extra rest day.  Keeping in mind this doesn't turn into a rest week, month, etc.  That is ok and a good thing to do when appropriate.

Sometimes, it just is a day that is harder than others and the very best thing I can do is do it anyway.  I feel great at the end because I did it even when I didn't want to.  When 10 pounds FELT like 40.  When my brain wanted to know why I was even bothering.  Those are the days I really NEED to do it for me.  Not for the physical, but for the mental exercise.  Those are the days that once done, fuel me the next time it is a hard day, and I know there is another one around the corner someplace.

The Gates of H*** are at mile ten.

Yep- that is where they are and they are not a fun entry.  This is what I have learned in the last several weeks of long and longer Saturday runs training for this marathon.  Apparently, for me, it is all well and good up to mile ten and then it is not fun anymore. Seems to be my 'mental' spot consistently. By mile 12, all was well in the world. Mile 14, I saw a kid on a bike that I knew if I could catch him I could take him out and steal the bike. Mile 19, felt pretty stinkin' good and glad to be done with it :)

So- beware that mile 10 and ignore anything I say, beg, plead or ask you to do (take me home NOW!) between mile 10 and 11!

Ouch!

New workout yesterday and today I am a bit sore.  Not a lot, just some.  It is kind of nice.  Nope, I don't LIKE pain, it is just that this feeling lets me know that I am making changes and improving.  That I worked hard enough to hurt :)

Food journals

ok- I realize that if I really want to lose weight and achieve my goals I need to keep a food journal.  Can I just tell you how much I don't like doing this and how really, REALLY bad I am at it?  I can do it consistently for about half a day, period.  Then suddenly it is 4 days later and I am trying to remember what I ate and I can't so....

I keep trying and I am trying once again, but there is no 'easy' way for me to do this.  Not a notebook, not computer tracking, nothing.  I just need to have better discipline.  Period.

Anyone else?

12 miles

I am NOT going to say 12 miles today was easy, but it was a whole lot less difficult than the 18 last Saturday.  I am counting down Saturday runs to the marathon at this point.  Only 2 more really long ones left before THE REAL DEAL!  WOW!  It is starting to get close! 

I was talking with someone today and they mentioned being afraid they would be 'last' if the were to do a full marathon.  Ummm, SO?  I don't care one bit if I am last, I am FINISHING!  Even if it means I CRAWL across that finish line.  For me, this isn't any sort of speed issue whatsoever.  This is about endurance and completing 26.2 miles.

I went 18 miles today

Yes, I really went 18 miles.  I rocked the first 11 of them.  Then did pretty well for the next 3, then my legs just wouldn't move any faster than they were moving.  I felt GREAT.  Not winded, not tired, the bottom of my feet were sore and I had an new rubbed sore spot that will get body glide next time, but I just couldn't my legs to not plod along.  I took more walk time and am pretty sure I walked faster than I ran.  I don't know what it was, other than perhaps just the length of time I was out there.  Something about 4 hours being plenty long enough :).  For the first time though, I had the mantra going in my head.  Guess I need to find a better one, but this one DID get me through a couple of miles   Wondering if I EVER want to do full again.  Probably not, but I WILL finish this one and WILL keep running, because I do enjoy it.

The inspiration I needed today

Why am I doing this again?

So, I saw this quote and it pretty much summed up a bunch of stuff...

"One thing about racing is that it hurts. You better accept that from the beginning or you're not going anywhere." -Bob Kennedy, US 5000m record holder and first non-African under 13 minutes

Lately as I hobble out of bed and start the day stretching my Achilles, or when I lean and a muscle tells me it is sore, I have been wondering WHAT AM I THINKING!?!?!?. Not with any thought to stop, mind you, but more of a who is this person and where did she come from that thinks this is not only a good idea, but fun?

I have come to realize that is not sanity kicking in but self doubt.  The part of my brain that has been trained to tell me that I can't and I shouldn't try.  Well guess what, I am kicking THAT me to the curb!  I can, and I WILL!  I am going to feel like a rock star and do the hard stuff.  The things I have never done, but always dreamed of.  This is just the first step, my life has so many more things I want to do and accomplish.  Look out world, I am HERE!!!!

THAT wasn't the plan!

Today the plan was to do 10 miles in the hills.  I did about 2.  Something went horribly wrong and my calves were cramping.  Cramping HARD!  It was like duel charlie horses.  I knew enough to realize that it meant something was wrong.  I don't know what, but something.  I decided not to push it but instead listen.  I hobbled home and will attempt this long run tomorrow instead.  Today is about icing, stretching, hydrating and getting ready to try again.

Still thinking marathon

As of this moment, it is still my plan to participate in and FINISH a marathon on Oct. 9.  I can't think of anything that is going to derail these plans (except a car accident on the way to the start, lol).  I am excited.  I mean REALLY excited.  I know you are are thinking, is she nuts?  Well, YES!   

So, I am focusing on this goal, but I have my next one selected as well.  I would LOVE to be in shape to participate in the Super Spartan in AZ with my brother in Feb.  So, brother J- you ready to do it again?  For those who wonder what I am talking about, here is the link.


http://www.spartanrace.com/

WOOT WOOT!!!

Change in plans

Not by my planning, but there was a change in plans yesterday morning and I did not participate in the half marathon as planned. On my way to my half marathon I was involved in a wreck.  I was the 3rd car in line stopped at the light. Big trail blazer type vehicle hit me from behind full speed (one of the officers saw the entire wreck!!) and threw me (my car) into the subaru in front of me. The entire back and front of my car are crushed. The back window exploded. The passenger compartment, perfect condition. Most everyone at the scene was asking me all kinds of questions about the type of car and how I like it otherwise because of how well I was protected. I want my car back, but I really believe that I should have been severely injured. I am so grateful not to be. I will have a seat belt bruise and need a chiro, but there is no blood or broken bones I am aware of!  I also have 3 police officers who truly can't believe they weren't calling an ambulance for me.

Here I go again.

Tomorrow morning I am getting up bright and early to go another 13.1 miles.  Yep, I have entered another Half Marathon.  Not nearly so stressed about this one as I was about the Race to Robie.  I am pretty sure that this one being on flats helps as does knowing I have already gone this distance before and survived.  This is the run that I will use as my time to improve on base.  However, I mostly want to finish, have fun and feel great when I finish!  This is just one of the steps in the next few months to the FULL marathon October 9.  I am getting REALLY excited!!!

Happening, but at what cost

So, after all the griping and breaking down to buy new pants, I think I am FINALLY losing some weight.  At least, the scale has consistently told me that for 2 weeks so despite my clothes fitting the same, I am inclined to believe it.  However, I think that I may have to bag what seems to be working because I think it is why my endurance for my runs is less.  I need the carbs for the running, but eliminating them is they way to get my body to burn off fat.  Sooooooooooooooo now I have to figure out the BALANCE.  Not as few as I have been having, but less than before to see if I can have enough for running, but not so many the weight doesn't come off.  I wonder if I just do the card supplement thingys (like GU) if that would do it?  Going to have to do some research here, that is for certain!

THE Race to Robie- my first half marathon

Here it is, the long awaited, oft anticipated, report on the Race to Robie.  So you understand, when Betty and I started this crazy adventure we call 'running' in mid January, we had no intent to do this.  In fact, we adamantly exclaimed that we would NOT be doing this, because as everyone knows, Betty and I are sane people.
Over time it progressed to a Maybe, then a 'I'll get the entry, but I can always sell it' to a "BRING IT!" - but only one time!  Within 24 hours, I was willing to do it again 'if the theme was right'.  Betty continued to swear, 'one and done'.  A couple of weeks ago, while shopping for new shoes -yep we actually WORE OUT some running shoes- Betty admitted she might be talked into doing it again.  I have also decided that I am actually planning to do it again next year.  ACK- I have lost all sense of reason! :)

So, here are our happy grinning faces before the race with another friend who left us completely in the dust!

Spotted pre-race in the crowd, we decided it was one of the funniest things EVER!

Here are a few of the 'views' during the race.  Just to give you a tiny feel for the terrain, and YES that is snow you see in some of the pictures!

 Almost there and at this point I am REALLY trying to pass some of those shirts we have been following the entire way, I keep telling Betty, 'come on, we can take 'em"- yep, I am not competitive at all, not one teeny tiny bit!  LOL!!

WE DID IT!  We met out goal and finished Robie!  Our fabulous support crew "K" was up on the hill and took this picture!  She was cheering us on.  So funny, Betty says "She better come down because I am not climbing up there", it wasn't until in the car on the way back that she learned she actually said it out loud - we all got a great giggle out of that.  We also learned that our support crew was correct, and potato chips, AMAZING post race food.  They will now be a required item in my post race bag.  Thank you "K" for ALL of your support and encouragement!

Now, I know that I can pretty much do anything I put my mind to.  It just take perseverance and work, no big deal ---- most days!

I DID IT!

I conquered the dreaded 'buffet'!  I have family in town visiting and it has been a whirlwind of going out to eat.  For the most part, I have been able to find healthy choices and not do too badly.  Last night, however, was the buffet restaurant.  You know the kind, where you have the feeling you really need to get your money's worth and they have islands and islands of food, desserts and multiple soda and ice cream machines.  SOOOOOOOOOOO easy to just go crazy!  I will admit that I did splurge, a bit.  However, not like I normally would.  My indulgences were 1/2 cup of yummy 40 gazzillion calories Au Gratin potatoes and a huge, warm, butter topped white roll with honey butter.  I did not get a dessert.  I didn't look at the 'island of sin'.  I knew if I did there would be things I wanted, but without looking, I was completely fine skipping it, so why mess with it?   I admit to having second thoughts when I saw the girl walk by with the root beer float she had made, but since I had already made up my mind, I resisted.  The best news, I didn't leave feeling like I had missed or given anything up.  My relationship to food is shifting.  It is becoming sustenance rather than my friend and comforter.  This is GOOD!

here it is- VENT ALERT

so, I know I owe you a follow up post on the Race to Robie and how amazing the experience was, and it was. Yes we finished and it was truly awesome.  I promise you will get that post.  However, this is NOT that post.  Feel free to stop reading now as this is not going to be uplifting or about anything but ME!

I am sick to death of trying and trying and not getting anywhere.  You want to know how much I have lost in pounds and inches since the first part of January?  NOTHING!  Not one freakin' thing and NO my clothes don't fit differently so the whole muscle vs fat thing, out the window here.  I have NOT been on a Blizzard run in so long I don't remember.  I have eaten more lettuce and green crap than a rabbit in their entire life.  I have been drinking meals and doing all the right stuff.  I set my alarm on Saturday mornings and go run for miles, literally.  Last week was NINE!  When I was on my trip I even went up to the treadmill at the hotel instead of going out with the rest of the group after dinner.  I am doing the things I am meant to and the other stuff that is MEANT to happen isn't!  This SUCKS! 

No- it is not a plateau, because to plateau, you first have to have SOME progress.  Really, what is the point here?  WHAT?!?!?!?  Is this what it takes for me to maintain?  If so, I am royally screwed!

Hello- I am #1387- nice to meet you

I got my bib number for the Race to Robie!  I am super excited and scared spitless.  Actually though, the scared part is disappearing very quickly and being replaced only with the excited and 'Bring It' mentality.  I absolutely KNOW I can finish this and I honestly think I am going to be in overall pretty good shape afterwards even.

Betty has forced me to train and be prepared and focus on just finishing at MY pace and not worry about all the speedy Gonzaleses passing us.  Someone has to be the last one over the line regardless, right?  It is about finishing and finishing strong, healthy and injury free.  Especially since I have other events to get signed up for :)  I even got completely into the spirit and purchased my water holder butt thingy!

Tomorrow is the 'big run' for our training.  It is 12 miles and gets us almost to the summit on the trail we run for Race to Robie.  Can I tell you how THRILLED I am to know that I only have to run up Shaw Mountain Road 2 more times?  That is getting to be seriously old!  I will perhaps miss Cujo Corner, but not much else.  Well, maybe if we see the deer again this week, that was pretty cool.

Do you have a 'plan'?

This week as part of the training we are getting, we were given a homework assignment to have completed.  We were to write our plan for the Race to Robie including the week before, day before, day of and during the race itself.  Our plans for hydration, sleep, nutrition, etc.  Not everyone actually did the homework, but several, including Chipper Betty and I, did.  After listening to everyone's plans I realized that it truly was just a way to separate the serious runners from the.... well, ME!  Here I am sharing that I have learned the night before the race not to eat Thai, Vietnamese or Mexican food while the others are all talking about continuing their diet of brown rice with lean chicken and ham for breakfast, etc., etc., etc.  BLECH!  I LIKE FOOD!  I know this isn't a surprise to anyone who knows me and I am aware that a person needs to eat healthy.  However, I am a firm believer that healthy and good tasting CAN go together.

So, Betty and I both have plans in place (during the race, my plan is to follow Betty).  They may not be fancy and we most certainly won't be clocking 9 minute miles, but I am pretty certain that even if I did eat nothing but sawdust I still wouldn't have that kind of a time.  We WILL finish and collect the T-shirt and wear them with great pride!  In the meantime, we are healthier than we were the beginning of January and having a BLAST!  I think WE are winners already!

some lessons learned

I have learned the importance of making certain the mid-week work outs happen in addition to the long runs on Saturdays.  The last 2 weeks, I haven't gotten any of them in.  Not one and let me tell you, yesterday's 11 miles was killer!  My breathing was terrible and my endurance worse.  Probably the slowest time I have had in 6 weeks.  Chipper Betty was fabulous and kept telling me "you can do it!" which my brain was NOT saying.  We did finish it and for that I am glad.  I deserve to be much more sore than I am, but still need to stretch.

So, there are people who truly are crazier than Betty and I and yesterday we saw them!  As we were on the return leg of the 11 miles, we went by a couple who had packs on their back, using ski poles, and tied around there waist a tire they were dragging.  They each had their OWN tire.  It appeared to be rigged up to put additional weights on instead.  I was looking for Jillian behind them.  Seriously!  I proceed to tell them that they were a special kind of crazy and had ALL of my respect and awe.  I then had to pick up my jaw for about the next mile as I thought about it.  Really, the only way you could ever get be to do that was if Jillian was making me.

I've lost how much?

Nothing?  Really?  Yes, really.  I have to tell you that since I have run approximately 27 million miles (just a rough estimate) since the beginning of the year, I thought at least a pound would have left!  But noooooooooooooooooo, not even ONE pound!  Now, I have had some friends suggest I measure myself and go with that.  It really is a good idea because we all know muscle weighs more than fat (it just doesn't taste as good).  However, I have not done this.  Why you ask?  At first I just didn't get around to it, but as the couple days became a couple of weeks I realized I wasn't going to get around to it.  Honestly, I just don't think I could take both the scale and the tape measure not changing.  I will just continue to enjoy the running, know that my insides are healthier even if my outsides don't show it, and one day, perhaps, I will need different sized clothes.  At least that is the positive attitude I am taking today.

The voices- they talk to me

I have this great program for when it is just me running I just got.  I tracks the time, miles, speed, etc.  I can set it for a specific distance run or a time run.  That determines how the 'voice' notifies me of progress during the run.  I spent most of Wednesday trying to have the voice notify me of the completion of another five minutes at a different spot in my lap at the park.  I tried, and tried, but by the end decided I could have cut across the lap half way and it wouldn't have mattered.  There must have been some lady in a helicopter up top watching me, telling the pilot, "watch this, I am going to make Alex a bit frantic today". 

As I was headed back from the park home I realized that I probably needed to provide you all with some information.  Should you see an old lady in a black jacket with a Pooh ear warmer stumbling along, she is not drunk, lost, delusional (dangerously anyway) or confused and you do not need to stop.  She is just crazy.  However, if you see that same lady laying on the side of the road with her reflective sneaker up in the air (I have been trained to collapse in this manner as it makes it easier to locate the body) please consider stopping.  Unless of course you are an old boyfriend or buddy of my teenage son.....

She's a lady...

not so much!  My proper English Grandmother is rolling over in her grave.  While running the track in the park today I actually had to spit and I did.  I think this is probably only the 3rd or 4th time in my entire life I have done that.  Yep, so nasty and so not lady like, but I was only half way through and it was inhibiting my breathing.  I did look around to make certain no one would see, but really, what choice did I have?  A girl's gotta breath!
On second thought, what I know and remember of my Grandmother she would have said that sometimes you just do what you have to do.  I am pretty sure than not one of my Great Grandmothers would have approved though.

Race to Robie- ACK!!

It has taken me almost 48 hours to actually get to posting this.  I think it is a combination of denial and FEAR  and yes, I mean all capital letters FEAR.  There is a lot of competition to get one of the tickets to the Race to Robie each year.  There are a limited amount available and they are gone, literally, in 30 minutes or less.  This is not a qualifying race so it you get a ticket, you are in.  It is, however, considered the hardest half marathon in the northwest so a popular event. 
You can get more details on the website HERE if you want, but in a nutshell you go uphill 2000 feet in elevation over the first 8 miles and then back down over the next 5 miles.  It is basically for crazy people.  So, get the men with the white coats, I need to be examined!!!

In case I forget

now that I have had over 24 hours to recover, first I want to say- I WENT 8 MILES!  Second, what the?  Really?  I don't walk to Shopko and it is only half a mile.  Not only that, I set an alarm on a Saturday morning to do this.

I also discovered that after about mile 5- I get a bit silly.  Well, I don't actually know if it is me or the people around me, but today I SWEAR Betty and I saw a man put a rock in his pants.  I don't mean a pebble, I mean a rock about the size of a goose egg.  We could only imagine- and joke - what that was all about.  Is that a rock in your pants.....  Needless to say, the speed was slowed as we were doubled over laughing.  Let it never be said that you can't have fun while participating in self induced torture.

Up hill both ways in the snow

So today I ran 8 miles.  It was quite literally, up hill both ways.  If you run up a hill, down and up another then turn around you have to go up hill where you went down before.  As we were getting close to the end point, it started to drop some flakes of snow.  Not a heavy storm mind you, but still snow and it makes for a GREAT story!

I said WHAT?!?!?

Yesterday I did the unthinkable.  Yep, I did, I really did.  I said "only 3.1 miles" ONLY?

Do I look like THAT?!?!

Why yes, yes I do!

So today while Betty and I were on about mile 5.8 (yep those .#s count for a LOT) we were PASSED by a couple of gals who were literally stumbling along.  They were at a slow jog pace, but it looked as though one foot in front of the other was all they could manage and they might collapse any minute. (and remember, I said they PASSED us)  Betty asks "do we look like that?" and my reply was "yep- or at least that is how I feel".

Now despite this and as humiliating as it was, I also know that no matter HOW we look, we are out there DOING this.  Today, we went 7.2 (that .# again) miles.  In fact, if I knew exactly how far my car was parked from the beginning and ending point, I would add that in.  I am sure it is good for at least another .1!!  Every single Saturday we go farther and I am less sore later in the day and the next day than the week before.  I am not sure if I will still be able to say the less sore part come 12 mile week, but so far, so good and I have to tell you, I think Betty and I are pretty darn AWESOME!

The excitement of it all

I am so excited for my next workout, until the time to do it arrives.  What is with that?  I am actually still excited, just have a hard time starting/doing it.  I love the IDEA of it, and once I start enjoy doing it and how I feel after, why is just starting so hard?  For me it is kind of like cold calling.  I just can hardly bring myself to pick up the phone and dial the number.  With this, it is the actually getting to the gym or putting in the tape or changing clothes. I wish I could figure out what that bump in the road is made of so I could easily clear it out of the way!!!

However, I AM very proud that I was much less sore this last Saturday afternoon and Sunday than any other and it was the longest run yet, 6 miles, and involved pretty steep hills.  This means improvement!   YAY!!

uggh

It is dark outside, the alarm went off on a SATURDAY and it was for me and I am getting ready to go push myself physically and probably be sore after wards.  WHAT am I thinking? 

Progress

There are a couple of things that happened this last week that I feel are real progress.

First- on Wednesday, I wasn't able to get my run in during the late afternoon and the first chance I had to get to things was a bit after 7 pm.  Normally I would have said, never mind, missed it.  This week I didn't though.

Second, since it was dark outside, I didn't feel comfortable heading out by myself.  Instead, I grabbed a Leslie Sansone DVD and put it in, in the LIVING ROOM and did it with both DH and my DS#1 in the room.  Yep, an audience.  Truly, this is the thing I am most proud of.  It probably should be that I found an alternative and didn't miss the exercise, but it isn't, it is being willing to just do it with them there and not worrying how silly or uncoordinated I looked (am).

Third, Saturday I kicked out another 5 miles for my distance day.  Next week the distance day is 6 miles, and I know I can do it.  Not only did I do the 5, but I have more running intervals, and they were longer intervals than the week before.  I am finding that my legs and body can do it, it is my endurance that really needs the help.  Time and work and that will come too.

So- a little tip for anyone looking to make changes.  Find your support someplace.  Get something that encourages you, supports you 100% and refuses to let you quit.  That is often NOT family, but a friend, workout partner (love ya Betty) or a coach.  Whatever it is, FIND IT.  It will make all the difference in the world.

4 plus miles

This was Saturday #3 of the training group.  Saturdays are the 'long' runs that get longer as we go to train us and increase endurance.  There are basically 3 different groups and depending on your group is how far you run.  The first cone is if a person is training for a 10k.  The second cone is training for Robie Creek half marathon, but new to the whole thing and basically just want to finish.  The third cone is training for Robie, but you have run before, etc.,etc., etc. 
Betty and I are in group 2.  We decided that we could push ourselves to that level and if we needed to back off some later we could.  Today, group 2 was a 4 mile run up Shaw Mountain Road in the fog and with ice (and I swear, it really WAS uphill both ways).  It really was beautiful and fun to see people's hair and eyebrows freeze.  Today, however, Betty and I decided to be over achievers.  We were going and going and going.  When we arrived at a cattle guard we discussed that we really didn't think the second cone (you know those BRIGHT ORANGE ones?) was that far.  There was a runner headed back so we asked and sure enough, we somehow had missed cone 2 and were on our way to cone 3.  Yep- we ran an extra 1/2 mile each direction.  So, with a big "L" pasted on our foreheads we turned around and started back.  That said, next week, 5 miles, not scary AT ALL.  Been there, done that~!

Starting again

So, quick update, a few months ago I had to cave and purchase some jeans in my current size.  I did hold out until the green fat pants were literally worn to nothing, but then, well, a girl can't run around naked in the cold!

Speaking of running....ever since the torn ACL, repair surgery and adventures in recovery, it has been my goal to become a runner.  Now, any of you that have known me for any period of time understand what a bizarre thing this is.  I have NEVER been one that enjoyed running.  I used to HATE when the gym teacher told us to run a lap around the track.  I always got a stitch in my side and no matter how hard I tried was one of the last in.  However, now I want nothing  more than to run a marathon.  Not because I think it sounds fun, no I have not gone that loopy, but because I want to be able to just do it!

So enter a friend of mine.  Let's call this friend, oh I don't know, how about BETTY!  Betty let me know about a run/walk training program that was starting up locally last week.  It seemed like a fabulous way to get started and we are doing it together.  I am very excited about it all, but I am pretty sure that Betty's real motive was not to get me in shape and achieve my goal, but rather to kill me off so she can have all my pink scrapbook paper.

Betty has also managed to talk me into doing the mid level training program.  Rather than the 10k I was first thinking, this is a -you have never run before, but want to finish a half marathon- program.  In real terms it means it just steps things up a bit faster and the end goal is 13 miles instead of 6.2. 

So- as I was run/walking my 25 minutes this afternoon, I had a few observations I would like to share with you.  These are in no particular order.

1- It is good to run with a buddy, not for encouragement, but so someone can tell them where to find the body.
2-Running outside is better than a treadmill because if you don't go the full distance, you don't make it home.
3-You will not pass out on the side of the road from exhaustion.  Not because you aren't, but because if you do only one of two people will stop to help you.  Either one of your teenage son's friends or an ex-boyfriend who will then know that 25 years later, not only are you NOT hot and sexy, but you are out of shape too.  Neither of these are worth it.
4-I am still mystified as to why my biceps are sore from running.  I am not running on my hands and arms as someone suggested, but it is strange to me.
5-There is not a stretch that I can find to make that sore side muscle that runs from your calf around to your shin at the bottom of your leg that hurts like HECK and I never really even knew existed!

I'm sure there are many more things that will come to me over the next few weeks and I will do my best to remember to share those with you as well.  If you have answers to any of my ponderings, I am wide open to them!