Me & My Posse

Wednesday I got out for my run before dinner. I had my cheering section with me. We went a little farther than I usually go, and I ran for 1.68 miles. Took me 17 minutes and change (can't be bothered to get my watch right now). Felt weird to run the neighborhood. But the weather was nice.

I think I enjoy running more in the evenings, because I like knowing the boys are with daddy. But I am quite comfortable with the childcare at the gym.

I need to add more songs to my running playlist, so I don't get sick of the ones I got.

Gym Snob

Okay, I'm becoming a gym snob. I nitpick the other people who are there. Like girl on the track talking on her cell phone, guy wearing too much cologne, people using the track to look out over the rest of the Trails.

Did my two miles (20 laps) in 20:15. Felt okay, thought I had a cramp after lap two. I focussed on my music, and how yummy my dinner was going to be when I got home.

Had it not been rainy, I would have run around the neighborhood. That may be my goal for Wednesday night.

Klopp Klopp

That's the sound of my feet plodding along the track today. Two more miles added to my total. I just had no energy for the run, I felt like I was going so slow. Yet my brand new watch said I did the two miles in 20:45.

Been thinking about how to adjust my schedule so I'm not doing all my training at the gym, and I am not even considering pushing the joggy stroller.

I'm pooped. I need a shower and a nap.

But I Ran All Night

Last night I dreamt I was running away from monsters and bad guys. So when I woke this morning, I wasn't really in the mood to run. Amazingly enough, in my dream I wasn't tired from all the running, and I was making good time. Usually in a dream if I'm running, I feel like I'm going at a snail's pace.

Hit the track early and did another two miles. Felt okay, not great. Oddly enough, I was going at a 10 minute mile pace.

I'm due to get my running watch soon. Yay! It's pink. :)

Two More

Ran another two miles today on the track. Felt pretty good between laps 6-10. And of course 19 when I booked it. My visual aid was a flashback to when I was playing softball on the church team and Erik was running behind me, hoping we'd both cross home plate. I can't believe how out of shape I was then. I collapsed on home plate, my legs gave out from underneath me. To the fans, it looked as though Erik had pushed me.

I keep going to the track and thinking, today it will be easy to punch out two miles, I've been doing it for over a week. But each run brings its mental blocks and walls. I even got a cramp in my side by lap 18, but didn't stop. I tried to work it out during my cool down and stretch.

Feeling Good

I decided to go to the gym a little earlier today. Whereas I went around 11am before, today I went at 9. I was able to punch out my two miles, staying around my 12 minute per mile pace. But lap 19, knowing it was my last I gave it a little gas. And I felt good doing it. I was surprised I have that energy. When I felt like I was putting up walls, wanting to quit and walk, I'd physically punch away the invisible walls. It may look silly to an outsider watching my run, but it empowers me.

Another week of two mile workouts is what I have in mind. Then I may up it a mile or two.

The Beginning

I read an article in Geoff's Runner's World and it inspired me. What I mean to say is I read it, and the message stuck with me for a few days. So I got this crazy idea in my head... I should do a half marathon.

Geoff ran a marathon, and half couldn't be so bad, right? It's just 13.1 miles.

I asked Geoff to buy me a book to help. It's The Non-Runner's Marathon Guide For Women. This book is awesome. It has a lot of good advice, and more importantly, it's hilarious!

Before you start training you are supposed to be in the habit of running/exercising a few days a week. So Friday I hit the track at the Trails. I thought I recalled Geoff saying that 8 laps equals a mile. So I ran 16. Without stopping. Go me! I felt so proud of myself. Turns out 10 laps is a mile, but I still celebrated my victory.

Monday morning I got out before 8am to run around the neighborhood. The air was cool, my iPod started my run with I Need You (Jars Of Clay) and I was feeling good. I ran 1.26 miles

Today, I got onto the track around 11am, and started running. By lap 12, I had a mini panic attack. I'm going to try and run 13.1 miles? am I crazy?! I pushed and made it the whole 20 laps, and raised my arms in victory. I had to chant my way through the last 5 laps (you can do it!).

Anyways, I'm supposed to keep a journal of my training, so this is it. It's my accountability and I hope one day to reflect back on this.