Revealing the Runner...in me

Kat is back...back again...

2009-11-06T02:00:00.001-05:00

I'm back...after one gigantically long hiatus!

This summer was a huge mess. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and then some. But, now that fall is fast approaching and things are calming down I'm trying to get back into my running groove. That's easier said than done since I've gained back sooooo much weight.

Running? What's that? Oh...you mean that thing I used to do WAY back when.... Yeah it really has been that long....July in fact, since last I did anything on the treadmill. I got back on the wagon the last week of October and it's been slow going. Pretty much, I am going to have to start from scratch...AGAIN. C25K program all over? Well actually, Nike+ Coach has a walk to run program that I think I'm gonna follow for awhile. http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/plus/#//coach/

I figure I'll give that a try and see what I think of it. If it sucks I know I'll always have my trusty C25K to fall back on.

Moody Blues...

2009-07-12T05:54:00.001-04:00

Egads, I'm in a funk. I'm bored, I'm depressed, I'm moody...I just can't be happy or bubbly like I normally am. I'm really not sure what it is but I know all these 50year-olds dropping dead all of a sudden isn't helping. It makes me all sad and sentimental.
I'm trying to get back into my running groove but I just can't seem to keep my motivation up. How does one Stay Motivated??? Anyone????

On a better note, my Nike+ sensor came in the mail on July 10th just as scheduled. I haven't got the chance to calibrate it and run with it yet, I plan to do that this morning when I get outta work. Hopefully today will be a better running day for me.

"Even if you fall flat on your face·at least you are moving forward."
~~Sue Luke

YeaY..

2009-07-09T04:51:00.004-04:00

I'm excited...I know...it doesn't take much...lol.
I just got the confirmation email from Nikestore that my package (ie. Nike+ sensor) has been shipped!! According to FEDEX:

Ship date: Jul 8, 2009
Estimated delivery: Jul 10, 2009

Cool Beans!! SO that means I'll only be mailbox stalking for a few days....awesome!!

In other relevant running news...I did 3 miles today (Wednesday). I bargained with myself again and promised myself they didn't have to be great miles...I just needed to get through it. I did alright. I still feel like a giant whale clomping along on my treadmill. I swear the whole house shakes when I'm running on that thing!! Earbuds are still annoying me. If I get them JUST RIGHT I can make it through my run without them crapping out on me. But they are getting worse all the time. Looks like I'm gonna have to get a new pair. I hate earbud shopping....I have freakishly tiny ears and a tiny head... so normal head phones just don't fit me right. Even the ones I have right now don't make me very happy. They don't wanna stay in my ears, just a little big. Then my ears get all sweaty on the inside and that makes the earbuds wanna fall out even more. Am I picky or what??

I'd like to get a pair of these.
But I think they'd be to big for me too. An ear piece like the traditional Ipod earbuds really hurt my ears and don't stay in at all when I run.

Ah-well...I'll keep looking.

Wednesday's run stats look like this:

Start time: 7:30 AM
End time: 8:10 AM
Time: 00:40:55
Distance: 3.00 miles

Bored and Bloggin'

2009-07-08T04:33:00.004-04:00

I'm BORED....B...O...R...E...D....bored at work.

I've been in a blah-ish sort of mood for several days now. I ran today. That went like I figured....blah-ish. I felt slower and fatter than usual. My ear buds are dieing on me too. (top) They must have a short in the cord coz I'll be running along and then...my music is gone...Grrr. That makes me unhappy. Not to mention the fact that they were fine up until evil child #2 got ahold of them for her MP3 player. Why do they have to use MY stuff ???...she has earbuds of her own....but mine are pink and sound better....or anyway they USED too. Nuff said.

I ordered a new sensor for my Nike+ today. Nike+....man what a racket....Stupid Steve Jobs!! Do you all know about this Nike+ Sports kit?

Okay. well this will be my unofficial review of Nike+

For those of you who never heard of it and for those that may consider purchasing the Nike+iPod sports kit, it's a "device which measures and records the distance and pace of a walk or run." There is a sensor that goes in or on your shoe and reports to a receiver that plugs into your iPod then the iPod displays how fast and how far you have been running/walking. When you sync your iPod with your PC the data is automatically uploaded to the Nike+ website (for FREE) and you can track your runs, compete with other users, or just see neat graphs of your PR's and run times...all that junk.

So anyway I bought a Nike+ for my Ipod It's pretty inexpensive $29.00 get you going if you already have an Ipod. I never bought special shoes I just have a little sensor holder that hooks to my shoe laces.
I used it nearly everyday for about a year and REALLY enjoyed it... and then the battery ran out...no problem I'll just get a new battery...yeah RIGHT.

Here is where Steve Jobs becomes an evil genius. if you go to apple.com and check this out you will find that The Apple website is pretty clear on how the old battery issue works.

Is the sensor battery replaceable? How long does it
last?

No. The sensor’s battery has a life of over 1000
active hours. The sensor sends a low battery signal when there is around 2 weeks
of life remaining (based on usage pattern), indicating that the sensor needs to
be replaced.

Most Nike + iPod runners and walkers can just drop the
sensor in their Nike+ shoes and forget about it. When inactive, the sensor
enters stand-by mode to save battery life."

There is no replacing batteries the whole sensor needs to be replaced and a sensor costs about $19.00 so once a year, or less, I have to pay $19 plus $8 shipping for a new sensor.
just to keep using the Nike+. It's not that I think that is such an outrageous price I just think it's mighty shady the way they conveniently never mention that.
Well, as I was googling around to find the best price for a new sensor... I read that some people have been able to replace their battery themselves, just take it apart and slip in a new battery. HMMMM...so we tried this BIG MISTAKE! We absolutely MUTILATED the thing trying to get it apart....it's definitely made to NEVER BE OPENED. So we gave up on that and decided to get a new sensor.

So anyway, I give Nike+ a careful thumbs up, it's pretty cool but you must have and Ipod Nano, a holder or Nike+senor shoes, and be aware that the sensor will die...and probably sooner than you'd like it too.

So anyway...back on topic....today my crappy run went like this:

Start time: 7:45 AM
End time: 8:15 AM
Time: 00:27:40
Distance: 2.00 miles

Oh and BTW: There is a pretty freakin AWESOME give away going on over at NIKES and Ponytails, could be the biggest blog give-away ever so you definitely don't wanna miss out!!

Happy Holiday weekend..

2009-07-03T04:02:00.002-04:00

Well my ankle is finally starting to feel better now. So I'll probably be back up and running on Tuesday. I figure I might as well enjoy the holiday weekend and give my ankle a little more rest before I start running 4 miles on it again. I do miss the running. I'm excited to get back on the ole treadmill.

Happy 4th of July Everybody!!

that's no good...

2009-06-28T02:21:00.000-04:00

Well Thursday was the last run I got in...and it wasn't good....I ran 1.25 miles.
I was supposed to do four miles but I didn't. I was having wardrobe malfunctions (shorts riding up) and I was getting very crabby and whinny. So I gave up...no sense in beating a dead horse it was obviously going to be a crappy run for me.
After my crabby run I got in the sprinkler with my daughter we ran around and played, no big deal. Well Friday morning my ankle starts hurting, for apparently no reason. The longer the day goes the worse it gets. I decided not to run. By Saturday, It was to the point where I could hardly put any weight on it at all. The only thing I can come up with is I must have twisted it when I was outside running around with my daughter. I'm gonna give it the weekend and if it isn't feeling any better I'm gonna go into the doctor. I really hope it gets better on it's own. I'm missing a lot of training runs.

Shoulda but didn't...

2009-06-25T01:45:00.002-04:00

I ran Tuesday like a champ. Did my 4 miles in 53:55 it's an improvement. But I'm still not running the whole thing. I do a combo of running and power-walking. I'd like to be running the whole thing so I'll keep working at it.

Tuesday's 4 Mile sweat-extravaganza went like this:
Start time: 8:00 AM
End time: 8:55 AM
Time: 00:53:55
Distance: 4.00 miles

As for today, I was scheduled to run. But I didn't. I have some ~~not~~ really good reasons why too.

1. It got up to 95 degrees today.

2. I didn't run right when I got outta work.

3. Minor aches and pains.

In short I'm a slacker...lol. Instead, I slept and then played in the sprinkler with my daughter. I plan on running right when I get outta work in the morning. It'll be cooler then so that way I won't give myself a chance to slack out of it...lol.

I lived to blog about it...

2009-06-22T01:41:00.002-04:00

Well, I doubted me...and hubby, I think did to. I ran 4 miles on the treadmill. Hubby left the room he said he just couldn't watch me put myself through all that...lol. There was pain, and stiffness, there was whinny thoughts and Sweat...so MUCH sweat. But I did it! I made it 4 miles and I survived!! I completed my 4 miles and stretched my legs out...I was sweating so much it was running into my eyes and burning. I don't think I've ever sweat that much. Course the 80 degree temps and humidity didn't help much. After running and stretching I took and icy cold shower...that felt real nice on my burning flesh...I swear when the water hit me it made a steaming sound...lol. Now I have Monday off to rest. Much needed rest. I'm glad that I ran.... I needed to prove to myself that I could do it.

Today's 4 Mile sweat-fest went like this:

Start time: 1:00 PM

End time: 1:56 PM

Time: 00:55:10

Distance: 4.00 miles

Confidence Shaken....

2009-06-21T02:34:00.001-04:00

I did my larger 3 mile run Saturday. BRUTAL. Wow, it didn't go well. I dunno, after about 1.5 miles my body just gave out....I still kept going...but the battle was on. It was not fun. I can't even say why it was so hard...it felt like I had my breathing under control though...I did lose control of it several times and had to walk several times. I walked very fast and only for a few minutes but still. So Sunday morning (when I get outta work) is supposed to be 4 miles. I can't even process that with my brain right now. I felt like a barely lived through 3 miles....now I'm gonna do 4 miles? I must be insane. Not only that but then next week's training is 4 miles a day for 3 days and then a 3 miler and a 6 miler......YOWSERS! I AM INSANE. But, i can do this...right? Yes Yes I can...and will! If Oprah Winfrey can run a full marathon then I think I have what it takes run the half.

I go over and over it in my head... it's not about skill...the skill is "one foot in front of the other...repeat...quickly" I have that skill. Then it's just a matter of endurance...mind over matter... drive and confidence. If I dedicate myself to this training and follow it like I should...I'll get there. I will. But, some how when I'm running and it's hard, and I'm sweating and breathing hard, and I feel like I can't take anymore... I doubt.
I'm reminded of a really good quote from Joyce Meyer...
"I'm not where I need to be, but thank God, I'm not where I used to be. I'm okay & I'm on my way!
I need to remember this with my training... I'm okay & I'm on my way!
Maybe it's just some child like mentality of mine that dictates that if It's possible for me to do this...then it shouldn't be hard? Consciously I know this isn't true...practice makes perfect. But, now I start to wonder how many things in my life I avoided because I couldn't do it perfectly the first time I tried. Hmmm...
but anyway...

Today's Run went like this:
Start time: 10:00 AM
End time: 10:41 AM
Time: 00:41:00
Distance: 3.00 miles

The next step...

2009-06-19T01:12:00.002-04:00

With today's 2 mile run I have completed the days of running 2 miles. Now the bar is going to be raised. I have a rest day on Friday and then..... (dun....dun.....daaaaahhh) 3 miles on Saturday, and 4 on Sunday. Scary. I know those won't be easy. I had a difficult time doing the 2 miles. But, I am determined to try to follow this training schedule to the letter...so we'll see how it goes. Right now I'm not going to worry about it. I'm just gonna enjoy my rest day.

First Training Day...

2009-06-17T05:30:00.001-04:00

Two miles on Tuesday. That's the start of half marathon training for me. When I get out of work (aka wednesday...lol.) I'll be doing another 2 miles. It takes me about 26 minutes to do to miles. So, a 13 minute mile average. The two miles is do-able but when I'm done I feel spent so it's hard for me to imagine 3 or 4 or MORE miles. But, it will come in time I'm sure.

Be Back Later to blog about today's run...since I don't work tonight.

2 miles done. Took me 25:50. I shave a little time off there...lol. I had to work really hard for the 10 seconds too...lol. But it feels good to see progress. I'm feeling pretty empowered by these 2 miles runs. I hope I can keep it up.

The beginning....

2009-06-16T04:03:00.002-04:00

Agggggghh....
Here we go.

Monday was the official start of the half marathon training. Monday is a rest day. Any program that starts out with resting is A.OK in my book...lol. This week will go something like this:

Monday - Rest
Tuesday - Fartlek (2 Miles)
Wednesday - 2 miles
Thursday - 2 miles
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 3 miles
Sunday - 4 miles

This is actually my own creation, I call it week zero of the Beginner Half Marathon Program. It's my way of easing myself into the program so I don't get overwhelmed right away.

In the coming weeks I'll be expending alot of nutrients as I run and sweat. So my current plan is to supplement my diet with lots of good nutrient filled foods. One of the healthy thing that I really enjoy is something called a green smoothie....called that because you add a leafy green to the fruit smoothie mix. Don't worry it's not gross...you don't even notice it's there. I have a green smoothie recipe for anyone who might be interested. I like to make these now and then. So now that I'm doing the half-marathon training I'll be making these everyday (hopefully) as part of my healthy approach to training.

Black Berry Green Smoothie Recipe

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients

40 g baby spinach leaves
2 tbsp Orange Juice
1/4 cup filtered water
54 g Banana
72 g pineapple
80 g blackberries or you could do blueberries instead
1/4 cup water

Directions
In a mixer blend together baby spinach, orange juice and 1/4 cup of water. Blend well until it makes a nice green liquid. You should see a few tiny leaf fragments but that is all. Stop the blender and add the remaining ingredients. Fresh is best but frozen works well too. In this recipe I used frozen black berries. Blend until desired consistency is achieved and enjoy.

By my calculation the total calorie count for the recipe above is 142 calories. I really enjoy these green smoothies. It gives me the sweetness I crave with the veggies and fruits I need. Can you tell I’m really excited about smoothies? Haha. It’s funny how some things just work for you, and other things no matter how hard you try you just can’t seem to make them work. Smoothies are a definite “fit” for me.

Adventures in running...

2009-06-13T01:50:00.002-04:00

I'm a wimp.
I gave in to my achy hamstrings today and didn't run. I wanted to run but, more than anything I don't wanna injure myself. Right now I'm just at the point where you wanna give the muscle a good rub...and when you do....it's like....ahhhhhhhhh...ooch. It hurts so good...lol. So yeah, no run for me today. I gotta wonder...will I ever just run without some muscle group feeling sore the next day? Whether it's my arms, or sides, ankles or calves....some part of me ALWAYS seems to be sore...lol.

So, tonight I'm chick-itty-checkin Blogland. Looking at the blogs I follow. I love reading about other peoples' adventures in running. Especially the adventures of those of us who were not blessed with a svelte and perfect runners physique...lol. Somehow knowing other gals are out there bouncy and jiggling their hinders in the name of running makes me feel better about myself and my struggles. Blog-on Bloggettes!! I'm readin yah!

Speaking of which, one of my many blog-stalks Erica is giving away a copy of The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women on her blog here! Sounds like an awesome read, especially with me training for the half-marathon and all. So if you have a free min give her blog a look-see.

Anywho, The plan for tomorrow is to what? RUN... of course do I ever have another plan? lol... stay tuned.

Recap of the last few days

2009-06-12T02:49:00.002-04:00

Well due to hubby's birthday, I ended up taking a few day off from running. I got back on the running wagon on June 10 with a 1.25 mile run. It went ok. not my best run.
Then June 11th I ran again. This time I ran 2 miles and follow it up with a 0.25 mile cool down walk. I'm tired right now at work so I'm going home and going right to bed. I'm hoping my legs won't be too sore when I wake up, coz I'd like to get another run in. Saturday I have some home improvement plans so I don't wanna run Saturday.

Next week is the start of my half marathon training. Gulp... we'll see how it goes.

Today's Run went like this:
start time: 12:04 PM
end time: 12:30 PM
Time: 00:26:00
Distance: 2.00 miles

and a 0.25 mile cool down.

It's a beautiful morning...

2009-06-06T08:29:00.005-04:00

It's a beautiful mornin', Ahhh,

I think I'll go outside a while,

An jus' smile.

Just take in some clean fresh air, boy!

Ain't no sense in stayin' inside

If the weather's fine an' you got the time.

It's your chance to wake up and plan another brand new day.

Either way,

It's a beautiful mornin',

Ahhh......

Sorry, just a song I had stuck in my head after my run this morning.

It is a beautiful day for running outside, and that's just what I did. I found out that...wow...my area is hilly!! I hadn't run outside since we moved. And my new neighborhood is very peaceful to run in. But, it's hilly. So my run was a little harder than normal. I also got all disoriented when I started out. The switch from treadmill to outside always throws my senses off just a little bit in the beginning. This time it was actually pretty bad and lasted for about 0.15 of a mile. Then I was fine.

So today's stats look like this:

start time: 7:48AM

end time: 8:02 AM

Time: 00:14:00

Distance: 1.07 miles

Now, it's off to start my day!! Toodles...

P.S. Thank you Rascals for the song that is still in my head!!

Bum Run...

2009-06-05T03:22:00.000-04:00

This morning I just ran 1 mile. I felt crappy. I was having a hard time keeping control of my breath. I couldn't stay focused. It just didn't go very well. They can't all be great runs! I'm not discouraged though, I've had bad run days before...it'll pass. I think I might have eaten too close to my run. I feel better if my stomach is more empty when I run.
Tomorrow morning I'm not gonna run. I'm gonna go home and go straight to bed so I can get up around noon and have a life...(3rd shift sucks) The good news is I have the next 2 days off...yeay!!

In..1..2..Out...1...2.

2009-06-04T03:05:00.003-04:00

So far for June I've ran twice, 1.5 miles each time. I'm learning something about the way I breathe. I am constantly holding my abs very tight when I run. Sounds like a good thing but I'm finding that it alters my breathing and then rather than breathing deeply using my diaphragm I'm actually just breathing shallowly with my chest. So Wednesday morning when I ran I tried to think about my diaphragm moving down as I breathed in...I thought about the air going all the way down to my belly then I'd exhale. In..1..2..Out...1...2. As I exhaled I thought about my diaphragm pulling up into my lungs and squeezing all the air out. Visualizing this really seems to help keep me focused and keeps my breathing under control. Other than that not much new on the ole' running front. I just keep trucking along. Right now I'm doing something like Week5 day2 of the c25k. I'm not following the C25k exactly coz I'm trying to get ready for the half marathon training program...so I wanna speed up the c25k. But week 5 day 2 is the..

Brisk five-minute warm up walk, then:
Jog 8 minutes
Walk 5 minutes
Jog 8 minutes

I've been doing 4 minutes of walking in between the 2 jogs. I did that on Monday and on Wednesday. By then end of this week I want to be running for 20 minutes with no walking or holding on to the treadmill...that is my goal. I've gotta get ready to start the half marathon training and the first week of it looks like this.

Week 1
Mon. Off
Tue. Fartlek(4M)
Wed. 4M
Thu. 4M
Fri. Off
Sat. 3M
Sun. 6M

I Know I'm not ready for all that just yet!

I did find a half marathon program that's 8 weeks long and starts out at just 2 miles
http://mba.tuck.dartmouth.edu/pages/clubs/triathlon/training/Half_Marathon.htm

Week 1
Mon. Rest
Tues. 2M
Wed. 30min cross train
Thurs. 2M
Fri. Rest
Sat. 30 min cross train
Sun. 4M

So I don't know...I'll have to see how I'm doing next week.

decisions, decisions...

2009-05-29T11:47:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I ran. I did 1.5 miles running and another .25 of walking to cool down. So 1.75 miles total. I wish I was doing more distance...but it's okay I guess.

Now today, my shins and the muscle on the top of my feet (the one that allows you to point your toes and flex your foot) are really sore. I did 40 minutes of Pilate's and that seemed to loosen me up some.

Now...I'm debating....should I run again today? I wanna run, I wanna keep powering ahead...getting stronger, better, faster. But, since I'm already sore...that might prove to be a dumb idea. When I get driven like this I always want to capitalize on it and make the MOST of that momentum before I lose it, yah know?
I could always do some more Pilate's to help me loosen up afterward. hmmm.
I could ice down those muscle after I run too. hmmm..

I'll think on it some more.

too much? nahhhh....

2009-05-27T16:23:00.000-04:00

I'm sick.... Wahhhhhhhanhan. Ugh, I feel like crap. My head is so congested...yuk! But, I ran today...and yes I'm gonna Whine about it!!

Commencing Whinery....

Okay so not only do I feel like crap...and can't sleep right coz I feel like crap...I decide that I wanna run today. Oh, but today, It happens to be like 80 degrees out, and HUMID...boy doggie is it HUMID, 71% humidity with a dew point of 66 degrees. For you non-weather buffs a dew point of anything over 50 starts to feel sticky when the temps are high.

Yeh, so that sounds like just the kinda weather you wanna run in...while you're sick. Anywho.

I got on the treadmill and powered out 1.75miles. My goal WAS 2.0 miles. but when I got to 1.75 I NEEDED a drink of water...and I can't drink and run at the same time so I had to slow down to a quick walk. When I did that...it caught up with me all at once. My cold...the exertion, the weather. I felt VERY dizzy and sick to my stomach...like I was gonna puke. I stopped the treadmill and went straight to the couch and laid down. After a few minutes I was ok and I got up and downed a 20 ouncer of water...then took a nice cold shower. In hindsite I probably should have had a thing of water BEFORE i ran and not pushed so hard.

But, I feel pretty good about that workout. I was sweatin' like a dude. I always feel pretty studly when I'm on the treadmill sweating like that...lol. I dunno why. It makes me feel like I REALLY accomplished something.

Welp, I'm off to chill and re-hydrate now...later gaters!!

sicky icky...

2009-05-27T01:20:00.000-04:00

I didn't run Monday or Tuesday. I have a stupid head cold now that is making my sinuses so sore. So I haven't felt much like running. I am gonna run today though, sinus pressure or not. Maybe running will help get the snot moving so I can actually breath again...that'd be nice...lol.

104 Days .... and counting....

2009-05-25T04:00:00.002-04:00

I ran Sunday morning just as I had planned...running seemed just a smidgen easier than last time. SWEET
My calf started to tighten up after my run again so it was back to the tub to soak in some chilly water. I feel pretty beat up now physically...I ran for 5 out of the 7 days this week. That's pretty good. So I'm taking tomorrow off to let my body rest. Then hopefully I can bump my mileage up some. Tuesday I have an orthodontist appointment in the morning...so I'm not sure when I'll be running. I gotta try to squeeze it into my day somewhere. I hate not running right when I get outta work...then it's too easy to just not run.

Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you
put into it. Oprah Winfrey

Icy..

2009-05-24T05:04:00.003-04:00

I did my mile just like I planned this morning. It went pretty well. Took me 12min 45sec to do. After my run I stretched...and then my calf muscles started to get crazy tight. Stretching them seemed to make them worse. I waddled my way to the bathroom and filled the tub with COLD water and got in...YIPES!! It was ESPECIALLY cold since I had been working out and I was all hot and sweaty. But, my calves did calm down. I spent about 15 minutes in that chilly water and that seemed to do the trick. I heard that Icing your muscles after a workout will help with muscle soreness because it reduces inflammation. I wish I would have had some ice-packs on hand so I didn't have to get in the tub. Some parts just don't need to be dipped in water that cold...lol. I'm gonna have to get some Ziploc baggies from the store and make me some good 'ole fashioned ice-packs!
I also heard that using Epsom salt in the tub is good for sore muscles...I haven't tried that one.
I plan to run right when I get home. That really works out best for me...gets it outta the way early so I don't have the chance to put it off, and then not have time to get my workout in.

106 Days left to Train...

2009-05-23T03:54:00.001-04:00

I feel all scattered today...so here are my mind dribblings in no particular order...lol..

I didn't run Friday. I planned to, but DANG I was just so tired. So, like a good 3rd shifter, I slept most of the day away. I think I'll run this morning when I get outta work. Then Sunday I'll do 2 miles and call that my long run.

I'm pretty sure I could walk 13.1 even today if I had too...prolly take me FOREVER. but I could do it. But, running is a whole nother thing! I really wanna run. Not fast, I'd be happy with a nice 12/13 minute mile the whole way. I think my ultimate fear is getting all jacked-up on the race day excitement and starting out too fast and then burning out way too early.

As for my training...I'm gonna try to increase my running time next week- maybe throw in some run/walk combos or something. I am just worried about training. The half is in Sept., and I'm only running 1 mile right now.

Random...

2009-05-21T23:50:00.010-04:00

I'm having the hardest time getting this to post...I hate computers!! Anyway.....

I did another mile this morning. I was hoping it was gonna feel easier...it really didn't. While I was running I was thinking about hypnosis...I wonder if it's possible to hypnotize someone into thinking that running is easy or even better pleasurable. So that running is like eating the best tasting chocolate fudge covered sundae. lol...okay...maybe I was getting a little delirious there...lol...but that would be cool.

My sis-in-law sent me a great article on the half marathon.It really makes running the half sound...dare I say...fun. I go back and forth emotionally with it...some times I get really excited about it...planing my runs calculating times all that jazz. Other times..I feel totally nervous and unsure of myself and it makes me doubt whether or not I can really complete such a long race. I guess it's kinda just the first time jitters. I'm pretty sure I'll be nervous enough to puke come race day....lol.

Tomorrow I plan on getting on the treadmill again right after work and putting in another mile. It's gotta start getting easier sometime.

still going...

2009-05-19T03:35:00.001-04:00

I did a mile today when I got outta work just like I planned. Took me 13 minutes but again, I'm not going so much for time as I am for distance. I'm still trying to find my comfortable pace, one that's not too fast and not too slow.

My legs are a little sore today so I'm not gonna run when I get outta work I'm just gonna rest and maybe ice down my shin...it's kinda tight. Not bad though...I've had shin splints before and wow...so now I always stretch my shins out real well after a run!!
I still can't believe I'm actually gonna try to run a half marathon...I'm half terrified and half excited. I've been looking a race pictures from years past to motivate me.
Today my plan is to hydrate (lots of H2O) and then stretch, lots of stretches...I think I might throw in one of my Yoga DVDs and do that. More flexibility = less chance of injury.