decisions, decisions...

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....

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...

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....

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..

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...

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...

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...

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.

The start of something big...

Today was day one of a very long road for me. Today I got on the treadmill and ran 1 mile. One mile nonstop. I wanted to see how far I could actually run. I got one measly mile, that was it before my lungs imploded. So my plan this week is to run 1 mile everyday when I get outta work. Then my hope is that next week I can bump that up to 1.25 miles and run that for a week...then maybe I can bump it up a quarter mile at a time until I get to 3 miles. Three miles per day is the magic number I need to reach before I can start the half marathon training program at coolrunning.com

~intermission~

I got to thinking....5 weeks, just 5 weeks is what I have to get myself running 3 miles. June 22nd is when I need to start the half marathon training. that means I'm gonna have to increase by half a mile each week in order to be running the 3 miles in time. I hope I can do it!!

~ The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. ~ Lao Tzu

Inspiration

here is a good quote:
"Your legs NEVER give out, only your heart does" (DAVID SU - first time marathoner)

and here is the best quote for me:
"It's not what you are that holds you back, it's what you think you are not." DENIS WAITLEY

hmm, should I?

I feel for Kirstie Alley I just saw her picture on the cover of people while I was at the grocery store. That girl has more ups and downs than a yo-yo! Course I'm not exactly what you'd call innocent. I've had my share of ups and downs. I'm on an upper right now. Hubby had gall bladder surgery the first week in May and that threw me all outta whack. I was struggling before that but his surgery was the nail in my diet coffin. He's feeling much better now, He's gone back to work and life is returning to normal. Except for my diet that is. I'm finding it so difficult to say no to sweets and fast, crappy, fat laden foods. I do mental gymnastics..bending a twisting facts in my head until ...EUREKA!!... I can...neigh....I MUST eat this burger. UGGGH. The shame.

So, I'm thinking, and thinking, about a prospect so scary I can barely give it utterance..... Half Marathon.... Am I NUTZ??? I think so!! my sis-in-law is running the Virginia Beach rock 'n' roll half marathon in September. She invited me to run it with her. AND I'M THINKING OF DOING IT!!! I am insane. I'm so Koo-Koo I actually made up a list of pros and cons to doing this.

I should not run it because....

• I may not be able to complete it
• it costs money to run the race
• it costs money to get out there and back
• I might injure myself training
• I might embarass myself by not being able to finish
• I'm too weak
• I'm scared I'll prove to myself I'm a failure.
• I might not stick to the long training schedule

I should run it because...

• it's healthy
• I'll lose weight
• it's something to be proud of
• I'll gain a sense of accomplishment
• I can prove to myself I can do it.
• it's a nice little vacation
• it's a good confidence booster
• it'll force me to eat healthier
• it's a good example to set for the kids
• I'll have fun before/after possibly during the race
• there will be concerts along the way
• it'll be a cool memory to have when I'm 90

I guess what it comes down to is.... am I gonna let fear keep me from doing something good?
I dunno. I worry that I won't have time to train. I'm not even sure I can run a mile...I've gain a bunch of weight this month. I am not all the way back to where I started. but still..

At this point, I am just gonna try to get in the habit of getting on the treadmill right when I get outta work. I'm not gonna put big lofty numbered goals on those runs I'm just gonna get on the treadmill. Hopefully keeping it simple and stress free will give me...something. Some sort of confidence. I'm also gonna quit obsessing about how fast I'm going. If indeed I do a half marathon the goal is gonna be TO FINISH. No special time, No special anything just try to cross the finish line while remaining vertical...lol.