Change of Scenery... Same Pace

I was in Galveston for a couple of days last weekend, and had a great run on the sea wall! I am really glad I made that trip last week... I think it might not be running weather down there this weekend. It was really nice to be able to run in some new scenery, even though the waves were a little low. I have heard there are benefits to actually running on the sand, but since I am still counting completion as a success, I decided not to push it. I am looking forward to my longest run yet this weekend... 8 miles! It will definitely be a challenge, but I am excited for it.

Picking up speed

I have run 13 miles this week. This is the most I have run in 4 or 5 months. I have a few sore spots but the slow steady increase in my training over the past few weeks have made the difference. And, remarkably, I have run every bit of it. I remember last year struggling to run short distances and feeling tired all the time. This is such an improvement! I encourage all you newbies to hang in there. It is so exciting to see yourself get stronger. I am jazzed! Tonight is the first set of fartleks in my training program. I am looking forward to a good sweat! See you on the road!

Mental Challenge...

I started in on the training a little later than I wish I had, so I have been playing catch-up for the last few weeks. Having never been a strong runner, there has been a lot of catching up to do. One of my biggest obstacles so far has been mentally pushing myself to do the distance (even the shorter starting out distances....) Running is so much of a mental and physical challenge for me, but I am learning to enjoy it for the challenge. When I do make the distance or time I am shooting for, it is such a great feeling! I am training with my dad, Keller, who is also running the half, and having a running partner has really helped me push past my mental obstacles. My dad keeps telling me, the excuse you give yourself to stop running is often the excuse you give yourself to quit in other parts of your life. Thinking about that while running has kept me going. I have been surprised, especially in just the last couple of days, how just a little bit of progress has really encouraged me to work harder.

Time Flies

Wow time does fly, I was glancing at the comments and realized that I haven't made any in a while. Well I feel great and even though I came down with the same crude that has been going around for awhile. I missed running for 3 days last week. I restarted this monday and even though I was still wheezing during the run I actually felt alot better than the week before. I have started finishing my run with a full out run the last .2 and even though it hurts like heck I feel so much better. With my music playing it seems that my route, even though its not very large, is passing by with less strain and aches. to those who are running the full marathon and 1/2 marathon I know this heat is not fun. Just think a week ago we were tired of all the rain! Well with any luck my morning's run will not get too terrible hot until closer to race time. Best of Luck to all in the weeks to come.

Back at it!

I am very pleased with my training efforts this weekend. On Saturday I ran my 3 miles feeling strong and well! My biggest issue is that the days are hot, hot, Hot! Even late at night it is still quite warm. July is finally here! I will need to start getting up early to run...I hate that! On a brighter note, the cross training is beginning to show. I feel stronger and my stomach is beginning to firm up (all the ab work is paying off!). I haven't written about it, but I have an additional motivation in that I have an anniversary trip to Hawaii coming up! Rippling abs in a new bikini was my goal...I may have to settle on less jiggle in a one piece. It's all good! See you on the road!

Last week was not my best week of training. I picked up a virus and I felt pretty ragged most of the week. I missed 4 days of training. I was supposed to run 3 miles on Saturday. Instead, I ran a pathetic 1.8 and felt lucky to have accomplished that much! Last night I ran 2 miles and felt a little stronger, but still on the wimpy side. Throughout the weekend I could feel my anxiety build...I am getting behind...I am losing ground...etc. I am trying to remember that this is life. You have to be flexible! When things go wrong or you have a bad day (or week!) it is important to remind yourself that good days usually follow the bad. I am going to stay focused, stay motivated, and hang in there. Tonight is cross-training. I am going to do an aerobic program geared toward core strength. Oh boy, I can't wait!

I think things are going pretty well. Saturday the 14 th I did 6 miles with the Waco running group that I joined, and boy, I am so happy I am in with a group. I know I would never, NEVER, have got up at 0530 to run if it were just me doing it. We did 4 miles on Wednesday, and afternoon running is harder, esp. when it is hot. I overslept today and missed my morning jog, and I feel really guilty about it. The dogs were pretty ticked off at me, too. So tomorrow I have to do it, no matter what. OK-- this week the goals are: EVERY morning get up and run with the dogs, even if it just 20 minutes, Wednesday do 4 miles with the group, and Saturday do 7. That sounds like a plan.