New shoes

It's amazing how motivating new shoes can be.

It works on me.

Can I do it?

I lost Pam. 

No, not like we went running and I lost Pam and can't find her - but like Pam is no longer my "go to" running partner.  No worries, I still love her and we're still friends but she sucks major monkey toes for quitting.  I blame her old age. 

Anyways, Al is now my go to running partner.  I'm not sure he's happy about this or not - every time I mention going for a run, he gets a crazy look in his eyes like he's crashing off some crack induced high.  I just ignore him and tell him he best start running.  It has yet to happen.

So, I have to have a partner.  Or I'll quit.  And I feel I've come WAY to far to stop now.  Running isn't just about me anymore....I'm trying to teach my kids that being active and healthy is important, I'm running for my Mom because she can barely walk, I'm running for Al in an attempt to get him back on track, and I'm running for ME. 

I'm going to sign us up for a half marathon in November.  Al thinks I'm joking but I'm not.  I keep telling him that he's going to look really funny walking the ENTIRE 13.1 miles but he ignores me.  Maybe he's not taking me serious because it's only February, but he will come mid October.  I can bet you $100 on that friends!  I am worried I may be taking on something too hard for me - I'm still not a great runner but I am improving.  I figure if I run a few races in between and keep to a training program, I'll do fine.  I'm not trying to win, I'm just trying to finish.  In a reasonable amount of time.  And not last.  I NEVER want to finish last again.  Next to last, fine.  Last - HELL NO.

Wish me luck!  I'm on Day 2 of the program now.  Basically just running for about 20 minutes at a time to build up some endurance.  In about 3 weeks, the REAL training starts.  I am enjoying this part right now because I'll probably be whining and complaining when the hard parts start.  I haven't ran more than 2 miles straight so the thought of doing more than that scares me.  I have to remember that I CAN do it. 

I'm not sure about Al though.  He's being lazy.  And he knows I will totally post a picture of him walking a half marathon if it comes to that.  He's been warned.  

Rest time

I'm slowly learning the importance of rest days.  Wow, my running is reaching a whole new level.  I'm excited, nervous, and still learning.  I'm still not great, but I'm getting better.

To help my running - I've lost my running partner Pam and Al is reluctant to take her place - I've added some cross training type exercises to my workouts.  I'm doing Zumba twice a week and kickboxing twice a week.  This is on top of running and weight work. 

Well, although I have a blast at Zumba and kickboxing......I am exhausted!  And instead of my runs improving, they are are worse.  Harder.  More frustrating.  So after crashing the other night in bed, I woke up realizing that something is going to have to give.

Zumba or kickboxing?  ARGH....such a hard choice!  I'm giving up kickboxing though.....although I really don't want too.  I'm determined to stay with my running though, I feel I've come way to far to give up now.  And now that I've incorporated rest days, I'm feeling better - stronger - and I expect to see my runs improve.  

Take it from a novice runner - when someone tells you that it's important to have rest days - they mean it.  Rest days are just as important as run days.  Don't tell anyone (especially Teresa) - but rest days are my favorite days!  :)