Feeling Good

You probably won't hear me say this often - but I'm feeling pretty good about running right now.  I've started some cross training and forcing myself (and Pam) NOT to run too much.  And I'm seeing some results which is AAAWWWWEEEESSSSSOOOMMMEEEE.  I'm working my hotness on the elipitical machine and doing some upper body work too.  I can die a happy woman if my legs *and* arms get toned. 

Know the best result of all?  My endurance!  I can run a little longer now and I totally think that kicks major ass.  I could cry that's how happy I am.  Of course, I still have a ways to go, but it's improvement.  I like improvement.  My arch enemy the treadmill has helped me build my endurance.....I don't run on it all the time, but it's a nice training tool.

So, maybe it's the head rush or all those crazy hormones running supposedly releases while you're doing it - but I'm considering doing a half marathon in November.

Say what????

Gotta have it

This is my new MUST have in my running journey.  It speaks so many truths about why I run.  :)

Building Endurance

This may sound completely stupid - but I'm using my Wii to help me build my endurance with my "running."  Now before you bash me - remember that I'm not a runner and I need all the help I can get.  :)  So does Pam.  (Can't leave my girl out you know.)

Actually, I think it might be helping.  I've been "running" in place for 10 minutes at a time using Wii Fit.  I've done this the last three nights.  Each night, my little Mii (person on the Wii) has ran farther than the day before.  The first night I could have collapsed by the time the 10 minutes passed.  Tonight on Day 3, I feel like I could have kept going.  That has me STOKED.  Maybe Pam and I have been focusing on speed when we should have been focusing on time or distance.  Or maybe we have been focusing on too many things and just need to simplify our runs.  Basically, Pam is holding me back.  Just kidding!  :)

I have two other workouts that are even longer runs that I plan on working up too.  We'll see how that goes.  Is this going to help?  I have no frigging idea.  But I figure it can't hurt right?   My goal isn't to run faster, I just want to run longer.....so maybe this will help me accomplish that goal.  The test will be when I get back out on the Rail Trail next week.  It's a lot easier running in place inside than running down a trail in the heat!  Wish me luck! 

Will I ever get "THERE?"

I don't know if I'm cut out to be a "runner."  Hell, I don't think I can honestly call myself a runner at this point.  Bottom line - I suck.  Bad. 

*sigh*  I'm going to keep trying because at this point - quitting would just really piss me off.  So, if anyone other than Teresa reads this blog - what's your best running tips for me and Pam? 

We started a new training program for 5ks today.  We'll see how it goes - of course today was an "easy" day in the program.  Tomorrow will be the real test.  We'll need all the help we can get. 

Maybe I'll just invent shoes that run for me.  That's a good idea right?

Operation Rack Rescue

Today Al and I ran another 5k.  My girl Pam was sick (or she had better be!) so she missed it.  Teresa and Haylee joined us on this one though.  I actually posted a better time than the last race!  I finished in 44:26....oh yeah, oh yeah.  14:29 average per mile.  Can I get a BOOYAH!!!!  I am stoked!  It was so frigging HOT that I'm actually surprised that I beat my first time.  Cloud nine, baby.  However, Haylee and I finished DEAD LAST as far as runners went.  I don't care though - someone has to finish last and I *finished.*  Finishing = Winning.

My baby and me before the race.  I know this is mean, but his time was actually about a minute worse than the first race.  *evil grin*



Teresa, Haylee and Me before the race.  

Post race!  I was so glad for it to be OVER.  Doesn't Al look so cute in this picture?  Did I mention that he LEFT me early on in the race?  I think he's feeling guilty about it now though....or he will by the time I'm done with him.  :) 

So, of course I still hate running.  I still feel like I'm just no good at it.  I have no endurance whatsoever.  I'm working on it though.  You would think it would be totally cool to be running on the Track too Tough to Tame (which I feel is a pretty accurate name at this point) but when it's 9am and 200 degrees on the race track, it's not so awesome anymore.  Just saying. 

Why Run?

A friend asked me the other day why I ran since I hate it so much.  I gave the typical, "Oh, for my health" answer but honestly, that's just not it.

Don't get me wrong - health is the ultimate reason I run.  When I was *cough* younger, I worked out religiously.  And I was in decent shape - not GREAT, but decent shape.  I liked the way I looked, I was confident, and my self esteem was off the charts.  Then life got in the way - aka two kids named Olivia and Cooper - and suddenly working out ceased to exist.  I'm finally at a place where I want and need to work out again.  It's tough.  Very tough.  But it's getting easier every week.  Especially now that I'm seeing results - weight is coming off and the shape I USED to have is slowly somewhat coming back.  Can I get a BooYah?  BOOYAH!!!

Seriously though - the #1 reason I continue running even though I hate it.....is because of my Mom.  She's had two back surgeries since this summer.  It's been tough on her.  I complain all the time about how hard running is and she quietly says "I just wish I could walk" - WOW.   Here I am taking for granted the ability to run, when my Mom struggles on a daily basis with something as simple as walking.  Her back is slowly getting better, but she still has her bad days.  That's what I think about on the Rail Trail.....and that's what gets me back out there the next day.   

Do I enjoy pain?

So we survived our first 5k earlier in the month.  But since we all survived, we decided to try to kill ourselves again.  We're smart.  Smart, smart people.  Who love running until we almost collapse and *still* come in towards the end of the race.  :)

We're doing another one on April 9th - it's at the Darlington Race Track and to be honest, I'm getting pretty excited about it.  For one, I know for a fact I won't die running a 5k so that's a HUGE bonus and also, the race itself is to raise money for breast cancer research and how can I NOT participate?  And the race has a catchy name "Operation Rack Rescue" - LOVE IT. 

Then we're running in another 5k in May - The Race for Taylor over in Florence.  Another race for a good cause that I'm pretty excited about.   If that weren't enough, I just found another 5k in Hartsville in June that I think Al and I will do (I'm going to try to talk Pam into this one too but since it's in June, she may resist) although it's probably going to give both of us a heat stroke.  Hopefully someone will drag me across the finish line so I can at least say I finished.  :)  

I'm almost ashamed to admit that I am beginning to find enjoyment in running.......until I'm actually running/sweating/wheezing and then, I hate it.  Still.