Starting from scratch...

Something in me stopped caring about running. For the first couple months, I didn't miss it. Then, slowly but surely, I started reading running blogs again. Getting Runner's World in the mail made me itch to work my muscles and clear my head. Passing runners in my car would spark tiny bits of jealousy. Then I would look at my running clothes when I got dressed in the morning. 

This morning, amidst all the chaos of my day I decided, quite randomly, that I wanted to run. I put on a pair of running shorts, a sports bra under the tank top that I slept in, my running shoes, and I got on the treadmill. No stretching, no forethought, nothing. 

I only did a mile, and half of it was walking (the first and last 1/4 mile). It was sad and depressing and killed my self-esteem. 

But...it was perfect. 

I don't plan on holding myself to any sort of training plan. I'm not in a place where I can take personal responsibility for that. My only goal is to run faster than I ran before, even if I can't run quite as far. I realized after running my first 5K that I know I can have the endurance to run at least that, and hopefully much further. But I don't just want to run that far, I want to run that far fast(er).

Wish me luck.

So far, I've kept my word...

Thus far...

Monday: 2 miles, weights

Tuesday: PE Class, 1 mile

Wednesday: 2 miles

I'm still 5 miles from my weekly goal, but it's only Wednesday.

I've been sticking to the treadmill recently because the hills I would have to run if I wanted to run close to home would surely kill me. And I don't want to be any more discouraged than I already am. But it's a start. 

If there is one thing I have done better recently, it's been eating. Most of the time. Today, the husband and I had a rare couple hours out running errands alone. I went along for the Bass Pro Shops trip, only because I knew that there was a Starbucks right across the street. 

The husband, enjoying his ice cold coffee beverage...

And more random foods that I've eaten recently...

Fettuccine with sausage, broccoli, and alfredo sauce...

Activia yogurt, actually much better than I thought it would be.

Kettlecorn popcorn.

Kashi GOLEAN Crisp...also quite yummy.

Fish with rice and steamed veggies.

I've been pretty proud of how I've been doing so far. I'm really trying to make a conscious effort to pay attention to my body, both what I put into it, and what I make it do (or don't do). 

Always,

Tudder

Subpar...

I haven't been a very good runner since my 5K. In the three weeks since then, I've only run about nine miles. Honestly, I think I kind of burnt myself out. I felt like I needed to take a break,  reevaluate, and start fresh. So, I took a week off, and now I'm back to the beginning, but I'm kind of okay with that. My next 5K is on September 10th, and I plan on training properly, for both distance and time.  The best part is, I'll have a PR to beat. 

Since I started running (and taking the Exercise and Stress Management class that I'm almost finished with) I've had a much greater focus on fitness in general, and eating better. I want to learn more about Yoga and Pilates. I've practiced occasionally, but never attempted to make it a consistent part of my routine.  I do know that the core strength and flexibility will only help my running.

As far as personal image goes, I've never been thrilled with my body. I started at 135lbs, gained quite a bit when I was pregnant, and was stuck at 150lbs for what seemed like an eternity. (And until my now husband told me that I "have a few pounds to lose" which may have stung then, but it prevent me from weighing 170lbs now, sitting on the couch and eating bonbons.) Now I'm back between 130 and 135, but my body isn't back to where it used to be. Running has done amazing things for my legs (and butt) and I'm pretty happy with my upper body. But my muffin top needs help. And not in the form of muffins. (Or cake, or pie, or ice cream, or gummy worms, etc.) 

So my goal for the rest of the summer (and the rest of my life) is to not only eat better, but to incorporate Yoga, Pilates, and ab work into my routine.

 

This morning at the store, I bought healthy cereal instead of the sugar coated types I would normally eat out of the box without milk, Activia yogurt, fresh fruit, healthy lunch meat, and planned relatively healthy dinners for the week. I also eat oatmeal with flax seed, Cliff bars, SoyJoy bars, and Powerbars. Maybe if I start eating well first thing in the morning the rest of the day will fall into place. Maybe.

This week, I intend to run at least three times, whether treadmill or outside, hopefully for a total of 7 to 9 miles. And to do Yoga and/or Pilates at least once. This morning I ran 1.7 miles, but I didn't start my Garmin properly so I don't know my time.  I completely failed at pacing myself though. I read blogs about women who run 5 or 6 miles a day, and I really hope that I can get to that place.

I will leave you with some randomness...

Photos of my dog, Moby. 

 "Oh, tartarsauce."

Moby the boat dog.

Renardo completely freaked out before his first haircut.

And the beautiful ring that my husband just bought me...

 

Additionally, for those who care, I plan to start blogging a little more about my running, and a little less about myself. Maybe.

Better than I thought...

I finally did it! I ran my first 5K. And to be entirely honest, I did so much better than I thought I possibly could have. While official times haven't been posted yet, the clock told me that I finished in 34:20. I'm not deluded enough to think that my time was the accomplishment, even though I am very proud of myself and my goal was to finish in under 40 minutes. The accomplishment to me is that I ran the ENTIRE time. Not in a million years did I think I would be able to run the entire time.

Forgive the blurry pictures, I forgot my camera and all the pictures were taken by my husband's cell phone.

In the beginning, after I got past the anxiety and nervousness and actually started running (jogging slowly), my muscles were tight and my legs felt heavy. But I knew that I just had to get past that first mile or so and my legs would warm up and my stride would lengthen. So I continued, trudging along slowly, near the back of the pack. But knowing from everything I've read that it's better to pace yourself in the beginning than it is to have people passing you the entire race, I ignored the urge to run faster and pass people.  And sure enough, come the middle of the hill,  I passed many a person walking, completely out of breath.

The beginning:

My thought process...I can't do this, what did I get myself into, why did I think that I could run a 5K, I've only ran 3 miles on the treadmill and I stopped to walk, there is a huge hill, I can't run up that hill, maybe I should have worn a different shirt, all these runners look more experienced then me, what if I'm dead last?

The end:

My thought process...I did it. I actually did it. I ran 3.1 miles. Not walked/ran, RAN. Husband!

The first part of the course was entirely uphill. However, the worst of the hill was on a beautiful tree covered street right next to a trail I've run on before, so I knew how much further I had to go.  Then, we looped around, ran back down through the trail itself, and finished back in the Med Center parking lot. The worst of it was the last 1/2 mile, when I considered walking, but I knew that if I ran that far, I can surely run that last 1/2 mile.

I can not even express how proud of myself I am. And I know my husband was pretty proud of me as well.

In other news...to improve my training I decided to by the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS watch. 

I much prefer running outside, but I find it remarkably frustrating when I have no idea how far I've run. Plus I have a really hard time pacing myself.

So, Balloon Chasers 5K: COMPLETED...

Next (and yes, I've already registered for my next)...Run/Walk For Peace on September 11th. 

Now back to stretching my calf...

Something about being muddy just doesn't appeal to me...

Don't get me wrong...I would love to run outside. I NEED to run outside. The majority of my "training" had been on my treadmill, which I know just isn't quite the same. 

I say "training" because I didn't follow any specific runner-endorsed plan. I just kind of made one up and started running. I started with running 1/4 mile. Repeat three times. Then I ran 1/2 mile. I made it to running 2 miles straight, and it fell apart. I got the stomach flu. Then I got a sinus infection. Then I was just lazy for a bit. Last week I ran 10.25 miles. I'm refocused, and determined to run (most of) this 5K.

Absurd training ramble over.

Back to my point. I can't run outside, because something about traipsing through the mud just doesn't suit me.

I do have some awful cute rain boots...but they aren't really designed for running.

Frankly, I don't want to get my running shoes wet and muddy. I've yet to buy a back-up pair. To be honest, I really hope that I get there. I hope that I get to the point where I don't care if it's raining, snowing, etc. That I'll lace up my Brooks and run irregardless. But I'm not there yet. So for now, I'll stick to what I know best, even if I also know that it isn't best for me.

TODAY:

~Running: 3.5 miles

~Yoga:Undecided

To be honest, I'm a bit distracted. My husband and I are in the process of adopting another dog. Jasmine was abused as a puppy...left out in the yard until her collar was deeply embedded in her neck. I met her at the dog park, fell in love, and the rest is history.

Enough rambling for the day. It's time for me to run...

Something new and random...

I won't pretend that anyone will ever read this, and if they do, that they'll ever care. So, I'll start with doing this for me. For my health. For my sanity. For the sake of accountability.  We'll start here...

I am a 26 year old Stay At Home Mom, wife, full time student (Psychology), dog owner, yoga practice-er (sometimes), and beginning runner. Last year, I suffered a first metatarsal fracture, and didn't think running would ever be a legitimate possibility. But in a burst of stubborn and irrational motivation, I went to Inside Track to get fitted for a pair of running shoes. 

About $100 later, this was my first step towards something...Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11

That day, I went home and registered for my first 5K.  That was February 15th. My race has someone appeared out of nowhere...and I am now down to a measly 3 weeks to train. Since starting, I have run 73 miles, mostly on my treadmill.

TODAY:

~Running: 3 1/2 miles (Technically, walking 1 mile and running 2 1/2 miles.)
~Yoga: 20 minutes

~Bowling: 2 games

My other interests in life...

Bowling...with my pathetically sad, I'll-never-turn-pro, average...

My dog, Moby...(Boxer/Lab/???)

Coffee...

 And, of course, my wonderful, supportive, amazingly perfect (most of the time) husband...

Eventually I'll know where I'm going and what I'm doing. For now, I'll settle with knowing how I'll get there...in my running shoes.