W1: R4 - Not so Stellar End to the Week

I ran 3 miles today in 48:19, or about 16:06.  I won't say I wasn't a little disappointed.  I think it may have something to do with my sleep, I haven't been going to bed quite when I should.  And, I worked today, and I should have run before work, but I ran after.  Oh well, I finished, it's over, tomorrow starts a new week.

W1: RD2 - Take a Rest

According to my schedule I was supposed to run 3 miles today.  I didn't.  And I'm sad to say it was because I couldn't 

I started to get down on myself, but then I remembered, "If you had done the 7 mile run today, you would have taken the day off tomorrow."  So why was I so bummed about needing a day today?

I probably would have done more harm than good anyway.

W1: R3 - 7 Miles

I was supposed to run 2.5 miles, but I ran 7.  The idea came into my head and I pushed it to the back of my mind.

"You don't want to over train or injure yourself."

But it just kept nagging.

So I figured, "Fine, maybe I'll run 3 miles if I feel good enough."

And then three became four, and four became five, and then I was cooling down after a seven mile run.

I ran it in 1:45:40 or 15:07 per mile.  On my only other seven mile run on May 21st, I ran it at 1:43:20, but I'd also been training for two months, and I'd been pushing myself.  This time, it was a "Oh, okay I feel good enough let's keep going."

Afterwards, I was tiredish, but it was still more of a "I just had a good work out tired," than a "OMG must collapse" tired.  And as usual, the feeling of pride at what I had accomplished outweighed any other feeling.

W1: R2 - Three Miles and Veggie Cravings

This morning I went three miles in 46:09, or about 15:23 per mile.  Improvement from yesterday by about fifty seconds.  I felt good after the run, I keep expecting to feel more winded, but I don't.  I hope that's an reflection of an improved fitness level since the spring, even if my time is still about the same.

I usually get at least five or six servings of fruits and vegetables every day, but lately I've wanted more.  I don't know if it's because our CSA provides us with so much quality produce, or my body preferring it as fuel, but I am up to nine or ten servings a day.  I figure it is safe as long as I still get enough food and nutrients, it is strange though, cutting out almost all pasta/bread/rice because my body just doesn't want it.  At least not right now.

W1:R1 - First Run

I ran 2 miles.  I finished in 32:15, above sixteen minutes, but not bad considering I haven't run in almost 3 months.  I felt some tightness in my quads, but it was not as difficult as I thought it might be, though I was gentle to my body.  I'm really pleased that I don't have any blisters and I did not feel discomfort from my shoes, back in the Spring I got some blisters and such.

For those interested, I weighed in at 132.2 this week.

No loss, but no gain, and considering I went to my sister's wedding and indulged a lot over the weekend, I'm pleased.

My Husband & I at the Wedding

W1: RD1 - Outrunning the Fear

I realized that a lot of what holds me back is fear and doubt.

What if I try to go faster and end up going slower overall?  What if I go faster and can't finish?  What if I hurt myself and end up unable to get to the marathon?

But I realized I have to try.  My comfort zone has always is between sixteen and fifteen minutes per mile and I'm not ashamed because most all, what I want is to be able to go the distance in the time allowed.  

If I don't push myself, I may never realize my full potential.

What if I could run without worrying about not finishing under the time allowed?
What if I could run and not be last?
What if twelve or even ten minutes per mile, really could become my new comfort zone?

Eventually, I will find the answers to the those questions.

Joining the Chorus of 26.2 Dreamers

Four and a half years ago, someone training for a marathon told me approximately one percent of the population has run a marathon.  That same someone expressed doubt at my ability to be part of that group, when I mentioned giving it a try.  For a few weeks I ran on the treadmill, eventually giving up because I thought that person was right.

And then in February of 2010, I weighed 165.4 pounds my personal high.  I'd been trying inconsistently and unsuccessfully to lose weight for about seven months prior.  So, when I reached that apex, I buckled down.  The first twenty pounds came off fairly easily, but I expected them too, I'd been in a holding pattern at 145 for a while prior to shooting up to 165 from late 2008 into 2010.

I began training for a 5K, two weeks after I started losing weight, but that didn't last because I sprained my ankle, and not long after that my Dad passed away.

Somewhere around my 25th birthday, The Voice in my head started.  It talked about the marathon in a very Field of Dreamsesque voice.  It had arguments, a long range plan, websites, and determination.

"Think about running a marathon before you're thirty," it began.

"Take your time, run a 5K before you turn 26," it gently whispered.

"Next year, run a 10K," it added later.

"Run the half after that, and finally, the Full when you're 29."

So, I thought, "Okay, well I can probably finish 3.1 miles before next November."

But the holidays came and went, and then in early March my Mom became very ill.  She is still in the hospital and on the long road to recovery.  I spent three weeks at my parent's home with my siblings during a very critical period.  I gained 10 pounds and bounced back to 146.6.  But rather than let it discourage me, I became more focused.  I lost 6.2 pounds in March, putting me back at 140.2 pounds.

Then on April 1st the voice said, "Why not now?"

And so it began.

On April 30th I ran my first 5K in 46:21.
On May 7th I ran my first 10 in 1:35:46.

I know I'm not fast, but for me it's not as much about speed as it is just getting to the end.  I will never be "fast," but I'm hoping to be running comfortably at a 15:00 mile pace when my first marathon comes around.

As Captain Malcolm Reynolds said, "Faster would be better," but finishing is the primary goal.

If you're wondering why after doing so well there's been a delay, well in late May I sprained my ankle.  After recovering from that there was heat wave here, I tried to run, but I just didn't have the stamina to do it in that kind of weather.  I continued to focus on my weight loss and building my endurance through walking.  I won't be able to finish a marathon this year, but that doesn't mean I have to give up entirely.