I Need Remedial Running!

I was reminded this morning, while trying to run, that "Girls Just Want to Have Fun!" but I wasn't having fun!  I wasn't having any fun at all!  Today was really hard.  Actually, this week has been really hard!  My runs have not been easy - not that I am expecting them to be easy, but I would love for them not to make me doubt that I can ever be a runner.  Yes, I know... If it was easy, it would be called your mama.  Um... I mean... If it was easy, everyone would be a runner.

I wasn't able to complete the running portions of today's training plan.  I did some of the running portions, but gave in to the need to walk more than half the time that I was supposed to be running.  It was a beautiful morning, though.  I met a new neighbor who was also out for a walk and learned some new things about the neighborhood, namely that the elementary school is likely to be closed.  They will no for sure next week.  I didn't go there, but did go to many Halloween parties and other activities there with  people who did, so it makes me sad.

It was almost 60º and sunny, as you can see.  I have the day ahead of me and plan to do some yard work (I already stacked some firewood) then we are cooking out with family for the first time this year.  This evening, more time with family around a small campfire (the reason for the firewood).  

So, even though my run didn't go the way I would have like, I'm looking forward to a great spring day and I'll think on whether I should repeat this week of my training plan, or just try to move forward.

Running Outdoors

Beautiful morning for my first run outside this year.

Yep... First run outside this go-round.  I have been doing all of my running at 5:15 am on the treadmill in my living room, which is why I haven't written here... it's a treadmill run and there's not really much to talk about.  It's been feeling good.  I missed a couple of days last week because I had a cold, or allergies, or something, but I picked up right where I left off this week and didn't miss a beat.  

We are in Battle Creek for the weekend, so today's run was going to have to be outside, or I was going to have to go to Planet Fitness and use the treadmill there.  I didn't want to do that, and it was a beautiful morning (albeit chilly, at 35º and a little breezy) so I headed out in the lovely residential neighborhood that I'm staying in, and really, really enjoyed it. I saw more cars than I usually do in my own neighborhood (when I'm not in my living room) and went on some streets that I've never been on before, despite having grown up in the area.  

I ran a little faster and a little further than I have on the treadmill, which tells me that I am not pushing myelf as hard as I could when I'm running in my living room.  I had some great music and my cool down finished about 5 minutes from the house, so I had a little more time to cool and stretch than I do before work in the morning.  Plus, I stopped to visit with my mother- and father-in-law.  I was very happy with today's results.  My clothes even coordinated - which never happens at 5:15!  Tomorrow is Easter, which means a day of family time.  Looking forward to that.  Back to my early morning run on Tuesday, and I'm looking forward to that, too - but not quite as much as I'm looking forward to the time that it's light enough in the morning for me to go back outside!

Second Run...

Ok, today I did my second run on the treadmill.  It went well, but was a little harder than the other

day.  However, it was a little different because it was super early.  I won't normally be running before I work at 7:00 am on Fridays.  My plan is to run on Tuesday, Thursday (both days that I don't have to be to work until 8:00) and Saturday.  That will really be much more manageable!

Today was pretty uneventful!  It was on the treadmill and I did my scheduled training and then got ready for work.  I don't really have a seen-on-my run photo for today, but here is a picture of my new Road ID.  Obviously, I don't need this while I am in the house, but I always wear it away from home - especially when I'm outside running.  If anything were to happen to me, someone would be able to see who I am and contact my husband, in case of an emergency!  There is a link to the left of my post and I suggest that everyone look into a Road ID.  It can save your life!

Training Underway!!

Seen On My Run

Yes!  Today was the first day of my training program and it felt great! Physically and emotionally!  I was supposed to start last week, but was gone to Washington DC for 4 days, so I put it off for a week because I didn't want to interrupt my training so early with a trip. It was pointed out that I really should have started when I planned to, and not used my trip as an excuse to procrastinate.  My friend was right!  As it was, I didn't take any exercise clothes with me so, unless I wanted to run in jeans, I couldn't change my mind then.  But... I arrived home at 10:00 last night and got right on it this morning.

Also, we bought a treadmill a few weeks ago.  I was thinking that, to do this, I want to be sure that I have no excuses to not run when I am supposed to.  The last time I did the Detroit Half, I was not prepared and that was because I allowed myself to make excuses to not do my training on too many days.  Not this time!  Too hot? Too cold? Too rainy?  The treadmill is right there in the living room! Just get on it and go! I probably could have run outside today since it's mostly sunny and 39 degrees out. But I had planned to use the treadmill, so that's what I did.  Today's seen on my run photo is not really all that interesting but it was pretty much the wall in front of me, and my feet on the belt (along with my iPhone hitting that belt a few times because I hooked the headphones when making an adjustment... gonna have to work on that).

So, that's my first training entry.  I'll be back again on Friday.  Here we go!

2015! New year... New goals!

Happy New Year!  Many of you know from Facebook that I signed up for the Detroit International Half Marathon again this year.  Registration opened this morning at 12:01 am, and that's when I was on line logging in to it.  The run is Sunday, October 18. I will be running in support of the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance.  More on that to come.

When I did the run a couple of years ago, I finished, but it was really not the finish that I had hoped for.  I was oh-so-slow because I hadn't prepared like I should have.  I didn't feel the sense of accomplishment that I would have, had I put the effort into it that I knew was necessary.  This time, that is going to be different.  I haven't set an overly ambitious goal for myself... I'll be thrilled with a 13:45 pace!

So... am I currently running?  No.  But I have a schedule and will start that shortly.  In the meantime I will be walking.  Today I did a short walk - just 30 minutes.  It was cold, but sunny and pretty.  The wind was 16 MPH, making the wind chill only 19 degrees.   I was bundled up but 30 minutes was enough for me for today.  It's always interesting to see what people have put out on their curb the day before trash pickup (so interesting that we have regular visitors that drive through out neighborhood to explore just that on a weekly basis) and it's especially interesting after Christmas and New Year's Eve. Today I went by neighbors...  One has gotten a new treadmill, no doubt in direct relationship to a Resolution.  The other got a folding gaming chair.  Such contrast.

I will be posting often.  Thank you for joining me on this journey and I wish you a heathy and happy 2015!