Thursday, March 7, 2013

Runnerversary

It all started with a two toned blue double jogger...and a big dream that one day I would run a marathon. 

Most days though, I just hoped that I would be rested enough and my two children under two would cooperate long enough for me to get my 3 miles in.

Things sure have changed in these last seven years!  My runnerversary is coming up...Spring is coming too.  It's always around this time of year that I fall in love with running all over again.  Maybe it's the anticipation of being able to get out there, lose the layers, and really give a run all I've got.  Maybe it's looking forward to not having to worry what's under my feet or what I may slip on.  You may be lucky enough to get a few of those days during the winter in the midwest...but when you know you will have a few months of them, it's a different kind of feeling.  Maybe it's purely the anticipation of being able to see what I am made of again...to push myself farther and reach new goals on the road.

As the years go by, it's reiterated after every run, just how much running mirrors life.  There are times in life where the "hills" or "mountains" just seem too steep...the "miles" seem too long...your "lungs" are burning too badly...and you don't think you can take another step.  Then there are those times where the "road" is flat, the "wind" is at your back, and the "weather" is just right...you take a deep breath and you push yourself to go harder, go longer, and it just feels right.  I think running has helped me appreciate different times in my life a little more.  In my mind, I have run 26.2 miles four times...I can do just about anything.

So, if you are thinking about taking up running, getting more serious about it, running your first race, signing up for your first marathon...step out of your comfort zone and take a risk.  You will discover what you are made of...and have a lot of fun doing it!

If you are a Momma that just hopes her kids will cooperate for the next three miles or the Momma who hopes to get out the door without one of your babies chasing you down, I've been there...and even though it doesn't seem like it now, you will miss this.  Some days I wish I still had a little one to push around in my two toned jogger...or a little cheerleader to yell, "faster, momma, faster".  Do your best...take time for yourself...and remember that they are watching you and you are setting a wonderful example and showing your kids that you know you are worth the time to take care of yourself.

So, as I approach my runnerversary I think I will lace up my hot pink Asics, invite my Zoey girl to come with me, buy a couple of new songs, and go for a long run...and just be thankful that I can still run...and enjoy the open road.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

One Week Down...

It's amazing what 35 miles and limiting what I put in my mouth can do...

I am down 4 pounds!  I couldn't be happier!  Not bad for a weeks worth of work.  I'll take it.

I am not saying it was easy at all.  There were a few times that I was tempted to eat a box of Girl Scout cookies. A couple of times I was tempted to go through the drive through on one of my crazy days when it would have been easier just to grab something on my way to work rather than plan ahead.  I didn't...and I am so glad I didn't.

It's been a while since I logged 35 miles (31 running, 4 elliptical) in one week.  It felt so good to be back on track.  My hip is giving me less of a problem.  It's at a dull ache now and not the shooting pain that I had before.  At the gym, I found the rowing machine and I love it!  It's such a good workout and it was nice to give my hip a break.  I can't wait to get back in there and row again tomorrow.

This past week, I also threw a 7 mile run in there.  I haven't done a distance like that in a few months.  It's was not uneventful.  I have a route I run that's a 7 mile square around my house.  I have run it too many times for me to count.  It's out in the country so I can just let go, sing, talk, whatever I want to do.  It's where I run to get away.  I like to take my four legged running buddy on this route when I go...it's makes me feel a bit safer and she likes it too.  Well, about two and a half miles in to it I look back to see a dog following us.  He was a big guy and kinda scared me at first.  I didn't know if he was going to be aggressive and so I sped up a little to keep Zoey away from him.  I was more concerned for her safety than mine.  After about a tenth of a mile, I realized that he wasn't backing off.  So, I stopped and yelled at him.  I told him "no", I told him to go home, and I told him to get.  Nothing worked and I didn't have the time to stand there and figure out what would.  We kept running...and he kept up right beside us.  After a little over three and a half...yes, three and a half miles...I decided enough was enough.  He obviously wasn't going to leave us alone.  After a few phone calls to different people, I called the police...I didn't know what else to do.  I paused my Garmin and stood on the corner and waited...all the while, our big tag along stood right there with us.  The officer came, checked him out, and the loaded him in to his car after seeing he had no form of ID on him.  I thanked him for coming to the rescue (of the dog and mine) and finished up the rest of our 7 miles...just the two of us.  Add that to my list of firsts.  Running is never boring (well, unless you're on a treadmill).

I am ready to start Monday off with a bang!  I have plans to hopefully drop another three pounds this week.  That will put me at the lightest I've been in a while.  I also plan to log at least over 20 miles this week and continue to keep my eating under control.  Here's to accomplishing goals!

Happy Running!