Week 3, Check!

My first Solo long run. Well not that long. Somehow running the 1/2 marathon has made anything less than 13 miles seem short. Jonah was going to run it with me, but parenting demands that he take the girls to a birthday party. I'm glad that I only have 11 more weeks until my race. I know this is going to keep making our schedules full. It really tests my resolve to constantly have to think about when I need to run, if Jonah is home, who else could watch them, how long I'll be. I feel selfish with all the time that this demands. I better be a better person after this so that my family thinks this is worth it too!
Today I imagined all the other runners out there...slipping on their running shoes...getting out on the road training for the same race. It's funny to be in this community of people that I've never met and we are all working toward the same goal.
Miles today: 7
Miles this week: 17
Miles this month: 56

All by myself....

Well, the writing is on the wall. I am in this training alone. Solo. Uno. just me.
For the most part this doesn't freak me out. I know I am stubborn (just ask Jonah). I know I am tough. I know that I love the freedom that running brings me.
I just wonder a bit if I will be a total nut case at the end. I'll admit, I talk to myself...a lot. I sing, I encourage. I have odd thoughts. I have a lot of "God" moments when things occur to me. I realize that I am growing a new, different friendship with Jesus. I realize that since He is the only one that is with me most days, he is the keeper of all the inside jokes of my running world. I'm thinking of a funny thing that happened during my first run of the week yesterday. I may never tell a soul. But I can't help but smile and think that Jesus is smiling about it too. This is a very wonderful side effect that I never even imagined would come from running.
Miles: 3

Week 2 wrap up

6 miles done and gone. It was the perfect day for a run. The sun was out, I was imagining it was spring. I even put on shorts. A trick I learned from my friend Charlie is to put my running clothes on first thing in the morning and that way you never talk yourself out of going. I waited until Joan could run with me. We haven't run together in a while so it was nice to spend some extra time with her and talk. I really love that I can run 6 miles and chat. I'm glad my days of huffing are over!
Miles today:6
Miles for the week: 16
Miles this month: 39

ugh.....

Some days 4 miles seem like a breeze and some days 4 miles is just a ton of work. I am going to blame my cycle (TMI, I know) for why I felt like a slug today. Nothing else was against me, the weather was fine...I'm not sore...just sluggish. It is good to know that I can gut out 4 miles. 2 runs down, 2 to go.
Miles today:4
Miles this week:7

Week 1, Check!

It has been quite the week. I should have run 4 days but schedules only permitted 3. We traveled to St. Louis, Missouri on Thursday so I skipped my last short run and ran 5 miles Friday on a hotel treadmill. It was more of a challenge then I anticipated. I am used to running in 40-50 degree weather and it was 65 in the fitness room. Jonah ran with me and we envisioned the route near our house... calling out the mile markers and land marks as we ran. It was an interesting change. I really appreciate getting to run outside. Much more relaxing and focused. Head back to Oregon Sunday. I'm glad to run my 2nd week at home.
Miles today: 5
Miles this week: 12
Miles this month: 23
Miles this year: 23

Welcome to Insanity

I can distinctly remember driving down the road in my car and seeing something strange...a lone runner out in the worst possible weather. I know I thought to myself: that person is crazy! Do they not know that it is driving rain? Gusty wind? Nuts!
I am now that crazy person.
Wednesday was a run day for me. I have it in my mind that I am going no matter what, no excuse. I got right up and put on my running clothes. I headed out around 9am. The wind literally was blowing back on me, opposing me. The rain driving in my eyes. Every semi or truck that passed me blew up a huge wet cloud that would swirl around me. I actually laughed out loud each time a gust of wind would hit and yell out "Oh yeah? Think that's going to stop me??" (hey, I already admitted to being crazy)
It was a grueling 4 miles. I was soaked! I have to say that I loved every minute of it. I know that there are going to be many more days like this, rainy and terrible and I AM going to run.
Miles today: 4

Starting from scratch... the pep talk

Here I am again. Week one. This time I have the BIG goal ahead. I am going to run a marathon. me. me?
Yes me.
It is funny how tiny doubts can be, but how they can creep on in and affect your once settled mind. I am leaning back on what I have learned already and squashing those thoughts as best as I can. I know it is just going to be something to deal with the next 16 weeks.
16 weeks. That's it. Anyone can do anything for 16 weeks. Before I know it, it will be here and over and I'll be so glad.
I already have my first run out of the way and the long run is only 5 miles. This week will be cake. During my run I decided I needed some kudos so I just let myself think a ton of wonderful things about me and what I am doing and what I have already accomplished. Not that I want to grow my ego, but maybe I am a little hard on myself sometimes.
I AM being a good mom
I AM giving myself the respect I deserve
I KICK the roads butt
I CAN run 5 miles in my sleep
I WEAR my size 2 jeans, thank you very much
I AM giving my 3 girls the best gift, a mom who can do ANYTHING