Re-Dedication

I have missed 4 running days and need to make a recommitment to the process. I missed the days for a variety of reasons, my knee hurting and 9 inches of snow among them. My mom enlightened me to the fact that my knee probably hurts because of the fall last week (even though it started hurting the next day, I somehow didn't attribute the the hurt to the fall...) So, knowing that helps me squelch the fears that I am destroying my body doing this. You'd be surprised at how many people tried to persuade me that I am hurting myself by trying to obtain this goal!

In any case I am recommitting to the process. I am supposed to run 4 miles tomorrow which I don't think I am going to be able to hit. But, I have another 4 mile run next Thursday that I am going to focus on.

I have my second interview today for my practicum, pray for me!

Patience

I was reminded today to slow down and take things as they come. I tend to want things to happen instantly. I have a laptop with wireless internet connection so I can have the convenience of being online anywhere in my house, but when a page doesn't come up within a few seconds I get agitated. I usually close the page thinking, something must be wrong. Sometimes something is wrong, most of the time it just needs more than a few seconds to load. I am in the process of interviewing for practicums for next year, and I want that process to also just be complete. Today I received a call inviting me to a second interview for the place I didn't think I would be called back on. I immediately went into the mode of, Oh no! Now I have to decide. I was gently reminded by my husband that this is a step in the process, not the completion of the process. It does help me calm down and think a bit more clearly when I remember that this is a step, not the end. I am just so anxious for everything to work out I tend to skip right to the hard parts.

This applies to my running as well. When I started on my run today I could only think about being done. I want to be able to relax and enjoy the run, but my mind races to both the end of that particular run as well as to running the marathon. I don't want to just focus on the end, I want to be dedicated to the journey...

How Embarrassing!

I was running along thinking about the puppy that I just ran by (he followed me and gave me a little hello lap on the hand)...when I bit it, big time. I fell in slow motion, this is what I thought as I was going on, "wh- oh my gosh I am actually going to fall down". I was laying on the ground, took a quick look around to see if anyone saw me, and popped but up and started running again. Sheesh, I know running can be hard on your body but I didn't expect that!

A little relaxation

I have a day off from running today, yeah for me! I wanted to post this commercial that Pat had posted on his blog. I am not very savvy at posting so I don't know how to make the video just come up so here is the link.

It is a commerical that is so wonderfully relaxing. I don't know if it is the superballs or the music or the combination of them both. I probably have watched it at least once a day since I saw the link last week.

http://www.bravia-advert.com/commercial/braviaextcommhigh.html

It takes a little while to download but it's worth it!

Proud!

I am pretty proud of myself today. I just finished a run that brings me to having run 9 miles in three days. The runs are still pretty hard for me. I usually can't catch my breath until the last half mile or so. Not sure why the last half mile gets better. But my recovery time after the run is getting less so I know that I am increasing that lung capacity!

I was watching the Today show this morning and they were talking about how much sodium the average person consumes in a day. The person they highlighted ate 9000mg! The recommended amount is 3000mg. I have never even paid attention to sodium, with high blood pressure in my family it probably is important for me. So far today I have had 2041mg and I haven't had dinner yet...

Early Run

Barry and I got up to run this morning before church. It's nice to have it out of the way because today was a hard run. I think we were tired from the three miles yesterday and it was colder out today. I am starting to get a blister on the inside arch of my left foot. Any suggestions on how to help that go away quickly or prevent more blisters?

Oh, before I forget...here is the best site ever for outdoor runners. Compliments of Mandy Benson: http://www.mapmyrun.com You mark in the route and it maps out the miles for you.

Chaffing Happens

I was sore after my 3 miler today, but not in my muscles. This is probably going to be way too much information but you'll just have to stop reading if you are nervous about the content! So, I have always been one who could be described as having "junk in the trunk"...even back in my fittest dancing days. It was warmer out today which equals more sweating. You get the idea. My sides were also sore, maybe from my arms pumping back and forth? I read that in good posture running your arms aren't supposed to pump, I will have to work on that.

So, from here on out 3 miles will be the thing, I think there is one 2 miler next week as a "break". I actually feel like 3 miles really isn't that much (this is a change from prior thinking), It must all be perspective.

FAILED

I was supposed to run 3 miles today. I ran 1.5 miles. Part of the reason for my failure is that it is one degree outside but "feels like" -13. And oh boy does it feel like -13. The other reason is that we recently got a pedometer...that thing has GOT to be wrong!! I am feeling really discouraged right now and hope this feeling doesn't stay with me during my interview today!

As far as the schedule goes, I am supposed to have an off day tomorrow which will be filled by three miles of running instead. Ugh.

2 Miles!

I ran my first 2 mile outside trek today! I was going to come home from work and run on the N.T. but on my drive home I talked to my brother who was lacing up his sneakers for an outdoor run. So...ever the competitor, I decided I would run outside as well. It was a nice run and now I can cross off the first box on my schedule knowing that I did a full two mile run. Now, to get up tomorrow morning and do it all over again....

Pleasant Surprise!

I was able to run outside today! Barry and I were very surprised at the nice weather as we were leaving church today. Barry mentioned that he wanted to get a book and read outside on the deck...ok, so it wasn't that nice but definitely was a pleasant run. This jog allowed me to validate my concerns about the N.T. It works the muscles ok but not the lungs. I think I could have run farther but my lungs just wouldn't keep up with me. The weather makes me excited for spring though!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARRY!!

Time Flies

I can't believe that the official training starts on Monday! I feel like it has gotten here so fast. I am really ready to be on the schedule. I think that it will be easier to look at the schedule and know how much I have to run rather than choose myself. I tend to be too easy on myself... There are also some additional things to accomplish each week, like strength training, ab workouts, etc.

I watched a Dawson's Creek episode while I was on the N.T. today. I have a slight obsession with this old series and own all the season's on DVD. It was fun to watch again and helped me stay on the Nordic Track long enough to get my miles in.

Still waiting for warmer weather....

Homework, Homework, Homework

I completed my little stint on the Nordic Track today. Now I am off to finish up a project for class at noon. I have been putting together a genogram. It's a diagram of the geneology of my family including my great-grandparents through my nieces and nephew's generation. It's a great way to look at patterns that happen in the family.

Sigh

It's nice to be back in the swing of things. This morning I went 1.5 miles at what I hope is a running pace and .5 more at a walking (on the N.T.). On the first week of the schedule I have it says to TRY to run the full 2 miles, so I figure that's good enough for today. Although, I know I am not getting as intense of a work-out so I will have to do more miles on the N.T. than I would running... In case I haven't said it enough, good to be back! (remind me of this in three days please!!)

Circa 1986

I know that I have been missing for a week but I am back, with a vengeance! I ran into some trouble with the temperature and not having access to an indoor exercise area. I tried to lift some weights (5lb) and walked up and down my stairs a few times over the last week. Mostly I am just counting it as a week off. But, we are still one week away from the "real" training beginning so I am giving myself a little break. I am sure there will be times over the next 13 weeks where I miss or want to miss a few days and it will be good to be able to look back at this week and remember how much I really want to do this.

So, the solution, since we are still in this horrible -10 degree weather! I have acquired a Nordic Track. Thus, the heading for today's blog, Circa 1986. My parents upgraded to an elliptical machine and have brought up the good old Nordic Track for me. I know this is of the cross-training variety of exercise, but much much better than nothing. I have decided when the weather is 20 degrees or above I will be outside running. If it is below that, indoor on the Nordic Track I will be. I may end up outside in colder weather (after all that is 30 degrees higher than what we are living in now) but that is the general rule.

So, I was on the Nordic Track for 1.5 miles at a slight incline. I am excited to be back at it!!