I ran 4.5 miles today.
I think I might die now. If you don't hear from me for awhile, you'll know what happened.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Day SixTEEN: Dang You, Achilles!
Shame on me... I just caught myself wasting precious blogging time perusing facebook. That stupid social networking site has stolen many hours from me... but I will continue to let it take them.
I ran Saturday with my nephew. He did awesome!
I did not.
I mean I didn't do horrible, but I also did pretty much not great. We ran in a new place, and I was with a person, and we only went 2 miles... so I didn't have a chance to reach my awesome mode and rock it out. All in all I felt pretty bad afterwards because I knew I didn't push myself.
I also ate pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream for breakfast. That might have had something to do with it.
Yesterday I sat the day out (from running, not life) due to an extremely painful Achilles tendon. Not sure why it hurt, but it hurt real bad. Icing it definitely helped me be better prepared for today. I ran, once again, in a new place (which always poses as a problem for me), and was able to do four laps before it got dark. That ended up being 3.78 miles, which is definitely not 4 miles, but is still my furthest distance yet.
Tomorrow I have to do 4.5... PLEASE pray for my calves. They are not up to speed on this newfound running career.
Peace
and love and such
I ran Saturday with my nephew. He did awesome!
I did not.
I mean I didn't do horrible, but I also did pretty much not great. We ran in a new place, and I was with a person, and we only went 2 miles... so I didn't have a chance to reach my awesome mode and rock it out. All in all I felt pretty bad afterwards because I knew I didn't push myself.
I also ate pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream for breakfast. That might have had something to do with it.
Yesterday I sat the day out (from running, not life) due to an extremely painful Achilles tendon. Not sure why it hurt, but it hurt real bad. Icing it definitely helped me be better prepared for today. I ran, once again, in a new place (which always poses as a problem for me), and was able to do four laps before it got dark. That ended up being 3.78 miles, which is definitely not 4 miles, but is still my furthest distance yet.
Tomorrow I have to do 4.5... PLEASE pray for my calves. They are not up to speed on this newfound running career.
Peace
and love and such
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Day 11:"I Feel Hardcore"
That is the chorus to the techy tune I finished my run with tonight... and let me tell you, I felt pretty hardcore. I had settled on the idea that I would only run three miles today, because I was tired, overslept, had issues with one puggle, and felt achy while painting... so three miles sounded like plenty. But, I decided to text my girl Mel and ask her what she thought I should do. Really? Did I even have to ask? She told me to "push myself" and do more than I thought I would. "Go for 3.5". Of course, I was not surprised to read this. She's a trainer, thats what she's supposed to do. As if she would say, "Nah, I think three miles is plenty. Actually, why don't you just do 2.5... you don't want to push too hard." Pshh, yeah right!
So I ran 3.3. I could've done 4, for reals, but it was dark, and I had sweet potatoes in the oven at the house. You see, I am not a fast runner, so to commit to 3.3 miles, let alone 4, seriously hogs my time. So, with sweet potato volcanoes (my recent invention. Totally scrumptious and totally easy!) on the brain, and my mother calling on my phone, I ran back to the vehicle to head back. But I think I might have been floating, I felt so light on my feet. I was running harder and faster than I have, ever... well, ok, not ever, but consistently, not while doing an interval, and out of doors. As that song was playing, and he said he felt hardcore, I thought to myself, "you know what, dude? I feel pretty hardcore too! Yeah!" But do you want to know what is not hardcore? Not stretching. I didn't stretch last night. I hurt this morning. So, as you can guess, I'm not doing that again!
I guess you could say I experienced my first ever Runner's High, and I have to say, it is so awesome. Everything it is cracked up to be, for sure. You just feel happy. You feel proud. You feel powerful. You feel thankful. You understand your body in a way you never have before. You feel... high, haha. [Insert "like" button here]. And I actually caught myself not thinking about running... I laughed at myself. I was thinking about tattoos. That's pretty dang impressive for the almighty convincer here.
It was a good night. Now to soak my cares away and hit the sack.
Peace, love and getting high
So I ran 3.3. I could've done 4, for reals, but it was dark, and I had sweet potatoes in the oven at the house. You see, I am not a fast runner, so to commit to 3.3 miles, let alone 4, seriously hogs my time. So, with sweet potato volcanoes (my recent invention. Totally scrumptious and totally easy!) on the brain, and my mother calling on my phone, I ran back to the vehicle to head back. But I think I might have been floating, I felt so light on my feet. I was running harder and faster than I have, ever... well, ok, not ever, but consistently, not while doing an interval, and out of doors. As that song was playing, and he said he felt hardcore, I thought to myself, "you know what, dude? I feel pretty hardcore too! Yeah!" But do you want to know what is not hardcore? Not stretching. I didn't stretch last night. I hurt this morning. So, as you can guess, I'm not doing that again!
I guess you could say I experienced my first ever Runner's High, and I have to say, it is so awesome. Everything it is cracked up to be, for sure. You just feel happy. You feel proud. You feel powerful. You feel thankful. You understand your body in a way you never have before. You feel... high, haha. [Insert "like" button here]. And I actually caught myself not thinking about running... I laughed at myself. I was thinking about tattoos. That's pretty dang impressive for the almighty convincer here.
It was a good night. Now to soak my cares away and hit the sack.
Peace, love and getting high
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Day Nine: What Am I, An Old Lady?
So I'm sure you remember me saying that I was beginning a painting job on Monday. Well, I can sure tell that I have spent the last year "unemployed". I am not going to complain and say that it is tough... but... I really want to. Ha! First off, let me just ask all of the high-jean wearing mama's out there a question:
How do you go, day after day, wearing those horrible mom-jeans? I am pretty positive I have a rug-burn like circle on my UPPER stomach from the denim wearing against my skin. Pants are not meant to be worn that high. Not to mention the fact that, I've come to the conclusion that the jeans are to blame for some of your self-esteem issues. You get down on yourselves because you may have a hard time bending over to grab something or tie your shoes, all the while assuming that you are a)getting old, or b) getting fat when in reality it's the damn jeans cutting into your abdomen, causing you to be unable to bend as much as you probably could.
I think about this, nearly every time I have to bend down to paint the bottom of the door frame. My heart goes out to all of you. If you have any pointers for how to make the experience less horrific please let me know.
Anyways, yes, painting is a lot of work. But having said that, I am realizing that it is also a great leg workout. There is a lot of squating involved, and stepping up and down off of the step stool. I like to tell myself I am doing what the cool CrossFit girls do when they step up and down off of their big box things. But lucky for them they don't have to do it in pants that go up just under their "girls". So I'd say I just might be working harder than they are. Yeah, right. So my thighs are really sore, therefore I am making sure to stretch like a crazy person these days. It's definitely helping, Lord knows what I would be like if I weren't stretching every 10 seconds. But I am still sore. I almost don't like sitting down because I know as soon as I do that part of my body is going to start to ache.
So let me just interject here and say, in my defense, I am sore from painting AND running... I'm not THAT much of a pansy.
Anyways, I am trying to get my mom to stretch, because she is painting with me, and knowing her, she will wake up the next day and be oh so sore. I had to remind her three times yesterday to stretch. Do you think she did? Nope. I scolded her this morning. But tonight, as our soup bubbled on the stove, we proceeded to stretch on the kitchen floor. I am quite proud of her for taking nearly twenty minutes to stretch with me! We used chairs, a towel, stools... we were doing the darn thing. It might just be us, but have any of you ever noticed that you could probably stretch further if your belly weren't in the way? Yeah, I'm blaming the belly. So our stretching session ended with my mom sprawled out on the floor of the hallway, and I felt successful. I won't mention how many different "poses" it took to get her on the floor. It was almost a whole sun salutation just to get her down there. Mom, if you by chance read this, I'm sorry... don't be embarrassed!
Anyways, on to the running part.
Tonight I ran my longest distance to date. 3.5 miles. I understand that this is just slightly over a 5k, but I've always run on a treadmill, so when I hit that 3.2 mile mark, I am D-O-N-E. So running that far felt great. I sort of might have been beaming or something, because I was so proud of myself. The only problem was that at around 2.5 miles I got a pretty rad cramp in my right toes. I tried to just keep going, but eventually I had to stop, take my shoe off, and stretch my toes real good. I'm not sure what that was about, because my shoes were not too tight, and they are still in pretty good shape. And, of course, it happened on a moderately busy street, so I made sure to really stretch it like a pro. I didn't want people to think I was lame and had to stop on the side of the road. But how do you not look lame when you are standing on the side of the road with a shoe on your left foot and an orange and black tye-dyed sock on your right? Maybe I should rethink my sock choice next time.
Time to let these poor old lady muscles rest up and get all kinds of tight before I wake up tomorrow. Too bad you can't sleep stretch. That'd work out pretty well for me right about now.
Peace, love and old ladies who rock ugly jeans
How do you go, day after day, wearing those horrible mom-jeans? I am pretty positive I have a rug-burn like circle on my UPPER stomach from the denim wearing against my skin. Pants are not meant to be worn that high. Not to mention the fact that, I've come to the conclusion that the jeans are to blame for some of your self-esteem issues. You get down on yourselves because you may have a hard time bending over to grab something or tie your shoes, all the while assuming that you are a)getting old, or b) getting fat when in reality it's the damn jeans cutting into your abdomen, causing you to be unable to bend as much as you probably could.
I think about this, nearly every time I have to bend down to paint the bottom of the door frame. My heart goes out to all of you. If you have any pointers for how to make the experience less horrific please let me know.
Anyways, yes, painting is a lot of work. But having said that, I am realizing that it is also a great leg workout. There is a lot of squating involved, and stepping up and down off of the step stool. I like to tell myself I am doing what the cool CrossFit girls do when they step up and down off of their big box things. But lucky for them they don't have to do it in pants that go up just under their "girls". So I'd say I just might be working harder than they are. Yeah, right. So my thighs are really sore, therefore I am making sure to stretch like a crazy person these days. It's definitely helping, Lord knows what I would be like if I weren't stretching every 10 seconds. But I am still sore. I almost don't like sitting down because I know as soon as I do that part of my body is going to start to ache.
So let me just interject here and say, in my defense, I am sore from painting AND running... I'm not THAT much of a pansy.
Anyways, I am trying to get my mom to stretch, because she is painting with me, and knowing her, she will wake up the next day and be oh so sore. I had to remind her three times yesterday to stretch. Do you think she did? Nope. I scolded her this morning. But tonight, as our soup bubbled on the stove, we proceeded to stretch on the kitchen floor. I am quite proud of her for taking nearly twenty minutes to stretch with me! We used chairs, a towel, stools... we were doing the darn thing. It might just be us, but have any of you ever noticed that you could probably stretch further if your belly weren't in the way? Yeah, I'm blaming the belly. So our stretching session ended with my mom sprawled out on the floor of the hallway, and I felt successful. I won't mention how many different "poses" it took to get her on the floor. It was almost a whole sun salutation just to get her down there. Mom, if you by chance read this, I'm sorry... don't be embarrassed!
Anyways, on to the running part.
Tonight I ran my longest distance to date. 3.5 miles. I understand that this is just slightly over a 5k, but I've always run on a treadmill, so when I hit that 3.2 mile mark, I am D-O-N-E. So running that far felt great. I sort of might have been beaming or something, because I was so proud of myself. The only problem was that at around 2.5 miles I got a pretty rad cramp in my right toes. I tried to just keep going, but eventually I had to stop, take my shoe off, and stretch my toes real good. I'm not sure what that was about, because my shoes were not too tight, and they are still in pretty good shape. And, of course, it happened on a moderately busy street, so I made sure to really stretch it like a pro. I didn't want people to think I was lame and had to stop on the side of the road. But how do you not look lame when you are standing on the side of the road with a shoe on your left foot and an orange and black tye-dyed sock on your right? Maybe I should rethink my sock choice next time.
Time to let these poor old lady muscles rest up and get all kinds of tight before I wake up tomorrow. Too bad you can't sleep stretch. That'd work out pretty well for me right about now.
Peace, love and old ladies who rock ugly jeans
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Day Seven: Feet Like Feathers
I went shopping today. If we could go back in time, about three to ten years, I would say, "OMG I looove to shop", but because I am in the latter half of my twenties, and have become "a woman" I have lost almost all of the joy I once found in clothes shopping. It has been replaced with home decor shopping. I could (and would) buy things for my home every day.. but my husband would fly home from across the world and personally scold me and cut up my debit card. So I don't do this, but I do window shop and dream. What I feel like most young women don't think about is how very much their body will begin to "suck" someday, unless they make the effort to show it some love. So, having said that, I think you can get an idea as to why I hate clothes shopping... because I'm a little behind on showing this bod some "love", and my "behind" has a few things to say about it. By the Lord's sweet, sweet grace, today's shopping experience wasn't a complete self-esteem slapper. Let me tell you, TJ Maxx and Marshall's are the places to go when in the market for some decent active wear. I got some sweet deals... like a super hot wind and rain resistant jacket that was originally $130 and I got it for $34.99... Yeah buddy! It's the perfect weight to run in on cold, rainy days like today. Needless to say, the success of this shopping trip paved the way for an awesome running sesh today.
I mapped out my route and got in 2.3 miles. I know it's not very much, but please remember that I am not a runner. I'm a walk/run/walk-er. I'm a "run for 45 seconds and realize that my calves hurt so really seriously think about stopping" type of "runner". So to run so far that a random passer-byer could actually mistake me for an athlete is such a huge success it's ridiculous. If there were little thought bubbles popping out of my head with each car that drove by they would read something like this, "Man, I wonder if I look like I know what I'm doing. I wonder if they think I look like I'm doing really awesome. I wonder if them seeing me is making them feel bad that they aren't out running in this crap weather. I wonder if none of those things are possible because of the snail pace at which I am running." Those are a lot of thoughts, you say? Yeah... my brain is pretty high-speed. Unlike my body.
Annnnywaaaays, I ran. It felt great. Actually, it sucked major until about 1.45 miles, then I began to kick some serious ass and was running faster, harder and a million times better. I mean, I was nearly to my vehicle and I decided to detour and keep going, simply because I didn't want to end such a rare experience! It was like a glimpse into what other real runners must feel. I liked it. Actually, I loved it! It's really too bad it took me so long to get to that point. It'd be awesome if it felt that way right out of the shoot.
So anyways, there you have it. AND, I remembered to bring water with me. AND I stretched... a lot. I was very much at the top of my game tonight. Be impressed.
I began reading a book that a dear friend of mine told me about quite some time ago. I am very encouraged about where this book will take me. I believe that one of the reasons why I am twenty six and still trying to get this figured out is because I don't like doing things when I'm told I should. I usually only like doing them when I want to. So, with that said, I don't believe that I will ever find success if I keep doing what others tell me I "need to do". I'm going to do what I "want to do". Through this book, I am being given the opportunity to shed light on why it is that I crave what I do. Why I resort to defeat 9 times out of 10. What I'm actually craving. I look forward to sharing with you, as I figure out the ever-so complicated thing that is my mind. All I can say is that it's a good thing I left my stash of candy at home. If you are interested in reading more about the book, you can go here.
Tomorrow I start painting. Tomorrow I begin my journey to completely ripped arms and shoulders. Tomorrow I begin painting number one of eight hundred-some door frames. Oh, tomorrow...
Peace, love and thought bubbles
I mapped out my route and got in 2.3 miles. I know it's not very much, but please remember that I am not a runner. I'm a walk/run/walk-er. I'm a "run for 45 seconds and realize that my calves hurt so really seriously think about stopping" type of "runner". So to run so far that a random passer-byer could actually mistake me for an athlete is such a huge success it's ridiculous. If there were little thought bubbles popping out of my head with each car that drove by they would read something like this, "Man, I wonder if I look like I know what I'm doing. I wonder if they think I look like I'm doing really awesome. I wonder if them seeing me is making them feel bad that they aren't out running in this crap weather. I wonder if none of those things are possible because of the snail pace at which I am running." Those are a lot of thoughts, you say? Yeah... my brain is pretty high-speed. Unlike my body.
Annnnywaaaays, I ran. It felt great. Actually, it sucked major until about 1.45 miles, then I began to kick some serious ass and was running faster, harder and a million times better. I mean, I was nearly to my vehicle and I decided to detour and keep going, simply because I didn't want to end such a rare experience! It was like a glimpse into what other real runners must feel. I liked it. Actually, I loved it! It's really too bad it took me so long to get to that point. It'd be awesome if it felt that way right out of the shoot.
So anyways, there you have it. AND, I remembered to bring water with me. AND I stretched... a lot. I was very much at the top of my game tonight. Be impressed.
I began reading a book that a dear friend of mine told me about quite some time ago. I am very encouraged about where this book will take me. I believe that one of the reasons why I am twenty six and still trying to get this figured out is because I don't like doing things when I'm told I should. I usually only like doing them when I want to. So, with that said, I don't believe that I will ever find success if I keep doing what others tell me I "need to do". I'm going to do what I "want to do". Through this book, I am being given the opportunity to shed light on why it is that I crave what I do. Why I resort to defeat 9 times out of 10. What I'm actually craving. I look forward to sharing with you, as I figure out the ever-so complicated thing that is my mind. All I can say is that it's a good thing I left my stash of candy at home. If you are interested in reading more about the book, you can go here.
Tomorrow I start painting. Tomorrow I begin my journey to completely ripped arms and shoulders. Tomorrow I begin painting number one of eight hundred-some door frames. Oh, tomorrow...
Peace, love and thought bubbles
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Day Two... and 3 & four and so on...
To the Ladies,
To the Gentle Man,
Please don't fret. I am still here... I just have a list of pretty great excuses... if you would like to hear one or all of them just inquire. I would be happy to share.
I am pleased to say that I did workout more than once this week! Wowie! Tuesday I did some strength training AT HOME (!!!!), which is exciting simply because I pretty much should never be allowed to work out at home... because I usually only end up actually doing strenuous activity for approximately five minutes and then I end up sitting on the couch, laying on the floor, or bouncing and rolling on my stability ball, whilst watching the other ladies do the exercises on tv, or singing along to whatever "motivating" music I happen to be playing. But on this particular day, the clouds parted, and God struck me with hundreds of volts of motivational electricity and I worked out. Ok, so the electricity I was struck with came in the form on a newly created playlist on 8tracks.com, but still... it was motivation nevertheless. I created a pretty rad playlist for strength training, with some good beats to use to your advantage. I think that if you want to get your butt off of the couch, you should listen to it. It's called songs to make you work that @$&. You'll like it.
WEDNESDAY, I was lucky enough to accompany a friend of mine to Gold's Gym (for my first time... if it were the early 2000's I would totally want to buy a t-shirt as a "fashion statement", because I remember being in high school and wishing there were a Gold's in MN so I could get a t-shirt and make it look like I worked out there... I'm so glad I missed that "trend") and seeing as I had a sick puppy at home I declined the invitation to Spin with her and opted for the "Cardio Cinema" instead. Pretty neat room. It had a huge tv screen (playing the awesome hit "The Pacifier" with the greatest actor of all time, Vin Diesel), and row after row of elliptical machines and treadmills, complete with dimmed lighting, providing the perfect environment to sweat AND watch Vin Diesel. Because who hasn't wanted to do those two things simultaneously, right? I know I have. Check that off of my bucket list. Anyways, I was all ready to rock the mill and I realized that I left my water bottle outside in the car... Maybe not a big deal to some, but I don't drink water, ever, so if I want to be even slightly successful at running, I need to drink a lot of water while I do it... otherwise I suck. So yeah, you guessed it... I kinda sucked. Not as bad as it's ever been, but could've been better. But I did it. In the dark. With Vin Diesel in the room. Then afterwards, while going to throw my cleaning supplies, a little asian lady snatched my treadmill before I had a chance to grab my things. I think she was extremely confused. I also think she might have been wearing a visor in the Cinema Cardio room... if that doesn't explain a lot then I'm at a loss for words.
Beyond that I have nothing for you. My mother came into town, we explored the lovely scenery of the Hill Country, and then the next day we hit the road. I am looking forward to training in the brisk northern air... it will be a nice relief from the mean, nasty sun... but now I have to go get some "cold weather" gear... great... shopping.
You will be glad to know that, fortunately for me, I forgot my bag of Tootsies and Dots in my pantry at home. Marlene, if I could give them to you, trust me, they'd be all yours! (Ok, so I would probably snatch like five... or twelve, and shove them in my pockets before you answered the door... but don't deny that you just might do the same.)
Until tomorrow, be sure to keep it real...
Peace, love and fricken long road trips
To the Gentle Man,
Please don't fret. I am still here... I just have a list of pretty great excuses... if you would like to hear one or all of them just inquire. I would be happy to share.
I am pleased to say that I did workout more than once this week! Wowie! Tuesday I did some strength training AT HOME (!!!!), which is exciting simply because I pretty much should never be allowed to work out at home... because I usually only end up actually doing strenuous activity for approximately five minutes and then I end up sitting on the couch, laying on the floor, or bouncing and rolling on my stability ball, whilst watching the other ladies do the exercises on tv, or singing along to whatever "motivating" music I happen to be playing. But on this particular day, the clouds parted, and God struck me with hundreds of volts of motivational electricity and I worked out. Ok, so the electricity I was struck with came in the form on a newly created playlist on 8tracks.com, but still... it was motivation nevertheless. I created a pretty rad playlist for strength training, with some good beats to use to your advantage. I think that if you want to get your butt off of the couch, you should listen to it. It's called songs to make you work that @$&. You'll like it.
WEDNESDAY, I was lucky enough to accompany a friend of mine to Gold's Gym (for my first time... if it were the early 2000's I would totally want to buy a t-shirt as a "fashion statement", because I remember being in high school and wishing there were a Gold's in MN so I could get a t-shirt and make it look like I worked out there... I'm so glad I missed that "trend") and seeing as I had a sick puppy at home I declined the invitation to Spin with her and opted for the "Cardio Cinema" instead. Pretty neat room. It had a huge tv screen (playing the awesome hit "The Pacifier" with the greatest actor of all time, Vin Diesel), and row after row of elliptical machines and treadmills, complete with dimmed lighting, providing the perfect environment to sweat AND watch Vin Diesel. Because who hasn't wanted to do those two things simultaneously, right? I know I have. Check that off of my bucket list. Anyways, I was all ready to rock the mill and I realized that I left my water bottle outside in the car... Maybe not a big deal to some, but I don't drink water, ever, so if I want to be even slightly successful at running, I need to drink a lot of water while I do it... otherwise I suck. So yeah, you guessed it... I kinda sucked. Not as bad as it's ever been, but could've been better. But I did it. In the dark. With Vin Diesel in the room. Then afterwards, while going to throw my cleaning supplies, a little asian lady snatched my treadmill before I had a chance to grab my things. I think she was extremely confused. I also think she might have been wearing a visor in the Cinema Cardio room... if that doesn't explain a lot then I'm at a loss for words.
Beyond that I have nothing for you. My mother came into town, we explored the lovely scenery of the Hill Country, and then the next day we hit the road. I am looking forward to training in the brisk northern air... it will be a nice relief from the mean, nasty sun... but now I have to go get some "cold weather" gear... great... shopping.
You will be glad to know that, fortunately for me, I forgot my bag of Tootsies and Dots in my pantry at home. Marlene, if I could give them to you, trust me, they'd be all yours! (Ok, so I would probably snatch like five... or twelve, and shove them in my pockets before you answered the door... but don't deny that you just might do the same.)
Until tomorrow, be sure to keep it real...
Peace, love and fricken long road trips
Monday, September 12, 2011
Day One: Tough
"Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, because the Lord holds his hand." Psalm 37:24
This is my verse for week one. I chose it, thinking that when I felt that strong desire to give up, that I could remember that He is holding my hand, pulling me to keep going. Today, I desperately needed that pull. I decided that I was going to run in my neighborhood, because in the past I've done most of my running on a treadmill, forcing me to really struggle when I would run outside. I really want to get to a point where I am familiar with both, so I ran outside. The problem is, even though it is September and the weather is "cooling down" to the mid to upper 90's, it is still very hot for Minnesota me. I left the house at 10:30am, ambitious and ready to do the darn thing. There are hardly any trees in my neighborhood, so when you run on the street, you are running on hot blacktop, with the sun beating down on you, screaming at you that you cannot defeat it. That it will wear you down until you are a sad, crying little puddle of defeat, baking in it's hot, steamy glory. Well, I am proud to say that I didn't cry or turn into a puddle, but it was a close one. I did find a block of street that was lined with nice big trees so I got a little break from the hot hot heat, but other than that, I kinda resembled an egg. I was out for twenty five minutes...
...It took me an HOUR just to get the migraine that I picked up along the way to leave... I didn't even have a chance to stretch, between getting an ice cold wash cloth and laying spread eagle on the bed with the fan blasting on me while my dogs laid next to me, more than likely wondering if they were soon to be abandoned by their dead mother (or at the very least, passed out mother). People, run in the morning. Drink water before you go. Don't wear black. These are all things that could have dramatically changed the outcome of this mornings run.
Now I've enjoyed my tuna sandwich for lunch and I'm off to go stretch. We'll hit the pavement a lot better prepared Wednesday.
Peace, love and trees that provide shade
This is my verse for week one. I chose it, thinking that when I felt that strong desire to give up, that I could remember that He is holding my hand, pulling me to keep going. Today, I desperately needed that pull. I decided that I was going to run in my neighborhood, because in the past I've done most of my running on a treadmill, forcing me to really struggle when I would run outside. I really want to get to a point where I am familiar with both, so I ran outside. The problem is, even though it is September and the weather is "cooling down" to the mid to upper 90's, it is still very hot for Minnesota me. I left the house at 10:30am, ambitious and ready to do the darn thing. There are hardly any trees in my neighborhood, so when you run on the street, you are running on hot blacktop, with the sun beating down on you, screaming at you that you cannot defeat it. That it will wear you down until you are a sad, crying little puddle of defeat, baking in it's hot, steamy glory. Well, I am proud to say that I didn't cry or turn into a puddle, but it was a close one. I did find a block of street that was lined with nice big trees so I got a little break from the hot hot heat, but other than that, I kinda resembled an egg. I was out for twenty five minutes...
...It took me an HOUR just to get the migraine that I picked up along the way to leave... I didn't even have a chance to stretch, between getting an ice cold wash cloth and laying spread eagle on the bed with the fan blasting on me while my dogs laid next to me, more than likely wondering if they were soon to be abandoned by their dead mother (or at the very least, passed out mother). People, run in the morning. Drink water before you go. Don't wear black. These are all things that could have dramatically changed the outcome of this mornings run.
Now I've enjoyed my tuna sandwich for lunch and I'm off to go stretch. We'll hit the pavement a lot better prepared Wednesday.
Peace, love and trees that provide shade
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Shame Shame!
August 16th!! That's the last time I posted!? What am I, Crazy!? I'm pretty sure that would be true regardless of the last time I posted (and, coincidentally worked out... wow is that ever hard to admit. Sigh... I guess if I'm honest with myself, a lot of people haven't worked out in a lot longer than that, so I'm ok ;) ) Well I am here to tell you that my month of traveling, saying good bye to my best friend, crying over the farewell, spending time at the beach with a dear lady, and going to the ER, I am jumping back on the horse and this time I have an immediate goal in mind!!! APPLAUSE, please! I am running (Lord willing) the 10 mile Monster Dash in St. Paul, MN on October 29th (complete with a halloween costume, so suggestions are welcome! Preferably something that works for two or three people as I will more than likely have some running buddies with me)! I am quite excited and QUITE nervous, because, as you all now know, I haven't worked out in quite some time... and I wasn't even that impressive to begin with! Ha! But, with the Lord's help I know that I can give it my all... and that's really all I am aiming to do with my running... just give it all I've got.
So here is my plan, and hey, if you think it's good and could work for you, then join me these next seven weeks! It's going to be tough, but worth it! (PLEASE PRAY FOR ME!!!)
Physical:
This first week I am planning on just getting my legs back in gear. Running two miles, or at least working up to consistently having a good 2 mile run. After that, my wonderful girl Mel will be guiding me as far as interval training and distance running each week leading up to the race. I'm also going to try to do 30 minutes of strength training on the off days (every other), so that I can build my core to help my posture or "gate" as it is apparently called.
Diet:
In the past I have used an awesome app called MyFitnessPal, which also has a great, easy-to-use website that will help you track your calories and exercise. I've usually only used it for my calories, but you could do a lot more with it than that. I went ahead and input a "mock" days worth of eating, to see what out of my normal diet I could eat and still stay under 1500 calories. From there, I took those foods and wrote them out on index cards to tape to my pantry door. I usually eat pretty much the same things, so this will make it a lot easier for me than following someone else's diet (I'm picky... there, I said it!)
Emotional:
I have eliminated certain words from my vocabulary. Weird, you say? Yeah, well it's what works for me... and you'll figure out what works for you. But whatever it is, have someone close to you in on it, and they can catch you when you let that mean nasty word fly about your beautiful self. I bet if someone were to count how often I say my "word" it would definitely be in the double digits for sure.. and thats just in one conversation!
Spiritual:
I am saved by grace. Jesus has saved me. I have spent the last nine years hearing of amazing stories of freedom and redemption from old sinful ways of life... God has been so unbelievably good to me in my life, through health and family and relational challenges. But after nine years, I am still bogged down by the same strongholds and lies. So, with that said, I have prepared a memory verse for each of these next seven weeks to repeat and say aloud before each run, and after. To pray in the morning, and before I go to sleep. Because I have made countless attempts to make it over this gigantic wall in my life, and I have yet to have the strength to clear it. So I am resorting to the only "fool proof" way I know of... His way. I encourage you to invite Him into the active part of your life... after all, He is the only one who really REALLY knows what your body is capable of, right?
Anyways, thats my plan... and I have to confess something to you...
As I sat here and did my research and wrote out my plan, I ate 4 tootsie rolls and a small baby box of dots.
SHAME!!
So much shame!!!
Praise the Lord tomorrow is a NEW DAY!
(But the Dots and Tootsies are still in my pantry ahhh!)
Good luck to me, good luck to you and may the best effort win!
Peace, love and wildly achievable goals
So here is my plan, and hey, if you think it's good and could work for you, then join me these next seven weeks! It's going to be tough, but worth it! (PLEASE PRAY FOR ME!!!)
Physical:
This first week I am planning on just getting my legs back in gear. Running two miles, or at least working up to consistently having a good 2 mile run. After that, my wonderful girl Mel will be guiding me as far as interval training and distance running each week leading up to the race. I'm also going to try to do 30 minutes of strength training on the off days (every other), so that I can build my core to help my posture or "gate" as it is apparently called.
Diet:
In the past I have used an awesome app called MyFitnessPal, which also has a great, easy-to-use website that will help you track your calories and exercise. I've usually only used it for my calories, but you could do a lot more with it than that. I went ahead and input a "mock" days worth of eating, to see what out of my normal diet I could eat and still stay under 1500 calories. From there, I took those foods and wrote them out on index cards to tape to my pantry door. I usually eat pretty much the same things, so this will make it a lot easier for me than following someone else's diet (I'm picky... there, I said it!)
Emotional:
I have eliminated certain words from my vocabulary. Weird, you say? Yeah, well it's what works for me... and you'll figure out what works for you. But whatever it is, have someone close to you in on it, and they can catch you when you let that mean nasty word fly about your beautiful self. I bet if someone were to count how often I say my "word" it would definitely be in the double digits for sure.. and thats just in one conversation!
Spiritual:
I am saved by grace. Jesus has saved me. I have spent the last nine years hearing of amazing stories of freedom and redemption from old sinful ways of life... God has been so unbelievably good to me in my life, through health and family and relational challenges. But after nine years, I am still bogged down by the same strongholds and lies. So, with that said, I have prepared a memory verse for each of these next seven weeks to repeat and say aloud before each run, and after. To pray in the morning, and before I go to sleep. Because I have made countless attempts to make it over this gigantic wall in my life, and I have yet to have the strength to clear it. So I am resorting to the only "fool proof" way I know of... His way. I encourage you to invite Him into the active part of your life... after all, He is the only one who really REALLY knows what your body is capable of, right?
Anyways, thats my plan... and I have to confess something to you...
As I sat here and did my research and wrote out my plan, I ate 4 tootsie rolls and a small baby box of dots.
SHAME!!
So much shame!!!
Praise the Lord tomorrow is a NEW DAY!
(But the Dots and Tootsies are still in my pantry ahhh!)
Good luck to me, good luck to you and may the best effort win!
Peace, love and wildly achievable goals
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