Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Weeks 6-7

I have not been writing in this as religiously as I hoped and it is in due part to me not running as much as I should have been but didn't want to admit it!

So here I am, back at it again. I ran on Sunday without running for a week, pretty much, and, BOY could I tell! It was AWFUL!

There was really no reason for me not to run because I did have access to an indoor track. The weather was crappy (snow and really low temperatures!) and I was out of town for a large part of the week last week.

But then yesterday, I was able to run for 9 minutes straight without stopping! Now, this may seem like a small accomplishment for some, but this was HUGE for me! I just kept pushing myself and had a goal "landmark" in mind that I wanted to make it to and I was able to do it successfully! It actually makes me excited to to go running again to see how far I can make it without stopping! It was such a great feeling!

I really kicked myself because I am supposed to run a 5k on February 12 but due to my lack of training the past couple weeks, I am worried that I won't be ready. I am still going to participate, but I am hoping I can run the entire thing!

Writing in this blog, made me want to start a more personal blog that details events in my life. You can check it out at http://newlywedexperiment.blogspot.com/

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Week 5

This week was a blah week. I feel that once I fix one problem (shin splints-with the help of different shoes) I develop a different problem. I have started getting a side stitch on my right side under my rib cage which, at times, has forced me to stop running and take a breather. While I know I could keep running, it is disappointing that I am sometimes forced to stop. I am also disappointed because I build up momentum and, when I stop, it is hard to gain that momentum back.

I have done some research on side stitches and have found that I need to work my core muscles more (crunches, ugh!) and work on my breathing while I run. Wish me luck!

I am interested to see how this week goes because on my third day, I will essentially be running the full 30 min! YIKES!

I have discovered a new website that makes it easy to track how much I eat and I can create loops to see how far I run each time.

LIVESTRONG Loops

Wish me luck for the upcoming week!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Week 4

Just got back from the best run I have had to date. I was really worried how today was going to go based on my past two runs this week. The first one I decided to do on a track and did terribly. The second run, I did on a treadmill in a hotel fitness room and did really well, but chalked it up to using a treadmill which was propelling me. In addition to the previous run, my family had a whirlwind three day weekend to visit family in Wisconsin and when we got back I was pretty exhausted, tired, cranky, etc. from the trip. Needless to say, I was less than thrilled to get out and run after we just got back but forced myself to do it and so glad I did!

Running, for me, has become a method of clearing my mind and it is something that is mine, completely my own! I understand the motivation and accountability that comes from running with a group or another person; however, when I run on my own, I don't feel pressure to go a certain pace. Running, for me, reminds me of the part in What Women Want, when the advertising firm is enlisted to develop an ad for Nike. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyO6ayCb5rE&feature=related

Meanwhile, on a more personal note, I thought I would share some experiences from the past year, and what I hope to accomplish in 2011.

2010 may have been one of the most emotional years I have experienced. Emotions ranging from excitement to anger, passion to love, exhaustion to full of life. I have learned that as much as I plan, life will not always follow accordingly. I also learned only I am in control of what happens to my life.

With that said, this year will be like any other!
1. I will become the healthiest I have been in a long time. It is time for me to embrace the body and life God has given me to the fullest extent.
2. I will make things happen for myself.
3. I will stop being critical of others and stop obsessing over things that I have no control over.

I am sure, along the way, I will have a few slip-ups and I am OK with mistakes. All I can hope for, is that I am in a better place next year, than I am this year!