I'm a runner!

I was going to use that blog title after I got up at 5am on a Saturday this weekend for a 5 mile run because that's the only time I have to get in my long run this weekend before it gets insanely hot and humid.  But, I am using it today instead, after my 3.65 mile run.

First things first, I used my fuel belt this morning!

And actually, once I got it tightened properly around my waist, I had no problem running with it, and didn't really notice it.  The only problem is the water bottles go in the back.  Which isn't so bad for taking the bottles out, but I'll have to get used to putting them back in the belt.

When I started the run, I thought it was going to be a bad run.  I was barely shuffling along.  I figured if I could just make it a mile, I'd be happy, I'd get at least some workout in, and call it a morning.  After I got my belt set properly, I somehow got into a groove and was doing really well.  I got to my turn around point and figured, hey, I'm in the middle of the block, I can make it to the end!  I kept going and as I was getting to the end of the block, I realized I didn't think about the way back, oops.  Everything was still going well.

Then, about a mile and a half from home, as I was busy telling myself how much more I like Jelly Belly Sports Beans over Gu Chomps, a board in the wooden bridge I was crossing jumped up and tripped me!  I tried to run it out and catch myself.  Ha, that didn't work.  As I was trying to run I was also thinking "Oh crap, I'm falling."  Luckily at 6am in the morning, there aren't many people out to witness my fall.  My knee was all scraped up and my first thought was that I had a long walk home.  Not even a minute into walking, I started running again.  I knew I was doing well and really didn't want to stop, even for a little blood.  And then I thought, I'm officially a runner.  

 

Yes, folks, running through this is why I decided I'm a runner.  Actually, it was because I actually wanted to keep running.  I was excited to start back and see how I could finish the run.  Plus, I'd get home a lot quicker running than walking!  Although, about halfway through I realized I also scraped up my elbow, which is killing me now.  I also realized I need to carry a tape recorder because, as usual, this post sounded way better while writing it on my run.

I still ended up finishing 3.65 miles in about 49:30.  So, instead of deciding I'm a runner if I actually wake up for my run on Saturday, I'll just decide I'm crazy.

And now, I leave you with an shot of my fall.

This blog needs more pictures!

I'm bored with it just being all text, and my consultant Katrina agrees.  My problem is not wanting to take my camera around with my record of breaking them and I feel like there's only so many different pictures I can take while running.  Step 1 is to run to walmart this weekend and get a cheap, small camera.  I'm also thinking of joining in wordless wednesdays, which I've seen on a bunch of blogs.  Maybe I'll include pictures that don't have to do with running and weight loss.  If I cooked, I would be able to include food pictures.

Or maybe I'll slack and forget about the idea like I normally do with stuff like this.  Seriously, keeping up with running and this blog for as long as I have is a real accomplishment for me.

50 mile goal DONE

Last week I was painfully tired and barely staying awake.  In order to stay awake, I was eating.  But all healthy stuff like chips and chocolate and soda.  Eating helps, and in my mind, only with junk food.  Obviously, didn't help at all in anyway, but eh, new week.  Oh, and I did nothing last week.  No runs, no work outs, no walks, just eating and barely managing to stay awake.


But, I napped when O napped this weekend and he let me sleep in a little bit, so that helped.  And J got me my fuel belt!  I was just under 50 miles (48.8), so I couldn't use it until after my run this morning.  I did, however, try it out in the living room.  Strapped it on, said "O, look at mommy ruuuu..." and 2.5 steps later I was tripping over the pajama pants (which I stole from J) and into the ottoman.  We all got a good laugh.  Then, my 1.5 year old child decides he's going to make fun of his mother, runs and "falls" into the ottoman, cracking up.  And it was hilarious.  


First run in over a week this morning.  I actually did well!  Almost 3 miles.  It was supposed to be 3.5, but I woke late, so got in what I could.  Plus, I took a different route since it wasn't quite bright out yet.  What I learned about new route is there's a long slow hill on the way back, which really really slowed me down.  But after the hill, it's fast getting back on my street.  Which really helped because I almost gave up.  Almost.  But I didn't walk once.  I might keep running this route.  I'm going for distance and endurance and the hill makes me so happy that the actual half route is flat.

I got you a triathlon training program for father's day!

It's called s.h.i.v.y.!  J and I went for a run on Sunday morning at the Cape Cod Canal trail while visiting his parents for a long weekend.  I was far behind him for the first mile and a half, finishing my first run/walk interval, when I was passing him on his way back.  I ended up with a running buddy to finish the 4 mile jog!  I'm usually not good at running with someone else, since I zone out, don't like to talk, and feel like I have to, but can't, keep up.  Sunday, though, J pushed me, and I walked only 1 minute during my 50 minute run.  I even *almost* sprinted it out at the end!  I did pick up my pace and stop myself from walking to keep up with J.

For the triathlon training, he tried to slow to meet my pace and had to shorten his stride to do so.  I kept apologizing for slowing him down, but he told me it actually helps him.  His stride is shorter when he's running in a triathlon, after swimming and biking, so it helped him to practice running that way.  And it made me feel better about being so much slower than him.

He did tell me I have a great stride and when I get closer to my goal weight, he thinks I will look like an effortless runner.  HA!  Though, I really did appreciate the compliment.  It may sound weird, but hearing that did spur me on.  And speaking of goal weights, I know I declared no weigh-ins for June, but I couldn't help it on my birthday.  And the scale must have known it was my birthday because it was kind to me.  Of course, then I went on vacation and ate plenty of fried seafood and butter and cake, so it's back to my scale boycott for a few weeks.

Happy Birthday to me!

I celebrated this morning with a nice 4 mile jog.  I finished in about 52:30 using the 15 minute jog/walk interval.  I think during the race, I will walk through the water stations, which hopefully won't take me 15 minutes to get from one to another, but it works for now!


I only walked 3 minutes through the entire time.  I almost walked once I got to my block, but managed to finish it out.  I do have to remind myself that I am going for distance rather than speed.  Once I know I can make it over the finish line, then I can work on how fast I do it!


I forgot a water bottle, but it still went pretty well!  I keep telling myself at least the course is flat, so hopefully the race will go better than all these little hills on my run indicate.

Heat and humidity training, check

I've been sitting on this post since Thursday.  I just didn't feel motivated, and didn't want to write the same things over again. I had a fab blog planned in my head while running and forgot it all by the time I got home!

I had a pretty decent run Thursday morning (3 miles again), considering it was already low 80s and pretty humid.  I know the conditions of the race will be hot and humid as well, so it was a good test at least.  I added about 4 minutes to my time from earlier last week, some of those minutes due to walking.  I tried the walk a minute every 14 minutes (15 minute intervals), which worked well for the first 30 minutes.  On the way back though, I needed a few more breaks.  At one point, I started walking and was like, why are you doing this?  You still have more in you to run!  I rallied myself for a whole minute.  It was a good minute of running though...  I used the last couple minutes as a cool down, as much as possible when it's 87 degrees at 9:30 in the morning.  I did bring a water bottle with me though!


I didn't get in a long run this weekend.  I tried to wake up yesterday morning, but really, just didn't want to.  The new plan is getting some kind of run in tomorrow morning.  Then one more day of work and vacation!  I need to find a place to run this weekend :)

Half Marathon training is underway!

3 miles this morning.  I was actually outside at 5:30am running.  And while my pace is still slow, I finished and didn't walk once.  We'll see how long this can be kept up.  I decided this morning that I'm not so much dreading this race as I am scared of the run.  I know it will be hot and I know it will be long.  I will be jog/walking double the longest length I've run.  But I'm also excited.  I know how great the feeling of accomplishment will be, and that really spurred me on this morning.

I've decided that June will be a no weigh-in month.  Really, I haven't been wanting to weigh in due to my fabulous food choices.  But I've also decided that as I am fitting into clothes for the first time in years and it's my birthday month, I'm not going to weigh-in.  Or set official goals.  Obviously I need to keep up with my training in order to survive, but otherwise, happy birthday to me!  Plus, I found a bathing suit I actually like, so I'm not as scared to get in that next week.