3 miles

I did it! I ran 3 miles this past Saturday. It was really hard and I hated almost every second of it. But I guess I'll just keep pushing through. My run on Saturday didn't start out too great. I don't think I stretched my calves enough, because shortly after I began running my legs started cramping. I kept running and it wasn't until I hit the last half mile that I had to stop and walk for a few yards. During the last mile, my legs started aching and my lower back was sore. But I expected that. There was an upside to the run, my knee didn't bother me at all. Not even after I ran. I was really relieved about that. So overall, last week was a good week. I hit two milestones, a 2 mile run and a 3 mile run. That for me is huge! I never thought I would ever be capable of running 3 miles straight. Now I'm aiming for 4. We'll see how it goes. Wish me luck!

Saturday's run:
Olympic Oval
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 43 mins

Woo-hoo!!!

I can't believe it! I actually passed the two mile mark on Monday night! I have really been feeling discouraged because I couldn't run over 1.5 miles. I would always have to stop and walk part of the way. On Monday night I decided that no matter what, I wasn't stopping until I ran 2 miles. I went into Cardio Cinema, covered up the distance and time, and just kept running. It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. Only the last quarter mile was hard. I was so happy! I couldn't believe it. I know to some of you that 2 miles isn't a big accomplishment...but to me it was HUGE!!! I was hoping that it wasn't just a fluke, and that I would be able to run that far the next time. And I'm happy to report that last night I ran 2.4 miles. I really wanted to make it to 2.5, but I've been battling a cold/sore throat, and I started having a huge coughing fit and had to stop. I was so pumped! I know I've said this a lot but now I am truly starting to believe that I will be able to do this. I'm hoping to hit 3 miles on Saturday. This is only my third week running and I have gone from barely being able to run one mile to almost running three. I'm starting to feel really good. My right knee is still a little sore, but I have been really good about icing it every night. I'm getting really excited about the race. I know it's still forever away, but I'm really looking forward to it!

Monday's run:
Distance: 2.1
Time: 25 mins

Wednesday's run
Distance: 2.4 miles
Time: 28 mins

I'm already addicted...

Although I still hate it...I'm already addicted to running. It is the strangest thing to me! I really dislike running, but it seems like if I go more than a day without...I need it. For example, last week I was at the gym and it wasn't a running day for me (I have been alternating days for running). I was planning on doing my cardio on the elliptical, but instead found myself on the treadmill running. And on Saturday, it was a super busy day, but I managed to squeeze in a run before dinner. It was a particularly a hard run for me that day. I only had twenty minutes, so I went for a short run. It was almost dark and extremely cold that night. And to top it off, the air quality was extremely unhealthy that day. But I continued to run. I felt great after, but paid for it the rest of the night by coughing my lungs out. I'm finally starting to believe that maybe I can really do this. I'm still in the very beginning stages, but I am really starting to feel a desire to really push myself. Last week was also a good weight loss week. I lost another 2.3 lbs. I was really disciplined last week and it paid off. I just have to try and keep it up. Here's to another good week!!!

Saturday's run:
Distance: 1.5 miles
Time: 15 mins

I still hate running...

Well...running outside wasn't any easier. It did make the time go by a lot faster, and I created a new playlist on my ipod with some fun upbeat songs. But the cold air made it hard for me to breathe. And on top of that, my foot has been a little sore the past couple of days. It hasn't been too painful, just a little sore. I keep icing it every night so hopefully it will continue to heal. I really appreciate everyone's encouragement and motivation. Running is hard. After every run I feel old and out of shape. Why didn't I pick up running in Jr. High or High School when I was a lot younger? I bet it would have been easier back then. But I didn't and there's nothing I can do about it now. I still hate running...but I will continue to press on!

Today's run:
Distance: 2.2 miles (I walked part of the time)
Time: 28 mins

Rough Start

This was my first week back to running after my foot injury. There were days when I was really motivated and other days when I wasn't. I'm thinking that will be the constant cycle for a little while. This week I didn't accomplish what I set to do, but I made some baby steps. I set a goal to try and run 2 miles on Saturday, but I only made it to 1.45 miles. I am really struggling when I run in the mornings. I don't seem to have as much energy than when I run in the evenings. I thought it would be the other way around but it's isn't. I was also having a hard time being distracted when I ran on Saturday.
Currently I am training inside on a treadmill, and maybe that's why I'm struggling. I think that maybe running outside might work out better for me, but it's too dang cold right now to do so. When I run at the gym I try to go in the Cardio Cinema room so I can watch a movie while I run. That usually does the trick if I cover up the distance and time with a towel. But the gym has been really busy lately with it being "National Diet Month" and so all of the treadmills were taken in the Cinema. I had to resort to a treadmill in the regular cardio area and I forgot my ear phones, so I had absolutely NOTHING to distract me. It was hard. I left feeling tired and doubtful. But Rob quickly reminded me that it was only my 6th or 7th time running and so it's going to be a slow road in the beginning. I am an EXTREMELY impatient person and so if I had it my way I would be running 5 or 6 miles by now. But my body isn't cut out for that, so I have to be patient and wait until I work myself up to that.
So this week I am going to take it slow and easy. I'm not exactly sure on how and when to boost up my distance. I have tried to google training programs, but most of them are 6 or 8 week programs and that doesn't really work for me right now. If any of you have experience in training for races, I would love some advice!
This week also hasn't been that great for weight loss. I had gained .8 lbs during the holidays, which I wasn't too upset over, but only lost .2 this week. I know I need to be more disciplined with my treats. And also stay away from my "red light" foods. One of them being chips and salsa. This weekend we had friends over and we sat at the table and chatted and I sat and stuffed my face full of chips. Once I start, I can't stop. Especially when it's super spicy salsa. I know that there are some major things I need to work on with my nutrition and that is another goal I am trying to achieve. Here's to another week of trying to stay optimistic!

The journey has begun...

Welcome to my running blog! This is a new adventure to me, but I am excited and motivated to begin on this journey. With motivation and encouragement from my good friend Maren, I have decided to become a runner. For those of you that know me well, know that this is not going to be easy for me. I have never been a runner, and I have always been somewhat overweight for the majority of my life. I have always struggled with losing weight, and having had two babies, I think it is much more difficult now to get off the extra "baby" weight.
When my oldest was 6 months old, I realized that I was the heaviest I have ever been and I wasn't doing anything about it. I hated looking at pictures of me. I thought I looked huge and disgusting. My husband and I decided to take action and we started a very pricey weight loss program. I don't want to brag...but that program was just what I needed. And by my son's first birthday, I had lost 55 lbs! I couldn't believe it! I was in no way skinny, but I was in a lot better shape and I felt great! Two weeks later...I found out I was pregnant with baby #2. I was scared and terrified that I would gain those 55 lbs back. But I was determined and worked out my entire pregnancy. I not only saw a lower weight gain than my first pregnancy, but I saw a huge difference in my labor and delivery.
Fast forward to today. Baby #2 is almost 10 months old and I am 5 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight with him. I have been constantly working out since he was 6 weeks old, but my eating and nutrition have not been what they should be. But I am a lot better now than I was 6 months ago. When I made this running goal about a month ago, I was completely motivated and pumped! I went to the gym that night, lifted weights, and told myself I was going to run a mile nonstop. I thought and knew it was going to be rough, but to my surprise it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I did it! I was so optimistic that I would be able to do this. Then came the next day. My foot was killing me! I knew that I had to of pulled something. I tried icing it and took anti-inflammatories, but nothing helped. It continued to get worse and worse. I was completely bummed. I was so excited to set off on a journey I had never taken before, and then my dreams were suddenly crushed by a throbbing foot. I finally went in to a foot doctor to make sure that it wasn't anything too serious. The diagnosis was "spur-heel syndrome." I had pulled the main tissue that connects your heel to your foot. But I soon realized that it was something that would heal by being taped and possibly getting orthotics, but I was told I would and could run again. Hallelujah!
This is my first week back at running and I have ran over a mile 3 times this week and my foot hasn't hurt a bit! My motivation is coming back slowly, but surely! To go along with my running goal, I have set a pretty high goal that I hope I can reach. I am planning on running in the Bear Lake Half Marathon this June. That gives me just over 5 months to train myself to run 13.1 miles halfway around Bear Lake. There are many times when I think that I can't do this...but my husband has been right by my side encouraging me that I CAN and WILL do this. I know that this is going to be hard. Probably one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, (besides giving birth to two handsome boys) but I am determined that I can do this. I am starting off slow, but as long as I push myself a little harder every week, I know I will be able to run those dreaded 13.1 miles. If anyone wants to embark on this journey with me, I would love to have the company!