Hop, Skip, Run or Walk

As I had mentioned in a previous post, getting back in the habit of running is hard when you take time off. The downside to my five weeks of being ill (besides being ill) is that I lost two minutes on my average mile. In October of 2012 before the coughing, sneezing, I can't breathe so therefore I can't run took over I was able to complete 3 miles in 32 minutes. The bright side to this news is that since I have fallen off the running wagon before I was prepared for the set back. I knew that if I was going to stay true to my new me resolutions I would to take my lumps when it came to the set backs and hop, skip, run or walk until I re-energized my running groove.

My goal for 2013 is to double the mileage I ran in 2012. Since I fell ill before completing 200 miles I decided I would use the "buffer miles" as a warm up plan for 2013. I will officially start tracking my miles for 2013 when I reach 200 miles and my goal would be to hit 600 before the end of the year.

Here is how my week is starting off:

Monday - Mile 193.7 to 195.7
I hit the streets Monday afternoon in order to try out my new winter weather running gear I received from Christmas. My ears, head, and hands were very warm but my lungs still knew that I was outside in the cold. based on this run I could tell how much work I was going to need to do in order to build back my endurance to run the road!

Tuesday - Mile 195.7 to 197.7
Shaking it up on Tuesday or maybe I just didn't want to bundle up to go outside so I opted for the convenience of my apartment gym. Since running on a treadmill is easier than on the pavement I decided to push myself a little harder by adding a 1 point incline. I know that doesn't make up for all the effort you get out of road running but I was airing on the side of every little bit counts. As I expected, because I didn't have the variables of the atmosphere I was able to complete my two mile run without stopping to walk and in 22 minutes.

When I first started running I didn't know there was a difference between road running and treadmill running. For me running was running. I was happy just to have one foot moving in front of the other at a faster pace than most would call walking. Once I got over the hurdle of just lacing up and running I start to inquire more about how to challenge myself, prepare for 5k races and eventually a half marathon (which is on the schedule for 2013.) There are several websites you can visit that will give you everything from technical jargon to the plain Jane information. As a beginner I found this website and explanation to be simple, to the point and it even came with a beginners schedule.
http://skinnyms.com/treadmill-running-vs-street-running/

While reading the website I received a pop notice that I might also enjoy the "tips for absolute-beginners." By clicking this link I found not only the beginners tool book with terms, schedules and recommendation for strength training but I also found inspiration. The video is a MUST SEE!
http://skinnyms.com/running-tips-for-absolute-beginners/

I have the video saved to my favorites on youtube for those not so motivating days. I play it to remind myself that no matter where you start if you stick to it, stay determined, stay focused in the end you will accomplish your goal. Life is hard and it wears you down each and every hour. I have days that by the time I finish with work meetings, personal appointments, planning/cooking dinner and house chores I am tired. I don't want to move another muscle let alone run. People have recommend that I get up early in the morning but anyone that really knows me understands the morning and I are not friends. So instead when I feel like "doing it tomorrow" I use my video inspirations and music selection to set off my own video reel reminding me of why I can't wait until tomorrow. Reminding me to take all my daily frustrations, tireless chores, worries, stress and pound them into the pavement at the beat of my favorite playlist!

2012 end up being the year of challenges and 2013 is going to be the year of being STRONG!

 

 

Happy Running!!

 

"Remember...it is a marathon, not a sprint."

From there to here...

Where to begin? I guess I should take you back to the time before I took my first step of the 176.6 miles to tell you how I got from there to here.

I have never been an "official" runner. I wasn't the track star in high school and since then I have not developed an obsession for fitness. (Although some days I wish I had that discipline because weight management would be so much easier. I am just your average 5'ft woman who loves chocolate, wine and all things tasty.)

Source: Pinterest

In my younger years I was involved in all kinds of sports but after graduation and college the passion to play didn't linger. I found that as the years pasted exercising became more of a chore than a way to "play" and it became less and less of a priority. I remember times when I was working out and I would think to my self "I wish I could be a runner." I am not talking about running on a treadmil for hours at a time but the kind of runner that laces up their Nike's even when it is pouring rain, snowing or on vacation at a beautiful beach. The kind of runner that runs from the soul and not to check off "daily exercise" from their to day to day checklist.  

In February this year I turned 31 and I found myself feeling trapped in the mundane routine of life. I had completed school, established a career and found love. Although it took years to accomplish all of these great things in my short lifetime I couldn't help but wonder if this was what the rest of my life was going to be like. All my great accomplishment behind me and now part of a "when I was younger story."

After a couple of weeks of this reoccurring feelings and thoughts I had come to the conclusion that although I had accomplished many great things there was still more that I wanted to accomplish. I had come to the realization that I had transitioned out of a learning phase of life and into steady state. Not that steady state is a bad thing but for my life I realized steady state involved busy work days that kept my mind, body and emotions stressed. Along with the stress of a career I was also a full time partner, daughter, sister and a friend. I love all of these things about my steady state I just didn't want that to be all that my lift was about. I wanted my life to be full, have depth, color and a multitude of personal experiences and growth.

Source: Pinterest

These are the thoughts that lead me to taking the first step out of the steady state and back into a learning phase; however, this learning phase was not about career or education it was about becoming a better me. I choose becoming a runner as my first phase in the learning process because it would allow me to get the exercise I need as the years keep coming but it also allowed me time for just me. This was an hour of the day that could be for my music (which I love and wasn't getting to do enough listening), my thoughts and decompressing from all the stress of life. Let's be honest the steady state of life is always going to be there so this was a perfect way to take a "time out" just for me.



Source: Pinterest

Over the last ten months and 176.6 miles I have been learning to become a "soul runner." With every pound of my heartbeat, the thumping of my feet hitting the ground and the music in my ears I am finding my place as a runner.

My goal from this point forward is to become a better running and to take the next step in the learning phase and become a better writer. That is where this blog begins.

My journey from this point forward will be about documenting what I am still learnering about becoming a runner, how I keep myself motivated, the music that helps to keep me motivated and the my random thoughts blaze a path through my mind while I am having my quality time.

Remember "it is a marathon, not a sprint." ;-)

P.S. If you haven't noticed I am in love with quotes.