yes!

5 miles today. :)

it took effort. it wasn't easy.

BUT it wasn't awful either and i've never gone that far before.

it's exciting to see the progress i've made.

from running 90 seconds, to running 5 miles.

i'm almost to the halfway point!

and i've got 18 more weeks until my race.

that's plenty of time. right?

hope to hit the halfway point in about another 4 or 5 weeks.

every schedule i've looked at is 12 weeks long.

i've already been at it for 12 weeks and have more than that left.

i'm taking it reeeeallly sllllloowwwwww.

that's okay.

wish me luck!

goal, accomplished

made it. 4 miles today. :) for the actual race i'm planning to do a run/walk/run because everything i've read said it's easier, mentally, physically, etc. most people actually cut time off when switching from a straight run to a run/walk style. so, i figured since that's my plan of action there's no reason not to start that method from right now for my long runs. it worked. i finished my long run, not very quickly, but not too slowly and i felt good at the end. i'm starting to get antsy about increasing mileage at this point. i'm really anxious to hit the halfway point (meaning 6.5 miles). but for now, 1/3 isn't too bad. i'll take it.

i had a goal

i didn't make it. it's okay though. sometimes that happens. yesterday i really wanted to do 4 miles, but it was a bad running day for me and i was lucky to make 3. this was the first time that i didn't feel great after my run. i just wanted to lay down and not move for a few minutes. it was good to recognize what an "off" day feels like...at least i'm praying it was really just an off day. i wanted to really push myself and make that 4 miles, but doing 3 was really pushing myself. so, i've made the goal for this coming week to have a 4 mile run. i will make it, one way or another.

while we were in utah i ran while we were in smithfield. there's a canyon literally a few blocks from paul's grandma's house. it was awesome, seriously awesome. pretty and some shade and cool. i wish i could run there every day. it makes me want to run outside more, but it's just way too hot here still. i look forward to the weather cooling off though so i can starting running out by the canal.

on a positive note, shin splints are gone, ITB is a distant memory and all is well. :)

PR!

because we're going to UT in two days i don't think i'm going to make a 10-mile week. but, i did make a PR of a different kind this week. i did 3.5 miles straight, no walking! i think the best i've ever done previously is an even 3. a half mile increase is pretty good i think. it was a real push to get there mentally, but it felt so good and there was no nausea or aching or anything. maybe, just maybe i can do this.


i've discovered my toughest hurdle is not necessarily going to be physical. physically, i do pretty well. i have decent stamina and endurance, not great, but okay for a new runner. but mentally, what a challenge! i have great determination and will power which is great. what i don't have is a lot of confidence in my ability to do. is that an oxymoron? hmm...i will have to think about that. 


hopefully, as i improve so will my mental state. as i start getting tired and think "i want to stop," i have to really think about why i want to stop. when i take an inventory, i'm not huffing and puffing too badly, i'm not hurting anywhere and i feel okay. so i tell myself i'm okay and i don't really need to stop even if i want to. that usually works for a while. it feels good to see improvements.

10-mile week!

i set a goal last week to have my first 10-mile week. i'd done 9.5 and was so close to hitting that 10-mile mark. i'm very excited to say i did it last week. :) in fact, not just 10, but 10.5. i feel great. well, other than the stupid medial shin splints in my right leg. but, they're not too bad.  they're more a nuisance than anything. it's not pain so much as just discomfort, but i'm doing what i can to make sure it stays in that camp and doesn't move over into pain. i've decided i need to be more diligent about putting ice on it after i run and maybe taking some ibuprofen as well. i will also probably take the week we're in UT off to try to help it heal some. i don't want to, but we're going to have other things going on anyway and it's a good time to give it a chance to rest.


for this reason i'm hesitant to add any distance to my current 3 mile length. i'm itching to, but don't want to cause any injuries. i think i will run this week, take the week off that we spend in UT and then if my leg is feeling better than when i left i will proceed to start adding some distance at about a quarter-mile per week for now.


i've lost a couple pounds and hope to start losing a little more as i get the chance to push myself and test my physical capabilities. wish me luck! i'm on an endorphin high and hoping not to come down any time soon. :)