yay for cooler weather

i actually got to run outside today. and it was really nice. though i will say this: you don't really realize just how far 5 miles in until you're running through the city. it was almost difficult to find a route long enough without going into high traffic areas. anyhoo, i did just over 5.5 miles today and i feel good. i didn't go as fast as i would have liked, but i completely it with relative ease and i started out pretty fast. i am definitely getting stronger all the time. it feels good to be in decent shape. i like running. i love feeling good. i love being able to eat treats and ice cream every now and then without feeling guilty. i'm running so many miles during the week that i'm still losing weight, albeit slowly. that's okay with me though. i'd take slow weight loss and sugar in moderation over fast weight loss and no sugar easily. i'm not into denying myself things that i love. after all, we only live once, right?

improving

one of the best things about starting something like this is that if you stick with it you get to watch the improvements as they come. you can see where you started and where you are now and have a "yay, me!" moment because of how far you've come.


and i've come a long way. starting from the "couch to 5k" program i've gone from jogging 60 seconds straight to being able to do 3.5 miles with relative ease. seriously. i did 3 yesterday at a very easy pace. today i did 3.5 at a slightly faster pace than yesterday's 3. and they were both pretty easy. never once did i feel like i was sick or terribly winded or anything. and that feels great! i feel fit and strong. 


and while i'm not necessarily in the best shape of my life yet, i definitely have the most endurance/stamina that i've ever had. even when i was in weight training in high school and benching 125 regularly i couldn't run 3.5 miles straight (i don't think--i never tried though i did 3).


now, if i can just add in some appropriate (and fun) cross training and a little bit of weights on off days i'll be a force to be reckoned with!

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. :)