ugh

That's how I felt when I got up this morning....did not sleep well. I did do my training run today although I cut it down to 30 minutes instead of 40. We are off to Vegas to watch Nascar this weekend. I'm excited, that's probably why I didn't sleep.

2/2

Today was 2/2 day. It felt so good. I did that on Saturday for our team run day. I really like that pace. I also did some nice, easy stretches. I'm waiting for our Nascar tickets to get delivered. We have our Friday and Saturday tickets, just waiting for Sunday's Big Race day tickets. We leave in the morning. I can hardly wait.
I would like to thank all my facebook friends for all their encouragement. It really means a lot to know so many people are rooting for you to succeed! It makes the days when my body is screaming at me go a little easier!
Thanks.......

training

today I started a 40 minute training schedule. I did a 5/5, 5 minutes easy run followed by 5 minutes walk x 4 to equal 40 minutes. When I finished the first 5 minute run, I was thinking to myself, this is going to be hard, I may not be able to do this, but by the time I was on my last 5 minute run section I felt like I could go another couple sets! I'm beginning to think I may actually be able to do this 1/2 marathon thing! I have thought all along I would do it, but I thought it would be really hard; more work than it actually is. I truly am enjoying this. Pushing my body to see just what exactly it can do for me.......it's an incredible feeling to start out trying to do something, not sure if your body can do it, and your body just keeps going. I can't really explain the feeling. I am following the training schedule pretty strictly. I have been throwing in some strentgh training on some of my rest days. I have also been doing 20-30 minute yoga sessions 2 or 3 times a week. It's like doing extra stretches. Feels really good on the muscles. I also go to my chiropractor once or twice a month, more if necessary. I get a 1 hour full body massage every 2 weeks. I'm trying to pamper my body to thank it for all I am asking of it lately. I've been paying more attention to my food intake. Drinking a lot more water and less soda. I think I'm on the right track!
Rally On!!!

Inspiration

Yesterday before our run coach Jason asked all of us what our inspiration was for doing this run. A handful of people spoke up and told their reasons for getting up and running in the 29 degree weather yesterday. I had to think about that. I've never really thought about it. I have lots of reasons; hard to pick just one. Hearing about Kellsie's struggle on a daily basis inspired me to quit smoking when I was struggling with it. The first year was really hard; but I would always think of her struggle and tell myself "you have it easy, you can choose to be healthy, she had no choice". Then I think also that one of the reasons I do it is simply "because I can" and so many other people can't. I have selfish reasons for doing it also, I want to lose some weight and I like to meet new people and hear their stories. Their stories inspire me also. So, ya I guess I do have reasons and inspirations......next time I'll share mine.

Saturday training

I did my team training run this morning. It was 29 degrees out, but the sun was shining so it was awesome! I did 4.06 miles in about 50 minutes. Not bad for a beginner. It felt great. NO aches or pains. That's a first. I went to the chiropractor yesterday and she adjusted my ankles and feet. I didn't realize they were out of wack, but whatever she did worked. I haven't ever felt this good after a run, ever!

Rest day

Today was a rest day, so I did about 50 minutes of slow yoga type stretches. It feels sooooo good to stretch the muscles. Tomorrow we will have our Saturday team run and brunch afterwards. Since I'm doing the half/ run I will be doing 50 minutes tomorrow. I still can't believe I am really doing this!!! Anyone whose known me for any length of time would be surprised. I am not a runner by nature. But I am truly enjoying this. I love the cause I'm running for. I have enjoyed getting to know my teammates and hope to keep in touch with them. This is a good time in life for me.

Thursday

Did my training run today. My entire body hurt. I think it's from running on pavement yesterday. Then later I realized I forgot to stretch yesterday :( No wonder I hurt.
Anyway I plugged my way thru it and tomorrow is a rest day.

Beautiful day

I ran outside today. What a beautiful morning here in the great Pacific Northwest! Sunny, but frozen. Fog just cleared over the pond. Couldn't ask for a better day. My right ankle is still bothering me a little. I think the more I run outside the stronger it will get. I also did some upper body weight work training and some nice easy stretches. I'm really getting excited.

Back from camping

got back from camping yesterday and I am back on track for my training today. Went really good, I finally got my joggers pepper spray today so tomorrow I will be doing my running outside. Saturday is another team run. Will be good to see my teammates since I missed last Saturday.
Camping trip was awesome. It only rained at night so we got alot of riding in.

Thursday

Training run was awesome today. Now I'm off to go camping for the weekend. I won't make my team training Saturday; I'm a little bummed because they are having a nutrition clinic after our run and I really wanted to go to that. But this is an annual camping trip with lots of good friends and I can't miss it!
See ya next week.

Wednesday training

Did my training run today. It is starting to get easier and I feel like I'm finding a nice rythm. I feel good!

Ouch!

So, yesterday afternoon I was with my hubby and he had to stop by a job site our guys were working on. He wanted me to check out the view from the roof of this building. I assumed there would be an elevator; I was wrong. So we walked up 6 flights of stairs so I could see the view. It was pretty cool. But when I got up this morning, my calve muscles were screaming at me, especially my right one! But I stretched and did my 30 minute training run I had scheduled and then did 25 min. of easy, stretching yoga. I felt pretty good for most of the day, but by late this afternoon my legs were feeling it! That will teach me; next time I will ask if there's an elevator before saying sure I would love to go to the roof!

Nice

Today I did some upper body work, chest shoulders, biceps, and back. Felt really good. I also did a nice easy stretch routine. My body is starting to like all this work. I'm sore, but a good kind of sore!

Sunday

Today I did 30 minute recovery walk. It felt really good. My hips are a little achy today, butother than that I feel really good. I also did about 20 minutes of easy slow stretches that felt really good. Tomorrow is a rest day so no running. I will probably do some slow easy yoga tho. That is something I truly enjoy and it makes my body feel so good. I'm very pleased with how my body is reacting. I have been a little worried because of my age. And the fact that I'm not used to the jarring of pavement. But I think it's going to be ok. My body will adjust. I'm having a good time pushing my body to see what it will do for me. :)

First team training day

Today was our first team training day. I got to meet some new people and get to know some I've already met. It was beautiful. Sunny.......dry.....along the waterfront in Tacoma, Ruston Way. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. We got to go to a shoe store and get fitted for running shoes for our feet. Found out I need to buy narrow width!
I'm a very pleasantly tired. I did about 3 miles in under 30 minutes which is pretty good for me. I didn't run the whole way, but I did run more than I have on pavement so far. I'm happy with my performance.
Till next time........run 'til nothing jiggles!

Thursday

Did my run outside today. Since right now my training is run/walk, my ankles did not hurt like they did the first time I ran on pavement. That's a good thing :)
Anyone out there have any good nutrition books/websites they use? I really want to fuel my body with the proper nutrition since I am asking alot from it right now.
I'm looking forward to our first team training run Saturday. After the run we are all going to a running shoe store to make sure we are properly fitted with the correct shoe. I would imagine that if you wear the wrong shoe your feet will hurt and trying to do a 26.2 or 13.1 mile run would not be very pleasant!
Tomorrow is a rest day for me......YIPPEE! My legs are tired!
Will let you know how Saturday goes.

Another day

Did my training today. run/walk for 1 minute each x 15. Then finished with run/walk 2 minutes each x 3 for a total of 30 minutes. Felt really good I am truly enjoying this running thing so far. We'll see how I do for my first half marathon........13.1 miles. Will be doing the same run tomorrow and Saturday is our first team run in Tacoma. Good times. :)

Tuesday

I did my 30 minute run/walk today. Felt really good. I seem to have found a comfortable pace. My back is still a little bothersome, but I go to the chiropractor for a tweak tomorrow so it should all be good. My body is feeling really good, I just hope this helps take some weight off! When I quit smoking 2+ years ago, I packed on 15 pounds and now it's time to take it off!

Monday

Today was actually a rest day, but I did do some slow yoga stretching. My back is still bothering me a bit so I thought it would help. I'm going to check with my coaches and see if I can do yoga on one of the rest days. It is so relaxing and good to stretch my muscles.
til tomorrow........