Run #15

Eight miles today. EIGHT!!!!!

I really like the ipod pedometer thing that Jenny gave me. THANKS JEN! But I think I calibrated it wrong or something so I'll have to fix that. I did it in 79 minutes exactly; just under a 10 minute mile. I feel so amazing, like if I can run eight miles I can do ANYTHING!!

The book said to start telling people that I am a marathoner. Today I feel like it. I can't believe that I have only been training for four weeks and I can already run 8 miles. That just goes to show how our potential is so much greater than we realize. Seriously. We are more amazing than we give ourselves credit for.

If anyone reading this is thinking that I am something special, you're wrong. I am TOTALLY convinced that anyone can run a marathon. I would 100% recommend the book I am reading though, The Nonrunner's Marathon trainer. I can honestly say that there is no way I would have even attempted eight miles by this point if that wasn't what was on the schedule for today. A training schedule is a MUST.

17 miles this week, and I missed a run. Go get 'em, tiger!

Run #12

Six miles+Pushing Kate in the stroller+Uphill halfway=Hardest run yet. But guess what...I did it. And that's what matters.

Run #9 and #10

Scheduled Miles 3, 4
Actual Miles 3, 4

Comments: Feeling good. I have had a little bit of knee pain. Mostly when I first get going and then it subsides. The scale is NOT my friend (this morning I weighed the most I have since starting training!) but believe it or not I'm not just running to lose weight, so it didn't deter me. And besides that, I feel great, and I think I look thinner. So take that scale!

But the biggest accomplishment? I actually WOKE UP EARLY and went for my run! It was great to not have to worry about Kate AT ALL. I have her to thank actually, as she woke up at 5:15 and didn't go back to sleep until I fed her a bottle. That got me wide awake, and I knew she would stay asleep the whole time I was gone. So thanks Kate!

I am really liking the exercise ticker. I added it to my other blog, too. It's fun to see those miles just keep on going up, uP, UP!

OH! I FINALLY got us registered for the marathon yesterday! We'll be doing the two man relay (the half marathon was full, so that made the decision easy). One month from tomorrow!

Run #8 04.12.08

Scheduled Miles: 5
Actual Miles: 5(!!)
RPE:7

Comments: I DID IT!!!! WoooHOOO! My first five mile run is under my belt.

I mapped out the course on mapquest before I left, and it took me on a road I have never been on before that didn't really have a shoulder or a sidewalk. I don't think I'll run that course again. That part was right in the middle too, making it even tougher.

By far the best/most empowering part of the run was passing the gym: 1.3 miles to my house from there, but because I added in some warm up/cool down walking distance, that meant I only had ONE MORE MILE! When you've done 4 already, what's one more? It felt so great! 52 minutes, in spite of a couple short walking stretches in the middle.

The outsides of my ankles got a little sore for a while. It feels like maybe I am running more on the inside of my feet. Maybe I'll try some insoles with a little more support.

I forgot my ipod. I think I need to find a way to stay hydrated--so thirsty!

Yay ME!! :D

Day 6&7 April 9th & 10th

Scheduled Miles: (4, 3)
Actual Miles: (4, 3)
RPE:6

Comments: I ran 4 miles on the treadmill at the gym last night. About 3 miles on the road today, with Kate in stroller. Feeling very sore. Today's run was the first time I really felt like my legs were giving out before my lungs/heart. I walked a bit in the middle.

Looking forward to Saturday's run. My mom is going to watch Kate so that Mike and I can finally run together. Something funny...I think in a way we are competing against each other. Hehehe! It will be interesting to see how it goes running together for both of our longest runs yet. We're both competitive but Mike is a sore winner and I am a sore loser. Best case scenario is for me to win every time, right? We'll see.

Day 5 extended :-)

So because I only ran 2 miles yesterday, and I only ran 3 miles today (instead of 4) due to another time crunch I decided to delete yesterday's run....not really. I am just counting today as my 3 mile run, and I will still do a 4, 3, 5 for the rest of the week. Don't you love how I bend the rules to work for me??? I think it's quite clever. :)

Scheduled Miles: 3
Actual Miles: 3
RPE: 5

Comments: Had another good run today. Got side cramps in the first 10th of a mile that came out to run with me. They were gone by the end of the first mile. That used to deter me, or make me walk. Not anymore. I tried not to focus on time, just how I felt. I felt good. Great way to start the day. (Well, sort of. I would like to get my run in first thing in the morning, but I can't manage to pull my butt out of bed no matter how much sleep I've had. But today was relatively early...10 am.)

Day 5 04.07.08

Scheduled Miles: 3
Actual Miles:2
RPE:4

Comments: Wow! I can't believe what a breeze it was to run two miles. I only did two because I didn't make it to the gym until 8:40, so I only had 20 minutes. Kate was really sick today, so I didn't want to take her out....especially to a day care, which is where she probably caught the bug in the first place. I'm not sure if I should try to make up miles I miss. I could do an extra run this week, even if it is a short 2 or 3 miler. Hmmm, I wonder what is the best thing to do in this scenario. Any suggestions?

Running is already making a difference in my life. I feel more in control. More powerful. Healthier. The psychological benefits are enough to keep me going, but I know the physical benefits will start showing soon too! :D