That moment when...

So, running every day, as of right now, is not something I'm pushing myself to do. Once upon a time, running every day was something I couldn't do without. Now, that I'm trying to get back into it, I don't want to burn myself out. After running 1.5 miles the other night (farthest distance in a while without stopping!), I hit the exercise bike last night. My goal was 10 miles, but I ended up pushing it to 11.1 miles in about 45 minutes. Felt good, but I didn't feel like it was much of a workout.

Now, let me tell you how I gauge a good workout vs a mediocre workout. If I am dripping sweat, it's a good workout. However, if I'm barely sweating I don't feel like I've really done much. In all honesty, it felt pretty good to know I wasn't beat after my workout because it felt like I'm getting more in shape, but I was a little bummed and felt like I needed to do more. Until...I had to walk back up the stairs to get some water. Holy moly! OUCH! Yep. 11 miles on the bike was a heck of a workout, even if I wasn't dripping sweat. :)

Until next time...
Happy running! :)

The Plague and a Mile and a Half

So, thanks to the plague, last night was the first time I was able to workout since my last post. I came down with a terrible, awful, snot slinging head cold. I knew I wasn't dying, but I pretty much felt like I'd been hit by a train. My nose was raw and my head throbbed for about a week and a half. After that, I was just out of energy and didn't feel like working out. Last night, as I was standing outside with the dog, I realized it had been two weeks since my last workout. I decided that was enough of that crap, and hit the treadmill. I covered everything up, set my speed, turned on Biggest Loser, it was triathlon night, and started running. I had to step on the rails a couple times to catch a quick breath, but stayed with it. At 1.1 miles, I checked where I was and I felt pretty good. My goal was to run farther than last time, so I kept going. At 1.25 miles, my legs started feeling heavy and I had to coach myself through the last quarter mile. I knew it was all in my head, so I talked myself through. (Good thing my hubby wasn't home because he would have thought I had lost my mind. Even the dog was looking at me funny!) I kicked up the speed every .1 mile and made it to a mile and a half! Super proud moment! Haven't done that for a while! :) The only bad thing was that I gave myself a headache. I tend to do that sometimes. I realized it was because I haven't been guzzling the water like I had been. Today, I'm back on my ACE and drinking as much water as I can. My headache is better today, thank goodness, and I'm feeling good! One of the girls I work with even told me I look like I am losing weight! Whoop! Ready for another good workout tonight, but will probably hit the bike and give my legs a little rest from the treadmill.
Until next time...happy running!

2014: New year, new goals

What a lazy lard I have been over the last few years! It's hard to believe, but since I met the love of my life my exercise has screeched to a halt and I have put on 50 pounds. Ugh. I can't believe I just put that out there...

However, it's a new year, which means time for new goals. After hearing my mom rave about ACE, her "skinny in a bottle", I decided to try it. My first go 'round with this "miracle pill" left me sobbing in my cereal and for some reason I couldn't stop. Didn't take it anymore. Yikes! I'm enough of a bawl bag as it is, I didn't need any help. About three months ago, Mom tells me that there is a new formula for ACE and it shouldn't make me cry anymore. After carrying a bottle around with me in my purse for about a month, I decided to try it. Lo and behold...it works! I have more energy, I'm not starving all the time, and I'm actually starting to see a decline in the number on the scale!

Pair that with actually using my treadmill and exercise bike for more than a dust collector and I'm seeing results! Last week I was able to run 1.25 miles on the tread before I stopped. College basketball is what helps keep me going, so hopefully that will last until Spring when I can get outside. I was hit with the plague last week, aka a head cold/sinus infection/grossness. I haven't done much since last Thursday, but I'm starting to feel a little more normal and I have to get back at it tonight.

Maybe posting here will help hold me more accountable...I don't know. I do know, though, that I can't keep giving up. I run at a snail's pace now and feel like I did when I initially started running 5 years ago. I can't let that stop me. I'm done comparing myself to others and I'm ready to start comparing myself to me!

Until next time...
Happy running!