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!

Getting my groove back!

Wow! 2 posts in 1 day! I'm on a roll!

As I said this morning, I got on the scale and realized I have a LOT of work to do. So tonight, after going to town and getting a few things at Sam's Club, I came home and forced myself onto the treadmill. I really wasn't feeling too bad about the day and was pretty energized to get a workout in (since I skipped all weekend). One of my friends posted today about quality over quantity. I took it to heart. After warming up walking .2 miles, I started my run. Shins were feeling good...breathing nice and easy...and I started thinking.

You know, I use to use a half mile jog as my warm up. What has happened to me? There is no reason that I can't get back to that. Run your half mile without stopping.

The inner monologue continued throughout, mixed in with the words to some of my favorite songs, and I hit my half mile mark. Wasn't as hard as I expected it to be. With the first half mile done, I wasn't stopping. At the mile mark, I started feeling a bit slower.

Man, my legs are getting tired. Wait...no, they aren't. Quit whining and keep running, fatty! You can easily run a mile and a half without walking. Don't quit!

At about 1.2, I had to step off real quick and turn on the fan because I was drowning in my own sweat. Yes, I sweat like a disgusting man and there is nothing I can do about it! I got back on and kept going. I checked my time and wanted to keep it under 18 minutes, so I pushed my speed from 5mph to 6mph and really ran my last .1 mile.

What a great feeling! I wasn't gasping for air and I had hit my mile and a half without feeling like dying! I'm getting my groove back and it feels GREAT!

Tomorrow, the forecast is calling for temps around 50, so I'm taking clothes and running after school.

Until then...Happy Running! :)

Life...

You know how, sometimes, life just gets in the way? I'm starting to feel that way...

I've been doing really good at getting my workouts in a few times a week, so far this year, but life is speeding up. Sweetie and I are getting married on September 15. I really want to be back down to 115 pounds by then, so I got on the scale today and now know how much I need to lose. Last week, I was able to fit in 4 workouts. But life got in the way the rest of the week. School is crazy busy trying to prepare our students for the dreaded state assessments in April, track season starts in March, and I'm trying to plan our wedding. With all the stress, you would think that working out would be the best thing for me. But at the end of a long stressful day, all I want to do is curl up on the couch with the love of my life and our pets and veg. I can't continue to do this!

Starting today, I have to start working toward my goal! I have almost 20 pounds to lose and it's not going to be easy. I have to start eating better, drinking more water, exercising, and not giving in to temptation. If I want the incredible body I once had back, I have to WORK for it!

I didn't put the weight on over night, so it won't come off over night. I can DO this!!!

Happy Running! :)

We kicked that hill's butt!!!

Whoever decided that it needed to be almost 70 degrees on January 5th in Kansas is amazing!!! What a beautiful day! Today we took the temperature as a chance to hit some impressive hills...that is, impressive for two girls who haven't been running much lately. ;) We did a 3 mile out and back in 39:58. Considering the terrain, we kicked those hills' butts! Also considering we haven't hardly run for 3 weeks (or more in my case), we are feeling like rockstars!

Found out my headphones are shot at the beginning of my run and only one side works, so I guess I'll be investing in new headphones this weekend. Tomorrow is going to be a rest day for me after those hills. Or maybe I'll just do the stationary bike. What do you think?

Until next time...happy running! :)

Running with my bestie

Today was my first run of 2012. I was planning on starting on Sunday and doing something every day, but it didn't happen so I'm not beating myself up about it. I figure with work during the week the only way I will get my run in is to take my gear to school with me and run right after school. It just so happened today that my partner teacher/partner in crime/bestie had her gear as well! It was meant to be!

After school we changed and went for our run. We each had a headphone in one ear and were able to push each other. It was a beautiful day out for a January Kansas day and we made the most of it! We were able to run 2.5 miles in 32:15 and only walked a total of 3 times. After we got back to school, I did my squats for the day; 2 sets of 25.

As we were running, I flashed back to three years ago when I started running and she told me I was crazy and that she would never run. Oh how times change. :) A great way to start my 2012 workouts!

My goal is to be back in the shape I was in when I met my fiance and that will only happen with determination and hard work. Until my next time...Happy Running!