In Need of a Running 101

The closer it gets to race day, the more anxious I feel about my pace!

The problem is that I have no idea what my pace should be!  I need to get this run under my belt and go from there.  There is a 6 year old half marathon PR to compare my impending March 25 time to, but can I really say that is a valid goal?  I was a totally different runner then...ugg!  Is is safe to assume I can run it under 1:50?  I have no idea!!??

Today's run felt awesome; it was an easy 6 miles, and I felt like I was cruising.  8:30+ minute miles is pretty good for me, I think, but as soon as I add on the next 4 to make 10, it all goes down hill from there.

My race background is measly at best, and I'm actually missing one of my medals.  Not that I have a shrine of them or anything, but I did go dig them out the other day just to see what I actually had.

Motivation to run is not what is lacking, in fact, I'm pretty sure I'll sign up for the Ann Arbor Marathon in June...anybody in with me?  It's pacing an specifics on training that I need...

EDIT:  Keep those dreams in sight!  He loved having those medals on...who cares if they were just "participation" ones!

I think I need to read a book.  A good book about running.  I need some guidance and some direction beyond how many miles to run each day.

Any suggestions?

Be Nice...To YOU

Over a year ago, my husband got me an awesome present.  A dream present.  It was a gift card...for a glorious massage; 1 hour of bliss, relaxation, and time to myself.  What a gift, what a guy.  He was so thoughtful to think of me, and to give me the slice of Heaven on Earth...that I so deserve!

Looks like it would be pretty great, huh?  Too bad I wouldn't know!

Well, you see, I've yet to use it.  Over A Year Later!

WHY?  I have no idea!  I spend a lot of time thinking that 1 hour could be used so much more efficiently. I could be doing something else that is more productive, or that is more useful for other people in my life.  Spending an hour away just laying there on a table having someone knead through my sore muscles, and letting the quiet be my guide is not helping anybody...or is it?

Revelation #1:  That's the point!  My wonderful husband saw that maybe, it was something I needed!  Maybe, the people who depend on me will be just fine for 1 hour in time!  Perhaps they would gladly send me off to relax in the hopes that I come back with more patience, and feeling less stressed.

Revalation #2:  Doing something Nice for myself isn't a sin.  It's ok to treat myself to an indulging massage, or manicure, or coffee, or whatever...every once in a while!  These things are not going to harm my little sidekicks (and big one too)...in fact they will be happier knowing that Mommy is happier, right?

Revalation #3:  I've actually begun treating myself months ago when I decided to revolutionize my life with health and fitness!  Exercising is definitely one of these indulgences that makes me a happier lady.  I can't stress how much better I feel after working up a sweat; even if for just 30 minutes.

I've been really trying to look for the positives in life to make me smile.  The more I smile, the more those around me do too.  Out of all of my personal goals, fitness and otherwise, having a happy and healthy family is the ultimate #1.

Being nice to yourself is so important.  It's not always selfish.  It's rarely selfish.  Taking time for YOU is so very crucial, and shows your children and those around you that not only should you care for and about your loved ones, but you also should care for and about YOU.

Now, where's that massage gift card?  I hope there's no expiration date!


What is it that you've been putting off...something for just you?

Motivation: The Salmon Shorts Edition

These shorts.  The reason my fitness revolution began...in that moment at least.  I just wanted those salmon colored shorts to fit me again!  I have nothing to wear with them, they are not really that cute, but I just needed them to fit without bulging over the top!

Not even really a color...but they used to fit, and I wanted them to fit again, darn it!

Well, this was back in May of 2011.  I was exercising, kind of running, without rhyme or reason.  Basically, I would use exercise as an excuse to eat like a pig once the summer came.  BBQ's and salty foods were the name of the game.  If I ran, then I could eat more delicious summer food!

Nothing budged.  I still looked like a stuffed sausage in the salmon, khaki shorts.  

I had Insanity by Beachbody sitting in the DVD drawer for a while, basically untouched.  That was going to be way too hard and way too much of a commitment.  But it was summer...I thought long and hard...and Bit The Bullet.

My first DAY of Insanity was BRUTAL!  Oh my gosh it was so hard.  I barely got through the Fit Test...the one  before you actually start the workouts to see where you are...and I was at the bottom.

Week 1 was no good.  No good at all.  But, I could feel results.  And that is what kept me going.

Week 2, 3, 4 and I was still feeling results.  Seeing them was a different story.  No 6 pack, no guns; still a sweet muffin top over my stupid shorts.

The half way mark was a turning point.  On to MAX Insanity.  And it's just that.  Insane To The MAX.

Workouts are twice as long and twice as intense.  When you see the hard bodies in the video dropping out for a drink and to compose themselves, you know you've hit the MAX Insanity Level!

Well, I got through the cycle.  It was definitely a feat.  But my shorts were still not fitting the way I wanted them too.  Not like they used to back in...ahem...pre-childbearing years.  But that's no excuse, I told myself!  Get those things to fit!

So, I decided to go through the Insanity routine again.  This time it was...not easier, that's not what I'm trying to say.  I had way more control over my body.  I could feel that I'd developed the muscle strength and some core strength to do a much better job this time around.

Once school started back up, and time was an essence again, I had to start supplementing with running and...I could totally feel a huge difference there too!  My runs were more fluid, and I could feel my core and legs doing so much more of the work.  Less struggle with my upper body.  Way more muscle control.

This brings me to the present day.

Today I popped in Insanity MAX Interval Circuit.  59 minutes of circuit training Insanity.  3 Circuits, 3X each, 45 seconds per exercise.  

Meet Shaun T.  My in-home personal trainer.  He will kick your butt up and down your own living room, or basement, or where ever you decide to let him in.  He won't let you stop until you've gone just a little bit further than you thought you were up for that day.  And then you'll go some more.  Love this guy!  


And, combine running with Insanity and most of all dropping off the excuses at the door.  I can fit into my beloved shorts.  I realize it's the middle of February, and I won't be wearing them for months (and since they're not really that cute in the first place, probably not ever again) but the satisfaction of buttoning them up is good enough for me.


I still have a long way to go.  But, little by little, seeing and feeling changes is the coolest thing.  I was so excited to finish the Circuit today, and that makes me want to do it again!  It's a cycle...one of the healthy kinds!  And that's a good thing!


Seriously, about the shorts, that's just a visual motivator.  You know, a silly goal, that helps you get to a point where you feel like you've gotten back some control...and that's what it's all about!  You ARE  in control.  Every time you make a healthy choice, you've taken one more step toward to your goal, whatever it may be. 


More than all of that...I Feel Better.  I Feel So Much Better.  Days of complete exhaustion and fatigue are Few and Far Between.  I Like Feeling Better!  I know that if I continue on this path, I will keep feeling this way, and that's one of the big factors that keep me motivated.


What motivates you?