Excuses smooshes

Yep. It's been a long time since I've been on here.

Yep. There are good reasons for that.

Yep. It's been a long time since I've been swim/bike/whating.

Yep. There are good reasons for that.

Whatever they are they're good - but mostly they're in the past. I cannot keep holding to them or using them anymore.

My next race in February 20th. The anniversary race of the first 5k I've even run.

For weeks I've thought about what I need to do to get back into the game. I wrote a training plan & scheduled it out. I woke up in the mornings with good intentions (which were easily diverted by good blogs to read).

Sometimes you need less planning/thinking and more doing.

Finally I just went running. Hooked up with my running cousin - knowing that I'd be too embarrassed to back out - and it worked!

We went and ran the 5k course - focusing on the two big hills. My body knew exactly what to do and fell into sync rather quickly. It felt so good.

And I realized again how much I love and need my runs.

Now it's the challenge to see past all the excuses I can make every morning when I rise at 5:00am to run. Instead of thinking about it - just doing it.

The good, the bad and the PR

It's funny because on the runs where I feel the worst - I tend to do the best.
And when I end feeling good, I've usually gone slower.

Today's run started off since I left the house at 7:00am and not 6:30am like I've been trying to do. The first mile felt sluggish and sloppy...and I had to keep reminding myself:

"Just get past the first mile, just get past the first mile...".

I must have made up some good time since I finished with a new PR. Such a good PR that I am almost to the next minute per mile bracket - SEVEN!

My two mile run was done in 16:03. About 8:01 per mile. Which means my last mile might have actually been less...since my first mile was the slow one...

That's the good news.

The bad news is that I know my form was off. My back is a little sore and I felt like I spent a lot of time correcting my posture. Even though I'm focused on time right now, I do thinmk it would be a good idea for me to slow down and strengthen my form...

Don't really want to get hurt again...that sucks.

But for now, until tomorrow's run, I'll just be happy with my new PR!

Reframing

After running this morning I realized that it's time for a new goal. I don't have a race until November when it's Turkey Trot time...and for some reason that isn't really motivating me.

Then RunMan told me last night since August he's booked a mighty 196 miles.

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY SIX F#*(@NG MILES!

According to my DailyMile I've only logged 273 miles this year.

Ok. Ok. I'm not being fair to myself. Let's reframe that.

I ran NO miles last year. Zip, zilch, zero!

I've run a whopping 273 this year.

Plus there are runs, rides and swims I didn't log.

So, rather than compare myself to RunMan I want to remember what life was like a year ago.

What my mind was like a year ago - "Me, run?" No way! "Me, do a triathlon?" You have to be out of your freaking mind!

But, those both started out as lofty goals. And I do run. And I did do a triathlon. Given that, I'd like to set a new reachable goal.

I'd like to hit 350 miles at the end of the year.

Seventy-seven more miles. That puts me running two miles every other day from now until December 31st. I didn't factor in that some family run nights we run almost four miles - but I figure that will account for any time I can't get my run in.

So here's to the next 77 and to finishing 2009 strong!!

Success.

Two miles.

17 minutes and 22 seconds.

A personal record for two miles.

And I'm back!

Like riding a bike

It's time.

I'm about to set off for my first run in...um...well longer than it should be.

Being off of my running schedule has been tough. I haven't been as focused - in anything - or motivated.

I got my new shoes last week. Went for a great walk this weekend in them.

Now, I feel ready to get my groove back.

I'm keeping it short. Only a mile. Maybe two if I feel good after mile one.

I keep telling myself that I'm keeping it short because don't want to get hurt again - but honestly it's really because if I mentally try to push myself right now I think I'll end up disappointing myself. Then I'll end up wanting to stop again.

It's sad...but true. The mental part of this has always been the hardest for me. Some day it won't be.

So short. For success.