Looking Ahead

Yesterday was amazing.

Everything was perfect. The weather, no issues with parking, all the support and let's not forget that I not only achieved my goal but I set a PR of 52:59. I was floating on air all day. I still can't believe it.

Next race is in May and the goal is to finish in 50 minutes.

I think I'll finish the year with a 10k. I'm really excited about that right now so I'm going to wait until next month to actually register for the race just to make sure that I'm still excited.

Personal Record

Black Girls Run! represents at the 2012 Shamrock 8k and I got my first medal.

The results are in and my time was 52:59. A personal record for me! Woo Hoo!!!!!!

Thankful Thursday

Guess what was waiting for me when I got home from work yesterday!

Give up?

This gorgeous tall tin of homemade cookies.

Made in the kitchen of the one, the only OldGirl Lady Lee

Do you have any idea how tempting it was to just curl up on my bed with those cookies and not move? Very tempting. But alas, this girl has a race to run in a week and a half and I'm in training. So, I changed my clothes and hit the pavement. I ran my three miles, came home, took a shower and then I tore those cookies up!






Just a few ... like I said, I'm in training.

Thanks OldGirl!

The Circles

I didn't run my regular route today for a couple of reasons: the scheduled run was cancelled because of the rain and I had a facial appointment. So after my facial when the rain cleared out I had to figure out how I was going to get in my 5 miles. I decided to map a run in the neighborhood using map my run. I love this site because it allows me to plan out my mileage and there's no guessing. Anyway, I have discovered that I prefer running the city streets to running the circles on the trail. The trail is beautiful and it's on a lake and its lined with trees but its a 1.5 mile circle. No surprises. Boring. I ran a route today that I never ran before and I did it at an acceptable pace. It was cloudy the entire time and the rain threatened me during the entire 5 miles. As soon as I completed the run and came in the house, the rain started up again.

I love my life.

Loving the Spring

I still can't get over how beautiful it was yesterday. 80 degrees on March 1st! When I left the office I went home and changed clothes, washed my face and went for a 3-mile run. The conditions were perfect: mild temps and a slight breeze. Nice enough to wear shorts and I completed the run in less than 35 minutes. I love love love spring. Running in the winter is cool but I think all those extra layers slow me down. Anyone know the forecast for St. Patrick's Day?

4 Weeks and Counting

Only four weeks until I run my first competitive race of the year. It will also mark the one year anniversary of when I became a “serious” runner. I use quotes because sometimes I’m still not sure if I’m serious.

Last March I had dinner with Single Ma the night before she was to run her first half marathon and she asked me to join her SGK 5k team. The race was in June. I told her I couldn’t run a 5k. She politely informed me that I already was running the distance on the treadmill I just had to take it outside. That little bit of encouragement started me on my journey to being a real runner.

I bought the shoes, downloaded the C25K program and hit the pavement and I don’t believe I’ve ever regretted the decision to do so.

I’ve increased my distance and my pace since March 2011. I’m no superstar but I’ve come quite a long way from where I started. My initial goal was to run a 5k in less than thirty minutes. I still haven’t done it but that’s okay. I’m not fast but I’m consistent. Being healthy is the most important thing to me and I’ve been faithful to my fitness regimen. I’m working toward exceeding 20 miles a week and I’m more careful about my diet.

I ran a total of 4-5k’s last year and so far I’ve registered for 3-8k’s for this year. I honestly don’t believe I’ll ever be a marathoner, or half-marathoner. Not because I can’t but I just haven’t decided if I want to. I’m comfortable where I am and I don’t feel as though I have to prove anything to myself or anyone else. Trust me, the fact that I’m out there is impressive enough. I’m a little on the lazy side.

Time to Move

The plan for yesterday was to go to the gym and get in a few miles on the treadmill right after work. Well, “right after work” is a horrible time to go to the gym because everyone in the neighborhood has the same idea. Sometimes I get lucky. Yesterday was not one of those days. Every single treadmill, bike, elliptical machine … everything was taken. I sat in the parking lot for ten minutes watching to see if something would free up but nothing.

I had an idea. There is another branch of my gym not too far from where I live – maybe 15 minutes – so I decided to head over there to check out the availability. I was hopeful but when I arrived I wasn’t surprised to find the same situation.

As I drove home, I tried to figure out my next move. I was dressed and ready to work out. I was going to work out. I got home a little after six, made some dinner and turned on Netflix to watch Rescue Me (my new addiction) and started to think. The advantage of belonging to a 24-hour gym is that I can go whenever I feel like it. So I decided that I would head back over to the gym after 8:00, when most of the people have cleared out.

And that is exactly what I did. I was determined to get my miles in. I’m discovering that I have to stop being so regimented in everything that I do. I have got to be more flexible. If I can’t run outside, I don’t run. If I can’t get to the gym at a certain time, I don’t go. That way of thinking has gotten me nowhere. One of the ladies in my running group logged over 100 miles in the month of January. I only did 48. And she has a young child that she sometimes brings to the trail that she pushes in a stroller while she runs. That is determination. There is another woman who is as fit as I would like to be one day. She wins fitness competitions, runs a 9-minute mile and her body is amazing. Well, she didn’t get that way by slacking. She works at it every single day. I admire these women so much. I have absolutely no excuse. No more excuses and no more complaining. It’s time to move.

It's All Still New

It’s funny how after 10 months, running still seems so new to me. I like that. I attribute the feeling of newness to the fact that I’m continually thinking of ways to improve. Ways to go faster, go longer distances. For instance, I made the decision in 2012 to make all my short runs at least 3 miles.

Today I ran 6 miles and it was 35 degrees outside. Yesterday, I ran 4.5 miles and it was 27 degrees. I still don’t understand why I drag myself out of my bed when it’s freezing outside just to run. And it’s not because of the “runner’s high”. Everyone talks about the runner’s high but what they don’t tell you is that you don’t actually feel it until after the run is complete. I thought I would feel it while I was running and it would push me to keep going. Um no.

I don’t know why I do it but I do and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s definitely a love/hate relationship.

I’m finding that I’ve had to make many transitions while on this runner’s journey. Currently, I’m dealing with how to dress for really cold temperatures. Keeping my ears and hands warm is key as well as dressing in layers. Usually it takes about a half mile for my body to warm up. Today my thighs felt cold for a mile and a half. I also started to get really tired after mile 3 but once I hit mile 5 I began to get a second wind and started to speed up. Weird.

In March I’ll be celebrating one year as a runner by running my first 8k. The goal is to finish in less than an hour.

Run Your Own Race

Every lesson I learn from running I an apply to my everyday life. I love that. Today's lesson?


Run your own race. Run your own pace.


Whenever I'm on the trail and someone passes me (which is pretty often) I have to remind myself that I have to run my race. I cannot run someone else's race and they cannot run mine. In other words, my life is mine and their life is theirs.


Whenever we compare ourselves to others we always seem to come up short. For whatever reason, we think that we have to measure up to some unrealistic standard that is set by God knows who.


Knock it off.


Today I ran 5 miles in an hour and three minutes. I know a woman who runs 10 miles in an hour. She's awesome. I also know a woman who can't run 5 miles. She's awesome too. And so am I.


Run your race.
Stay on course.
Celebrate when you get to the finish line.

All's Well That Ends Well

I cannot believe how busy I was last week. It seemed that every moment was filled with some kind of activity. Forget about the increased workload at the 9 to 5, but all the activities that took place after 5 ... it just seemed overwhelming.

On Monday, I forced myself to run a few miles on the treadmill because I missed my normal Sunday long run. On Tuesday I had a life group meeting. On Wednesday, I agreed to have some photos taken for a friend's website. She's starting an earring line and asked me to participate. Which was really flattering because she's 28 and a real model ... and I'm ... well ... I'm no model. On Thursday, I headed back to the treadmill for a few more miles. On Friday I did the grocery shopping. On Saturday I got up at the crack of dawn to run a 5k (best time ever!), came home and put up the Christmas tree with the Princess then she had the bright idea that we should make s'mores. Huh? I don't think I ever made s'mores before ... I had the fire going in the fireplace, so why not? They were okay. Then on Saturday night I had to work the information desk at church.

Which brings us to today ... I got up early and ran 4.5 miles, came home, showered and did the hair and nails, put some country ribs in the crockpot and I've been posted up on the couch ever since.

I was thinking about doing some Christmas shopping today but for real, you couldn't pay me to leave this house. It was a struggle to get off the couch and write this post.

Well, another movie is about to come on, so I'm out. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday as much as I'm enjoying mine.

When You Know

It was a beautiful weekend and it's going to be a short week. What's better than that? The only thing challenging about a short week is that every one tries to cram 5 days worth of work into 3. Why, people? Why?

Whatever, I'm not going to let them get to me. We can only do what we can do.

I got out on the trails on both Saturday and Sunday. Three miles on Saturday and five miles on Sunday. I also managed to sneak in a big salad. Yay me.

As many of you know I have been dealing with anemia for several years. In fact, I've probably dealt with it for my entire adult life. Anyway, it's become more of an issue lately and even though I have no symptoms of an anemic I started to worry. So what do we do when worry sets in? I don't know about you but I begin to self-diagnose and the diagnosis is never good. For whatever reason, my body just won't absorb the ridiculous amounts of iron that I put into it. Whether it's through my diet or supplements.

I became scared and I'm planning to see a specialist at the beginning of the year. My mind was telling me that I was sick. Really sick. At a recent prayer meeting I asked for prayer and you wouldn't believe (or maybe you would) the absolute peace that came over me. Ever since that night I haven't really thought about it. I haven't been back to webmd.com. I've stopped giving myself a death sentence.

I still may not know what is going on with me but I know the One who does.

Brrrrrrrr!

Here’s the thing … one of the reasons why moving from Connecticut to Virginia was so attractive is because of the warmer climate. Twenty-eight winters in CT was plenty and I was more than ready for a change. I do not like the cold weather and one day I may move to an even warmer climate. The warmer the better, I always say.

So it was a huge surprise to me when I accepted an invitation to run on the boardwalk last night. In the cold. At night. I like warmth. In fact, I was really concerned about how I would keep up with my running in the winter. I can’t stress to you enough how much I despise being cold. I don’t like being “chilly”. I think I need a sweater right now!

But last night I put on my layers and met three of my running buddies from Black Girls Run! on the boardwalk at the oceanfront for a three mile run. The wind was fighting us for a mile and a half but the last mile and a half it seemed to be at our backs. It was amazing.

I continue to surprise myself.

The truth is I just don’t want to gain weight. I suppose I could monitor my food intake ... but what fun is that? I want to run and running on a treadmill in the gym cannot compare to being outside. It just can’t. A friend of mine told me that when running outside as long as I keep my ears and fingers covered everything else will take care of itself. And it did.

Can’t wait for the next run on the boardwalk.

The Best Thing I Ever Did

If you've been reading me for a while you know that I make sure that I take time out for myself. I will never have the complaint that I don't have enough time for myself because I make the time.

Over the years I have given myself trips, spa weekends, facials, good food, good wine, pretty clothes and awesome shoes. I don't withhold good things from myself. You should try it some time.

By far the best thing that I have ever done for myself was to purchase these:

I ran my 5 miles today and while on the trail there was a woman wearing a Batman headband and every time we passed each other she would smile, give me a thumbs up and tell me, "Keep it up!" I know her encouragement allowed me to complete those 5 miles. It was amazing.

I posted the above experience on FB and one of my friends told me that he was proud of me because of how I had taken control of myself with my running.

He was able to verbalize what I had not been able to. I am in control of myself.

Ten years ago when I got divorced I lost control and engaged in some very self-destructive behavior. In February 2010 I ended another long-term relationship and instead of being destructive I took control and made my life better. Running has made my life better.

So while all the pretty, girly stuff is nice and I will never stop pampering myself, lacing up those running shoes and sweating like crazy on Sunday morning is truly the best thing I will ever do for myself.

And when I got home, I registered for the Shamrock 8k.

Mindset

I want to run this 8k in March.

In 2011 I ran three 5k races. One in June, one in July and one in August. Each time I ran for a specific time and each time I missed the mark. I decided that I wouldn't run competitively anymore because I just put too much pressure on myself. It was exhausting.

So in order to run this race, I really have to change my mindset. I want to run this race because I want to prove to myself that I can do it. I can't be concerned with the numbers on the clock. I want to finish and I want to run the entire way. That was my goal for the first 5k ... I wanted to prove that I could do it the first time. After that I just wanted to beat my time.

I haven't registered for the race yet but I probably will after the weekend. I'm scheduled to run five miles on Sunday. I'll see how I feel after that and then I'll make a firm decision.

I so enjoy running. Even outside. Even in the lower temperatures. Who knew? Of course, it's only November. We'll see how I react to the lower temperatures in January.

Anyway, so what do you think? Should I register and run the Towne Bank 8k in March?

Much Respect

I did another five miles today.

Much respect to all you runners who get up early, lace up and hit the pavement. When I see you out on the trail, I smile. We're sharing something really amazing. I know how hard it is to wake up before dawn and be intentional about getting ready for a run. It's so much easier to just roll over and get some more sleep. Some may ask, "well, if it's so hard why keep doing it?" The answer is simple: I no longer have a choice. Running is part of me. It's like breathing.

So when I see you out there, just know that you have my respect.

Keep on Running!

I bought some long-sleeved running gear this weekend. I got dressed for my run and I thought I looked really cute. I like looking like an athelete even though I don't always feel like one. Except for today ... I ran 5 miles baby! Seriously, this was the first time I ran that distance. It took me an hour but still ... 5 miles.


I've decided not to sign up for anymore races because I feel so defeated when I don't make the time that I expect to.



I'm still going to run for fitness and maybe sometime in the future I'll run another race. I'm actually feeling kind of motivated since I got through 5 miles today without dying.



We'll see.

Weekly Wrap-Up

We've reached another Sunday and another weekly wrap-up. My weight loss goal will not be met. Oh well. I can't even be mad because I know I didn't try as hard as I should have. It takes more effort and discipline to transform my eating habits and I'm just not there yet.

The good news is, I'm six days away from Race Day and I am so ready. In fact, this week I ran two of my best times ever. On Saturday, I did my regular 3 miles in 34:29 and today I did 4.5 miles in 53:25. I ran with a partner today and when I was ready to stop she made me keep going. She told me to slow down (instead of stopping) and allow her to pace me. It was awesome. I like running with a partner.

So, I gained weight this week but I ran my best times ever. Ain't life funny?

I was feeling a little wonky this week ... call it hormones ... call it whatever ... but I was not on my game and I turned to food for comfort. Friday night I had Chinese food: spare ribs, shrimp fried rice, shrimp lo mein and an egg roll. Then on Saturday I had leftover lo mein for breakfast and then I proceeded to make the creamiest, cheesiest macaroni and cheese that I have ever made. It was delicious! And I didn't feel guilty.

I know I can't run off a bad diet. But running does help.

Here's the scale:

I'm not going to give up after next week. I will make better choices and I will resist the urge to stuff my face with creamy, cheesy goodness.

Racing on the 4th of July

For your viewing pleasure.

I was glad that my daughter was there to video the race for me. But watching myself is not the prettiest of sights. All I see is bad form. On most days, I don't feel my age but watching this video I feel every single one of those years.

Whatever. The fact is, I'm happiest when I'm running. Imperfect form and all.

Just gives me something to work on.

See you at the next race.

"Hate" is such a Strong Word

I often ask myself, “How did you get yourself into this?”

I’m talking about running. I’ve never really been the athletic or outdoorsy type so why am I outside at 6:00 am running?

It started the day that I forgot to add an incline to my treadmill workout and discovered that I could run for longer than 5 minutes. I continued to push myself until I was running three miles. I was so proud of myself. Bragging and whatnot.

Then someone had the bright idea that I could run a 5k. I believed that someone and here we are.

Last night while talking to my best friend, a marathon runner, he mentioned that he loves running. I told him that I did not love it, in fact, I hate it. I want to get to the point where I love it. But right now, I hate it. It’s beating me and that’s why I hate it.

Why do I do it? Well, that’s easy … I set a goal for myself and I cannot quit until I reach that goal. I will not let the numbers on a clock defeat me. It’s like the number “35” is mocking me and I won’t let it win.

I’m sure I sound like a nut.

I’m spending hours searching the internet for tips and techniques to increase my speed. Bottom line: I need to run faster. There are no shortcuts (LeBron). I have to do the work, put in the time, suffer through the sweat and soreness and do the damn thing. I’m reading all these blogs written by these totally awesome women who LOVE running and are accomplishing great things. They inspire me so much. I want to be part of that group. All these chicks are several years younger than me, but so what? I may be a late starter but for me, it’s not about how you start it’s about how you finish and I plan to finish strong.