First Time for Everything!

Well, this is my very first time to blog. I have been surprising myself lately with the amount of firsts that I've accomplished. At the ripe old age of 42 (am I really that old??) I can only assume that I am officially middle aged and never dreamed that I would be doing these things. I am very excited at the progress that I've made on training for this 1/2 marathon. The only downer is that I lost a diamond earring about 3 weeks ago on one of my runs and still haven't been able to find it. :(

I had never run a race before and at the end of January we ran in a 5K and I was pleased to run the entire way. This Saturday I ran 8 miles. The thought of it was overwhelming, but somehow I made it through without stopping....unless you count at mile 7-1/4 when I tripped and fell. I skinned both palms pretty good, but fortunately not my knees! It has been a long time since I've had a good old fashioned asphalt scrap and let me tell you they hurt!!

Unfortunately, my schedule hasn't meshed well with everyone elses to meet up for runs together so I've had to run most of this on my own. I am looking forward (did I really say that???) to running another 8 miles this weekend and continuing toward this 1/2 marathon in 5 weeks. I even bought brand new running shoes today. I even paid full retail price and I never buy anything unless it is on sale. Another first!

Only 5 weeks left!

I cannot believe that we only have 5 more weeks until this half marathon. I don't know about the rest of you, but I am getting stressed about it but also getting excited that it is almost over!! I don't think I have ever been this diligent about any other type of exercise. Not that I have been the greatest the past couple of weeks. I have only been running about twice a week which is probably why it isn't getting any easier. I have, however, been running outside instead of on my treadmill and boy does that make a difference. My neighborhood is really hilly, so I am trying to do shorter runs that include the hills to help build up my endurance.

Today we were supposed to do 8 miles. I went out to Crockett Park and mapped out a course that was 7.2 miles. It was very tough as a good portion of my course was hilly. I ran about 5 of those miles. I am trying to do the walk/run thing b/c I know I won't be able to run all 13 miles. I almost gave up, but I finished it and I am so proud of myself. Last week Shelley and I did 6 miles out on one of the greenways. While that was tough b/c it was hilly too, it made it a little easier knowing that Shelley was out there with me. I tend to do much better when I am running with our group.

I hope everyone has a great Easter!!

Being Sick Stinks!!

I have discovered that I am now really behind in training for this half marathon which takes place, oh, in about 9 weeks!! I was doing well, up to 4 mile runs and then BOOM! I am down for the count with a horrible sinus infection. I have had it for 2 weeks (now starting my third week) and have been on antibiotics. The first week I only ran one time. The second week I ran 4 days, but was only able to get back up to 3 miles on my treadmill. I could only run 2 miles on Saturday out at the mall. That is really depressing since I ran 4 miles there just 2 1/2 weeks ago!! Tonight I decided to run outside after work because the weather was so decent (mid 50s). Well, I was only able to run 1.5 miles. It really is completely different running outside versus the treadmill. My neighborhood is hilly, and while I didn't even run on the really hilly parts, the small hills and grades really wore me out. I think I need to run outside now as much as I can to build up my stamina. I just hope this dang congestion goes away soon. It sure makes it hard to breath right!!

Good Morning!

I was up WAY too early this morning and decided I needed to post on the seemommyrun site as I haven't done that for a while. Since I was online, I thought I would provide a link to that post on this site as well since what I wrote is in regard to our awesome team.

Check it out....

I surprised myself today

Today is normally a day for those of us in our group that can get our schedules together (no small feat), to meet for a group run. The stars just didn't align for us today so I was on my own to do my (at least) 4 mile run. It was fairly nice weather here today (50's) and I decided to take my run outside. I knew I needed to eventually tackle some hills - today was that day. My subdivision has some pretty big hills and several backroads. I knew the path to take to do 2.5 miles, but hadn't done 4 miles in my neighborhood before, so I kinda made it up as I went along. I ran for as long as I thought would be 4 miles.

Later today I drove the path I ran and found out I actually ran 4.6 miles. Yoohoo! I still can't believe it. I have to admit I did walk two times - once after each MAJOR hill, but I didn't walk for long and made sure I picked up the pace quickly.

I don't think I've ever run 4.6 miles before! Craziness! I have to admit - I'm pretty proud of myself. Of course, I still have quite a ways to go before I'm ready for that 1/2 marathon in April.

My week in review

I somehow managed to run the entire 5K Zoo Run Run race on Saturday. It was quite a challenge since I have only been training on my treadmill. The off road parts of the course were tough, especially the up hill gravel/dirt/mud part. And the dang meerkat hill being near the end of the race nearly did me in!! But, with the help of my husband running beside me, I was able to persevere and run the whole way. What an accomplishment for me since I have never done anything like this in my life!! And it was great to stand at the finish line and cheer Shelley and Lisa on at the end. I am so proud of all of us, including Susan, who ran in the cold weather and finished. And to top it off, my pace was at a 10.5 minute mile which is better than I have been doing!!! :)

I took Sunday off and then ran on Monday night on my treadmill. Let me tell you that it was so hard! I got a terrible side cramp after about 2.25 miles and had to stop and walk a half mile and then I was barely able to run another mile. I couldn't believe how hard it was! I thought the treadmill would be a breeze or at least not be too challenging after running outside. I was so disappointed and disgusted. I ran again on Wed and completely made up for my lackluster performance on Monday as I ran 3.66 miles, all running!! I think we are supposed to hit 4 miles this weekend so I am feeling like maybe I can do that tomorrow at Opry Mills. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

This week's progress

So I just wanted to give a quick progress report for the week. I missed the Zoo run over the weekend because I had to do some work for my Stroller Strides business and work at the shoe store.

I just got off the treadmill and did 5 miles. I did it in about an hour and fifteen minutes. I ran the first part of it and then my shin started hurting. So I walked the last two miles. I feel pretty good about it and plan on continuing to increase my speed. I just hope that my legs can take it. I've never had shin splints, but I think that I am starting to understand what people who have had them are talking about. I'll have to remember to take some drugs before I start next time.