A New Low

Since October, I have put on ten pounds.  Fortunately, I have a thinner frame; however, I'm more disgusted at how out of shape I am--of which the weight is only a symptom.  I'm trying to recommit (AGAIN!) to a regular exercise routine.  Yesterday, I went for a walk (with a few running minutes) on a three mile loop.  I, for the first time in my life, could feel my belly bobbing up and down.  Eeeewww!

My sister (who will be going to the Biggest Loser Ranch in a week) is trying to make some serious lifestyle changes (she reports wanting to lose 75 lbs.).  Perhaps I can show my support for her by eating better and exercising more--we both win.  Having the same genetic make-up, I cannot let this current weight gain become a trend.  Let's hope my last three mile loop before the end of summer is jelly-belly free!

Monday's Run

I went for a run on Monday.  It was the official beginning for a heatwave.  When I got up this morning, all of the windows were covered in steam.  I ate a light breakfast (I have never figured out how people can run without eating a meal) and planned to take off early. 

By the time I actually got my shoes laced up and stepped outside, it was 10:30.  I don't know where the previous two hours since breakfast went.  Since it was so hot, I told myself I'd run really slow two-miler.  Actually the run was very enjoyable.  Best part of running in the heat is that us more mature runners do not need to spend a mile warming up--our muscles are instantly loose. 
 

Need Motivation?

We all lack a little motivation from time to time--well, at least I do.  A friend sent me a link to this video.  The woman in the video was diagnosed in 1994? with ALS and was given three to five years to live.  She has the deck stacked against her, yet she creates wonderful art.  Amazing 

Ryan Michaels--Life Is For the Living

I used to run fairly high mileage (slowly), but after I ran my fouth marathon in '09, I've really lacked the motivation to keep moving.  I hit little spurts, but nothing has sustained my interest.  Being a wanna-be runner, the athlete in this video also inspires me to lace up my shoes a run a couple miles. I was using the excuse that I was too old to be running--ha!

Proud Mom #2

Well, the marathon I was toying with running is closed (execpt for charity entries)--bummer!  So I thought I needed a new goal . . . until Wednesday night.  It was hot, hot, hot here on Wednesday--about low/mid 90's.  I am a 60 to 70 degree sort of woman.  Anything colder, I whine.  Anything warmer, I whine.

They have a trail running series through a local running club.  Wednesday it was at a trail five miles from here.  My husband had a late work committment.  My eldest spent the entire day at a theme/water park and was wiped out.  My younger daughter said she would like to try it. 

We finished the 5-mile trail in about 66 minutes.  We were 139 & 140th out of 160 people.  Considering the heat and the terrain, I was happy.  My daugher was thrilled to learn she got first in her age group.  Actually--there were four children under the age of 17 running the race; she was the only girl.  She never needs to know that info.

Mature Runner

My 40th birthday gift to myself was deteriorating eyes and arthritis in my hand. For my 41st birthday, I gifted five pounds of posterior "giggle" when I run. I was thanking my lucky starts that I had donned a t-shirt long enough to cover this movement when the song "Forever Young" came on my ipod. (I share an account with the girls). I thought it was quite humorous. Of course, when you are oxygen deprived, many normal things are funny.

Is my increasing posterior another reason to consider running a marathon?

To Marathon Or Not to Marathon

I had a goal of running four marathons before I turned forty.  I ran marathons at the age of 36, 37, 38, and 39.  Last year I ran very little.  This year I'm feeling the itch again.  I've followed Hal Higdon's Novice training program (I am pretty slow and not willing to invest the time/effort to be faster) for each.  It's an 18 week program--last week was 18 weeks until the Air Force Marathon--which is approximately a thirty minute drive from my house.

To complicate matters, that marathon is over 80% full--with the discounted price to end on June first.  $75 is a bunch of money to put on a race I may or may not run.  Or . . . could that money be another motivator to get my running shoes laced?  To marathon or not to marathon--that is the question!

Unexpected Run

On Monday nights all three of my children have practice at the same time and place.  I try to get a little exercise in while they are running.  Sometimes it is a power walk with one friend.  A couple of times it actually worked out that a running friend and I run a few miles.

Since we are on Spring break, I called to see if she was running.  Unfortunately she wasn't.  Nonetheless, I donned my running clothes and shoes and drove the kids to practice.  There were about 50% less children (like I said--Spring break); they were down a few coaches.  I asked if they needed help and was assigned to bring up the rear for the distance group.

My eighth-grade daughter was mortified when they introduced me as "coach Becky."  (I told her later that it was better than introducing me as "Natalie's Mommy," and she agreed).  The children ran about a mile and a half through the neighborhood.  They took a stretch break, and then they were encouraged to repeat the course.  I could see my daughter looking around for an excuse not to go out the second time.  I told her she could do it--and she did.

This wasn't the run I expected, but it was rewarding.

hair and hats

As much as I really dislike cold weather, there is one perk.  I don't have to do anything to my hair at 6:00 a.m. when I'm headed out for a morning run. 

My ear warmers hide the spectacle I call my bed head.  I have got to suffer from this more than 95% of all people since I have short, naturally curly hair and obviously toss and turn on my head all night.  Only a total soaking with water can semi-tame my mane--unless it is cold and I can just plop on my headgear!

A Little Is Better Than None

Wednesday the "big cold front" was supposed to tear through our area and bring rain, storms, etc.  At 3:00 when school let out, it was rumbling thunder and VERY windy.  My husband had a late committment, so I decided I would not drive up to running club and eat a big dinner with the children instead. 

As I was finishing my dinner, my son went out to play where I could see him.  I went outside after eating a huge salad and 20 lbs. of tortellini, and it was approximately 55 degrees and sun-shining!  I guess I WAY missed the boat.  I was able to run two miles before our poorly lit neighborhood was too dark to run.  I guess a little is better than none.  That was my only mid-week run since my seven last Saturday and my 6-8 this Saturday (I hope). 

Underachiever Exerciser

I got up at 5:15 this morning to run with a friend.  We are meeting an hour earlier than our Miles That Matter group since our daughters have a mutual practice at 10:30.  My friend is training for a marathon this spring.  She optimistically and erroneously thinks I'm running seven miles with her.  I'm going as moral suppport.

I am not sure why I never have a "Ooooh! I cannot wait to exercise!" attitude.  I almost always dread the first step of a run.  I'm sure this is mental.  I wonder if I am the only underachiever exerciser around?  I guess if I truly despised exercise, I wouldn't be up fueling my body before the sun comes up.  Let's see how far my body (which hasn't run in over a week) will allow me to go.

New Running Shoes for $50

There are basically three stores in our area that specialize in running shoes.  I don't care for the one closest to me--I feel the staff there is less experienced with us . . . uh . . . slower and more mature runners.  However, I noticed a tiny ad in the newspaper that stated they were clearancing running shoes for only $50.  My younger daughter starts track on Monday and needed a new pair of shoes. 

The store actually had a TON of running shoes in all brands and sizes.  Both she (my tiny 7th grader with size 8 feet!) and I (with my large size 9's) got a new pair of $100+ running shoes for $50 a piece.  I LOVE a bargain!

Keep Running or I'll Sing . . . Loudly

My younger daughter had practice at 5:00 to 6:15; my older daughter from 6:15 to 7:30.  I could either spend two hours driving kids back & forth or spend three hours basically waiting at the gym.  The latter is less expensive--so I completed an errand during practice #1 and ran during practice #2.

To my surprise, my younger daughter wanted to run with me.  We ran an out-&-back 3-mile loop, so my daughter walked after ten minutes while I continued running.  I picked her up on the way back.  We were less than a quarter mile from the end when she wanted to walk (we were going slow and she wasn't breathing hard).  I told her if she stopped to walk that I was doing to sing and sing loudly.  You should have seen her amazing sprint to the end.  Now if only I can manipulate this technique with room cleaning . . .

Solo 5-miler

Saturday is running group day.  I wanted to go, but my daughter had a 9:00 volleyball game.  I am very happy with myself because I got up and ran five miles before her game.  I haven't run that far by myself since a run or two this summer.  It's funny--until October I never really ran with anyone.  Now I'm hooked on the comradery.

It was a fairly easy run.  Though the weather was a little chilly, I dressed appropriately.  I completed the run in under 10:30 pace.  Peaceful outside--as if on cue, my ipod played Louie Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" as I finished.   (I'll have to blog on the strange mix of music to which I run--it just screams "middle-aged Christian mom share an Itunes account with young teenagers")  I'm very pleased with the workout.  After sitting for 55 minutes watching my daughter's game, my old knees were able to waddle down the bleachers, too.  I'd say that is a successful run in my book.

Running Group or Not?

Today I left the house at 7 a.m. and returned home at 5 p.m..  I feel I work full-time, but I technically work only part-time.  Anyway, I was glad to be home and see my children, but today is Wednesday--running group.  Running group meets Monday and Wednesday nights (my goal is to attend one of those) and Saturday mornings.  The thought of leaving the house for another two hours to run in the dark was very unappealing.  (The two inches of rain and 35 degrees was Monday's excuse not to go).  Once I am at running group, however, I find it very motivating. 

I reluctantly laced up my shoes to try and run a quick three miles at home.  There is really nothing quick about me.  No intentions of ever being that Boston qualifier; however, I logged in miles tonight when I really didn't want to exercise.  I ran three miles, ate dinner, soaked in a hot bath, and am now so tired that I may head to bed the moment the clock hits nine!

Inebriated David Hasselhoff

I went running today for the first time in just over a week.  I'm really trying to do some running this winter (never really done this before) so I can run a spring half-marathon.  We had a surprise snow storm that cancelled school on Thursday, but today was warmer.  When I set out to run, it was 30 degrees. 

From my house to the "main road" is a short half mile.  I knew I would run in the road during this part of my 3-miler.  I hit the "main road" thinking the sidewalk would be shoveled.  It is a 4-lane highway with many bus stops.  The sidewalks were not shoveled.  No matter--I was going to run.

I can only describe the next mile and a half of my run through the snow as equivalent to an inebriated middle-aged, out-of-shape David Hasselhoff running in snow versus the sand.  I was the antithesis of gracefulness.  It was twice the workout.  Fortunately I run so slow on normal runs that my running time was not that far off.  I'm sure as I was slipping, sliding, waddling, and hurdling through snow and small drifts I was using muscles that are not normally use.  I bet I'll be feeling it tomorrow!  Nonetheless--I did it!

Running Attempt . . . AGAIN!

I've been whining about my running all summer, and just when I was developing strength and consistency--school started.  I became the lowest priority in the house.  A friend of mine runs in a group called Miles That Matter.  She's mentioned it several times over the past year, but about the first time I had just finished a marathon training by myself.  Who needs a group?

To answer my own question--me!  I now need a group, and this one seems organized and has a purpose.  The group is called Miles That Matter ( http://www.milesthatmatter.com/index.htm ).  A big percent of the registration fee off the top goes to charity.  I'm getting ready to head there for a dark 7 a.m. run this morning.  I'm going to train (but not run) for the Princess 1/2 Marathon at the end of February.  My new, revised goal is to run a spring half-marathon (maybe the Flying Pig--it's about an hour from my house).  So here goes attempt number 381 to get in shape!

Running Again

I think one of my last posts (which was quite a while ago), I felt like I was finally getting into shape.  Then came the beginning of school--gone.  This was the first autumn in four years I didn't run a marathon.  In fact, I'm not even sure if I've logged more than ten miles in the past month.

I've started up . . . AGAIN!  (I'm now understanding people and their diets).  I'm hoping to get in decent enough shape to run a five miler on Thanksgiving day.  I then can come home and begin what I refer to as the three month eating fest.  It starts Thanksgiving Day and, in theory, ends when Lent begins.  I am blessed that I haven't put on much weight, but turning the big four-oh this year combined with the obesity gene in our family . . . I need to take care of me.  (At least occasionally).

Out of My Running Slump?

Ever since I can remember, I always wanted to run a marathon.  I had run a couple half-marathons.  I either needed to go faster or farther--farther is MUCH easier.  At the age of 36, I got the brilliant idea of running "four before forty."  I completed my fourth marathon last fall--at the age of 39 (and a half).  I really struggled to fit the four weekly workouts in--I've very slow (if I ever break 10 minute pace on any distance, I'm thrilled). 

After the marathon , I basically didn't run for six months.  I started almost feeling sorry for myself:  no desire, no motivation, no mileage.  A year ago I was running 2+ hour runs; now I'm struggling to do three?!?!?!  This week I FINALLY felt I completed my first decent week since restarting running.  I didn't dread the beginning of every run.  Making myself attend a running group helped.  I am no where near where I was (which still isn't saying much), but I'm happy with how I feel. 

Running a marathon skews your perseption of running distances.  You forget how walking a 5K can be a very admirable goal.  You forget how exciting it was when you ran five miles for the first time; that distance is a "short" run during marathon training.  You forget the pride you feel running your first "double-digit" run.  I never was a super exercisor--I only ran four days a week (I am a self-proclaimed "under-achiever exerciser"). 

This week I came to terms that a "good week" doesn't necessarily require a PR or high mileage.  After this week's epiphany, I am content with where I am.  Now, what excuse can I use to get out of running group tonight . . . ha! ha!

Sign of Summer

I posted on my Facebook page that a sign of summer would be to read (uninterrupted) five consecutive pages in a book.  School was out on Friday (a week ago), and I've read the same two pages in the same novel about 100 times. 

I'm running my kids everywhere.  I did, however, do two things for me.  One, I went to my church's prayer shawl ministry without my kids; I hadn't done that in over a year.  (Pictures of two quilts were in a previous post).  Second, I left my comfort zone of running alone and joined up with a group at a local running store.  Did not know one person, but runners tend to be a very friendly group.  Several people helped me to find the right people to make me feel comfortable.  My goals to reach before Monday--connect with the running group which reconviens on Saturday mornings, sew something . . . anything, and read my five consecutive pages. 

Today's Run

I went for a run this morning.  I have been feeling sluggish and was not really up for it.  The past several mornings I've been waking up with achiness all over.  (Maybe arthritis?  OR maybe just crappy diet--too much sugar and coffee).  Nonetheless, I ran 3.5 miles.  It's my usual "turtle" speed (right at 10:30 pace).  The only time I felt tired, my son's favorite song came on my ipod.  It is a song by the Blackeyed Peas which cracks me up because he's only in kindergarten.  I forced my girls to listen to Elmo's greatest hits at this age.

When I finished, I was glad I ran.  Unlike "real" athletes who claim to feel euphoric after exercise, I am always tired.  I know exercise is important for both my physical and mental health--and that's the only reason I do it.  I'm trying to get motivated and I enjoy talking others into running--so why isn't it working for me?!?!  Perhaps I SHOULD join a running group--I just see running as a solitary activity.