Where has the time gone?

Two weeks from now, hopefully, I will be relaxing with family after having completed my first full marathon. I am almost afraid to write my goal time as I am almost afraid to even have a goal time. When I started training, I just wanted to finish in less than 5 hours. That would put me at about a 11.5 minute mile. As I continued to train I made my goal closer to a 4:45 finishing time. I go back and forth in my head with whether I can do that, but I will be thrilled with anything less than 5 hours, I think.

Updating my blog obviously has not been at the top of my list of things to do. We are smack in the middle of the Christmas season and the time has flown by. It seems at times that I have been training forever, but now with two weeks left I wonder if I have done enough. Maybe it's just me, or maybe it's all runners, but I think I will always feel like I could have pushed a little harder in my training, I could have eaten a little better the past few months, I could have rested a little more, and could have been a little more prepared. Nevertheless, I am excited, nervous, and as ready as I can be at this point.

I could check my gps ap on my phone and kind of find out how many miles I have done the past few months, but I could not do it completely accurately so I will just give an average. In October, November, and December, I ran anywhere between 21 and 35 miles a week. I can't tell you how I felt exactly on each of these runs but a couple stand out in my mind.
On November 19th I set out to run an 18 miler, but did not make it. I had already done a 15 and 17 and felt ok, but with each added mile, you add more nerves. On top of the nerves, I had been sick that week and before I was even at mile 6, I knew today was not the day to try to do 18. I decided to finish at 11 miles and try again the next week. I could have crawled through 18 that day, but it would have done more harm than good. The next Saturday, I went out again to try for 18. I think I was by myself because it was right after Thanksgiving. I felt great the whole way and had no problems until the last mile. My ankle was popping which is painful at times but I refused to let it stop me. I finished 18.03 miles in 3:04 and was AMAZED at that time. What a difference a week can make. That's the day that I decided my goal time was not fast enough. I finished with 10:10 minute miles and I can live with that. Not exaclty what you would call fast but, for me, a good time for a long distance.

The other run that stands out to me does so for not such a good reason. My 20 miler which was probably more like a 19 something miler, was so much more difficult. It wasn't the last two miles that did it to me, the problems started way before that. That 20 defeated me that week and I came home crying and disappointed. It was my last really long run during my training and it was hard to end it like that. The problems started around mile 14 with some sharp side cramps that did not want to go away. Up to that point I was feeling pretty good and pushed myself through my normal stops. I think that was my first mistake, out of routine. I realized after having to walk at mile 14 that I would not reach my time goal for that day, but still thought I would do o.k. At mile 16, I realized that my gps was not working well and was not tracking accurately. That was the last straw to kill my momentum. I have no idea what my actual distance was because of my gps, but I know my body did not feel like I hoped it would and I did not finish in a good time. It made me even more nervous for the actual marathon.  That's the day I decided my goal time might not be what I wanted it to be.

I have learned a lot so far in my training and expect to learn even more in the next two weeks. I'll share some of my wisdom (LOL) in the next post.

Week 2

Week 2 which could also be considered week 11, was similar to the first week. Monday I ran an easy 3 and then did a cardio/strength training class that was not so easy. I have not been to a class like that in quite a while as well and my body felt the effects for days! Tuesday was spin class which made my legs even more sore! Wednesday's speedwork included 4  1/2 mile fartleks (increasing speed every minute or so) along with hill repeats and a total of 4.15 miles. Thursday was 5 miles and much needed yoga, and Saturday was 9 miles. The long run was great so I am happy with the new program. Now if only I get back on track with the food!!! Total mileage: 25+

Week 1 Take 2

So this week is the second official start of my marathon training. I say that almost laughing! I am disppointed that I am having to start over but also happy that I can save up some of my energy and do my longer runs in the somewhat cooler weather that should be headed our way soon. Last week was refreshing. I took extra time to rest and really enjoyed my shorter long run on Saturday! It was amazing and when I was done, I felt like I could have gone farther. I think that's a good feeling to have sometimes.

Monday was a short 3+ mile run. It was a hoilday so I saved my run for the evening and ran from here to the Muriel's house. That was kind of fun since it was a totally new running route for me. Tuesday I did spin class again. Wednesday was the usually speedwork which included 1/2 mile repeats and a total of about 3 1/2 miles. Thursday was a nice outdoor 5 mile run and some upper body work ( a note about that; my muscles are losing some of their strength for sure. I can not do the weight that I was doing a few months ago nor do as many reps without getting tired. I don't want to lose my muscles but find it hard to fit it all in. Maybe now that the kids are in school I will be able to find a balance). Saturday I did 8 miles and felt great again.
Total for the week: 19+

Week 9

So because of my crash last week, I decided that this would need to be an easy week for me and then I would restart on Hal Higdon's 18 week plan next week. I tried to rest when I could and get over the cold that I caught. I did an easy 3+ miles on Monday and Thursday, spin class on Tuesday (which I have not been to in over a month or maybe two), speed work on Wednesday and 6 miles on Saturday. I love the fact that this is an easy week for me now!! Saturday's run was beautiful!! The weather was perfect and even cool at the beginning and I was done and home before the gym was even open. So next week will be week one again, but I am o.k. with that. And that means that my race is only 18 weeks away. YEAH!!!!! and OH NO!!!!!!

Week 8

Week 8 started out great but came crashing down on my long run on Saturday. I am sitting here on Sunday night with a runny nose and sore throat which I atttribute to a weakened immune system after a terrible run yesterday. It did not take long to feel aweful yesterday. We started earlier which made for a very dark start. Our first water stop was after 4.2 miles which was good, but I never really could get into a groove after that break. I had bouts of dehydration, dizziness,  naesua, and mental and physical fatigue. Towards the end I ran into Nancy and after getting some advice decided that I need to change the plan a little bit. I still have 19 weeks to go and may be pushing too far right now. I did over 30 miles this week (that is so crazy to me and even though it was a bad long run, that number is so exciting) with my highest being 13. Monday was 6 great miles without any stopping on the treadmill. Finishing that was a great feeling. Wednesday was about 3.5 including 400 and 800 repeats. Thursday was 8 miles and Saturday was 13. I think the combo of doing speed work on Wednesday and then 8 on Thursday left my body tired. I also think that I need to drink tons more water on Fridays to hydrate for the next day.

So, I think I will be switching to Hal Higdon's plan which actually will not start til next week and will give me 18 weeks to train. The difference in the plan is that it gives you a mileage to run instead of minutes. While on the other plan I was having a hard time knowing how fast or far I should run with each day of training which I think pushed me too hard this past week and lead to exhaustion. 

Week 7

So because the weeks are starting to run together, I thought that I should keep better track of what I have been doing and that means to update more often before this mind of mine forgets what has been going on. 
Sunday: rest, Monday: 4 uniterrupted miles on the treadmill along with warm-up and cool-down time, Tuesday: took an attempt at Military Madness. I survived the class, but was feeling the affects days later. Wednesday: 3+ miles with 4 1/4 mile repeats and some drills, Thursday: 6 miles on the treadmill though I did get interrupted by the nursery and had to change Makayla right in the middle, Friday: rest, Saturday: just under 12 miles in 2:27 and really enjoyed it. My legs were very tired by the end, but I felt better than the last time I ran 12 miles so I was happy. I did not get enough sleep the night before either because of a youth activity that we went to. For breakfast I had cereal which is different than my normal waffle but I don't think that made a difference at all. Along the way I finished one bottle with electrolytes in it and had one gu packet. I meant to have two but forgot to take the second one. I am still struggling with my diet during the week and keep telling myself that I need to get back on track so let's see how I can do this week.

Weeks 5 and 6

Weeks  5 and 6 have come and gone and here's how they went:  Sunday: rest, Monday: 4+ miles, Tuesday: swimming, Wednesday: 4+ miles including speed work, Thursday: 4 1/2 + miles, Friday: rest, Saturday: between 12 and 13 grueling miles in which my gps stopped tracking me. I tried creatine again and felt like my stomach was upset again. Total mileage: 24 1/2+ miles

Week 6 was somewhat better. I always feel great at the beginning of the week and can push myself while on the treadmill and even outside. I have made myself go longer and longer before stopping for water and try to make it through many of my workouts without stopping at all. That is a major mental accomplishment for me for I feel that stopping is not always my body telling me to, but my mind thinking that I MUST take a break.

Sunday: rest, Monday: 4+ miles, Tuesday: Pilates, Wednesday: 4+ miles with speedwork (pyrmaid on the treadmill), Thursday: 4+ miles, Friday: rest, Saturday: 8+ miles (yeah for a shorter, long run!!). I skipped the creatine, and used GU with caffine in it. It was a great run and I had enough energy left at the end to sprint at the end! Days like these get me excited again. Also, by the end of the day Saturday I am ready to crash but I am finally surviving without a nap during the day. Seems silly, but I feel good about that too. I am working hard but my body seems to be adjusting to the extra time spent out on the trail and on the treadmill. Total weekly mileage: 20+ (an easier week that will only lead to a harder one!!)

Weeks 3 and 4

The weeks are going by and getting a little easier as well as longer. Week 3 went like this: Sunday: rest (of course), Monday: 3+ miles Tuesday: 30 minutes of elliptical, Wenesday: 4 + miles of speed work, Thursday:  4+ miles, Friday: rest, Saturday: 10 miles for a total of 21 miles for the week. It was a good week all in all with a great long run on Saturday. I tried Creatine before my long run and it kept me full and think it may have helped my energy levels but I will still be testing it to see if it has a good effect on my body. During my long run I did not ever feel like I needed a Gu so water was it for me.

Week 4 was good but not as good as far as how I felt. I put a lot of mileage in but my long run was a little different. Monday: 4+ miles, Tuesday: swimming, Wednesday: 4+ miles with speed work, Thursday: 4+ miles, Friday: rest, Saturday: 11 miles. This run felt good at the beginning but towards the end (maybe mile 9 or so) I felt like I was getting dehydrated. Goosebumps on my arms and a tad bit of a headache were clues towards that but I also took a different brand of Creatine and wonder if that had any negative affects. By the time I got back to the gym I had walked a bit and had a stomach ache but felt better a little while later. I had one Gu along the way, but my plan for this week is to remove the Creatine and have more electrolytes and see what happens. Total mileage for the week was 23 miles and climbing!!

At the end of the first month I am happy with my training so far. I feel stronger already but know that I have a long way to go. Only 5 months left to go til the big day!

Weeks one and two

I am into week 3 of my marathon training already. I am taking 6 months to train which is a lot, but I could not wait to start since I decided over 4 months ago to do this thing. I also started my nutrition plan which is just more of a healthy eating diet allowing myself Saturday, after my long run as my "cheat" day. So far, I have done o.k. I have had a few bites here and there of things I am not suppose to eat during the week, but I am doing far better than I was. I think that soon I am going to need to eat A LOT more because I am hungry all the time right now.

So here's how week one went; Monday rest, Tuesday Military Madness, Wednesday run with the group including 4 400 meter repeats and about 4 miles total, Thursday 3 mile light run, Friday rest, and Saturday 8 miles. Total mileage = about 15 miles.

Week two was a little more work; Monday about 3 miles, Tuesday 30 minutes on the elliptical, Wednesday run with the group including a one miler and about 3 total miles (this was rough though 3 miles does not seem like a lot. Unfortunately my one mile at full speed was a minute longer than my best at 9:05. I think the heat affected me a lot, but will try it again soon to try to improve that dramatically). Thursday I attempted to do half hour of spin and then a 35 minute run. I finished it but think that I will have to drop the spinning on running days until I am adjusted to the extra running. Friday was a rest day and Saturday was a run of about 8 miles or so. Sometimes we still have a hard time figuring out exactly what mileage we have run on the trail but since the training guide I am relying on is done by time anyway it does not matter too much. later I will be able to look back on how many miles I have done in the amount of time given and see the improvements I have made. So the total for the week was about 17 miles!!

Although it has only been 2 complete weeks so far, I have already learned a few things!! I need to worry about myself only and not the other runners along the way. It's so easy to compare yourself to others and make yourself think that you are not doing a good job, but the focus must only be on improving what I have done and not others. Then I also have to remember that there will be days that are not so great, but that only leaves room for getting better!!

So here is the conversation that I have with myself (in my head of course): Me: "that was such a bad run!" Me: "Yeah but think of where you used to be!"  Me: But I was way in the back of other runners who I don't even think have been running as long as I have." Me: "Do you remember in high school when you HATED to run even during b-ball practice. You would have never gone out and run just for fun." Me: That's true and seriously 8 miles!! I never would have imagined even a year ago that I would be running 8+ miles at one time." I guess I am doing o.k. and I have plenty of time to be ready for this thing. Next run will be better."

Sounds crazy I know, but sometimes you can be your best motivator. We'll see how this week goes. Plan on a post about once a week to update what I have done for that week. Sorry if you get bored with that but it's more for me than anything. I will hopefully be able to look back in three months and see what areas I have been able to improve on and maybe even where I need to make some changes.

The journey has begun!

A little motivation please!!!

Today is Wednesday. That means that I spent my morning at the gym with our running coach and group doing a "Wicked Wenesday" workout. Although you would think that these would be getting easier by now, they are still grueling and as the heat heats up here in sunny Florida, my body wants to give up sooner.

Today was a tempo run; warm-up, 5 minutes at race pace, cool-down, and do it again.  We started at 8, but right at the beginning of Summer here, you sweat when walking from your car to the door of the gym! I will spare you the details, but let's just say, my body is arguing with my brain about being outside at all in that heat. It makes me think that is time for a little motivation.

It can be hard to motivate yourself. That's why I don't like to run by myself, but hey, it happens. Motivation can come in many forms, rewards, advice from friends, or "yelling" from your coach. And sometimes it's as easy as reading some quotes from other runners. Here are some I love. They make me want to go run right now (of course I am sitting in the air conditioning right now with the curtains closed. I might change my mind if I go open the door =)

Please share with me if you have another favorite motivational quote. I'd love to hear it.


"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."
- Steve Prefontaine

"Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about."
-PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself."
-William Faulkner


"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."
--John Bingham


It hurts up to a point and then it doesn't get any worse."
- Ann Trason


"Runners just do it - they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first." - Author Unknown

  "The trouble with jogging is that by the time you realize you're not in shape for it, it's too far to walk back."
-Franklin P. Jones


To be number one, you have to train like you're number two. Maurice Greene

If I am still standing at the end of the race, hit me with a board and knock me down, because that means I didn’t run hard enough Steve Jones


Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.
T. Alan Armstrong


You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face.
Gatorade ad

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.
Booker T. Washington

Gordie Howe
You find that you have peace of mind and can enjoy yourself, get more sleep, rest when you know that it was a one hundred percent effort that you gave - win or lose.

Accept challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.
       -George S. Patton

I am not a jogger!

I was reading through an old Runner's World magazine the other night and came across an article by John Bingham about why he calls himself a runner. He mentioned an ad that ran in the magazine months before that tried to distinguish between those who are runners and those who are joggers. Many people were offended by it. I guess technically there is a difference, but he, like many of us, calls himself a "runner" for his own reasons. Here are the ones he listed. I agree with so many of them!

I am a runner because my runs have names. I do tempo runs and threshold runs and fartlek runs. I do long, slow runs and track workouts. My runs are defined, even if my abs are not.

I am a runner because my shoes are training equipment, not a fashion statement. The best shoe for me is the one that makes me a better runner. I choose the shoe that goes with my running mechanics, not my running outfit.

I am a runner because I don't have running outfits. I have technical shirts and shorts and socks. I have apparel that enhances the experience of running by allowing me to run comfortably. I can say "Coolmax" and "Gore-Tex" in the same sentence and know which does what.

I am a runner because I know what effort feels like, and I embrace it. I know when I'm pushing the limits of my comfort and why I'm doing it. I know that heavy breathing and an accelerated heart rate-things I once avoided-are necessary if I want to be a better runner.

I am a runner because I value and respect my body. It will whisper to me when I've done too much. And if I choose to listen to that whisper, my body won't have to scream in pain later on.

I am a runner because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway.

I am a runner because I know that despite my best efforts, I will always want more from myself. I will always want to know my limits so that I can exceed them.

I am a runner because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far.

I am a runner because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not.

Taken from Runner's World magazine November 2007.

Half Way There

Pic of some the NW YMCA Land Sharks who ran the Iron Girl 1/2 or 5k. Nancy, my running coach, is right behind me. Iris, in front with the purple outfit, ran with me. Monica, behind Iris, is an amazing runner. She won a 1/2 recently and has done multiple marathons. Angie, the red-head in the back is the lady who "healed" my legs. She does massages at Advanced theraputic massage of West Chase.

With Iris after the race

A spur of the moment decision led me to an amazing new accomplishment this weekend. I conquered the Iron Girl half marathon with a time of 2:18:15. Because I decided on Thursday to do the race, I had not actually "trained" to do the half. Of course, I have run enough to be considered ready to do it, but mentally it was a little scary to jump into that. After a less than great performance at Gasparilla, I had no idea how this race would feel.

4 a.m. comes very early no matter what time you go to bed. That's what time my day started and I think I am still feeling the effects of not only the running, but the extremely early morning. The ride to Clearwater was fun since I was in good company, but the long wait for the trolley to the starting line left little time to adequately prepare for the start, if you know what I mean!! Opening ceremonies always get me a little emotional and now that I am signed up for my marathon, silly little things get me teary eyed as I daydream about January. The upbeat music helped to get me pumped up, but when the national anthem began to be sung and I contemplated the upcoming challenge of the day and of the year, it almost brought me to tears.

There was not as big a crowd for this race than the last that I did, so after 20 seconds I had crossed the starting line which was right beside the beautiful Clearwater Beach. The course was very challenging and after less than a mile, we were tackling the first of three bridges. It was a challenge, but being able to fly down the other side gave time to recover. From the beginning I knew it would be a good race for me. I felt much better than in February and for the first 10 miles, I never had to stop to walk or even really slow down. I averaged a 10:35 minute mile during the race which is a great time for me while going that distance. (If I can do that at the marathon I will be one happy lady!!) We passed many beautiful houses along the way. The unfamiliar scenery helped to keep my mind busy since I had no music with me on this race. The smell of flowers filled the air a few times and people cheering along the way gave an extra push when needed.

The second bridge was steep but I passed over it without having to walk. I tried not to look to my sides much to see all the water, but stayed focused on the course ahead of me. When I finished mile 9 I looked down at my watch. I had beat my 15k race time and I had not even pushed myself to the limits yet!! It is great when you can get to the point of 9 miles and say to yourself , "only 4 more, no big deal!" even if you have no idea if that is true. Mile 10 felt great too and I was talking myself into speeding up when I reached mile 11 and then to do even more til the end. At mile 11, I grabbed a little to drink and suddenly the cramps hit me. It slowed me down quite a bit and then I saw the bridge that I had forgotten about!! I took a few sips of my own water and decided to tackle it head on. Cramps and all, I was not going to walk any of this. I think I was going as slow as possible, but still jogging, all the way up the bridge. It was not pretty and it was not fun, but I made it and recovered on the way down. I was ready to finish.

The rest of the race was amazing for me. Tears tried to come, but I held them back so I could focus. I skipped the next water stop to try to make up for time on the bridge and started to push myself. This was a total turn around from Gasparilla where I was crawling through the finish line. I kept a quicker pace, but knew that the last bridge and the cramps would probably keep me from beating a 2:15 time which three miles before I thought I could do.  My first goal was a 2:30 but the pace I kept during the first 10 miles made me feel like I could crush that time. Once I saw the 13 mile marker, I pushed as hard as I could and was able to sprint to the finish. I don't think I saw the right clock, but my watch said 2:18 and something seconds. I had done 13.1 miles with very little stopping (by that I mean for water and potty breaks), no walking, and with enough energy at mile 12 to push myself faster! My running buddy, Stephanie, yelled my name as I was getting my time tracker off my shoe. I was never so glad to see her. She did amazing and finished with a time under 2:10. Then I heard my running coach and other fellow YMCA runners call my name. I walked over to them and received hugs from some of them. When someone is willing to hug you after you've run 13 miles, you know they love you!

If you have never run a race, you can not understand the emotion that you feel to be at the starting line, to be running during, and to cross the finish line. This was truly the most emotional race I have done so far. I am finally thrilled with my results and can't believe how good I felt for most of the race. I think back on the last year and a half since I started running seriously and can't believe I am at this point. I was happy with doing 5k races for the first year and never thought that my body could get to this point. I thought that runners were born runners and that I just was not one of them. Now I realize that some may be born with the talent of running, but the rest of us can make ourselves runners with hard work and dedication. 13.1 was AMAZING and now I can not wait til the 26.2, well, I can wait a little. I felt good during the race, but it's going to take a few days for me to recover!

It's Goal Time

How many times have you made a New Year's resolution and then failed to complete your goal??? Happens all the time right? This year my main resolution was to stay away from soda all year. So far, so good, but the problem is that I am making up for it in other ways. My major downfall right now is sweets in the form of sweet tea and candy. Yeah, I make cakes, but I don't crave them since they are around all the time.

I had decided that I needed to put some things in writing for all to see to make sure that I complete some more small goals of mine These are things that I want to accomplish to help my body to be in better shape and to help me fulfill my big  goal, the marathon. That is the point of this blog anyway, right?

So, I was planning on starting today, but I actually got a couple of extra days in since I have been "sober" from my sweet tea since Sunday. My goal is to stay off of it at least until the end of May.  As far as the candy, I say "one step at a time". We'll work on that next month!!

My other goal for this month is to complete the Tri-Y at the YMCA. It is like doing a olympic distance triathlon but you have two months to complete it. I finished it in one month last year so my goal for this year is to do it in 3 weeks or less. I already got rained out of the pool this morning so I feel like I am a little behind!

I want to hear about your short term or long term goals. Is there something that you have been trying to talk yourself into doing?? It does not have to be something that is a huge deal, just as my sweet tea is not. For you it may be similar, some food or drink addiction that you know is hurting your body, or it may a goal of walking around the block everyday. It may be something bigger like running a 5k or joining the gym. Whatever it may be, help yourself by telling someone about it. One of my good friends called me last night to tell me that she had started her running program !!! First of all, I am so proud of her, and second of all, I am so glad she told me so that she feels the accountablilty she needs to keep with it. That may be whats pushes you to conquer your goals as well.  Find someone to push you and encourage you. No matter what you goal may be, it will feel great to say, "I did it!"

Mickey, Here I Come!

I wanted to post a few days ago, but I did not have the chance. I am officially registered for the Disney marathon in Janauary!! I decided to do it right when the race openned to make sure I did not change my mind! Now my goal is to find someone to run it with me. Though I have many family and friends coming to support me, I would love to have someone to actually help get me through. Let me know if you are interested!!

I have heard from many who have been reading and some have shared stories with me about their goals. Some have already started their journeys as runners. Congrats to all of you and good luck. Stick to it! For those who are pondering starting for the first time or are wanting to get back into running, go for it. You won't regret it. Set some small goals or sign up for a race to get started on the right track. And remember, running might not be for everyone, but everyone needs some physical activity to keep your body at it's best.  Make it a priority.

Clearing the hurdles Part II

Whenever somebody asks me about our kids, they always say “I bet they keep you busy!” Of course they do, just as anyone who has kids knows. I am aware that this will only get worse as they get older and involved in more things too. Thankfully I can take them to the YMCA with me and they LOVE it. Makayla is usually upset with me when I go to pick her up from the nursery even if she has been there for 2 hours! I don't have a job outside of our home, so I can run in the morning when they are at school most of the time. The obstacle for me comes when they are sick and we need to stay home and I use that as a reason to be lazy or just can't fit it in because I am taking care of them. In these circumstances, there just isn't much you can do. The kids and family have to be taken care of especially when they aren't feeling well. On the other hand, I don't think that it is wrong to use time for yourself to exercise or spend time doing what you love or to take care of yourself. I am so thankful that my husband is very understanding about that and lets me do whatever I need or want to do. Hope he will feel like that when my 2 hour runs turn into 4!

The day of Gasparilla I blogged about how heavy my legs felt and I was not kidding. Until a week ago, they seemed to feel the same way and I was even suffering from tingling in my legs that would occur during exercise or at any time of the day. My legs felt like they were asleep and that is not good when trying to run. After talking to a few people, I thought that maybe I had pinched nerves and that still may be the case, but after getting a great massage on Sunday, I feel much better. I hope that feeling lasts and that it is the only injury that I have to deal with. I don't have much advice on this subject, but I know that you have to listen to your body. This goes with being sick too I believe. Our bodies need time to recover sometimes and if we don't let them we could miss even more.

What has fear stopped you from doing? I think my biggest fear is usually of embarrassment. What if I can't do it? How bad do I look compared to all those other people? And then there are other fears like the gators in the water throughout the trail (some of them are huge) and the animal noises in the bushes. You may laugh at that, but I seriously have a hard time with those. I get over my fear of the animals by making sure that I am near someone when I am running outside. Then they can hear me scream. By the way, if you are ever attacked by an alligator, poke their eyes or stick your hand inside their mouth and pull on the thing hanging down from their throat. Yes, I have done some research! As far as my other fears, some of them will always be there, but some I can control. My running coach always reminds us that we are not comparing ourselves to others, but to ourselves. As long as I am improving, then I can be happy. I have tried to get over the fear of not being able to do things by determining to just try. The more you try new things, the easier it gets to try new things. And then you get stronger and some of those new things don't seem so bad anymore.

My husband was contemplating joining me at the marathon in January. He thought about it for about 34 seconds the other day and then remembered that he does not like running (those were his words). He thought it would be nice to cross the finish line with me but did not want to have to run the other 26 miles!! Sound familiar? He brought up a very popular obstacle: “I don't have time to train {for a marathon}”. In this case, he's probably right. Both of us training at the same time would probably not be good for our family, but this is what I said to him, “The problem isn't that you don't have the time, but not wanting to use the time you have.” See, by writing this blog and hoping that some will follow it, does not mean that I want you all to run a marathon or even a half or 15k, I just hope that you are using the time you have to accomplish your goals. Even if you only have a few minutes a day to work on your goals, make sure you are using that time wisely.

I just wanted to add a little note here about those that have been following the blog and leaving comments. I am thrilled that you have come along to share this experience with me. You are a blessing!

Clearing the Hurdles Part I

Obstacles come at all of us at different times in our everyday lives.  We struggle financially, spiritually, emotionally (especially us girls) and physically. Since we are talking running here, we'll call them hurdles. I've been thinking about what hinders me from running my best at times as well as what hinders others I know and I thought it would be good to discuss how they can be conquered. I know I don't have the answers to all of these problems so I am hoping that my readers will give their input and share struggles that you face as well. As they say, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery! This may take a few posts since there may be many, so I'll start with one or two today.

The idea for this post popped into my head the other day because I failed to overcome one of my worst struggles.....SLEEP. I really think that the issue was being tried, not laziness, but some may use these interchangeably. Saturday morning I was supposed to get up and get around 9 miles in, but I never even did one. Since I did not have a “running date” with anyone besides my husband (I will not call him an obstacle, but he has no problem sleeping instead of running =), I decided to sleep in after having stayed up late working on a few cakes.

So that's the problem, what is the solution? The thing that gets me through usually, though it did not on Saturday,  is remembering that getting my workout in gives me more energy, not less. Even yesterday I wanted to relax (nap if I could) instead of going to the gym. I had to talk myself into it knowing that I would actually feel better if I got some exercise in, and I was right. Don't get me wrong, the days I do a longer run, I usually need a nap since my body has not quite adjusted to those distances, but for the most part, exercise makes me feel good.

I know a lot of people who use the excuse that they don't have enough energy to exercise. Well guess what? You never will if you never do. Others say, by the time I get home I am too tired to workout. How about getting some exercise in and then sleeping like a baby that night??

Another hurdle for me is boredom. I do a lot of different workouts at the gym including running, spinning, swimming, Pilates and other classes, but there are still days, especially running days, when I get bored. Most of the time that happens when I am on the treadmill or running by myself outside. The solution should be simple for this one, but “easier said then done” I would say.

The best solution for me is to have a running buddy. I love to run with friends or my hubby. There is always something to talk about, someone to push you, and someone to make sure that you make it back alive! I know that there will be days when I will be running long distances alone, and quite frankly, that scares me!

Mixing up the routine is another obvious solution. Trying different classes helps at the gym, but when it comes to running, different routines are needed as well. There are days for long distances, days for speed work, and and days for cross-training. Mixing up my music helps a lot too and scenery is sometimes necessary as well. A few weeks ago I got to run out near the beach instead of the usual trail, and it was great. Six miles felt unusually short because it was so different.

Even as I write this, I can think of so many more obstacles that I face at times. My next few posts will be about some of them including time, pain or injury, taking care of the family, fear, money, and others that you or I think of along the way.

Define Your Terms

The title of my blog is obviously a play on the title of a famous movie, but I thought that I better define my terms and relate them to my experiences to help us all understand the purpose of all this. You'll notice two different colors of print. The black are my own words and the blue belongs to the definitions found at www.dictionary.com.  I have chosen only the definitions that I thought related best to my blog.

Di-a-ry
–noun, plural -ries.

1. a daily record, usually private, especially of the writer's own experiences, observations, feelings, attitudes, etc. 

(DAILY???? really?? who has time for that? If I wrote everyday, then when would I run?)

2. a book for keeping such a record.

(we live in 2011, so I think a newer version of this definition would also include a blog)

3. a book or pad containing pages marked and arranged in calendar order, in which to note appointments and the like.

"I always say, keep a diary and someday it'll keep you." author unknown

This is what I am hoping for!

Mad

adjective-
1. mentally disturbed; deranged; insane; demented
2. enraged; greatly provoked or irritated; angry.

4. extremely foolish or unwise; imprudent; irrational

5. wildly excited or confused; frantic: mad haste.

6. overcome by desire, eagerness, enthusiasm, etc.; excessively or uncontrollably fond; infatuated: He's mad about the opera.

7. wildly gay or merry; enjoyably hilarious: to have a mad time at the Mardi Gras.

I have not decided yet which definition was the best to describe what I am doing so I left all of these. I guess you can choose for yourself =)

 
 Run·ning
–noun

1. the act of a person, animal, or thing that runs.  (Thanks for clearing that up!)

2. managing or directing: the running of a business. (shameless plug for my business here....www.CakesByNadia.weebly.com)

3. an act or instance of racing: the 113th running of the Kentucky Derby.

–adjective

6. galloping, racing, moving, or passing rapidly. (I got a good laugh out of this one! The only time I am "passing rapidly" is if I see a gator somewhere on the trail.)

8. creeping or climbing, as plants: a running vine. (or as in hill training or "hills")

9. moving or proceeding easily or smoothly. ( Another chuckle!  If you have seen me "running" you might call it something else!)

 Run

verb, ran, run, run·ning, noun, adjective

–verb (used without object)

1. to go quickly by moving the legs more rapidly than at a walk and in such a manner that for an instant in each step all or both feet are off the ground. (Glad this definition is here. I know, at least at some times, that I am going faster than walking)

2. to move with haste; act quickly: Run upstairs and get the iodine.

3. to depart quickly; take to flight; flee or escape: to run from danger.

6. to go around, rove, or ramble without restraint (often followed by about ): to run about in the park.

7. to move, roll, or progress from momentum or from being hurled, kicked, or otherwise propelled: The wheel ran over the curb and into the street. (at mile 25, I am hoping for either a hill to roll down or for Mickey to push me to the finish line. Definitely could have used some of that at the end of the Gasparilla the other day.)

Wom·an

–noun

1. the female human being ( distinguished from man).

2. an adult female person.

4. a wife.

5. the nature, characteristics, or feelings often attributed to women; womanliness. (I wonder if "womanliness" includes blowing your nose into the grass or spitting?)

8. a female person who cleans house, cooks, etc.; housekeeper: The woman will be in to clean today.

( My husband would love this one!)

9. women collectively

  So, I hope this helped clear some things up for you, or maybe it confused you even more. In simple terms, I have a major goal that I want to accomplish. I am hoping that keeping a blog will help me and others to finish what we have started. I am a runner and though I  am not fast, I am at least moving!! Maybe your goal is just to get moving. You don't have to "move with haste" or be "wildly excited" or even "run" at all, you just need to start. (and you don't have to be a woman either)