I went, I ran, I came home...

Well, I laced up and took off for my morning run. I thought:
I'll run down to the road and back, that should be about 1 mile. Then I'll head up these GIGANTIC hills and back and that should total 3 miles. All together, it should be a good 4 miles.
Pfffffffffffff!!!!!!
It was a lame 3.4 miles. BOOOOOOOOOO!!! I need to measure my runs. Maybe I'll run at school before I have to leave for the day. That always seemed to work. Yes, it's hot. Yes, it's like 98 degrees hot, but I don't have a very big window to get a run in.
*thinking*
Yup, I've gotta do it. My 10k is right around the corner and I have my half in 2 1/2 months. I don't have a choice.

YEA! I get to run tomorrow!
(In the heat.)
(On hot pavement.)
(Better pack my fuel belt.)

I get to run today!

I once attended a Life Coaching seminar with Dave Ellis. He had us participate in an activity that had us affirming an activity that we find challenging. One person, actually many of us, talked about how difficult it was/is to lose weight. As individuals, we were to walk around the room and share statements that were created to squash the self-doubt that we sometimes allow ourselves to creep into our minds causing us to think negatively. One individual that I met with said, "Instead of dreading waking up and thinking, 'ugh, I have to run today,' I'm going to wake up and say, 'I get to run today!'"

WOW! What a concept! Five simple words designed to create a shift in thinking:
I GET TO RUN TODAY!

Sooooooooooooo...while I've allowed my new work schedule to keep me from training for the RnR Half Marathon, it's a pretty crazy schedule, I woke up today and said:
I get to run today!

What about you? Are you going out to RYAO?
TTFN!!!

I got me some new kicks!

I had such a long day today I had to convince myself on the long ride home that running would really be in my best interest today. After all, I need to increase my mileage over the next few weeks. My motivation would have none of it. But then...dun-dun-duuuun (dramatic music)...I remembered that I bought some new SHOES!!! I got home, unpacked the car (repacked it into my little car) said hi to the boy and the man (both outside playing around) and went inside to change. Picked out a cute running skirt and a pink top. Laced up my Newtons, switched over my papoose from my old pair of shoes to my new pair and off I went. Man I felt GREAT!

Then I got to the hill. Not so bueno. Walked up the hill, passed up the mini road to the pit, and started back up to running again at the well. Can you tell I live in the country? hahaha
Had a pretty good jog until I got to the cattle guard. It always slows me down b/c I'm afraid my foot will slip right through those bars and my foot will get all mangled and gross. Started jogging again not long after the short incline (just before the deer feeder) then jogged all the way down the hill, past the tank, took a short walk past the gas tank and dynamite shed (not close enough to really be worried about blowing up) and up to the back deer gate. So, yes, it's REAL country, but boy is it a sight. I especially love running these roads when the miles go up and the temperatures go down. It's a beauty.

Oh, one more thing, I was apparently so excited about getting out and running that I forgot to Glide. For those of you who are runners, you'll know the significance of NOT Gliding. It totally cut my run short. *ugh*

Well, tomorrow is a XT day. I wonder what I'll do? Wednesday is a follow up run and I'm already super excited. What about you? Any plans to get out and RYAO?

Alamo Beer Marathon Series Race #2

Well, two down and two to go before the SARnR. Boy are my legs sore! Sheesh!!!
The 8k went well, I think. It felt like I ran longer than an 8K. My Nike+ said it was longer, but that thing always says I've run farther than I actually do. My knee feels pretty good. I can tell I need to start rehab again though.

I've always wondered how in the world people can drink beer after a run. I've never been able to enjoy a brew post run...until now. Yup, thanks to Alamo Beer, I had my first ever post run beer. Alamo Beer Pale Ale is pretty awesome. The weather was really hot and humid, but that beer really hit the spot.

I also just bought some new kicks! I finally went out and bought some Newton running shoes. Can't lie, they're pretty sweet. I can't wait for my run tomorrow to wear them. Is that nerdy? hahaha

Well, tomorrow I really need to get on a set schedule since my next run is a 10k. Am I nervous? Nah. I've never entered these to actually WIN. I just enter to keep myself motivated to run. Well, I also run so that I don't lose my ever lovin' mind. :-)
How about you?

Pre-race #2 post

(a la Cat Stevens)

Another Saturday night and I have to run an 8K.
I haven't trained all week, I might just faint.
Oh how I wish I had laced up and gone to run.
I'm in an awful way.

------------------------------
Yup, tonight is the second of the Alamo Beer Challenge Running Series. I've dabbled in running over the last few weeks, but haven't gone out this week AT ALL. Am I worried? Nah. So long as I don't puke, pass out, or get hurt, I'll be happy. I've never entered these races to win any of them. I just really enjoy running.

I'll post before and after pics...stay tuned!!!

Why do I run?

Why do I run? I run so I don't have a stupidity induced stroke caused by other people.

That was my facebook post today. I had a really tough day, mentally, and could feel my positive energy getting sucked from my soul. It wasn't long before EVERYONE was getting on my nerves today. I'm not normally a negative individual, but my surroundings got the best of me today.

I couldn't wait to get home to get a run in. I was pretty beat so I took a nap for about an hour then I got up and laced up. For only the second time, Arnold (my Brittany Spaniel), came along. I was worried about the cattle guard. I wasn't sure if he'd figure out how to get over it and I was right in thinking he'd get stymied. As I approached, he looked at me, and I decided to turn around and run back to the house. It was probably for the best. He was tired and it was ONE HUNDRED degrees. Did I mention it was 9:00 pm when we got done? ONE HUNDRED!!! Jeez...

After winding down, I feel so much better...from my soul to my sole! *wink-wink*

Runner's Guilt

Have you ever suffered from guilt?
If you're human, the answer is undoubtedly yes.

Tonight, I experienced "runner's guilt."

You know what I mean.
You know you should go out and get a run in, but you feel either too tired, too stressed, or pressed on time.

I woke up at 5:00 in the morning and had a long day of professional development with our school district. I really didn't have the motivation to run, but a facebook friend of mine is pretty good about keeping track of my runs. When he posted on my page asking about my most recent run, I decided to make up a long convoluted story about how tired I was, but then decided to get up and lace up. Sounds like a pretty good motto, huh?

So get up, lace up, and RYAO!!!