Just start writing....

"...and it was the funniest thing I have EVER seen!!! hahaha!"... okay, okay, I know that is a weird way to start off, but I just didn't know how where to begin. I have been missing my blog writing and I have been wanting so badly to get started again but just didn't know where and how to start. Then tonight, when I was about to put it off once more, I decided that I should just start...in the middle, or at the end... just start writing... just get that computer on and get that blog site open and start typing... so that is what I did. I decided if I started writing in mid-sentence it would help break the ice and let me just ease back in and you know what... it worked! Its so funny, I don't know if anyone else does this but, when I think about things in my head I turn it into a story. I almost narrate it and put myself in the third person and write about it in my head. I don't know why I do this, but when I do, I want so badly to put it down on paper, in almost a therapeutic way, cause honestly I think it is. And let me tell ya... ahhhhh, it feels good to be back!
     Okay, well, I have been a bit lazy about my running and working out these past few weeks. I have done what I swear I wouldn't let happen and I let work get in the way. Also, we have been working over-time on the house trying to get it ready for Thanksgiving. But I also know that I need to be taking my "ME" time back and running or going to the gym and get in a class. So here is my hope for now... I hope that if I can commit to logging my workouts and my thoughts on here, I will be more motivated to get myself back out there. Things are falling back into place on all fronts except for my exercise and my "ME" time. I need that! And I will do what I can to get that back.

I am BACK!!!

Thats right! I am back! I have hit the ground running!! (tee-hee)! and lemme tell yall... It felt great and awful all at the same time. I liken my running stance yesterday to a half bent over-limping-with-one-hand-clutching-my-side moving the speed of a slow walk run! At least that is what I looked like when I looked down and saw my shadow! I will be the first to say, if I drove by and saw me running yesterday I would have said, "dang, that girl needs a new hobby, she looks bad!!!" Yup! That bad.... and even though I only made it 1.81 miles in 30 minutes... yes, 30 of the longest, sweatiest minutes EVER I still MADE IT! and I am BACK!!! Once I got home and got some much needed fluids into me and an excellent salad (and a small ice cream - come on its included in the salad bar!) I felt GREAT! And once I laid down to go to bed I was OUT and for the first time in almost 3 months it was a blissful, relaxing, mind-NOT-going 100 miles an hour sleep! It felt great! I FELT GREAT!

Now, I know I did a lot of damage this past summer not sticking to my workout and eating regime. But, I am ready to get back into it! I love the feeling of being healthy and having a clear head from running and working out. Next week I am taking it to the next stage and I am hitting the gym again.. I CANT WAIT!!!

I havent forgotten....

Just a small update - I havent forgotten about my blog. Things have been busy and hectic! But I will be back to full blogging (and running) mode tomorrow!! Talk to ya tomorrow!!! :)

Things are picking up some speed!

     I mean that both in my summer and in my running! I heard a commercial on the radio today and it said we are already halfway through the summer!! I CANT BELIEVE IT! I was telling a friend today that it feels like June was the slowest (and the worst month ever) for me and now that we are in July and I am getting things back on track, and the month is speeding by! B and I are in full speed working on the house to get it ready to host my brothers and their loved ones for the holidays because I know when school starts my free time will be long gone! We are also super excited because we leave for vaca in a little less than 3 weeks and it is SOOO needed for the both of us!
     I could go on and on about what B and I are planning ahead but I still need to blog about my running! Last week was super busy but I was able to log about a mile each day. I know that isn't much, but I also know "something" is better than "nothing", so I am happy with it. I logged a longer run last Friday because I had a little extra time and I was able to get in 2.5 miles. Now for my big run thus far! Yesterday, (Monday) I ran 5.5 miles on the treadmill! My first, second, and fifth miles kept an easy pace with gently increasing and decreasing speeds. I ranged anywhere from 4.0mph to 5.2mph depending on how I was feeling. My goal in these three miles was just to keep running! For miles three and four I focused on speed and recovery and ran sprints. I would run one minute one and two minutes off; my speed on the sprints were 7.0mph - 8.0mph. Not too shabby!
     I was not sure I could keep myself going during my long run. Several times throughout the 79 minutes I was on the treadmill I was so close to pushing stop and hopping off the "mill" for the day. But, I kept going. I knew how awesome I would feel once I accomplished what I promised myself I was going to do! The "runners high" that you always hear runners talk about is such a real and amazing feeling, I cant put it into words. All I can say is RUN! Push yourself out of your comfort zone and try to go just a little further than the day before and you will feel that rush of endorphins so many runners talk about it. It is the BEST feeling! I walked around the remainder of yesterday with a definite pep in my step!  I am not going to lie, I am crazy sore today so my workout this evening will definitely be met with a LOT of stretching and a much lighter run! I definitely felt this run in my sole yesterday! And check out below.... I am ALMOST to The Woodlands!!!

Miles Covered Wednesday, July 6 - Monday, July 11

Miles ran/walked: 10.5

Miles Left:

Big Goal/Mini Goal: 235.8/9.8

Watch OUT for a runaway wagon!!

      That's right! My wagon has run off without me, as I have somewhat fallen off the wagon last week with my running...Or should I say my LACK of running. My excuse for my absence of exercise is "I am FULL of excuses!" I feel I can reason myself out of anything and it is okay with me... at that time. But, then afterwords I hate that I didn't do it and vow to make up for it next time. I am queen of the statement, "I will start tomorrow" and "it doesn't count today because...." That is probably my worst habit of all, my ability to make excuses and talk myself out of anything! I know that everyone does this and for all kinds of reasons and I am no exception to the rule. I also know that I am not okay with this horrible habit of mine and I intend to change that. So starting NOW, that's right tonight, at 10:25 pm, I am done being a bench warmer, a watch the world go by-er, an "I will do it tomorrow-er." I am done with excuses. Bottom line is; I made this challenge for myself, this commitment to my family, and this promise to dad. I want to succeed in this blog challenge, I want to see how far I can run on a map, and I WANT to reach The Ballpark in Arlington! And then I want to choose a new ballpark to run too, because I know this will be an amazing accomplishment for me and a proud moment for both my parents, who I know are watching over us. I can do this and I WILL DO THIS!!

      So, everyone has to start somewhere no matter how small. It may only look like I walked 2 measly miles tonight taking our dogs for a walk, but that is 2 miles MORE than I walked last week, therefore, I am already doing 100% MORE exercise than this time last week, and it is only Tuesday! Hows that for motivation!!!! BOO-YAAA!!! Bring on tomorrow!! WHOOP!

Miles Covered Tuesday, July 5th:

Walk the dogs: 2 miles

Miles Left:

Big Goal/Mini Goal: 246.3/20.3

Thank you to MY GIRLS!

        Well, after a FABULOUS time at Girls Weekend this weekend I am home and back into the swing of things. I have to thank my girls for a second. I almost did not go to girls weekend this year because, I thought I wasn't quite ready for such a big outing. I felt I was not ready to be around happy people 24/7 (I used to be one of those happy people and that made me even more upset to think about). Well, this weekend was JUST what I needed. It forced me to stop and relax and sit on a raft in a lake and deal with my thoughts. I was definitely quieter than I ever am, but I was just sorting things out. I was pretty emotional on Friday night. The smallest things would set me off, but I think that was probably good to get it out (plus the amounts of refreshments I consumed, I am sure, spurred some of that on!!haha) and then Saturday, I was good up until that evening, when I think my unhealthy choices earlier in the week, food and beverage-wise, finally caught up with me and I felt awful (I was so afraid that if I stopped moving last week I would think about dad and loose it - so I was constantly drinking Dr. Peppers of Starbucks or anything that would keep me going - and my body said "WHOA - enough crap is enough crap!")... I was actually in bed by 9:00pm, and I was about to fall into one of my crying comas when I heard the most amazing thing... laughing, lots and lots of laughing... I could hear my Girls outside on the lake having the time of their lives and laughing, and it really made me stop and laugh! It made me hear what I used to be, and made me realize what I know I really am... and it made me see, I will be back there again, it will just take some time. Even though my tummy was on fire, I fell asleep with content and with a smile (and that has been at LEAST 2 1/2 weeks since I have gone to bed without crying). I woke up on Sunday still a little woozy, but for the most part felt great! Then I got to spend an awesome couple of hours with Christin! We were so desperate to find random things to do cause I was crazy early for my flight and didn't want to just sit at the airport. we drove around , we went to eat, and we even went on a little shopping trip- just like old times because we went to the coolest store and ended up buying the EXACT same things - on accident! Great minds think alike! :) Then I got back to my wonderful husband safe and sound that evening!
         I do realize I still have a lot of grieving and healing to do, but forcing myself to stop and relax was just want I needed to get through right now. So thank you so much my WONDERFUL girls for this weekend and I am already looking forward to next year!!
        Okay, now I know it is Wednesday and I have actually gotten some running done. On Monday I only got in 1 mile because I was still a little cautious of my tummy. And Tuesday I got in a perfect little 5K and felt pretty motivated afterwords! So I am REALLY looking forward to my run today! (I even have new running shoes in my sights that I cant wait to get this weekend!!)

Miles Covered Monday & Tuesday:

Treadmill = 4.2 Miles

Miles Left:

Big Goal/Mini Goal: 248.3/22.3

Day 2: Feeling GOOD!

Day 2:

                Got in a quick 2 mile run before heading out of town this afternoon for my Girls Weekend! I am super excited to see my girls and get some needed girl time. So, I will be taking a few days off from my challenge. I know, I know, I just started right?! How can I possibly think of stopping for a break now? Well, yesterday was a rough day emotionally for me and all I wanted to do was sleep. I am beginning to see that I may WANT to have more of these days as the grieving process goes on. But, I need to be mentally and physically strong enough to lift myself up and keep going. So, a little R&R with the girls is that mental break I need, and TRUST me, when I get back from 3 days of fun (and a lil refreshments) I WILL want to get on the treadmill, FAST!! So I am now 2 miles closer and looking forward to the ride! See yall on Sunday!  :)

Miles Covered today:

Treadmill = 2 Miles

Miles Left:

Big Goal/Mini Goal: 252.5/26.5

BIG Goal: Go Ballpark to Ballpark

Day 1:

                Well, I did a lot of thinking (and a little running today) trying to decide on my BIG Goal and Mini Goals for my mileage. I have decided to include my favorite pastime, BASEBALL! So I have decided that I want to run from ballpark to ballpark. So my first BIG GOAL will be to run from Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas. After consulting a map and my computer I have estimated that my total mileage for this distance is approximately 257 miles. But, I also think I need to have some target cities in between so I can hit some MINI GOALS along the way. So, my first stop is The Woodlands, Texas which is just up 45 from MMP. The distance for this is 31 miles.  I also decided I would like for my challenge to include overall, whole body wellness, so for every hour I log in the gym working out it will count for 1 mile traveled. Also, yoga is my favorite, and I would like to become better at it, so for every 1 hour of yoga practiced it will also account for 1 mile traveled. Now I feel like my whole heart and "sole" is in this. Time to get started!

                          My first challenge, clean the dust off, literally!



                My poor treadmill has been a bit neglected with all of my work and personal life happening around it! So after a couple of minutes (and a can of Lysol) She is good as new! And now I can RUN! My first run this evening was good but slow, I only was able to go the short distance of 2.5 miles, and it was more of a hobble. 2 weeks ago I took a small tumble while walking my brothers dog and twisted my right foot. Though I see no swelling and very small bruising it still hurts pretty bad and doesn't seem to have its full range of motion. Actually, the running motion hurt less on my foot than the walking but, that may be because of the numbness in my body (the "runners high")  I felt once I got going. I iced my foot tonight and I will continue to monitor it the next couple of days before I decide if I need to go to the doctor (hopefully not!). But all in all, I feel I got a good start on my challenge since it has probably been almost 2 months since I last run. I really let life and work get in the way.... well not anymore! I look forward to tomorrow!

BIG GOAL:

Minute Maid Park to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington = 257 miles

MINI GOAL:

Minute Maid Park to The Woodlands = 31 miles

MILES COVERED TODAY:

Treadmill run = 2.5 miles

Mileage Left on BIG GOAL/MINI GOAL: 254.5/28.5

Here Goes Nothing!

Hello, and welcome to my blog. I decided to start this blog, as a running diary of sorts. I am famous for asking the questions, "How long would it take me to run too...?" or "How far is it too...?" and my husbands favorite, "do you think I could ever make it too...?" Well, very recently my father passed away with liver disease and although he struggled with his health in his last few years, he used to like to run. And even more, he used to LOVE to get his kids to run with him. A few weeks before he died, I talked with him about my idea for this blog. I told him that I wanted to see how far I would travel if I were to log the miles I run on a map. But, since we live in Texas and enjoy 105 degree heat on a regular basis during the summer, running in the great outdoors is not really an option. So my running will mostly be on treadmills and occasionally some early morning or late nights and accumulate my miles that way. Dad LOVED the idea, not only because it would encourage me to exercise and lead a healthy lifestyle but to also put my mind to something and actually follow through! Dad is my motivator and that makes me want to put my heart and "sole" into trying to make him proud! So my hope is to run as much as possible while plotting my mileage on a map and see how long it will take me to reach my next targeted city. So, without further ado.... Here goes NOTHING!***


***Disclaimer - I am totally nervous about putting my heart and "sole" out there for everyone to read, but I still feel a stronger urge to follow through, it is almost as though I NEED this blog! So, if you don't enjoy it or think it is silly, please feel free to stop reading at any time! :)