so you want to be a runner??

I was always jealous of the runners.  I wanted to be one but felt like I couldn't do it for whatever lame ass excuse I could come up with at the time. (I get too bored, I get out of breath too easily, I'm too slow, I have to walk too much, it's so hot, my knees/shins/feet hurt) Then I decided to be a runner.  and I was. That easy.  Here's my advice to those of you (I know you're out there!) who want to be runners.

1) Big secret....we all hate to run.  Sure, there are a few freaks of nature out there who really just love it but most people don't love it ALL the time.  I love how I feel after. I love how I feel when I have a great run or a great time.  I love when I'm feeling frustrated/angry/upset and can work it all out on a run.  But most of the time I don't want to start.  The first 1/2-1 mile is almost always hard and sometimes I am bitching to myself the whole, damn way.  But then I finish and think wow, that was great.  You just need to suck it up and do it and stop the excuses. 

2) Buy good shoes.  Really.  Go to a running store and get fitted.  plan to spend about $80-$100.  If you want to run you need running shoes.  This is not a place to be cheap.  Especially if you have issues (shin splints, plantar fascitis, etc) but really, even without issues you need good running shoes.

   I also think that a watch and comfortable running clothes are pretty important.  I'm not talking about spending a ton of money.  Just a cheapo stopwatch to help you keep track of your times and some clothes that don't ride up, fall down or make you chafe and a good supportive sports bra if you need it!! You can get all of that at Target for not very much money.

3) Just because a certain program doesn't work for you doesn't mean you aren't a runner.  I'll admit it.  I HATED couch to 5k.  I couldn't tell you why, I didn't even really do it.  I just read it and it seemed like SO much work to me.  Here's my running plan:

     -get good shoes

     -map out a certain distance in my neighborhood (1mile, 2miles, 3miles, etc)

     -go run it

     -try to get faster/go further every time

for real.  thats where I am at right now.  Now, I have had a more formalized running program but that was with a group and I didn't really have to think about it.  Thats what I love most about running.  I don't have to think- or I guess more specifically I can let my thoughts go anywhere and not really focus on what I am doing.  A lot of people love, love, love c25k.  More power to them if that is what works.  But keep in mind there is also Galloway program, running programs on runners world and lots of other places.  One of my favorite running books (another mother runner) is coming out with a book of training plans next spring.  Basically, what I'm saying is if one thing doesn't work for you try something else. 

4) Find friends.  There are lots of places to find people to run with.  A training club, a meet-up group.  Its scary, I know it is.  I'm a pretty social person and even I find it scary to join a brand new group but it will be the best thing you can do.  I promise.  You will find friends and you will get better and get faster.  There is so much to say about joining a training group that I will have to make it a whole post on its own.  But for now I will say that groups are the same as training plans...if one doesn't work out for you just try another!

5) Sign up for a race.  Signing up for races is what keeps me motivated even when I don't want to train.  Its what pushes me to go out to that workout when I'm tired and just don't feel like it.  Plus, race day is just plain fun.  You get a t-shirt, sometimes a medal there's always food at the end and a lot of times there's beer!  You feel super accomplished because you set a goal and you stuck to it.  And if you don't enjoy race day and you still think running sucks then you can say hey, I did this and it wasn't for me. 

Ultimately, you have to like it enough to invest the work.  Its one thing to say you want to do it but if you want to be a runner you have to make time to run.  Trust me, I know how hard it is to find the time but if you really want to run you will make time.  You have to know that every run isn't going to be awesome but you need both the good runs AND the sucky runs in order to get better.  Getting past the sucky runs is what makes the good runs so good. 

Now go get some shoes and sign up for a race!! 

PLAYLIST!

I had a great run tonight.  I've mostly been running my little 5k loop around the neighborhood.  (its actually 3.22) The past 3 times I've done it I've been able to do it with no walking and have gotten faster each time.  Tonight I actually felt good the whole time and didn't feel like I needed to walk at all.  The other times I wanted to walk but pushed myself to keep going.   Tonight was 34:47 and I really did feel like I could have pushed harder.  Definitely making some improvements.  I think I can work towards more speed and maybe even start adding some distance.

I really needed a good run.  I've been feeling frustrated again because I've been at the same weight for the past 2 weeks and it drives me crazy.  But I remembered tonight that I like to run. And I also like to eat and if I run a lot I can eat more.  When I am running more (or biking/spinning) I tend to want to eat healthier foods but I don't really feel guilty about eating dessert here and there or having wine, etc.  Its a workable plan!!  I lost weight and got in shape before by running and biking (and some swimming) and by making reasonable food choices.  It took some time then and its going to take time now but I'm sure it will work eventually.  Find something you love and stick to it and the rest will fall into place.   I am going to try to be more patient with myself and not be so damn scale obsessed!!  (I said TRY, its a tall order for me)

Now on to the playlist!!  I picked out a playlist to share last week but wanted to run to it first to see how it was.  Tonight I ran to it and had a fabulous run so I guess its a winner.  I did have the songs in a certain order but forgot to switch off of shuffle so they ended up mixed up and it worked.  The music is pretty all over the place but I like that when I run because I don't get bored. I guess its pretty heavily hip-hop/dancish, though.  I also like to alternate faster and slower songs and I really like songs that drop lots of f-bombs so if you are easily offended make your own playlist. 

I think you can tell a lot about a person by what they listen to.  Wonder what my playlist says about me??  Without further ado....here's blog playlist #1:

Novocane- Frank Ocean

Stronger- Kanye West

Closer- Ne-yo

Bad Influence- Pink

Savior- Rise Against

Crystalised- The XX

Fell in Love with a Boy- Joss Stone

Rockstar- N.E.R.D

Look at me now- Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes

Dirrty(tracey young remix)- Christina Aguilera

Rock that Body- Black Eyed Peas

Emerge- Fischerspooner

Let me know if you like it and if you do I'll post another in a few weeks.  Plase feel free to share what you are listening to as well.  I need to change around my music A LOT and always appreciate good recommendations. 

whoa busy

Didn't forget about the blog- I've been working on some posts but can't seem to pull together my ideas.  Just have been super busy.  Here's whats up:

I'm now working 4 days a week starting this week.  Its crazy busy at work and we are a bit short so I decided to suck it up and take some overtime for the next month.  That leaves me just 3 days a week to work out, which sucks..BUT once I come out of this little over time stint I'll go right into training for OUC 1/2.

My weight loss was going awesome I got almost to my 2nd goal and then STALL the past week and 1/2.  I've actually gained a couple back and not losing the past few days.  Sucks because I'm running more now.   I am feeling better but then I go to try on clothes and they are still tight, so I get frustrated.  We'll see what the next week or 2 brings.  Maybe it will be another big loss.  Big thanks to my work friends who have been really supportive and encouraging and keep telling me how good I'm doing.  You guys are keeping me positive and I appreciate it.

Like I said, I'm running more.  I ran 3 times last week.  2 miles then track on Tuesday (total maybe 5 miles but doing Kenyans and I didn't keep track) then last Thursday I ran 3.22 for the first time without stopping!!  That was the first time I've been able to do that since starting again.  I'm thinking I ran a total of about 10-ish miles last week.  Guess I should wear my Garmin at track to keep track of mileage.  Unfortunately my overtime days are on Tuesdays so I won't be able to make track for a while.  So far this week I've gotten in another 3.22 mile run- without any walk breaks and I took a minute off of my time from last week.  Its coming back. slowly.


Working on a post with my advice for people who say they want to run but they can't and also working on a running playlist to post.  Hopefully I can get it together to share those with you guys. 

wrap up

Things I know this week. 

-It is a little cooler in hell right now than it is in Florida.  I'm sure of it.

-Teething babies do not sleep well.  And they eat.  A lot.

-Melanie should totally win SYTYCD.

-menu planning and couponing is hard and totally not my thing.

-vegetarians should not cook meat.  I have a horrible burn on my arm from trying to cook meat for the hubster.  (hot oil splattered on me) It hurts and I'm sure its some kind of cow karma.


Overall not a bad week. (other than the burn on my arm) Could have been better for sure but I am feeling more glass half full today. 

Monday:  Took 2 of 3 kids in for shots.  Bigger kid did great with them and the little one not so much.  He has been fussy the whole rest of the week and that has been challenging.  He pretty much wants to nurse and be held about 80% of the time.  But today it feels like there might be a little tooth working its way in.  Its not through yet but it feels like there is a little bump there.  After the doctor appt. I went to work for some overtime hours so no workout done that day. 

Tuesday:  wanted to go to track but due to fussy/cranky baby I didn't make it.  I did get out around 7 and did my normal 5k loop and felt okay about it. Garmin wasn't charged so I don't have a time.  I went to bodypump later in the day.

Wed: spin.  thats it.  good class. 

Thurs:  pump and then the 5k loop again (ended up being 3.2m) I went out at 6pm.  HOT. HOT. HOT. and I was pretty slow.  I actually stopped to walk twice.  The first time just for a little but the second time I walked about 1/2m.  I felt okay just was so hot and my heart rate was pretty jacked up.  I ended up doing it in 39 minutes.  SLOOOOOOWWW.  but like I said I'm feeling good about the week and I'm just happy I got out there twice.  Every run I do is a step in the right direction.  I'm going to be slow while I build back up.  Getting faster will happen as long as I keep getting out there.  Thats the hard part.

I'm also losing weight again after a few weeks at the same weight.  I'm now down another 2-3 lbs.  That puts me about 2-3 away from the 2nd goal 10.  I'm really glad I decided to break things into 10 lb increments.  Its so much more manageable.  Even though I have at least 32 more to lose it's only 2 to go until I get a little reward. 

Now I work for the next 3.  Hopefully I can keep up the positive attitude through next week.  Next week should be a full 4 day training week so I'm hoping to fit a lot in. 

narrow bridge

I saw this quote the other day and loved it:

"Being pregnant and giving birth are like crossing a narrow bridge. People can accompany you to the bridge. They can greet you on the other side. But you walk that bridge alone.” African Proverb

I have often said something like that about birth and thoughts like this (but with many 4-letter words)went through my head during my last birth. No matter what the circumstances are or how many wonderful people you have there to support you the fact is no one can do it for you.  The work of birth is the work of the woman.  You own it. 

You can apply this to training and racing, too.  I felt that way when I did St. Anthony's.  On the swim the water was so rough and I am not a super strong swimmer. I really thought I was going to die.  But then I thought "there is no one who is going to notice if one little pink cap goes under the water and doesn't come back up. YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!"  I mentally cursed everyone I could think of who could be responsible for me being in this predicament (mostly my coach but also my husband and friends for telling me I would be fine, of course, we all know it was my idea) but I mentally picked myself up and swam to the end.  I swore that as soon as I got out of the water I was handing in my chip and quitting.  But I didn't. I got out of the water and ran to my bike and I finished the race. 

It really helps to have friends to train with and people who can support and encourage you but in the end its you who has to get up early and do the workout.  Its you who has to give up something to be able to fit in training time.  Its you who has to not eat the cake to lose the weight. (who am I kidding I always eat the cake!)  At times, I wonder if I could do more.  If I could fit in another workout.  If I could make those morning workouts work.   I have wonderful people who support me but they can't do the work for me. Right now I'm just on that bridge trying to get over it the best I can. 

I'll do a weekly wrap up post later after I get today's workouts in.