5k pics

I promised more pics from last week, so I'm working on that for ya!

About the 5k race...we (my dad and I) finished in under 30 minutes.  My dad would've past me in the first two minutes of the race, but he was a good sport and ran with me!  It was a ton of help having him run next to me.  I don't think I'll be so nervous to run a future race alone now.  I understand all that is behind it.  All the unknowns are gone.  Thanks again Dad for running with me!  A once in a lifetime experience - the first race.

Dad and I, after the race.

I'm pointing to my dad's medal.
He won 2nd in his age group!

Aaron and Riley came to see us on race day too!

I'm not sure how many races are in my future, but I do know that I'm not scared of them anymore.  I like that they are a test of your fitness level, and running speed.  For as long as I can remember, I ran 10 or 11 minute miles (slow).  I'm still a slow runner, but during this race I picked up my pace and ran faster miles.  I feel good about that.  I'd love to get under 9 minute miles, and maybe with time I will.  And, maybe not.  I don't know.  I do know that I'm going to keep walking and jogging and we'll just see where that takes me.

Will running make my fat legs get smaller or more muscular?  Gosh, I hope so.

HA!

OK. About running...

So, because I opened my big mouth about running on my blog (so shouldn't have done that), I felt it only fair to return to the subject to give you an update.  I am finding you all are holding me accountable, whether you know it or not!  (That is, all five of you who read this blog...hahahaha, I'm funny). 

OK.  Well, I haven't been running much lately at all.  Nope, not really.  I know, I know.  Horrible!  Go ahead, you can say it.  You're ashamed.  Actually, don't say it...because I already feel pretty bad about it myself.

I did exactly what I expressed to you all was my fear...an excuse would hit me.  Winter.  There it is.  There's always something that gets in the way of my goal to stay active and healthy all year round...not just spring and summer.  All year, including winter.  I failed.  Again. 

I found winter incredibly hard (and I realize it's still technically winter, but the weather is so much more bearable lately that I can't call it "winter").  I had little motivation and ambition.  I hate being cold.  The idea of going out there didn't appeal to me much.  Most days, I came up with an excuse...it's cold, it's snowing, it's dreary, it's icy, it's so much warmer inside, I have laundry to do, I have coupons to clip, etc.  I stayed in much of the winter (meaning, the last three months).

Actually, I did run some.  Just some.  I went out occasionally.  I actually walked more than ran, I felt that to be easier.  Walking is my friend.  When all else fails, I can walk.

In all reality though, I shouldn't beat myself up too much.  The sidewalks were covered with snow much of the time, and if not snow it was icy.  I would've had Riley with me, in the stroller...and it just was hard to get around town in that kind of weather.  Or, is this still an excuse?

Ugh.  I don't know.  Point is, I didn't run nearly as much as I had planned this winter.  I was so sure I could do it.  I had to this time around...no gym membership, no treadmill...but nope, still let my mind talk me out of it.

It's all mental.  Exercise.  Living healthy.  We all know that.  Most of us (Americans) fail because we convince ourselves we're not worthy, it's too hard, it's not convenient, it's not fun.  It's easy to give up, so we do.  I'm not the only person to have done this, that I'm sure of.

Today, I am opening up to you all because it helps me to realize I messed up...that I didn't accomplish what I wanted to.  And it helps me to move forward, to continue with my goals and to not give up.  I may continue on this roller coaster my entire life - but I will continue to strive towards being better...of living a more healthy life.  That is a promise I can make - that I will always try.

But, according to Yoda..."there is no 'try' there is only do or not do."  So I need to DO.

Running it is.  I'm back in the game!  I am signing up for a 5K the end of May.  I never cared to race or compete. I still don't, actually.  What I care about is getting back into running...and this 5K is just the goal I need right now.  Something to look towards, something to get me out my door with sneakers on.  I'm excited!

And maybe, just maybe...there will be one winter in my near future that I can handle...that I can beat!

I know running and I have a love/hate relationship...but I want so badly to end this feud, and to love it.

45 minutes

So, if you read an earlier post of mine about my struggles and triumphs with running, you'll know that 45 minutes was the longest I ran ever, without stopping to walk.  Well...folks, I just did it again!  Yup.  Yesterday was a good run.  I need to thank the cooler weather (finally).  And, despite my blister hurting towards the end, I still did it.  I ran 4.5 miles.  I'm still in shock.  Me, Abby...ran...Forty.  Five.  Minutes.

running...or jogging, rather

Anyone who knows my family well, knows that being active is just a normal, every day thing.  Especially, running.  My parents run.  My brother runs.  I am always wanting to, and sometimes trying to.

My problem with running is that when I start up again, I tend to do it for a season.  Then something comes up; winter, laziness, pregnancy...and I stop.  Then I have to start up ALL over again, from the beginning.  I'm tired of it.  I want to run (or jog) always, every season, all year long.  Like my parents.  Like my brother.  This is my new goal.

After gaining 50 lbs during my pregnancy (yeah, not recommended) I decided to give running another go.  I started with the "couch to 5k plan."  Basically, the plan gets you started - from literally getting you off the couch to running 3 miles (or 30 minutes).  Essentially, to the point where you can run a 5K.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I have followed the program exactly.  Except that when I hit week 8, to be running 28 minutes...I wasn't there yet.  During our vacation in upstate NY, I could run 25 minutes.  We got home, and I regressed.  I couldn't do it, like there.  It must have been a temperature change that was the reason, not sure.  All I know is it took me a few weeks to catch up.

I have come a long way.  I started this program on May 20 (about 6 weeks after Riley was born) and running 60 second intervals in the beginning was tough!  Now, I am running 30 minutes straight.  No walking in between.  Last night was 32 minutes, to be exact.

It's crazy that it has been 3 months exactly, and I'm only running 30 minutes.  You'd think I'd be doing more by now, but I'm not.  It's still hard for me.  I don't know why.  I don't know if it's because I'm still carrying some extra weight on me from pregnancy, or that I have asthma, or that this summer has been ridiculously humid, or that my mind is still not fully in it...  Either way, I'm doing it.

I am proud of myself.  I wasn't happy with how I handled my pregnancy weight gain...but am happy that now, after the fact, I'm taking control over it.  I put the weight on.  So I can take it off.

The longest that I have run (in my life), without stopping to walk, is 45 minutes.  I ran that back in my college days, while on vacation in Michigan, visiting my grandparents.  I went running with my dad.  He was my encouragement that day.  I remember wanting to die, but we did it.  I pushed myself to that 45 minutes and remember the day so well because it was a personal record.  I now, am looking to beat that.  Not sure when, but some day.

I want to be active, for my sake and my daughter's.  My parents taught us a lot, but what sticks out right now is that they lead by example - they just went running.  They never said, "Abby, you should run."  Not once.  If they did, I may have had a different attitude about it.  They just continued with their active lifestyle, while raising Ian and I.  We learned.  Maybe that's why I always keep returning to running, as hard as it is for me.  I have grown up seeing it - and I want that for my daughter.

I have no desire to race and compete, or to run marathons (like my big brother, who is amazing)...but maybe I will run a 5K one day.  Just to prove to myself that I can do it.

Happy running!