Here are some things I've learned while being on this earth for the last 48 years:
1) Sometimes you just HAVE to learn to let things go. No matter how hard it is, no matter how painful, no matter how much you don't want to....sometimes it's crucial and in the end sometimes it's even better in the end. I know sometimes in my life I have held onto things WAYYYYY longer than I should have. So just take that deep breath....put all the bad things and things you need to say goodbye to in that breath....and let it go.
2) People will inevitably hurt you. We are human...it's inevitable that others will hurt us and that we will hurt others. Some people are brought into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Discern which area they belong in...acquire the lesson if need be. Learn from it and move on. Then cherish those that are there forever.
3) Do things yourself!! Don't be that wounded sparrow waiting for someone to save you or rescue you. Don't wait for someone else to fix it. Don't wait for someone else to do it. If it needs done...get in there and do it. And try to do it without complaining or throwing it in someone's face.....nobody likes that.
4) I'm going to share one of my favorite quotes here for this one...."Don't make someone a priority who only makes you their option." Great words to live by....and if you can follow this one, it'll be a lot less painful in the end.
5) Face your fears. Hard one, and scary too...but once you've stared it in the face and conquered it, it's amazing how other fears seems less daunting.
6) Sometimes you just have to put YOU first. I know as a woman this is sometimes a really tough one to do because we are so sacrificing...especially when it comes to kids. We put everyone else first and we end up with not much left in the tank at the end. Sometimes you need to call a time out, lock the door, hide in your car if even for 5 minutes and just take a moment for YOU! If you can...I advice taking time out for yourself every single day. Even if it is only those 5 minutes. You deserve it :)
7) Here's another quote..."If it's important to you you'll make it a priority. If it's not important you'll make an excuse." So true...if you want something bad enough...make it a priority in your life. Want to lose those 10 pounds...it ain't going to happen sitting on the couch....if you really want it to happen YOU need to put forth the effort and make it a priority. Put it on your calendar...your phone...your iPod...if that's what you need to do. If you really want to go out on a date with your spouse...make it a PRIORITY!! If you want to do something fun with your kids...put it on the calendar!! If there is one thing I've really come to find is if I put it on the calendar or on a To Do list...it has more of a chance of getting done. Quit making excuses as to why you can't....make a plan to say you CAN!!
8) Kind of goes with the one above, but MAKE A PLAN. If you want to see your life at a certain point in 10 years, 5 years...next year....MAKE A PLAN ON HOW TO GET THERE!! You can't just get in a car and drive willy nilly from here to the Grand Canyon unless you have a map showing you the correct way to get there. Make a plan, dream list, whatever you want to call it and brainstorm ways on how to get to that goal. You'll have far better success getting there if you have a plan!
9) Not everyone belongs in your heart. Now hear me out on this one. I took a class several years ago that taught me this and let me tell you it was the best class I've ever taken! Just because someone may be close to you (parents, siblings, relatives, spouse, friends) it doesn't give them free access to your heart. YOU get to choose who lives there....it's not an open door...or at least it shouldn't be, to just allow anyone just to walk in and take up residence. It is an earned place...and rightfully so...because it's a special place, that only those who truly care about you, who are willing to look out for you, those who have your back...those who can handle living there in that tender place and treat it as such. So if you need to, clean out that heart space and only allow those who deserve to be in there, in there. The others, you may have to kick out to the front porch...or the yard...or in the city.....or a different continent...or some honestly are just toxic and belong on the moon. Take the time to take inventory and clean house...trust me, you'll be glad you did. ;)
10) Sometimes it just is what it is. Some things, and some people, you can't change. Change what you can, accept what you can't change and just enjoy the journey and learn from it. We aren't here that long anyway. Glean the lessons God puts your way. Ask Him to help you through the hard stuff and praise Him for the good, the bad and the ugly. Anyone can praise God when things are good, but praising Him when things are tough is another story. Do it anyway. God will bless you for it.
OK...off my philosophical soap box now. :)
January 15, 2015
Life Truly Is Precious
In God's Word it tells us that we are like vapor...that our time here is 'here and then gone in an instant'. Yet we walk around...at least I do, taking for granted each breath that we take, getting caught up in everyday mundane things. This week is one of those weeks where life hit us, our community, and a very dear family square in the face...and honestly it was somewhat of a sucker punch.
A very dear friend and fellow scout parent had an incident last week where his heart stopped and he was life-flighted to Grant Hospital in Columbus. My husband and I went to visit him this past Saturday. It was hard to see this relatively healthy man lay there in a bed hooked to machines...this man that we had a meeting with the day before...and now here he was lying there clinging to life. If ever there was a time in my life that I "prayed without ceasing"...this was the time. We prayed as a family, I prayed on my own, so many people everywhere praying just for God to grant a miracle and allow Bob to come home and be OK. Sadly, God chose not to answer the way we wanted and sadly he went home to be with Jesus....and though the thought of Bob going to be with Jesus is comforting, honestly we all want him to be here...and it's hard....very hard...accepting God's will, yet watching his wife and three children suffer through all of this. It just doesn't seem fair. I think what is also making this so hard is the fact that he is so young...he's only a few months older than my hubby and I. His family and ours are very similar. They have three kids, so do we. They've only been married a year longer than us. Two of our kids are the same age as theirs. We've been neighbors for years. This all just hits way too close to home and it's truly just not fair...and it's just plain hard. I've been asking a lot of the "Why" questions to God this week. Why take Bob?? Then I was thinking if I was God....Bob would be one of those people I would definitely want on my team.
Bob was one of the good ones. He truly was. A very kind, gentle, welcoming and Godly man...a bit quirky, yet so very smart. Humble, hard working and very much a family man. You could tell how much he loved his wife and kids. He was one of those guys you wanted on your team because He would not only get things done but He truly would do it with excellence. Bob was an expert at "crossing the t's and dotting the i's". Bob was one of those people you just wished you could be like. I don't think I have ever heard anyone speak an ill word about Bob. He was just that kind of guy...a true gem. And one now that I wish I would have gotten to know even more. He was very instrumental in our scout troop. It's truly not going to be the same without him. After all, who's going to walk into the meeting and say, "Hey gang" like he did?? He and his wife were also very instrumental in introducing us to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace course and our lives are forever changed because of him and his wife facilitating that. Other than a house payment, our family is pretty much debt free...and it's all because of Bob and Mindy giving us the tools to do so. Thank you Bob and Mindy!
But like I said we aren't even guaranteed our next breath...and this week has truly proven that. So as you go about your "everyday" please take the time to tell those around you how much they mean to you, how much you appreciate them...because the next moment they could be gone, and sadly that is reality.
As I finish this post, please pray for Bob's family if you will...pray for peace and comfort for Mindy, Emma, Ellie and John as they travel through this dark valley. Also pray for Bob's parents and extended family and for the the many, many lives that he touched. Bob is truly going to be missed very deeply.
And as Bob would say....Peace.
A very dear friend and fellow scout parent had an incident last week where his heart stopped and he was life-flighted to Grant Hospital in Columbus. My husband and I went to visit him this past Saturday. It was hard to see this relatively healthy man lay there in a bed hooked to machines...this man that we had a meeting with the day before...and now here he was lying there clinging to life. If ever there was a time in my life that I "prayed without ceasing"...this was the time. We prayed as a family, I prayed on my own, so many people everywhere praying just for God to grant a miracle and allow Bob to come home and be OK. Sadly, God chose not to answer the way we wanted and sadly he went home to be with Jesus....and though the thought of Bob going to be with Jesus is comforting, honestly we all want him to be here...and it's hard....very hard...accepting God's will, yet watching his wife and three children suffer through all of this. It just doesn't seem fair. I think what is also making this so hard is the fact that he is so young...he's only a few months older than my hubby and I. His family and ours are very similar. They have three kids, so do we. They've only been married a year longer than us. Two of our kids are the same age as theirs. We've been neighbors for years. This all just hits way too close to home and it's truly just not fair...and it's just plain hard. I've been asking a lot of the "Why" questions to God this week. Why take Bob?? Then I was thinking if I was God....Bob would be one of those people I would definitely want on my team.
Bob was one of the good ones. He truly was. A very kind, gentle, welcoming and Godly man...a bit quirky, yet so very smart. Humble, hard working and very much a family man. You could tell how much he loved his wife and kids. He was one of those guys you wanted on your team because He would not only get things done but He truly would do it with excellence. Bob was an expert at "crossing the t's and dotting the i's". Bob was one of those people you just wished you could be like. I don't think I have ever heard anyone speak an ill word about Bob. He was just that kind of guy...a true gem. And one now that I wish I would have gotten to know even more. He was very instrumental in our scout troop. It's truly not going to be the same without him. After all, who's going to walk into the meeting and say, "Hey gang" like he did?? He and his wife were also very instrumental in introducing us to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace course and our lives are forever changed because of him and his wife facilitating that. Other than a house payment, our family is pretty much debt free...and it's all because of Bob and Mindy giving us the tools to do so. Thank you Bob and Mindy!
But like I said we aren't even guaranteed our next breath...and this week has truly proven that. So as you go about your "everyday" please take the time to tell those around you how much they mean to you, how much you appreciate them...because the next moment they could be gone, and sadly that is reality.
As I finish this post, please pray for Bob's family if you will...pray for peace and comfort for Mindy, Emma, Ellie and John as they travel through this dark valley. Also pray for Bob's parents and extended family and for the the many, many lives that he touched. Bob is truly going to be missed very deeply.
And as Bob would say....Peace.
March 15, 2013
New place
So unfortunately this blog got hacked into a few weeks ago...couldn't do anything with it...so I decided to start a new blog for my running...you can find it here: Running the Race. I'm gonna keep this one for other things, but my new one I will dedicate to my running adventures...so come check me out :)
February 27, 2013
The Essentials
So I was recently asked what are the absolute essentials that you must have for your runs...I thought it was a really good question and a good topic to discuss while in the midst of my Cap City Half Marathon training. So here are a few of the essentials that I must have on my runs:
EOS Lip Balm
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this lip balm!! I mean I'm a fanatic about it. By far the best lip balm ever made! I always wear this before going out on a run, especially if I'm running outside in this cold weather. I have one of these beauties in each one of my purses, on my desk and by my bed....yes I LOVE it that much!! They are amazing! And not to mention they are 95% organic and 100% natural. My faves are summer fruit and lemon drop, but I'm really enjoying my new raspberry pomegranate...it's delish! Try them if you haven't yet...you won't be disappointed.
Gum
I must have gum on a run....keeps my mouth moist while I run. It's a must! My favorite....Stride Spark Orange. I love the fact that it has B vitamins in it....a nice plus! But regardless of what kind of gum it is, I just have to have gum....it's not a good run without it.
Tunes
I can't do a run without my auditory motivation. I love my music!! I always have my iPod Touch with me and playing my tunes...and with an ADD girl like me it's nice having that musical distraction while I run. One of my favorite spots to get great running tuneage right now is from Rock My Run. They have great DJ mixes of great workout songs. My favorite right now is 80 Reasons to Run and Mash Up My Run. They also have great Christian running mixes by a DJ named Lloyd which I like as well. So if you are looking for great motivating music...check out Rock My Run....they have lots of different genres and great mixes.
Fuel Belt Handheld Water Bottle
I just recently found this water bottle and I'm glad I did! I was looking for a water bottle to conveniently take with me on my long runs. It's not too big and fits nicely in the hand. I was debating between handheld or a fuel belt that wraps around the waist. I think for me this will be better for me and less distracting. I really like it. It also has a zipper pocket to fit an ID, some money and energy gels so it's great. And I found it on a recent trip to TJ Maxx and got it for $ 7.00!! Works great AND a great deal?? Yeah I'll take that!
Mizuno Shoes
I heart my Mizunos!!! Anyone who knows me knows I love these shoes soooo much! My favorites...My Wave Precision 13. The color on the link is not the ones I have are these beautiful pink pair. I can't say enough about these shoes. When I first got them I swear I heard angels singing...it was that monumental. They are amazing! I also have a pair of the Wave Rider 16 and I like them too now that I finally broke them in....I think I like my Precisions a bit better though. But honestly you can't go wrong with Mizuno. They have this amazing precision fit program you can do on their website that tells you which running shoe is best for you...absolutely amazing! Check them out!
Well that pretty much sums it up. As long as I have these essentials I know it's gonna be a pretty decent run. What do YOU need for a good run?? Have a great day!
EOS Lip Balm
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this lip balm!! I mean I'm a fanatic about it. By far the best lip balm ever made! I always wear this before going out on a run, especially if I'm running outside in this cold weather. I have one of these beauties in each one of my purses, on my desk and by my bed....yes I LOVE it that much!! They are amazing! And not to mention they are 95% organic and 100% natural. My faves are summer fruit and lemon drop, but I'm really enjoying my new raspberry pomegranate...it's delish! Try them if you haven't yet...you won't be disappointed.
Gum
I must have gum on a run....keeps my mouth moist while I run. It's a must! My favorite....Stride Spark Orange. I love the fact that it has B vitamins in it....a nice plus! But regardless of what kind of gum it is, I just have to have gum....it's not a good run without it.
Tunes
I can't do a run without my auditory motivation. I love my music!! I always have my iPod Touch with me and playing my tunes...and with an ADD girl like me it's nice having that musical distraction while I run. One of my favorite spots to get great running tuneage right now is from Rock My Run. They have great DJ mixes of great workout songs. My favorite right now is 80 Reasons to Run and Mash Up My Run. They also have great Christian running mixes by a DJ named Lloyd which I like as well. So if you are looking for great motivating music...check out Rock My Run....they have lots of different genres and great mixes.
Fuel Belt Handheld Water Bottle
I just recently found this water bottle and I'm glad I did! I was looking for a water bottle to conveniently take with me on my long runs. It's not too big and fits nicely in the hand. I was debating between handheld or a fuel belt that wraps around the waist. I think for me this will be better for me and less distracting. I really like it. It also has a zipper pocket to fit an ID, some money and energy gels so it's great. And I found it on a recent trip to TJ Maxx and got it for $ 7.00!! Works great AND a great deal?? Yeah I'll take that!
Mizuno Shoes
Well that pretty much sums it up. As long as I have these essentials I know it's gonna be a pretty decent run. What do YOU need for a good run?? Have a great day!
February 25, 2013
The good, the bad, the TMI...
When it comes to talking about my half marathon training, I'm all about keeping it real. As much as I would love to post about how half marathon training is like rainbows and butterflies it just isn't always going to be that way...that just isn't reality. At least I've found that it's never been MY reality. Life gets messy...things get messy and it sometimes just isn't so pretty.
This past Friday I did my run at Kids America because it was just too cold outside and we had ice earlier in the day. (It's funny how last year I was out in snow and rain and cold...this year I'm such a wuss...lol!) Anyway, I ran in my new Mizuno Wave Rider 16's again and I think I finally broke them in. It was a good, actually really good 6 mile run. Felt really good, did a nice negative split on my last mile...it was really good.
So this morning I opted to do my long run. Now I usually try to do my long runs on the weekend, but with my middle son's birthday party and the weather I opted to do another Monday long run (and can I just say I really like it, starting off the week with the long run). Now I've been trying to finally get to my 10 miler....the last couple weeks it just wasn't working out and I'd get to about 9 miles and would just have to quit...just couldn't go any farther. Well on the good side of things, I was finally able to break through that. 10.29 miles to be exact. I was able to do it in 1:36:56 with a pace of 9:24...was pretty happy with that, and I was even able to pull off negative splits the last 3 miles of my run which I was pretty happy about. After today's run I think I may be able to do this. Though I know most plans say that you only need to train to about 10 miles in order to do the half...the type A personality in me is thinking I need to not only make sure I can do 13.1, but I may if I feel up to it try to surpass that. I figure in my mindset that if I can go past that then surely I can do it and in my mind it won't seem such a hard feat. I'll be honest by the time I got to 10 miles I was glad it was about over....again after my long run I'm saying to myself...how am I going to add more miles to this?? I think come race day it will be ok. I need to calm my mind for sure.
So then for the the bad and ugly....so about half way through my run my stomach was really starting to bother me. I know this may be a bit of TMI but I'm about keeping it real and helping inform others so if they are training too that they will know what can happen. Well anyway I really needed to find a bathroom...and of course my long run I usually go to our local park called Lake Park across town. Now, this place is a nice place to run and pretty hopping when the weather is warmer...not so much this time of year...which is fine for me...except when you are looking for a bathroom. I usually run around the Lake Park campground...which I might add is the FARTHEST point from my house possible...so I thought I would try to see if the campground bathroom was open....of course it was not...not that I was surprised. Needless to say I went to try the bathroom which was probably less than a half mile away by the pool...nada there too. So back around the Lake I go...I got around the soccer fields and back up by the lake and crossing over the parking lots and I see it....the port-o-potty. Definitely not my first choice by any means...but desperate times you know....so thankful it was there. Felt better afterwards but not sure what caused it. Not sure if it was the egg I had for breakfast or the orange juice/ pineapple smoothie....I'm gonna guess the OJ....so now I'll know not to do that again before a run. I usually have those AFTER a run...don't think I've ever had one before....and I will definitely won't be doing that again....not good at all. So lesson learned.
So 67 days until the Cap City Half Marathon...I think I may actually be able to pull this off. :)
Have a great week everyone!
This past Friday I did my run at Kids America because it was just too cold outside and we had ice earlier in the day. (It's funny how last year I was out in snow and rain and cold...this year I'm such a wuss...lol!) Anyway, I ran in my new Mizuno Wave Rider 16's again and I think I finally broke them in. It was a good, actually really good 6 mile run. Felt really good, did a nice negative split on my last mile...it was really good.
So this morning I opted to do my long run. Now I usually try to do my long runs on the weekend, but with my middle son's birthday party and the weather I opted to do another Monday long run (and can I just say I really like it, starting off the week with the long run). Now I've been trying to finally get to my 10 miler....the last couple weeks it just wasn't working out and I'd get to about 9 miles and would just have to quit...just couldn't go any farther. Well on the good side of things, I was finally able to break through that. 10.29 miles to be exact. I was able to do it in 1:36:56 with a pace of 9:24...was pretty happy with that, and I was even able to pull off negative splits the last 3 miles of my run which I was pretty happy about. After today's run I think I may be able to do this. Though I know most plans say that you only need to train to about 10 miles in order to do the half...the type A personality in me is thinking I need to not only make sure I can do 13.1, but I may if I feel up to it try to surpass that. I figure in my mindset that if I can go past that then surely I can do it and in my mind it won't seem such a hard feat. I'll be honest by the time I got to 10 miles I was glad it was about over....again after my long run I'm saying to myself...how am I going to add more miles to this?? I think come race day it will be ok. I need to calm my mind for sure.
So then for the the bad and ugly....so about half way through my run my stomach was really starting to bother me. I know this may be a bit of TMI but I'm about keeping it real and helping inform others so if they are training too that they will know what can happen. Well anyway I really needed to find a bathroom...and of course my long run I usually go to our local park called Lake Park across town. Now, this place is a nice place to run and pretty hopping when the weather is warmer...not so much this time of year...which is fine for me...except when you are looking for a bathroom. I usually run around the Lake Park campground...which I might add is the FARTHEST point from my house possible...so I thought I would try to see if the campground bathroom was open....of course it was not...not that I was surprised. Needless to say I went to try the bathroom which was probably less than a half mile away by the pool...nada there too. So back around the Lake I go...I got around the soccer fields and back up by the lake and crossing over the parking lots and I see it....the port-o-potty. Definitely not my first choice by any means...but desperate times you know....so thankful it was there. Felt better afterwards but not sure what caused it. Not sure if it was the egg I had for breakfast or the orange juice/ pineapple smoothie....I'm gonna guess the OJ....so now I'll know not to do that again before a run. I usually have those AFTER a run...don't think I've ever had one before....and I will definitely won't be doing that again....not good at all. So lesson learned.
So 67 days until the Cap City Half Marathon...I think I may actually be able to pull this off. :)
Have a great week everyone!
February 20, 2013
Sometimes you just gotta do it
So this week so far seems to be going a little better. Ended up taking Sunday off and resting one more day and went for my long run on Monday...and I'm glad I did. My foot was still bothering me a little on Sunday, but when I woke up on Monday...no pain. I decided I was going to run as long as my body felt good, despite the fact it should have been my long run. Surprisingly I felt really good and I ended up doing 9 miles. The only part of me that started hurting towards the end of my run were my glutes...I may want to concentrate on those during my cross training sessions. And speaking of cross training, I have really struggled with doing my cross training...I'm just not entirely sure what to do...I know cross training is supposed to help, but the last thing I want to do is do something that will jeopardize my running or make things worse. If you have done any sort of research on running, cross training or preparing for any sort of race, you'll find as many opinions and options as Lindsay Lohan has had altercations with the law. There is just so much...which is right? I think the reason I've really drug my feet on this cross training is for fear of doing something wrong. Well after the miserable runs I had last week I knew I had to do something...even if it was wrong.
So after some research I've decided to go this route: Nike Training Club. It has many different types of workouts (including stretching exercises which are wonderful) and it's motivating because you earn badges....and for me motivational items are key...gotta be striving for something :) So for right now until I find something better that is what I'm going to use. Yesterday I used the Body Flexor workout and I'm definitely feeling it in my arms today...which I'm not surprised since my upper body strength is non existent. It's sad...and push ups are the worst thing known to man!! I hate push ups...but I'm determined to get through at least 10 decent push ups (regular...not the wimpy kind) and do them well. We shall see how that goes. I've got to get my upper body strong so I can accomplish the Indian Mud Run in June. There is a bit of climbing on these obstacles so I'm bound determined to do it well. I'm going to be going to my first Indian Mud Run meeting tonight so we'll see how that goes. I'm hoping to get involved with cleaning and helping with the course...I love that trail and anything I can do to keep it nice or make it better I'm all for.
Well time get moving...got some errands to run and have to fit in a 4+ mile run in somewhere today as well...though with this cold snap we are experiencing, I have a feeling I'm going to be seeing the Kids America track real soon. It's gonna be another busy one! Have a great day!
So after some research I've decided to go this route: Nike Training Club. It has many different types of workouts (including stretching exercises which are wonderful) and it's motivating because you earn badges....and for me motivational items are key...gotta be striving for something :) So for right now until I find something better that is what I'm going to use. Yesterday I used the Body Flexor workout and I'm definitely feeling it in my arms today...which I'm not surprised since my upper body strength is non existent. It's sad...and push ups are the worst thing known to man!! I hate push ups...but I'm determined to get through at least 10 decent push ups (regular...not the wimpy kind) and do them well. We shall see how that goes. I've got to get my upper body strong so I can accomplish the Indian Mud Run in June. There is a bit of climbing on these obstacles so I'm bound determined to do it well. I'm going to be going to my first Indian Mud Run meeting tonight so we'll see how that goes. I'm hoping to get involved with cleaning and helping with the course...I love that trail and anything I can do to keep it nice or make it better I'm all for.
Well time get moving...got some errands to run and have to fit in a 4+ mile run in somewhere today as well...though with this cold snap we are experiencing, I have a feeling I'm going to be seeing the Kids America track real soon. It's gonna be another busy one! Have a great day!
February 17, 2013
Sometimes things aren't rainbows and butterflies
Sometimes things in life are amazing, great and you think they can't get much better....as far as my Cap City Half Marathon training goes however, this was NOT one of those weeks. Definitely no rainbows and butterflies...just lots of hardship and pain.
Rewind to last Sunday...I had an amazing 9.6 mile run...I felt like I could have run longer if I would have had the time to. Monday was a rest day and then Tuesday's run I ran outside and it was HORRIBLE!! Awful to say the least. My legs felt tired and like I had lead in my shoes...totally miserable almost 4 mile run. I gave myself another day off on Wednesday then proceeded to do another 4 mile run on Thursday. Though it wasn't quite as miserable, I had pain in my left foot/ankle area...not good. I've been dealing with that the past few days since. It just feels like my calf muscle is tight and the bottom of my foot is bruised or something. I tried breaking in my new pair of Mizuno Wave Riders 16's since my other Mizuno's are getting towards the end of their life cycle. Not sure if it's the breaking in the new shoes, running in the old ones earlier in the week...who knows.
So I get to today...it was supposed to be my long run. Was hoping to put in some good miles today, but the longer the day went on the more I felt it wasn't the best idea. My foot still hurt a little and I just don't want to push it. Hubby gave me a wonderful foot massage and that helped a lot....so I opted to not run my long run today. Am I bummed...yes, but I'd be even more bummed if I hurt myself so bad that I couldn't run, so I'm glad that I'm far enough before race day that I can afford the luxury to take a few extra days off...so today instead of running I did some stretching exercises which really did help and I'm seriously thinking of incorporating these into a post run routine. Also I'm thinking that maybe stretching a little before a run would be somewhat beneficial. I don't usually stretch before a run (I do a warm up walk, but not a stretch). I've heard both sides that you should or shouldn't. I may try it and see if it helps me. I do stretch after a run though. So what's next?? Well I'm going to try and do a run tomorrow and see how I do. And if I don't make it into a long run, I'm ok with that...it's not the end of the world and I don't want to push myself so hard that I ruin this for myself....and that is my ultimate fear. That something happens that I hurt myself and can't race. So I'm just going to ease back into it and go from there and see how it goes.
On other news, had a great girls day out yesterday. It was just nice to get out and enjoy some shopping and cheesecake. :) Though it was funny because most of our purchases were all running related. I found myself some much needed new sports bras and a cute tank that I think will match my running skirt perfectly. Also found one of those little hand-held water bottles....gonna try that out on my next long run and see if that works for me...not sure yet if I want something to hold during the race or something around my waist. Luckily we have some time to figure that out.
Well I know this wasn't one of my more cheerful witty posts, but I just want to keep it real...not everything about training is fun, easy or rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes there are obstacles and struggles on the way to a dream. The thing is to not let it beat you, defeat you and to overcome those things. So here is to the next few months of overcoming ;). Have a great weekend!
Rewind to last Sunday...I had an amazing 9.6 mile run...I felt like I could have run longer if I would have had the time to. Monday was a rest day and then Tuesday's run I ran outside and it was HORRIBLE!! Awful to say the least. My legs felt tired and like I had lead in my shoes...totally miserable almost 4 mile run. I gave myself another day off on Wednesday then proceeded to do another 4 mile run on Thursday. Though it wasn't quite as miserable, I had pain in my left foot/ankle area...not good. I've been dealing with that the past few days since. It just feels like my calf muscle is tight and the bottom of my foot is bruised or something. I tried breaking in my new pair of Mizuno Wave Riders 16's since my other Mizuno's are getting towards the end of their life cycle. Not sure if it's the breaking in the new shoes, running in the old ones earlier in the week...who knows.
So I get to today...it was supposed to be my long run. Was hoping to put in some good miles today, but the longer the day went on the more I felt it wasn't the best idea. My foot still hurt a little and I just don't want to push it. Hubby gave me a wonderful foot massage and that helped a lot....so I opted to not run my long run today. Am I bummed...yes, but I'd be even more bummed if I hurt myself so bad that I couldn't run, so I'm glad that I'm far enough before race day that I can afford the luxury to take a few extra days off...so today instead of running I did some stretching exercises which really did help and I'm seriously thinking of incorporating these into a post run routine. Also I'm thinking that maybe stretching a little before a run would be somewhat beneficial. I don't usually stretch before a run (I do a warm up walk, but not a stretch). I've heard both sides that you should or shouldn't. I may try it and see if it helps me. I do stretch after a run though. So what's next?? Well I'm going to try and do a run tomorrow and see how I do. And if I don't make it into a long run, I'm ok with that...it's not the end of the world and I don't want to push myself so hard that I ruin this for myself....and that is my ultimate fear. That something happens that I hurt myself and can't race. So I'm just going to ease back into it and go from there and see how it goes.
On other news, had a great girls day out yesterday. It was just nice to get out and enjoy some shopping and cheesecake. :) Though it was funny because most of our purchases were all running related. I found myself some much needed new sports bras and a cute tank that I think will match my running skirt perfectly. Also found one of those little hand-held water bottles....gonna try that out on my next long run and see if that works for me...not sure yet if I want something to hold during the race or something around my waist. Luckily we have some time to figure that out.
Well I know this wasn't one of my more cheerful witty posts, but I just want to keep it real...not everything about training is fun, easy or rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes there are obstacles and struggles on the way to a dream. The thing is to not let it beat you, defeat you and to overcome those things. So here is to the next few months of overcoming ;). Have a great weekend!
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