If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. ~Michael Jordan

We what a difference a few weeks can do. I returned to school after my nice long 5 week break. I am back to LONG clinical days at the hospital. I am back to fighting with my children to do their homework and clean their rooms, back to practically living at the ski hill with my son. Back to reality. I am also happy to report that my running has continued on. Today I ran for 15 minutes without stopping! YAY! This is a first without even a 20 second stop for water or to wipe my nose (what is with that? My nose POURS the whole time I am running! ANNOYING!) FINALLY I broke through my slump and it feels FANTASTIC!!!

My wonderful friend Jess sent me the Nike+. http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/run.html

http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features/nike.html My iPod Touch and it work beautifully together, it is the coolest little thing. For me, a running virgin, it is a perfect little gadget to help me track and record my runs. I love that it announces your time, minutes left etc, it is a nice little motivator! Oh and incase you are wondering my power song? Push it by Salt-N-Pepa!!

THANK YOU JESS!!!

It feels good to be back on track, with a head clear of frustration or doubt. I know there will be challenges, but I need to remember they will pass and I need to keep on keepin' on!

Pathetic Pity Party Post

HELP!

I am embarrassed to post this after my post below about how encouragement comes from within, but this is my blog and a place to dump my feelings. And today I am discouraged. Running has SUCKED this week. I am religious about my work-outs, I have been since right before Thanksgiving. This week has been bad. I am dragging, and it is a mental vs. physical battle each second of each run, and lately mental is winning. I KNOW I can do more than I am, I know I can push myself farther, but I am not. My mind is stopping me. This week I couldn't break through that. I continued to walk on the treadmill after I wanted to get off. But as far as training goes, this week was a waste. I did not improve, I barely maintained. On a positive I continued, I didn't stop. At least I can say that.

I want a partner. I want someone running beside me. To encourage each other along each step of the run. I want someone else there so that when I want to quit I won't. I will keep running because my pride will overtake my mind. I mean I can't stop with someone there watching me!

I become a mother at 18, I have never had me time. Running is a solitary sport. Which why many love it, which is why I wanted to join. I wanted me time, something for me, something I could do alone. And the irony is that now I have that, and am doing that, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT! Alone time? I am lost.

So today, just for today, I ask for encouragement. Tell me you have been there, or are there, tell me it gets better, or tell me it doesn't and all I can do is push through. Tell me something, I feel so alone in this journey!

Let it snow!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!

Welcome 2009!

So my last few runs have been rough. During my last run my legs were just so heavy and stiff, no fun. Today I felt really tight, like my muscles were rubber bands stretched out, my calf was tight and my right hip gets so sore. I know I need to start stretching, but I am so green! I have no idea what I need to be doing. Before and after? One or the other? Sigh, I need to search YouTube for ideas. Any recommendations/suggestions are welcome, whether it is articles, videos, books, what have you. I also wish I had a running group to join. I have googled, but like my venting post below, there don't seem to be many amateur groups in my area. I need a partner! I need motivation! I need direction! I feel so lost.

So today's run I was feeling discouraged with my time. I felt like this running thing is something I will never be able to own. I felt sore and just bad in general. Then I thought about my running friends, how much they have accomplished, I wanted to get off the treadmill and call them to cry and complain. I wanted to hear some motivation from them. Then after I ran a mile, after I felt like my time sucked, after I wanted to hear encouraging words from my friends, after I wanted to get off the treadmill and give up. I realized something. I had just ran a mile, no my time may not have been what I would have wanted, but I just ran a mile! The week of Thanksgiving when I started running I could barely run 30 seconds without having to stop. I had not deliberately exercised in longer than I want to mention, I was already doing so much more than I had been. I needed to stop and remember that. I also realized that my friends can be great support and sounding boards, but the true motivation and encouragement need to come from within.

I finished my run, and then after I thought I couldn't go anymore I walked another mile. I was sore and stiff (still need to look into stretching) but I did it. When I logged into my email I had this quote from http://www.runnersworld.com/ waiting in my inbox:

"When a person trains once, nothing happens. When a person forces himself to do a thing a hundred or a thousand times, then he certainly has developed in more ways than physical." EMIL ZATOPEK

What perfect timing for such encouraging words. I need to stop and remember that I will not get this overnight. I need to remember that I am improving. I need to remember that sometimes you need to be stronger mentally than physically, because most of the time it is your mind telling you to stop, not your body. I know I will learn so much more via this running venture than how to put one foot in front of the other, I look forward to all that it brings.

My goal for 2009 is to continue to run. Plain and simple. If I continue, I will improve.