ya mon!

I got new shoes!! Brooks Dyad 5 and they are FABULOUS! I regret now not documenting via photos the shoe purchase process for this blog, (hey I am still learning this blog thing) but it was quite the fun. My first offical pair of running shoes! I tried them out for the first time while in Jamaica on vacation, what a fun way to break them in! Jamaican running feet:



I tried them out on my treadmill today, man I struggled through 1.5 miles, too many pina colodas on vacation! HA! Really though, I am buckling down and kicking my running up a notch now that I am back from vacation.

Gymboss

I am thinking about getting the Gymboss
Website with all info here: http://www.gymboss.com/?src=IAP



I think it will be helpful for tracking my run/walk intervals, especially when I venture off the treadmill. Anyone use this?

I AM NOT A JOGGER
I may waddle when I run, but I'm running all the same
By John Bingham

PUBLISHED 09/19/2007

The late Dr. George Sheehan, beloved Runner's World columnist and arguably the first running boom's premier philosopher, once wrote that the difference between a runner and a jogger was a signature on a race application. (For the youngsters out there, there was a time before online registration when you actually filled out a paper application, signed it, attached a check, and mailed it in. Quaint, I know.) As succinct as Dr. Sheehan's definition was, it made the point. If you were motivated enough to train for and participate in an organized running event, then you were a runner. Anyone willing to risk public failure in order to be a part of the running community--no matter what his or her pace per mile might be--was a runner. Period. Kind of hard for anyone to argue with that logic.But a few months ago, an ad ran in this magazine that drew a very hard line between runners and joggers. I immediately heard from tons of readers who were upset by the distinction. To me, however, such definitions are meaningless, since those of us who call ourselves runners already know why we call ourselves runners. Your reasons may be different from mine, but here's why I know I am a runner:

I AM A RUNNER because my runs have names. I do tempo runs and threshold runs and fartlek runs. I do long, slow runs and track workouts. My runs are defined, even if my abs are not.

I AM A RUNNER because my shoes are training equipment, not a fashion statement. The best shoe for me is the one that makes me a better runner. I choose the shoe that goes with my running mechanics, not my running outfit.

I AM A RUNNER because I don't have running outfits. I have technical shirts and shorts and socks. I have apparel that enhances the experience of running by allowing me to run comfortably. I can say "Coolmax" and "Gore-Tex" in the same sentence and know which does what.

I AM A RUNNER because I know what effort feels like, and I embrace it. I know when I'm pushing the limits of my comfort and why I'm doing it. I know that heavy breathing and an accelerated heart rate--things I once avoided--are necessary if I want to be a better runner.

I AM A RUNNER because I value and respect my body. It will whisper to me when I've done too much. And if I choose to listen to that whisper, my body won't have to scream in pain later on.

I AM A RUNNER because I am willing to lay it all on the line. I know that every finish line has the potential to lift my spirits to new highs or devastate me, yet I line up anyway.

I AM A RUNNER because I know that despite my best efforts, I will always want more from myself. I will always want to know my limits so that I can exceed them. I AM A RUNNER because I run. Not because I run fast. Not because I run far.

I AM A RUNNER because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not.

Waddle on, friends.

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.