100+ heat isn't my friend

It wasn't such a good run today.  My legs were aching 1/2 a mile in.  The schedule today was for 2 miles, and I probably ran about 50% of it.  I feel like training is a roller coaster.  5 miles scheduled for Saturday and 2 miles is still kicking my ass...  Sigh.

I'm starting to see tone in my body though.  Scale not moving much, but body is getting toned... Not bad since my Hapa boy returns in a couple of weeks. !!!

Ohmigawd I like running!!!

I never thought this day would happen. Here it is!! I like running!!! Maybe I'm on a runners high. Maybe the stars are perfectly aligned.  Maybe something clicked.  Maybe it was what I ate for breakfast.  Maybe it was just getting through the first mile.  But I HAD A GOOD RUN TODAY!!!!  I can now see how 13 miles are possible.  This is huge!  I want to scream from the top of a mountain, maybe even one that I RUN to the top of.  I got in the zone today.  I am so happy!!!!  YEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!

Training blues (already)

I couldn't get myself out of bed this morning.  I just didn't feel like getting up and running.  Looking back, I'm not real happy with that decision, because it's supposed to be 104 this afternoon.  I tried to think about why I was dreading getting up, and I think I'm having a hard time with running not coming very easily to me.  I hear so many people say that they can just run and run and run.  After just a month of running, they're already able to go several miles without stopping.  I've been training for several months now, and I still can barely hit a mile.  I'm not sure if it's my form, nutrition, or if it's all mental.  I hate the people who tell me it's all in my head.  I want to run. So if it's in my head, what's keeping me from running?

I did do aqua aerobics yesterday.  It was interesting.  I felt like the most fit person there (besides the instructor). Not sure how much of a challenge it was, and I'm not sure I really did enough of a workout.  I swam a few laps afterwards, and that was nice. It's nice to be back in the pool, and feel that swim come so naturally to me (not like running, grrrr!)

I have the next couple days off.  I'm looking forward to some non-running days.  Is this bad? I'm 5 months away from the 1/2 marathon and I'm already struggling.  I just keep hoping I'm on the verge of a breakthrough.

Training begins!

This Saturday was my first day of training for the 1/2. I'm happy. The coaches seem very supportive and non-psycho.  There was one small disappointment.  I ran the first mile.  When I got to a stoplight just after mile one I had to stop and wait for the light to change.  Only about 10 seconds behind me were the walkers.  I run as slow as the walkers walk.  Sigh. Also, after that first mile I died.  Ran out of energy.  I still finished the 3.5 mile course, but I know I need to eat before next week's run.  I was only expecting to do a mile this week, so next week I'll be better prepared.

My nutrition is going well.  Not perfect, but well.

Personal life ok.  I'm feeling a little loner-like with all my friends being pregnant.  I signed up for a couple of meetups, and am hoping to meet some more people like me - single, professional, and kid free.

I'd like to have some followers, so if you've stumbled across my blog and enjoy it, please follow me.

The ups and the downs.

I was in a great place the other day - hit my lowest weight in months, maybe even years.  Bad news, it crept right back on.  I suspect this is due to my somewhat relaxed approach to recording my food intake, as my exercise has been rather consistent.

I returned from Denver, and the first day back I was scheduled to do my first 20 minute run with no breaks at all.  I completed that, surprising myself.  Then my plan had me drop back to intervals - 8m run, walk, 5m run, walk, 8m run.   Next day was 10m run, walk, 10m run.  Today it jumps to 25 m run.  No breaks.  Yikes!  I'm scared, but I know if I can do it, I will be very proud.  No, I know WHEN I do it I will be proud.  Challenge right now - wind.  Wind and hills.  I've mapped a course for today that has the first mile or so uphill, then the last 1.5 downhill.  I think that will help.

I also purchased a bike - wheeee! It's been fun to ride for short trips around the neighborhood.

My one letdown - I guess I kind of thought I would arrive in Denver and everyone would tell me how skinny and great I look.  In my mind I'm a changed person.  I guess in reality I still have a long way to go.  There's something about having the ability to run that fools my brain into thinking I am as skinny as a super model now.  No one really said anything.  Bummer.  There is a part of me, however, that doesn't care.  I just want to be able to run.  And wear clothes without looking awful.

In other emotional news - all my friends are pregnant.  I'm having a really hard time with this.  Really hard time.