Yesterday I had a 16mile run planned. However, like I said in my last post, we had some family in town and they were leaving that morning. I didn't know what time they were planning on heading out, so I decided to get up extra early to get this done.
The alarm went off at 5am and I jumped out of bed kind''ve excited. It's always awesome when you jump out of bed excited to go out for a run. It makes the whole thing worth it. I got all ready and headed downstairs to get something to eat. It then dawned on me to check out how light it was outside. It was still completely dark with no hint of sun. Bummer. The only thing my husband has ever asked me to do when it comes to running is to NOT run outside when it's dark and I am happy to comply. It's scary to run in the dark alone (esp. when you're a woman) even when you have all kinds of reflectors on you.
Anyways, I just hung out and let my stomach digest. I finally headed out a little before 6:30am. The temperature was 78* and the high for the day was 95*. I had to get going. I kept the 16miles as my goal and I started off on a 2 mile loop. I know... it sounds miserable, but it really isn't that bad for a loop. If I have to stop in at home to change layers or use the restroom I don't have far to go.
The best part about this run was this lady I passed a few times. She was walking with a friend and as I was passing them a 2nd time she yelled out: "you go girl!!" Awesome. It made me smile and I just kept on moving and feeling like I was on the top of the world.
At around 8 miles the heat was on and I was just sweating buckets- but I was maintaining my goal pace. So, instead of doing 16 miles, I decided to see if I could do a sub 2 hr half. I was so excited. My pace was consistent and I felt so strong. I love it when that happens. It was definitely a confidence booster!!
I was so stinking close!! I finished 13.1 in literally 2 hours flat! Ahh!! I have been stuck at like 2:02-2:06. I'm getting there though. So, overall, yesterday was great and I am very happy with it.
I meant to take a picture of myself when I was finished, however, when I got back to the house, everyone was around the table eating breakfast and I completely forgot. I will try to do better with pictures. Promise. That's my goal for the blog this week.
What inspiring things have helped you on long runs (like people yelling "you go girl" at you... not creepy pick up lines haha)?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
I don't know how you do it...
Dear all moms,
So, I am not a mom (yet). It will be a little while until that happens, however, today my sister-in-law and her family arrived from Utah to visit. I have a lot of nieces and nephews on my side of the family and I even work in a daycare at a gym a few days a week- so I am not unfamiliar with kids or anything like that... I just am always able to pass them on to their parents when the time comes.
Anyways, the point of this "letter" is to tell all of you mom's how much I respect you for getting out there and keeping up your exercise and running. It takes a lot of work just to keep sane sometimes I'm sure. Today I wasn't able to go out and run like I wanted to because things just came up and my sweet niece and nephew needed a little extra looking after.
After quite a few melt downs my sis-in-law said, "this is why I eat junk food". It made me laugh. But in all seriousness, I just hope that I can keep up running by the time the kiddos come into my life and be able to find a balance in life.
There was a mom who dropped her kid off at the gym today and she was like, "i'm sorry you have to look after all these kids". I just looked at her and I thought "I did sign up for this knowingly.." Then I said to her, "that's the point of this, so you can get some 'me' time and get in your exercise to better yourself and your family". That's really what running does for me now. It makes me a better person and in return it has strengthened my marriage a little too.
So to all you mom's- keep up the AMAZING work of finding a balance and getting out there when you'd rather eat junk food. You all inspire me and I hope I can be like all of you when that time comes.
Now I just need to figure out what to do about the whole not exercising thing today... cookies?? ;) just kidding!!
Heart,
Crystal
So, I am not a mom (yet). It will be a little while until that happens, however, today my sister-in-law and her family arrived from Utah to visit. I have a lot of nieces and nephews on my side of the family and I even work in a daycare at a gym a few days a week- so I am not unfamiliar with kids or anything like that... I just am always able to pass them on to their parents when the time comes.
Anyways, the point of this "letter" is to tell all of you mom's how much I respect you for getting out there and keeping up your exercise and running. It takes a lot of work just to keep sane sometimes I'm sure. Today I wasn't able to go out and run like I wanted to because things just came up and my sweet niece and nephew needed a little extra looking after.
After quite a few melt downs my sis-in-law said, "this is why I eat junk food". It made me laugh. But in all seriousness, I just hope that I can keep up running by the time the kiddos come into my life and be able to find a balance in life.
There was a mom who dropped her kid off at the gym today and she was like, "i'm sorry you have to look after all these kids". I just looked at her and I thought "I did sign up for this knowingly.." Then I said to her, "that's the point of this, so you can get some 'me' time and get in your exercise to better yourself and your family". That's really what running does for me now. It makes me a better person and in return it has strengthened my marriage a little too.
So to all you mom's- keep up the AMAZING work of finding a balance and getting out there when you'd rather eat junk food. You all inspire me and I hope I can be like all of you when that time comes.
Now I just need to figure out what to do about the whole not exercising thing today... cookies?? ;) just kidding!!
Heart,
Crystal
Saturday, July 17, 2010
10 miler gone wrong
This morning I decided to sleep in. I was so exhausted from this last week that I just said "no way" to the alarm and headed back to bed at 5:30am. I had my 10miler run looming over my head and I decided that I would run it after my stomach had settled after lunch.
Because it was super hot and there was a chance of a downpour, I had to hit the treadmill. Not my favorite- but sometimes that's just what you have to do. I headed out to the gym in my cute RunningSkirt (running camp skirt- love it!) that the hubby got me for my birthday in May and I was excited to get this done! I just felt good and full of energy- as my mother-in-law would say, "a tough Texas woman"- that's how I felt :-)
.jpg)
There were some characters at the gym today. I'm talking super awesome jean cut offs... It made for really good people watching (is that awful??). I was feeling good and I felt like I was getting my 2nd wind for the whole first half of it. I was just feeling good. Then around mile 5- the thought "oh no!" came up and I had to hit the stop button and run to the bathroom. Stupid GI issues. Then after that, I was still feeling good all over except for my stomach. Blegh. I ran for another 2.5miles and I again had to hit the "stop" button and this time I just left everything on the mill and ran to the locker room as fast as I could. It was that bad.
How awful! I'm not sure what's up with my digestive system, but I was just so bummed today because I was really feeling good (minus the bathroom issues). Maybe it was payback for keeping myself occupied with "people-watching". I had to cut it short at 7.5 miles because I just knew that I was going to keep having to run to the bathroom. Heh, I'm sure people noticed and probably thought I was some crazy person.
I guess the positives I can take away from this is that I was feeling good enough to finish with flying colors (if I hadn't had other issues). That's always a good sign when you're running double digits. Granted, it was on the TM, but who cares?? At least I got out there, right?? :-)
Quote of the day: "pass gas, not judgment"
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Because it was super hot and there was a chance of a downpour, I had to hit the treadmill. Not my favorite- but sometimes that's just what you have to do. I headed out to the gym in my cute RunningSkirt (running camp skirt- love it!) that the hubby got me for my birthday in May and I was excited to get this done! I just felt good and full of energy- as my mother-in-law would say, "a tough Texas woman"- that's how I felt :-)
.jpg)
There were some characters at the gym today. I'm talking super awesome jean cut offs... It made for really good people watching (is that awful??). I was feeling good and I felt like I was getting my 2nd wind for the whole first half of it. I was just feeling good. Then around mile 5- the thought "oh no!" came up and I had to hit the stop button and run to the bathroom. Stupid GI issues. Then after that, I was still feeling good all over except for my stomach. Blegh. I ran for another 2.5miles and I again had to hit the "stop" button and this time I just left everything on the mill and ran to the locker room as fast as I could. It was that bad.
How awful! I'm not sure what's up with my digestive system, but I was just so bummed today because I was really feeling good (minus the bathroom issues). Maybe it was payback for keeping myself occupied with "people-watching". I had to cut it short at 7.5 miles because I just knew that I was going to keep having to run to the bathroom. Heh, I'm sure people noticed and probably thought I was some crazy person.
I guess the positives I can take away from this is that I was feeling good enough to finish with flying colors (if I hadn't had other issues). That's always a good sign when you're running double digits. Granted, it was on the TM, but who cares?? At least I got out there, right?? :-)
Quote of the day: "pass gas, not judgment"
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Today I am thankful for running
So, it's official!! My oldest sister and I have signed up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon!! My sister loves everything Disney. No really. It's her most favorite place in the entire world. If she could live in Cinderella's castle, she would. Well, I guess- who wouldn't want to live in Cinderella's castle??
Anyways, we signed up as a team!! We wanted our team name to be: "Gulf Coast Beauty and East Coast Belle". However, it was a little long and we couldn't abbreviate it that much for it to make sense. So, now our team name is: "TX Beauty + NH Belle". Awesome. I am so excited!!
So, why am I thankful for running? Well, running has always been there for me during the good times and bad. It has lifted me up and kept me feeling good and healthy. It keeps me sane!! It has also brought me and my sister closer together. You see, there is a 15 year age difference between us. Who would've thought that you could have a really good relationship with a sibling that much older than you? I know it's always possible, however, let's be honest- when I was 3 she went off to college and I didn't really get to know her that well. Then our mom passed away when I was 11 and she became my mother figure- always keeping me on the right track.
Then I moved off to college (BYU in Utah) in 2003 and now I just moved to Texas for the hubby's job. So, I've been gone from home for quite a long time. Anyways, the last few years I have been getting back into running and training. In these last few years my sister was also getting healthy and this last year, she has started running for the first time! We call each other up for pep talks before races now or talk about our training- the good days and bad.
This is why I am thankful for running. It has brought us really close together aside from everything else and running is constant. I am so excited for her to do this half marathon with me. As of now, she hasn't run a half before- so it may be her first (unless she runs one this fall). I am so excited for her! Let's just hope I can keep up now :-)
I heart running :-) Why do you?
Anyways, we signed up as a team!! We wanted our team name to be: "Gulf Coast Beauty and East Coast Belle". However, it was a little long and we couldn't abbreviate it that much for it to make sense. So, now our team name is: "TX Beauty + NH Belle". Awesome. I am so excited!!
So, why am I thankful for running? Well, running has always been there for me during the good times and bad. It has lifted me up and kept me feeling good and healthy. It keeps me sane!! It has also brought me and my sister closer together. You see, there is a 15 year age difference between us. Who would've thought that you could have a really good relationship with a sibling that much older than you? I know it's always possible, however, let's be honest- when I was 3 she went off to college and I didn't really get to know her that well. Then our mom passed away when I was 11 and she became my mother figure- always keeping me on the right track.
Then I moved off to college (BYU in Utah) in 2003 and now I just moved to Texas for the hubby's job. So, I've been gone from home for quite a long time. Anyways, the last few years I have been getting back into running and training. In these last few years my sister was also getting healthy and this last year, she has started running for the first time! We call each other up for pep talks before races now or talk about our training- the good days and bad.
This is why I am thankful for running. It has brought us really close together aside from everything else and running is constant. I am so excited for her to do this half marathon with me. As of now, she hasn't run a half before- so it may be her first (unless she runs one this fall). I am so excited for her! Let's just hope I can keep up now :-)
I heart running :-) Why do you?
Monday, July 5, 2010
Slacker!
Yep... that's me. Sorry blogging world. Life happens. But! I am running like a mad woman! 32 miles last week :-)
So, just wanted to share a quick story from my long run 2 Saturdays ago (6/26). I ran 13 miles, BOO YAH! It was hot and humid out. I seriously ran through every single sprinkler I could. I was soaking wet... and I wish I could say that all of that was from the sprinklers :-( Stupid humidity turning me into "Sweaty Betty"!
Anyways, I had to go to the bathroom around mile 8 or 10. At the time I was in a neighborhood that is currently building some new homes. I came down this one part of the neighborhood and saw a blue porta-john. I was so excited!! It was pretty early in the morning and there were no workers out. So, I decided to do a TP check on the inside- Check! and sanitizer! Bonus! I debated if I should just go ahead and use it or not. I knew that if I didn't use it, my pace would suffer on the way home. I was about 2 seconds from using it when I noticed this creeper across the street in his car. He wasn't a construction worker and he was just staring at me! He wasn't in front of a house or anything like that and there was no one else around. So, that took care of that! I got back on the road and headed home and sadly left the blue porta-john behind.
I hate the fact that I have to be worried about creepers! It's really frustrating sometimes. So, I guess two questions-
First: what do you do on your outdoor runs to protect yourself from awkward situations with creepers? Do you switch sides of the road, carry pepper spray...etc?
2nd question- when you have to GO while you're on the run- what do you do?? Suck it up, use the random porta john on the side of the road (not for race use) or find a store/gas station?
One last thing... registration for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon opens up tomorrow!!! My sister and I are so there!
So, just wanted to share a quick story from my long run 2 Saturdays ago (6/26). I ran 13 miles, BOO YAH! It was hot and humid out. I seriously ran through every single sprinkler I could. I was soaking wet... and I wish I could say that all of that was from the sprinklers :-( Stupid humidity turning me into "Sweaty Betty"!
Anyways, I had to go to the bathroom around mile 8 or 10. At the time I was in a neighborhood that is currently building some new homes. I came down this one part of the neighborhood and saw a blue porta-john. I was so excited!! It was pretty early in the morning and there were no workers out. So, I decided to do a TP check on the inside- Check! and sanitizer! Bonus! I debated if I should just go ahead and use it or not. I knew that if I didn't use it, my pace would suffer on the way home. I was about 2 seconds from using it when I noticed this creeper across the street in his car. He wasn't a construction worker and he was just staring at me! He wasn't in front of a house or anything like that and there was no one else around. So, that took care of that! I got back on the road and headed home and sadly left the blue porta-john behind.
I hate the fact that I have to be worried about creepers! It's really frustrating sometimes. So, I guess two questions-
First: what do you do on your outdoor runs to protect yourself from awkward situations with creepers? Do you switch sides of the road, carry pepper spray...etc?
2nd question- when you have to GO while you're on the run- what do you do?? Suck it up, use the random porta john on the side of the road (not for race use) or find a store/gas station?
One last thing... registration for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon opens up tomorrow!!! My sister and I are so there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)