The Mental Anguish

I ran a good solid 3.5 miles on Saturday.
Ran 4.2 miles yesterday.
The 4.2 were rough.
I'm not going to say how there were
some steep downhills and steep uphills
or the fact that my IT band was hurting.
I'm just proudly going to say I did it.

Then later last night after the run
when I was cooking dinner I was thinking
about everything that had to do with
leading up to the run.
The biggest thing I came up with is running is a physical
sport. Very physical.
But it takes a mental giant to accomplish the feat.
Granted some people are lucky and can put on
running shoes and run, and run, and run.
Not so much for this lady.
It's a struggle for me.
Yes I have done three half-marathons.
But it still is something I struggle with.
I have to pump myself up mentally.
Vision the course I am going to take.
And tell myself along the way that I am doing
a real good job.
One time a car pulled over because I was yelling
at myself, 'You can do this!'.
I think they thought something was wrong.
Nope. Just yelling encouragement to myself.
And probably yelling loud over the music
blaring in my ears.

The race is in a mear 2 1/2 weeks.
That is freaking close.
I debated while I was running if it was going to
be wise to go through with the race.
The conclusion: why not?
If I walk 10 or 13 miles so what.
I committed to do something
and stuck with it.
Do I wish I was faster?
Oh yes!
Do I wish I was better conditioned?
Oh heavens yes!
But I can't think of anything better than crossing
that finish line and knowing I did something
pretty awesome despite the odds I was against.
Oh the pain and joys of running are so addictive!

Tuesday's Run

It's late at night.
I have done nothing but sleep
and watch TV for the past 2 hours.
Best reason to get my butt off
of the couch and go running.

And boy am I sure glad I did!

It is a 3.25 mile trek home from my Father-in-Laws.
It is mainly uphill,
with one very big hill.
As tough and tiring as it was,
it felt incredible to put the
feet to the pavement and battle it out.

4 on 4

What a great way to celebrate 

the 4th of July with 4 miles!

I ran in the afternoon

and boy was it hot.

But I swear nothing feels better

than pushing yourself past limits.

As I was running all I could think about 

is how I am a runner now.

Best put by my oldest brother that what

our family considered running was 

running up the stairs to get ice cream.

I'm proud to have pushed myself to 

a point where I continually to see improvement.

Yes there are those days where I think 

even 1/2 mile will kill me.

But I wouldn't trade the physical

AND mental strength I have acquired 

since I have started to run and do races.

Hope all had a very good 4th!

The turtoise will win the race

Or at least finish.
Hit the gym last night to get my 3 miler in.
I have 5 weeks until the Provo Half.
I have been nervous thinking I have
actually committed to this race and
have not even trained.
But a good interval run on the treadmill
last night changed my mind.

I will be ready.
I am excited to push myself in the next 5 weeks.
And I am hoping that maybe, just maybe,
I will be able to stay up with my friend Annie.
She's a powerhouse and is going to rock the race.
And all I care is that I finish this race standing up! :)
So here is to 5 weeks.
I can't wait!

The energy is back but not so much the strength

I still have the energy of getting full
swing back into running.
But the fact that my body and endurance
are NOT ready is a whole different story.
I set out yesterday with a goal to do 3 miles.
A simple 3 miles, right?!
Not so much.
I did good the first mile.
Stopped to walk for a bit on the second mile.
Then when I was reaching the top of the hill
I started to feel sick.

'Push through it' I keep saying to myself.
Cause don't you see the results when you get to
the point of quiting then you magically push through?
I found myself on the side of someone's house
dry-heaving hoping to throw up.
I stood up to keep running the next mile
And only made it a half mile before I was
summoned home to go look at places to live.

I am excited/nervous to try again today.
I know I will pick it back up.
It just takes a lot of work.
and training.

And did I say a lot of work?
Lets hope I will be able to be ready by August 8.

It's back

I was wondering when it would come back.
The desire.
The longing.
The fulfillment of running.
And I think it is back!!
I have been putting off jumping back into
training due to pure laziness and
a bit of fear due to my IT band.

There a couple of races I am getting really
excited about and they start soon!
Provo Trail 1/2 will be on August 8,
then I will have a week or so to rest
and keep up on my running for the
Golden Leaf 1/2 on September 26.
And I may be able to do a race similar to
Wasatch Back but it is Las Vegas.
The running bug is back!
I couldn't be more excited.
Especially that I still don't consider
myself a runner,
but the bug has bit me!! WOOP! WOOP!

3 miles

I was able to get a good 3 miler in on Saturday.
Getting back into running has not been necessarily easy.
I am going to have to work hard to build that endurance
back up to where I was,
but I know I can do it.
My main concern is my IT Band.
That is what caused me all my pain in the SLC 1/2.
I used a foam roller at the gym and I
may continue to run treadmills for the
fact I can use a foam roller to roll out the tight muscles
after each run.
I am still mentally committed to run the Provo 1/2
on August 8, so here is to being mentally and physically tough!

Train your whole body

I found this blog/girl is training for a full marathon
but she has a really good idea for training

Each week:
- 1 strength train class
- Running uphill or a cycling class
- Small runs and then of course your long run

I am excited to try this.
I just realized I only have 7 weeks to go
until the Provo Trial Half Marathon.
Time to pick my butt off the couch.
And get those feet moving!!

Cross Training

One thing just as important as running
is cross training.
Last night I hit up a cycling class.
Boy did it feel good to be pushed like that.
My SIL Kellie did a ton of cycling when
she trained for the SLC Half and
is a huge believer in cross training making
you a better runner.
I'm amazed at all the incredible cyclists out there.
Especially my bro Shane who just finished
a 100k race!

Thoughts of a lover soon to be

I thought I hated running.
Truly.
Even training for my 3rd half marathon
I always said I sort of liked running,
and definitely NOT love.

Maybe it is because I ran a race in total pain.
Maybe it is because I have done three 1/2 marathons.
I don't know what it is but I feel
as though I am starting to fall in love with running.

I haven't ran since the SLC 1/2.
That is over 2 months.
But last night I threw on my shoes,
blasted my iPod and ran.
I ran hard.
I was only able to run for 1.5 miles.
And I am ok with that.
I like having that goal to work towards.
The finish line in mind.
Nothing beats the adrenaline and
pure extasy of crossing that finish line.

So here is to running and jumping
back onto the training wagon.
8 weeks and counting for the
Provo Trail 1/2 Marathon.