It's becoming just what I do!

If this is your first visit, welcome to my blog where I'm posting my ups and downs of training for a half-marathon in June, and at the same time, raising awareness of Love Without Boundaries and the work they do with the orphans of China who need medical care. If you are from FB "They Ran That-Away" or "Weighting Around", thanks for stopping by my blog!

I can't remember when or what I posted last, so here's a bit of a recap:

Almost two weeks ago, I ran 8 miles in 1hr 40 min. It was my first run beyond 1 hour 30 min since I injured my foot, and I'm happy to report NO INJURIES! So on this past Sunday I did what any beginning runner would do: I decided I'd run for two hours. I have a spot now that I stash a water bottle, so I stayed hydrated. I'd run by that spot about every 3 miles or so. My goal was time, not miles. As I started running, I was about 12 minutes into my run, and I said to myself, "Who runs for 2 hours? I don't..." But I did! When I met my goal, I went home, stretched, and I did what any good runner would do: I jumped in my car to clock my mileage. Now, my iPod/Nike+ said 9.57 miles. I didn't believe it, until I drove it. 9.6 miles! I was immediately perturbed. 0.4 miles away from double digits! I was screaming in my head. So this Sunday, my goal is 10 miles, and I won't worry as much about time.

On Monday I was off to camp with my class for two nights. I packed a bag for running, and I decided I'd do 4 miles, and I knew there was a section with some good dips and hills. The only time I had to do this was at 6 am on Tuesday. I set my alarm for 5:50, and I remember thinking, "I'm not getting up to run." I had worked myself into a frenzy that I could not run the hills and would have to stop and walk. Yet the alarm went off at 5:50am, I laid in my sleeping bag a minute or two, and the next thing I knew, I was up, dressed, and stretching next to my car...then my feet just took off running. That first hill was the worst, but I'm happy to say I made it the full four miles with hills, no stopping to walk. Again, I ask myself, "Who does this? Who gets up to run 4 miles before her class of sixth graders wakes up?" I guess I do.

I got home from camp on Wednesday, and my daughter has a medical issue I had to deal with, so I only had time for a 40 minute elliptical workout. Not great, but it was something, and I decided something was better than nothing. Again, I could have said, "I only have 40 minutes, so I'll just skip it." But again...I didn't make an excuse.

Today after work I was exhausted. I really needed to just come home, curl up on the couch, and go to sleep early. But I needed to go the Y first and do some weights (that I haven't done in over a week) and then run 3 miles. Wait, no, I hit 3 miles, and thought, hey, I'll run 4 miles, and I did it in 45 mintues, or 11:10 per mile, which for me is a good 5K pace that I hope to make a 10K pace soon. Who does this? Who thinks about pacing for different distances? Wasn't it just a few months ago that if I could run 4 miles in 52 minutes I was jumping for joy, and had total loss of breath? That was me...then.

This is me now. I don't make up excuses, I just find the time. Are there days I can't get a workout in? Sure, and like the 40 min elliptical day, that wasn't the plan...but it's what I had time for, so it's what I did. I also plan days off, like after the long run. The goal was to do a weight workout the day after the long run, but due to being at camp, I didn't get a chance this week. I also didn't get a spin class in like I normally do, but I did something!

I have to admit, I don't know this person. I can't figure out when it happened, but it has happened. Working out and running are just what I do. I'm listening to my body so I don't over do it. And I don't look forward to running ten miles on Sunday to be honest. But I'll do it...for whatever reason, I'll lace up my shoes, get the iPod set, and off I will go. It will be at least 6pm because I'll be getting home from a weekend of fastpitch, but again, I'll do it because now, it's just what I do.

If you are struggling with weight, finding time, finding energy, I can only speak from my experience. My experience is that you have to be in a place in your life where it just works. Last year at this time, I wasn't there mentally to do this. When I started exercising in August, it wasn't really to make this sweeping change. I just kept at it, and it has snowballed into -36lbs, down clothing sizes, increased energy, and a clear mind. All you have to do is keep at it. If I can do it, so can you!

Keep going!
Jolene :)