It's a daily thing

Last Saturday I had a terrible run.  My two-year-old decided he really wanted to come with me.  So I got him bundled up and in the stroller and headed for a very windy run.  I ended up walking some of it because the wind was blowing so hard pushing the stroller became very difficult.  I didn't feel good after the run and even took a nap!

Yesterday I went out for a run and decided not to take a watch or timer I was just going to run.  I didn't want to know it took me a very long time to reach my set distance, I was out there only to run.  Usually I walk the short distance from my house to the corner and do a little stretching (waste a little time, gear up for the run)  but yesterday I ran the minute I got out of the door.  I started running down the street and thought,  can I keep this pace?  Wait!  I wasn't going to think about that.  Just run!  And I did.  With every step I felt strong.  I didn't feel as if my feet were shuffling on the ground. I was running.  Through the whole run I didn't have a time when I felt like I needed a break. My body felt great, my mind felt great this is what I needed.

I am usually a patient person with other people but I am finding I am not so patient with myself.  I expect myself to be progressing faster than my body wants to.  Then I forget the whole reason I started enjoying running and it becomes a chore.  I have to remind myself that running is daily.  Each day is different and no two runs are the same.  Some days I may feel like crap and need a nap after a run and other days I may feel invigorated and ready to take on four kids, two cats and a husband! So I blogged about this last run so I can remember how a great run feels.  

I have been calling one of my friends each Monday this last month and we tell each other what healthy choice we are going to set as our goal for the week.  I have a hard time with the scale and loosing weight so I am making it about a healthy lifestyle and changing my bad habits for good ones (and hopefully that will help in the weightloss?)  My first goal was to drink more water.  Next was not eating after 8pm.  My third goal was to exercise early in the morning.  I should have re-thought that one it was a bad week to try that, but I have a goal for next week!  I can't say I have been perfect with all three of these goals, but I have made improvements.  This type of goal setting works for me because I don't feel like I am trying to do too much at one time.  It's manageable for me.

I'm going to remember that each run and each lifestyle change is daily.  I may have really good days and of course I will have bad days, but each day I'm doing something and in the long run I will be better for it!

*Image from Google pictures. 

Boston Marathon Course Tour

In honor of the Boston Marathon this Monday take a look at the course. There are three American women to watch, Kara Goucher, Desiree Davila, and Blake Russell.

Have any of you ever wanted to run the Boston Marathon? I know my sister has that goal.
I know some of you ran races this past weekend, or put in some mileage, chime in and let us know how you did. I ran this weekend with a babyjogger in the wind and it was hard. However, I did think of my friends running full/half marathons this weekend and that is what got me out the door. Thanks ladies.

who deserves the title of runner?

Mother of: 2 “beautiful little girls who are my inspiration”

I have decided: ”Runner” is a title you give yourself, and I’m giving to myself now. Anyone can run if they just decide to go and do it.

Okay so these pictures I copied from the blog http://anothermotherrunner.com/ I wanted you to look at these pictures of all sorts of different women who consider themselves runners. What makes somebody a runner? Is it natural born ability, is it mental toughness, is it how far and fast someone can go that makes them a runner? How can one person run a marathon and another only make it around her block? Is the first one a true runner and the other one just a hopeful woman who wants to be a runner? Do you have to have the approval of someone else to tell you that yes you qualify for the title of "runner"?
In my personal opinion anyone who laces up in whatever shoes they choose to wear and heads to the treadmill or out her front door can confidently call herself a runner. That woman that day can hold her head high no matter how far or how fast she is going. She does not need to qualify for Boston or have the approval of anyone to hold her title confidently. I believe that all this woman needs to do is to choose to run and she can consider herself a runner.

"She believed she could, so she did"

Believe in yourself and that is all you need. Believe in what your doing!!!!

Run on my friends!!!!

are you ready for this!!!

Are you ready to put on your big girl shoes and push yourself this month? A fire was lit under me today by something someone said. This person unknowingly said something that really makes me want to push out of my comfort zone this month and prove to myself and to them that I can do hard things and I can do anything that I put my mind to. Now what was said or who said it is not a big deal but it really made me start to think, and I have decided to set a goal.
I am going to share my goal and my progress here on the blog. I must admit just doing that is going to be hard for me because now if I fail you all will know and that is a bit scary. However, I have put on my big girl shoes and I can do this. Are you ready?
Goals:
1) I am going to my core exercises once everyday Monday-Saturday. These exercises include the following: ( I know for some of you this is not hard but for me it is something I always put on the to do list and never to do it)
Single leg squats 2 x 15 reps each leg
Heel raises with a tennis ball 20-30reps
Plank 1 minute hold x 2
side plank 1 min hold x 2
side plank with rotation 1 min x2
Bird dog10 reps each side hold at top for count of five
Bridges 1 min hold followed by 15 reps of marching followed by single leg hold
Superman 10 reps
sidelying leg raise with toe turned out 30 resp followed by doing with leg at 45 degrees and 90 degrees
sidelying bicycles
clam shells
v sits 20 resp
bicycles 20reps each leg


Now I know I said that I was going to post about core stuff but somedays I barely have time to sit and read one or two emails so look at my list above and you can ask me about some of the above exercises that I have chosen for myself. Also you can go to runnersworld.com and they have a great section on core exercises with some great videos too. As I go along this month I might make changes to my routine by adding different exercises and as I do I will share them with you so that again you can keep track of me and make sure that I am doing them. If ound this book that I really like called: "After the last PR" by Dave Griffin and he says this about our comfort zones: " we all have a comfort zone, a safe room we usually avoid leaving, afraid of what might happen if we do. With preparation, we can expand its walls, but even then,, our greatest potential never resides there."
What are you going to do this month to break out of your comfort zone?