run it or it will run you.

these past few weeks have been a bit challenging. i've been letting myself get a bit lax with my running. and as the title says..run it or it will run you. i'm not sure why i've gotten that way. it could be because it's the end of the year, i may be a bit burned out, i probably need to get to bed earlier, or a combination of everything.

i did an estimated tally of my miles over this past year and i got a little bummed at the numbers. i shouldn't be because i didn't set a mileage goal..but still. i'm not going to blog about goals quite yet..that will come later next week. 

as for me being lax in my running and trying to become friends with "Millie"..well, that's still a work in progress. it's a mind game and i'm slowly getting myself in the right frame, but i'm still struggling with keeping my focus. the crappiest part that has been bothering me for a few months now is there is NO SNOW yet...which makes me want to kick myself in the ass each time when i thought about buying a few pieces of cold weather running gear back in october and didn't because i figured there would be snow coming soon..it's south dakota, after all. so of course..2 months later and there's no snow. and each time i contemplate buying gear..i talk myself out of it because i KNOW the snow will hit just as soon as i cut the tags off the stuff! i don't want to dump money into cold weather stuff knowing that it'll just end up sitting, unused until february or even march. so instead of spending the money now..i'll hit the sales/clearance cold weather running clothes after winter is over and be more prepared for next year. 

i'm on the last week of my 5th and final 10wk run schedule and i'm not as satisfied with this schedule as i have been with previous ones. mostly because "life" has taken over on this schedule more than it has in the past..and i just need to accept that. it's hard for me to do that when it comes to my running, workouts, etc. i've come to having the mentality of "my health is non-negotiable." it's not an option to slack. it's not an option to not workout or run. i've made it such a huge part of my life and everyday routine for going on 3yrs (consistently exercising at least 3-5 days a week!)

And on that note..my end of the year review/tally will be coming soon.

not quite..

it's been about two weeks and i have to say that "Millie" and i aren't quite friends yet. we're getting there, slowly but surely. but it's going to take more time than i thought.
i had a few ideas of what i could do to "bribe" her, but nothing has completely stuck yet. i tried to read on my kindle while running, but the glare of the lights in the gym, along with running and trying to concentrate on reading and running..well, it just doesn't mesh well for me. as for my mp3 player..yes, that's an option, but i've actually grown to love running without it. yes, i said WITHOUT music playing in my ear. i ran a few times this past summer without my zune and discovered that i don't like running with music anymore. i run better when i'm just going with thoughts in my head and concentrating on my breathing. i find that the music distracts me to the point where i'm not enjoying my run, i'm focused on the music and it seems as if everything gets out of whack. but running outside gives you lots more to look at than running inside on a treadmill. and now when i don't run with any music or anything going on except for the thoughts in my head, i seem to get really distracted by my thoughts instead of having them be a positive thing for my running.
and with that, i've been attempting to run with my zune again and i think i'm going to find a few audio books to  download and hope that gets me to the "bff" stage of my relationship with "Millie." but since i'm particular about the books i read, i'm on the hunt for a few good audio books that are read by the actual author. yes, that's my stipulation. and with that..i'll have another update soon enough.

stay tuned..

the time has come..

the "time" i'm referring to is the change in seasons. time when outside running is no longer an option and the treadmill has to become your new friend. and not one of those "annoying, yet i guess i'm friends with you" type of friend. this has to be a good bff type of friend.
so how in the hell am i going to make this new "friend" without wanting to be mean/rude, ditch her, talk bad about her behind her back and have a fiery dislike for her?  hmm..a new strategy has to come to the surface, that's for sure.
why?
because i REFUSE to let that old 'mill (i think i just found a name for my new "friend!" i shall call her Millie) screw with my mind.
i REFUSE to succumb to the term "dread-mill."
i REFUSE to dread the entire duration of this bitterly cold, snowy weather that is about to drop more than a few flakes on this lovely state that i reside currently.

there is no way in hell i'm going to let some "machine" make me feel any other way about running than i already do..which is LOVE.
so...Ms. Millie, you best grab your ticket and get on board the JLem-train because this girl has a goal and is too determined (and stubborn!) and will not accept defeat.
it's me and you. quality and quantity. that's the kind of time and miles i'm looking for, my new friend, Millie.

and now..on with the show..(stay tuned and find out the ways that i slowly, but surely find out what works (and what doesn't) to make and keep my friendship alive with Millie.

the truth.

a 100% accurate definition. i love it!

Remember –
You are not a runner because of the race you ran, whether it be good or bad.
You are a runner…
…because you run.
Nothing more. Nothing less.

written by Kelly http://lovingtherun.com/motivation/more-or-less/trackback

pro..crastination.

yeah..procrastination. that's me when it comes to getting certain things done..like updating my blog. i just need the little voice inside my head to log on to my site here and and type away..while i sleep preferably. ha! anyway..yeah. where was i? oh yeah, procrastination!
i completed my fourth run schedule last week. i'm really proud of myself for continuing this "running schedule" goal that i started at the beginning of the year. i'm thankful for the friend that originally put the idea in my head to challenge myself 10wks at a time. and i'm thankful for my husband pointing out to me how far i've come in the short time that he's been back home. and with that since i've been going at it for so long i decided to take a week off from "the schedule" and just do whatever i wanted to do for workouts before i started on schedule #5!

the tally for run schedule #4 was 105.39 miles (i took an entire week for cross-training only so i could give my left foot/toes a little rest). with this past run schedule i also managed to run a 10k for the first time and actually did it a few more times before the end of the 10wks too! that in itself is more than i could have hoped for at this point.

the only thing i've been really pondering with the next 10wks is that the weather is going to be changing drastically and i've grown to love running not only outside, but at this particular path near where we live. it's going to really put a damper on my excitement, joy and love for running once the snow starts to fall and pile and pile and pile up. south dakota isn't stingy when it comes to winter weather, so i need to find something deep in my mental game book to keep me revved through the next 5-6 months!

ps..i've thrown the "who wants to run a half marathon with me?" statement out there to some friends..and i've gotten a few takers!  here's where you can check it out for more info if anyone from anywhere would like to come and take a south dakota marathon off of their "to run" list! http://www.brookingsmarathon.com/

cross-training.

i decided last week that i needed to take a detour with my run schedule and do an entire week of cross-training. i could really feel it in my knees that i needed a break. and no amount of ice and minimal recovery on the weekends was going to do much good. so that's exactly what i did. i did do a little easy running on monday, but otherwise it was all cross-training. i did ab, arm, and back work, rode the stationary bike, did my usual steep incline walk on the treadmill and circuits. it was a nice change of pace, but i have to admit that it was hard for me to take a break like that. i know that i did the right thing by listening to my body, but man..that inner voice in my head--she's a loud girl!
here's hoping that my cross-training week paid off by giving my knees the much needed break they were asking for.

PR's and RB's.

so happy to report that i ran another 10k today...AND...set a new personal record from the first one i ran last week! i improved by 3mins and 12 seconds. i'm not sure if it was due to having quite a few more carbs than i normally do last night or the weather being better..a bit cooler and not as humid or if my endurance and stamina are just getting better. but whatever it is or was it was wonderful. i love doing slower long distance running more than i do shorter, faster runs that's for sure. it's evident in my history of run schedules.

also the most exciting thing today (besides my new PR!) is that i got to have my running buddy with me (due to the holiday) and it was his first 10k and he kept up with me the whole way!!! SO PROUD OF HIM!! he's not usually pumped up for long run as much as i am, but he did it and did so well...especially since the new path that i ran on last week that i wanted to share with him was mostly up hill the last half of the miles. :) he was a real trooper and we barely walked at all. so overall i'm really happy with the second 10k i ran with an improved time and that i ran it with more ease than before.  plus, my favorite running buddy was with me this time and i got to be with him for his first ever 10k.

definitely a great day.

pretty path.

so happy! hip hip hooray! i just ran my first 10k! (yes, i meant for that to rhyme!)

the path that i ran on today was so pretty and even though it was foggy and quite humid, i ran past where i normally turn around and decided to go further to see what was up ahead..and i'm so glad i did. the path/trail (it's a paved bike path that goes all through the entire city) was so lovely. 

i know i've been running for quite some time now..2yrs and i have never competed in a race yet or ran more than 5 miles...but today I RAN 6.20 MILES. and it was great! i couldn't be more pleased with myself...well, i could..i would have liked to have done it in a better time, but that's ok. i'm happy i pushed myself further than i've gone before!  

the weeks are running by..

i'm done with another 10wk run schedule. i'm happy to report that i FINALLY ran over 100 miles in that time. that's a pretty big accomplishment for me! the exact total for the past 10wks is 108.61 miles. yay!!! so going back to the beginning of this past schedule it started out with me pulling some muscles in my legs due to starting some speed work. so i ended up cutting it out and replacing it with a short run and cross training. i'm proud of myself for running outside more than i ever have and even going outside when the weather hasn't been too pleasant. i'm feel proud that i've really enjoyed this particular running schedule more than the other two because i pre-planned each day instead of just leaving it up to whatever i felt like that day. having that structure was good for me because i only missed six workouts this last schedule..(out of 50 actual workout days!) i've given running alot of thought as the days, weeks and months have passed..i've thought about the reasons why i run (especially on the days when i'm just not feelin' it.), what things i should do differently, where i want to run, what running path i'm on what particular day usually sparks many different thoughts too. running allows my mind to wander, running allows my mind to be still even though my body still moving, to just focus on running and nothing else, to just "be"..i think that's why running alone is a good thing for me every once in awhile. it gives me the chance to just listen to my own breathing. it's quite peaceful, actually.

and now..on to another 10wk run schedule!

speed bump.

last week was the start of my new running schedule. and as i said before, tuesdays were the day that i would be doing my speedwork. it was very different for me and i'm not quite a fan of it yet. however, when i did my first 100m sprint it sucked and i felt a sharp pain shoot down my right thigh...but i still continued and finished out my 6. oh..and just to stick this in there--i did stretch, and did a good warm up of a 20min run, etc. but i've never run like this before and i think that's why i got hurt. either way, i iced it, rested, etc. anyway, it was still a bit sore when i warmed up with the 20min run this morning, but nothing major. so after that it was time for sprints. i was a little nervous to start because i didn't want to get hurt..i guess i should have listened to myself because that's exactly what happened. i started my first sprint and not even a few steps into it a shooting pain down the back of my left leg (which has been sore off and on for weeks now--i've been icing that too.) so i took a deep breath, talked to my running buddy for a few minutes and got myself together. i prepared to try it again, but planned to start slower and work my way up to speed. and just as last time, no more than another few steps into it i felt a shooting pain down my leg. but this time it was HORRIBLE and it was the top of my right thigh.
that was it for me. i called it quits. i know that i should have done that after the run, but i really wanted to stay on schedule. now, because of my eagerness, strictness, obsession, etc..i've hurt myself pretty badly. my hamstring on my left leg isn't that bad, but my quad on my right leg is terrible. it's sore just touching it. i've been icing both of them, taking aleve and trying to keep off of my feet as much as i can...which is almost impossible with my "job!" so..ever since then i've been researching as to what exact muscles i hurt, and what to do to "fix" them and to get back on my schedule as quick and painlessly as possible. i've come across quite a few links and sites explaining in detail how to take care of it by icing, resting, elevating and what stretches and exercises to do to help myself mend.. (btw..anyone reading this that has any suggestions, advice or whatever, please feel free to share!)
so with that..i'm not sure what to do tomorrow. should i run? should i take a recovery day? it also got me thinking that each set of my 10wk running schedules thus far i've encountered some type of injury or setback. the first set i broke one of my toes. i didn't break it by running, but by hitting it on a silly baby gate. so that injury wasn't running related. the last 10wks i hurt my heel somehow and now have plantar fasciitis..which i ended up going to the doctor for and got a steroid shot in my foot so that's pretty much a non-issue now. and now the most recent 10wks..i hurt/pull/tear (whatever you want to call it or whatever it is i did..) my right quad and left hamstring muscles. seriously? what the eff? i am a firm believer in the whole "everything happens for a reason" and definitely a firm believer in karma...so what gives God? universe? what kind of message or sign is this? how far do i read into this or do i just chalk it up to a typical runner's thing and get over it?
i'm at a loss right now. i'm just thrown off and feel really dumpy about it all. i feel like i thought i knew what my passion was and then the alarm went off, i woke up and realized it was all a dream. or that you really truly believe something, just to find out that it was all a lie. i feel let down, pissed off, frustrated, sad and confused.


more on this later..comments definitely welcome. thanks for reading...and no, this wasn't meant to be a pity party or a pitch for an ego boost...just me, clearing my head.




oh and ps..i was really proud of myself today for running despite the 35mph winds that should have deterred me. (and yes, that was my own ego boost..that was definitely deserved!)

another set.

my second set of 10wk goals came to a close last week and i'm sad to report that i didn't run nearly as many miles (78.51) as the first 10wks of the year. however, i'm making up for that by creating a rigorous and challenging schedule for these next 10wks! i'm excited, a bit sore already (a good thing!) and pretty proud of myself for pushing myself harder than i ever have before and for challenging myself for no other reason other than i just want to.  :) that makes me happy, proud and excited. i'm really happy that i have a workout buddy! and on some days i even have 2 workout buddies!
so here's a quick overview of what my weeks will look like (keep in mind the mileage numbers will go up as the weeks go on):
monday-run 3miles
tues- run 20mins/6x100's
wed-run 3 miles
thurs-xt
friday-run 3 miles
saturday-family walk
sunday-recovery day

i've dedicated mondays, wednesday and fridays to be my hard, all out run days (the miles will increase in the following weeks) and the speed work will possibly increase in numbers too.
speaking of speedwork, this is the first time i've ever really put that into my workout days and i'm hoping to get better at it and as i get better, hopefully i'll like it more!
so there's the update on the last set of 10wks and an update as to what's in store for me in the weeks to come.
oh and ps..even though i'm not training for a race right now, i've set myself up to be able to run 6.2 miles the last week of the schedule. and as a great friend and running buddy pointed out to me--that's half of a half marathon!
yes, it may sound geeky, but I'M EXCITED! running is my passion and i get giddy thinking about all that i've accomplished and will be accomplishing in the future!

new balance.

well, let's see..it's been almost a month since i started having my babysitter come over while i workout. i didn't think i'd like the change as much as i do, so i'm pleasantly surprised. it's nice to sleep a little longer in the mornings, but i'm still anxious to get going sooner than the sitter wants to come over, but there's not much i can do about that.
it's nice to go to the gym alone. and soon, i'll be have my workout buddy back and we'll see how that goes too. but as far as the last month goes, it's been great. running and cross-training are still going well, totally loving my runner's world magazine and still keeping my run schedule log. the only thing that's come up in the past few weeks is a heel issue. my left heel has been really hurting so i went to the doctor today to confirm what i thought..plantar fasciitis. i thought i'd need a referral to a sports or foot doctor, but instead i was fixed up right then and there! i ended up opting for the steroid shot in my foot (inner part, near my heel) and was ok'd to get back and running on wednesday. yay! i've done a bunch of research about plantar fasciitis, how to help it, etc, plus the doctor printed out a huge packet of info for me too. so....that's that.
things are going well and i'm excited for more RUNNING!

new things.

yesterday i tried something new...i ran without my zune. it's not that it wasn't charged or anything, i just decided to run without it. and i actually liked it. i was surprised that i liked running without any music. it was different, but a good different. yeah, i could still hear my "little sidekick" and all that goes along with that, with me being a mom..i was able to block it out. i was with my own thoughts, no music to distract them..it was really nice.

another new thing that's happening as of next week is i'll no long be going to the gym with my "little sidekick!" well, not everyday anyway.  :) i struck a deal with my babysitter and asked her if she wanted to use the gym here in lieu of paying for a membership elsewhere and in exchange she would be on kid duty while i got my workout in. i was so happy when she agreed and can't wait to workout by myself for a change! hopefully, it'll be 4 days a week and she won't call and crap out on me too many time, if ever.  : ) so it benefits her because she gets a free gym, it benefits me because i don't have to haul/take care of another person while i workout and it even has a benefit for the "sidekick" because there won't be anymore waking up at 530am. i wanted the babysitter to actually take me up on my deal, so i let her pick a reasonable time to come over...and we settled on 9am. so i guess, i'll get to sleep in a little bit more too. overall, it's beneficial for everyone. i hope i can adapt!

resistance.

ok, so i'm going to be brutally honest. i hate my new running schedule/plan.  ha! seriously, i do. i hate running at an incline. it makes me wanna quit. i know that sounds funny or bad, but whatever. it's the truth.  i love running. but when i run at an incline it's not as fun. i know, i know...i'm doing this to push myself and once i try to step out of my comfort zone.. i hate it and want to stop.  ha.  so i guess that's when i'm suppose to push myself even more, right? i can't let myself down! plus, i've got my wonderful husband giving me ideas, challenges, and pushes in the right direction.  so.....i'm going keep at it. i'm going to power through and keep pushing myself. i don't want to let myself down. i don't want to disappoint myself. or disappoint any of the people that i've inspired and continue to inspire on a regular basis.
so IT'S ON!

the new stuff.

i apologize for not blogging sooner about my new set of goals that i'm already a week into. i decided (with some help/ideas from my husband!) that for my next 10 weeks i would keep my running going, but throw an incline in there too. i haven't really done much with running on an incline, so i figured with the weather getting nicer and (fingers crossed) i may get the opportunity to run outside..it would benefit me to do the next 10 weeks with incline running as my focus. i'm also keeping up with my cross-training, but this time around i'm dedicating a day to do it (instead of whenever i decided to) along with a little running.  so i set wednesdays as my cross-training/light running day each week. and as the weeks pass i plan on increasing the incline to see what i'm able to do and still keep up a good, steady pace. i'm still keeping a log of my workouts like i did last time with a run schedule. it's a bit altered from the last time, to accommodate for the new goals, but still up on my fridge as a daily reminder.
so there's the next 10 weeks and what i have ahead of me. stay tuned for more updates!

final.

The final numbers for the last 10 weeks are in! After working out for 4 days a week (with the exception of a few weeks here and there) and also having a broken toe halfway in to it, i managed to run 92.49 miles. i was hoping for 100 miles, but i didn't set a mileage goal and that wasn't the point of the past 10 weeks either.  but dang, i was really close!  so seeing those numbers really makes me excited since i've never really kept track like that before.
i really liked having my run schedule hanging up on the fridge for the past 10 weeks. it really reminded me of my goals and how i was progressing. i really liked seeing it all the time. it seemed that my oldest "sidekick" did too, since i was asked on more than one occasion "how many miles did you run today?" or "did you get a good workout in today?" or "why are there boxes that have the word "rest" in them?"  it was really cute to be "checked up on" in a sense.  :)

and on to the next set of goals and another 10 weeks! (not sure why i'm doing things in 10wk increments..but i may as well keep with it!)

oh and in case you were wondering if i lost any weight during these 10wks..the answer is yes.  i wasn't expecting to since when i started this my weight was really at a plateau/stopping point anyway..but i did manage to lose 6lbs. i know to most that may not sound like alot, but considering i'm at the lowest weight i've ever been at and thought i was at my ideal weight for my body..it's pretty darn good!

pre-view.

i really love the pre-wrap that i ordered! it holds back the shorter pieces of my hair that tend to fall from other headbands. normally i don't take the time at the crack of dawn to make a cute looking pre-wrap headband. but tonight, i decided to "prepare!" (lame joke, i know!) 

if you wanna check out how awesome this stuff is here's the info: 

PRE-WRAP!

a cute braided pre-wrap headband. (colors: lime green, purple and hot pink)

happy ending?

ok, i haven't blogged in a bit..sorry, there hasn't really been anything new and spectacular to write about lately. but since this is week 10 i figured it's necessary to do an update, etc.
i hate to say it, but i've said it before..and i'm not being a "negative nancy" or anything...but.....my goal of running for 30mins without stopping isn't going to happen. it's not that i can't do it, because I KNOW i can. it's not even a "eh..i'm pretty sure i can do it." I KNOW I CAN DO IT.  the reason why i haven't and reluctantly have to say that i didn't meet my goal (even typing that just hurts my heart, ego, etc) is due to my lovely "little sidekick." and to reiterate, i'm not trying to place blame or make excuses. however, due to my special circumstances/situation, it's pretty much been impossible to be able to run nonstop when you have a "little sidekick" to attend to every once in awhile..and it's not my choice when it will be. sometimes i've had to stop a few seconds into a run, or had to stop a few seconds after i just stopped before..it's frustrating. but over the past 10 weeks, i've learned to not let it bother me. it is what it is. and at this moment in my life, i can't change much, so i just adapt and do what i can. so that's what i've been doing.
it just really gets to me that i have to admit defeat. and the fact that i'm defeated by this "little" thing..that requires much attention and that i'm 100% responsible for 24/7. so yeah. i didn't meet my goal. however, i did what i could with the situation i'm in and that's alot more than most people would be able to say or do.  dedication, consistency and perseverance are traits that i am extremely proud to say that i possess. and i'm not bragging either. it takes alot to keep at it, especially with all the various factors thrown in there that come along with my life.
in the end, i'm happy with what i've accomplished these past 10 weeks. i'm not going to lie..i'm pretty disappointed too. but that's just me. everyone is their own worst critic and i know i'm hard on myself. if i wasn't then i'd never improve, right? either way, the week is almost over and i'll be sure to do a tally of the miles i ran. i didn't set a goal in that department, and after tallying them up over the week, i was pushing for 100 miles in 10 weeks (which isn't much to most, but it is to me) but i've fallen short of that. but, i am DAMN PROUD of the fact that i kept up with my run schedule and goals even though i broke one of my toes! i don't care what anyone else says about it either. i did what i wanted to, what i thought was best for me and that's that. i refuse to let anyone or anything (besides the "little sidekick" haha!) tell me what i can/can't do.

so i guess this blog got kind of rant/ramble/soapbox-ish, and i'm hoping it all made sense. i'll be writing again soon to give the final numbers and to talk about my next goal.

inspire.

ok, so this is the blog that i stumbled upon (no pun intended) when i first broke my toe and i was researching "how to run with a broken toe." yes, i'm serious.  :) running is an addiction.  so anyway..i'm following her on twitter too and saw that she broke another toe and here's a link to an update from her.  

http://www.frealfitness.com/blog/running/and-this-little-piggy-went-weeeeeee-weeeeeee-weeeeee/

seriously..she's inspirational! 

and here i thought i was hardcore. 

reminders.

let's see...last week was kind of a bust for running. my schedule was pretty full on friday, so i didn't get my last workout of the week in.  which didn't make me happy, but it is what it is.
i got a great run in yesterday and a good workout in today. the rest of the week will be cross-training/running. i also had a good friend send me an article that had a few reminders in it, so i applied them to my workout today. it's nice to get reminded of a few things that you sometimes do, but also, sometimes forget about.
here's the link if you're interested in reading: http://health.yahoo.net/articles/fitness/4-things-women-should-be-doing-their-fitness-training-arent

also, i totally LOVE my pre-wrap stuff that i use for headbands! my hair is still at a few different lengths, especially in the front, so it's awesome to hold those shorter pieces back.  :)
and i still haven't come up with another goal once these 10wks are over..and to be honest, i'm kind of stuck as to what i should do.  i could focus on toning.  and there's a great dvd that i have that i'd love to go back to for a bit, but since my "little sidekick" isn't a fan of being restrained in either a stroller or a pack-n-play, i'm not sure if it would work.  unless i wait until naptime or get up at my usual workout time in the morning and try to be quiet.  hmmm..what to do?  if i did choose to focus on toning and/or that dvd, i feel like i'd have to alternate that with running.  because i can't give up the running. there's just no way i can.
so i guess there are some ideas and i need start deciding what to do.

mulling on the mill.

i love how my mind wanders while i'm running.  i've been thinking about what my next goal will be once these 10wks are up. i'm on week number 8, so i figured i'd better start thinking about it.  and yet..i have no clue.  i had a good run today and yesterday.  although, yesterday my "little sidekick" tried to test me a little bit by figuring out  the latch on the stroller tray. it wouldn't have been so bad since there are straps to hold the little beast in..but in the cup holder part is where i put her cereal to munch on while i workout. so as i see her raising up the tray, i immediately pause the treadmill and disaster was averted....until next time.  although it wasn't attempted again today, which i'm thankful for, i think my days are numbered for having my "sidekick" with me and then i have no clue what i'll do. (which is another story/thought process for another time.)
anyway, i need to start thinking of what my next goal should be and for what duration of time. i'm open to any ideas..so feel free to speak up!
my running toe socks are working out great, with the exception of the broken toe. it's still not 100% so it does hurt a little bit after i'm done, but nothing that i can't handle.  but my left knee has been sore when i've been running and it's noticeable during my run and after..so i'm icing that as i type.  :)
i'm still awaiting my first issue of Runner's World magazine and am quite excited to start reading it.  my passion for running has grown so much that i'm still a bit astonished by it and am not sure i can call myself an official "runner" quite yet.  it seems surreal, i guess.
oh and one last thing..i totally need new shirts to workout in. i've been thinking about this for months now..since the shirts i've been wearing are mostly my husband's t-shirts..army ones, etc.  they're size XL and L, which is definitely not my size and they're getting to be a nuisance. so it's time to find something different to wear.

testing. testing. one, two..

so i got my new running socks in the mail yesterday afternoon..which i was really hoping for! my excitement was so overwhelming that i decided to set my alarm and get up to go to the gym today..which i normally don't do on the weekends because that's my time to relax, let X sleep for as long as she wants, etc.  so i tried out my new socks today. i really like them.  i used to be a huge toe sock person way back when..and so it wasn't really a big deal that they were toe socks. i thought they may have been awkward when i put my shoes on, but it wasn't at all. i really liked running in them. it was good. normally my feet get super hot when i run that sometimes it's all i can think and it drives me insane. but not this time. :) the socks are comfortable and pretty awesome. and i'm looking forward to not having blisters on my toes too. the only thing that i forgot about was..buddy taping my toe. and with toe socks...umm..pretty hard to do. i guess next time i'll try taping them together on the outside of the socks? but my toes didn't hurt at all until toward the end of my run. so that was good. but i'm definitely going to tape them on monday.
so overall, the socks get a good review and i'm happy with myself that i actually got up on a saturday to go to the gym..even though i could've easily kept sleeping!
ps..do they look like "muppet" feet?  :)

case of the mondays?

i don't know what it was, but it seems like my body had a "case of the mondays." i was just tired feeling, like my body didn't want to keep going. or my body wanted to keep stopping. it didn't help that every time i got into a rhythm my "little sidekick" needed some attention. but all in all, i got a good run in and finally wore my new shoes. now all i need are my new socks and i'll be set!  oh and maybe some smaller shirts to wear to the gym. :) here's to a better tomorrow!

over halfway.

it's the end of week #6 and i'm still doing great. this week my total miles was 9.4 with a few cross-training days in there too. so not too shabby. i also did some research about running socks.  WOWZER. i had no clue.  so i ordered 5 pairs of new socks, i'm super excited to get them and try them out.  and for anyone that knows me well...knows that i absolutely HATE HATE HATE socks with a fiery passion.  so for me to be excited about socks..yeah, it's a big deal.  the main reason i'm excited about the socks is that they'll help me with my running.  and by "help" i mean, get in a better run, not get blisters on my toes (i have 2 right now) and just overall enhance my run. oh and i started a subscription to Runner's World magazine. i really liked all the things i was finding on their website and figured the magazine would be super helpful and have lots of great info in it..so that's another thing i'm looking forward to getting!  i just love all of this information i'm finding out about running. it's really become a passion of mine and i'm embracing it wholeheartedly.

easy does it.

it's the start of week six and i got a decent run in today. this week is my run only week so i'm taking it easy on myself this week...at least that's what i want to do.  :) today i ran for 20mins and then walked for 10mins. it was good. my toe is doing ok. it's still sore, and i think i wrapped it too tight last night before i went to bed, so i'm letting it breathe without wrapping until later today. i'm still putting my mp3 player in my hand while i run and it's working phenomenally at keeping my arms at waist level!  and i got a new flavor of gum too!
so that's my story for today. oh and i did take this past saturday and sunday in hopes that my toe will benefit and get better soon.

damn right i did.

yes i did. i got up this morning at my usual 540am time, got dressed, got the "little sidekick" up and rolled on down to the gym. did my stretching, and got on the treadmill..started out really slow and it hurt a little bit, but nothing too terrible. so i figured that i bump it up and start a jog..it actually felt better than walking. so i did that easy pace for awhile and then at halfway through my 30mins, i bumped up the speed a little bit more and finished my time that way. did some cool down walking and then did my arm workout.  it was good. i shocked myself when i was all done and so proud of myself. i guess i walked away feeling pretty badass that i didn't let a broken toe stop me from working out.  :) i know that my calf is really tight and a bit sore, probably from walking a bit differently and compensating for my toe.  i'm not sure if i'm going to workout tomorrow to make up for missing thursday or not..i know that i should rest. i know that i shouldn't even be working out on it right now. i know that i should at least give it a little time to heal.  but if it's buddy taped really well, then what's the problem?  and if it doesn't hurt while i'm running and i ice it a few times a day and take advil, then what's the problem?
either way, i'm SO PROUD of myself for putting my fitness goals/wants as top priority. yes, if my toe hurts then i will stop and take a break. i will listen to my body, so i don't further hurt it and set myself back any more.

down..but not out.

i broke at least one of my toes on my left foot this afternoon. the one right next to the little toe is definitely broken. the two next to it are very very bruised.  yep..this is the second time in my life that i've broken toes. the last time was in January 2009.  i caught my foot on one of the baby gates i have up in the house (i've hit my feet on them many times before) and this time it hurt so bad that i fell to the floor in pain. i couldn't walk very well, iced it immediately too. but nonetheless...it's broken.  FRICK. i'm so pissed.  since i've been exercising on a regular basis for almost 2yrs now, i haven't come across a time when i haven't been able to workout due to a physical issue.  this sucks.  i'm really upset about it, especially since i have my 10wk goal going on and i'm right in the middle of it. ahhhhhhhhhhhh. i just wanna scream.
 not sure what to do now..