Netflix and News.

Wow..I'm such a procrastinator blogger. I have so many things that I want to say and am thinking about that I get overwhelmed and then just put it off aka don't do it. It's frustrating and at the same time..I must be benefiting from it in some way? Maybe if I don't write down my thoughts, goals, or whatever...then maybe it's not true, or that way if I fail no one has to know? Probably. At any rate here's what's new with me.....

The past few weeks, I've discovered that I enjoy watching Netflix while I run. I didn't think I would because of what I mentioned in my prior post about needing the silence while I run or the soothing sounds of classical music combined with crashing waves and ocean..but it turns out I do enjoy it. I've been watching various shows here and there, something pretty mindless so I can run, still focus on my breathing and not completely have to think about or pay full attention to what I'm watching...if that makes sense at all. Ha! Ha!

So far it's been working to my advantage and "Millie" and I are getting along quite well. :)


As for the "news" part of this blog I have something excited to report! I have OFFICIALLY registered for the Brookings Half Marathon! I put off registering for awhile now and I did that because I was terrified. I know that if I registered and PAID to run in this race that I'd have no choice but to do it. I'd have to start a training plan (which I have no problems with since I've been keeping a run schedule since last year) and I'd have to make sure that I'm mentally able to run 13.1 miles. Above any and all reasons to be scared the biggest one meant that I couldn't quit. Not that I'm a quitter...but we're talking about a half marathon. Something I've never done before. Heck, I've never run in a race before! Not a mile race, not a 5k, not a 10k..nothing. So, yes..a little bit scared is warranted here. But, I decided to do something memorable this year since I'm going into a new decade soon: 30! And what better way to remember turning 30yrs old than to run my very first half marathon? Yep--happy birthday to me! I'm really excited because a few friends of mine are running it with me too.
Also..I signed up for another race..sooner than the half marathon in May. It's a St Patty's Day 5 mile run. I didn't really know about it, even though it's right here in the same city where I live. But a friend suggested it and said she was running it, so I figured "why not?" So, I registered too! A 5 mile run isn't what is on the schedule for that particular day of that week, but it's all about being flexible, right? I think I'm suppose to run 7 miles on that day of my schedule, so I'll either be short that day or run a few before or after. Who knows..either way it doesn't matter much, it's just one day...and it's going to be a super fun run too!

My only wish in all of this coming up ahead is that my husband was going to be running with me. He's my most favorite running buddy..besides myself, of course! Ha! But with his odd work hours/sleep schedule..it just doesn't leave much room for training for a race. He'll be at both to cheer me on though.

So yeah...that's where I'm at with my running right now.

2011 in review: late update!

whoops! i just realized that i haven't gotten around to blogging my end of the year stats..here's the total:

463.12 miles! 




i didn't make a mileage goal for 2011 and i'm not sure if i will make a mileage goal for this year either. i'm not sure if it's a good thing or not so good thing for me to do. i'll put that on the back burner of my brain for now. but in 2011 i kept five 10wk run schedules. yes, there were missed runs/workouts (life happens...), yes there were days when i just didn't feel like it. but the best thing about 2011 and the run schedules? i got to run OUTSIDE for the first time..AND with my most favorite running buddy EVER! my husband returned from Afghanistan in May and we were finally able to run together for the first time since i started running. we're good partners because he keeps me going when i feel like i can't and vice versa. he's complimented me and commented on how far i've come since the first time i ran outside with him and how much i've improved. that's really nice to hear and much needed since the first time i ran outside i seriously wanted to give up running. it totally sucked. i didn't like it at all. it just wasn't something i was used to and it made me feel like i was the slowest runner ever. it made me feel like a failure. but nonetheless...i powered through (thanks to my husband) and didn't give up. now i love being outside...such a change from all the way back in May.
and this summer i also ran my first 10k--against myself, of course. but i did it! actually, i did it multiple times. and it was great! i found a nice bike path that quickly became one of my favorite places to run.


so..yeah. those are the highlights of my 2011 running. overall, i'm pretty proud of myself.


and now on to this year. we'll see what's in store for me.

The key?

A few days ago when I was on a "date" with Millie, doing just fine, trucking along on my run until another person comes into the gym and completely disrupts me. What I mean by that is, I zone out on my runs..like most people tend to do. I have come to love running without my mp3 player. Just me, Millie and my thoughts. Until another person enters the gym, turns on the tv and rips me from my zen-like state. Now I know I may sound spoiled to you, but the gym is in my apartment building and at the hour I use it there is usually no one in there..so I suppose I've become a bit spoiled by having it all to myself.
Back to the point here...I always bring my music with me "just in case." And on that particular day I was quite thankful I did....because I think I may have found the key to being bff's with 'ol Millie.

Classical Relaxation Beethoven with Ocean Sounds.

Yes, you read that correctly. Soothing classical music. It was perfect. Long ago I made a relaxation playlist, normally used for helping me fall asleep on occasion. But in this instance it seemed perfect. And it was! I couldn't believe how as soon as I turned that on it took me back to my zen place. It was like I wasn't even running. It was surreal to be completely honest. I loved every single second of it and have since then used it. I think I finally found something that works for me!

It's really exciting for me since I've been searching for something to keep me sane during the winter season. I'm not sure how long it will last, but for right now, I'm basking in my newfound "key!"

why?

“Everybody runs in the spring and fall – that’s the easy part. Running in the winter is what makes you a true champion.” -- Simon Bairu”

I found this on twitter today. Why does this quote make me so mad? 

Is it because I chose not to invest in cold weather running gear and should have since it's barely snowed so far this season? Or is it because this "Simon person" thinks they're above others that don't run outside in the winter? 

What makes one runner superior over another? ..besides the whole speed, distance, blah, blah, blah thing..

Seriously..

Ok, rant over. No one can take away my "I'm a runner!" status. Not some silly quote found on twitter. Not anyone who sees me jogging, walking or doing a cross-training workout instead of running..because choose not to run every single day of the week. 

So yeah..silly Simon. Thanks for being the center of my "rant-y" blog and the little fire ant in my pants. I've shaken you loose, flicked you off of me and onward I go...RUNNING.

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.