Miles Miles and More Miles

This is the third week of my training plan for running the Chevron Houston Marathon, let me tell you it’s been interesting. The first week “sore” was an understatement when I finally had a cross training day I realized very quickly how important it really is. I decided to get on the stationary bike and I did some exercises on the big ole’ exercise ball and I felt so much better getting a chance to stretch out and wake up all my other muscles.

I dislike hate running in the sun and heat is my kryptonite, so even though I’ve claimed to dislike the treadmill I decided to go that route instead. Turns out I can at least feel cooler inside at the gym with the fan blowing at me and not melt. I have to make the treadmill interesting, so I take it a ¼ mile at a time, then a mile at a time and then 2 miles at a time. In each quarter mile I set my pace and increase it little by little and then start all over, at a mile I check my time and then try to improve it the next mile. Finally I’ll break at two miles reset the treadmill and try to improve all of it all over again. I know this sounds like a lot but let me tell you the treadmill.is.boring. very very boring.

I know if I attempted to go out in the heat I would throw in the towel I know myself and I know I would give up long before I hit 5 or 6 miles. So the treadmill has been my better than nothing go to. I pray for cooler weather, for an over cast sky and even for a little sprinkle but while the temps still hit 90 degrees plus and Mr. Sun insist on shining bright I’ll head inside and battle it out on the treadmill.

On the 19^th I ran the Kemah’s Toughest 10K and it was warmer than I would liked and this past weekend I did the B.I.G Love 5K fun run and by the time we got going 8:30am I was feeling a little hot too but each run was done and great - I’ll fill you in on those later :)

For now I’m adding on the miles and keeping my eye on the goal.  I had this fantasy that when I would increase the miles that my pounds would start melting off. Of course this is yet to happen. I am going to be the bigger person here (haha!) and understand that running more mile does not equal losing weight. This crazy thing happens when you go for a longer run – you get hungry like hangry kind of hungry and I might be guilty of feeling like if I just ran 6 miles then a bacon cheese burger should be my lunch. SO I am adjusting and planning my nutrition better and I am hoping to see better results within the next few weeks. I pray to the weight loss god’s that if they could please hurry up, the next bridge run is on Oct. 17^th and I’d really like to carry the least amount of lb’s up the Galveston causeway. Please and Thank you in advance!! 

Do something you love

Do something you love Y

This past couple of weeks I’ve experienced this very topic in the simplest ways. On the 5^th I joined my co-worker and friend Beverly, by running the BEENezy 5K. For the past few months I’ve seen Beverly be determined and fierce in her mission to lose weight and be healthy, she has lost almost 30 lbs and started walking/running. This was a great experience Just like it has been in so many past 5K’s but it really reminded me how much I love the simple things about running a 5K, not just running in my neighborhood but signing up for a fun run 5K!

The friendships you build – Beverly has always been my friend but of course running gives us more to talk about through our days and the experience is something we will always share . The butterflies in your tummy prior to the start line – I love the start line sometimes more than the finish line because once you cross over you leave everything behind and you depend on the training you’ve done to get to that point, it’s exhilarating! The other runners no matter your size or ability – Once you get near the end they are your friends and you can laugh at the struggle and you get to encourage each other to the finish. The moment when you’ve pushed past something you thought you couldn’t do, like run a whole mile without dying or finishing before you thought you would! In our run Beverly questioned how long we had been running and I instantly knew she was going to beat her regular time. All these things reminded me why I love running so much. It changes you and it changes your outlook on your ability to push yourself!

Friday I went back to MixFitz Studios for a #SweatParty and for what we used as a girls night out. I had so much fun but even better I was surrounded by women that love what they do! Their ability (lol my ability) to dance didn’t really matter, their size didn’t matter, all that mattered was to let loose and have a good time! At the end of the night I was exhausted and drenched in sweat, I spoke to Crystal for a few moments and we realized that our love for this crazy thing we do was very similar in many ways.

By the end of the night I was laughing and dancing with these women who are just having a good time and they are pushing you to keep going and let go! I was able to try stuff I would probably have tried- even with a few drink stirred up in me but you’re around other ladies doing the same thing who don’t care what you look like and anything goes!

Talking about some who does what he loves, my boss, ultra-runner, crazy runner aka Jim Abney and his son Dustin finished their 24 hour run to bring awareness to Childhood Cancer Saturday morning. Over the course of 24 hours other crazy runners joined them in the rain and overnight to help keep them going! In one of the purest ways Jim continues to show his love for running but even more so his love for children battling cancer by enduring the pains of long distance running because in the end his pain does not compare to the pain and suffering children go through when fighting cancer. Every time he laces up his goal is to honor these children and in the process he encourages others to do the same.

I am doing something I love Y, I’ve been inspired by other people that also do something they love Y and my hope is that you are encouraged and inspired to do something that you will fall in love Y with too.