Slow and Steady

So my goal for the weekend was to get out and run.  The weather was perfect so I did just that!  We were in Betterton for the weekend.  I ran a familiar route so that I didn't have to think too much about the course.  It was exactly 3 miles.

I knew as I took my first steps that this wasn't going to be a fast run.  I basically can't even say that I was running.  It was more like a slow jog.  But it was wonderful.  I didn't look at my Garmin at all to see my pace.  I didn't really care.  I ran and thought.  I had a lot of thinking to do.  Running helps me with that.

So when I got back to the house and finally looked at my Garmin and saw how long it took me to run that 3 miles, at first I was disappointed.  But then I remembered how awesome it felt just to be running.  Not once during the run did I want to stop...even running up the hills.  Not once did my head try to convince me that I was tired and couldn't finish.

I think sometimes I need to just get out there and run a slow and steady run.  Next time I might not even wear my Garmin.  I'm just going to go for a run.

Baby Steps

So right now there are a lot of things in my life that fit my motto "Baby Steps".  Running is definitely one of those things.  Last Friday I ran 4 miles and it was good.  Well, in all honestly, the last mile was a bit of a mental struggle, but it was my head that was messed up not my body.

So while this time last year I was easily running 5, 6 or 7 miles, now I'm struggling to do 4.  But I'm going to slowly build back up my endurance.  Baby Steps.  I'm going to be smart about it since I've had so many months of not training and not working out.  My workouts are good now.  Ryann and I have a schedule and we have been pretty much sticking to it.  My diet is getting better...but that's always a challenge.  I love my wine too much to really have a perfectly clean diet.  And now I'm running again.  All is starting to be right.

I am determined to run 4 1/2 miles today.  I know it's not a big jump from the 4 I ran last week, but it's Baby Steps.  My goal is to be comfortably running 6 miles by the 2nd week of Dec.  There are some December 5Ks that I'd like to participate in.  Notice I didn't mention the word "race".  I am nowhere near my racing condition.  I have set low expectations for my performance in any 5K in December.  Baby Steps.

In January I will start my training for the OC Half.  In 2012 I will run a half marathon in under 2 hours.  I have several races highlighted on my calendar in 2012.  If I can put in the foundation now, when I start training in January, I'll be good mentally and physically.

So if you're reading this blog and thinking that you are way behind on your training or can't run as far as you would like, my advice is simply Baby Steps.  We can do this!!!

Treadmill vs. the Great Outdoors

I really hate running on a treadmill.  It's boring even when there are TV's in front of me.  It also hurts my ankles and knees.  Not having the best joints to begin with, anything that hurts my ankles and knees is probably not a great idea.

HOWEVER, we are getting to the time of the year when it's mostly dark except for when I'm in my office.  I don't have shower facilities here so running over my lunch hour means that my afternoon would be spend pretty unpleasantly.

So I find myself running on the treadmill more often these days.  My little 24 hour gym has several treadmills and they are located a 1/4 mile from my house.  Ryann and I walked over to the gym and did some work on the treadmills at the end of last week.  I'm still feeling it in my knees. 

I really love running outside.  I need to make time to do that.  It's good for my mind and my body.  It's a beautiful time of the year to be running.  Work has been busy and life has been busy, but I really need to make some time to get out there and run!