Last weekend I finished my 21st race! I will now think of myself as an "of age" racer! lol! This was my 18th 5K and I've done two 10Ks and one half marathon! It's been quite the journey and I have learned a lot about myself and my walk with God during the process. This race was very special though because I got to run it with my sister, Tina. It was our 5th race to do together! (all 5Ks.) We both starting running because of adversity in our lives.  I started about 3 years ago while my son was in the hospital after a tragic automobile accident. I am still his caregiver as he slowly makes progress. My sister has a brain tumor. She has several brain surgeries before they finally got a shunt in correctly. We actually decided last year to make the Race for Hope (for the Oklahoma brain tumor foundation) a yearly event for us. We three sisters have done it now 3 years in a row. And we kinda branched out from there.  We had done a race in June and met a new friend and she...

I am just coming off an almost-major knee injury. It was a "break" albeit a little tiny one! A few weeks rest and wearing a brace and I was good to go! The main reason I fell (I think) was I had some new shoes (they just now crossed 50 miles - so they were real new then!) and just misjudged the height of the curb, caught my toe and slammed into the ground. It happened so fast, I did not even feel the tripping part at all. My eyes never even closed! That's how fast it happened!  I think sometimes in life we can find ourselves in troubling or painful situations just that fast as well. One small mis-step and we are emotionally, spiritually, financially or otherwise eating dirt! Just a minor calculation and we are on the ground. So when I found this scripture this morning I could really relate to it.  Proverbs 4:12 says this in the New Living Translation: if you live a life guided by wisdom, you won't limp or stumble as you run.   Now that is a true bit of wisdom isn...

Yesterday I did not want to run the mile I had committed to run. I simply did not feel good. But I drug myself onto the treadmill and beat it out anyway! I still say that integrity is not integrity at all unless we have it with ourselves first. So to keep my commitment that I made to myself I crawled onto the treadmill yesterday to pound out a mile.    When I get done with my run everyday I go straight to the computer and log it. I use two places. Runners World is my official run log. I always put my time even when it sucks on that one. And if I do a couple of workouts in the day (which is very - very rare) then I make sure to include it on this log. The other one is more for social purposes and a little more fun. I use Daily Mile for this one. That is the one if I have a really poor workout and don't want anyone to know it took me an hour to get two and a half miles in I do not put it up! lol! --hey - we're allowed secrets! Runners World remains my official log and I do not...

When I committed to running one mile a day for the rest of the year, I thought it would be a cinch. Seriously! Yesterday I did a little more than 2 because I did some speed work and my mind set is geared toward getting ready for a 5K by the end of next week. Today was supposed to be an easy mile. Sheesh!  It took several minutes to convince myself that this is indeed going to be worth it; and that it will take less than 15 minutes of my precious time! lol! But I finally drug my cold butt onto the treadmill this morning and slowly took off. It took me much longer than I thought to get warmed up and going. Once I did though, I raised my base speed from 4 mph to 4.2 mph. (don't laugh I am old and coming off a major injury!)That's when I realized the whole point is to better myself as a runner. Isn't it?  If I can simply raise my base speed and keep my metabolism going it is beneficial enough. Plus I am guaranteed at least 7 miles a week! lol! I will never get that few I d...

That was the challenge issued by Runner's World magazine! They are doing this big try-to-keep-everybody-in-shape campaign during this part of the year. I thought about it for quite awhile before I signed up to do it. It's not like a contest or anything and there is no other reward than being in shape really.  But I didn't want to say I'd do something that I wasn't going to do. It may sound crazy,but we must first have integrity with ourselves before we can ever have it with others.  So I have done it for two days. I will do my mile today after I finish writing a couple of blogs this morning. I think running at least a mile every day will help me stay focused. I can only run a mile today and stay within my limits. I am still on the mend from the busted knee cap so I cannot add miles too fast. I did do a 4.4 mile long run this week. (one of the reasons I have to only run one mile today!)  I guess some people take the season off. I do not know what that means! I tr...

Yesterday ended up a lot cooler than I thought it was going to be. I didn't really want to run as I have not been running outside in the cool and haven't had a chance to get my body accustomed to it. As I was contemplating whether or not to go for my "long" run, I started sharing a story with the aid who was here to help with Chris.  I was telling her about a story I read. It was about an athlete, Fred Duling who had run a particular Thanksgiving Day race for 51 years in a row. But last year right after T-giving he had an accident in which he broke his back. He spent most of the year in hospitals and rehab units. the injury left him paralyzed from the waste down. But you know what? He is doing the race this year in his wheelchair! His daughter will be running with him to help push him up the hills. I was like - wow! What tenacity! As I was telling the story to the aid, I realized how wimpy I was being. So I went and put on my warm running clothes and headed out th...

Well I have been officially training again for about a month. I guess in light of all I've been through with the busted knee cap I am not doing too badly! I have learned a lot about my body. That's one thing I have really enjoyed about running - learning about myself. Although I basically had to start over I did not have to start at zero with nothing like when I first started running nearly 3 years ago.  I learned a lot by having some forced down time . I learned that I am in pretty good shape for 51 years old! That the world didn't in because I couldn't run (but that was challenging!), and that you can really start over - but it's not easy. One of the most difficult things is knowing my potential. Don't take that as being cocky - because my potential is still slow! lol! But I know I can run a half marathon - I've done it. However, I am having to start with 3 mile "long runs" all over again! Next week - 4... I think! I cannot risk injury.  The ...

Well, I am up and running some. I'm still going slowly and allowing my body to try to adjust back to the more active lifestyle. Over the weekend I put in a 2 mile tread mill run and did it in right at 30 minutes. I felt real good about that coming off the injury. Yesterday I did my first real outside run in over 2 months! Sheesh! I did 2.2 miles in 27 minutes. I was pretty happy with it except I really wanted to push it to the 3 mile mark.  There is is a little .4 mile trail through the park and adding an out and back on it at the end of the run would have made 3 miles exactly! But I have to stir up that discipline to not tag it on! My body was hurting but my mind was exhilarated to be running again! As excited as I was I could not risk the injury that can come from doing too much too quickly; so I held back.  I realized then that the discipline to hold back like that is more important than the discipline to make myself get out and run when I don't feel like it! This body ...

It seems like it's been forever but I have been down and out.. I'll spare you the sob story of my broken knee cap and my 10 weeks off.. Suffice it to say I am "released" to run tomorrow... but I put in 1.75 miles tonight on the treadmill. I have a race in less than 2 weeks and I had to get started. It's difficult to start over at the basics again. But it is actually enlightening too... as if that is surprising considering the way my mind works!  Today was about the fourth time I'd been on the treadmill and walk/run a little bit. But today I was pushing it. It was tricky to figure out how to push as hard as possible without crossing the line into the "too much" category.  What I learned was how much I learned about myself through running. I actually could feel my limits today....and respected them for the first time in my life! It felt great to know where the line was and stop! So maybe limits are not so "limiting"... as much as somethin...

So I have not run or hardly walked since I first hurt my knee. I do not wear the brace too much now when I am around the house, but if I am out and about I wear it for support. I also wear it to sleep in to keep from bending it. But the last two days I have walked through the park. (wearing the brace, of course)  It's almost exactly 1.2 miles from my door, through the Frisbee golf course with a nice walking trail and back to my door. The weather has turned cooler and I would love to be setting up some running and training schedules. But it's not happening yet! I have to start slow... I have to start somewhere. So I am trying to walk through the park every day for starters. I may try the treadmill next week and do that without the brace to see how my knee handles it.  It drives me nuts to be sidelined like this. But there has to be time for the injury to heal properly or I might not get to run again....ever! So I am trying to be very patient and walk it out slowly - every ...

I am not taking this injury nearly as graciously as I would like to think! I am anxious to get moving again. I want to be ready to run at least a 5K November 12. It's for the Oklahoma Brain Tumor Foundation and my family does it together for my sister. This is actually what keeps me in line right now. I am trying to be very nice with my knee and let it heal in the hopes that I can do that race with my family.  In the meantime, I did walk 1.2 miles a couple of nights ago. This is while wearing the brace but I thought I'd get started. I hope to do that again today. Then in a couple of weeks I think the knee may be well enough to try to jog on it. I'm waiting until after 6 weeks have passed to start doing anything seriously. I hope to let it heal before I push it too much - but that is difficult. I am going to sign up for just a walk in October. It's only 1.5 miles and if I need to I can do it with the brace on too!    I am so anxious to get back moving but I know it c...

I know I have been quiet for several weeks. I have been sidelined by an injury. Even though I know that injuries are part of training I wanted to be "graceful" in my time of recovery. I am not too sure I have accomplished this goal. I missed my Chicago half marathon...And probably will not even attempt to run again for about two more weeks.  The one doctor showed me the x-rays and showed me that due to a fall I had a small sliver broken off from my knee cap. The bruising was extensive and even now after 4 weeks there are tiny bruises left. The swelling isn't as bad now when I am up and around. It's getting better - but I feel dug deeper in.  Running is like my only outlet. I guess I could try to find another one - but instead I have just been eating... now when I start running again I will have to run this all off first!! ugh!!  I really cannot even say how disappointing it is to miss my goal race. It has damaged me from inside out and so I chose to ignore the g...

So I went to Eureka Springs this week to run the most challenging course I have done so far. It was pretty much up hill for about 2.5 miles and then straight down for the last half. And that is no exaggeration whatsoever! The first hill goes straight up - turns left and goes up and to the right some more! Then a very brief hilly section before the straight up incline leading to the historic Crescent Hotel. (can you say "butt-kicker"?) It was very tough...  I had to walk for a few feet on the second incline...and I hate walking during a race! I felt like I was crawling along, barely moving at all. Then after conquering the hill I almost never caught my breath! Sheesh! And just about the time I did, the course shifted and went straight down Benton Rd! It was almost as difficult to hold myself back as going up the hill had been!  I crossed the finish line in just over 35 minutes. That's not too bad actually, for an old lady. My PR is in the 31 minute range so I really fe...

Next week I will go to Eureka Springs and run a 5K. I would love to try the 10K, but I'm not sure that I could handle that on the hills. Actually, I am sure that just a 5K will kick my butt pretty good! I don't want to be too sore after because it'll only be a month until the Chicago half marathon. So there ya have it. The two biggest things that I am apprehensive about! (as far as running goes!)  The Chicago half has a strict time limit. I can do a half marathon - did one in May. But I need to shave about 12 minutes off my time. That's quite a lot in the running world! And so I am forced to embrace the treadmill once again! lol! Actually, it's not too bad. It's right here and I can hop on it any time I want to! I enjoyed being able to run on Sunday this week!  So here is where the pep talking begins. I must tell myself things like you can do this. It sure feels like an uphill battle. But I am determined to make it. I'm going to beat this thing! I have ...

Do you ever get tired of that question? I think I have answered it in a hundred different contests. (none of which I've won so far!) For the runner it seems more logical to ask the rest of the world, Why don't you run? That makes much more sense...those answers may seem superficial except for the very few legitimate ones...and my mind is blank...I started to say unless you don't have legs, but then I've seen too many successful runners who run with a prosthetic limb....Now they might be very well qualified to ask the rest of the world what their obstacle is to running! It's kind of amazing to see stories like that though, isn't it? Or to hear such inspirational stories. You've probably all seen the video now of the father who pushes his son in a wheelchair in his races. Those are the types of stories that give us that extra kick in the butt to get moving down the road in the morning, aren't they? And although I did begin running out of desperation du...

Did I ever mention I don't like running on a treadmill? Maybe not. Mostly because I hadn't tried it. However, our aid quit and the new aid has very different hours so that means I cannot run in the mornings. I also cannot run at noon in this record breaking triple digit heat wave either! So I got a treadmill...the first time I tried to run on it I hated it...and nearly hurt myself!  I actually gave one thought to quitting running...but then I have a half marathon I'm committed to this fall in Chicago...The more I thought about it, I looked at the treadmill as a help to get to my goal instead of an obstacle in the way. My goal far outweighed my obstacles.  I have had to go pretty easy on the treadmill this week, because it makes my whole body hurt. But this morning was a little better so I am hopeful that I will be able to log some miles on this puppy!! And then the good news is that the aid will be here early two mornings a week so I can run outside those two days until...

Today is a rest day as tomorrow will be my long run for the week. I'm shooting for 7 or 8 miles. I really need to pump up my training as the Chicago half marathon is only a few weeks away. This heat is really kicking my butt though! And my age - that is a factor! And the fact that I am a full time caregiver which means two things - lots of stress (why I run) and very little sleep....but you know what? I figure those are all excuses. Are they weighty? sure. Are they real factors? Absolutely. But they are not reasons they are excuses. I have to run while the aid is here in the mornings as I cannot leave my son alone. This week she told me she is quitting because she was offered another day job. It's funny to me because my first thought wasn't when I could buy groceries or run errands...my first thought honestly, was how will I run? I think that qualifies me as a runner! lol!    It looks like I will be getting a treadmill and so my stress level can go back down to a mode...

So i started this new eating plan right? It's nothing fancy mostly very little sugar and white flour, more grains and fresh fruits and veggies and high lean proteins like beans. I almost immediately lost 5 pounds which was good. I also started eating 6 meals a day. I basically eat the equivalent to either 6 medium snacks or 6 small meals - depending on how you look at it. Like I said I lost that initial 5 pounds and although I haven't lost any more (yet) I have not gained an ounce either! But yesterday I decided that I wanted a pizza - that was brought on by the fact that Little Caesar's pizza has $3.99 pizzas on Mondays. I only ate 3 pieces, which is good for me as I could put away 4-6 normally. I did go back later at one of my "meals" and eat the other two pieces though! (my daughter ate 3 pieces too!) I figured I would gain but not an ounce when I stepped on the scale this morning.  However, I had no energy on my run this morning. So my point is this...jun...

I am planning on pushing myself this week. I think i want to shoot for over 20 miles this week. And I do have a plan! My biggest obstacle from here is actually the hot weather. It's nearly 80 for the night time lows! And by the time I run around 8 in the morning it's usually 80 or above already. But I will win this thing!! While I was working on my technique for tackling longer runs last week I had a lot of thoughts... that's actually very normal for me no matter what I'm doing! I was thinking about how far out of reach the half-marathon feels right now. The pressure is that I have to complete it in under 2:45:00. My first was just under 3 hours.. so that's a little bit of pressure. I'm not sure the distance is the largest factor - my speed is. That's why I am really pushing for a higher base speed...  As I was running I was thinking about how tired I was etc...but because of the half marathon I have out in front of me I must keep pressing on! So my tho...

Okay so I have to humble myself here. I will admit that I have been a stickler for not walking on a run. It's important to me to run the whole way. But I found out this week that it is something I need to get over! It's still a run if I walk a little now and then.  Before my run I was looking through a Runner's World magazine and came across an article that was about how some guy set a new PR for his marathon by walking. I was like, "No way!" But it was for real. The article talked about running faster when you're running but taking some walk breaks early on to help the muscles have a little relief and rejuvenate.  I related it to hiking. I could be worn to a frazzle and stop for 1 minutes to rest and then have the energy to go just as many more miles on the trail. Just a little rest was all my weary legs needed. So I figured I would try this walking technique and see if it would work.    I took a few walk breaks on my 6.6 mile run. I found out that i...

I cannot believe how long this terrible heat wave has endured! It's kicking my butt on my morning runs...and yesterday I had the worst run ever! I think it was slower than when I first started...but it worked to get my attention that's for sure. I thought for sure I'd gone at least 4 or 5 miles... I ran an hour! When I got home I and logged the run I barely had 3.8 miles. Boy was I mad!  So I went through my list of excuses ...it's hot, I'm not hydrated, my eating habits suck, I'm fat... yeah, that went on quite a while really...then I decided to suck it up. All of that except the heat - can be changed. Ugh! Change? Well, I embraced it and made it through yesterday. I stayed within my eating guidelines and drank tons of liquids...and guess what; my run this morning was great! I even started later so it was hotter - and I did lots better!  So sometimes bad things can be good. Instead of using them for excuses to keep from changing or progressing - let them he...

Saturday morning I ran my second 10K. It was my 18th race and the last one I have planned before I turn 51. It's going to work out right it looks like for the Chicago half to be my 20th race. I viewed this 10K as part of my training for the half. I did shave about 7 seconds off my last 10k. That's only two and I expect to get better as it goes along!  That's the whole thing isn't it? It's not as important where we are as where we are going. If we major too much on where we are there won't be any improvement. We'll get bogged down in today...so we have to keep looking at where we want to be.  I expect over time to get faster on my 5k, 10k, and half marathon speeds. My body should be getting in better shape all the time. I am constantly working on my diet, adding miles and trying to run faster. All of this works together (or that's the goal anyway) to improve my stamina, endurance and overall fitness.  It's no different with our spiritual man: ...

Or at least I hope so! I am determined to (carefully) beat this heat thing. I will figure out how to increase my miles and speed so I can do well in this fall's half marathon! I have begun altering my diet and have drank so much water in the last 24 hours I probably won't need another drink for a month! - well - it's worth a shot!  I'm getting ready to head out the door for this first experimental run. I have drastically increased my intake of fluids over the last couple of days. I want to see if there is any noticeable difference on my run this morning. I am also dressed and ready to shoot out the door right at 8 so that I can get on it as early in the morning as possible...we'll see if that's a winning combination.  I hope I can develop this kind of determination in other areas of my life. It's kind of funny (not the ha-ha kind) that when situations and difficulties present themselves to us in a lot of arenas we just walk away- or sit down and quit. Bu...

Yesterday's run was very discouraging. It was so hot...But I probably pushed it a little too hard. I did the first half of the out-and-back in record time...then the heat started sucking away at my stamina and energy. I had to walk two or three times. I even ran on the wrong side of the road because there were a few more trees and I could bask in their shade for ten second increments as I slowly glided by! It was hot!  I wanted to go 6 miles to prepare for the 10K this weekend. But I barely made the 5. I really don't like hot anymore! Today I will rest and then Wednesday and Thursday I'll do a couple of short 3-4 milers. Then Friday off and Saturday my second 10K.  I must be honest and say I am very frustrated with myself right now. The time of day I run cannot be changed as I have to run when the aid is here with my son. So 8-10 in the morning is it...or there's nothing. (praying for a treadmill for Christmas - then I can train for the full marathon!!!) It's di...

I was writing one of my other blogs and this statement slipped of my fingers before I knew it : I only have two hours to train each day. No sooner had it appeared on the screen when I though of how erroneous it actually is.  Yes, I can only run for those two hours each day M-F (until I figure out how to get a treadmill - then I'll train for a full marathon!!!) And although my actual running is so limited by the time I have available - training is really a lifetime activity. Think about it - there are certain activities I will not participate in because it might jeopardize my running. There are foods I will not consume because it can harm my body. I make sure to carry water bottles with me through out the house to ensure I get enough hydration to last through my next run. And I make myself get enough sleep to sustain me ...so I can run!  I began to see how training is so much more than the actual running...it involves and shapes my entire lifestyle....and so with my Chri...

It seems like I cannot get it all right all at the same time. I can get my diet down and eat properly to have energy and then it seems like my sleeping patterns get all messed up! It's just crazy. There must be a way to get them both in balance at the same time!  As I am realizing how quickly my next half marathon is approaching I feel like I am under the crunch to get my training back up going strong. But sometimes it seems that just about the time I feel the positive changes in my body it wipes out on me. And I feel like it's partly due to trying to find the right balance and combination of eating and resting. I hate to sleep - but I love to eat. That's the wrong formula for running success!  I think this parallels life in a few ways too. It seems like we can really concentrate on one area - you know, the temper, our language, our finances or outlook...and when we get one of these areas refined and are moving along smoothly it's like Bam! Another area that needs s...

At the race the other night I had a very unique experience. There was a lady who seemed to be competing specifically with me. As I would get close to her she would run ahead a ways and then walk until I got close again. She kept losing a little advantage on her position each time I got close. I chose to just keep my pace as it was working for me.  I kept reminding myself that in racing I am only competing with myself so I kept it all under lock. I thought she was a little younger than me anyway so I chose to not compete but just keep running instead. Finally, I passed her for the last time and didn't really think about where she was as I got sick to my stomach because of the heat. I figured I wasn't dizzy, so I wasn't close to passing out - so I kept going. I thought that it would simply be a new experience if I threw up.. but I figured I would throw up and then finish the race!  When I got through the lady came over to where we were standing and congratulated me on a ...

Last night I ran my 15th 5K! (it was my 17th race overall) It was a wonderful experience. Although it was so hot I thought I may get to experience what it's like to throw up during a run. I got very nauseous toward the end, but I figured since I wasn't dizzy I wasn't about to pass out so I just kept on going. I thought maybe I would throw up and add it to the unique race experience list! lol! But then I didn't...almost disappointing as it would have made such a great story later... oh well.  I had a lot of emotions going into the race as I thought back about that first 5K. It's been such an invigorating, addictive journey! I started just to survive...and now I survive just to run! My legs just feel strong - I cannot really explain it any better than that - they just feel good under me. I thought of all the accomplishments that I've managed to do over this two years of racing... Of the 15 5K races I've placed 6 times. I don't think that's too bad! I...

Since I am only getting about 5 hours of sleep a night I wake up tired. Usually I go through this whole thing of how old I am and why I shouldn't run today. But yesterday as I was rehearsing my usual (miserable) excuses I happened to see a runner through my window. That's all it took. I'm so serious. I saw her head bobbing up and down as she ran along the fence and that was all it took. I put my shoes on and headed out for a nice casual run.  The trouble was that I didn't leave early enough (I only have a two hour window to get my run in). I went out too far before I turned around and headed home. So coming back I had to kick it in high gear to get back before time for my son's aid to leave! so  simple miscalculation helped me log better than 5 and a half miles in an hour!  The two things about yesterday's run are that it took almost nothing to motivate me and a miscalculation helped me log more miles for the week! How many times have we miscalculated someth...

Well I guess we'll see if this week can go off as planned! I'm looking at possibly getting in 20 miles this week. And I am looking at a time crunch because the half marathon is coming in September. I have only run 8 miles for my long run recently. I think I'll be okay though because I can bump that up to 1 pretty easily. The terrain here is kind of hilly and the race is in Chicago which is really flat. So I think that will work to my advantage at least.  I also signed up for a  night race this weekend. I haven't ever done that so it'll be nice. And it will be to commemorate my first 5K ever. It's the same Saturday that I ran my very first race two years ago. Boy I was so happy to run that 3.1 miles! And I was hooked on racing ever since. I never dreamed that about 3 miles would be my easy days! lol!  It's funny sometimes how when we are going through life and we know that our struggles are shaping us somehow, we still cannot always see how far we've ...

I know, I know! I could probably come up with another reason why I run everyday for at least a month before I'd think of another month's worth! But this week, I found another "why I run" spot in my life.  First of all, last week was crazy for a lot of reasons. But one of them was on Tuesday night when a hail storm smashed in my little garden. I know, it's really not that big of a deal to most people, but it was to me okay! In the scheme of things it really is minor. But when you are already living on emotional overload even the smallest things can catapult you into depression. And that's exactly what happened on Wednesday morning when I decided to trade my run in for a quick yard and garden clean up.  While a few of my plants survived (mostly the non-edible ones!), most were beat to a pulp by the hail. They were just blooming too. I had been so excited about finally seeing blooms and very small fruit start to appear. And now they are mangled and leafless. ...

I am so serious on this one! This morning when I took off up the road with no where in particular to go - my legs felt so good under me. I can actually feel the muscles now. Sometimes I try to imagine just how it is that they work together like such a well oiled machine. And sometimes I concentrate on trying to really feel that fraction of a second that both feet are off the ground at the same time!  As I am learning my limits and pushing them properly at the same time, I really do feel stronger. I thought about that this morning while I knocked out 3 miles at about an 11 min pace. That's not too fast for others, but I've come a long ways. 2 Corinthians 10:12 says that it is not wise to measure ourselves by others. I do think we should measure ourselves to His measure - none of us are all that great if we do that! Who can match His stride?!?  But I can measure myself up against where I came from. I have only been running a little more than two years and I've come a long...

While I am pushing my body to get ready for the big half marathon coming up this fall, I am also having to learn my limits..did I mention how I hate that? When I have a 20 mile week it seems my body gives out. I'm sure that it is due to the fact that I only have one adrenal gland...I don't know how - but I am pretty sure it's related. So I had a 20 mile week, then last week I pushed it hard (in the heat) Monday and Tuesday. That kind of forced me to take Wednesday off. I really wanted to try to get 20 miles in four days. It didn't work - I found my limit.  Now I could have pushed myself a little harder got some miles on Wednesday and more on Thursday. I had to get groceries and stuff in that time frame on Friday so I needed to get all my miles on M-Th. But my steam ran out. This used to really frustrate me. But as I am learning that a slow week doesn't mean it's over, and it doesn't mean a failure - I'm getting to where I'm okay with giving it my b...

Yesterday's run was very different for me. I've been pushing myself pretty hard and this half-a-century old body has been complaining a whole lot. It always does that when I work up to running about 20 miles a week. Next week, I'm shooting for 20 again (or more) but it will all be easy miles. I am not even going to think about pushing it. Why? Because of yesterday's run. I really wanted to get a run in just to log some miles. So I decided to just run easy for about 45 minutes. I figured that should be between 3-4 miles (I was right) and a good enough workout to keep everything moving and give me some log miles. I decided to just go easy and enjoy the run again. I have been working real hard...and you know what? I loved it! It was one of the best runs I've done. I may adopt this practice of just running because it's fun again! I ran a little less than a 12 minute mile. So my base time has improved and that's been one of my goals. But sometimes I am workin...

Runners know what an important role the diet plays in fueling the run. For me, it really is the pasta dinner the night before. You kind of have to experiment with a few things to find out what works for your body. And we all know how rough finding out what the no-no's are! That can mess up a really good run! (lol- runners know what I am talking about!) But I don't think that what we eat is the guts of the matter. What really fuels the run is found when you top that huge hill that was just taken in stride, or you shave a few seconds off a PR, or you get that medal in your age group at a race...all summed up in one word: success. That's really the "stuff" behind why we continue. Think about how discouraging it would be to run at the same pace every single day and never be able to get any faster ever - or if the same hill kicks you in the butt every day and you never conquer it...discouraging to say the least. I think this is true in many aspects of our live...

I have decided this one 5 mile route is my favorite. I get some pretty level running in before I turn to go up one of the biggest hills you'll find here in Norman, OK! Then at the top of the hill I swing through a neighborhood and over past a real pretty little pond to a street named, "Horizon View." I am not sure why it's named that as you cannot see a horizon from there at all! But then I double back and it's a nice morning run. The hill and I have something personal going on! I always look at it from the corner and point to myself and say, "I'm taking you down today!" as I head toward it! (Sometimes on the weekends I swear I can hear it calling out a challenge for me! lol!) Monday when I got to that hill, I was caught up in my thoughts and it came so easy it even surprised me. I realized I had taken the hill and never broke stride and my legs felt so good under me! But that success came at a cost. It's taken 2 years of training to get to ...

That may not seem like a big deal to some of you, but I almost had to sacrifice my Monday run due to another obligation. It was okay, but it only gives me 4 days in a row to run and some weeks I need an off day in the middle. My goal of course is to work up to running all 5 days - with a little biking thrown in. I have several goals right now - but I can do them all at the same time basically, so it's not too overwhelming. The heat has got to be beaten, miles have to increase, and I need to lose at least another 10 pounds. Since none of these are mutually exclusive I should be able to work out a plan! Sometimes we give up too soon on projects or plans because it gets too complicated. That can make us feel like none of them is do-able! I am finding that if I hang in there and don't change the goals just because of a complication I can figure out a way to accomplish almost anything! Here's an example. When I am running I get all sorts of ideas. I write stuff in my head f...

I have officially lost 5 pounds over the last week. It certainly took a lot of willpower to make the necessary dietary changes. Plus by body is sore from the extra activity. Some would say that willpower comes easily. I think something else gives strength to willpower... discomfort. As long as we are comfortable where we are we will not feel like we need to make any changes. All too often we become comfortable with our discomfort rather than making the choice to change we embrace it as the norm and do nothing about it. But discomfort is what gives us the drive to change. I was thinking about the baby eagle and how when it is time for them to grow up she removes all the "fluff" from the nest. This causes the bird great discomfort - enough for them to find another place to stay. Would it make any sense if the little bird went out and built a nest without the cushions so they could have one "just like mom's because it was so uncomfortable ? lol! Of course not! We ...

Okay so yesterday was supposed to be my long run. It had been over a month since I'd run over 5 miles or so. To help myself be successful in my endeavors I set two goals. Running two hours was my minimum, I would not accept less than that of myself. The second goal was I really wanted to do 10 miles. It didn't have to be in the two hours of course... I met several obstacles that I was not expecting. For one it was already in the upper 80's and I really wasn't prepared or conditioned for that! I did wear my camelbak as I always do on my long runs. And after about 5 miles just about every joint in my body was reminding me of two things a) how old I am and b) how difficult it was to run! And my poor toes! I've lost one toenail and have two more apparently getting ready to go through the same process...And by the time I got home I was nursing two good sized blisters... how'd that make me feel? Elated!! It is sort of like a rite of passage for a runner! So I made...

If you keep up with any of my other blogs (not that I expect you do ... but if you do... ) you know I have changed my eating somewhat. Yeah, I just didn't feel well and the other day I stepped on the scale to see that I had gained an additional 5 pounds! So I called a halt to my eating habits and dove in! I've stated before that sometimes everything revolves around running when you are a runner. And my dietary changes are no different. So I cut back and even though I am still heavier than I want to be I've already lost that last 5 pounds! Yeah me! I wondered as I hit the trail yesterday if I would be able to tell any difference yet. And honestly with such a cut in my daily calorie intake I wondered if I'd have the steam to make two laps...I did! Actually, I think I really felt better. Just 5 pounds made a difference. I can't wait to lose this other 10 - that's my goal anyway. 5 pounds doesn't seem like a lot. But think about the last time you bought a la...

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The first time I rode up to check out the trail I decided to ride it first. That way I could check out the terrain and length to see if I wanted to try to run it or not. As I started a runner was coming my way so I asked him a couple of questions regarding the trail, like how long it is and if it's difficult to follow or not. He assured me that it was laid out simply and that it was about a mile and a half. But there was one T where if you navigate correctly you go around the "lake" (it's barely a pond in my book...). Then he made this statement Just stay on this path and you'll be fine.  I thanked him and rode on. About a third of the way in, I came to a T in the path. I could continue going straight or turn sharply to the right. I thought about what the young man had said stay on this path. Well, "this path" seemed like I should go straight to me! But I soon found I had been looped around some little neighborhood just before the path met the blackto...

Mondays I try to get in a good little chunk of mileage. It kind of lets me stack it up so that it's easier to meet my mileage goals for the week. That way I don't feel like I am playing catch-up the rest of the week and there's less pressure to get it all in. I prefer going at least 5 miles on Mondays - Plus I'm coming off two rest days so it just makes sense! Sometimes I can imagine the hills are issuing me a challenge. I can't wait to tackle them and take 'em down! Yesterday was no different. I headed out and the big hill on my chosen route is about a mile and a half from the house. That gives me plenty of time to get warmed up good before I get there! I love the challenge! What I wasn't ready for was the return trip. (I prefer out and backs because I know my legs need the well rounded workout.) But when I turned around to come back I was facing a stiff head wind! I pushed it so hard! And each time the wind picked up - I picked up my pace in response. ...

For several weeks I had been driving by this wilderness area . It's only a couple of miles from my apartment and I've been wanting to explore. Finally, Thursday was an off day (supposed to be a rest day) from running and for cross training I figured I would ride my bike up there to see about the trail. It turns out to be almost exactly 2.5 miles up. That means I get a solid 5 miles of biking in! That's a plus. The internet said the trail was one mile. I thought maybe I would ride it to check it out and then come back and run it at a later date. I passed a runner who helped me know where some tricky spots were as far as following the right trail. Then he told me it was more like 1.5 miles around. I rode it first, then decided I had time to run it once just to see if I liked it...I loved it!! So I went back Friday and ran it 3 times! While I was exploring I thought about how different the terrain was. But it didn't matter if I was riding there are on the supposedly sm...

All weekend long I could hear "the big hill" calling out a challenge to me! So this morning I put on my running shoes and headed straight for it! I was doing pretty good too. To be honest I didn't find it to be too terribly challenging as my mind was walking through so many other things I really wasn't thinking about it much. I got to the road that is about half a block from the top and two cars approached the intersection. No problem. The first one went on through and the second one stopped... right on the cross walk! For safety reasons, even though I know I have the right of way - I go behind the car. It's part of never assuming someone else sees you just because you saw them! I kind of shake my head in disbelief at people's driving habits but am really caught up in my music and thoughts too much to worry about it much. But then I saw her look... the Biblical term for what it looks like is a proud look. I could be way off (but I'm not usually!) but ...

After my whole week off I knew I needed to go easy on this old body this week. I ended up logging about 11 miles. That's a little more than half of my normal weekly miles. Next week my goals will be closer to 15 miles as I gently build back up to longer runs. I still have a 10K and the Chicago half to prepare for. In addition to this I am making some dietary changes - going at it slow so I don't send my body too much into shock! I'll eat what I have here so I don't waste what I've spent, but begin to replace with whole, healthy options as I need to buy more. And I started walking in the evenings. When I first found this apartment one of the things I liked about it was the park with a paved path that is behind the complex. My son is in a wheelchair and it looked like a great way to get him out of the house. It really was a factor in choosing this particular apartment. I measured and it's about .4 of a mile long, but it's an out and back. From my door, thr...