I really prefer to run outside even though I have a treadmill. It just feels a lot more profitable to run outside - same miles but a totally different feel. It also gets me out of the house a little bit which is very necessary for me. But some days the aide doesn't show up which means that I can't run outside and if I am going to run it'll have to be on the dreadmill! Not long ago I got really frustrated with myself. I was doing a 5K at the OKC zoo. It was for Limbs for Life. I did terrible. I got third place in my age group but I did not perform well at all. It took me forever and I felt like I was dragging. I blamed it on lack of training and not keeping my miles up.I think really there were other factors - but that's what I blamed it on anyway. Well, I made some life changing decisions during that run as I began to ask myself some probing questions. I asked what's your problem?  And why aren't you training properly? I also asked myself if I really wanted t...

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...