A good Day 3

Today rocked!! I woke up at 5;18am and went to the gym as planned (3 early mornings in a row, I am proud). Had a great workout. Normal 30 minutes on the elliptical and an awesome free weight session that left my arms a bit tired.

Spent my precious early AM hours before work on the phone with Dell Support because our new computer cannot receive an internet connection. Got disconnected twice, on hold with several different departments and you can imagine the rest, for a total of about 2 hours. I have put that off for months because I knew it would be that horrendous. Anyway, finally got what I needed, which was an appointment tomorrow to switch the motherboard.. Painful, but o'well. I get to cross that one off the TO DO list.

As I mentioned yesterday, I have had this mountain bike ride planned for tonight. Had no idea what to anticipate. Got to my friends house and left by 10 to 6pm. We were heading for the hills. I still didn't know what this meant, nor did I know how far it was going to be, but I was up for the adventure.

Up the hilly road we climb. It reminded me of driving up old La Honda Road. It was straight up and I thought, we must be getting close. Oh no, that was just the road that led us to the entrance of the dirt trail at Fremont Older. Oh yes, we rode straight up hill for an hour...I mean straight up hill, to the top of Maisy trail. As gruesome as it was, it was at the same time the most amazing ride of my life. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous but it challenged me past my comfort zone and make me dig down deep...and that I did! I made it to the top with no stops, which according to my friends was the first of their friends that didn't need to stop. Considering the fact that I am just getting back into hard core working out, that made me feel great! And not only great did I feel, but inspired to do it again and again.

Let me just tell you coming back down was ALL down hill. Wow, that was FUN. I cruised and laughed as I made my way down. Talk about exhilarating and gratifying after all the work to get up it. It made it all worth the climb and the few little hills seemed like nothing compared to the hike up. I must have been going 40mph coming down the road after the trails. Truly amazing and an experience to be had.

I should be dog tired considering the fact that I double worked out today and haven't had a consistent week of working out in quite some time. But no, I am energized and fired up for what's to come. I have also committed to riding this trail with my friends once a week. I loved it so much that I coined it my new 2nd love next to running. I figure this will be a great cross training for me. It's certainly an endurance climb, my heart was pounding the entire time. But I know in time, just like with running, I will build the endurance to climb it faster and better. What a challenge and I am up for it! A great end to day 3 for me!

Day 2

I am tired so I will keep this short and sweet. Great day overall, I got up and ran 4 miles this morning. I ran slower than I normally do, about a 10 minute mile. Getting back in the drift of things can be challenging, but bottom line, I got up and did it.

I have enjoyed the last two mornings. Being up early allows for a work out and some time to tend to things around the house that need tending before hitting it hard at work.

I am planning on hitting the gym tomorrow followed by a grueling mountain bike ride at 5:30. We'll see how I feel Thursday morning.

Overall, so far so good. But hey, it's been 2 days, I have no excuses.

Day 1 of my 11 week training for Nike 1/2 marathon

Amazing what time brings for all of us. For me, the last 14 months have been a mixed bag of goodies. The last time I posted was I think the last time I ran a 1/2 marathon, sad to say. I was on top of the world because I ran a 1/2 without much training, but as I look back and remember, I was in good enough shape due to consistently running to be able to pull it off. My job got more demanding, I was injured and out of commission for 3 months and ever since then I have been trying to find my way back.

Who would have thought it could be so hard with all the demands of life, let alone an injury that made me start almost from scratch. I work 10 hour days and value my sleep, so the thought of getting up at 5:00am is not desirable. I have been able to master 5 miles for most of my runs but they are so spotty that it's hard to maintain the endurance, which is what brings me to today.

Today is a new chapter and a new opportunity for me to be consistent. Today is day 1 of a my new challenge. Time to get serious and to push myself outside of my comfort zone so that I can be fully prepared of what Nike brings me, which are lots of hills.

I started my day today at the gym doing 3 miles on the elliptical, free weights and sit ups. Mind you it was 5:30am, which as I stated is a challenge in itself. Usually the first day you wake up early isn't so hard, it's all the others that follow that are tough. I had a great workout, I felt tip top and I am pumped for day 2.

I thought what better way than to blog about my 11 week journey to the finish line of a race I have run twice and couldn't be more proud to have the opportunity to run again. I will either do it or I won't, right? I haven't tended to my blog in the last 14 months due to all the distractions called life but what better reason than to start today. I can replay in mind what I did right and what I did wrong by keeping a consistent account of my activity and hopefully I will learn something new about myself in the process. I am putting myself to the test. Can I do it? I know I can, but will I follow through. Let this be my accountability.

Follow me in my 11 week journey. Encourage, cry and laugh with me as I dig gown deep to find the balance needed to be successful to run this 1/2 with amazing grace. From being full time mom, full time employee and an awesome 1/2 marathoner. My plan is to come back better and stronger!

Our 4th half marathon victory....

It was the perfect day for a half marathon. It was chilly, but not too cold and over cast so the sun wasn't going to be beating down on me in mile 3, matter of fact I was hopeful it wouldn't pop out at all. I had lots of hope.

Last weekend four of us local mom's ran See Jane Run half marathon in Alameda. What a blast we had, and success to top it off. Success because I didn't train for this 1/2 like I have trained for others in the past. My running partner and I had run 7-8 miles regularly so I thought we would probably do fine, but we never ran more than 7 miles this time and there had been a few hit and miss runs. I can honestly say I was a bit concerned. I was okay if I had to walk some of it, although I have never walked in any race but because I was mentally doubting my ability to rally through I excused myself to walk. The good news is I never had to. We ran it in 2:06, two minutes slower than our last half marathon just two months ago. Granted the wind was gushing against us in the last 3 miles at a slight incline and I won't lie, those last 3 miles were grueling but we powered through, a bit slower than normal, but nonetheless we powered through and finished in a time we didn't expect.

Ahhh, the feeling of triumph at the end of a race. The victory you feel at the end of each race is priceless and indescribable. I was so ecstatic that we finished in the time we did given the circumstances this time around. It gave me so much hope for the next race, the next run! I love running so much and I love completing my races even more. It such an accomplishment to run any race, no matter what mileage your run, where ever you are at in your runs, it feels great! You feel on top of the world and no one can take that away from you. It's yours and only yours.

After the race we received our pendants and sipped champagne as we stretched our aching muscles. Completely exhausted but high off of yet another victory. We could put our anxieties about what we thought we couldn't do behind us. If there is one thing you get out of this, is the mind is so much stronger than the body. Often times we tell ourselves we just cannot do something, but in reality we can do anything we put our minds too. That is not a false statement, it is the amazing truth that we all need to remember daily.

Go sign up for the next 5K, 10K, 1/2 marathon or full marathon because you CAN...

Running in the heat....

Who can run in sun? It's a 100 degrees and it's not even summer, and I find it tough to find time to run. I don't know about you but I melt running in the sun even if it's 65 degrees. We have had some warm weather here in the bay area the last couple of days. I do love the weather just find it hard to exercise in.

My longest run so far has only been 6.8 miles and we have a 1/2 marathon in 2 and half weeks. We can rally pretty well when it comes to a race but boy I feel a bit worried about this one because running right now is a big chore and I think mostly due to the heat factor. Everything swells and you cannot get enough water no matter how much you drink. Or am I just making excuses?

It's funny, I have times where I am so strong and I could run a million miles a week and then I have times like I am having right now and I feel like 15 miles a week is tough. It's amazing the seasons we go through just as human beings. I think we all have these weeks in every aspect of our lives whether it's our job, friends, marriage, work out schedules and anything else. Life can take us down so many different paths each week where we feel like we have no idea how we got there. Not one of us has perfected the "perfect" life nor will we ever because that is not the way we are designed...to ever be in a perfect state. Otherwise why would we need anything else or why would we strive for more. It's actually the steps backward that build us back up to the steps forward. That is the only way we learn how to move forward. It's just like that saying, 2 steps forward and 5 steps backwards. God is that the truth!

Life is funny like that but it's the truth. Our short comings allow us to grow and learn from our past mishaps. May we take what brings us down and find strength in them to give us wisdom and strength to move forward.

I am human and I will find that place again very soon because I love to run and that is something that doesn't go away, thank God!

A few basic essentials you need to start your running/walking program

April was one of those months for me where I really fell off the bandwagon. My running partner, Lisa, and I ran a 1/2 marathon at the end of March, took a "recovery" week off after, the following week her husband accidentally dropped a log on her foot making her unable to run for another week, and finally the week after that we got back on the wagon. That is not usual for us but it happened. We all know how much fun it is to get "started" again after a long break. You know, it's not necessarily the time off, it's how bad you feel for taking the time off, the internal conflict.

I don't know about you but I have to work hard to stay fit. When I take time off running I definitely notice. Not just physically but mentally too. I rely on my runs to empower and energize me, as well as keep me fit. Point of me sharing this, we all have our fall off the bandwagon moments and it has to be okay. We are human. You just pick yourself back up, lace up your shoes and go.. The rest takes care of itself.

Back to getting started running. I think there are a few essentials you need before you start your running/walking program.

The OK from your Doctor - Know where you are at physically. Do you need a physical evaluation before you start your new program or resume an old one? Getting started walking/running generally will be one of the best things you do and will lead you into a healthy life style, but it's best to know where you're at first.

Good running shoes - Many wonder if you need a good pair of running shoes. The answer is absolutely yes. Running is hard on your body and if you do not have supportive shoes for your build and feet needs, you will eventually physically pay for it. I personally have had a bad back most of my life so I need a very supportive shoe with good stability that absorbs some of the pounding of running. Let me tell you what, my back has never been better since I started running. A good pair of shoes can help you be successful. Best thing to do is go to your local running store where they will watch you walk and pair you with a shoe that fits your needs. They will also store your information in their computer for the next time. I really recommend this.

A playlist on your iPod that fires you up - Do you have any favorite 80's songs that you used to love? Search iTunes and find some fun, fire you up songs. When I hear a song that fires me up I pick up my pace and straighten my slouching shoulders. Running is mostly mind over matter, so go find some great music to put a little pep in your step. It makes a huge difference.

Lastly, make sure you have comfortable clothing - I recommend clothes that are designed for this very event. Breathable, comfortable and weather appropriate gear makes a huge difference. I love Nike's knee length running pants. They keep me warm on cooler days but also don't over heat me on warmer days. They also don't move around so I don't have to fuss with them much. This makes a difference on my runs. Target also has some really great work out gear, so there is something out there for everyone. Know your comfortability factor and weather climate needs and purchase some items you know you would be most comfortable in.

I think with these few basics but essentials you will be ready to rumble. There are many other essentials you personally you will have to adjust and tweak, such as when to run and what works best for your life but once you figure that out, lace up your shoes and get out there and just start with a walk around the block if that is all you can do or a 1 mile jog....whatever it is you can start with, great! Pump yourself up and go do it. You will feel so great for doing it. Doing things you know are good for you will inspire and empower you to want to do more of it, I promise.

Want to Start Running?

While sitting outside relaxing, one in a million moments I seem to seize, reading my Running magazine I came across an article that inspired me to start this blog. That is of how to start running. You just start. It's as simple as that. Well you have to have running shoes, the right gear and an iPod and every little thing that you justify in you mind you need to do so. After that there are no more excuses.

You make the decision that you are going to lace up your shoes and start small, whatever small might mean to you. Small may mean walking for 3 weeks before you start that first trot or running for 3 minutes and walking for 10. Whatever it is, you just start.

Starting anything is hard. I think that may be the hardest part of any task. But be inspired by your motivation to start, and find strength in the fact that starting will bring you to the next phase which is where you wish you could have started off at. Ha, well don't we all. The truth of the matter is that starting anything is not easy because we have to create a new habit but guess what, you can do it. I did it and SO CAN YOU!

I was that person who hid in bushes during PE when it was time to run a mile. Running for me was like finger nails on the chalk board. You couldn't have paid me to run. It took me 29 years to even consider running. God knows I had no idea what I was capable of but guess what, I now cannot function properly without it.

I am inspired to inspire you, whoever you are. What made me successful was doing it with someone else who had the same want. I know for sure that it takes support to be successful at anything you do. So just lace up your shoes and start somewhere because what you are about to find is that you are one step closer to success. It takes patience and desire. I know you have that in you, we all do... Go for it!

More to come on getting started.