On to a New Year

I started my half marathon training off with a bang this past Sunday.  My Sunday running buddy (who's blog is linked to your right) pushed me beyond what either of us thought we were capable of.  We both successfully ran three miles non stop for the first time with me shaving 30 seconds off of my fastest time.  To some, that's nothing.  To me, it was huge.  The longest I had ran non stop was maybe 1.03 miles.  I learned a very valuable lesson.  Running that far is mind over matter.  It's a mind game you play with yourself.  You say, "Just a little further.  There's a downhill stretch coming up.  I'm almost over this awful hill!"  These were literally things I mentally chanted to myself during certain stretches throughout the run.  Especially after we met a guy around mile two that was practically sprinting.  

After we completed our three miles we recovered for about a quarter mile while having a snack then we started again.  The next two miles were a combination of running and walking.  We started talking about a subject we're both extremely passionate about which made the time fly.  Running with someone makes a world of difference!  When someone suggests running with a partner or asks if they can join, you should enthusiastically agree.  Our five miles was completed in about an hour with maybe a half mile of walking total.  

I've decided to run a 10k coming up at the end of March to get an idea of how I might perform in a race before I actually run my big one.  I don't think $30 is too much spend for that kind of training experience.    

I've also been doing running research but I still have a ton to learn.  Like the whole carry an energy boosting snack to consume periodically in your long runs.  I learned that Sunday.  It's something I hadn't come across yet in my internet peruses.  

One imperative thing is shoes.  Shoes, shoes, shoes.  If you plan to start seriously running you need to find a store that fits you for shoes.  You're going to pay a little more but shoes are extremely important for helping prevent injuries.  I've been running in a pair of cross trainers I picked up about five months ago from a factory store with self serve shelves because I was only interval training on the treadmill at the time.  With the few miles I was traveling each week up until recently I was ok.  But after my four mile run week before last I knew it was time to get serious about good shoes.  Especially if I was going to get serious about this half marathon.  So, I spent my Christmas money on a pair of New Balance with good insoles that support my arches since mine are higher than normal.  The New Balance store in Tyler measured my foot, watched me walk and then analyzed where my high pressure points are on my foot in order to put me in the best shoe for my gait and foot shape.  I tried them out on my Sunday run and felt very little pain in my calves or shins afterwards.  I'm certain I'd have hurt a lot more if I had ran in my Nikes.  

So, the pounds, or shall I say ounces, are slowing coming off.  And by slowly I mean you'd have to hear me audible say the word to you for you to get the full effect of just how slow I mean.  Or for dramatic affect.  But my body is shaping up.  I think my friends are actually seeing it more than I am but that could be because I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to criticizing how my body looks.  I don't have image issues.  I know I'm not perfect and I don't expect I'll ever weight 125 pounds again and I'm totally ok with that.  But I do want to look nice in a little black dress one day.  Having a baby really does a number on how your body looks.  I'm not trying to discourage anyone by any means.  But it's something you'll have to face when or if you do have children.  But it won't keep me from trying to look my best.  I want to be a hot mom.  Or at least a mom with a hot body.  Haha!  And running combined with weight lifting has gotten me closer than I've been in nearly a year.  

Oh, and watching my calories.  Calorie counting is a pain.  I want to just go balls to the wall and eat all the chips and salsa! (10 points to Gryffindor if you get that reference.) I love food.  Or more like, I love food that's bad for me.  So, in order to see those ounces tick down I have to log every single bite, taste or lick of what I eat.  If I loaded up on veggies, fruit and lean meat I'd be ok.  But I don't.  Seeing how much I eat, when I eat and how my exercise affects my net calories has helped shape my eating habits.  I'm slowing learning self control and how to consumer smaller portions.  It's a long road and I don't see the finish line yet but it's really no different than running a long distance race.  You know the finish line is there and you know you'll cross it you just aren't sure when.  But at least I've taken the first steps.  And in the end that's all that matters.