think like the runner I am

I ran with my old running group twice last week and hiked/ran a few miles today. I plan to run a little over six on the mountain tomorrow.

Funny thing:
I told my teaching team (in a passing comment) that I’d run 3 miles the night before and they were like, “THREE miles! You must’ve been so exhausted!” It tickled me. Non-runners are cute! Three is like the MINIMAL number of miles I ever run with my group!

Thinking of training for the half marathon coming up in November. I think I can do it! Fingers crossed.

My “coach” says I need to get up to about 7-mile runs as a base before I start the official training schedule in mid-July. I can do it. I just have to DO it.

It was cold and windy.
My hips’ arthritis was acticting up.
I felt heavy and sluggish.

Well, I went, but I groused and complained most of the way. I walked a lot of it, but I covered 8.8 miles somehow.

Two things now that it’s done….

I’m proud.
And I’m glad it’s over, finally!

To the hot bath I go!!!

Last night I talked to our running group’s “coach” She said she had a training schedule for me, and we’d start the training runs for spring marathons on December 30th. I’m looking forward to it and have noticed subtle changes in myself today. Knowing there’s an end in sight to this break from training now made me behave more like a runner without even trying. I just didn’t want to indulge (much less over-indulge) in all the garbage treats at the christmas party. I had a few M&Ms but resisted cookies, cupcakes, gummies, kisses, etc, no problemo. I don’t want to make life harder on myself than I have to….

Now that it’s over, I also love the thought of

not having to make time for long runs each Saturday

being able to take cold medication or alcohol without fear of it wrecking my schedule run

not having to time my meals so carefully

being able to give blood, now that I feel I can spare some

not needing to take so much Ibuprofin or Tylenol

I think that in January I’ll begin training for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, and I will be ready to get back to it all then and resume my focus. For now, it’s really nice to have a little break from all that structure!

The good news is my calf feels well enough now. I can still feel the lump where that evil Charley Horse was, and if I stretch just the wrong way, it hurts. However, I’ve run a few experimental steps around the house, and as of yesterday I can actually DO it! Yay!! My chest-cold seems to be subsiding and I am going to the gym to try running on the treadmill today! Yay!

Trained for and Ran my First Marathon

Partied afterward

Got congratualated

Wrote my race report

Wore my finisher’s shirt and medal

Hubby put the “26.2” sticker on my car.

Soon, the runner’s group’ll have the big celebration where we all show off our pictures and videos and tell stories about it. So I DO have that to look forward to.

My calf injury is almost all healed up and otherwise I’m not too sore anymore.

It was so fun and rewarding, but now I feel a little lost. I need a goal to focus on.

I haven’t run since Sunday. Right now my running buddies, and Hubby, are out enjoying the unseasonably warm weather, while I sit here miserable, with my head stuffy, my nose crusty and my lungs and ears beginning to hurt!

Need prayer…

They plan their eating… the what, and the when, mostly; but also the how, where, and how much. Now that I’ve started back to school I’ve GOT to work to be kinder to my body nutritionally!

Okay, self – here’s the deal…

Bring insulated bottle of ice-water to drink during the day.

Healthy fruit smoothies with flaxseed, yogurt and protein powder MOST weekday mornings.

No eating what the kids eat in the lunch room, unless it’s just the fruit or veggies and milk.

Bring lunch; something small and healthy… a boiled egg, tomato, and wholewheat bread, or a bag of salad with tuna, or leftovers to reheat, or carrots and hummous.

Keep apples in basket on desk for a snack after kids go home.

STOP eating by 3:30, to be able to go run or work out at 5:30

Supper BEFORE 8pm or just have cereal, if it’s later when I get home.

Don’t let myself get so run-down or discouraged-feeling that I reach for ice-cream, or chocolate, or pop as a pick-me-up! Take the Zoloft and supplements regularly. Run, play, smile, call friends, dwell on people whose opinions really matter to me, not on those of the jerks, the misguided, or the idiots.

Also, gotta get some “Gu” for my long run next Saturday.