W.I.D.T.H. - Why I Do This Here.

Jack Sh*t, Gettin' Fit has been posting reasons for why we do what we do.  Why we live healthier, better, more active.....  I have come to look forward to looking at these. There are so many reasons for why we do what we do. All so different, but at the same time, very much the same.

Here is mine......

Check out others HERE.






"People are generally better persuaded by the reasons which they have themselves discovered than by those which have come in to the mind of others."
~Blaise Pascal

I'm BACK!!! Race recap....

This morning was the Autism 5k.  I have been training for this race for 8 weeks and to day was THE DAY!  I must say that it went exactly as I wanted.

I started the day (actually last night) worrying about rain, but this morning, the forecast changed from rain to mostly sunny, so I took that as a good sign.  I met up w/ my friend, Mer, who ran the race completely in support of me (God bless her).  I must say that she was AWESOME!  I loved her before, but I love her even more!! 

The best advice I got for the race was an email I read this morning from EricaH.  Here is what she told me:

My only advice would be to run your race, find the pace that is comfortable for you and don't get caught up on what's going on around you and most of all enjoy the experience just think you are up early on a Saturday morning doing something a whole heck of a lot of people aren't, and will probably never do, and that's something, and whatever happens good or great (since there is nothing bad about starting your day with a run) it is something to be proud of. :)

First, THANK YOU Erica.  This was so moving for me personally.  I took this with me the entire run.  I had already decided I was going to run it slow & easy with no pressure and finish strong, so to read this early this morning, I knew that no matter what, I would run the best race that I could do on this day, and THAT is what it is all about - me and my race today, not yesterday and not tomorrow. 

The race started and I started easy, as intended.  I knew we were going pretty slow, but I refused to worry about it.  Heck, to be honest, most of the race, we were surrounded by walkers, but I just said, "I don't care.  I am running MY race. I want to finish strong." 

At about the 2 mile mark, it was getting tough.  It was pretty sunny and getting warm.  Also, the course was a tad more hilly than I anticipated.  Mer was great.  At this point she started setting goals, like "lets lengthen our stride from here to the blue sign" or "let's pick it up down this hill".  That really helped because when I get tired, my weakness is to slow down and to have that reminder and encouragement, was helpful.

At 2.2 miles, T came back to us.  I must say that at that point, I was hurting and struggling and fighting to keep going, so you can imagine that when I saw her, I felt.......

I didn't look like that, but inside, that is definitely how I felt.  I knew if she was coming back, that meant the end really was pretty close.  But that wasn't it, then...... G and their friend, V, came back too!  When I saw them, I felt even more

Even though they had left it all on the road for their race, they came back to help me bring it in and that meant SO much! 

The last little bit was pretty much steady incline, so I didn't kick it up as soon as I wanted, but when we got to the end...... I REALLY pushed it. 

My finish made me realize that I have speed in me, I just have no ENDURANCE and I need to work on my courage.  I had it once, and I will get it again.  I will run another race.  I will keep working at it.  I will also follow the "Run Slower, Run Faster" philosophy that Coach T has been talking about. 

So.....where to from here??  This summer I plan to run possibly another 5k next month and I plan to run a 4-mile twilight run in July.  My long-term goal from here is to run an 8k in November and 10k in March.   I am pretty excited about this because it keeps me running, it gives me constant goals to work toward AND each race I am working toward is a little bit longer than the previous one.  I also think in the middle of all of these, I would like to run another 5k to see if my time improves. 

Only time will tell....... But for today, I am SUPER syked!!!  I DID IT!!! 

Here are a few post-race pictures for your viewing pleasures.......

If you don't know yet from reading my blog, I like quotes.  I try to include one after each of my posts because I find them inspirational and I like sharing them in hopes that they will inspire you as well.  In my search for a quote for today's post, I found the Finish Strong Finish Strong video. So check it out and enjoy!

Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone!!!

12 Hours

In just 12 hours, I will be starting my first race in over TWO years.  I must say I am feeling lots of things.  I am excited and nervous and anxious and hopeful and worried all at the same time. 

Excited because well, as I said, this is my first race in over two years.  I have missed this for way too long.  I have wanted to get back to this for way too long. AND, last week, I ran the practice 3.1 with T a week ago and it went almost TOO well. 

Nervous because..... I really don't really need a reason for nervous.  I am always nervous before I run.  I usually get in the middle of a race and think, "Why do I do this?!?!?  This is not FUN!!"  I will simply call it stage fright.

Anxious to get it started.  Anxious to get it over with.  Also, a little performance anxiety too, I think. 

Hopeful that this will be the race that I don't think, "Why do I do this?!?!? This is not FUN!!"  I want this to be fun.  I mean, its my comeback race.  I need it to be FUN!  I am not worried about this though.  I will have Mer at my side and T and G racing me to the finish.  How can it not be??

Worried because I have not run at all this week because I have been working instead.  Worried because I have not trained wonderfully for this race.  I am a little worried of what if.  What if my body is tired.  What if it is too tough.  What if I get too excited and start too fast and then can't finish strong.  What if - What if - What if........


Regardless, I am going to get up in the morning and run the best race I can.  I will run it all.  I will have fun.  I will finish strong.  I will do it well. 





"Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about."
~PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian
 

Ask for Help Giveaway

Earlier this month, I posted this about my last semester of school.  One of the things I listed to "fix the problem" was to ASK FOR HELP.  So that is what today is about.

I am determined to succeed at getting my nursing degree.  I want to succeed.  I MUST succeed.  I don't want to be one that just makes it, I want to ROCK IT! 

I want to be like my mentor, G.  She ROCKS IT!  She has 3 kids, a full running schedule, a job, a marriage, and more but she totally kicks *ss when it comes to school.  I often think, "How the hell does she do it??"  I wish life allowed me to shadow her to see how she works her magic.  Obviously, I look up to her, or I wouldn't have adopted her as my mentor.  And yes, I adopted her. She had no choice in the matter.

G isn't the only one though......  I think this of ALL students I know.  I see people that work and go to nursing school full-time and they DO it - well.  How do you do it??  I confess, I envy you.  I want to do what you do.

What's the trick? 

Is there a special formula? 

So.....these are the questions I am throwing out there for everyone and to "bribe" you for this info, I am choosing to host a giveaway.  I am "raffling off" a $25 gift card.  The winner will get to choose from one following:

• Barnes and Nobles
• RunningSkirts.com
• Target
• Dicks Sporting Goods
• Starbucks

MANDATORY FOR ENTRY - Comment to this blog and leave me your best "student success" tip.  You must leave at least ONE bit of advice for me.  However, each success tip gets you an additional entry.

FOR ADDITIONAL ENTRIES (one entry each)
    - Become a follower of my blog and comment to let me know you did
    - Post something on your blog linking back to this giveaway and comment to let me know you did
    - Post on your Facebook wall linking back to this giveaway and comment to let me know you did

Ends on June 3rd. I will randomly select and announce the winner on June 4th. 

Good luck!!  Can't wait to read all my advice!! 

Slow and EEEEEASY......and 5k

My new focus - SLOW & EASY.  That I what I have learned this weekend. 

It started when my friend, Mer, and I ran yesterday morning for 2 miles.  We decided to meet at a local high school and run on the track.  It was so great!  We said from the beginning we were running an "easy 2 miles".  I wanted to get in a run, but knew that I was running 3 miles with Coach T today and didn't want to overdo it.  Yes, we did a 14 min pace, but it was so lovely.  Ideally, I could have bumped it up a little, but that was not the plan.  The plan was "an easy 2 miles" and it felt awesome.  It was nice to just jog and catch up with my friend instead of pushing harder, trying to listen instead of focusing on the fact that I am dying/hurting, and hardly being able to join in the conversation because I cant breathe. 

Then, this morning, Coach ran a 5k with me.  It was AWESOME! I can say I really enjoyed it.  We kept it slow & easy because I wanted to preserve my energy so I can actually finish well.  We got to the half way point and I felt great.  At 2 miles, T asked how I felt and I was getting a little tired, but still felt pretty good.  We got to 2.5 miles and I said, "This is awesome! Let's do 3.1, just for fun!"  And she then gave me my surprise that I was intended to get later.  "We already were going to do that!"  The last 1/4 mile, I told her to gradually speed up & I would keep up w/ her. I ran easy and finished strong.  THAT is exactly how I want to race next weekend.

I can say that after today's run, I am REALLY excited about my Comeback 5k next weekend.  I have decided I do not care about a finishing time, I just want to run the race and run it well.  I will have Mer running with me and T and G are coming back to run the last part with me when they finish.  I think I will have them pick up speed again and I just follow them in.  It will be so much fun!  I just know it!!!! 

Oh yeah.....if you can't tell how happy I am, here is a picture to show just how I felt after running the "practice 5k" today. 

Happy Sunday!! 

"There is real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment."
~Norman Vincent Peale

First I'd like to thank......

I am WAY excited!!  Only 34 days into my entry into the bloggy world and I have received my first blog award! 

So.....first I'd like to thank the Academy...... (always wanted to say that!) HaHaHa!!  Really, thanks so much to Erica over at I Run Because... I Can for deeming ME worthy of being

I fo sho will accept this award!  To formally accept this award, here are 7 things about moi......

1. I have NEVER in my life been into anything even remotely athletic prior to becoming a mom. I still do not consider myself even a little athletic - or even "a runner". I just run.
2. I run because about 2 years ago, I was exercising and running/training and I lost almost 50 lbs. Once life happened and running fell drastically on the priority list, I gained it ALL BACK.
3. When I stopped running, I became depressed and overall unhappy w/ ME - how I looked, felt, etc.
4. I have recently started running again and it feels so so SO GREAT! No matter how hard the run is, it never fails that my run is the highlight of my day.
5. While I don't yet run as much as I wish I could, I don't see me stopping again - ever. I feel like I NEED to run - for me, my sanity, my happyness, my health, my parenting, my marriage......
6. The first race I ever ran was a 5k, pushing my 9mth old in the stroller, and 12-weeks pregnant. It was really, really tough, but with all the factors involved, I often don't consider this my "first" race. I often forget about it - probably just blocked it out.....
7. The farthest I have ever run is a 10k. I often think of doing a half marathon some day. Once this thought occurs, the smart voice in my head says, "Are you crazy? Insane? OUT OF YOUR MIND?!?!?!"   I then wake up and the thought is gone.  

Here is my list of the fabulous that I am passing on the title of "The Versatile Blogger":

Coach T @ Racing With Babes

Anonymous Fat Girl

Allison @ No Time for Flash Cards

Tricia @ Endurance Isn't Only Physical

G @ Neurosis of the Stay at Home Mom of 3

Prior Fat Girl

Cammy @ Tippy Toe Diet

Dallas B @ OBX Running Mama

Fat Daddy @ Fat Daddy Rants

Jack @ Jack Sh*t, Gettin' Fit

Busy Running Mama

Diane @ Fit to the Finish

Melissa @ Chasing Cheerios

I know it is not quite 15, but I don't have any others that I follow yet!  I am working on up-ing my numbers.  Its hard  to keep up w/ tons & tons of blogs.  I don't know how you all do it!! 

“I'll take any trophy. I don't care what it says on it.”
~Mary-Louise Parker

Getting It In

Today was one of those days that everything seems to get thrown out of whack and nothing goes the way it is supposed to.  Normally, when this happens, I get nothing done, I pout all day about how nothing is going right.  Today, was a little different.

Last night, the hubby and I discussed that, because I was working a late evening shift, I would have a little freedom in the morning to sleep in - or whatever I chose.  I chose to sleep a little late, then get up to get my 3 miles in.  This did not happen. Unexpectedly, I had to change plans and we were gone all morning and some of the afternoon. 

I was pretty bummed about all of this because I REALLY wanted to run & didn't know how I would get it in otherwise.  This forced me to choose - be disappointed and do nothing OR get creative. 

I ended up deciding I may not get my 3 miles in, but I would get something in.  I made a meatloaf for dinner, so I put the meatloaf and potatoes in the oven, put the munchkins in the stroller, and we went for a run at 7:00 last night.  By the time we got back, the meatloaf was done and I felt so great! 

I am proud of myself because I didn't let a little change stop me from getting a work out in.  May not have been what I intended, but it was SOMETHING and it wasn't easy because I was pushing a little over 100 pounds. 

I am thinking of running with them whenever I am unable to run alone.  That is definitely better than no run at all......

Here is a picture of me and the munchkins after our run:

 

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'"
- Peter Maher, Irish-Canadian Olympian and sub-2:12 marathoner

Mental Support for 3 miles

This morning I ran with Coach T for my 1st 3 mile run for my 5k training.  I must say that I am SO glad that I asked her to run with me.  She REALLY got me over the mental mountain I had going on. 

There were quite a few times I told her "You know....we are going so slow, we could probably walk faster" and every time, she replied "but we're not going to do that because you can do this."  She even threatened to smear my name on the internet if I stopped and walked!  Humph! The nerve!And while I couldn't appreciate it as much as I do as I type this, I can say now that I love her for it.  Yes, T, you were right, I am SO glad you kept me going. 

There really is nothing like having your own personal cheerleader with you on a run.  I mean, I love my solo runs.  They allow me to clear my head and have 20/30/40 minutes of time to myself to think (or NOT think).  BUT......to have mental support for the 3 miles today was really great and I plan to run with T again at least one more time before the race and during the race to help me bring it in strong.

Here we are after the run.  As Busy Running Mama put it........How cute am I????  Also, for the record, T, the smile is NOT fake. I am smiling a real smile through post-run pain!

"My other legs are Kenyan." 
~Seen on a bumper sticker

Pure Suckage......

I just finished running what I am sure to be the WORST run I have ever had.  Well, the worst if you don't count the Am Fam 5k I ran pushing the boy munchkin when I was 12 wks pregnant w/ the girl munchkin.....and the Anabelle's Angels 5k a few months after the girl munchkin was born.....and.....  Enough!  You get my point!!  

It started with me walking out the door thinking "Ugh!  It's hot out here!  I could just do this later this evening....."  But I knew that was not even realistic.  Plus, I was dressed and ready for 30 minutes of just me & the pavement. 

I had a hunch before I left the neighborhood that this could possibly be a tough one, but I had no idea how tough.  I felt good mentally, but my body felt like I was running on cinderblock feet attached to legs made of lead. 

All in all, it took me 40 minutes to get through 2.84 miles - I walked 1/4 mile of it.  I wasnt too thrilled about walking.  I kept thinking, "Mind over Matter.....Mind over Matter." But the truth is that Mind and Matter were thinking the same thing - "Walk, you dummy!" 

I am positive that I was one of those runners you drive by that looks like its so painful that you want to stop and drive them the rest of the way.  It was painful.....and hot.......and HARD.....but I am proud because I got my run in and now, I feel GREAT!  I can hold my head high the rest of the day knowing that I DID IT.  That is why I run....why I push through the pain and struggle....So I can say "I Did It!!!" 

I will do it again and it will be better.  Otherwise, I am really worried about the race coming up in 2 1/2 weeks......



"Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."       ~John Wooden

Getting it off my chest.........Then, moving on.

So I am a bit displeased with myself today.  I am finally realizing that I am not going to get that A or B in my classes for this semester and it just PISSES ME OFF!  I can only be pissed off at one person though - ME.  I have done okay, but nowhere close to where I wanted to be.  I can't get into a good nursing school without A's and maybe one B. What the hell am I doing here if I am not going to do what I gotta do & do it RIGHT?!?!?!

I decided that I will allow myself this ONE "poor me" session and then I am moving on, so....

The real question is WHY? 

Q: Why didn't I get the grade? 
A: I didn't keep my focus as I should have. I didn't put my classes at a higher priority than other things.

Q:  Why wasn't I able to keep my focus? 
A:  I had trouble keeping my focus because LIFE happened many times.  I worked too much. I had no breaks from kids.  I didn't always put my classes at a higher priority than other things. 

Q:  Why did other things get in the way?
A:  I DIDN'T ALWAYS PUT MY CLASSES AT A HIGHER PRIORITY THAN OTHER THINGS.


The next question is WHAT am I going to do to fix this "problem"? 

• Create a study/life schedule and stick to it.
• Commit to a maximum number of hours of work each week and work no more than that number.
• No work = No play
• ASK FOR HELP
• NO EXCUSES!

This summer I am taking 1 class online and 1 class on-campus.  I want to see which works best for me. 

Bottom line is that there is no excuse for this semester.  I CAN do this.  I WANT to do this.  I have COMMITTED to doing this.  So..... I am GOING to do this.


Stay tuned in August for...... "Yahoo!!!!  I DID IT!!!" (or something like that) 



A man begins cutting his wisdom teeth the first time he bites off more than he can chew.
~Herb Caen

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.
~William James



It is more easy to be wise for others than for ourselves.
~François Duc de La Rochefoucauld