What Happened to Spring?

I have to admit that I was a little lazy last week in my running. I was so busy getting ready for my boyfriend's birthday party that I skipped a few of my training days. So, I thought it would be a good idea to log a few extra miles this week. So, even though today is supposed to be a day off, I ran 2 miles. I decided that it was too cold to get all bundled up just to go out for 25 minutes. So, I ran on my treadmill and watched the beginning of Can't Buy Me Love. Anyone remember that movie? It used to be one of my favorites. I am seriously going to have to consider expanding my DVD collection if I am going to continue to run on my treadmill at this rate. I'm starting to memorize the lines to all the movies I own! I hope that everyone has a great weekend and keep your fingers crossed for the return of the warm weather.

Wind - Friend or Foe?

I can't believe how nice it is outside today! I ran in sweats and a t-shirt and I was still too warm. It felt good to not have on two layers of clothing along with a hat and gloves. Running in the winter often makes me feel like I'm that goofy kid who's mother dressed her in a snowsuit that is so big she can barely move, and if she falls over she'll never get back up. Of course, tomorrow it is supposed to take a turn for the colder, so it'll be back to the snowsuit. I couldn't decide if the wind was a good thing or a bad thing on today's run. It made it more challenging running into it, but at the same time it helped cool me off a little. And it sure felt nice when it was at my back helping to move me along. It started raining briefly at the beginning of my fourth mile, and I was a little worried it was going to be a long, wet last mile, but it stopped after a few seconds and I managed to escape getting drenched. I did forget my kleenex again, though. You'd think I'd learn by now! I have to say that fundraising for TNT has had added benefits that I didn't expect. I actually enjoy going out to my mailbox these days because I often find something other than bills! The number of donations and kind letters of encouragement never cease to surprise me. Fundraising: $25 donated - Thanks Frank & Vera!

Feels Like Spring!

What a beautiful day! It feels like spring out there. I wish it would stay like this for the rest of winter, but I hear we are in for a cold weekend again. I have a much easier time running when I can do it outside. I'm a wimp when it comes to cold weather, and don't like running outside if it is below 40 degrees. Today I ran a course that I'm not too familiar with, but I'm guessing it is about 2.5 miles. I may have to buy myself a new toy to track my mileage when I'm running outside. Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! Fundraising: $200 donated - Thanks Grandma, Mike, Kayla & Lance!

M&M's & Running are a bad combo!

I've been trying to decide which training schedule to follow: the beginner or the intermediate. I've been following the intermediate schedule for the past few weeks, and I think it is a little too advanced for me. Every run ends up feeling like a major workout and I've stopped looking forward to running. It's a little early in the game for that, so I decided I better ease up. So, I'm going to follow the beginner schedule. That schedule is probably too easy for me as far as the distances go, but the decreased mileage may allow me to work on my speed a little. I gained some very valuable knowledge this evening - Don' t eat 1/2 lb. of M&M's an hour before you run! They sit like a lead weight in your stomach and make you want to vomit. I should know better. I sat down with the bag, and one turned into two, which turned into a handful, which turned into half the bag. Ugh! Fundraising: $50 donated - Thanks Dr. Spink & Uncle Carl!

Training Officially Starts!

This is the first official week of training and I am very happy to report that I finally feel like I am back at 100%. I managed to run 4.5 miles today at a fairly decent pace. Today was one of those days where I felt like I could run forever and never stop. I love those runs. I wish I had more of them. It felt great to be able to run without feeling like I was going to fall over at any given second. Fundraising: $40 donated - Thanks Laura!

Moving Slower, But Getting Better

I ran 4 miles today and it wasn't too tough. It was certainly at a much slower pace than I have been running, but at least I felt like I could breathe today. I can't wait to feel completely normal again. (Well, as normal as I can get, anyway!) Hopefully just a few more days!

Learning to Breathe

When I first started running, it was always my breathing that brought the runs to an end. When I started to get tired I would try to take full deep breath to get more air, and it would freak me out when I couldn't do it. I would start paying too much attention to my breathing and feel like I was trying to suck the air in and out, but still wasn't getting enough. So, I would end up stopping because I felt like I was about to start hyperventilating. I finally learned to stop doing this and I have been fine for years, but having this cold and not being able to breathe very well is bringing back those memories. I managed to make it the whole 3 miles today, but just barely. It's a good thing it doesn't normally feel like this or I think I'd toss in the towel. Fundraising: $130 donated - Thanks Jim, Lisa & Deana!