Monday, January 30, 2012

P.S...

I wanted to say that the morning after running those gnarly 11 miles, I am feeling fabulous. No major aches or pains to report...just a bit tired in the legs, of course.

I got a splendid nights rest, and am ready to do some upper body work with my trainer, then hit the pavement tomorrow for my regular training run.

So, if this finds you in the throes of your own training, be encouraged! Pain comes, but then goes away. Discipline endures. Keep at it! I know I will.

Carpe Diem! Go on out and Sieze Your Day!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

11 Long Miles

So, today I ran 11 miles.

It wasn't pretty, in fact, it was really really really hard. I wanted to stop several times. I wanted to cry several times.  I was hot, bothered, tired, and fatigued.

My blood sugars were great, which was a definite plus. I stopped to test and was 152. Not bad. Around mile 5, I began chugging the absolutely delicious Margarita flavored Clif Shot Bloks. Now, that was quite possibly the best part of my run!



I was good for the next few miles...then the evil wicked mile 9 struck. I now know what it means to hit a wall. I was really depleted...totally spent, and wanted to just sit my body down and cry. But, then I remember reading somewhere that we don't stop when we're tired...we stop when we're done. And I wasn't done yet. So, on I went. Barely, but I went...

I gathered myself and just gutted out the next 2 miles. Mile 11 was the longest mile of my life. But, I did it.

I know how important training is now. When I am running my half, I will no doubt experience all of the emotions and physical sensations I experienced today. And I will know that I can run through them and be victorious.

So, I keep training. I keep pushing myself further and further to the edge of what I think is possible. Then I run past those limits and learn valuable lessons.

I am proud that I didn't stop because I was tired. I stopped when I ran 11 miles.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Well, That's Something To Think About...

I am a sucker for a good quote. I love finding just the right one that sums up my feelings or motivates me.

I came across this quote recently and had to share it...


Now, seriously, isn't that something to think about?

I am on a quest to become the best Me I can be. I want to use up all the gifts and abilities God has given me, so I don't have to wonder at the end of my life, 'what is it I could've become if I would've tried harder'?

The thing is, we all have bodies that we can improve...minds we can improve...souls we can improve. It is entirely up to us what we will do with what we have been given.

So, go out and seize your life. Make something positive happen with it. Use up every ounce of life God has given you. I often remember friends who don't have the use of their bodies anymore due to illness and disease. This alone is enough motivation for me to do what I can, all the while being thankful for the ability to do it. Running is a daily reminder of the able body I do have, despite type1 diabetes.

Make the most of yourself now. You are a masterpiece!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Forced Rest Sucks (kinda)

Well, guess who has a kidney infection?

Yeah, this runner girl.

I was really wondering why my blasted blood sugars had been so very high the past week. Good news is that I am on some strong meds to treat it, bad news is I am out for the count for a few days. Time to hydrate, hydrate, rest, and hydrate.

So, I am attempting to look at this temporary setback as a blessing in disguise. Time for me to really rest. Really.

This is just another sterling example of how life works. If I stress or obsess about how I am missing my training runs, it'll take me longer to recover. So, I'm going with it, spending an inordinate amount of time on Pinterest, reloading my iPod, listening to an insane amount of 80's music, reorganizing my desk, and other very important tasks like that... ahem.

Life happens. Mine and yours. Lets go with it and make the best of whatever comes our way.

Tomorrow is another day!

PS...find me on Pinterest...it's a ton of fun ~ http://pinterest.com/adriennedqw/

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Motivational Video - Never Give Up

9 Miles!

Today was a big day.

I did my farthest long run...9 freakin' fabulous miles!

And I didn't die. Or pass out. Or puke. Or anything.

I did get rather giddy around mile 7, and started belting out Chicago tunes...but, aside from that, it was uneventful. (singing calms me) :)

I started out with a higher than I'd like blood sugar, but quickly corrected, gulped a ton of water, and got on with it.

I felt ok for the first few miles, but I knew after correcting that high number, I'd get low eventually if I didn't watch it carefully. I tested my sugar a couple times, and my number was coming down and back to normal nicely. I did need some glucose tabs and clif shot bloks midway through.

I was tired, and my legs got really achy, but holy crap...after running 5 miles, I was over half way there! So, I ran on, cranked my iPod, and got it done.

I'm so proud of myself. I knew that at some point in my training I'd have to do some of these long runs, and today was my day.

Determination and tenacity...what a terrific combination!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

8 Weeks!

Exactly 8 weeks from today, I will be running in my first Half-Marathon.

Geez. That's only 8 weeks from now. When I signed up, it seemed like an eternity away...but not anymore.

I have had some setbacks in the past month. Moving and the flu to be exact. I felt like giving up once or twice as I kept missing my long runs, but I quickly snapped myself out of it and returned to my "glass is half full" mentality...which always serves me well. I laced up my cute running shoes and started anew. Nothing stops Adrenaline!

This training is such a metaphor for life. It never goes as planned. Stuff always happens. Unexpected and sometimes unwelcome stuff. We set our course, but then it gets interrupted. It is all about how we choose to handle what happens that determines our success. We gotta go with the flow and keep going. When we are fully determined, we are fully unstoppable.

"Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything." ~ Napoleon Hill

I can do it. I will do it.