Sunday, January 15, 2012
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!
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!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
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.
I can do it. I will do it.
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.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
A Masterpiece
We are all amazingly unique "works in progress" and we are all at different points in our journey. This month I celebrate my one year "Blitziversary" ~ one year working with my trainer, Blitz. He has brought much needed perspective to me, as well as made me rethink what is possible with regard to my fitness goals.
On a regular basis, he kicks my arse and doesn't let me slide. He knows I am a girly girl at heart, but prefers to bring out the Adrenaline in me. And it works. I know not to whine. In fact, he will often say, "There is no whining in Adrenaline"! I do what he tells me and the results speak for themselves. He pushes me to places I never knew I could go! Who knew a year ago that I could do push ups? Or jump rope? Or do an insane amount of burpees? He did.
Is there something you don't think you can do? Just remember that the only limits are the ones you make. Everything is possible!
You are a masterpiece. We all are. Let's not be afraid to become who we really are.
On a regular basis, he kicks my arse and doesn't let me slide. He knows I am a girly girl at heart, but prefers to bring out the Adrenaline in me. And it works. I know not to whine. In fact, he will often say, "There is no whining in Adrenaline"! I do what he tells me and the results speak for themselves. He pushes me to places I never knew I could go! Who knew a year ago that I could do push ups? Or jump rope? Or do an insane amount of burpees? He did.
Is there something you don't think you can do? Just remember that the only limits are the ones you make. Everything is possible!
You are a masterpiece. We all are. Let's not be afraid to become who we really are.
"Keep working toward your fitness goals, the masterpiece of you is about to unfold" ~ Blitz
Thursday, December 15, 2011
It Was Easier!
Running...
I have grown accustomed to running being hard. Very hard sometimes. I joked with someone the other day that I want a dang easy button in my Christmas stocking this year. You know, then I can just press it and voila! Running would magically be easy.
Well, today it actually was easier. It was easier because I have been training. Sticking to my Galloway Training Method. And holy crap...it worked! I felt lighter on my feet...almost like I was gliding on ice or something. Now, it wasn't a cake walk, to be sure, but I could most definitely tell it was getting better. I am even getting faster.
This is terribly exciting because I am seeing my own improvement. I am feeling my own improvement.
So, on this December day, running was a bit easier than it had been...and that is a very good thing! I can only imagine how much better it will get as I continue with my training...
"Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection." ~ Mark Twain
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The Constant in My Sea of Change
Well, 2011 is nearly history.
This year has brought mounds of change for me...my mother's death from breast cancer, my father's new life and cancer diagnosis, losing and saying goodbye to my home, preparing to move back into the home of my youth, rediscovering my incredible Italian extended family and reconnecting, heartbreak, training for my first half-marathon, and reevaluating my life. And somewhere in there, I turned 42 and became the mom of a teenager. Really?!
I've been in a hugely reflective mode recently, and it has caused me to realize that amidst ALL of the change going on around me, my walking, running, and working out with my trainer have been the one constant through it all. Going through the last weeks of my mom's life, shedding all the emotional baggage with her...my time alone walking, and eventually running at my favorite lake was always a part of my day. Dealing with banks, and endless phone calls and stress...yes, thank God for my running.
The whole act of putting my hair up in my ponytail, getting on my running clothes and shoes, heading to my peaceful place, cranking my iPod, and hitting the pavement...that was always there. Always.
I am still in the midst of some tough life issues right now...not completely out of the financial crap field yet, BUT, each day, no matter the issues facing me, you can find me on my 6 mile trail or on the waterfront. Clearing my head, bolstering my heart, and training my body.
Training for my first half-marathon has been quite liberating and has given my crazy roller-coaster filled life some needed stability. It has been the constant in my sea of change.
A wise and dear person told me that change is the only constant. And it's so true. Life is always changing, whether we realize it, or acknowledge it. How I choose to accept that change is what matters.
So, change? Yeah, bring it on. I'm tougher than I used to be and stronger than I think.
I'm a runner and I'm in training. Who knew?!
This year has brought mounds of change for me...my mother's death from breast cancer, my father's new life and cancer diagnosis, losing and saying goodbye to my home, preparing to move back into the home of my youth, rediscovering my incredible Italian extended family and reconnecting, heartbreak, training for my first half-marathon, and reevaluating my life. And somewhere in there, I turned 42 and became the mom of a teenager. Really?!
I've been in a hugely reflective mode recently, and it has caused me to realize that amidst ALL of the change going on around me, my walking, running, and working out with my trainer have been the one constant through it all. Going through the last weeks of my mom's life, shedding all the emotional baggage with her...my time alone walking, and eventually running at my favorite lake was always a part of my day. Dealing with banks, and endless phone calls and stress...yes, thank God for my running.
The whole act of putting my hair up in my ponytail, getting on my running clothes and shoes, heading to my peaceful place, cranking my iPod, and hitting the pavement...that was always there. Always.
I am still in the midst of some tough life issues right now...not completely out of the financial crap field yet, BUT, each day, no matter the issues facing me, you can find me on my 6 mile trail or on the waterfront. Clearing my head, bolstering my heart, and training my body.
Training for my first half-marathon has been quite liberating and has given my crazy roller-coaster filled life some needed stability. It has been the constant in my sea of change.
A wise and dear person told me that change is the only constant. And it's so true. Life is always changing, whether we realize it, or acknowledge it. How I choose to accept that change is what matters.
So, change? Yeah, bring it on. I'm tougher than I used to be and stronger than I think.
I'm a runner and I'm in training. Who knew?!
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