Motivation Monday - I Ran... A Lot

Running is emotional. Plain and simple.

I run a lot (or at least in my mind I do). One reason is because I love running. Another it's because I'm gearing up for marathon training later this year. A third reason is because I have so many emotions going through me it's flat out ridiculous.

I feel alive when I run (until I bonk then I feel like shit). For X amount of time my mind isn't racing - my body is. My mind is focused on what my body is doing and how it feels and focused on the course. Other thoughts pop in my head, but they are soon pushed aside. Then afterwards it's all the hormones that kick in that make feel great and ok and nothing is or could be wrong in the world.

I'm sure everyone can share stories of how running has made them cry, scream, and brood. 

One of my "cherished" moments during a race was when a cyclist crossed my path during the 2015 Too Hot to Handle 15k and I fell on the sidewalk - skinning my knee. Right after the halfway point. I was bleeding. My knee hurt like hell. I was crying because of the stinging pain and the frustration at the cyclist (who never stopped) and the fact that my pace was ruined because of pain and the fact that I had to wipe the blood that was streaming down my leg. 

I never cried at the finish of a race, but I can count the number of times when I finish a training run with tears streaming down my face cause of the pain that I ran to avoid came flooding back. In the end of those runs I do feel better - or perhaps it was the fact that I just go numb by then. Maybe it's both. Last Fall I actually cried, praying to the Big Guy Upstairs - asking to help my then-boyfriend to stay strong during his mom's death and through his grief afterwards, then again (selfishly?) asking for this guy to be the One for me because I never felt so happy and special in my life before him - all of which during 5k training runs. My first 10k PR during a training run was because a running buddy frustrated the hell out of me that very morning (I don't think I even said anything to her until she texted me that she was done).

You know, maybe I should just say that my eyes sweat too. Does that sound better than crying?

I have a best friend, K, who is going through a really rough time. It's rough enough that sometimes when I talk to her it puts me into perspective on my recent breakup (I'm not saying that my pain and broken heart don't matter - cause it does - but I have to remember there are worst things out there). She still has a long road ahead of her, but she's finally putting her foot down that make me feel so proud of her.

What also makes me proud is that K even started walking, and confessed to me that she even wants to running. She's starting out very slow and is just walking and isn't ready to run yet. I know that she'll get to that point eventually, and she knows that I'm here to help her. I can't wait till our mutual BFF Jennie and I get her to do a 5k race (2016 Hot Chocolate 5k, anyone?!) with us!.

I can't say for sure, but I like to think that K's new desire to be active is due, in part, to me. I can't say I'm the most inspirational type person out there, but it makes me feel good to know that I can help her through rough patches as we walk and run... and hopefully someday doing it together.

My advise.... Keep Running. Keep Walking.

Source of image found here.

Motivation Monday - It's Who I Am

I never thought that running would become such a big part of my life. It has. I made friends out of coworkers, and I have inspired other friends. Running has given me confidence that I desperately needed and still need. 

The weeks after finishing the Austin Half Marathon I felt lost. The weather was keeping me from running a lot (not to mention that I was a bit lazy too), and I had not thought about my next race would be after Austin. Seriously, I knew that there were some summer races and fall races to lead up to the Dallas Marathon. But I seriously had not considered any more spring races. Maybe it was a half marathon version of the Post Marathon Syndrome. 

I know that some runners don't need a race to feel complete and to keep them going. But I honestly need that motivation - that pressure of being prepared for a race - that excitement of achieving "greatness." 

All that being said, I've signed up for a new distance race - a quarter marathon. And I'm seriously considering another half marathon that will be here in a few weeks.

I'm feeling better - almost back to normal again. A runner with a plan. 

Image found here.

Motivation Monday - Continue

In 2012 my best, best buddy Jennie said she was signing up for a 5k race - where you get chocolate at the end. At the time it was even promoted with have Ghirardelli chocolate to boot! How cool was that?!  It was the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k. Wanting to join in on the fun and wanting to get more active (and not to mention chocolate!) I signed up too.

I remember being a little freaked out concerned after I hit the submit registration button. What was I thinking?!? How am I suppose to run a 5k race? How many miles was it? 3.1 miles? And I had to have a pace of 15min per mile or better?! And I only have one month to get ready for it? What?! Plus, it was going to be cold. I mean, the below-freezing-to-the-point-of-snot-freezing-and-toes-turning-purple-falling-off cold that day! What. Was. I. Thinking???

But, I trained for it, and I did it. It took some time, but I crossed the finish line. It. Was. Amazing! My first ever experienced with runner's high was that day. Wow! Having never experienced anything as awesome (I know what's better than runner's high, now, though. Long story.), I was hooked. When's the next race?

But I didn't run another race (not to mention any major running - it's hard without motivation) until the following year - when a coworker was wanting to join me in the next 5k. It just so happened Jennie and I were laying plans for the the 2013 Hot Chocolate Run. Soon enough more coworkers and my family were joining in and we practically created a training team in the winter of 2012!

Since that first year the Hot Chocolate Run as been the traditional, must-do race with Jennie and my family. And because of peer pressure coworkers I kept up the running and ran more races in the coming years before advancing onto half marathons just this past year. Now I'm looking into running a full marathon this year. That's nuts!

It may be hard to start.

It is easy to stop.

It may be difficult to continue.

But as long as you continue you never know what will happen and where it will take you. (Here's a secret, it generally is to an awesome place!).

Just go for it!

P.S. - For those running the 2015 Hot Chocolate - Dallas Run... see you there!

Image found here,

Motivation Monday - A Good Pick Me Up

Thank you Runner's World for providing with some of the greatest motivation posters!

Today RW and me would like to say... 

Running does make it better... even if it's just for a short while. Often I found myself going for a walk and ended up running because it felt so much better.

Today is a big day for me in a lot of ways, and I'm scared to learn how it's going to end... So I may need to run more than just a mile on Tuesday!

If you want to start this new year after going through a not-so-stellar 2014... try running it out!

Source of image found here.

Motivation Monday - Get Out There!

With these polar vortexes that keeps on slamming Texas (not to mention many other states!) I would prefer to stay in cuddled up in bed or on the couch with lots of blankets, fuzzy socks, a book/TV and coffee until spring arrived.

But alas, I liked running too.

Aaaaand, I too would feel bad that I didn't go running, especially if it justified me eating certain not-so-healthy foods (we all understand that!).

Alright, alright. Time to add another layer and brave that wind chill! 

Get out there and run! You'll thank yourself later!

Image found here.

Motivation Monday

I've seen a lot of motivational posters in my short running time, but this one popped up in my Facebook feed the same day that I was reading about and keeping an eye on friends/acquaintances who ran the 2014 Dallas Marathon and the BCS Marathon. This helped light the fire under my butt to think above and beyond. 

 

Image found here.

RW Run Streak 2014

Me and a group of running/walking buddies decided to join the Runner World's Run Streak. Run one mile every day from Thanksgiving to New Year's. OK. Got it!

I "cheated" and decided to do a combo of running and walking depending on how I felt. Some days I did more than one mile.

In total I achieved 75 miles in 36 days. Not too shabby! Some days were race days. Some days were training days (hello, February half marathon!). Some days were days that you just needed to run it out. Some days you just had to sleep as long as possible and you do the bare minimum. Here's the break down:

Week 1 
Day 1: 3.1
Day 2: 1.3
Day 3: 1.3
Day 4: 2.5
Day 5: 3.1
Day 6: 2
Day 7: 2 (15.3 total)

Week 2 
Day 8: 2
Day 9: 3
Day 10: 1
Day 11: 1
Day 12: 2
Day 13: 1.5
Day 14: 2 (28.8 total)

Week 3
Day 15: 2
Day 16: 1
Day 17: 6
Day 18: 1.5
Day 19: 3.3
Day 20: 1
Day 21: 1 (45.6 total)

Week 4
Day 22: 1
Day 23: 3
Day 24: 1
Day 25: 7.2
Day 26: 1
Day 27: 1
Day 28: 1 (60.8 total)

Week 5
Day 29: 1.5
Day 30: 1.5
Day 31: 1
Day 32: 2
Day 33: 4.5
Day 34: 1
Day 35: 1
Day 36: 1.7 (75 total)

Ending thoughts? Though some days it was a pain to get up a little earlier than normal or two walk around the 'hood at night after a long day at work. All in all, however, it kept me motivated and it was a nice way to kick start a day or to decompress from a day. I did something similar during the summer months, just all on my own, and it was nice. Plus, it gave me inspiration for one of my 2015 goals. I would totally do it again. Maybe I'll try to adhere to truly running one mile every day, but then again, maybe I won't! I have a slight feeling that sleep may triumph over this. We'll find out!

Images found here and here.