My Holiday Running Challenge

42 miles in 38 consecutive days!

On November 24, 2011, I began the Runner's World Holiday Running Streak. Starting on Thanksgiving and finishing on New Year's Eve I ran everyday. I have to admit that initially I was a little hesitant about beginning this challenge. I wondered if I would be able to run at least a mile everyday considering I have only been running for about 5 months.. I was afraid of not being able to stick to it. Of getting hurt. Of getting busy and skipping a day. I did have days like "OMG, I DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS" but then I tell myself it's only a mile I have to do and I'll be back in 15 minutes, and then I'm fine once I get out the door. I sometimes even ran more than a mile. You see, it's a mind thing. You really can do anything you want if you put your mind to it.

One reason I began the challenge was to not gain any weight over the holidays. The second reason was to keep my fitness that I've built up over 6 months. But, the best thing about the challenge is that I don't have to say I'll start exercising after the new year. I've already started and plan to keep it up so I can enter another 5k.

Running in the Fall/Winter is actually nice in the South. Unlike the summer and beginning of Fall months where the humidity hits you like a wall, you don't get the humidity so much in late Fall/Winter. My holiday run streak took place all outside on the sidewalks and roads in my neighborhood. Mostly in the evening time. I don't own a treadmill, and I have not joined a gym. I ran in mostly 50 degree weather during the entire challenge. There were a few days where the temperature dipped a little below or little above, and I even ran a few times in the rain. The coolest thing about the end of the challenge is I ended it in Las Vegas! I couldn't have asked for a better way to begin the new year. Hmmm, maybe this year's resolution will be to work on being financially fit! ;)

Happy New Year Everyone!

Thanksgiving: My Favorite Holiday

It's Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday!  Let me explain why I resist the Christmas decorating and music until after the feast.  Thanksgiving is a simple and wonderful holiday you can spend with your family.  It is a time to set apart from the rest of the world and have fun with the family.  It gives us time to reflect on what is really important in life and what you are grateful for.  For celebrating all of the things that God has given us.

What other holiday is only about a meal?  There's no commercialism just a pure holiday of giving thanks.  I love the aromas associated with Thanksgiving.  The turkey cooking in the oven, the smell of a smoked ham, the rolls and pies baking.  It just puts a smile on your face.  And when I think of a holiday song there's only one that comes to mind, "Over the River and through the Woods."  Oh, and did I mention there's football.  Yes, some kind of football even if it may not be the Who Dats.  Finally, we can't forget the nap.  Filling up on all that wonderful food, visiting with family, laughing, and then taking that Thanksgiving Day nap.  It doesn't matter when you take your nap because you know that a post-meal nap is the highlight of the holiday.  Life doesn't get much better than that.

Happy Thanksgiving!

My First 5K

Today I ran my first 5k!  WhooHoo!!  After 3 long, hard months of running in mostly hot, humid weather here in good ol Louisiana I entered my first race where I actually ran.  How appropriate is it that my first race was the No Excuses 5k & 10k race?  I made no excuses to myself during my training period and kept it up with pure self motivation. 

After putting myself to bed at a decent hour on a Friday night I woke up at 5:45 a.m. to begin my morning.  Actually, I do kinda remember waking up at 4:45 a.m. and looking at my alarm.  I managed to go back to sleep for another hour.  It was a fairly relaxing morning as I got ready.  No need to worry about getting kids up, fixing breakfast, or yelling at anyone to come on or I'm leaving without them.  I left at 7 A.M., stopped to get gas, and even arrived 30 minutes early.  Amazing!

Since I arrived early I had enough time to scope out my running path and watch the other runners getting ready.  At 8:00 there was a 1/2 mile fun run.  I decided not to do this because I didn't want to risk getting tired before I even started.  Instead, I warmed up by walking around and doing some stretches.  As I walked around I met some other runners.  Runners are such friendly people.  At 8:30 the race began.  I began in the middle of the pack and was quickly passed by other runners.  You would not believe the serious runners here.  I nicknamed one particular runner Speedy Gonzales.  He was running the 10K and I think he must have passed me several times.  Nevertheless, this did not discourage me.  My goal was to get to the finish line without walking. 

As I rounded the corner of the 3 mile marker and passed through a tunnel, I felt a feeling of pride as I saw the finish line and realized I did it.  I crossed the finish line in 37 minutes, 39 seconds.  My husband even surprised me and was waiting on the other side videoing my accomplishment. 

What an awesome feeling to find a new interest that I enjoy so much with an added bonus of getting me in shape.

Goal Achieved

After 3 long months of hard work I did it!  On this cool, crisp October morning, I ran 3.1 miles!  As I started out this morning I stepped out of the house, and it was cold!  I quickly went back in and changed from tank top to t-shirt.  My body has been so used to hot and humid it didn't quite know how to react to cold.  Nevertheless, my body adjusted and pushed past the 3 mile goal today.

That first mile is not so bad now.  I start out with a slow, steady pace and give my body time to warm up.  I went my usual route this morning which took me by the pond I love behind my house.  After the first mile, I begin the 2nd mile down the road past the 1/2 mile pond.  This morning I noticed 5 geese out by the side of the road looking for food.  They gave me a look as I passed by.  I came to the end of the street and turned around for mile 3.  As I ran passed the geese again they honked at me seeming to say, "You can do it!  Keep going!"  And, I did!  I kept running and pushed myself to finish that last mile.  Instead of stopping at 3 miles I went a little bit more, and then walked the rest of the way home grinning and thinking how awesome that just felt!  My goal to jog 3 miles is achieved!

Kodak Moment

One of the great things about increasing my running miles is finding new routes to take when I go out.  This week while I'm working on my 2 mile runs, I decided to go running in the neighborhood behind mine.  I go out for 1 mile and then run back.  This path takes me past a pond.   My goal used to be to run down to the end of it.  Now I can run down the end and back up the other side.  Today as I came up on the pond, I saw the most amazing sight of egrets.  Literally half the pond was covered with these birds.  It was such an amazing sight that it almost stopped me in my tracks.  They stood there in a paralyzing state.  My running past them did nothing to disturb them, and when I came back around to them they were still there.  Oh how I wish I had a camera on me or my ipod had one built into it.  This was definitely one of those Kodak moments.

Half Way Mark

I decided to get up and run at sunrise today as opposed to sunset.  The weatherman told everyone on the news last night that we need to get up at 7a.m. because it was going to be nice, but then get hot by the afternoon again.  What a difference running in the morning is!  I am half way at meeting my goal and ran 1 1/2 miles today.

It's taken me 2 months to get to this point.  I wish I could run every morning, but 7:00 a.m is a big difference from 5:00 a.m. to me and then there's work.  When I get home from work there's the kids and housework to see about.  Somehow, I have managed to carve out 45 minutes for me at the end of most days and follow the advice of a wise person.

I have been thinking about when I want to enter my first 5k and actually run.  Since Fall is just around the corner, I'm thinking that would be the perfect time.  2 months ago I thought maybe springtime, but I do believe I'll be able to run 3 miles soon.  Now, I'm off to buy those new shoes I want and some new running clothes.  As an added bonus to running, I am a now a size smaller!

1 MILE!

It's been 6 weeks, and I'm finally able to run 1 mile without stopping!  What an awesome feeling that is!  I remember when I first started out I could barely make it down my street, and now I'm running around my neighborhood like I own it!  Well, I guess I'll share it with a few other fellow runners and maybe the nonrunners too.

I'm actually amazed that I decided to start running at all.  I have never been a runner, and the couple of times I attempted some jogging I would end up making excuses to myself and quit.  Not this time!  Maybe it was the turning 43 that did it.  I started out wanting to lose weight, but it turned into a goal of running in a 5k event.  As I train for this event, I love challenging myself to see what I can do.  Of course the losing weight and toning up is also happening.  My exercise program has completely changed my daily habits and attitude.  I no longer find myself grabbing whatever junk food I find, and when I'm stressed I take it out during my running time.  I may be running more now that school has started back.

So, on to more running and moving up to 2 miles.  But first, I think I'll reward myself by going out to buy new shoes (new running shoes)!