Inspiration Tuesday: Back on Track!

Yes!!!!!!!!  I finally felt really good running!!!!!!!!  It was awesome!

I have been struggling with knee and then back issues since the end of May.  I have been on edge for a few weeks now.  About 2 weeks ago I got some news that wasn't exactly the best and ever since then I've been in a funk.  I was struggling with motivation, injury, and a complete feeling of being overwhelmed.  Mike was traveling and I just couldn't get out of the funk.  Today I came home from the Universtiy and was just spitting nails.  I'm not even sure why, but I was ready to kill someone. 

Mike went out for his run (yes, he's now running!) and I stayed home with James and got changed for my run.  When he got home I went out for my run.  I just plugged my ear buds in and got lost in the feeling of the wind and concentrated on my foot strike.  I almost always have the radio on, but at a very low volume.  I just like the background buzzing.  It gives me a feeling of a conversation.  Before I knew it I was almost 2 miles into my run!  My knee did get a bit tight around 2.25 miles so I let up and walked and stretched for a few minutes, but when I started running again it felt okay. 

I ran just shy of 5k and was about 2 minutes off my best 5k time.  After not running on a consistent basis I haven't lost a lot.  I feel so good right now!

Tomorrow I'm running in the arboreteum and doing some interval training.  I'm not on my half marathon training program right now, but I have on a sub-30 5k program.  I figured I had better ease back into the mileage. 

Thursday I leave for Ottawa for Provincials.  I will have the mornings to go for my scheduled runs.  The area where my hotel is is a nice newer area so there will be a good place to run.  Next Wednesday we leave for Winnipeg for a week.  I am taking my running clothes and have my runs all planned for the trip.  I am so glad that I'm healed and feel so much better now.

This is my inpiration for the week, especially tomorrow when I'll be doing my interval training.

I know I'm not the fastest runner out there, not even close, but today I felt like everyone was trying to catch me.  I felt like I was in the lead.  Tomorrow I'm going to remember that feeling.

Have a great week!

Inspiration Tuesday

I thought this was fitting for Inspiration Tuesday.

I'm facing having to get up to where I was before my knee decided to be a pain.  I'm not where I want to be or where I was.  That stuff frustrates me.  I have to keep reminding myself that I will get there I just have to be patient and go through the hard stuff all over again.

This also applies to some things I'm going through in my personal life.  Life isn't always easy, but in the end it's almost always worth it.  It seems like the past few weeks have just been one hit after another.  I just have to keep reminding myslef to just keep going forward and lean on Mike when I need to.  It's okay to ask for help and support. 

As I keep moving forward, it will get better both with running and life.  "Hard is what make it great."

Have a great day!

Haven't been feeling very Inpirational

I've been taking some rest time due to my knee.  I did get a short run in last week and felt pretty good.  Today it wasn't the same result.  I'm icing my knee right now.  The pain wasn't sharp, but it was still there.  I know it's healing and I just have to give it time, but I'm having a hard time being patient right now.

I have focuse a lot on our swim meets the past few weeks and this past weekend was fun.  Today just kind of killed that.  I had to search for some inpiration today.  Here is what I found.

I have to just keep doing what I know is right and be patient.  I can do this I just have to allow myself to heal.

Sunday I'm running a 10k and I've altered my plan for the race.  I know the course is not flat so I have to take that into consideration.  I am thinking of what could go right and not what could go wrong.  I have to just take it one kilometer at a time.

Inspiration Tuesday

.  Today was not a good day as far as my running goes.  I did something to my knee yesterday and today it killed me to run the mile that I did.  I wasn't even really running, but more of a fast walk.  Right now I'm icing it.  The plan for the rest of the week is to rest it tomorrow, cross train on Thursday and I'm at a swim meet Friday, Saturday and Sunday so I won't be running then.  I'm hoping with icing and resting by Monday I can be up and running again.  I have another 8 mile run scheduled, but I think that may get cut short to see how my knee does.  I may have to put this training program on hold for a bit.  We'll see though.

I read this today and thought it really fit what I need today and for the week.

I have to remember that everyone had bad days and I have to roll with it.  If this week is a week of rehab and taking it easy then I have to accept that.  I can keep going with other things though.  In the long run what I do now will help. 

Have a great day!

Inspiration Tuesday!

Yeah it's Tuesday!!!!!!  Today started our with a nice walk to daycare with James.  As we were leaving the house he made the comment that his two most favorite things to do in the world were crafts and exercise.  He absolutely loves walking to daycare.  This morning was a beautiful morning too.  It was in the low 50s with a beautiful sunny sky.  Spring is here and we love it!

The whole walk consisted of us talking about pretending and saving for a trip to Disney.  He really wants to go and to be honest so do I.  We came up with a plan save to go.  He's excited to help with that.  He also had to start planning what we were going to do this summer.  He needs to plan a vacation he said.  I reminded him that we are going to Winnipeg for Uncle Pat and Aunt Kristie's wedding.  And that helped with some of the planning.  He's so funny and it's never dull with him.

After I dropped him off at daycare, I went for my run.  I tried a new route today.  I had a 5 mile run on the schedule today and the total mileage ended up being 4.92 miles.  I went through McLennan Park.  It is a nice park near James' school.  A little less than a mile away.  I ran through a new neighborhood for me to run through.  It was pretty.  Once I got on the trail into the park I hit the first hill that kicked my butt.  See this park was built on an old dump.  It has a huge hill in the middle with mountain bike trials on it.  I was on the walking/running path, but still a big hill that just got me was right there just over  a mile into the run.  I ended up letting the hill win and had to walk up it.  I was kicking myself the whole time, but I will be running this route again so I will beat it next time.

After that I settled into a pretty good pace.  Now this route took me up a pretty busy road.  When I started back into running I stayed pretty close to home and off of main roads because I didn't want anyone to see me run.  Now I'm on main roads and I really don't care.  I was pretty proud of myself when I realized that.  I'm slowly stepping outside my shell.

It was on this road that I met my second hill that kicked my butt.  I ended up having to walk up it as well.  Friday I run this road again so I will make sure I run up this hill!  It may be slow, but I'm going to do it! 

Then I was back on familiar ground with a downhill run to the entrance to our neighborhood.  I hit one of the schools near us at drop off time.  I swear some parents don't watch where they are going when they are driving to school.  I saw a few kids almost get hit and it wasn't because they weren't paying attention...it was the drivers not paying attention.  I felt like I was running an obstacle course dodging kids, backpacks and cars.

I was pretty happy with my time when I got home.  I am going to have to start wearing my fuel belt on my longer runs.  Especially now that it's getting warmer and I get dehydrated quicker.  Friday I'll have that with me when I run home from dropping my car off.

This week while I was running I did let my mind reflect on last week.  Last week I just couldn't seem to find my motivation.  I kept finding reasons NOT to go running or to the gym.  Each day I felt that I let myself down.  I'm the only one that can be disappointed when I don't run or workout.  I'm the only one that feels it.  This is my source of inspiration for the week.

One of the ways James and I decided that would be a good way to save money for Disney was in addition to putting our spare change in a jar, I would put a dollar in for every mile I ran.  That way I'm helping two goals...saving for Disney and keeping motivated.  I don't want to let him down so I will make sure I stay disciplined.  I'm getting a jar ready today and we are going to start saving.

Tomorrow I have a short 2 mile run that I will probably do on a treadmill as a warm-up before I lift weights.  Thursday will be 4 miles with interval training/hill training and weights.  Friday is a 7 mile run.  I have to take my car in for an oil change and warranty maintence so I'm running home after I drop it off.  The route I'm taking is quiet hilly and I'm going to be ready for it!  Saturday is a rest day and Sunday is cross training and weights.

I'm ready to destroy this week!  I'm off to a good start and I'm going to keep disciplined and keep the momentum going!  Have a great day!

Inspiration Tuesday

It doesn't seem like a Tuesday to me.  I guess when you have a busy weekend, everything else tends to fly by too.

Friday, Mike and I had a date night.  We went to see The Avengers.  It was a great movie!!!!!!  I recommend you seeing it if you haven't yet.

Saturday I had to get my NLS updated.  That's the lifeguarding stuff here in Canada.  It was a quick course and I was glad of that. Then Mike and I went shopping for groceries.  I normally don't go on Saturdays, but we had to get stuff for dinner.  We made steak, fried mushrooms, and asparagus.  It was wonderful!!!!!

Sunday I had a meet and Mike left for Ottawa.  It was a quiet afternoon for me after the meet. 

Yesterday I must have really needed the sleep because I slept through 2 alarms.  I never sleep through my alarm.  It was 10:00 before I got up.

This morning I got up and went to the gym.  The plan was to just do weights and then go for a run, but it was really foggy and rainy so I decided to to some interval training on the treadmill.  It was an okay workout.  I warmed up for about a mile and a half.  Then did 6 rounds of 1:00 hard and fast with 2:00 recovery.  The 1:00 went okay, but the recovery was slower than I would have liked.  I just wasn't feeling 100% today.  I then did about a mile cool down.  Afterwards I did weights.  I did a full body circut, upper body and legs.  It was a struggle getting through that to be honest.  I normally feel really good after I workout, but today not so much.  Maybe it's the weather.  I'm hoping it is.

As I was running I just kept telling myself to keep going.  Same with the weights.  That's why this week my inspiration is this...

 
I'm going to keep reminding myself of that this week.  Tomorrow I have a short 2 mile run planned at some point in the day.  Thursday it's 4 miles and weights.  Friday is a cross training day and weights.  Saturday rest day and Sunday a long run of 7 miles.  I just have to keep going because I'm still breathing.

Have a great Tuesday!

Inspiration Tuesday: Happy May Day!

Today is already starting out to be a very busy day.  I got up and went to the gym to do weights.  I did legs this morning.  Then the plan was to walk with James to daycare and go for a 4 mile run.  Well, I have to take James to the doctor for his finger, then get him to school, then get myself to my doctor's appointment in Guelph by 1pm.  The run is now out the window.  GRRRRRRRR....

I need something to keep me going through the day.

I am learning that I just have to go with the flow sometimes.  I have to accept the challenge of finding a way to fit my runs into very busy days and to just realize that I may just have to not go for a run one day due to unexpected events.  It will be okay.  I just have to remember to breathe.

Well, off to get everyone where they need to be.  Have a great day!

Inspiration Tuesday...Inspiration For a Snowy April Day

I know I've been lazy and haven't written for awhile.  We had Team Champs and swimming took over my life for a week.  It was crazy!  But the kids swam well and I had another swimmer from my group qualify for Provincials and another swimmer get two more events for Provincials.  Plus they all dropped a lot of time.  So it was a great meet!

Mike was in Chicago last week and he's in Pennsylvania this week.  He has a lot of traveling coming up the next few months, so it's just me and the animals.

I got up and ran just over 3 miles today on the treadmill.  I ran inside because we have snow on the ground.  It's the end of April and we have snow.  It's not a lot, but it's wet and cold and heavy and slick so I just hit the treadmill.  I'm not doing weights this week because I have my 10K on Sunday.  It's my first and I don't want to hurt so no weights until next week.  With this 3 miles I'm up to 15.8 for my April Challenge.  A little more than 10 to go!

Today felt really good.  I felt like I could run forever.  It was one of those days where I had to remind myself to stick to the plan so I wouldn't hurt myself especially since I didn't run last week.  I felt like a super hero though.  Really relaxed and in the zone.  This week my inpiration is this:

I felt unstoppable today.  I want that feeling to carry over into all my workouts and races.

After this weekend I'm starting a new training program.  It has more distance and some of those runs I'm making into interval runs so get a bit of speed training in as well.  I figured this is a good time to start upping my mileage since swimming is winding down.  I think it should go well.

Well, off to enjoy the rest of my day!  Happy Tuesday everyone!

Inspiration Tuesday

I know I didn't get this done last week so here it is for this week. 

This is so true!  This morning I almost let myself sleep in and not go for my run, but I got up and did it.  I felt so much better afterwards.  I was excited about it and happy with my time.  I even decided to turn it into a photo run.  I took my camera and stopped at a wetlands on my route and took some pictures.  It was amazing!  I had 3 geese come right up to me and just check me out.  If I wouldn't have had the discipline to get up and head out, I would have missed all that beauty and those geese.

Today I ran five and half miles.  That means I'm up to 8.6 miles for my April Challenge.  Only 17.6 miles to go and I've completed the Boston Marathon once.  Knowing that I'm chipping away at it makes me feel good.  I don't know if I'll ever run a full marathon all at once, but doing this Challenge is fun.

After my run I did my Buffy Core workout.  Not a whole lot of work with this episode so I filled in after I was done stretching.  I did exercises on intervals otherwise I wouldn't have gotten much in at all.  Instead I turned it around and just did my own thing.

I have another day full of fun and excitement ahead of me today.  I have to hit the grocery store and get another section cleaned.  I'm working on my spring cleaning and I'm doing it bit by bit.  It's slow going, but I'm getting there.

Tomorrow is my rest day.  I'll be at the University all day working on swim stuff.  Thursday it's interval training and weights.  Friday is an easy run.  Saturday is a short run and I think I'll try to add some speed work in there.  Sunday is another cross training day and weights again.  Since I'm doing most of my running outside again, I've adjusted my weight schedule.  When I have meets I'll have to adjust it again, but for now it's fine.

Well, I'm off to work on the rest of my day!  Enjoy your Tuesday!

Inspiration Tuesday

Wow, it's hard to believe that this is the last week of March!  It seems like it just flew by.  Well, our warm weather is gone for now, but we are still well above the norms here so I can't complain too much.  The last two weeks just spoiled me.

I adjusted my training schedule for this week because I don't have to go into the University on Wednesday.  I made Monday my rest day.  I was at a Regional Learn to Train swim camp all weekend and Monday made more sense as a rest day.  Today I got up and went to the gym for my cross training day.  I did the recumbent bike for 45 minutes.  I also started reading a biography on Mark Spitz.  I thought it fitting since I just finished up one on Michael Phelps and Olympic Trials start today in Montreal.  I got about 2 chapters done, but so far so good!  I love reading biographies as the inspire me and I love being inspired.

Speaking of being inspired, today is Inspiration Tuesday!  Here is my inspiration for the week.

I am constantly trying to push myself further and harder.  I run and I set goals as I'm running.  Things like make it to the next stop sign in 30 seconds or run hard for 1:00 minute and see how far you go.  It breaks things up, but it also makes me realize that I can keep going.  Sometimes when I'm running I feel like my legs can't go anymore so I set a mini goal.  Once I get to that stop sign I see that I can keep going so I set another mini goal.  Pretty soon I'm done with my run when I thought I wouldn't make it through the last little bit.  It really helps me work on defying my limitations.

Tomorrow I will be using this as I have my long run.  I am coming to love those long runs, especially now that they are outside.  I love the fresh air and the sounds of nature.  It's been really nice.  I'll see in just over a week how all this training is helping me.  I have a 5k on Good Friday and I'm excited for it!  I hope my time is what I'm hoping it will be.

I'm off to watch Olympic Trials now.  They are streaming it online and the 400 IM prelims are this morning.  I love to watch the 400 IM, plus a lot of our swimmers are swimming!  Enjoy your day!

Inspiration Tuesday

I know I missed it last week, but here we are for this week.  Today I got up early to go for a long run.  On the schedule was a 6 mile run, but I made a wrong turn and only did 4.5 miles.  I was looking at my time and thought I was making really good time, but then when I got home and double checked the map I found out I turned the wrong way.  I was a bit disappointed, but I will be able to get in next week without a problem.

It was nice cool morning.  I started out running in the dark, but got to watch the sun rise.  I ran past a wetlands area and the picture was amazing!  The sun was coming up, there were about 100 geese on this pond with the trees sticking up and the fog rolling in.  I wish I would have had my camera or phone or something.  It was an amazing picture.  I thought to myself that if I wasn't running at that time of the morning I would have missed that beauty.  Then I wondered if the cars driving by took the time to notice it or not.  I didn't even know that wetland area was so close to my house.  It really made my morning.

I got home and James was putzin' around getting ready for school.  We were going to walk to daycare, but he just couldn't get himself in gear, so we had to drive.  He didn't seem too upset.  Tonight is his last swim lesson for this session.  He's upset, but he starts back up again in a few weeks.

After dropping James off, I stopped by the gym to do some weights.  I did upper body and core today.  I just increased my weights before March Break and then took the week off.  It was a little tough this morning, but I was fine and glad I pushed through it.

The next few months is going to be crazy.  Mike is away a lot and I've got long course season starting up.  We are going to be busy, but by the end of May it looks like everything will settle down.

As I was running up yet another hill (it seems that I mapped out the route with all the hills), I kept having to remind myself to just keep going.  I could do this.  I had to remind my body to shut up and keep going on several occasions.  That's why this is my inspiration for the week.

I have to remind myself that I just have to keep going.  I just have to keep up what I'm doing.  If I'm patient I will see the results.  I can do this if I just let my brain be the boss of my body. 

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

What a long weekend...I need Inspiration Tuesday

This past weekend I was in Ottawa at the short course Provincial meet.  I had 3 swimmers qualify for this meet.  They did pretty good.  I had one 13 year old girl go a 1:02 100 free and just miss her Age Group Champs cut and she went a 28 50 free.  Another 11 year old girl went a 30.6 in her 50 free.  My 11 year old boy got his Provincial cut for long course in his 100 breast.  They had some really good swims and there were a few not so good swims.  It made for a long weekend, but it was a good weekend.

I got home late Sunday night and spent Monday finishing up the stuff for our reception for our Olympic Trial qualifiers.  It was really nice, but it kept me busy all day yesterday.  And it was another late night.  I didn't get home until around 11pm.

I got up this morning and went to the gym.  I ran 3.3 miles and did weights.  It felt good.  I did run Friday at the hotel, but Saturday and Sunday I didn't get anything in and yesterday I opted for sleep.  Tomorrow it's supposed to be really nice so I'm taking my running stuff to the University and running through the arboretum.  I have a 2.5 mile loop that I do so it will be a nice run.

I have 3 more days of practice and then it's March Break.  I need the break.  My brain is so overloaded and I just need the rest.  I'm going to Indiana for a few days.  I'm excited to see everyone.  I'll head over to Ohio to see my grandma and grandpa too.  But first I have a 5k on Saturday.  I can't wait to see what my time is going to be.  I know it will be faster than my normal race time because it's mostly downhill, but it will give me a good idea of where I'm at with my training.

I come back Thursday and then that Friday I get my next tattoo.  I can't wait to see how this one turns out!  Ben always does such a great job!  The 17th we are going to a local conservation area for maple syrup time!  We did it last year and really liked it.  It's small and not to crazy busy.  Then its back to work.  We have long course season starting up and I have to get the kids ready for that. 

I can't believe we are almost halfway through March already.  It's crazy how fast everything is going.  I'm glad that spring is almost here though.  I'm ready to be outside more.

This week my inspiration has to do with will power.  I found that I started to struggle a bit with hitting the wall and having to draw on willpower to break through it.  A few days it's been by sheer will that I get through a workout.  So here's my inspiration for the week.

I'm going to have to keep using my will power so that it will get stronger and stronger so I can run further and harder.

Have a great day!

Inspiration Tuesday...The Last Tuesday of February

I feel so awesome right now!!!!!  I just ran 6.13 miles.  It's the furthest I've ever run and just shy of 10K.  I feel really good about my 10k in April.  I had set a goal of under 1:30, but I think I may be able to do it right around an hour.  It took me 1 hour 21 minutes today and that wasn't on my race pace.  I'm also excited about the 5k in 2 weeks.  It should be pretty good even with the 2k downhill part.  I'm really excited about it!

I can feel myself getting stronger and my paces getting faster.  The pace I held for all but the few minutes of warm up and cool down was faster than 3 weeks ago.  I felt comfortable and like I could run some more.  Tomorrow is a rest day and I think I'll need it.  Thursday it's hill intervals.  I run 4 miles with 6 rounds of :45 hills at my 5k pace.

This weekend I'm off to Ottawa for Provincials.  I have 3 kids swimming and they are really excited.  Two of them are swimming for the first time.  They are really excited.  I know they will do well.

This week I'm focusing on not giving up for my Inspiration.  I have told my swimmers the story of how Michael Phelps swam the 200 fly in the 2008 Olympics with his goggles full of water and not being able to see.  Not only did he win the gold, but he did it in World Record time.  If he would have just given up then he wouldn't have won his 8 gold medals or set a new World Record.  He trained hard so he knew where he was and how many strokes he needed to take on each length.  Today I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do all 6 miles, but I did.  So for this week's inpiration I have quote from Babe Ruth.

This is so true.  I hope that I can get my swimmers to believe this and at times I need to remember this.  Just don't give up!

Enjoy your day!

Inspiration Tuesday

Yes, it's Tuesday!  Today started early for me.  I was at the gym at 5:00 this morning because James wanted to walk to daycare.  I ran 5.22 miles and then did weights.  Today was upper body and core.  My whole morning so far has just been one thing after another.

My morning started when I was pulling out of the driveway.  I had just put out the 2 recycling bins and didn't realize how close to the edge of the driveway the actually were until I knocked one over.  Of course being 4:55 am it couldn't have been the one with the paper and cardboard in it.  Nope...had to be the one with the cans and plastic.  It was a glorious noise.  Mike said he heard a thump and got out of bed to look and saw me picking up all the cans and bottles. 

The gym itself went okay.  I felt really good on the run.  My pace for my long easy runs is getting faster.  After a 5 minute warm-up I held the first 2.5 miles at a 12:45 pace then slowed down to get some water.  The second 2.5 miles was at a 13:09 pace.  I had to slow down to get water again at around the 4 mile mark.  I did a 5 minute cool down at the end.

I lifted upper body and did some core work today.  I have one exercise that I have to increase weight on on Thursday, the rest I increased last week and they are still okay.  I did have to cut the core work a bit short since I had to get home to get James so we could walk to daycare.

We decided to take the dogs with us.  Now the route we took today is a 2.8 mile round trip walk.  It's cold so I had to put Mulder's coat on him.  He had recently decided that he doesn't like his coat, so he stands and plays statue.  Once we got him going we were fine.  Then they both have to find just the right place to go poop.  That took time.  Then James kept getting slower and slower.

We get halfway to daycare and run into Mike's dad.  He was walking their 3 dogs.  Well they all had to greet each other which caused a bit of a leash knot.  We chatted for a minute or two and then we were back on track. 

Once we get to daycare, I have to tie the dogs up so I can take James inside.  Of course the time we hit the daycare is the time when everyone else gets to daycare.  I have to tie them up at the end of the fence so they don't scare any kids.  I know that not everyone likes dogs so I try to keep them away from everyone especially kids when I have to tie them up for very short periods of time.  I get James into daycare, but of course the dogs were convinced that I was leaving them there forever.  When I get back to the them 30 seconds later, they were soooooo glad I was finally back.

We head back home.  About halfway back we stop and chat with one of the crossing guards.  That's when I notice that Anya's foot is bleeding.  I couldn't figure out where it was coming from so I had to wait until we got home.  We start walking again and we come to a patch of ice half a block from home.  Mulder starts sliding and can't get his feet back under him.  He gets to the cement and decides that he was NOT moving another step.  He started playing statue again.  It took me a minute to get him moving.

We got home and I took Anya straight up to the bathroom.  I put her in the tub and clean out her foot.  It took me a minute to find the source of the blood.  I finally found it.  She had lost her nail just above the quick.  She's fine and laying here next to me as I type.

My morning has been eventful so far.  I'm hoping the rest of the day is calm.

Now for my inspiration for the week.

This is so true.  I find that if I'm going to do something I am going to give it my all.  I know we all stumble and have moments when we just want to do the bare minimum.  We have to recognize those moments and work to improve them.  I am going to keep this in mind this week.  When things start to get hard, I wil make sure I'm giving it my best and then keep going.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Since Mike is in Ohio, I celebrated by doing a 5 mile run this morning.  I was uncertain about doing it on the treadmill, but I did it!  I didn't look down at the time or pace or distance.  I just plugged in my headphones and watched some home renovation shows.  I found that not looking down really helped.  Since it was my long run, I was at a slower pace than my 5k pace.  I just kept going.  I did have to slow down twice so I could drink water.  I'm not that coordinated that I can run and drink on the treadmill.  It would not have been pretty. 

After running, I did upper body and core work.  I'm at that point with some of the exercises that at first I think that the weight is too light, but then after about 6 or 7 reps I realize it's right where it needs to be.  I am getting stronger and I can really feel it in my running.

Because I'm starting to notice a difference my inspiration for the week is this.

I'm not necessarily going for weight loss, but for getting stronger and more toned.  I'm starting to see a difference in my endurance and I'm seeing tone in certain areas.  This is week 3 of my training program.  It is a 12 week program and I don't think I will be at my goal of sub-30 5k at that point, but I will just do it again.  I will be closer to 30 minutes though and I will be ready for my 10k at the end of April.

Tomorrow is my rest day.  I have a lot to do because it's newsletter day.  I have to get it out so that will keep me busy.  Plus I have to come home to let the dogs out since Mike is gone.  Thursday I run 3 miles at an easy pace.  Friday its 4 miles easy.  Saturday is another tempo run and I have my goal pace already written down.  And Sunday is a cross training day.  I have one more day of weights this week as well. 

I'm feeling really good and loving what I'm doing.  It's really keeping me motivated. 

I hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Terrific Tuesday!

After yesterday I was a bit disappointed with the weather.  Yesterday was so warm and today it's back to colder and raining.  Sigh...I just want it to pick a temperature and stay that way.

I got up this morning, but couldn't seem to get out of the house when I wanted to.  I got to the gym and only had 45 minutes to get a run in.  When I'm on the treadmill I do a 5 minute brisk walk to warm up so I lose that time.  And I do a 5 minute cool down walk.  Another 5 minutes lost.  So I really only go to run for 33 minutes.  I did 5k in the 43 minutes I was on the treadmill.  I wasn't super happy as I was supposed to do 4 miles.  I felt good running though.  It was a long slow run day so I wasn't super concerned about the pace, but I really wanted to get the mileage in.  I will be able to get a longer run in on Friday so I will take the time to really make sure I up the mileage then.

I also worked out with my trainer.  We did upper body work and I feel pretty good.  Yesterday we really hit the legs and I was afraid that I'd feel sluggish, but I didn't.  They felt really good today.

I'm finding that I'm really enjoying the time I workout.  I am becoming addicted to the endorphins.  I guess that's a good addiction.  I love the feeling of pushing myself and then pushing some more.  I also like that I am able to go in the morning when there isn't a lot of people there.  It's nice to be able to get on the machines and not have a time limit.  I can just go and focus on what I need to focus on.

I've been trying to really practice what I preach to the kids as well.  I have always loved being inspired and having goals.  I have started keeping a folder of inpirational pictures, quotes, and stories.  I'm reading autobiographies of various athletes (mostly swimmers right now) and that is helping me to stay motivated.  The other thing is my goal of a sub-30 5k by July.  I know I can do this.  I'm really focused and I'm training and I am on track.  I just have to stick with it and not let anything get in my way.

In that vein of inspiration, I'm going to start posting one of my inpirational quotes/pictures every Tuesday.  It's going to be my focus for the week.  Here is this weeks.

This is what I'm repeating for the week.  Every time I start to feel like I can't do something or feel like giving up I'm going to repeat this over and over.  I will doubt my limits this week in whatever I do.

Have a great Tuesday!!!!!!