Watch Out For The Signs!

It has taken me a few days to decide what I was going to blog about this week. I had a pretty good running week. I am definitely getting into the habit of running for enjoyment. I am almost to the point of craving it. Is that a sign that I have formed a habit? I plan out my day based on whether or not it is a run day. How much water should I drink today? When should I eat my big meal? When is Chad getting home so I can hit the trails? It is kinda sick but in a good way I think.
Another sign that I am enjoying this running thing is my slowly shrinking waistline! This picture is taken of me right before I went to Lacey's bachelorette party. I am wearing a shirt that I bought in the misses department! I know it may not be a big deal to some but for me it is HUGE! I have shopped in plus size departments since I was in high school. Since I joined Katyfit, I have lost about 10 pounds! Another sign jogging is agreeing with me!
We ran FIVE miles on Saturday. It was tough for me. Chad and I played cards Friday night and got in pretty late. I only got about four and a half hours sleep. Running five miles on that little of sleep was tough! I am an eight hour kinda girl. I was draggin butt out there Saturday. I was almost the last turtle in but at least I made it in!
One more sign that surprised me... I was telling the gang that I might not be there in a few weekends as we have decided to celebrate my dad's life the weekend of August 8. At that exact moment that I was talking about him, a huge breeze passed over us. It was at least 97 degrees out with no breeze. I know my daddy heard me and was proud of me for setting my goal and working towards it!

It's All About The Ride

Driving to the group run was so much sweeter this morning. Who wouldn't love driving as the sun rises in this sweet of a car? Chad played in a charity golf tournament and bid on a weekend drive in a Mercedes convertible. He won! It has been a blast driving this car around.
I really had a battle of the mind this week. On Thursday I went to the group run and ran with the 5:1 half group. It was a good run. I didn't break any landspeed records but I finished strong and felt like I could still go a bit further. While we were doing the core workout, we discussed training with the full 3:1 group. I have really put a lot of thought into the whole process. Should I put more mileage in at a slower pace or less mileage in at a faster pace? I was pretty confused. I thought I had it all figured out. I was going to stay the course and train with the 5:1 half group. Fast forward to this morning... I pull up to the park in my hot little car, wind blowing in my hair, music blaring, spirits soaring and mind prepared to run two miles. I look up and see my girls getting ready to take off with the full group who was going to run FOUR miles. I was so not prepared to run four miles. Long story short I did it and survived. As a matter of fact, I think I could've probably gone another mile. I am so amazed with what I have pushed myself to do. Go me!

Why I Run...

Today it hit me why I really run or should I say try to run. When I came home from the group run tonight, Chase asked me, "Mommy, are you fast yet?" I replied, "I'm getting faster each time!" He was so proud. You could see it in his eyes. He tells everyone he meets that his mom is training for the marathon. He doesn't quite get the difference between the whole and half and I've given up on trying to explain it to him. Sweet thing, he thinks I am going to win the race! I love the way that he looks at me when I come through the door all sweaty and out of breath after a work out. That is the way I want him to see me living my life. ACTIVE and HEALTHY! I have been overweight and inactive for too long. I want to be an example for my children. I want them to lead healthy and active lifestyles that include exercise. I hope that by training for this half marathon, the boys can see that exercise can and is FUN!

First official Saturday Run

Today was our first official Saturday run. It was a great day. I was happily surprised to see Belkis, Jennifer and Sue had all signed up to join Katyfit! Yeah, the revolution is catching on! I also saw Alyssa Hill. It was nice to see familiar faces. It definitely took the tension off of the morning. I ended up running with the 3:1 group. I wanted to run with the 5:1 group to challenge myself but the other girls ran with the 3:1 group so I hung with them. The run was nice and easy and I felt great afterwards. I passed Nicole and Tywan on our way out. They looked all hot and sweaty. I think they ran something insane like 10 miles. Anyways my most exciting and kinda geeky news of the day was this... As I was getting ready to leave, a lady walked up and asked what she had missed while she was getting gatorade. I filled her in and told her about the Tue/Thur runs. She replied yeah but is there anyone slow to run with me? I told her , yes, me! I guess what I am trying to convey is that I am glad to be getting out there meeting people who are as scared to be the slow ones as I am! ROWDY RED ROCKS!

Becoming a Fitizen

Okay , so I have this crazy friend named Nicole who talked me into training for the half marathon. Somewhere in a part of my brain, in a part of time, it sounded like a good idea. Who was I fooling? Have you guys ever seen Nicole? She has a runner's body. I have... well, a more fluffy body. So anyway, I let her talk me into joining Katyfit. I go a couple of weeks ahead of time and buy the shoes... $128 later at Luke's Locker I have some shiney aqua Asics. In my mind, I was going to train at the gym all summer leading up to the pace finder on July 5th. Best laid plans, right? Fast forward to morning of the pace finder. I wake up at the crack of dawn and drive down to TH park. All the way to the park I am thinking to myself...
what if I am the last one finished, what if I am the slowest one, what if everyone laughs at me? So I get to the park, sign up and find Nicole who giggles at me because I have my make up done and hair nicely brushed in a cute ponytail. I have so much anxiety that my legs are shaking. I won't bore you with the details, but I was not the last one finished and I didn't hear roars of laughter. 1.5 miles down only 12 more to go! I think I can do it and I have Katyfit to help me get there. Not to mention Nicole who says she's got my back!