Not as positive this time, but still productive...maybe.

I ran yesterday. I meant to run on Wednesday, but didn't get out of the house really. Why, you may ask? Because of a thunderstorm. And my dog Millie. For any of you that know me, Millie is my terrier mix and she's just so dern cute. She's pretty awesome and does really well with other dogs (for the most part - so far only there's only one dog we've met that has been a problem) and there's not a whole lot that seems to bother her. Except thunder. I was planning on taking it easy on Wednesday and going to the gym in the afternoon, but my plans were derailed when all the rain came to town. There was a massive thunderclap that seemed right outside our house and Millie bolts out of her crate, barks twice, and makes a beeline for me. And then she curled up in a ball right next to me with a look that said, "Make it go away!" Since I wasn't sure how long the rain/thunderstorms were going to last, I didn't want to leave her at the house all by herself. I'd rather not have her freaking out in her crate and possibly hurting herself. So like a good doggie mom, I stayed and comforted my little cute doggie. :)

All of that explains why I went yesterday instead of Wednesday. I got to the gym ready to bust out another mile, maybe even a little more, and get my stretch on before I do anything. My muscles were still just a little bit sore, but nothing like they were the day after I ran last time. I'm feeling pretty confident, do a couple of warm up laps, and off I go. For one lap. Dude, my muscles, particularly my calves, were SCREAMING at me to stop. I ended up running a lap, walking a lap, etc, etc. It wasn't what I really wanted to do, but I don't think I could've done anything more about it. So my time was a little slower than when I ran the whole time, but hey, at least I got out there! :)

I was planning on running tomorrow, but then remembered that I had to be that the Diocese of Atlanta's ministry fair and didn't really want to get up at the butt crack of dawn to go run. So maybe after I'm done at the Cathedral I'll go. Depends...haha. I've still got the motivation factor going for me and I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to stick to my schedule of sorts once again. :)

Here's to a new start and new running fun - HONK!

Back in the saddle, on the wagon, and all those other euphemisms.

I ran today, which isn't the first time I've run since the Candlelight Tour Run, but the first time I've run with purpose and excitement. I've really wanted to get back out there and get running again, but my motivation has been pretty thin lately. I really have to credit today's run to three different things: 1. My best friend from high school, Susan, has started running and we were hanging out with with another one of our high school friends and she made a good point about running - it's mind more than matter and to just set your mind on it and go for it. 2. Lent is starting this week and part of Sarah B's Lenten discipline will be to run more. Which made me want to run more myself. 3. It's just about dang time that I get out there. So between my two great friends and myself, I found myself at the gym today.

All day I was telling myself that I needed to go run, either outside or at the gym. Not only is it good for me to run, but the Rose City Run is at the end of April, followed shortly after with the Peachtree Road Road Race and I really want to be ready for both. The few sporadic times that I have run lately I haven't run very well, and I just took Susan's advice and told myself that I would run a mile straight without stopping. Which may not say a lot, but I really wasn't sure that I could do it anymore. It probably sounds funny since both we've done so many races, but I thought that I would have to start back at the beginning and work my way back up to longer distances. Thankfully I now know that I can do it and I'm pumped to start working on my distance even more. :)

So here's to all three of us to getting back on the wagon, back in the saddle, lace up our shoes once again and be even more awesome than we already are. HONK! :)

The reunion of lizmattliz

I believe we have officially started a tradition - this year we ran the Candlelight Tour Run for the second year. And once again, I had a BLAST. :) I think our common sentiment was that it didn't see to last as long this year as it did last year. I think it helps that we've gotten a better perception of distance and whatnot, so it doesn't seem as long. Plus we were having a pretty awesome time. :) And a HUGE shout out to Sarah B for breaking her record from last year! She's already determined to break 30 minutes next year. :) So proud!

So Matt, Liz, and I all stuck together the whole time since all three of us were not entirely prepared for the run. For example, I haven't run since the half haha. Although Liz and I were joking around that if we ran up the first hill, we had already improved from last year. And we totally ran up that dang hill. Just not the rest of them. Needless to say, we definitely took advantage of the downhill and flat parts of the course! And me being me, we made a new friend while running. :) To round off our tradition, we ate at IHOP on the way back at 1:00 in the morning. Which was also quite delightful, despite the fact that it was dang COLD in the room we were sitting in.

I'm definitely a little sore in my quads today, but that's what I get for not running in the last three weeks. On the downside, since I haven't really had a job, the marathon in January at Disney World just isn't going to happen this year. :( It took a while for me to really reconcile that because I've been set on it for a long time, but I just can't afford it without a steady job. :( But there's one in October and hopefully at some point I'll get one under my belt in the new little while!

I'm really hoping that I'll start getting back into the groove of running at a regular basis. I'd like to keep up that motivation, even if there's isn't a race coming up. :) But the moral of the story is that last night was crazy fun and I really enjoyed it, despite all the hills. :)

HONK!

Still can't believe it

Matt and I did a half marathon. Whhhhhaaaattttt???? I know, right? It's a little intense. The course wasn't that hard in my mind in comparison to other races we've done. I mean, it was longer, but I didn't think it was that hard course-wise. If that makes sense haha. I'm really proud that we did it and didn't die, although for me the last three miles could've easily taken me out. I wore the same compression shorts I wore for the Peachtree Road Race in order to cut down on the chaffing issue I've got. Well, during the last three miles that I thought I was gonna die, my legs started to really hurt right below my shorts line. I kept pulling down my shorts to cover the lovely burning sensation on my thighs, but it didn't really last.

Still in those last three dreadful miles, I just kept looking for the 5k marker because I knew I was almost done. I saw it and did a fist pump. I was that excited. And I don't even watch the Jersey Shore. Then I knew once I got to a certain house, I was even closer. As I got back in to the downtown area, there was a DJ playing music and he started talking to me and this other guy that were coming in about the same time. "I see you runners - don't give up!" and other really bad encouraging remarks. Of which all I wanted to do was punch him in the face. I was making my way to the finish the best way I could, thank you very much. I just completed a crap ton of miles and I know I'm almost done. So please hush your mouth and let me finish! Yep, I was kinda cranky. I just wanted the whole thing to be over!

Back to the chaffing (haha). I didn't realize how bad it was until Mrs. Kerry told me I was bleeding. Sure enough, my legs had rubbed together so long that it was nice and gross. Now it just looks like I have road rash. But that's what happens when your thighs are like mine. The plan for the next time would be to wear compression capris/pants for the really long runs.

Overall I'm really glad that I finished. I'd really like to do it again next year. It continues to amaze me that we're on this crazy journey and our bodies are able to accomplish so much. Plus it's just fun to commiserate and complain about our soreness together. :) Now it's time to get ready for the crazy intense, hilly, IHOP filled Candlelight Tour Run!

HONK!

week 5ish

I ran 5 days last week. FIVE! I never over-achieve. I am a chronic "do the bare minimum" kind of person concerning exercise. I kinda can't believe I did it. I ran day 1, day 2, day 3, then day 1 twice again for the extra runs. Now I have to step it up a notch for week 6 though. and soon after that, its on to only "long" runs. I would really love to be able to continue to do more than the bare minimum. normally i even have a difficult time not cutting corners and just drag my feet when it comes to getting out there and getting it done. i think i've sort of always believed it was just intrinsic and i wouldn't be able to move beyond it, but low and behold, at least for one week, I did. i'm crossing my fingers i can continue the trend.

my knee has been feeling better, but my right hip flexor has been acting up a bit. i've really been trying to stretch before and after i run every time to help prevent any further problems. plus i'm just really inflexible, so I need the stretching.

ok, thats all i suppose.

Get the ambulance ready

I changed jobs back in July right around the time of the Peachtree Road Race. Since then running has been pretty difficult for me. Working nights and taking care of AJ during the day and on days I don't work has left me with little energy for, well, anything really. But I recently started back in preparation for the Boston Mini-Marathon this weekend. I have to be honest, my motivation for starting back was solely based on not wanting to let Liz W. down. I told her I would run the race with her and whenever possible I try and be a man of my word. So thank you Liz for once again providing me with the motivation to get out there and run.

I have to be honest about something else too. I'm scared to death of this race. 13.1 miles is a lot. I thought the 15k was bad enough and its only 9, aaaand I trained a lot harder for that one than this one. But I do have hope because not only will I be running the same race as Liz W. but we are actually going to run the race side by side. I'm very excited about this. I have yet to run any race truly "with" someone and I think it will be great.

Here's to a good race! See you on the other side!

Oh, and HONK!

Matt

welp. i'm back in the game. good thing, as the 5K is fast approaching.

today i ran the week 5 day 1 plan. in three weeks hopefully i'll be able to run most of the "race." i am on vacation this week, so my idea is to run 5 days a week this week at least, and really i hope to continue that til the race but we will see. i was really encouraged because my knee held up through the entirety, and only my right hip gave me any trouble. i'ma have to start stretching a couple times a day regardless of if and when i run to help ward off any more trouble.

ok it was a short post, just to establish i'm back. woot! and honk, of course.