Run Mama, Run !

One-third of the way through on my training....for my first Half Marathon !  (Last year, I posted enthusiastically about training for the same race but never had the chance to run the race.  I was a few weeks into my training when we found out that we were pregnant and stopped training competitively.  A few weeks after that we lost our precious baby and running was really far from my mind).  

So, here I am again...another year older and trying to accomplish this goal !  I waited until this week to post because this weeks long run was 8 miles.  That is the longest run I've ever done - even as a youngster.  I feel like I've gotten over a big hurdle with this weeks progress.  I love setting goals and having something to work towards...it really helps overcome "some" of the monotony and loneliness of running. 

Exercising and keeping fit is something I have always tried to keep as a constant in my life.  My father instilled a great value of HEALTH in me from a very young age - and I really hope to do the same for my own children.  I try to involve them in our meal prep, exercise time, and other good habits.  Healthy living really is a lifestyle choice for us - and so much easier instilled in us when we are young.  I try to emphasize how exercise keeps our heart healthy and the benefits of healthy eating.  I don't want my children growing up with an issues with their body image or obsessively looking at the scale. God gave us these amazing bodies and we should know how to care for them in a very respectable way.  We should be more amazed at the things our body can DO rather than how perfect it looks to others.  

I've made a few changes to the "official" training program that I am following, to accommodate for some traveling, family visits and a few other races that I am interested in doing in the next month.  Hopefully, it will still work out in a positive way !  I have added a training widget to the sidebar - to add some accountability to this post :) !  

One down - Eleven to go !

Weeks, that is.   Eleven more weeks of training.

As some of you know...I run.  I don't run a lot.  I don't run fast.  I don't even think I run well.  But, I run, nonetheless.  It's one of the things that I do to try to stay healthy and in shape.  You may also remember that I decided to run in  my first race a few months ago.  It was fun.  Honestly, it made whatever running I was doing seem to have more of a purpose.  Does that make sense?  Running is boring, it's lonely sometimes, monotonous, and HARD.  But I find that if there is a goal sitting in front of me - I tend to do it more regularly and I try to do it better.

I have decided that, God willing, I am going to register for THIS race and try to complete my very first HALF MARATHON !  Crazy?  Probably.  I don't even know if I can do it.  I figure that the worst that can happen is that I get in better shape - even if I never make it to raceday !  I have the Nike + iPod kit that I use for running and they have programs online that you can follow.  I chose the BEGINNER training for half-marathon.  They set up the days and mileage for you and you have to follow the routine for 12 weeks.

The first week was HARD.  It started out with 4 mile runs, which is more than I have been running.  Saturday it finished out the week with a 6 mile run and I thought my legs were going to give out.  But at the end of the day, I got to say "I ran 6 miles this morning" !   THAT wasn't so bad !

So..wish me luck.  Say a prayer for me.  Hopefully, this won't be my last post (which would mean it was the only week I completed)!!!

Swimming lessons

Our little lady finished her first session of swimming lessons today...and she was so excited.  The session lasted 4 weeks and it was really only in this final week that she began to enjoy herself and have some fun ! She was having a difficult time in the beginning with the whole concept, but we are so proud of her for sticking it out - even when she was afraid !

Mama On The Run !

As you may (or may not) know, I regularly run/jog as one of my forms of exercise to try to stay healthy and stay in shape.  I am usually jogging behind my Bob Revolution Duallie...a GREAT double jogging stroller.  If you have to run with a stroller, the BOB is the way to go !  My kids love it, it's comfortable for them and easy to push for me !

My running partners

I started to think, "It might be fun to run in a race again".  I used to love to run in them with my dad when I was growing up....and it's been over 20 years since I ran my last race !  I started to ask around for some local races.  A friend I had met at the Y told me about an upcoming 5k....so I registered !!  

I was so excited the morning of the race, just wanting to cross the finish line.  My dad came with me to the race, which made the day all the more special and nostalgic !  As I came out into the homestretch, there he was....and I saw him looking at his watch ! I had finished slightly faster than I had anticipated and he wasn't expecting me so soon !  (or so he told me after the race).  

The final stretch !

We had a great day !  I'll add one final picture .....here we are after the race !

See the medals?  We took 1st and 2nd place (in our division) !!

Exercising and trying to stay healthy is sometimes a lot of work.  Running can get very boring and repetitive so it is nice to set goals and have something like a race to look forward to in the near future.  Most of the races out there benefit some sort of charity or organization and they are a great way of bringing the community together.  They are also just FUN to do !  I am already registered to run in another 5k in 2 weeks !  

I have decided to set a somewhat long-term goal for myself (and my running).  God willing, I would like to run in a half-marathon.  THIS Women's Half Marathon is scheduled for November 21st, so I have some time to prepare.  Now....if I can only get my sister to run it with me !  That would make for some great memories !