2011 Resolutions

Im not very good at keeping New Years Resolutions, therefore, my first resolution is to set REALISTIC goals and KEEP THEM!!!!

Cheesy, I know, but what can I say....thats how I am.

2011 Resolutions

1~ Set Realistic Goals and KEEP THEM.
2~ Run in six 5K's.  Once I get them set, I will post them on my blog so I have to look at them everytime I log in!!
     *This may not seem realistic to some people, only running in 6 when I am working so hard to reach those goals.  The unfortunate fact is that for the most part, I will have a minimum of 2 hour drive to get to each race, and alot of them are much longer then that, and will consist of an over-night trip.  Not always the easiest thing to schedule with a family of 5.
3~ Keep my house visitor ready.
4~ Compete in the Women's 3 Event at the Arthur County Fair.
     *This has been a goal for the past 2 years but having my kiddos kept getting in the way.
5~ Lose 35 lbs.

I think 5 Resolutions is plenty for me.  Each of those includes its own set of work and dedication so collectively, I think Im good.

What your goals for 2011?  Whatever they may be, good luck achieving them.  I am a firm believer in accomplishing anything you set your mind to and my mind is set!!

W6D2 - Complete FAILURE

I promised myself that when I started to blog about running I would include everything.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  Putting it all out there, success and failure alike, is the only way for me to utilize this as a way to hold myself accountable.  Or utilize the people who read my blog to hold me accountable.  If Im not honest here, Im not honest with myself.  The only way to be successful is to accept the failure while moving to the success.

That being said.......I should have kept my rear on the couch.  Take a day off from running and chill out. But no, I had to run (because I think Im addicted and if you were to ask my husband he would say I am addicted) and now I am paying for it.
Im not sure exactly what the deal is but once in awhile, when I am running, I get really intense, excruciating pain in my hip/groin area. Specifically where my tubes were tied at back in September. I told my doc about it and he said inflammation can still cause some issues so my guess is that the inflammation plus the running is not working out so well for me. Im hurting right now.

I made it through 20 minutes of the work out, including 12 minutes of running (10 minutes, 3 of walking, and 2 minutes of the second run) before I had to stop.  Total mileage was a whopping 1.28 miles.  Better the nothing though.

Oh well, good and bad I guess. Bad for the obvious reason of not finishing what is possibly my last run of 2010 but good because I know that I will be back and stronger then ever. Determinded to kick W6D2  in the ass, like it just did to me.

Excuse me now.....off to down a bottle of ibprofen.

W6D1

WOW, W6D1 kinda kicked my rear today!! Maybe it was because I went back to interval training after 22 minutes of constant running but I had a hard time finding and keeping my pace. The starting and stopping, or I should say the walking then jogging, seems to be messing wtih my head. I think to much, prepare (worry) to much, for whats coming. Hopefully this means that when I get out of intervals for good (in another 2 sessions) I will have a fairly "easy" adjustment to continuous running.

I did 2.52 miles in 32.13 minutes. The intervals were 5 minutes of jogging, 3 minutes of walking, 8 minutes of jogging, 3 minutes of walking, 5 minutes of jogging and then the 5 minutes of walking to warm up and cool down.

Have to enjoy the outside today because tomorrow the blizzard is supposed to appear, with a high of 15 and 40-50 mph winds, and Friday the high is a whopping 7 degrees. Times like this I am happy to have a treadmill.

Just keep running

Just got back in from a great run! I was supposed to run 20 minutes but was feeling so great after that, I just kept going!! Ended up doing 22 minutes and 30 seconds.....CRAZINESS!!!!! I would have gone more but I was almost to our driveway and needed to get some walking in to cool down and stretch out a little. I went 2.2 miles in 29 minutes. My plan is to do W5D3 one more day (tomorrow) and then move on to W6. Im so excited to be able to say that I can run for 22 minutes without any stopping....thats a big accomplishment for me!!!

My run and my buddies.

Thats my playground. Well, part of it. Actually, thats the only part of my run that includes trees, lol!



But that is, indeed, the road I run on and the view I love.



This is what keeps me motivated. The chance to get out of my house and into the fresh air. Peace and quiet brings me peace of mind.




I also have the 2 BEST running companions a girl can ask for....Husker and Junior. No one better to run with then a cow-dog and a bird-dog.


Dont mind the snow....that was taken last year. The pictures of them sitting still while outside are few and far between.






I love living in the hills and running on the one lane oil strip. My running mates loves to run into the trees and chase whatever they can find, which so far has resulted in 4 deer, lots of birds, a jack rabbit (a fast one, thank goodness!) and a coyote. The coyote didnt cross my path....he went out the other side of the trees and across the meadow.







I wanted to share a little piece of my daily run. Show you where I go for my relaxation and sanity. Right there, in the middle of the road, that runs through the middle of the beautiful Sandhills of Nebraska.

Pushing past the pain

Im really happy that I didnt get any injuries until I was 2 months into the program. Even now, it isnt an "injury" so to speak, just a little to much pain aching through my calf. Normally, I would sit and rest it for a few days, some ice, some heat and it would magically go away. So would, Im afraid, my dedication and determination for running.
The aching I have now is kinda like a shin splint, only its on the inside of my right leg. My calf is sore to the touch and it hurts when I have any pressure on my leg (i.e. my 1 year old crawling all over me). I tried the treadmill a few nights ago (Wednesday) thinking that maybe running there would be less painful, but that didnt work. Only made it hurt more so when I was done it hurt with every step I took.
Thursday I took it back outside where it didnt hurt nearly as much during the run and but it was definately sore after. Not as bad as the treadmill but still, very sore. I tried pushing past the pain but there comes a point in time when the pain wins. Its your body trying to tell you something and mine was screaming "SIT YOU ARSE DOWN FOR A FEW DAYS AND GIVE ME A BREAK""". My fear now is that its more then just a shin splint but something more, like a stress fracture or a tear in the ligament. That would me ALOT of time not running which isnt something I want right now. Not only would I lose the progress I currently have, but running is my break in the day. Its MY TIME, which as any mom will tell you, is precious and NOT to be screwed with.
Begrudgingly have since come to the conclusion that I need to rest it for a few days. Friday through Sunday and not run. The say "time heals all wounds" and that is exactly what I am hoping for. Few days off from running, little more ice, little more heat and healing of sore muscles. My some new shoes also....Im sure those wouldnt hurt.
I couldnt totally get away from exercising so today I did go for a 3 mile walk with Baby B on Friday and me leg wasnt really sore at all! I am so happy. Im extremely encouraged and hoping this means that a few days from running and I will be able to get back into pain free mode and get back to business. I would do a happy dance right now but my luck I would trip over a baby toy and be in worse shape then I started with.

One Step at a Time

If you had asked me 6 months ago to go for a run I would have said "only if someone is chasing me with a gun." Actually, thats not an "if" that question was asked because that was, in fact, my answer on numerous occasions. Which is why its highly amusing to me that I have deceided to become a runner.

Its amazing what happens when you have 2 childen in less then a year. Yes, the mind goes a little wacky and suddenly crazy thoughts because great idea. Hence, my new passion for running.

I started by wanting a great cardio to lose the ridiculous amount of weight I was left with after having the boys. Did I mention that they are 10.5 months apart. Imagine how suprised I was to find so much more then a great weight loss plan.

I have found in running accomplishment, santiy, fresh air, solitude, happy thoughts, no thoughts (which when you have 3 kids and a husband, no thoughts ARE happy thoughts), relaxation, physical fitness, dedication, committment, determination and so much more. Who would have thought that getting off my arse and outside in the fresh air and building up a sweat with aching muscles would help me to find a peace of mind that I have been trying to locate for years.

This blog will serve as a place for me to hold myself accountable for my actions (and inaction). I will post when I run, when I dont run. I will post my reasons for running and for not running. My feelings before, during and after a good run, all on my journey to June 4, 2011, which is when I am going to be running in my first 5K!!!!

Its a process. A very long process and I am hoping that I am on the right path. All I know is that its one step at a time.