Running Ramblings (Err, let's call it Jogging Instead)

I've been writing this post in my head over the last two weeks when I've been out running, well jogging actually.  I have come so far since I started adding in some cardio to my hour-long walks last December, but I'm still at about a 12-minute mile or 7 minute kilometer with or without the jogging stroller and my bundle of joy.

I still can't say that I'm addicted to running, but I do so love the side effects I've seen so far. I regularly go out with Parker four times per week anywhere from 45 - 60 minutes.  The longest I've run without stopping is 60 minutes, but my speed is an area for future improvement.  I have my first 5K next Saturday and I'll be running with my best friend, Hayley.  Our goal is to finish in 36 minutes, about 12 minutes per mile.  I made the mistake of looking up stats for some local 5K's and thought that 36 minutes would be good for our age range - wrong!  Apparently some marathoners think 5K's are a sprint and finish in around 22 minutes.  I might have been able to do 6-minute miles in high school, but no way will I be back there again.

One of the things that does amaze me is all of the excuses I've had for not taking better care of my self since my soccer days.  My neighbor asked me last week if I had always been a runner - HA! I've pretty much done nothing since March of my senior year of high school, a pretty lazy 11 years and I wondered why I kept gaining weight.  The biggest difference now is that I have time to spend an hour everyday taking care of myself and spending time with Parker.   I also eat almost all of my meals at home and don't eat whatever is in the staff lounge or pick up junk because I've been too busy to stop and eat when I'm first hungry.

Starting to run also required little investment.  No gym membership to feel guilty about, no early morning alarm clock to snooze, and the weather didn't stop me in the winter unless it was colder than 40 degrees all day long.  I bought a used jogging stroller for $50, ran in old shorts, tshirts, and tennis shoes, and splurged on some new upbeat songs on iTunes so I'd have a good playlist.  I use the $2.99 NikeGPS App to track my pace, distance, and calories, and I keep a calendar in my kitchen with my running stats and PR's (personal records) as they come.

After 4 months of getting back into shape and losing some weight, I've invested in some new Asics,  sunglasses, Under Armour tanks, and Nike shorts.  The new gear makes me excited to go out, even if I'm not inspired to run some hills or go out in the misty foggy humid mess that I ran in today.  I made it to 10 kilometers today, even though it took an hour and twenty minutes and a lot of Parker's patience. I won't say I'm a runner yet, but I sure do like the feeling I get when I can forget about looking at the clock, I don't count the songs, and I don't mind the route.

I promise, if I can do this, anyone can.  Remember, I was the cross country and soccer coach that couldn't run a mile around the block with my girls.  And I was 23 years old at the time!  I can't believe that I had the luxury to run everyday after school and didn't take advantage of it.  Seven years later I'm in such a better place - who would have thought!

I have more excuses to share in later posts if anyone needs some motivation.  My advice is to find a system that works for you - if you're not a morning person, don't plan to start your workout at 5am.  I sleep as late as Parker will let me....

KAB