Runs #20-24

Ran 5 miles yesterday!! Neat learning how the first couple miles are really the hardest. Once I warm up, I feel like I could just keep going. Excited to try 6 miles next Thursday!

Ran 2 this morning and really pushed myself to run faster here and there. I have been averaging 13 minute miles which is about as slow as you can get. I've been ok with that, but figure on my shorter runs can start pushing myself a little. I did 2 miles at 11.5/minute.

Excited for our first group run tomorrow afternoon! Then after we are all going to church together, sweat and all lol.

Run #18 & 19

On Tuesday I did 4 miles! And it wasn't that bad. The last few blocks I even had a burst of energy and ran fast! I ate one of the funky goo energy packs before I left and I think it helped. It also helped that it was like 60-something degrees, windy, and the sky and moon looked really cool.

This morning I ran 2. Was super easy. I am so amazed by the way the human body builds in stamina and strength. When I first started all this 1 mile was a challenge for me. Now 2 is a no-brainer!

And yesterday I had friends donate $385 dollars in a little contest I did where I'll draw a name for a free painting. I'm up to $505 now! I was having this little frustrated feeling like am I really going to be able to raise the whole amount, but now I have complete confidence! : )

Run #17

Got an idea for a painting on my 2-mile run this morning! : )

Runs #15 & 16

Did 2 miles the other night, and 3 yesterday. So excited that all of a sudden it is getting a LOT easier. Like I just breathe easy and run and don't feel like I'm going to die. : )

Run #14

Ran last night with Gianna. Ended up thunderstorming for a few minutes, was kinda cool!! Luckily she had a blanket to cover up under and ended up falling alseep. Was supposed to run 2 miles and ran 2.34 cause I felt like it! No foot problems at all. Loose shoes is the key for me! : )

Run #13

Had my first FUN run today!!!!!!!! I kept loosening my shoes along the way until they weren't even snug and this totally stopped the cramping/stress on my feet!!! Which goes along with the crazy book I'm reading, Born to Run, about crazy ultra-runner people who run 100 mile races and some of them in thin sandals. Some American went into the copper canyons in Mexico and got a group of tribal guys to come out and race. Got Rockport to sponsor them so they would run the first few miles of this Leadville wilderness race in the running shoes but then they'd meet them with their thin strappy sandals down the trail because the running shoes were too restrictive for them! So interesting. This book is so good I can't believe its not fiction and along the way its fun to google the people in it and actual see them!

And I've been trying to come up with fast music and do a 180 beat per minute pace like all the running experts talk about. Today I threw that out the window and listened to my Braveheart soundtrack music which is my obsession right now. This is slow, soft dreamy music. And it was MAGICAL!!!!! It was like my painting came alive in my head! And the sky was lightening with the glow of the approaching dawn and the stars were still out and it was truly joyful!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited to do more of this!!!! :o)

Run #12

Was supposed to do 2 miles today. I messed up and went a different way than the planned route and wasn't sure how far i'd gone and guessed. Ends up I only went 1.6 miles, but it was great, no foot cramps at all! And Gianna came along all bundled up. Made a little snack pack for her and brought a book :)

Run #11

Only had to do 1 mile today, I think thats the last time! Did it on the treadmill at work. Now the next 4 runs are 2's, and then the week after that I have a 3 and a 4. Excited to see how the 4 mile one goes. Just praying my feet keep getting stronger and have less problems!

ouch

I was feeling a little rough yesterday. Got a cramp in my side twice, and lower back was bugging me a little, also right foot bugging me a little.

In the middle of the night I woke up and couldn't sleep because my back was so uncomfortable. I got up and prayed and laid back down, woke up, and everythings feeling fine!

I kept thinking why didn't I have any of these problems last year, probably because I had been working out pretty regularly all year and was in better shape. I haven't exercised since September pretty much. Body is probably like woah!

I am just gonna keep at it and hope stuff starts falling into place : )  If the discomfort in my foot stays minimal and come and go like its been just gonna keep going. If in a couple weeks it doesn't go away will start checking it out with a doctor.

Just gonna keep pushing through it!!

Run #10

3 miles! Haven't ran that far since the Zoo run in the fall. And it went pretty good!

 Around 2.5 miles I almost gave up. My feet were feeling all cramped and stressed again. I almost stopped to walk but starting praying for peace in my feet. And thought about how I've been reading/hearing about people not landing on their heels but more mid foot, and leaning forward a little.
Not really sure if I was doing it right, felt and sounded clunkier, but my feet relaxed!
And towards the end of my run I got this burst of energy! I could have kept going, but don't want to overdo it.

I have a 4 mile run on one of my days next week. I'm excited for it now :)

Oh and I'm reading this crazy book called Born to Run. I think anyone would find it really interesting. About this guy who goes on this trek with a Mexican singer to find these amazing tribal running people who live in the mountains in Mexico. They run 100 mile races in sandals. Totally true. Story so far is really interesting and have laughed out loud a lot. Gianna's like what are you laughing at? haha.

Now I'm going to go enjoy my bowl of porridge!!! (cream of wheat ;)

Run #10

Yay! Looser laces seem to have done the trick! No stressed hurting crampy feet. Ankles got a little bit funny feeling toward the end, but thinking thats just being out of shape and running 2 miles.

Ran them in 19 minutes. I think I'm going to stop worrying at all about time though. Just focus on finishing my miles comfortably and hopefully not walking.

And as I'm sitting here my feet are getting that crampy feeling. So don't get whats going on here, but determined to get past it!!! Prayers for my feet please! : )

Run #9

Hmm, that didn't go so great!

First half was cool. Had Jason download some good running songs onto his iPhone for me. Foot was ok. Then one irritating thing, I'm running around the park in the dark, and this person in a truck pulls into the parking lot up ahead and then just stops. Then moves a little, stops, backs up with back of truck near street. I move to other side by houses and walk and then they drive off.

Then halfway through my feet started cramping. I was fearing I must have bought the wrong shoes for my feet, had to walk the last part. But Jason says he thinks I had them tied too tight, that's happened to him before.

But my right foot feels fine!

The steam from my breath was coming up out of my mask, turning into crystals on my eyelashes, and everything looked all sparkly.

And the last part when I was walking, the sun was just barely coming up, so the horizon was all glowy light blue and the stars were still out and so magical and said some prayers.

:)

Run #8

I ran 2 miles in the snow this morning about 4:30 am : ) It was pretty and peaceful.

But my foot hurts. It was the first time in my new shoes too, but it was already slightly hurting before I ran. Now its bothering me a little more. I don't run again until Thursday morning. I think I'm going to see how it feels then. If it still hurts, guess I'll skip my run and make a docs appt. Excited for that run too, 3 miles! Like a 5k!

: /

Missed my first run yesterday! My right foot hurts. Kinda funny that my right running shoe was messed up, and my right everyday boots heel was messed up, and now my foot doesn't feel right.

I went to Running Fit yesterday and they said I definitely should get new shoes, not just an insert.
I tried on a bunch and wasn't loving them and then he says here try these, even though I don't think you probably need them. They're for people with flatter feet. They look goofy, thick soles, like a shoe you'd wear on a foot if one leg was an inch shorter  than the other lol.

And they felt like Heaven! I was like no way! Fit like a glove. Didn't have my size, should get them today. Can't wait to run in them!! And glad I'm selling a painting tomorrow to pay for them : )

Run #7

Ran 1 mile in 11 minutes this morning!  I can't imagine running much faster than that, but we'll see. It was easier to push myself because I only had to go 1 mile.

I see in the schedule that I actually have 1 more 1 mile run next Friday. Will be interesting to see after another week of running if I can do it any quicker. : )

And this weekend I plan to get one of those official face thingies that go over your month. Running around with a big floppy scarf wrapped around my face is getting old!

And I need shoe inserts. The one for my right shoe disappeared, and my right heel is slightly bugging me and the right side of my lower back feels slightly achy. Like anybody cares lol. I think only Maggie reads this probably anyway. Hi Maggie! ; )

Run #6

Ran 2 miles this morning, in 24 minutes! Big improvement from last run : )

I need to get more serious about my eating now. I feel like I've gained weight since I started running because I have the stupid thought in the back of my mind that I can eat more since I'm exercising. Like I 'deserve' it or something.

So making the conscious decision now to eat less and healthier.

Running was hard today. Seems insane when I think of running 26 miles and 2 were tough. But I am believing it will get easier as I keep going. And I just kept thinking of all the people walking for water. Miles. In the heat. What if they're sick or have a cold or don't feel good. I'm sure they still have to get out there and get water to survive. And it helps me to keep going...

Run #5

2 miles this morning, and ran the whole way! But it took me 15.25 minutes a mile. Thats ok, gives me something to beat on Thursday :) I dressed too warm too. I was so cold when I woke up and then halfway through I'm trying to take off layers and undo my scarf and my earbuds are falling out agh.

I feel so tired, like I want to go back to bed. Hopefully that energy everyone talks about kicks in!

I am reading The Hole in Our Gospel, by Rich Stearns, the president of World Vision, the charity I'm running with for water wells.

The book honestly is a bit overwhelming, when you realize what an abundance we have here in the US. 40% of the world lives on $1 a day. I can't even fathom. And I never thought about the fact that there are tons of kids in Africa who live in child-headed households because their parents have died of aids.

Depressing stuff, but, not hopeless. If we all do our part, if we all support charities that help in huge ways like World Vision, there is so much help.

He tells a parable in the book of after a storm the beach being covered in starfishes, and this guys sits down and hangs his head because he feels so bad for them and there are so many you could never save them all in time. And he sees a guy picking them up one at a time and throwing them into the ocean. And he says hey what are you doing, there's so many, you could never save them. And he says, but I saved that one, and this one, and that one.

So this running team I'm on with my church, 250 of us, x's $1300 we've each committed to raising, equals $327,500. On average its $50 a person for water wells, thats 6550 people with a new outlook on life! With kids that can go to school instead of fetch water. (The book talks about a school that went from 40 to 400 kids when a well went in.)

And on average they have 1500 people run the marathon with World Vision, its the largest charity group that runs. Thats water for about 40,000 people!!!! Too cool.

Here's a video of a community getting water.

And my donation page : )

Run #4

Ran my one mile today in 11.75 minutes!!! In my 10 week to 10k program I only have one more 1 mile run next Sunday, all 2 and up from here. Forgot to cover my mouth again though and coughing and lungs bugging me. Argh. But excited about the time increases! : )

Run #3

Ran a 13 minute mile this morning. Not good by any runner's standards, but progress from my 14 minute mile on Sunday! :)

Run #2

So I don't know if it was smart to run today or not. Still sick and coughing, but I know these things tend to linger for weeks with me and I can't wait that long, so I did my scheduled 2 miles today, with a couple walking breaks. Feel ok so far : )

Now I just have to do that 13 more times in a row with no walking breaks. Hahahah. ; )

Sick!

So yesterday was supposed to be my second day of training, but I had to call in sick with a nasty cold and chills and aches and cough.

Still coughing but been doing that forever now. Going to try and keep on schedule tomorrow!

And I'm officially registered!

Run #1

Today is my first day of training for the Chicago marathon. For days after signing up I was nervous and wondered if I was crazy.

But its to raise money for water wells in Zambia. My main motivation is for Mama's who will get to give their babies fresh water. I can't imagine giving Gianna a dirty cup of water. (After walking miles and miles to get it.)

And I always want to get in shape but seem to lack the discipline to persevere. I enjoyed running but just didn't stick to it. This way leaves me no choice but to continue. Because of what the cause is for, and because people will be donating money (and already have! $100 too. For some reason website says it was me but it was Liz Maruggio :)

So God-willing, come October, I will be a radically new creation. And I believe it can happen because more and more I see the truth of I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Never thought I'd be whipping out paintings and having them in art galleries either. So I'm excited!

The first step is to do a 10k on April 14, starting a 10 week plan today. My little training partner Gianna and I ran one mile and it took me 14 minutes to do it. I have a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng way to go between now and Oct. 7th. (26 n's there for 26 miles lol)

I committed to raising $50 a mile which is $1310. In my heart though I would love to raise $4800, which is enough for an entire well. To know that an entire communities life would be changed in such an important way thru this decision would be too cool and so motivating! I'm sure I can get creative with the fundraising :)

My donation page is here :o)

And I'm going to track my physical transformation with a photo every week or two. Can't wait til they start looking different! :)

Part of me thinks I should wait until I get farther along before being all public with this, but that would mean I'm afraid I'm not going to go through with it. And as long as its within my control I am.

So here we go! :o)