Running Report: Back on Track

Well it's official.  I have to start running and can't afford to lose anymore time.  Let's face it-- I've paid a total of $240 for the upcoming relays and races I'm running in.  I REALLY can't afford to just toss out that money and then not do my part in training and getting back in shape.

Future goal dates:

April 9-- 5k or 10k to benefit The Boys & Girls Club  
May 14-- Red Rock MOAB! 6 person relay  (First year for the race)  Red Rock Relay website
June 17-18-- Ragnar Wasatch Back (Logan to Park City), 12 person relay  Ragnar Wasatch Back website
September 9-10-- Red Rock St. George, 12 person relay 


Right now I don't have any plans for another half-marathon this year, but that may change over the summer.  It's a heavy goal for me and a big accomplishment, but I want to make sure I'm doing strength training and more cross-training to get my legs in shape and reduce any knee pains and issues that I started to feel this past fall.  Basically, I just want to be smarter about things and not run my bones into the ground.

So!  How did I get back in the running groove?  My job, of course!  We have an awesome board member for the Boys & Girls Club (a cool lady in her 30's named Sam) and she volunteered to start a "running club" with the teens to get them ready for a 5k in April.  So every Wednesday we'll run as a group and increase our mileage weekly to work the teens up to 3.1 miles.  Precious!  So even though I'd been sick this week, I brought my stuff to work, ready to transform into my running character that evening.  There were 3 girls who were tough enough to take on the challenge.  And I did wear my bandanna and told the teens I had to be gangsta to keep the hair and sweat out of my face.

We ran a simple mile on a route I'd mapped out in the neighborhood around the Club, and it was probably the easiest mile I've ever run!  Especially after taking so much time "off" lately, I thought I would die.  But we trotted along at a comfortable pace... I called out random times along the way, "6 minutes and 31 seconds... good job ladies! Keep it up!" and suddenly we were rounding the bend to finish off the mile.  It was great! I'm actually surprised 2 of the girls stuck it out, with their flat-soled Keds and Converse which aren't comfortable at all to begin with.  Bless their hearts. As we were stretching on the front lawn of the Club, we saw other staff members and kids watching and pointing from the window-- we felt cool! :)  I'm hoping this little running club grows as other teens start to see the fun we're having.  Eventually we'll start driving places to go do our runs-- like the river parkway trail, or running trails closer to the mountain, or Sugar House park, etc.  It will be lovely.  And this is part of my job. Amen!

I still had my running attire on when I came home from work that night, so I decided to run another 15 minutes just around the neighborhood.  I actually like running at night-- despite the sometimes creepiness to it all-- but I stay in well-lit areas and run in the middle of the road (when cars aren't around) so weirdos can't jump out of the bushes or anything.  And the night air is refreshing and delightful.  However-- I usually do most of my runs in the morning, just so you all don't get freaked out and feel like you need to warn me of the dangers of being out at night.  I know, I know.  It's like texting and driving.  I'm improving and being more careful. :)

This morning I got up and went running as planned.  I love to color coordinate my outfits, which is practically half of my motivation to get out the door.  Today I wore black capri running pants with a green stripe down the sides.  I wore a long-sleeved black "sweat absorbing" shirt with a green running shirt on top.  My bandanna of choice was blue & green tie-dye (thank you Mom) and of course my silver and pink Saucony's.  Too bad the shoes didn't match. I'm sure people who drive by me probably think I look like some maniac girl with short hair sticking up all over and bright colors everywhere... but it all makes me happy and I don't care. I've chosen not to run with my iPod the past 2 days because sometimes I prefer the peace of running outside and not having to fiddle with anything.  But I do enjoy my "running genre music" and look forward to busting those songs out soon.

I also played basketball tonight (another disaster as far as my skills go)... so I considered it a good hour of sprinting up and down the court with a few pauses here and there.  Good exercise.  *ahem*

I took a risk and did maybe 15 lunges on each leg today.  I just want to see the level of soreness that may appear tomorrow.  I have another full Saturday of skiing with the teens and don't want to overdo it before then.  If tomorrow comes and I'm fine, then I know that 15 lunges are okay and I won't be limping for 5 days like last time.  Like I said before-- I just need to be smart about things and not kill myself over dumb things.

Last year I started running in January/February... and by October I'd lost 20-25 lbs.  The great thing is all I did was run.  I never did crunches or push-ups or squats or any other random things. I didn't cross-train or eat crazy healthy.  I just ran because I liked it and was excited to see the pounds shed along the way.  But this year I want to work-out better all around. I want to run when I should run.  I know I need to do strength training exercises for my legs, arms, abs, etc. to keep my body healthy and fit in all areas!  And I need to take advantage of cross-training opportunities:  I love roller blading!  I love biking!  I love sports.  I need to allow myself to take the time to do those things too and not do running ALL the time.  I'm hoping this will be a good year of growth and change.  Oh, and then there's eating.  The more consistent I am with exercising... the better my eating habits are.  Diets are no good for me.  I end up splurging way too much.  But if I stay within the realm of the meals I know that I like (that aren't complete junk)... I'm on a good path.

At this point I have gained 10 lbs back since my lowest weight in the fall... and I'd like to get back down to that magical number again.  It's my secret number.  And I know weight isn't a huge deal, but it's something to measure and if clothes fit better along the way... it's a good thing to keep me motivated.

Well this has certainly been one jumble of a rambling session!  Thank you for coming along for the ride. :)  Stayed tuned until next time!