Ying and Yang

If Day 1 of my half training was the light, then Day 2 was most definitely the dark.

Day 1 was glorious.  I had a solid pace just over 11 minutes per mile, the park and weather were gorgeous, and at the end of three miles I felt awesome. I was feeling so energized that I came home and immediately got ready to go get all my supplies for my inspiration board.

I am super happy with how it turned out and have proudly displayed it where I can't miss it!  On the left is my twelve week training plan.  On the bottom right are my new leg/core and arm workouts that I will be starting to help tone and strengthen so I can become a better runner, but also more happy with the way my legs and arms look. Using pushpins, I have attached some motivational running quotes that I can change out when I feel I need some new words of inspiration.  Finally, below the board is my weekly goal list.  The yellow and purple squares are sticky notes so that they are interchangeable and so that I can keep them in my personal smash book (journal) to chronicle my progress.

With the highs, come the lows, and today was more of a low.  I woke up this morning with a slightly upset stomach and feeling really tired.  I knew today's 4 mile run for Day 2 was going to be a challenge in the first place because I couldn't tell you the last time I have run three days in a row, so the way I was feeling did not have me pumped.  Despite this, I got up, had some toast with Nutella, and got ready for my run.  As I stepped outside, I groaned on the inside; last night's downpour had made it incredibly humid.  

Now a week or so ago, I would have turned around and gone back inside, telling myself I would go run later in the evening when it would have hopefully cooled down and the humidity would have dissipated. Today I didn't though.  I got in my car and headed off to the park despite all these things that I have used as excuses not long ago.

My run was not pleasant. I slowed down to combat how I was feeling and the weather, but it wasn't helping.  On top of this, they were mowing at the park which had my nose running like a faucet in no time - BUT I PLUGGED AHEAD.  I didn't make it my whole 4 miles running, but combined running and walking I finished 3.5 miles, and rather than being disappointed in everything that seemed to go wrong with Day 2, I'm choosing to focus on what I did accomplish.  Today I got up and moving instead of letting challenges stop me in my tracks, which given how I have been letting challenges stop me lately, that's something I know I should take pride in.

And if that can't make me smile, then this picture and my husband's reaction to my explanation will:

Yes, that's bird poop on my shirt.

Keep calm and run on,

Sarah

Shifting gears and refocusing

Just over a year ago, in the end of May 2012, I began running using a free Couch to 5K app on my phone.  I'd never liked running before, despite having run track in 7th-9th grades; however, as I started the program, something was different this time.  Not only did I like it, I loved it!  And so my journey began...

By August of last year, after running my first 5K race, I was hooked on races and running. I wanted to do more, and more I did! By December, I had run not only SEVEN 5K races, but also completed my first five mile race, the Cleveland Turkey Trot.  My race buddy, Erica, and I had also decided we wanted to set our sights on a new challenge: a 10K.  After some research, we settled on completing the 10K portion of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon in May 2013.  We figured that would get us through fall, winter, and give us time to get back on track with our training in the spring if need be.  At the time, I swore that the 10K was it - that was the longest race I would complete.

But it wouldn't be. In the fall, as I began to be able to easily run 5-6 miles, I began to seriously think about completing a half marathon.  By spring, I had made a decision and registered: I would run in the Akron Half Marathon in September 2013.

Summer is now here and I will be the first to admit that this spring and early summer, I have been slacking with my running.  In April and May, I had become incredibly busy at work and was not committing the needed time to my running.  Then summer came and I became discouraged by my pace, which was suddenly much slower than I wanted it to be.  However, thanks to the support and encouragement of my friends, I am refocusing.

Which is good, since that first half marathon is a mere TWELVE WEEKS away! (Eek!)

My purpose here is to chronicle my running journey over these next twelve weeks in hopes to keep myself focused and motivated - and let's be honest here, to be able to process my frustrations and challenges in a more healthy way.  I have also found in the past year that sharing my own personal experiences with trying to become more healthy can inspire and motivate others.  It has become the cherry on my metaphorical sundae; it's so amazing to know that all while I am fighting this battle for myself, I can also help others along their own path.

Please feel free to share feedback or your own stories! I would love to hear from you :)

Keep calm and run on,
Sarah