Tag: running

Self acceptance

I sometimes like to read my horoscope. (Hi! I’m a Pisces!) And this was today’s gem:

“Today offers a good opportunity to rein in your desire to look for satisfaction elsewhere. Try aiming to be satisfied with your own body. This could take work in many areas of your life, not just diet and exercise. But acceptance of your own body is a lifelong issue, and you will serve yourself well if you can open up to what you truly feel about it.”

Whoa. Inspiration can be found in some unexpected places.

I’ve been thinking about this for awhile. I’ve been at my goal weight (plus or minus a few pounds) for about 15 months. But still, I haven’t been satisfied when I look in the mirror. I don’t always see what my body can do for me. I see its shortcomings, its failures. Where I need to change it.

Last Saturday after my Sandy Hook Half with Sarah I was about to get in the shower. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I stopped and really looked. Instead of seeing everything that was wrong with my body, I saw it for what it was and is: this amazing thing that lets me run (3 half marathons and 1 full marathon and counting!) bike, and walk. Its strong. I saw the flush from exertion, the salt and sweat matted to my skin and hair. I saw something that isn’t there all the time. Its a spark or sparkle in my eyes, the pure joy of being alive and doing something I love. I realized that this body may not be the defintion of conventional beauty and bears the scars (read: stretch marks) from my past life, but to me its much better than beautiful; its perfect.

Isn’t it amazing what running can do?

Happy Friday friends!

Sandy Hook Memorial Half Marathon

Sarah and I did this one together. Half Marathon #3 for me!

I’m pretty sure without her I would have quit running around 6 miles. I haven’t run outside for weeks and I certainly felt it today! We picked the PERFECT day for an outside half marathon. Sunny, 55 degrees, but crazy windy! We ran into the wind for the first half of the race, then had it at our backs when we turned around. We ran a lot and walked when we needed. But we knew we were running for a reason.

This wasn’t my fastest half ever, but not my worst either. Its right there in the middle. We saw so many people out on the trails taking advantage of the gorgeous weather.

An arctic cold front is moving in tonight. Temps are supposed to drop to 15-18 degrees for the high tomorrow. 

That sucks. But oh well, this is Nebraska. If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes and it will change! 

Now, I’m heading off for an hour long Swedish Massage! I’m so excited! 

Have a great weekend friends!

Perfect weather for Half Marathon #3! Sarah (runningmysassoff) and I are running the Sandy Hook Memorial Half Marathon together today. The race isn’t timed but we’re doing this together, to honor all those lives lost last month in Newtown. What an amazing cause and reason to run.

Have a great Saturday friends!

You guys! ! I just ran 4 Miles in about the same time it took me to run my very first 5k! I didn’t want to get up, in fact I had reset my alarm and was going to run after work. But then my friend who is a night owl texted me at 5:30am, and told me he was going to bed, and said good morning to me. (crazy guy, i know!) And so I was awake.

First mile: 9:22, 2nd: 8:49, 3rd: 8:20, 4th: 8:00. Total time: 34:31 Yeah baby!

Have a great day friends!

Edit: I just looked, I ran my first 5k in 39:15. So this time Blows that one out of the water!!! Yeesss!!!!

Songza

One other thing. I may be late to this party, but have you guys ever heard of the App Songza? Its a different way to stream music on your phone or computer. And its free!!

You tell it what you are doing and then you can pick the type of music you want to listen to. I told it i was working out, and that i wanted to listen to upbeat pop hits. It introduced me to a bunch of different songs. It also has an option in the afternoons for music for “quitting your job”.  It doesn’t have audio ads, but you can only skip so many songs each hour. I love it!

Enjoy! Have a great Saturday everyone!

Notes from the long run

I ran long this morning. 15k or 9.3 miles to be exact. And yes, I did it ALL on the treadmill. I know you all think I’m insane, but I really do like running on the treadmill! Don’t get  wrong, I love running outside, but I also welcome the break that the treadmill gives me. I don’t have to fight the elements or carry my stuff. And my treadmill is located about 15 feet from my bed! It’s also 20 Degrees outside and I’m not good about running in the cold. I’m not a fan. And if I have a treadmill, I figure I might as well use it. 

I started Ab Ripper X from P90X this week. I don’t have a lot of core strength and want to improve on that before the Lincoln Half Marathon this May. Only 2 days of doing the video and my abs are killing me. But in a good way. I haven’t been sore in a long time, and its nice to feel that way again! 

I’m going to see Gangster Squad and having dinner with a friend tonight. It’s my turn to pick the movie and his turn to pay, so I’m a happy girl! I have a gift card for Buffalo Wild Wings that’s at least worth $10 so that’s where we’re going to eat. I’m excited. This guy and I go movies and dinner together all the time, but it’s purely platonic. I say we’re dating without any of the “good stuff!” I date other guys for that! 🙂

Have a great weekend friends!

I think I really like speed training! This run was great, and it was a sub 28 minute 5k! (this was with a .20 warmup and a little more because I wasn’t paying attention!) First mile: 9:22/ mile. Second mile: 8:49/mile. Last 1.1, (and then some! ) 8:20/mile. My 5k time was 27:24! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could run that fast! Now I’m off to shower and then it’s girls night at my friends house! She’s making Pakistani food and I’m bringing the movie (Pitch Perfect, great flick! ) and the fro-yo! Have a great weekend friends!