I can see clearly now...

Oh- the sun. I'm thankful for the sun that I've been able to run in the past two days. Sure, I love the rain, but it's nice to dry out and feel the sunshine on my face as I run, in a tank top. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE it. And, let's face it, the sun is the only reason I was able to get in the 7.5 miles I needed to this weekend to accomplish both of my goals for this week. And to think, today I was so close to not even going out.

We had a party last night. Not a rager, but a party where we consumed a fair amount of wine with some really fun new and old friends. And, since I was so busy cleaning my kitchen and dropping off my kiddos with my mom and shopping for the food and making the food... I really didn't eat-- all day. Flashback to college... not feeling so great this morning. But after some delicious doughnuts from the shady place down the street, some eggs, and a couple of strong cups of coffee, there I was, letting my encouraging?? husband talk me into getting out there. I needed to get 4 miles in today to make 10 miles this week, but found myself saying, "I'm going to try for 3, but I'll probably be back early..." To which the reply was, start slow, see how you feel...........

And- I'm SO GLAD I DID! I started slow. Slower than felt right at first. More than once I looked down at my trusty Garmin only to realize I was going too fast, and if I was going to last I needed to slow down. So I did, and mile 1 felt great; mile 2... a little faster and still great; mile 3... what? a little faster and still great; mile 4... a little faster and AWESOME. Wow. I loved that run. I'm proud of myself for getting out there and doing it- thank you Rob. I'm proud of myself for accomplishing my 10 mile goal again this week- I kind of left it to the last day and had quite a balance to meet. I'm proud of myself for getting up and running before Rob went to work on Wednesday- let's face it, it's early and cold. I'm proud of myself for running negative splits today- I generally don't have that kind of discipline. I'm proud of myself for sticking with this running thing all month- period.

My dad and I have been talking about running, getting in shape and being in shape. He's reminded me a couple of times that exercise (any kind of exercising, not just running) is only really fun when you are in shape. And he's right... it's the getting in shape part of exercising that is rough and takes some powering through. But I'm starting to feel like I'm getting it back. It's starting to not really suck. I'm starting to not feel like my lungs might POP when I'm out on the trail. I'm starting to look forward to my runs again. I must be getting back into shape... thank goodness.

It's about to be February... I'm going to keep the 10 miles per week goal for another month. I'm going to add 2 weekday morning runs for a challenge this week. Fingers crossed for early bed times, good sleep, and pleasant weather.

The street lights were still on!

I made it out this morning; it was early. And cold. But, I made it out and the street lights were still on. They seemed to click off as I passed them, almost like they were expecting me to come turn them off... what would the city do with out me on this cold Wednesday morning??

My run was good-- I felt really good. As I was about 1 mile in, I started thinking to myself, "wow, I feel really good..." I quickly stopped myself from thinking that, as to not jinx it. But I did- and I could have easily not felt good. It was early. I just got up and went, didn't even have a cup of coffee first. I had a little too much wine last night. So many things that could have worked against my run this morning, and they didn't.

What does this mean?? Could I possibly be getting it (IT!!) back? Might I possibly have a new base, albeit a relatively short distance?? WOW! Wouldn't that be nice?!? I'm hoping that it's coming back. It's been a whole month of really trying to get out there and get back into this running thing. It's been a month of trying to get it back, for myself and for the better person I feel like I am when I get out there and run. So, we'll see... hopefully February will bring lots more miles. But before I get too far ahead of myself, I still need to run 7.5 more miles THIS week... wish me luck!

Mission accomplished!

My goal: 10 miles, 1 week... millions of tiny hurdles to getting there... done! Don't get me wrong, it's not like there is a brick wall outside my door that's been stopping me from getting out there and running (however, this week's torrential down pour has looked like a brick wall at times...), it's all the little things inside my house that makes it tough to get out there. First, there's my warm, cozy bed... with my down comforter and my snuggly husband in the mornings that keep me from getting out there before he has to go to work. Second, there are my kids. Timing the feeding and the playing and the running, sometimes something has to give-- and it can't be the feeding, and I really like playing with them... so, often, it's the running. And then there has been the little issue of weather. While I do like running in the rain, I DO NOT like running in the wind... and boy, it's been windy. So, it hasn't taken much to keep me inside. But, I did it. Monday: 3 miles; Friday: 4 miles (longest run yet!!); and Sunday: 3 miles. Woo Hoo!

I must say, I'm proud of myself. I know what 10 miles a week can do for me, mentally and physically, and I would love to keep it up. The weather is supposed to be clearing up a bit, which will allow me to put Averie back in the BOB and take her along... we both like that.

This week's goal: get up and run before Rob goes to work at least one day....

I couldn't find it.

Period. I couldn't find my stride, not today. I tried going slower, awkward. I tried going faster, nope- not there either. I just couldn't settle in this morning. In the words of my two year old, "bunner." But here are some things I did find along the way this morning:

1. There is a crazy lady living somewhere in my neighborhood-- even on mornings when the frost has wilted the weeds on the side of the road, she's wearing shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt(yes, like the cotton kind they give you when you finish a race). Now, maybe I was a tad overdressed this morning, but hey- I didn't get cold (tights, tank, fleece, wetsuit type jacket, headband, gloves). This lady had to have had her sweat turn to ice as it came out of her pores. Like I said, crazy.

2. I should start running with my camera (although that really doesn't sound all that appealing to me...). This morning as I went out and paralleled the river, there was a really pretty wisp of fog, sounds weird- I know, but that with the sun coming up and the trees in the background... beautiful. It would have been a nice picture to share with you here.

3. 7:15 is when the high school kids are heading to school. Note to self: don't run in tights, they just don't get it.

4. The realization that I'm not going to make 10 miles this week. We're heading to Tahoe tomorrow and there's no way I'm running there (I checked the forecast, a wintry mix if you will... hi sister!!) So, I'll have to be happy with the 6-7 range for this week... and I am. I'll try for 10 again next week. Anyone else up for the challenge?

What they're thinking...

My wet hat... proof that I braved the rain this morning (and my coffee cup).

So this morning when I woke up-- early for a change-- and got on my running stuff, Rob suggested I go to the gym... but nope, I saw those ominous clouds and the wet ground and knew that I might just get lucky and be able to run in the rain. And this morning... I turned left, in the rain! I made a left turn to extend my run by 1 mile where I usually turn around... the first left turn since that miserable "half" run when I first started getting back into this... woo hoo! I think, in part, I felt like I could go the extra distance because it was raining, because I love running in the rain.

I love knowing that the people who see me are in one of two camps, camp 1: the ones that think to themselves, "she's crazy... it's raining," and camp 2: the others that think to themselves, "she's hard core. I wish I were out there right now." It's those people who are in their cars, wishing they were out on the road, on a chilly, rainy morning that keep me running in the rain... because when I'm not, or can't be running, that's what I think when I see someone out, geared up to be running in the rain. I got one thumbs up from a passer by, about 2/3 of the way through, undoubtedly someone who is in camp 2.

I finished strong... pretty wet... but feeling good. Today I had a good run.

3 Generations

Friday morning Averie and I bundled up to meet my dad, "poppy," for a run in Davis. We headed to the Arboretum, a familiar loop we've run probably 50 times. It's only 3.5 miles, and in our better days we'd do the loop twice, but on a cold Friday morning three generations, two rusty runners and toddler in a BOB with a low left tire, hit the pavement again.


We started out slow, with my dad setting the pace. He's really good about that, controlling his run in the beginning so he can finish strong in the end. Long before the Garmin told us we'd hit a mile my dad volunteered to push the stroller, and I gladly accepted. The subtle hills around the man made lake on the campus of UC Davis were enough to have me huffing and puffing well before I should have been. We chatted about all kinds of stuff, like we usually do when we run. We made sure to notice all of the ducks that Averie pointed out along the way, and thank her for the occasional "go, Papa, go!" or "go, Mama, go!"


Half way around we stopped for a while to pet the horses. Averie welcomed the chance to stretch her legs and I welcomed the chance to get my heart rate under control again. 10 minutes later Averie and Papa were ready to go again, I on the other hand was COLD and feeling like I was really near my current 2 mile limit... lucky for me, I had my dad there to, once again, coach me back out on the path. The 45 degrees felt like 30, now that I was sweaty, and it was hard to get started again. But, on we went, and by the time the Garmin chimed 2 miles, we were back in stride and my dad was saying that by the time the weather hit 80 degrees, we'd feel like we could, once again, do that loop twice-- and feel good doing it.


We had a good run. My dad sprinted the last 200 yards (pushing the stroller, like he did 75% of the run) so that Averie could catch a glimpse of the passing train. I finished the run... farther than I've run since I was about 4 months pregnant. I didn't feel like I was going to die, but I was glad it was over. However, I was not sore yesterday, so let's consider it a victory on the books.


So, I have a goal now-- 10 miles a week. Not high mileage, I know, but everyone has to start somewhere. Today is Sunday, so let's say the week goes Sunday to Saturday... 6 days to do it, can it be done? We'll see.

It's not about the shoes...

Here are my shoes, cold and lonely on my front porch, right where I left them 2 days ago after my last run. I went out for an evening run, after my husband got home from work and before I made dinner. 2.5 miles, 20:54, it was a good run. A little history on me as a runner:

I learned to run from my dad. I say I learned to run, because the way he trained me, there is a right way to do it. Keep good form, stay relaxed, dress for the 20 degree rule, run negative splits (still working on that one...) and let the run come to you. For the most part I try to keep these running principles in mind every time I go out, all lest the negative splits... but I do consciously try to maintain a relaxed, shoulders back, chin up, and lose arms form. Now, I know I'm not a perfect runner, but I was taught well and think that I'm pretty good at it.

I have a Garmin watch that is both an enemy and best friend all in one... I got it for Christmas last year and found out that I am actually a pretty quick runner. But that thing can be daunting. You know exactly how bad a run is, while your on it. You know what you can do and what you are doing. So... I have mixed emotions about my Garmin, especially while I'm just trying to get back into this running game.

I have run in Adidas SuperNova, motion control shoes since I started running. I love them and will continue to buy them. Sometimes, when I like the style or color, I buy two pairs so that I don't have to risk a hideous color change during the next season. My current pair don't have many running miles on them, but have been through the pre, then pregnancy wringer. I think it's about time to see what this season's SuperNovas look like... Plus, there's no motivation like a new pair of shoes. One more note on shoes, they must be double knotted. I know, it's a little OCD, but my shoes need to be double knotted. I feel the need to say it one more time... double knotted... ha, ha!

I don't walk... unless I think I might die. I will not be that person you see on the side of the road walking, I just wont be. I will slow down, I might even turn down a side street if I really need to stop, but under very few circumstances will I walk while out on a run.

I don't like running at dinner time. For me, smelling all those bbqs, garlic wafting from an open window, and knowing that I'm out while others are eating, it is no fun at all. My prime time to run is 8 am, after I've had a good night sleep, been able to wake up, have a cup of coffee, and then get my shoes on. It's not too cold and it's not too hot, it's just a nice time to run. Plus, I like to say good morning to people while I'm running.

I run so that I can eat. I don't diet-- the thought of it makes me extremely grumpy, just ask those I might take it out on. Now, in extreme situations, I might cut out dessert-- and maybe wine, maybe-- for a while if I need to drop a couple of pounds, but in general, I like that I run enough to be able to eat delicious food. So, that requires a minimum mileage, and I'm not there yet. (However, still nursing, so have a little cushion.)

Anyway, that's a little about me, the runner. I hope to get out there again tomorrow... weather and life permitting, I will.

12 Weeks...

It's been 12 weeks since my planned c-section... oh yeah, that little surgery where they basically cut you in half to remove your child. I chose it, after having an unplanned c-section with my first baby, and going through all those hours of labor, why not plan it the second time around? It really does make planning your week so much easier, Tuesday- mop the floor; Wednesday- finish the laundry and pack; Thursday- have the baby... but, boy... that whole major surgery thing really puts a damper on running. So here, I think I'll chronicle my attempt to break into running again.

So far, I've been on... maybe 7 1/2 runs. That 1/2 run was my first and only attempt to run 3 miles... needless to say, not a success. So, I've kept the rest to 2.5 or less... at this point a bit nervous to try to break out of this comfort zone. Maybe next week? We'll see.

The reason I run? Well, there are a few--
1. The quiet. When I started running I was in college, living with 11 other girls. Not only did I need to lose that freshman 15 (ok...25), but I needed to have time to actually think. To be out, by myself, listening to my feet hitting the street, soft and rhythmic. I don't run with music. No i-pod to get lost in, only my thoughts. Now, it's a different quiet I seek. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband, my kids, my home... but sometimes it just seems so chaotic. I need to get out, by myself, where it's quiet again, and I can think.
2. After I run, for the rest of the day I feel like I did something good, for me... and for my family. Even if it's not until the evening, a run makes the day complete. I did it, it's done, and I can go another 24, or even 48, hours and feel like I accomplished it. I've done something good for my body... and the better I feel about my body, the happier I feel, and therefore I'm a better wife and mom.
3. It's still, for me, the best way for me to get into (or back into) shape. I've tried so many things, from spin class to work out tapes, and running is tried and true. It just works for me and it's time for me to get back into it.

At this point it's not about the weight. I still do have 10 pounds to lose, but I don't miss my jeans being lose as much as I miss being able to go out and run 5 miles without getting out of breath, without feeling like my heart might pound out of my chest, without wanting to stop to walk half way through. So here I go, back out on the road. Sometimes it will be just me, back into the peace and quiet of running; sometimes it will be me and the stroller, doing something good for my peace of mind, my body... and my family.