Runners

I recently posted on I <3 to Run's Facebook page. "I started running at well over 200lbs and there is no better feeling than crossing that finish line. Size doesn't matter and I have never met a runner that judged me by my size or how slow I am. Every runner I have met has been inspiring and helpful. "
That is what I wrote under a pic of another large lady loving running. She is a tri-athlete and she rocks!

I stand by what I wrote. I love not only running, but I love runners!  Runners are amazing people and make amazing friends. Runners are the people that got out on the track with me and jogged circles around me talking to me, keeping me company, and being true friends. Runners have offered to travel to come run with me even though my pace was 12 minute mile and theirs was a 6!  Runners have not judged me nor made me feel like I didn't belong. Runners are encouraging and they are the people at the finish line of every race cheering for my 40 minute 5K.  Runners are my favorite people. So if you are out there thinking you are too big, go talk to a runner. I'm sure they'll offer to join you on a run at your pace.  You will make a new friend and love your new life.

Trail Blazing!

Oh my goodness. I am in love. Trail running is heaven. Running over rocks and roots is like flying. I had the most amazing run today. I really felt alive and free and airborne.
This I must do again. I must find some trails near me so that I can feel this lift again and again.
I fear I have found a new addiction.
Trails. Love. Run.

Every single day

I think about running daily. There is not a day that goes by that running isn't on my mind. On days I don't run I think about how I'm going to make up for missing a run or how the rest day will help me run better tomorrow. On days I do run I think about how hard I pushed and how far I ran and how I can do more and better and on and on.
Running is a major part of my day.
I love running.

Gear

My newest gear matches my kicks!  Yay!  I love matching my workout clothes. It wasn't even on purpose.
Oh.  You want to know about my new device? 

Well, it is a Polar FT60 heart rate monitor. It includes neat stuff that calculates calories burned and sets goals for you based on what you want to do. I set it for weightloss and it will tell me the targets I need to reach to accomplish my goal. It is also supposed to change targets based on your activity. Sounds good. I hope it does all that and helps me on my way to a slimmer me.

Let's hear it for Interval Training!

Oh my wow!
I had the best interval training ever yesterday!

I restarted the C25K training that I used to begin this journey.  It's amazing that back in February when I started I was walking at a 3.5mph pace and "running" at a 4.0 mph pace.  Yesterday, I walked at a 4.2 and ran at a 6.6mph pace!  HOLY RUNNING!!!  I RAN.  It was a for real, no doubt about it RUN.  I felt so good stepping off of that machine.  Granted, I only ran that pace for one minute at a time.  That's just it though.  I started out doing the same training at such a different place.  If I could go from there to here, there's no telling how far I can get in the next 6 months.

Today was just a slow walk to get the heart moving and burn some calories.  I was so sore from yesterday's intervals I couldn't do anything else.  Tomorrow is Week 1 Day 2 of interval training.  I hope to keep that 6.6mph pace and complete my September 5K in under 32 minutes!

The Longest Mile

As I was running today I had to stop at least 5 times to use the bathroom. I thought "this is the worst run of my life".  Then, I laughed out loud.  How can any run be the worst of my life when I spent the majority of my life barely walking? 
Any run I do is a great run because I am off the couch and I am moving. I am running and that alone makes it a great run.
Have you had a great run today?  If you ran, the answer is YES.
Get out there and have a great one for all those who are still on the couch!

That's what I'm talking about!

Tunnel to the Towers 5K

Do this run.

http://t2trun.org//campaign/display/profile.do?campaignId=3530

I'm doing it in honor of my uncle:

Daniel O'Callaghan

Hills and drills

I have almost 2 months to get my run time down.  I started doing hills yesterday.
Big problem here people.
I get bored after 15 minutes.  This is NOT cool.  I'm hoping it's just treadmill syndrome and I'll be able to run longer when I can finally get outside again.  Ahh, to be outside.  :-)  That's something I really look forward to doing.
I need a double jogger to get out with the kids.  Otherwise, my outside runs will have to wait until school starts again.  I can always do a half hour or so on the track after school is over.  I hope that helps.
I'm such a newbie when it comes to running.  I really don't know what I'm doing.  I have to do something to change things up and improve my time.  My time is sucktastic (well, compared to what I want it to be!) and I don't know how to keep it going.

But, here's some inspiration for you (and me!):