WE DID IT!!!

You know those things you always said you'd never do, because it doesn't sound like fun, you hate doing it, and you think you are incapable?

Running a race is one of those things for me. People always told me that it got easier after the first couple of miles. That seemed hard to believe when running only one mile seemed miserable beyond belief. I was never a runner growing up, and I went through phases throughout college and after where I would get into running, but at best I could run a couple of miles at a time for short periods of time, until I lost interest again. I always thought I would be pretty proud of myself if I ever made it to a race, but deep down, wasn't sure I could ever do it.

Luckily, my friend Bree inspired me by running her first 5K a few months ago. I figured if she could run her first 5K after having a baby, so could I. So we trained together and today... I did it! I accomplished one of my life goals, one that quite frankly I wasn't 100% positive, even this morning that I could successfully pull off, but I did it! And at least for the moment, I feel so good I want to go out and run a marathon!

I'm sure I'll feel differently tomorrow.

Most people I know could go out and run a 5K tomorrow without even training, but for me this took a lot of hard work, and I am SO glad I did it. Now that I know I CAN be a runner, I am going to keep setting goals. Bree and I are running another 5K in December, and then I think my next goal will be a sprint tri, and then after that a 10K. What are your fitness goals for 2012???

So here are a few pictures from, what feels like to me, a huge triumph. Side note, the clock says 51 minutes, but that was the clock that started with the 10K departure 17 minutes before us. Our time was 34 minutes and 30 seconds.

Pictured here with our inspirations. :)

Running in circles..

 How many of you ever feel like you somehow accomplish motivating yourself to go for a run and spend the entire workout feeling as if someone put lead in your shoes?

That was me today.

If I could go back and change one thing about my growing up (and it's pretty much the ONLY thing I would change) I would have participated in more athletic opportunities. I feel strongly about running and staying in shape, but I wish I would have established those habits younger. Since becoming an adult, I have gone through several phases of athletic ups and downs. Before I got pregnant, I was running a couple of miles a day and feeling pretty good about it. I vowed that once I became pregnant, I would continue to run through my entire pregnancy, so that recovering from pregnancy would be a piece of cake.

That lasted two weeks. Morning sickness and running... yeah right.

So now I am back in the saddle and training for my first 5K. (November 12th, 2011) I'm sure to many of you, that sounds incredibly easy, but I will be honest, I have never actually felt as though I was capable of running one. This is a big deal for me. For anyone interested in training for a 5K, this is a workout schedule I have found very helpful:

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Today I finished week 4!

Here is the link to the 5K my friend Bree and I will be running in November. Anyone in the area (or anyone who wants to come visit the area :)) is welcome to join us on 11/12!
http://pinnaclesecurity.com/securinghope5k.php

I am still learning all the strategies I can to successful running, but the two things I HAVE learned are these:

1. Invest in good shoes. I got mine here:
http://www.runnerssoulspokane.com/
They have made a world of difference for me!

2. Pace yourself. I often times use a treadmill, at least when I am starting out because I have found I am horrible at pacing myself. I seem to keep increasing speed, which only leads to a (very) fast burnout.

Tell me your suggestions on successful workouts. What does your workout routine consist of? How many times a week do you try to exercise? What alternatives to running do you enjoy? What successful ways have you found to pace yourself better? How do you find motivation on those inevitable days of lead feet? What other tips do you have for making running/exercising easier and more enjoyable?

I am excited to hear your suggestions!