Momma Needs a New Pair of Shoes...

I don't know where the time has gone.  It's been a month since my last post.  I have to do better.  So let's see... what's been happening since my last post?  Not much!  I wish I can say my running has gotten better, I'm running farther and faster, but that would be a lie.  It's still a struggle!

One thing I had to do was get a new pair of shoes.  I had my stride checked and I'm a neutral runner so any type of running shoe would do.  I like a lot of cushion.  I've ran in Nike Vomeros in the past (back when I ran and liked it) but I wanted to try something different.  I went to the Nike Outlet and tried on a  few pair.  I put them on and ran around the store (probably looked like an idiot) before boiling it down to two pairs:

LunarGlide + 5 

I really loved these.  They were very comfortable and had a nice amount of cushion.  Not the running on clouds feeling that I was looking for but good enough.

FlyKnit Lunar2

I liked these also.  Liked... not loved.  The cushion was exactly what I was looking for but seriously, they weren't cute on.  Yes, that was a factor!


So after going back and forth for at least 20 minutes, I decided to go home and sleep on it.  On my way out of the store, I saw a pair of Vomeros.  Not only was it the shoe that I know and trust, they were on sale for $39.  I got my last pair of Vomeros on SALE for $99 so $39 was a steal.  Needless to say,  these are the shoes I purchased:

I have to say I absolutely love them! The price helps!!! I was excited to put them to the test... so far so good.

I'm curious to know, what are you running in?

Week One Wrap Up

So I have my first week of training under my belt.  Like I mentioned previously, I am using Jeff Galloway's Half Marathon Training Program for Beginners.  It only calls for three days of training, which for me, is perfect.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I run for 30 minutes and Saturdays are for long runs. 

Let's look at how week one went:

Tuesday: I was excited to get started.  After warming up, the program calls for a run-walk strategy (run 10 seconds/walk 50 for 5 or more intervals, then increasing to 15 second run/walk 45 seconds for 5 repetitions. Then taking a 2-3 minute walk break. After that, 20/40 for 5 minutes and walking 2 minutes).  I knew I could run AT LEAST two minutes without stopping (!!!) so I ran for 2 minutes and walked for 30 seconds for 5 intervals and then increased my run to three minutes and walked for 30 seconds for 5 intervals.  Before I knew it, the 30 minutes were up!  Not only did the 30 second walks give me a chance to catch my breath, but each time I started running again, my breathing was steadier.

Thursday: I was so tired.  I didn't sleep well at all the night before.  When my alarm went off, I was  annoyed.  Why did I sign up for this stupid half marathon?  Any way, the training, after the warm-up, said to time myself for two miles, using the run-walk-run strategy.  I used the same strategy as Tuesday and ran/walked a 12:24 minute mile.  Okay... not too bad!

Saturday just called for a two mile run.  I didn't use the run-walk-run strategy, I just tried to run.  Let me just say, it was so humid outside.  It was the worst.  I was not excited at all for this run.  It took me a while to get my breathing under control.  The entire run, all I wanted was for it to be over.  I completed the two miles with a 12:11 minute mile.

A few observations about my first week of training:  I had to contact my trainer for a nutrition plan because I do not know how to fuel myself for running.  I am looking forward to this week (week 2) because I feel better prepared.  I feel like my nutrition plan will help tremendously... not only for the runs but for my overall energy level.  The first day of training, I was exhausted all day! 

I definitely need to incorporate some stretching/yoga because I was stiff the next morning.  My hips hurt so bad.

I need new running shoes (with cushion).

I need to clip my toe nails! (Pretty self explanatory). 

One week down... 20 to go!

The Journey Begins...

Tomorrow is the official start date of my half marathon training.  This is definitely the most challenging thing I've ever done.  I know it's not going to be easy but nothing worth it ever is.  I know there are going to be days when I want to sleep in.  I know there are going to be days when I'll have to run in the rain.  I know there will be days when I'll be sore. I know there will be days when I want to give up and quit.  I know that I will be tested... mentally and physically.  I know it will be a test of my faith. 

But what I also know is that I will come out on the other side stronger than I thought I was.

"Success is not measured by the heights one attains, but by the obstacles one overcomes in its attainment." -Booker T. Washington

Running is NOT like riding a bike!

I used to run a lot, though I would never consider myself a "runner." However, when I moved to Florida, that changed.  At first, I thought it was going to be great; beautiful weather, wide sidewalks, and pretty scenery.  When I run, I rarely listen to music.  I like to clear my head and focus on the run.  But who can focus when you're busy running through spider webs, dodging frogs and rabbits and jumping over lizards? And I'm not talking a few lizards...  What used to clear my mind, became stressful.  The thought of going for a run gave me anxiety.  I couldn't take it.   I decided to start running indoors, on the treadmill.  That didn't last long.  I couldn't stand running and not getting anywhere... looking at the same thing (and same people) mile after mile.  Okay, I'll try this outdoor thing one more time.  I decided to run through a different neighborhood. Things were going great... I was enjoying my run That was until I turned the corner and was standing face-to-face with two cranes!  I had never seen a birds, outside of the zoo, that big.  I give up. My running days are over.

Fast forward... I registered for Disney's Princess Half Marathon, which means I have to run... outdoors.  I printed out my training program (I'm using Jeff Galloway's 1/2 marathon training program for beginners) and even though it doesn't start until Tuesday, September 30th, I decided to go for a run this morning to see what I was working with.  Let me tell you... It wasn't pretty! Running is not like riding a bike.  You can't just hop on (or get out) and go. 

On the training program, the first Saturday run is a two mile run, so that's what I decided to do.
Those were the longest two miles ever!  I new I was in trouble within the first few minute but I told myself to run at least one mile before stopping.  Well what do you know?  My shoe lace came untied about 1/2 of a mile in. Thank you Jesus! I had a reason to stop.  I took my time tying my shoe and continued running.  Once I got to one mile, I thought to myself,  'That was only one mile. I'll still have twelve of these to go... What the hell was I thinking signing up for a half marathon?' After "stopping to tie my shoe" a few more times, I finally completed my run.  Did I mention it was only TWO miles?  How am I going to run 13.1 miles when two almost killed me?   Let's just say I have my work cut out for me!

It's Now or Never...

For the past few years, I have been wanting to run the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon.  I figured it would be the perfect half marathon for a first timer.  Things always came up, which prevented me from participating in it.  So this year, I was determined to register.

On July 15th, at noon, the registration opened.  I logged on to register and then I saw the price... um... let me think about it.   I logged on two hours later and the race was 85% full... YES, TWO HOURS LATER.  So I called my husband to see what I should do (We had JUST started Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and it was NOT in the budget!!).

"How much is it?" He asked.

"Um... a hundred and something," I answered.  Silence... "I'll put it back when my commission check comes," I said before he could think too long about it. "Plus, it's already 85% full and registration just opened two hours ago.  If I wait too long, it will be sold out... It's now or never."

"Go for it!" He said... And that's what I did.

I decided to document my experience - from start to finish.  So this is my journey.