3 weeks down

I have completed 3 weeks of training. I wasn't sure how I was going to go about it, but figured that running 4 days a week would work best for me. I like to have plenty of rest days and love to use my weekends for gardening and other playing around so the weekends are great cross training. Wednesday is for climbing on the couch and wondering what I've gotten myself into...

This last week went really well. I ran hard for two songs at different parts of my route. Wow, it's been a while since my legs have moved quickly. Felt kind of weird, which was...kind of weird. It's like in a dream where you try to run fast, but you're running like you were in quicksand or molasses or something. I could really feel the effort in my legs on Tuesday as I was kind of stiff most of the day. I ran very slowly during my workout. I took Wednesday off to ponder nothing since I was so worn out from work. So tired that even though I got my dream camera, I left it in the box because the thought of reading the instructions was too much for me. My jog on Thursday felt pretty good. I was feeling so good that I wanted to push it and decided to hold back a quite a bit in the hopes that conserving my energy would be great for a really hard workout on Friday. It worked. I kicked butt working out with my light weights I use for shaping and ensurance, then did mini really hard pushes from one identified mailbox or street sign to another. I did that the whole 2.6 miles and I could really tell I worked so hard. But at the same time, it has been my favorite workout because it also felt so good.

I've tried one person's plan or schedule after another when training for a race, but I think I'm going to do a lot more listening to my own body as well. It certainly worked for me the last few weeks as I've eased into my training program. Until next week...

Inspirations

Working towards this latest goal is going to be tough. I'm excited and sure about this, but how many times have I said this before and not carried through to the finish when it comes to my running. I haven't raced since 1999 and I miss it. But I just can't seem to find the motivation and inspiration to keep going past the initial burst of energy and planning. So I'm going to keep this post handy so I can remind myself why I can do this...

Don't tell me why we can't, tell me how we can.
This inspires me more than I can ever explain and has helpled keep my mind turned towards the positive. It's so easy to get into the negative self talk and before you know it, you can talk yourself out of your best ideas all by yourself. You don't need anyone else to tear yourself down. So every time the going gets tough, I automatically think of this phrase and go into solve it mode or deal with it mode instead of telling myself in detail why something can't be done.

You can eat an elephant one bite at a time.
Sometimes a large goal can seem so daunting, why even start. That's when I remember that a billionaire has to save his money one dollar or day at a time, too. So start today. Take that one step you needed to do that's small and very manageable. And then keep taking those small and manageable steps. Before you know it, you'll be amazed at how far you've come. That's what I've got to do with this ultramarathon. Plan for just the month, focus on the week at hand and adapt to what's going on in reality, and enjoy each day's run. Before I know it, I'll be running 15 miles like I did about four years ago.

People I admire and whose voices and faces are in my head when the going gets tough:
Chip
Kelli
Mom
Grandma Nolan
Grandma Smith
Dad
Dee

More on these wonderful people tomorrow...

A New Week

I am freshly inspired to continue on my journey to the 50k next March. The weather was so beautiful that I had to go out and enjoy it. Nothing like being nauseated for four days to give you a new perspective on things...

I ran 2.6 miles and not once did I want to walk. I felt strong, proud, and beautiful today.

Day 4

What the hell was I thinking...

Having Goals

I guess some people are happy just cruising through life without any goals. I'm not one of them. I've found that I'm most happy when I'm working hard towards something I really want or need. Over the last few years it's been everything from decorating the house, getting moved from the old town to the new town (of course, AFTER the house was just the way I liked it), organizing the stuff in the new house, figuring out why I was so sick last year, and just figuring out how to be happy. So, essentially since 2003, I've had something to continually work on. I accomplished each of those goals, and now I want to work towards something completely different. I've tried to just relax and enjoy the freedom of not having a bunch of things to do this winter...and I can't. I feel at loose ends and downright cranky. So it's tiime to set a goal. A BIG one. And with all of the things I can't do that other people can, I want to do something that most people can't or won't do.

I love to run. It's physically, mentally, and spiritually uplifting. After I get warmed up, it's like I can just run forever. My mind and soul disconnect and sail along above my body. I solve my world's problems and just live in the moment. Towards the end of a really great run with a full-on runner's high, I'll grin deliriously with joy.

Running is also a connection with my Grandma and sister, two of the most wonderful people I've been honored to have in my life. One taught me how to run, the other inspires me to do more.

So it's with these things in mind that I chose an ultramarathon. Why an ultra? Because everyone tells me I'm crazy to consider running that far. They'll run or urge others to run a marathon, but that extra 5 miles for a 50k is just too much for them. So why not. I've been called crazy before. This time it just might be true...

A new beginning...

I've been through a harrowing many months and when I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, found out that it was daylight, and not another train. So what better to celebrate life than to pick a challenge crazy enough to fit me to a tee.

I'm sitting here watching the most beautiful sunset and I'm tingling at the thought of actually writing down my goal...

Goal = Ultramarathon.
When...2011l
Pace...to be determined.

Stay tuned...