I'm a runner!

Ok maybe not quite, but I'm getting there. I've always thought runners were an elite group. In some ways I've been jealous of them. I always felt like I couldn't run. Besides that lovely heat rash thing I get, I would get side stitches, I couldn't breathe. . . you get the idea.

Well I've been working on it. And I think I already told you I got to 3 miles on the treadmill. But then I tried to do 1/4 mile outside during lunch at the park a few weeks ago and OMG! You'd have called the ambulance if you heard my breathing. WOW!

So I was discouraged. That didn't prevent me from signing up for the 5K but I figured I'd have to walk most of it. I pushed on and still did my treadmill workout. A trainer at the gym gave me some advice. He said I was probably trying to run too fast outside. That I was likely running slower on the treadmill. . . and I was running on it as we were talking. So I thought about that and I think he was right! I still didn't have the confidence to try running outside. . . . so I was doing the 3 miles on the treadmill and they were hard. . . harder than before I went on vacation. Wow. What was the deal. This Sunday I ran 3 miles and I felt like my body was heavier with each passing mile. I tried to stay at the same pace without pushing myself. But the last 1/2 mile or so I increased the speed and that seemed to have helped. So I think I'm finding my stride. . . I'd like to get to 3 miles in 30 mins or less, but I'm 10 mins from that, so I'm not sure that will happen any time soon.

So on Saturday I decided to run to my parents house. I wasn't exactly sure how far it was but I thought it was 2 miles or less. I started off and I had goals - run to the stop sign. . . . I knew that was about a 1/2 mile. Let's see if I can make it that far. I did! So let's get to the next house. . . I did! How about down the hill? No problem? Now the next house. . . you get the idea. Houses in the country aren't that close together - keep that in mind. LOL. My mom called me as I was running cause I had tried to get a hold of her to see if she was home. I wanted a ride back home. LOL. I answered and in between breaths I told her I was running and I'd be there in a few. The next thing I know her car comes down the road with my 3 year old nephew. . . my mom wanted to take pics of me, but the one she got was terribly blurry. But she was giving me encouragement. And so was my nephew. Poor kid - he was super excited and said "You can do it Aunt Jennie!" but his face looked so confused. Mom turned the car around and drove next to me. And little Hayden was looking out the window saying "Come on Aunt Jennie". But his expression was like "What is this lady doing? Why doesn't she just get in the car?" Ha! It was so cute and funny. On the way back to my house we clocked it and I ran 1.7 miles on THE ROAD without stopping! Woo hoo! Here was my view:

So that brings me to today. I went to the park at lunch time and I ran the 1 mile track! WOO HOO! This is the same place where I could barely do 1/4 mile a couple weeks ago. I'm going to stay at 1 mile on this track for a while for a few reasons. First of all it's my lunch break and I don't have a ton of time. Secondly my knee and back have been bothering me. So I think I'm trying too much too soon. Ya know? I can't believe I'm actually running! I love it. Ok no I don't. I love the "after" but the during sucks big time.

I'm also much more hungry. Which is a challenge. I ate like a pig yesterday and gained .8 lbs. I was at 178.8 this morning. I like to be in the 176's. Today I've been eating even worse. So it's going to be a bad day tomorrow. I do have a training session at the gym tonight so that will help. :)