Back To The Basics

Ok, I'll admit it. I've been slacking on my blog. I've had several ideas for posts but haven't been able to make myself do it. I don't know why. Last night I was at a softball game and someone mentioned my blog (thanks Stacey!) and it made me feel guilty, so here is a post.

As you all have heard me whine about, my running has been not so stellar this summer. I have not been able to motivate myself. One night while lying in bed pondering my running, I came up with an idea. And by the way, I'm a really fantastic runner when I'm laying in bed at night. For some reason that's when I think about running a lot. I lay there and think about how awesome it is and how great it's going to be when I get up in the morning to run. I forget about the aches and pains and sweat. I even forget about the exhaustion. Then I get up in the morning. Hmmm, maybe running isn't so fantastic?

Anyway, the idea. I don't think I ever loved running more than I did while I was doing the Bridge to 10K program. So I asked myself, why not do that again? Well, a few reasons. Number 1, did that make me a wimp? Did I really need to go back to a beginner program? What is wrong with me that I can't just suck it up and get out there and run? By the way, I still haven't found an answer to those questions. I'm just trying to ignore them. I'm great at avoidance. Number 2, will it push me enough? Number 3, it is only three days per week. And number 4, I will never run more than 6 miles at a time doing it. So, the solutions. As I said, I'm ignoring my stupid questions from number 1 as they are dumb and just my insecurity talking. Number 2, I'm the one that needs to push, not a program. Number 3, who says I need to only do it 3 days per week? The program is a guideline for me at this point, I can modify it! I can do it however many days a week I want to. I'm such a rebel aren't I? And number 4, distance. Well, again, I modified. On the 4th day I will do a longer version of the week I'm on. So week 1 is run 10 min. walk 1 min. four times. On Saturday I did it seven times instead of four. Hello longer run. It worked great!

Since starting this (a whole week and a half ago) I'm really enjoying running again. I'm looking forward to it, not dreading it. Plus, last week my kids went with me twice. They rode their bikes while I ran. It made it really fun. One day I was running with them riding behind me and I start hearing this noise that sounds like indians from an old cowboy and indian movie. Yes, they watch a lot of John Wayne movies. Don't judge. I'm a horrible parent that lets my kids watch violent television. Whatever. Anyway, I hear this noise. Then I see them pointing imaginary bows and arrows at me and shooting. It turns out they are indian braves out to kill me. I'm not sure how many times I got shot during that run. I do know I laughed a lot and ran faster! Hmmm, perhaps that is the solution for my slow running? Having people shoot at me while I run?

In other news, I did a triathlon! Ok, part of a triathlon. It was a relay. I did the running part (duh). The really cool part? We got 1st place!! It was really fun and I hope we can do it again next year.

A picture of my team:

Ummm, I'm the one in the middle. I'm assuming all of you could figure that out, but just in case.

I promise I won't wait more than two weeks to post again!

In the meantime, happy running!!!

~Mel