What a Wonderful World!

Wednesday afternoon was a great run!  I'm actually looking forward to my runs.  The individual run itself is fine, but it's knowing that each tough little run gets me a little closer to my goal of becoming "a runner"!

One thing I have found to be a huge help with my running is to have the right music!  Having great music pounding in my ears has been a great motivater.  I'm no longer focusing on the sound of my wheezing lungs and thighs rubbing together. 

What makes good running music?  It's not always what I would assume.  I love the gyrating grunts and yips of Prince, but running to his sexual howls was awkward.  So far I have found Godley and Creme, History Mix Vol. 1 to be the BEST music for keeping me on my C game.  (I'm still aspiring to a B and A game).

I plan to make a music folder for running tunes that keep me motivated!  Any suggestions, please send them along!

Another great motivator is having my husband Steve with me.  Knowing someone is watching me keeps me honest and I push myself a little harder. 

And finally, keeping my eyes out for interesting spottings is super fun.  I plan to post pictures of the most interesting, funny, etc... things on see on my runs.  Lets start with Cute!



This momma duck was proudly paddling the canal and keeping a watchful eye on her new ducklings!  There were at least nine babies with her, and just about as cute as can be!  What a wonderful world!

Let's talk Underwear!

I missed my team run yesterday morning.  I stayed up too late the night before and was not able to get myself up in time for my commitment.  I let the team down, and myself down and I had a run to make up for. 

This morning Steve and I got dressed and headed out for my make-up run. I wore my professionally selected Brooks running shoes, my cotton-free running socks, my supportive, breathable running bra, and wicking breathable pants and shirt.  But one thought kept creeping into my mind.  Ummm, I'm guessing they make runner's underwear, and maybe I should invest in some! 

All you experienced runner's out there, what's a girl to do?  I probably just have to check Wasatch Running or another experienced running outlet.  I have to wonder, do they have me try a pair on, then watch how my cheeks rub together and make their suggestions?  I did get the perfect shoes this way, and I'll settle for nothing but the best undies!  

Seriously, anyone have a brand they recommend?

Also my make up run was 2.81 miles in 43:52 minutes!  This is my best time yet, and had Steve, my husband, joining me, which helped a lot with my motivation!

Cotton is Rotten!

One of the first lessons I learned as a member of TNT is 'Cotton is Rotten!'  No cotton shorts. No cotton shirts. And by all means no cotton socks!  Cotton becomes wet and stays wet, and nothing spells b-l-i-s-t-e-r faster than soggy socks!
These are my new toe socks I bought at Wasatch Running!  I bought a couple different of styles of socks because one very important aspect of running is...the feet need to be as comfortable as possible!  And while we're just beginning our training, it is a perfect time to start experimenting with what works for us and what doesn't!  Like most of you, I have 5 little piggies on each foot.  On both my feet, the "little piggy that had none" tends to bend under the "little piggy that had roast beef" (although mine had a soy substitute), and the rubbing of the two piggies can cause some blistering.  I just tried them out and they felt great!  My piggies didn't rub together, and the individually wrapped toes didn't bother me at all, as I feared they might. They were super comfortable. 

If you have piggies that need to be tamed, try a pair of these socks and see if they don't help you too.  Now all my piggies can go "Weeeeee, all the way home!"

WHY?!?!

Since announcing my decision to join Team In Training and run a half marathon one resounding question I've heard is:
     "Why in the world are you doing this? Have you lost your mind?"

Let me assure you that most of my mind is still intact.  I've had no recent blows to the head.  There are a lot of reasons why I'm doing this.  I recently got a new tattoo on my foot.  A sweet little sea turtle emerging from his shell.  He's awesome. Sheldon. I wanted a sea turtle and wracked my brain about what position he should be in.  When it hit me, he should be hatching from his leathery shell.  I loved the idea of a "new beginning".  The whole world lay in front of Sheldon, and I know he's going to do fabulous things.  Plus lets face it, baby sea turtles are darn cute!

I wanted to incorporate some of the new beginnings into my own life.  I'd heard about Team In Training before but when I heard about the commitment to train and fund-raise I quickly poo poo'd the idea..."whoa, that is not ME! I'm not a runner, or an athlete.  I'm a couch potato! And I don't have the nerve to fund-raise the kind of money TNT requires!" 

Then I looked down at Sheldon. I swear he looked back at me with a smirk saying "New beginnings eh? Put up or shut up!"  So I decided to change the way I think of myself.  Now I know what you may be thinking.

"She's taking advice from her foot! Poor Steve, how is he managing to care for her." 

I've listened to my heart, my head, my gut and by golly, when the left foot sends you a message, don't be afraid to listen!  I've changed the way I'm thinking of myself. I can make a positive change for my health. I can be an athlete. I can run.  And I can even fund-raise!  So far I've been amazed at how easy the commitment has been to keep.  I'm working hard to follow my training calendar.  I've been amazed at the generosity of my family and friends.  I've received an outpouring of donations and support and am grateful for it all.  I even received some great advice from a long time friend. "You know your're going to have to train for that."  I thank you for all the encouragement, donations, cheerleading, and even for stating the obvious....I will train for that.

I'm excited because I think the next few months will be a great test for me.  I'm hoping to take the good, bad, and ugly to become a better me.  Sheldon and have are off to a great start!

"20 minutes-slightly faster run"

My training and commitment is still going strong, though my daily blogs have lagged. Never fear, I think I'm starting to get a small handle on all this technical stuff.  I'd love you to donate, check out my fund-raising progress or just offer me a word of support at my official TNT website, teamintraining.com  Then just click on find participant, and enter my name.

It amazes me how much the support of my friends and family means to me.  Today winter was threatening to return with cold temperatures in the 40's, wind and rain.  As you can imagine it was easy to talk my self out of my "20 minutes-slightly faster run" as dictated by my daily workout calendar.  I wasn't feeling happy with my decision to skip today's workout, but knew I was completely justified.  Then the mail came.  In my box was an envelope which held my very first donation obtained from my fund-raising letter.  My self addressed stamped envelop had been returned, and opening the seal was so exciting!  My friend, Marietta had sent a very generous donation to support LLS!  Not only that, there was a second check also made out to LLS, in honor of my friend Ceil's birthday! 

I was so excited, and instantly knew what I had to do.  I had to put on my running clothes, tie my shoes, strap on my hydration belt and hit the cold, wet pavement.  And I did.  It wasn't just the financial support of my friend that got me off the couch and out the door.  It was knowing that my friend, who'd seen me gasping for oxygen on a hike together last summer, was saying "I believe in you.  You are going to succeed!"  I couldn't let my friend down.  I couldn't let my team down.  I couldn't let myself down.  So I did my training, "20 minutes-slightly faster run" and it felt great!

I need donations, but I also need your encouragement!  Let me know your our there!  Follow my blog and send me some comments.