Running Outside

Lets start this off by saying--I am so proud of myself for running my long run outside this week! My amazing boyfriend Daniel, decided he wanted to slow his pace a little bit (He is a much more experienced runner than I am, in better shape and able to run upwards of ten miles on a normal day..) and would be okay running a few miles with me. So we ran 4 miles at about a 1030 pace which actually is pretty dang good for me. Well he ran 9 miles I think... because he ran to my house, picked me up, ran 4 with me, then continued on after that. Anyway. Now that we are under the 80 day countdown mark for the Half marathon coming up, its a goal of mine (and a very necessary one) to run more outside than I do inside. However, with the weather being so freakishly cold (okay its low 40s..but still) I am not motivated to get outside and do it. The other thing is, it is just hard! Does anyone else find running outside difficult? I find that I have a mental block when it comes to running distance. Running the first mile is alright, second mile is okay...but then I start counting...and I start looking at how far I have gone, how many calories I'm burning, what pace I'm running at, and how much further I have to go. I start playing the numbers game in my head...calculating how many minutes are left for how far I want to go, trying to push myself to up my calorie expenditure and go just a little bit further and just a little bit faster. In some ways I suppose this is a good thing--to push myself I mean. But actually it really doesn't make it that much fun. I find my runs are much more enjoyable when I get lost in them. I just haven't figured out how to just lose myself everytime. Dan says that he gets up to eight miles and he's like, woah where did the last six miles go. :) Oh, that would be nice.

Ways to Inspire myself to hit the Road and not the gym...

* Make an appointment---maybe I should name the road... hmm, then I would be letting someone down if I didn't go out with it!
* Motivate someone else to do it with me--Aka, my roommate Danielle...or Dan :) or Tamara
* Dont think, just lace up my shoes and go
* Reward myself? a 15 minute massage if I run outside? hmm double reward because my shoulder needs it!

Its a working list. Regardless, I have to get myself out there somehow--because the half marathon isn't going to be on a treadmill!

Increasing the Motivation

Some days are easier than others to get to the gym. Some days I have to drag myself there... Its especially not on my top ten list of favorite things to do when my whole body ACHES. And sometimes my mental incapacity wins me over and I decide to stay in bed awhile longer. Does a body good though...right??

Mantras to keep me going...
When I don't think I have the TIME---Think a 20 minute workout won't get to anything,well it sure as hell is a lot better than a 0 minute workout!

On the days it is difficult to run---I like running...because I really really like dessert :)

Stresses of life getting me down--- Dear stress, Lets break up.

That's not sweat, its my fat cells Crying.

Its a lifestyle to train like there is no finish line

Don't think... just put on your shoes and GO!

Things that help change my Mental block...

Visit Carrotsncake.com-- I found this healthy living blog that I am in love with lately. Tina's voice is awesome. Shes fun, she's real...she tries to live healthy but she lets there be a margin for error... her blog makes me laugh & peaks my interest. Its a Win.

Stocking up on a random assortment of fitness/health magazines--- "Health", "Whole Body & Soul", "Yoga", "Fitness", "Women's Health".... yeah.. they are addicting. I'm going to have to reign that addiction in cuz its getting as expensive as my coffee addiction. uh-oh.

Going with friends. Danielle & I go to the gym together a lot--holds me accountable. I've started going with Tamara too...Dan's friends' Fiance.

MyFitnessPal... YEP there's an App for that! Haha. Its true, I've jumped on that bandwagon. I swear its like a game though to put in every single food I eat. At first, it was crazy... I was annoyed at how many calories were in the food I was eating. But then it was like a challenge to find better stuff that tasted just as good. And its like a math game because I only have an alotted number for every day. Sadly to say... I find it amazing.

Today the motivation to get out of bed and get to the gym............. it's 23 degrees outside. I do not have the heat on in this house and I'm FREEZING. If I don't move soon I'm going to be an icicle.
Hello Gym! :)
Happy Monday hope its a good one!

A year for Running

So... I realize a year has passed since I updated this blog. Not quite a year, but close enough. Always a little crazy how time seems to fly by without me even realizing it. This year I finally got a fire under me to get back into the exercise thing and back to the gym. Didn't want to jinx it this time by documenting thats what I was going to do though. I think I'm past the point of jinxing now though. I'm downright addicted. I signed up for Capitol City Marathon. My roommate and my BF are going to do it too! I'm pretty psyched. Its coming up in approximately 83 days. Wh-hoooo. I've been training since January first, so I've had plenty of time to get my butt into training mode and now its starting to feel closer and closer. I'm only up to 4 miles though. And actually, I say "only" but personally that feels like an accomplisment. I've been running pretty much everyday with 2 rest days. Some days its just 1 mile and some cross training, most it is at least 2 miles plus whatever else I feel up to doing. I finally was able to pump out 4 miles in 40 minutes a couple days ago. SUCCESS! :-) Now I've just got to keep that up so I can do 3 times that amount. yikes!