I am a runner and so are you

Reading My Journey to Fit yesterday reminded me that I hadn't cross-posted from my SparkPeople blog from last week.  She really hit the nail on the head as to why I run.  Do you run? Did you just start or have been running for a while? Why do you run?

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From my SparkPeople blog:

I've had a difficult time accepting this title I've put on myself.

Why? Because I jog/run/walk through races - I don't run 3 miles straight through, not even on the treadmill. But after my last 2 training runs that has somewhat changed (still not running straight through).

I am a runner.

Why? Because I train; because I listen to my breath; because I watch my heart rate increase with each step and decrease with each rest; because I work on fueling properly; because I've fallen while running; because I've endured a minor injury; because I still have to remember to stretch; because I've done it in the rain; because I have 3 medals , several tech shirts, and various race bibs. But simply put - because I get out on the road, track, or trail, laced up and I do it.

Oh yeah, and I've paid race fees!

I never liked running. I hated doing PT while in ROTC in college. I was always the one behind the traffic patrol trying to keep up. I did other things to stay active - I played tennis, I walked, I rode my bike, I bought plenty of fitness vids over the years. But a move to Sacramento spurred a reason to get out and meet people. I joined Black Girls Run and have been running, jogging, slogging ever since. I am now learning to run without music (or at least only 1 headphone). I want to work on my endurance and actually run the first 3 miles of my races.

So if you don't consider yourself a runner...think again. Even if you run for 60s or only get in a half a mile or a mile, it doesn't matter. The fact that you laced up your sneakers, hit the road and put miles on your shoes makes you a runner too.

Time flies and pounds creep at night

At least that's how I'm feeling. It's been over a year since my last post and so much has transpired during that time.

1. I moved back to Houston from Sacramento
2. I found 2 new jobs in a 6-week time-frame
3. I am training for my first half marathon to take place on 11/11
4. I've gained over 10lbs since being home
5. I've moved into a new apartment and STILL living among boxes.

For the most part all of these are good things with the exception of the weight gain. I am not sure of the root cause which makes it more difficult to nail down how to remedy the situation. But I am not focusing on the bad.

The good is that I ran my furthest distance this past Saturday!!!! 13.5 miles. It should have been the worse run ever since:

1. my hydration belt was a complete nightmare. It was too bulky and the bottles flew out of the holster not even a 1/4 mile into the run. Luckily, one of the group runners stashed one bottle, I carried one and put another in my back pocket. The fourth I tossed in the trash.

2. my iPod wasn't fully charged so I my Nike+ didn't track my run.

3. my Cardio Trainer app couldn't connect a GPS signal so it didn't track my run either.

4. the girls in my pace group thought we took a wrong turn and we spent too much time discussing which way to go (I wish folks would listen to me because I have a good sense of direction and knew where we were headed).

5. by the end of the run, my white skirt was drenched (luckily not see through) and one leg was chaffed.

I still say my run was great because I accomplished something I swore I would never do - run further than 6 miles and ENJOYED it. My goal for the actual half marathon is to complete it in under 3 hours. The practice run was done in 2 hours and 56mins (including potty break, direction discussion, and stop lights).

My concerns during and following the run were hydration and soreness. I generally don't drink during my runs but have noticed that since moving back home, the humidity sucks all life out of you so I find myself hoping for a water break. I will invest in a camelback this week and make sure there is a bathroom along the race route. It's Day 2 post practice run and I'm just a bit tight. I used my tiger tail immediately after the run, I stretched Saturday and yesterday, walked for 2.35 miles and did yoga yesterday. I think that helps with the delayed soreness. I need to foam roll tonight and continue to stretch. I think today will be a cross train day. Did someone say TurboFire?

So that's the practice run recap. Tomorrow, I will work on a game plan for my diet. Ah, the never-ending saga of attempting to be healthy.

I will catch up on my blog reading. Time to get back in the game.

Updates coming soon

This poor blog has languished in no-man's land for such a long time.

So much has happened since the last one. New posts coming soon.

Stay tuned!