Faith or Fear?

Wow!  I can't believe it has been so long since I bored the population with my rants on running.  School is back in session and I am busy as ever.  Another year coaching middle school cross country has come and gone.  Our last race was yesterday.  It was bitter sweet.  I ran with them a little more this season.  I am still very much aware and a bit self-conscious of the fact that all of them can out run me.  The fear of them losing faith, or trust in me has really held me back.  It is amazing how excited they would get when I ran along with them, even though the distance was short, and I was often wheezing like that penguin from Toy Story.  I vowed as the season ended (once again) that I would be ready to run with them next year.  We will see how that goes.

I have also discovered a pretty cool book.  It is called To Be a Runner by Martin Dugard.  I have loved reading about his adventures in running and coaching cross country.  (He is seriously like my brother from another mother.  Shout out to you Matin if you ever come across this blog).  You really should check it out.

So now on to actual running.  I have been doing quite a bit of that.  I have also been hitting the gym with my dad.  I love going to the gym with him!  He always has some interesting insights on life.  It is a nice time to catch up and maybe actually get in a little bit of weight training.

This summer, I was able to run for the first time with my little sister and niece.  They live in the Seattle area.  My sister has been a runner way longer than I have.  I was always afraid that if I ran with her, I would hold her back.  I know that I did, but she never made me feel that way.  Her encouragement helped me, and it was cool to run somewhere different.  I can't wait to run with her again and show her my improvement.

I have some crazy goals for 2015.  Call them very early New Year's Resolutions if you want to look at it that way.  One goal is to reach my goal weight by my next birthday.  I have until May!!!  The next is to run a half-marathon during the summer of 2015.  Both of these goals I have had for awhile now.  Both of them seem, at times, insurmountable.  As I was thinking about this,  I was reminded of this quote that keeps popping up, "let your faith be stronger than your fear."  Fear really holds you back.  I wonder how many things I have missed out on because I was afraid.  I have to decide whether I am going to continue to let that happen.  Only I can decide that.  Maybe that is what I really need to resolve to do...not lose weight or run a half-marathon, but to grow my faith.  My faith in myself.

I have work to do.
Chubby girl...out!

Rainy Days and Slow Times Always Get Me Down

Heart and Sole 5k
April 26, 2014

Well the first race of the season was wet...really wet...and slow.  When I woke up this morning I was hoping that it was just going to be cloudy.  When I hopped into the car to head to Rigby, I was still hopeful.  Just a few raindrops...nothing more then a sprinkle.  As I drove the 20 miles to the race,  the rain started to come down and the windshield wipers were moving faster...and faster...and faster. I should not have been surprised, we have been getting our share of rain lately. (Not sure when I moved to Seattle).

When I found a parking spot, I headed to the start line.  I wisely decided to keep my jacket on over my shirt so I pinned my number on as I went.  My hands were already cold.  Not a good sign. (Note to self..have some spare gloves).  I made my way  to the growing group of runners and got in line near the back. (I recently developed a new philosophy that it is better to be near the back because the number of people passing you is not as discouraging.)  I paced and jumped up and down a bit.  I didn't have long to wait.  I had planned it so I didn't have to stand out in the rain too long before it started.

We counted down and were on our way.  There were a lot of runners.  I started out really well.  I had an excellent pace going.  I picked out a couple people that I could match pace with..and that always helps.  The course was a long stretch of road and then took the loop around Jefferson County Lake (We always call it Rigby Lake).  The race was steady, but so was I.  

Mile 1 came... Rigby High School students holding signs and cheering us on.  They were real troopers standing in the rain.  Around the lake I went...mile 2.  I was feeling pretty good...then hit a wall.  The wall that I seem to hit somewhere between mile 2 and 3.  I was starting to feel it.  I slowed a bit...and I walked a bit.  I know there are people out there...that group of "runners" who think that walking at any time during a race is a shame.  I am not one of those.  Whatever keeps you moving forward to the end...whatever you have to do...there is no shame in walking.

With a combination of running with a little walking mixed in, I was in sight of the finish line.  This is the part that I really love. My adrenalin starts to ramp up.  I feel it kick in and I take off sprinting.  I am happy to say I passed four people on my way to the finish line.  I am even happier to say that after that sprint..I am guessing just over 100m..I left it all there.  As I crossed over that line, I thought I was going to pass out.  I walked over to grab a snack and a drink then walked off.  I sat on the bleachers in the rain to cheer some of the others on.  I went and got my results.  I knew that it wasn't terrific, but I am not ashamed that my first race of the season I finished in 36:57.

I love the Heart and Sole 5K.  This is the 3rd year they have held it, and the 3rd year I have run it.  I look forward to it again next year (minus the rain).  Until then, I will be looking forward to more races...bettering my body...my mind...and my times...hopefully.

Meanwhile here I type with my best friend by my side...goes by the name Icy Hot.
Chubby girl out.

Getting fit is rough...my next 5k

So I haven't sat down to blog for awhile now.  I am not entirely convinced that anyone actually reads this... Anyway I have been running, but not regularly.  I started picking it back up a few months ago. I am more excited about it now that I am beginning to get a glimpse of spring here in Idaho.  (Now that I typed that it will probably snow tomorrow).  The dreadmill gets awful boring.

Anyway, I have been frequenting the gym regularly since December.  It helps that on Fridays I have a gym buddy, my dad.  It looks like I may have picked another one up as well, my cousin Jessica.  Gym buddies make it easier because you have someone to kick you in the butt if you need it.  My dad is quite excellent at kicking my butt.  My triceps and chest often hurt for a full week after working them.

I have been sooooooo (yes, I needed that many "o"s) frustrated with losing weight.  I cut out my Dr. Pepper, well not completely, but I try to have one a week instead of three a day. I have been at the gym, watching what I eat...on and on.  Today, I finally saw the scale moving in my direction.  Motivation ladies and gentlemen..that is what I call that. It is so easy to get frustrated with things that take time to show up...like results on the scale.  I know...I know..everyone tells me that I should be more concerned with inches then pounds...but...I think most of you know the feelings without me saying it. Swim suit season is just around the corner.

So you probably want to hear about my running goals and races this year.  Well, the first one is on April 26th.  It will be the 3rd Annual Heart and Sole of Rigby and coincidentally the 3rd year that I will run it.  Does that make me a race streaker???  A race streaker is someone who runs a race every year...but maybe it has to be more than three.  I don't know the rules on that one.

Anyway, I am also planning on a half-marathon in July.  Kind of a go big or go home philosophy I have going on this year.  Even if I crawl across the finish line it still counts as finishing....right?

So I will keep at it...another day...another plank...another mile...and hopefully another pound (fingers crossed)
Chubby girl...out