Does This Get Easier?

It's been a while. I need to make this blog a habit. Kind of like running. Today I finished up Week 6 (I had to alter it a little due to vacation, but I ran 22 minutes today). I was dying. I ran it faster than the 20 minutes I ran Tuesday, but I felt so much slower. Mentally, I know it will get easier. I know it. But when I am in the middle of running and feeling like I can't go on, I don't see how it will. I'm hoping in a few months I will look back at this and think "man, I used to struggle running 20 minutes!"

In other news, I signed up for Hood to Coast 2014. I'm a bit terrified but I have 302 days (and a half marathon) to prepare. For those not familiar, Hood to Coast is considered "The Mother of all Relays," and is the largest relay race in the world. 12 Runners per team, 2 vans, 198 miles. Each runner runs 3 Legs. It'll be tough, but it will be fun. I was waffling on whether I wanted to do it or not but then thought it's a once in a lifetime opportunity so I decided to jump on it.

I also signed up for ORRC's 10K Running Series - it's 6 10Ks in 2014. It will keep me going on my half marathon training. The only thing left that I need to sign up for is the 15K Shamrock Run in March. 

C25K Week 1 is complete

Wednesday was my last run for Couch to 5K Week 1! Not a bad run, I work from home Wednesday's so I went on my "lunch" break. It was sunny and 65ish, my favorite kind of weather to run in.

Tomorrow is weigh in day. Not looking forward to it. Although I did exercise more this week, I made buffalo chicken mac and cheese yesterday for dinner and tonight we went to Panda Express. We had to go to Home Depot to buy wood to build a base for my new shed, so we wanted something quick and I didn't make good decisions. Oh well, tomorrow is a new day.

Rain and Plans

Ran yesterday (9/16) in the rain. Pouring, shirt soaking rain. It was lovely. I would run in the rain any day over running in heat or humidity.  Especially at the (small) distance I ran. I walked a half marathon last year in the pouring rain in cotton socks that got soaked and I had the worst blisters ever, my feet still haven't fully recovered. Lessons learned.

I have scheduled out runs for almost a year. One a month. I am super stoked because I wrote out every training run from now until March 15th and it coincides perfectly with the Shamrock Run 15K I want to do. Granted, I may not follow the schedule to the letter but I'll still be in good shape to run the 9.3 miles (literally and figuratively).

I also decided (I think!) to run in The Bald Peak Half Marathon on June 21st. I'm nervous and excited and nervous all over again. Haha. Thanks to some encouragement, I think I can be prepared, just have to keep with it.

Here's what my Race schedule is going to (hopefully) look like:
September 22, 2013 - Sellwood 5k (walk with my sister) (**REGISTERED**)
October 20, 2013 - Pier Park 5k (Run) (**REGISTERED**)
November 28, 2013 - West Linn Turkey Trot (4 miles) (Registration not open yet)
December 14, 2013 - Ugly Sweater 5k (**REGISTERED**)
January 2014 - TBD
February 2014 - TBD
March 15, 2014 - Shamrock Run 15k (Need to Register)
April 13, 2014 - Race for the Roses 10k (Need to Register)
May 10, 2014 - Oregon Dunes Duathlon - 25 Mile Bike Ride followed by a 10k (Need to Register)
June 21, 2014 - The Bald Peak Half Marathon (Need to Register)

In July or August I would like to do another Duathlon. We shall see! Hopefully no injuries derail me. Here's to training and being in shape!

I Ran Today!

Couch to 5 K Week 1 Day 1: Complete. The workout was run for 60 seconds, walk for 90 seconds and repeat for 20 minutes. Sounds easy, but I am out of shape. In 20 minutes I went 1.7 miles, which isn't too bad. For my "cool down" I took Pippin on a 1.5 mile walk. It was around 65 degrees and overcast, my absolute favorite running weather.

I weigh in on Fridays, and meant to post a picture here (to hold me accountable) but forgot.

9/13 Weight: 168.6

After my run I went to Target and spent a gift card I got for my birthday. I got a new sports bra, 2 running t shirts and some socks. I'm really trying to avoid running in cotton this time, so I hope these new clothes help. They were also on sale! I love sales! I'll try and get a picture of them tomorrow.

The rest of the day will be dedicated to lounging and cleaning. Also babysitting my nephew. Should be good!

Tomorrow's workout is an hour long walk with Pip and some push ups and sit ups. I'll report back.

I am a Runner.