Posts tagged run
Finding my inner #fitfemale
22 weeks ago
by Nanci
in #fitfemale, #sweatpink, 5K, 8K, fitness, half-marathon, inspiration, mental health, race, run, running, stress relief, strong, WomenRaces.com
Five half-marathons, two 8Ks, and five 5Ks later, I have found my inner #fitfemale. I have challenged myself in ways I never thought possible. I didn’t start running until I was 36 and that was only for a bit. I played tennis and softball when I was very young, but I never ran in school. I was in band which meant I didn’t have to take PE, which thankfully meant no running. I used to joke that I would only run if being chased and I bet even that would not have been very fast.
That crazy idea I had at the end of 2011 to run a half marathon changed me. I thought I was crazy for wanting to do it, it would be a one-time thing and that would be it. Running my first half marathon at age 40 in February 2012 just seemed like a fun thing to try. I never imagined it would be the experience that it was and that of all things, I would go and run for fun. Every race since then has been just as rewarding.
Running has become a necessity. Of course there are days where it’s the last thing I want to do. But I know that it’s exactly what I need to do. As much for my well-being and my sanity as my waistline and health. It has made me stronger in so many ways. It has become a huge part of my most recent Weight Watchers journey.
When you run a half marathon, or challenge yourself to run every day of the month, or do bridge training week after week, you realize how strong you really are and how bright that fire is inside of you. You realize that anything is possible. In a world that is full of drama, chaos, and uncertainty, it is one of a handful of things I can control.
I take away something good from every single run, even the hard ones. It’s an instant mood lifter, a huge boost of confidence, and it has the ability to calm my anxiety and nerves. If something is bothering me and has me feeling overwhelmed, a good run will suddenly make anything seem possible and manageable. I wish my inner #ftifemale was around several years ago when I had to take an anti-depressant, but that was another time.
Yesterday, I had a first. I went for my afternoon run, 2.06 miles. And this happened… I ran a 9:48 mile. I have never run that fast. I may not run that fast again tomorrow or the next day, but it’s just another reminder that anything is possible.
If you think you can’t run, you are wrong. I am proof of that. Throw on those shoes and go for a run and see how it changes your life. It has changed mine.
Have you celebrated your inner #fitfemale? Or is there an inspirational #fitfemale you’d like to share with me? Also, be sure to visit the Fit Female Campaign over at WomenRaces.com to read posts and share your own!
One week down, three to go!
62 weeks ago
by Nanci
in #irunbecause, #mayruneveryday, #sweatpink, challenge, hubby, I <3 to run, miles, run, running, treadmill
I am officially one week into the #mayruneveryday challenge I am participating in, which you can find here. I’m impressed I’ve made it this far, running every day really is a challenge! At best, I’ve been doing 4 days in the last few months, but it’s usually more like 3. The hardest days so far were Friday and Saturday, just because they are normally rest days and busy days in my world. And yesterday, I so badly wanted to skip it because I came home to deal with an itchy dog and a plan to wash the bed linens and laundry, vacuum, and bathe Blue in hopes of helping whatever skin allergy he has going on. The last thing I wanted to do was run after all that. But hubby, who is doing the challenge with me, got home from work, and off we went.
The challenge is to run at least a mile each day and we’ve done just that. Here is my first week in review… Two of my runs were on the treadmill. I am more consistent with my pace on the treadmill but I much more prefer running outside.
Week 1
That’s a total of 12.14 miles for the first 7 days… I would love to hit 50 for the month! I have run every single one of these miles, no walk breaks! Something has clicked and I am pushing myself harder than I ever have. I feel great after each run. If anything, this challenge will help with conditioning of my runs.
Are you taking part in this challenge or have you done a similar one?
Goalgetter2013 – May
73 weeks ago
by Nanci
in #expectamazing, #goalgetter2013, #sweatpink, daily mile, goals, May, run, running, treadmill
I’m doing this slightly out of order this time around… Normally I would post my wrap up for the previous month first, but I’m still working on that one. So a little change-up it is!
I was trying to come up with a May goal for the last couple weeks and decided on the last day of April what I was going to do. And it’s probably not a shock to anyone that it has to do with running, right?
It is my goal to run at least a mile a day for 31 days. My plan is to do 3 runs a week at 3 or more miles and then at least 1 mile a day on the others. Since it’s the 3rd, I’ve already done 3 days! Weather will not be an excuse, since I have a treadmill at home and can use it if it’s raining or just too hot. May 1st was on the treadmill and yesterday the rain held off so I ran outside. This morning I hopped on the treadmill to get it done before my day started.
I track all my miles on dailymile…. I’d love for you to add me as a friend if you are on there too! You can find me here.
This will definitely be a challenge. But I am up for it. It will be good for me. #ExpectAmazing
- Goalgetter2013 – January
- Goalgetter2013 – How did I do in January?
- Goalgetter2013 – February
- Goalgetter2013 – How did I do in February?
- Goalgetter2013 – March
- Goalgetter2013 – How did I do in March?
- Goalgetter2013 – April
You can still join in the fun! It’s pretty simple….
Goals are most successful when broken up into smaller goals! Post a picture on Instagram on the last day of each month to show how you are working toward achieving your goals! Use the hashtag #goalgetter2013.
If you’d like to take part in this challenge and have another way to keep yourself accountable this year, you should definitely join in! Visit the #goalgetter2013 Facebook page today!
For more inspiration, visit these blogs… These are the gals who put this challenge together:
- Mom Running On Empty
- Back At Square Zero
- Noshing On Asphalt
- Sneakers and Fingerpaints
- Mindy’s Fitness Journey
- Run With Kate
- Road Runner Girl
- Rebecca Roams
What are your goals for May? How far in advance do you plan your monthly goals?
The best run ever…
63 weeks ago
It’s become a nice tradition for hubby and I to get up Sunday morning and head to Memorial Causeway to run over the bridge. Last week, we changed it up and went over the whole causeway to the beach and then turn around and head back. We ran a good bit of it with walk breaks. This morning hubby had the brilliant idea that when we got over to the beach, we would take our shoes off and walk the beach for a bit before we head back over. I used to be such a beach girl so I was all over this and loved him for thinking of it.
I took this amazing shot of the Clearwater from the walkway leading up to the bridge…. I am currently obsessed with the panoramic feature on my iPhone.
Our run started at the beginning of the Memorial Bridge and it was my goal to run the first mile before I took a walk break. Hubby runs ahead of me (darn my short legs!) but I knew I would catch up to him at some point if he took a walk break. Up and over the bridge was great and the first mile was done. I didn’t want to stop, I didn’t need to stop. I kept running. And I ran over the the entire causeway all the way to the beach. My Garmin said 2.15 so I ran a full 2 miles without stopping. I can’t believe it did it and it felt so amazing.
The beach was not busy yet… We took our shoes off and walked on the soft cool sand for a mile. We have the best sand here in Clearwater Beach. The beach is so pretty here and I once again asked hubby why don’t we ever go?!?! We need to! Look at this view….
They have the sugar sand festival going on still and we saw some of the sculptures on our walk back towards the pier. Amazing! And of course I had to have my picture taken with the dolphin, everyone knows how much I love dolphins.
And then we were back to the round-about and it was time to head back over the causeway. I told hubby I was going to see if I could run back over the entire distance again. And I did it. Today was one of those days where everything clicked and felt right and I ran my heart out, without stopping. I felt great the entire time, even running back up the bridge. Hubby snapped a picture of me while I was running…. I think he might be just a little proud of me, one of my biggest supporters.
I ran the exact same distance headed back over, 2.15 and did it faster than the first time over. I was well within my half marathon pace the entire time, even a little faster at some points.
Another thing that made this run nice… I didn’t have any music. I have always had music when I run, except when hubby and I go out because we can chit chat along the way if we’re keeping the same pace. We weren’t together for much of my run and it was just me and my breath. I think it made a big difference.
Best run ever… It’s the kind of run that makes me really look forward to the next, the kind that reminds me why I love it so much. Running is my way of getting out of my own head and all the worries and stressors that I have for that small bit of time. And it reminds me that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. Anything.
Do you run with music or without? What makes for a great run for you?
Have you run for Boston?
31 month ago
My love of running has grown the past week. Ever since the horrible events at the Boston Marathon last week, I have been glued to the TV waiting for the evil to be caught. Friday night I swore I wouldn’t be able to sleep until they caught suspect #2. Minutes after stating as much on Facebook, they caught him. I was so stressed for all of Boston. I can’t imagine being in a city that was locked down for a whole day. We should not live in a world where an entire city has to be locked down. That is not what this country is about.
Hubby and I went running Sunday morning, simply because we could. We went to Memorial Causeway in Clearwater and ran the bridge all the way over the causeway to the beach and back, a total of 4 miles. It’s a beautiful run. I am constantly reminded how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful, scenic part of Florida. It was a nice run, we ran a lot of it and most importantly, I ran all the way over the bridge both ways. It may seem like something small, something that shouldn’t be too important. But it is, because I can do it.
Yesterday afternoon, I was headed home shortly after the moment of silence for Boston. Still very much on my mind, I knew I was going to run when I got home. I had to show my support since I knew so many other’s would be doing the same. I was going to run 2.62 miles because it seemed like the perfect distance to run, but when I hit 2.50 miles, I knew I wasn’t going to stop at 2.62. I felt too good to stop, so I decided to run a full 5K. How often do you set out to run and decide you want to run further? I will be the first to admit that I rarely do this. I am usually happy to get through what I can. But not yesterday.
I have heard so many stories since last Monday, of so many people affected in so many ways. There are endless images running through my mind as I’ve been glued to the news all week. And that is when I want to run. To run for Boston, to run for those who can’t, to run for those who didn’t finish, to run for me….
Have you run for Boston? Please share!
