Woman Down!!

I've been a bad runner. I haven't run at all this week. But there's a legit reason! I promise!!

I got sick.

Not just sort of sick, I mean really, gut wrenching, writhing in pain sick.

I've struggled with bowel issues most of my life, so dealing with cramping and (sorry for the TMI) diarrhea has never been a big deal. But this past week, I've been having to go every 30 minutes and feeling just plain miserable. I've never, in my life, ever had the runs this bad.

So, like I told my sister on the phone yesterday, the runs are preventing my runs.

HA HA HA! Potty humor gets me every time!

But seriously, I'm going to doctor tomorrow to get this straightened out. Let's hope it passes soon. And let's hope I don't die of dysentery like on Oregon Trail.

Saturday's 7 miler

I went for a run on Saturday morning, and got rained on. It was my first time running in the rain, and honestly, it wasn't too bad. I brought a rain jacket with me so my electronics would get fried, wore it for a little while, but it was too hot (because it's not breatheable), so eventually, the coat came of and I just got soaked. It was a little chilly near the end of my run, but I did learn some valuable things:

1. If you are running in the rain and plan to run long distances, pack some dry socks that you can change into for the drive home.
2. Wear tighter clothing to avoid the baggy t-shirt effect (I felt like my shirt was going to slide off me!)
3. Try and avoid the puddles.
4. Seriously, avoid the puddles.
5. Just because you're gettin' wet, doesn't mean you shouldn't still drink water.

I also set some of my personal best times during the first two miles! I ran an 11 minute mile both miles and was doing it uphill! I was so proud of myself! But, the rain really slowed me down near the end (I was really getting cold). So, now I'm not afraid to run in the rain. As long as I'm prepared for it. :)

Distance: 7.07 miles
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Calories burned: 1654

Catching up

So, just catching up on some runs I did in the past, but neglected to post:

Saturday - I ran. I don't know how far or how long, I only know I ran to the end of the island and back and it wasn't very far. I also know I got some killer blisters from moisture and sand in between my toes.

Tuesday - 3 Miles around the flat side of Lake Johnson and the unpaved side. I got a side cramp and had to walk to last mile. Boo.

Thursday - 4 Miles on the treadmill (ugg). Today was supposed to be a 6 mile tempo run, but I ran out of time in the nursery (under 1 year I can only stay an hour and I'm not very fast) and I got another cramp! I started off running harder than normal and felt like I was doing ok. I was breathing hard, but keeping my heart rate from sky rocketing. But eventually I had to walk and when I started running again, I got the cramp. That basically made me have to walk the rest of the time. I think that me being sick might have something to do with it. I woke up yesterday with a really sore throat, some coughing and a fever. I didn't have the coughing or the fever today, but to sore throat is lingering. Hopefully, I won't get too sick...

Tomorrow, I'm going to make up for those two miles and add them onto my 2 mile run. Then it's 8 miles on Saturday. Let's hope these miles go by fast. My races are comin' up pretty quick!

I think I overdid it

Isn't there a saying that says if something is worth doing, it's worth overdoing? I think that's where I was yesterday. I ran my usual 3 miles around Lake Johnson

(and did it two minutes faster than normal! Hurray for the temperature dropping!) and then later that night decided to stay and play volleyball at my church.

Not only was I already tired from my run, but within the first little bit of playing, I hit my finger wrong on the ball and it instantly swelled up to twice it's diameter and turned dark bluish purple. I'm pretty sure I broke an artery in my finger (because of the swiftness of the swelling). I then continued to play volleyball for another two hours before getting so tired, that I was not really participating in the game at all.

It's hard to see, but in the middle of my pointer finger is where most of the bruise lies. It's gotten much better from last night.

I came home, showered and took some ibuprofen and went to bed. And I woke up so sore this morning, that I've been hobbling around all day! That's what I get for being a crazy woman, I suppose...

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 45:07
Calories Burned: 746

Saturday's Loooooong 8 miler

This post is a little late in coming, but it was a *perfect* morning for running. It was just slightly chilly if you were standing still, which meant once you got moving, it was just right. It wasn't humid, there weren't very many bugs and there was a little bit of morning mist clinging to the trail. It was just beautiful!

And I thought I was doing pretty good, until about half way, I realized that I'd been going downhill the whole way! Then I had to turn my butt around and run back up. It wasn't very fun. Thankfully, though, I had my friend Silvia to keep me company and we chatted the entire time. I'm glad that I had someone to talk to! It made the miles go by faster!

My knees hurt now and I'm dog tired, but I did it. And I can't believe that did it! There once was a time where I thought I would never be able to run more than two miles at a time. Now I'm cranking out 8 miles and spittin' them out like they were nothin'. Well, maybe not nothing, but I was able to finish. And that's the important part.

Thursday's (Should've been Wednesday's) run - 2.7 miles

I had to run on the treadmill again. Ugh. I *HATE* it! It is worse to me than that feeling like you did well on a test and finding out you actually failed it. It is worse than getting fired. It is worse than child birth! Ok, maybe that last one was a bit of an exaggeration, but I truly, whole-heartedly abhor running on the treadmill now.

But on the other hand, it's much better that I ran 3 miles on the treadmill today than not have ran at all. I pat myself on the back for that because I really should've run 5 miles today (oops), but the gym was closing and I had to get out.  I will try harder next week to actually do my assigned runs. *sigh*

In other good news, I was able to wear a smaller size pair of jeans today!!! WAHOO!! I can tell that my hips and thighs are getting trimmer and I've lost a couple of pounds to boot. I am excited that I'm finally starting to see results for all me efforts! Hopefully, but the time my relay comes around, I'll be a few more pounds lighter!

Distance - 2.7 miles
Time - 42:30
Calories Burned - 594

Tuesday's (Shoulda been Monday's) Run: 3 miles

This morning was beautiful. Truly, it was the perfect temperature for running! I love the summer! I just love feeling the heat in a way that's strange to most people, but I'm ready for the summer to be over. I'm ready to embrace the cool snap to the air and the sounds of leaves crunching under my shoes. We're still about a month and a half away from that though, so I'd better make the most of the weather this week!

Today I ran around Lake Johnson and I decided to get the hills out of the way first. I think this is the best course of action. Trying to mount those inclines on tired legs is NOT fun. I think I'll always do this at Lake Johnson from now on. Although, I suppose I should mix it up once in a while... *grumble*

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 45:55
Calories Burned: 739

Upcoming Races

So, like I said, I haven't gotten to the point where I run because I really like it yet. So In order to help me stay dedicated to running, I'm training for a few races in the near future. Here are the races I'm participating in:

Tuna Run 200 

Image from tunarun200.com

This is a Ragnar type relay race that starts here in Garner and ends in Atlantic Beach. I, and 11 other people on my team, will be runnin' to the beach October 19-20. This will be my first relay type race and I'm REALLY excited about it! I plan on bringing a great attitude as well as a few tricks up my sleeve to keep me and my teammate's morale up! I'm running with some friends from church, so our team name is only fitting: Mormons on the Run. My legs are probably some of the easiest as I'm pretty new to running. My first leg is 3.03 miles, my second is 6.34 and my third and final is 3.63. I'm glad that my last leg isn't too long! Running 13 miles over two days isn't going to be easy.

Outer Banks Half-Marathon

Image from obxmarathon.org

This is the race that started it all, really. I decided as a goal this year, to run a half marathon and this was the most convenient one. I'll actually be joined by my good friend Shelly who will be running the full marathon. Go Shelly! I think I'm going to don my very best pirate attire and run like the devil be chasin' me, matey!

Disney Princess Half-Marathon

Image from runatdisney.com

I think it would be a lot of fun to run a race, where dressing up like a princess stopping to take pictures with Disney princesses are encouraged! But it's an expensive race. So, Matt only agreed to let me go if I could find someone to do it with me. So I appealed to Facebook, and lo, a friend responded that she had a group going! Ha ha! In yo face, Matt (I'm pretty sure he was positive I couldn't find someone to go with me! :) I'm going to have a girl's only/baby-free weekend to run and have a blast at Disney! I'm really looking forward to this race AND to designing my running costume.

Wendesday's Run - 3.1 miles

I was supposed to do some interval training with some ladies I'm doing a relay race with this morning, but I forgot about my dentist appointment (which I ended up having to reschedule any way), so I went to the gym and ran on the treadmill this afternoon. It was awful.

You know, I used to hate running outside. I much preferred to run on the treadmill. I think it was the fact that I could watch tv while running. But since I've been doing mostly trail running (I still hate running on the roads), I really hate running on the treadmill. I think it's because I can't adjust my pace very well on the treadmill. I can't pick it up or slow it down a little whenever I need without worrying about my pace. And I feel like I can't figure out what speed to go in the first place.

But, I guess it's better than not running at all. 

Distance - 3.1 miles

Time - 47 minutes

Calories Burned - 671

Why I Run

I thought as the very first post of this blog, I would explain the reason I run. I have never thought of running with fondness and have only very recently thought it was sort of fun. I haven't actually reached the point of enjoying a run while I'm actually running, but I hear some people do. I remember dreading the day we had to run the mile in school and tried to think of ways to get out it.

But now, I run. That seems so weird to say, but I run. Ha ha! Still can't get over how weird that sounds!

I run because (and I know this is going to sound silly) but I want to be able to outrun the bad guy. You know, that hypothetical psychopath that is hiding in the backseat of your car at night, or lurking in a dark corner. Yeah, that guy.

I run because I want to lose weight, and be healthy.

I run because I want to be able to eat some cake from time to time and not feel guilty.

I run because going to races is fun and the feeling of crossing the finish line is amazing.

But mostly, I run because of this:

I want to be a healthy and active mother and wife. I want to be able to run after my kids (because hopefully some day it will be kids) and I want to be able to set a good example of a healthy lifestyle.

So, let's see Teri run!