St. Paddys Race

Back on St. Patricks Day, I ran my very first virtual race.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  But I knew I needed to add some virtual races to get all my 14 races in this year.  This race was done by Fib, Fab, and Lean.  Basically, I signed up then printed my bib for race day.  

With the virtual races, typically you have a range of dates that you can complete your race in.  I had a 3 mile run scheduled for the 17th, so I opted to make that my race day and do a little more to hit the 5k.  

The route I ran was one I had run before.  It started with a long incline of a hill.  But the second half was mostly all downhill.  I wasn't pushing myself, just wanted a comfortable run.  The weather was a bit overcast (as you can see from the picture above).  But I loved the route I ran, because as I turn and come down the hill toward the end of the run I get to see a view that is incredible!  There, in the distance is Mt. Timp and Utah Lake.  Each time I run and see this view, it makes me so grateful for where I live...for what my body can do!

I finished the race in 36:57 (11:48 min/mile pace).  Definitely not my fastest 5k, but I was pleased.  You see, I'm doing this to better myself.  And by getting out there and getting it done, I'm making the progress.

After the race I was mailed this awesome bling.  Normally, they send the bling out to arrive the week you are racing.  However, they had some quality issues with the original race medals and had to have them remade.  I just received my bling last week.

All in all, I was very impressed with Fit, Fab, and Lean's race.  I will be doing another race with them the end of May (only this time it will be a 1/2 marathon).  If you are looking for a virtual race, I suggest giving them a try!  They have a virtual race every single month.  The medals are GREAT quality, the race fees all go toward a charity.  It's a great cause if you're like me and like to run for bling!

(I was in no way sponsored by Fit, Fab, and Lean for this post.  Actually, they have no idea I'm even writing it.  I paid for my race entry, and all opinions are my own.)

Springing for Steps!

So all throughout March, I've been tracking my miles.  I wanted to focus on putting in the activity.  Yesterday was the last day of March, and I tracked my last #MarchingForMiles.

Can I just say, I was kind of impressed with myself, 57 miles in March.  If you look at the picture above, you'll notice my activity has double each and every month since January.  Not too shabby!

I have decided to continue tracking, and have made a little spreadsheet on Google Docs in case anyone wants to push themselves this month.  I will be referencing the sheet weekly, reminding people to track their activity.

You might be asking, what activity is acceptable to track?  ANY.  I did this last month, and some people tracked every step they took all month long and logged that.  Others tracked swimming and biking miles.  Some tracked only running or walking.

It is 100% up to you.  The key:  decide how many miles you'll go....then get to work!

While I think it would be awesome to double my mileage again this month...alas, my training does not have me doing that.  So based on what I'm scheduled to stick with for my training, I'm committing to 75 miles.

I would love for you to join with me!  Click HERE and it will take you to the spreadsheet.  You can put your initials...or your real name...or just your first name.

I promise, it will put a spring in your step.  Don't forget to use the hashtag #SpringingForSteps so I can cheer you all along!!!

Monday Marathon Training

I'm not going to lie.  This last week was difficult.  I was dealing with some plantar faciitis on Monday.  So I opted to make my shorter runs this week walks.  I felt confident that I was still getting in distance without pounding on my feet to aggravate the PF even more.

By Wednesday, I had a nasty head cold and all I wanted to do is lay in bed, doped up on Sudafed or Tylenol Cold.

So my training over the last week went like this:

• Monday I had a 2.56 mile walk.  No pain, just a simple and easy walk.
• Tuesday I also got in a quick walk, 2.09 miles.  
• Thursday, I opted to do another walk (1.67 miles) so that I didn't over do it with my PF and sickness for Saturday.
• Saturday was my long run day.  7 miles.

Total weekly mileage:  13.32 miles.

Now for the good, bad, and ugly.

By Saturday, I was excited for my run.  I was excited to feel my legs moving.  Only, I let my head get in the way.  The day was BEAUTIFUL!  I couldn't have asked for better weather.  The course was equally pretty...although the end had some up and down hills that I wasn't very fond of.  But the scenery was great.  But I just couldn't get into it.  At all!




You see, I made a huge mistake.  I started feeling sorry for myself.  This journey is hard.  Like extremely hard.  And if I'm being completely honest (which I always am on here...) Saturday, it SUCKED.  I spent the last 2.5 miles of my run crying.  At one point I even stopped running and called Jason in tears.  I wanted him to come pick me up and bring me to the car so I could just be done.  (He didn't.)  I cried to him about how hard this all is.  It's stupid.  I am frustrated.  I already lost all this weight once, and I was feeling very bitter about having to start basically at square one again.  He gave me a mini-pep talk and told me to finish strong.  I did not finish strong.  But I finished, and there is strength in that!

On my run, I started comparing myself and my current place to others.  I started wishing I was faster.  Wishing I could finish races in my "goal" times.  Wishing I hadn't spent the last ump-teen months eating cookies and ice cream.

Then I remembered a thought I read.
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The second next best time is now."
 --Chinese Proverb

How powerful.  How insightful.  Sure, it's always easy to say...'oh I wish I would have just started before....how much easier it would be now!'

But I can't dwell on that.  And neither can you!  This journey is constantly in progress.  There is no finish line.  But the best time to start working on yourself is now.  Because what you do today, determines what your tomorrow will look like.

Do not fall into the trap of comparison.  When I got home from my run Saturday, I had to have a few friends and my husband shake some sense in to me.  What I accomplished this week was fantastic, and what I accomplished this month has been double what I did last month.  (And February was double what I did in January.)  It is only myself that I should compare me to.

That is the only FAIR comparison.  That is the only comparison that matters.  So while I am not going to be joining the olympics anytime soon, or breaking any records with my pace...just know this.  I'm out there doing it.  And I hope you are too!  Because together, each day we do right puts us closer to the person we want to be!

Curve Ball

Have you ever noticed that life is pretty good at throwing you curve balls?

In my days, I've been thrown many curve balls.  Some are pretty easy to swing at and hit.

Others, not so much...

In the past, sometimes the curve balls struck me out.

Sometimes, they even had me sitting on the bench for a long while.

You see, it's easy to just throw your hands in the air and feel all is lost when things don't go as planned for you!  Trust me, I've been there.  Remember my long story.....I lived that life for a long time.

Here's what I've learned:

Curve balls will keep coming!

Life never goes just as we plan.

And honestly, I'm glad it doesn't!

I would have never, NEVER, asked for some of the curve balls I've had in the past.

However, they have made me such a stronger person.

They have shaped me into who I am today.

So while I don't know all that lies ahead for my family, 

I do know that I'm prepared for this peanut of a curve ball.

And I don't plan to let it take me out of the ball game.

I don't plan to let it put me on the bench.

That is precisely the reason I'm continuing on with my race this Saturday.

No, I don't expect to set a PR in the race.

I don't even expect to run the whole thing.

I expect to try. 

I hope to finish!

You see, there are many times in life that we could just throw in the towel.

We could say, 'whatever, the plans I had don't matter anymore.'

But the plans do matter. 

Even if they aren't working out as you thought they would.

It is important to dust yourself off and adjust anytime a curve ball is thrown!

So that is what I continue to do.

Dust myself off, and continue on.

Wish me luck on Saturday!

(I'll need it based on my runs of late...)

Giveaway

The new year brings some new and exciting
 things around this blog!

Before I get to that, I want to talk a little about my Christmas...

This year for Christmas I was blessed.  

I got both the new ipod shuffle I've been dying for:

(personally engraved and everything!)

AND I got a fantastic SPI fuel belt for running!

I've been wanting one of those FOREVER!

I even got to try both of them out today on my run:

I love how my phone, my inhaler, and my running fuel fit perfectly in the belt!  It is so compact, yet holds a lot!  It stayed in place as I ran...Seriously, best running belt I've tried!

So because I love the belt SO much,
I have something special up my sleeve!

I'm talking a first for this blog....

A GIVEAWAY!!!!!

That's right friends.

In Progress for Good is giving away the very first prize on this blog.

Here are the details:

The giveaway is for your very own SPI fuel belt:

The rules:

You have an option for 3 entries in this drawing!

BUT THERE ARE multiple STEPS FOR SOME ENTRIES!

For the first entry:

1.  You MUST be a follower of this site.  AND,

2.  Leave a comment on this post about what your New Years Resolutions are!

For a SECOND entry:

1.  You MUST have "liked" In Progress for Good on Facebook HERE  AND

2.  You must share the contest link on your own Facebook wall and spread the word about this contest!

(YOU MUST THEN COME BACK AND LEAVE A SECOND COMMENT ON THE BLOG LETTING ME KNOW YOU SHARED THE LINK!!!!)

For a THIRD entry:

You can pin to Pinterest my nifty new before/after picture

(YOU MUST THEN COME BACK AND LEAVE ANOTHER COMMENT ON THE BLOG LETTING ME KNOW YOU PINNED IT)

The contest begins TODAY (December 31, 2012)

The contest closes MIDNIGHT (MST) January 2, 2013

Winner will be selected via random generator, and will be announced the morning of January 3, 2013.

Questions about the contest?  Contact me!

Otherwise, get started earning those entries!

And GOOD LUCK!

Feeling great!

My plan for today's run was to go 5 miles...but I hoped for more like 7.  I took it easy.  I started slow.  I listened to what my body was saying.  I walked when I needed to walk.  I ran when I was feeling good.

The first 5 miles flew by and I was feeling great.  Cold, but great.  Once I hit between mile 7 and 8 the wind was blowing so hard.  I was freezing.  I thought about giving up.  I mean, after all...I had hit my 7.  But I knew my body felt good, so I pushed on through the weather.

I took water with me this time.  I didn't want to get dehydrated.  It helped.  I ate my sports beans again.  That also helped.

By the time I hit mile 9 I was feeling great.  It had even warmed up (now that the wind was on my back, rather than blowing into my face).

I ended up going 10 miles in 2:02.  (average pace 12:13 min/mile)  Not too shabby considering my last long run (9 miles) was on November 30th.  3 weeks ago!  Between then and now, I've tried to get out on a few runs but have felt so lousy that most times it didn't happen.  So to be able to go 10 miles AND feel great doing it....HUGE BLESSING!  (Did I mention that today I feel better than I have in weeks?!?)

A while back I talked about pushing for a sub-2 hour half marathon.  Just for your information....THAT IS NOT HAPPENING!  I'll be happy to finish in 2:45, and I mean it when I say I'll be happy!  You see, I have re-evaluated my priorities.  And right now my priority is to take it easy, don't get injured....but most importantly:  LISTEN TO MY BODY!

I want to complete this half marathon and feel great crossing the finish line.  I want to finish it and not strain my body in any way.  And as long as I'm on track to do that, I'll feel successful no matter what my time ends up being.

One day, when I'm able, I'll focus more on the time.  But this time, I'm all about focusing on how I feel...

Needing advice.

I'm bummed.  Real bummed!

And I need some advice!

I've been ridiculously sick the last few days.  I was going to push through yesterday and run my scheduled 2-3 miles, but I just wasn't feeling up to it.

I missed last weeks 9 mile run.  I opted to repeat my week of running this week.  

Only.  I feel like crizap and don't wanna run.

Today I have absolutely NO VOICE.  It is seriously gone.

So that brings me to my dilemma.

I'm afraid I'm going to fall too far behind for January.

I've been hit and miss on the runs I've been able to do the last little bit.

So here's what my running schedule was SUPPOSED to look like for December:

Because I was sick I didn't do the 9 miles on the 7th.  My last long run was on the 30th of November.  I went 9 miles in 1:44 that day.

Here's what my ideal schedule looks like heading into January:

As you can see I have very little wiggle room before the 19th when the 1/2 is.

So now I have to decide what to do!

If I skip another long run this week....that would be bad, right?

So do I run while I'm sick?

Do I just go as far as I can?

Do I throw the whole schedule out and just push myself the best I can?

How far was your longest run before running a 1/2 marathon?

More than anything, I want to finish the 1/2 feeling strong.

NOT feeling like I had to crawl across the finish line.

Please!  Any advice you have, I need!  I'm down and out today...worried I won't successfully be ready for my 1/2 in just over a month.

On the right track

Thanksgiving is my all time favorite holiday!  (And NO.  Not because of the fat girl inside of me who wants to stuff her face uncontrollably!)

(Okay.  Maybe that's a little of the reason.)

But really, I love the holiday because it brings so many family traditions!  It means family time!  It is the one holiday that hasn't been overly commercialized!

So here's the recap on the happenings around here...

Thanksgiving morning started off with a bang!  One of our neighbors started a new tradition...she hosted a Turkey Trot.  Each of us brought a can of food as our race entry.  My girls were SO excited to run in their "very first race."  That morning it was chilly, but there was a great turn out!

I decided to run the race with Red Kitty.  She actually did really well despite no previous running.  We finished together at about 45 minutes.  She thought it was the COOLEST THING EVER!  She is already asking when she can run in her next race!  Tata, on the other hand, was quite funny.  She finished behind us with Jason.  As she crossed the finish line, I asked if this makes her want to run another race.  Her response:  "Um.  No.  Not really."  She was by far less than enthused about it.  

After the race, we came home and finished cooking.  We had a delicious spread of food...

Needless to say, I ate way more than I should have!  I tired to be aware.  I knew that I didn't want to blow it over one weekend.  But I also didn't want to deprive myself on the things I love most and only eat once a year.  I feel I did okay....much better than in years past, but there is still room for improvement in years to come!

I told myself I wouldn't step on the scale until Monday (today).  That way, I'd give myself time to adjust after the large meal.  I had also hoped to get in some runs.....but, that didn't happen!  :(  In fact, I've been quite the slacker on my half training over the last week.  But today I started fresh!  The holiday is over...the weekend is over...it's time to get back down to business!

Plus, I wanted to try out these babies:

These are my black friday deal/early Christmas gift from my MIL.  I love them.  Actually, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!  They are soooooo comfortable!  I've been wearing them around all weekend to break them in.  Today was my first time running in them.  I felt amazing!  No knee pain, no shin splints!  Sure, I only went 3 miles...but I really could tell the difference!  Good shoes make all the difference when running!

So long story short:  the weekend was full of so many fantastic traditions (most of which I decided I wouldn't bore you with on here, and instead I'll write about on my family blog).  It was full of delicious food, awesome shopping deals, but mostly.....the weekend is now over.  I am not on holiday any longer!

I even weighed in on the scale to make myself accountable:  Today I was at 158.6.  (Thursday I was 157.4)  So it looks like I'm up 1.2 pounds....not too shabby after all the crap I shoved in my pie hole!

My advice to each of you:  THANKSGIVING IS OVER!  Do NOT allow yourself to continue on through the holidays on a free pass!  Today is Monday.  Today is fresh.  Today you are back on track.....right????

Hawaii

I figured since I was going to Hawaii in May, I might as well try and make the most out of it!  And one of my bucket list items is to run a race in every state in the United States.

So.  I did a little researching, and wahlah!  There is a 1/2 Marathon in Honolulu on Sunday May 26...the day after we arrive.

You can bet your bottom dollar I'll be running in it!  (and it sounds like my mom and hubby are too!!)

Because I can

Today was my big, scary long run.

Actually.  I wasn't that scared.  I knew I could go 7, so if I could go 7....8 can't be that much different, right?

Today I decided to eat something before I began my run.  Usually, I just go out and eat later.  But when I ran 7 miles I realized I was lagging for energy a little bit.  So today I started with a piece of toast covered in PB and honey.  (Great for carb, protein, and a little sugar.)

As I ran, I was really enjoying myself.  I paced myself (as I always do on my long runs) and kept my heart rate under the 170 mark.

Mile 1:  a little chilly.  It took about this whole first mile to get my legs warmed up.

Mile 2:  went by in a breeze.  I felt like I was running so slow, but I knew I had to pace myself.

Mile 3:  a lot of this mile was down hill (hence my 10:03 pace for this mile).  I cracked open the sports beans at this point.  (Today was also the first time I've supplemented with something along the run to eat.)

Mile 4:  I was feeling great at mile 4....probably because I knew I was 1/2 done!  :)

Mile 5:  More beans were popped.  This mile was tough for me.  It was a steady incline and my hips were sore.  I wanted to walk.  SO BAD!  Luckily, the song playing in my ear kept me going "some times you just feel tired....  feel weak...when you feel weak and you feel like you just wanna give up...  you gotta find that inner strength....you do not give up....till I collapse....."

Mile 6:  I popped 2 more beans.  I kept telling myself 2 more miles....2 more miles, it's like nothing.  This is when my Gym Class Heroes came on.... "until the referee rings the bell, until both your eyes start to swell.....give 'em hell.  Turn your head.  Gonna live life till your dead!.....then you say to me THERE GOES A FIGHTER!"  I may or may not have been singing OUT LOUD as I ran this mile.....

Mile 7:  This mile was mostly downhill.  It wasn't too bad.  I was on a busy road, enjoying the cars as they passed.  I'm a people watcher.  And I pretend that others are too.  So running on a public road makes me run better and faster (and not stop) because I always say to myself...'what if your neighbor is the next car that passes....you don't wanna be walking!'  :)

Mile 8:  This mile was TRICKY!  I had told myself that after the last climb, it was all downhill.  Only.  I forgot the rather lengthy stretch of uphill that I had to do one more time.  I was tired.  And I was sore. And I REALLY wanted to walk!  So my music yet again got me through it.....thank you Kelly!  "think you got the best of me...think you had the last laugh...think you left me broken down....baby you don't know me cuz you're dead wrong!  What doesn't kill you makes you stronger....what doesn't kill you make a fighter....stand a little taller....just me, myself, and I...."

And there you have it.  8 miles, done!

And the best part:  I don't even feel dead.  I feel I can still function the rest of the day.  Yes, I ended up taking an ice bath to help my sore hip.  But other than that, I feel pretty dang great!

Don't get me wrong.  There are days I don't want to run!  In fact, there are many days I have to just suck it up buttercup.  But today was not one of those days.  Today I ran because I can!  Today I marveled at the progress my body has made....I remember back just in July I couldn't even run a minute straight.  Yes.  You read that right.....I couldn't run ONE MINUTE STRAIGHT.  I wanted to collapse and die right then and there on my treadmill!

So no matter where you are on this journey of life....you too can make a difference for yourself!  Maybe you are at the starting line.  Maybe you feel you are re-starting at the starting line AGAIN.  Maybe you are part of the way through but thinking of turning around.  Maybe you feel you are making great progress.  Maybe you have been making great progress and now you've plateaued.  Maybe you are discouraged.  Maybe you are excited.  Maybe you are overwhelmed or scared......

Here's the thing.  I've been all those things!  And truthfully, I still am.  This process of getting healthy is one that takes an EVERY DAY COMMITMENT.  But slowly, as you recommit everyday you realize how much stronger you have become!  You realize you are doing this for yourself!  You realize that YOU ARE WORTH IT!

So get up, RIGHT NOW, and go make today a success!  (Then, come back and tell me about it!  Shoot me off an email, leave me a comment...I want to hear about how you celebrated being you today!)

More sixes

It seems there is a lot of six happening around my house right now.  I'm now wearing sixes....today is my babies sixth birthday!  And lastly, I've got a six mile run up my sleeve when it warms up a little.

I'm excited for todays run.  Real excited to get a good one under my belt.

It's Thursday's run that has me a bit nervous, you know...when I go 8 miles.

Post 6 mile run:  
Todays run was beautiful.  Honestly, if my lungs would have been cooperating I would have said I loved it!  But I was struggling to breath and had to use my rescue inhaler more than I wanted.  Mile 4 was KILLER!  I remember running that mile and wanting to come home and the details from that mile.  It was by far my worst mile, and it was also by far the mile with a HUGE incline!  (Hence my difficulty breathing and slow pace!)

I was hoping to finish under an hour....sadly, I was just shy of that goal.  Here are my splits:
9:38, 9:45, 10:12, 11:10, 10:28, 10:08.  I tried to push really hard that last mile to get under the hour mark but I was exhausted and by that point I just had to focus on putting one foot in front of the other to finish.  

Average pace:  10:14 min/mile.  

I just compared my last 6 mile run to this one and was surprised that despite feeling like it was a slow run, I actually shaved 2.5 min off my overall pace.  Maybe I am getting faster even if it doesn't feel like it....

Neglected.

I have neglected my little blog.  (And coincidently, I have neglected myself.)

I've been in a funk.

We went up to SLC to visit family a few weeks back and ever since I came home I haven't been myself.  I've found myself diving head first into candy bowls, I've found myself making excuses as to why I don't need to run.  I've found myself averaging less and less steps daily.

Then, I realized:  THIS HAS GOT TO STOP!

This is exactly what I did last year.  Halloween came and went and I decided that I could move less and eat more.  The weight came on and I did nothing about it for 7 months.  This is exactly what I do when I am SOOOOOOO close to what I have considered impossible for quite some time now.

You see, I have always said I wanted to see 145 on the scale.  But I never really knew if that was possible.  So each time I get close (this year, I've been closer than EVER!) I enter into self-sabotage mode.

It's depressing.

It's humiliating.

It's frustrating.

So here I am.  Now.  Again, losing the weight I've already lost.  Luckily, I caught it this time.  I am only up a few.  And now I'm working back down to where I need to be...back to where I thought was impossible.

Because ultimately, my goal for January 1, 2013....to NEVER have to make another resolution to lose weight again!

I've got some work to do, but I have put my head down and I am gonna get there!

Days like this help.....(short story that I definitely want to remember)...

Today I set out to run 7 miles.  (My longest run yet in my training for the 1/2 marathon.)  I was feeling good, a little chilly, but good.  That is, until mile 5 hit me.  At 5.5 miles I started the uphill portion of the run.  And I think it was knowing that the remainder of my run would all be uphill that had me worried. I was struggling.  I was thinking about walking.

I honestly thought in my head 'who would even know if I walked a portion right now."

It was at that moment that 3 city workers stopped the work they were doing on a golf course and came to the edge of the street and began clapping.  (Well, 2 were clapping and 1 was giving me a thumbs up and yelled "You can do it!")

It just so happens that at that exact moment, the lyrics to the song in my ears were "I have been blessed, and it feels like I found my way.  I thank God for all I've been given at the end of every day.  I have been blessed."  

It's safe to say that my eyes began filling with tears.  I realized how far my body has come.  I realized that just back in July I couldn't even run 1.5 MINUTES without dying!  Now I was running miles and miles.

I felt blessed.

And I finished the run strong.

I love the tender mercies that get me through the hard times in life...it makes me feel not so alone even when difficult challenges lie ahead.  (in my runs, and in my life in general!)

Hopefully you can take a step back and find the tender mercies in your life as well, because I promise they are there!

High FIVE

Today was my long run.  And I'm not going to lie and pretend I wasn't nervous.  I realized the last time I ran 5 miles straight was when I ran the marathon.....5 years ago.  And before training for that....NEVER!

So today I was a nervous nelly.  I didn't know if I could trust my body to do all 5 miles.

My sweet husband kept telling me to trust myself.  He told me I'm too hard on myself, and that I needed to stop doubting and start believing.  (He's so right!)  (Don't tell him I said that.....)

I also received some awesome advice from my professional runner friend Brandi who told me to watch my heart rate!  It was something I'd never done before.  I'd always paid attention to my pace rather than my HR.  So today, my goal was to keep my heart rate within the aerobic range for my body (140-160).

At first, I felt like I was going at a SNAILS PACE!  But I felt strong.  1/2 through my run I wasn't labored at all.  In fact, I didn't even realize I was already 1/2 done!

By the time I finished, I felt strong.  Seriously, I probably could have continued!  I was SHOCKED that I ran the entire 5 miles without feeling labored at all!  My legs were strong!  My lungs were strong! My body was strong!

I FELT AMAZING!

Pace: 11:33 min/mile (Splits: 10:49, 11:47, 11:22, 11:40, 12:08)

Thank you to all the loving encouragement and belief sent my way.  I'm truly starting to see that I sometimes don't give myself enough credit.....

1/2 Training and October goals

I've finally figured out my 1/2 training schedule.  

Here is what my October looks like...

I didn't get out yesterday for my run, so I'll be doing 3 miles today and tomorrow.

Wednesday's I always have the day off because it ends up being a LONG day out at school!

Saturday's are also rest days because I have 12 hours clinicals.

At the beginning of each month, I'll post the calendar for accountability.

If you don't see me posting about my 1/2 training....feel free to call me out on it!

I need to do this, and my goal is to finish it in 2:30.  (Scary!!!)

I know the only way I'll get there is consistently training....

Now onto October goals!

I'm at the point that I'm ready to commit to saying:

BY HALLOWEEN I WILL SEE THE 40's ON MY SCALE!

Pounding the pavement

When things get stressful in my life, pounding the pavement always helps!  They say any problem can be fixed with salt water...the beach, tears, or sweat.  And since I can't get to a beach, and crying gives me a headache....running it is!  

Today I pushed myself 4 miles.  (Remember, I have a 1/2 marathon I'm training for!)  I had Jason go out and drop me off.  I despise out and back runs.  So we drove out 4 miles and I started.  Jason gave me a few tips.  He watched me run last Saturday in our 5K (for as long as he could keep up...).  He noticed I was running up and down rather than forward.  When he mentioned that, I remembered others saying the same thing in years past.  So today, I was set out to focus on propelling myself forward rather than bobbing up and down.

It feels different running that way.  My hip was feeling a little sore by 1/2 through the run.  But I honestly felt like I was going faster!  Then I came home and looked at my splits:

Mile 1:  9:00  (I NEVER run a 9 min/mile!!!)

Mile 2:  10:01 (Still pretty fast for me...)

Mile 3:  11:07  This mile was ALL UP HILL!!!  Ugh.  

Mile 4:  10:49  I was TIRED by this point and my legs were sore in all new places

To sum it up, I can tell a HUGE difference in running forward.  I really just watched my shadow and made sure I wasn't bobbing.  It helped!

My overall time was 40:59 (a 10:15 min/mile)...not too shabby!

Sunday will be my next run.  A simple 3 miles.  But next week, OH!  Next week I'm going 5 miles.  My stomach is already in knots!