Why I Run?!?!?!

So people always ask me, why I run? If you would have asked me to run from my couch to my mail box about a year ago I would've complained every second. I use to HATE running. Come on I was a volleyball player for a reason, the most I had to run was 60 feet and that's only when somebody had a terrible pass. Well I'm getting older, I'm a single mom, I work full time which means I do not have the time to put into a good workout.  Let's face it, I'm terrible at diets. I use MyFitnessPal and find myself lying on it so I don't have to count for that 2000 calorie lunch I just ate from Chipotle. If it isn't added to MyFitnessPal, then I didn't eat it, RIGHT? So that defeats even trying to keep track of what I'm eating.

My number one reason for running is the way it makes me feel. It pretty much sucks when I start and usually sucks all the way through, but as soon as I'm done and I sit down to stretch, AMAZING!! Every once in awhile you have those runs that you don't need the iPod or you have no idea what songs even played on your iPod, your in the zone and it's a great run. Those are always worth it!! I also realized, I like food, I like it a lot, I LOVE beer and I LOVE it a lot so if I'm going to be able to eat and drink what I love I better be doing some exercising. What I have realized is you get so much out of running.  It doesn't take long and you and you get quick results.

Now let's move on to the mental aspect of it. Let's face it, if I didn't get to run somebody would probably have to commit me into a mental institute. Like I said, SINGLE MOM!! The way I see it, when I'm out for a run I have ME time.  That's time where I don't hear; Mommy can you get me this, Mommy can you wipe my butt, Mommy can you turn the TV on, Mommy can I have a snack, Mommy can we go outside, Mommy can you be my slave and do everything for me. I come back from a run and I'm no longer stressed, I'm no longer worried about work, money, the argument I just had with a 4 year old or how I stooped to her level and argued back like I was 4 again. I'm a brand new ME, I'm a better mom for it.

My 2 main reasons for running: staying in shape and my SANITY!! I'm lucky to have such an amazing boyfriend who supports my desire to run and is willing to watch Kadyn so I can get my runs in as much as possible.  I think he does it because he knows I would go insane if I didn't.  Happy me = Happy boyfriend :) :)

Another added bonus, is the sense of accomplishment you have. Finish line here I come!!

~Oh Monday Morning~

So yesterday I debated no running or drinking a beer, I mean after all I did watch three kids all day while the boyfriend golfed.  The kids decided yesterday that every little thing out of their little mouths was going to be an argument, that is until I threatened to make them sit on the couch and hold hands all day until they could learn to be nice to each other.  So to your surprise, I decided to opt for the beer.  After drinking that beer I started feeling guilty because I really needed to get in another run after Saturday's sorry excuse for a run. The boyfriend gets home from golfing and I said peace out, I'm going for a run.

Not such a good idea after drinking a beer.  I began to think I was a pro runner and looked down at my Garmin and I was running a 7.30. Now to some of you that's nothing, but to me I'm use to running somewhere around a 10 depending on the day. Needless to say I only ran 3 miles and had to stop and walk half way through. SLACKER!! But I did finish out strong, and I'm feeling it today!

NOTE TO SELF: Do not run after drinking a 24 oz beer!!

I did feel better after my run, and glad I went for one.  I'm thinking today will be Yoga day.  I can't afford to take a day off from working out, I have a tight black dress to fit into on Saturday!!

Brian and I have a weekend away from the kids. BOSTON HERE WE COME!!!!

Back at it!!

So I ran my first 1/2 Marathon in May.  I only trained for 12 weeks prior to the race, no big deal right! It's easy to train for a 1/2 in 12 weeks, the problem was I didn't run any further then 7 miles and I didn't run at all 3 weeks prior to the race, the whole single mom and life got in the way of my training.  So needless to say I set out to finish in under 2 hours, well that did not happen.  So half way through the race my goal was to just finish! Well goal accomplished!! Some things I learned from the race; I'm not good at drinking out of cups while running, I had to stop and go to the bathroom 3 times, and finally I was not prepared for it at all.  So I used that race as a learning experience and I couldn't wait to start training for my second 1/2 in Oct.  Well I decided to play volleyball this summer and the first game I injured my knee and was done running all summer.  So this past week I decided to start running again.  I set out to do 1-3 miles, after all I have been a lazy slob all summer long.  To my surprise, I banged out 4 miles and it felt great!!!  Anybody who is a runner knows, you have your good runs that feel amazing and then have those runs that you rather poke your eyes out with a pencil! So I set out yesterday for another run, I barely made 2.5 miles.  It was cold and my chest was burning. I'm hoping to get out there today and run again and hopefully push more then 2.5 miles. Wish me luck!!!