Just the runs

A few years ago, okay like 16 years ago, I was runner. Not a great runner, but still a runner. I ran in Cross Country and ran in track. During track meets, I typically ran the 1/2 mile, mile, and 2 mile for a total of 14 laps around the track. (Boring!) Right after high school, I got married and started a family. I never ran again.....until recently.

I reintroduced myself to the running world in September 2011, with the Couch to 5k program. We went from barely being able to run 90 seconds at a time, to running 8 minutes without stopping. It was hard for us, but we fought through it. He started traveling more, so our time of running together ended. I had to venture out on my own and try and complete this program. I quit the program on Halloween. It was cold, drizzly, and I almost got ran over, so I decided enough was enough.

In December 2011, I bought a treadmill, with hopes I would get that desire again. And I did. I loved running on the treadmill, in the comfort of my own house, anytime of the day, no matter what the weather was like outside - I could run. I continued a mile here, a mile there for awhile, but didn't really progress. In the Spring of 2012, I once again started the Couch to 5k program again, determined to finish the entire program and to prepare for a race we signed up for. Consistency was better, but still not great. We would run our little hearts out and then celebrate with margaritas afterwards. (Probably not the best training method.) Our race came and I felt good. We ran our first mile really fast, but kind of faded after that. My friend was having major side cramps and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to stay with her or go on, so I decided to stay and walk when she walked.

My time was 36:22, which was a lot better than my previous 5k. (I won't tell you that story just know this: School reunion the night before + beer + late night + early morning + hot summer = bad racing experience//bad racing time)

My Scentsy Sponsor signed up for the Hot Mamas Run that would take place September 2012. I had been running every so often, but nothing consistent. Maybe a mile a week, maybe nothing. I decided to sign up for the race as well. I tried so hard to be more consistent with my running, but just didn't commit. When it was time for the race, I felt somewhat prepared, but not completely prepared. It was a hilly course and I walked a lot of it. I started walking with her, but was determined to beat my time from March, (that totally didn't happen, by the way), so I left her behind and walked/ran to the finish line. The hills were brutal. I was used to running on either the treadmill, or flat streets. I was not prepared for a lot of hills (not big ones. But still, hills are hills). My time was 39 something. You can see pics and deets here, if you are interested.

Anyway, fast forward to the current running situation and we are doing things like this:

This is what I'm most proud of. Challenging ourselves each and every week to do more, whether it be more miles, or more times. Just more.

I don't want to be the fastest runner, I just want to be a good runner, who is always improving. I would love to (eventually) run a half marathon, but right now we are enjoying our own challenges and seeing what we can do. So far this week, we have run 9 miles. (6 on Sunday, 3 on Tuesday). That is completely unheard of for us. Someday, we might be running 9 miles in one day. Who knows.

What I do know is that I like this. I like the feeling we get when we are finished, when we look at each other and say "we just ran 5 miles. 5 freaking miles". I like that it's making me stronger - physically & emotionally. I like that it's good for my heart. I like that I can do it with my husbad by my side.

My purpose for writing about "the runs" today is to let you know that you don't have to be good, you just have to be good enough. You have to want to do it, commit to it, and not give up - no matter how slow you might be. I have been there, even after being a "runner" back in the day. Running is hard, but it so rewarding. Don't let your mind talk your body out of something that could be the best thing you've ever experienced.

As we were running 3 miles yesterday and struggling going into the 3rd mile, the song "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus blasted in my ears. The words rang so very true with my experience with running. My failures, my successes.

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

A little motivation/funnies:

These things are so delish. I also like the Banana Foster flavor.

Sparking it up! (Oh and look, my nails don't look hideous!)



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