Running with a new toy!

When I bought these shoes in the spring, I just wanted a pair of shoes that was comfortable and in a somewhat cute color. Gotta look cute even when you work out, right?

Now that I've been getting more into running, I've been getting more curious about my time, speed and distance. I try to track it with a watch, but it doesn't work very well and I always question if it's accurate. It took a lot of convincing, but Hubby finally made me go out and buy a Nike+! I hardly ever spend that much money on myself, but he knew it was something I really wanted and it would help me enjoy running even more.

I had to get the white and pink one to match my favorite running tank!

So far, I'm loving the Nike+ and it's been really great to get an accurate read on my miles and distance. I can upload my stats to the Nike website and keep track of my distance and workouts so I can look back and see my progress. I still can't believe how far I've come since the winter!

My First 5K: Completed!

I am proud to say I just completed my first official 5k race. It's been a long road of training, knee injuries, fertility issues, and then back to training again.

I've been training in 90 degree heat so you can imagine how freaked out I was when I woke up and it was 50 degrees out! I'm not used to running in the cold and my toes tend to get numb. I piled on layers and layers of clothes before we left the house, but I ended up taking most of them off before the race.

I actually wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be right before the race and it started before I was even mentally ready. All the people cheering us on was really fun and it was so cool to see people of every age running along with us.

What an accomplishment for someone who could hardly run a block less than a year ago!

Runner's Hair?

I just made up a new term called runner's hair. Maybe some of you know about this horrible condition. You go for an awesome run and feel great. Then you realize your hair is completely knotted and a huge mess! I have to spent so long combing out all the knots and I end up losing so much hair in the process.

So does anyone else have this problem? What do you do to solve it?

My hair won't stay in a bun because it slips out when I'm running. Any ideas?

Save my ponytail!

These socks were made for walking

So you know how I've been into running lately, right? I kept beating my running records and was getting so pumped about it.

Well, I hurt my knee : ( I really don't know exactly what I did, but it's the same knee I sprained when I was 13 and I've had some pain on and off ever since then. But I think it's worse than it's ever been. I've been trying to rest it, but it makes me sad.

A friend suggested I get some shoe inserts from a running store a few weeks ago and it's made a HUGE difference! The pain is almost gone and I feel like I run normally now.

Anyway, on a good note, I have to rave about my new socks! I really never thought socks would make a difference when running. But I've been hearing about moisure-wicking socks and how great they are, so my parents got me a few pairs for my birthday.

And how fricking cute?!? I love the little colored logos to match my outfit : )

I gave them a try the other day thinking I wouldn't notice a difference at all. Running seemed normal, but when I went to change back into my work clothes, I realized my feet felt better. They weren't sweaty at all! It was so much nicer to change back into work clothes and not feel so gross.

So give them a try! I recommend them! (BTW, no one paid me to endorse these socks...I just like them.)

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What makes a runner?

This is something that I haven't talked about very often on here, but it's a big part of my life.
I'm kinda obsessed with working out.

I was never very athletic growing up and would do everything I could to get out of gym class in school. I barely passed the mile run and hated it with a passion. I was a dancer and always went by the excuse that dancers are NOT runners and don't ever want to be.

One time in college, my roommate begged me to go running with her. I always said no, but one day I gave in and tried it...I swear to you, I fell into a bush from exhaustion after ONE block!

I've been working out more routinely for the past 6 years, but didn't get hard-core until the last few years. I started to become unhappy with my body and bumped up my workout days to 4 or 5x a week. It took a few months, but I saw results! I finally had muscle on my body for the first time! I could tell that my endurance was improving and I was feeling more exhilarated from a good workout.

So just in the past couple of months, I've started to focus a lot on running. As I said, I was never a runner. But one day, I had this sudden burst of energy and ran my fastest mile yet. And then I beat my time again...and again...and again! The more I beat my best time, the more motivated I am to keep going!

Last week I ran the longest I have ever run without stopping and I had to hold back the tears when I finished. I could not believe how far I've come since I fell in the bush in college!

So to celebrate, I went out and got some MUCH-NEEDED running shoes! It took me 3 attempts to find some I liked, but these are great!

And I also couldn't pass up a great bargain on a Nike shirt. I decided that I'm finally enough of a runner to deserve a real working out shirt instead of the "wife-beaters" I usually wear.

So what really makes a runner? Just because you don't have the best time or aren't very athletic, can you be a real runner? Can someone who once couldn't even run 1 block be considering a runner now? I'd love your input and comments.


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