Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Mother of four with no excuses!


It’s been a while since I’ve updated my blog. It wasn’t because I ever stopped or became bored with running; it’s just that I didn’t have much to say. Since I last wrote, I officially because a triathlete! In April, I competed in a sprint triathlon, which was a 400 meter swim, 10 mile bike ride, and then a 3.1 mile run. I had wanted to do one for years and finally I accomplished my goal! I’m looking forward to more this summer. I ran outside all winter, even in the snow and freezing temperatures. I found that I love running in the cold. But I wasn’t alone in my running this year. My oldest sister, Missy caught the running fever and joined me for her first mini marathon last Saturday!

 Not only was it exciting for me to see her cross the finish line, it also proves that no matter how busy your life is, if you want something bad enough, you make it happen. Missy has four children; 8 year old, Levi, 16 year old Lizzy, 18 year old Hayley, and 19 year old Candice. She wakes up around 4:30am every morning for work and drives from Greentown to Fort Wayne, works an 8 hour shift, drives home, and usually has at least one sporting event to attend as soon as she returns. Somehow she squeezed in enough time for herself to train for a mini. Even when she was sick, she ran! Running is her personal time, which I believe every mother deserves. I’m so glad that she sees how important that is now. We have run numerous races together, but a mini takes a lot of training and dedication. I look forward to the future races with her too!

The most exciting running news in my life now is that my best friend and husband have started running! I found a fun looking race to do in September called, Color Me Rad, and sent out an email to some of my friends, and actually got a response from four of them. Not just a response, but four of them registered! Now my husband says he’s not running for sport, just to get into shape, but I’ll take it (and secretly hoping to find just one race for him to join me!).

I recently read an article about a woman who ran every day for a year and rewarded herself with a different kind of beer every day (just one!). I think that may be my new goal! I’m going to try to run at least 3 miles every day. I will look forward to that and to a summer full of races with my sisters and some of my best friends!  

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

New year, new goals

If someone would’ve told me January 1st, 2010, that my goal in 2012 was to finish my 3rd mini in under 2:30, I would’ve laughed. In 2010, my only goal was to run a 5k, which at that point seemed so hard. I think that’s why I like New Year’s resolutions. I like giving myself a goal because I am my biggest competitor. I’m still not sure about a full marathon because I’m not to the point where I feel wonderful after a mini. My goal is to be more than ready for my next mini.
I registered for the Indy Mini, which is held on May 5th, 2012. In 2011 I ran/walked this one before I was ready and paid for it. It was my first one ever and I only had a week to prepare. (I took someone’s bib.)When I did one in November, I had trained properly but ran too fast at first and my body shut down at mile 8. I will make sure I pace myself for the next one.
In the last couple of months, my sister and niece started running with me. I would officially call them runners and I am so proud of them. It’s such a great feeling to be able to motivate others, but more than anything, I love having friends to run with! There are days when I wouldn’t run if it weren’t for them. We now can motivate and support each other.
 I know some people will never be runners because not everyone loves it. One thing that makes me laugh every time I hear it is, “I can’t run.”. Unless you have a debilitating injury, you can run. You just may not like it. I hated running when I played soccer and basketball in high school, but I wasn’t given a choice. I also hated running when I first started in 2010. I just wanted to reach my goal and once I did, I learned I loved running. Don’t tell yourself you can’t run. No matter your size or age, you can!
Here is a list of my fitness goals in 2012:
1)      Run a mini in under 2:30
2)      Lose at least 20lbs
3)      Participate in my first Duathlon (run, bike)