It's Getting Better

I ran Wed at the gym...3.8 miles. It was hot but enjoyable. There's a park about halfway called 5 Senses. I ran in there and walked a bit before getting back on the road. It's a peaceful place, I think I'll go there more often.

I ran this morning at 9am. I just went about 3 miles, I was supposed to be getting ready for the beach. Everyone was still sleeping and Bobby had taken off to ride with his cycling group. I figured I'd get a shorty in. I saw a man up ahead, I picked up speed and "chicked" him. Does it matter that he was walking? No? I didn't think so...LOL...I turned around and walked back to him. I asked if he was training for anything and he said no. He had some surgery and was getting his strength back. I told him about the half marathon training and invited him. He said he didn't think he could do 13.1 miles. I told him I did a full marathon in 4.5 months, so I am proof it CAN be done. I saw a twinkle in his eye, he said he'd give it a thought. So maybe a seed was planted....we shall see.

My husband was off for the day but went for a bike ride with his group. He did 50 MILES!!!! That's a half century!! It took him 3 hours and he L-O-V-E-D every minute of it. Here's the kicker....he has a regular road bike. Not a racing bike. He still averaged 18 MPH. I'm so proud of him. The look of satisfaction on his face when he got home was awesome. I wish he would run. It would be so cool to run a marathon together. He wishes I'd bike. We have agreed to not bug each other about our chosen sports....LOL.

I think this half marathon training project has me fired up. I am back into running again and loving it. Jim (my coach) made me a running coach for this project and I am so very thrilled. I was watching him make the flyer the other day, and when he put "running coach" beside my name I just felt so proud. I don't think he realizes just how much this means to me. To think that just one year ago this month I was still recuperating from being sick. 9 months later and I've run a marathon and become a running coach. Blows my mind. My husband told me today he'd never have believed it. Thinking back to how I used to view exercise I can understand. The sense of accomplishment is astounding.

Tomorrow I plan on a 2 mile run in my Vibrams. I'll be back with an update on that......

Running In The Heat Is Not Too Fun

Ok, I did run on Sunday morning. I think it was about 9:30 or 10:00am when I left the house. I left my watch at home so I wouldn't get too insane with numbers and I walked to the end of my street to warm up. I should have stretched but I didn't feel like it! Ha!! I was fine anyway.

I ran about 1.5 miles to a bridge that over looks a small canal. I peeked over the edge looking for gators, of which have been elusive. Never saw one. I think I saw a catfish though. The whiskers on this fish were long. I took off again and was feeling pretty dizzy within another half mile out. It was about 95 degrees out, but breezy.

There's a man I see every time I run, no matter the day/time. He has a funky color yellow hair and he's very darkly tanned. He went by me on his bike doing 110 MPH, we waved. About 1 mile later, no kidding, he RAN past me on the other side of the street. I was walking because I was dizzy and when he ran by me I got a little irritated. I felt like screaming "Where's your freakin' bike mister?????" I wanted to ride it home. This guy always comes out of nowhere and passes me in the weirdest spots. I never hear him coming or see where he's come from. He must run a 5 minute mile, the show-off. If I wasn't wearing my bleaching trays and could've talked, I would've stopped him for a chat. But I didn't want to be spitting all over him while trying to speak with bleaching trays in my mouth. So he's been spared...for now.

I ran down to Publix and got some water. Ran to the middle school and did once around the track. I was so hot, I ran home from there. Ended up being a 5.25 mile run. Very leisurely. Very, very hot. Very enjoyable believe it or not. (hey, that rhymed) It was good to get out there. On the run back I saw some cyclists coming my way. I stopped on the bridge and waved as they went by. Then I saw HIM. The most handsomest biker EVER. Our eyes met, our hearts jumped. He pulled over for some smoochies. Ooohh, what a kisser! Yep, my husband Bobby! He was with the Coastal Cruisers, they were on the last mile or so before their bagel gathering. Very fun to see him!! Oh, he's such a lucky man to have me....LOL. I know this because he tells me that everyday. And I believe him.

I have yoga tonight, I think I'll run after that class. It's perfect stretching for a run. It might be a little cooler by tonight. I have a buncha things to do today, I won't be able to run until tonight anyway!

NP Endurance Project and Vibram's Update

This is an image from my embroidery design program, so it looks strange. It's our logo for the half marathon training program. I saw the swirly sun on a YMCA brochure and Jim thought up the name. That part took 3 minutes. Getting it into my software took me 3 hours....lol. Stitching it out took 5 minutes, that was the easiest part.


I'm so very excited to be a part of this project. Being a co-captain makes me feel like the 7th grader who tried out for girl's softball and was so bad the coach made me an honorary "co-manager"....true story....lol. I sat on the bleachers keeping score. So sad. But I got a purple hat!! Had a ton of fun too. I hope to help bring a fun, positive attitude to this group. Jim's way of training worked for me, I'm proof it can be done. If I can run a whole marathon after 4.5 months of doing everything he taught me, this group can too! I think I'm going to enjoy seeing people evolve into endurance runners. The friendships that I've found through running is another bonus. We're going to have a great time! If you live in this area, please email me or leave a message, I'll give you all the details!

VIBRAM 5 FINGERS

*Nitmos, you are right, I need a new picture with my Vibrams!

I ran a slow and easy 2 miles in these bad boys last Wednesday. My coach advised me to go very easy and I'm glad I listened. Even though I felt great and the run was so comfortable, my calfs were KILLING me until Saturday! I can't believe how sore they were! I haven't run in them again yet. I'm waiting for my power bar and coffee to settle and then I'm going for a sweet run. A sweet run is a run where I don't bring my watch, I don't have a plan and I stop and smell the flowers along the way. And look for gators in the canals. Oh, and I go before it's 94 degrees out. Sweet.

My husband is out on his Coastal Cruisers bike ride. They usually do about 35 miles. He loves it. He has to work later, another reason for me to get my run in early. Hey, I have a picture of him on his bike.....

There he is!