Ran 2 miles in 20 minutes 49 seconds

    I ran 12 miles total this week and walked 8 miles for a total of 20 miles although my longest run this week was only 4 miles. I started out intending to run 6, but I was tired; it was windy and the dirt path seemed harder to run on. I had read that running on a dirt path is a little easier on your knees, but it is a little hilly too. I ended up walking the last 2 miles back home. I did however have my best 2 mile time ever. I ran it in 20 minutes 49 seconds. I have a personal goal of running it under 20 minutes someday soon. The funny thing about all this running and walking is that I think that I look better, yet the scale shows that I went up 1 pound. I better start watching what I eat. I read an article that said to take apicture of everything before you eat it, then you will have a visual document of your eating habits after the week. Maybe I will try that.

I am getting my kids to exercise

   I ran 9.6 miles on Saturday for a running total of 17 miles for the week plus 8 miles of walking. That was a great week for me :)
     I read once that a person needs to do something 60 times for it to become a habit. I had an epiphany while running a couple weeks ago about getting my kids to walk or run. I decided to track our walking and offer a cash incentive at the end of 100 days. Jim and Emily wanted to do it as well. It was to start April 16th, but I ended up starting it early since they seemed excited about the idea. I had always thought that if they saw me run and the fact that I really enjoy running, they might want to try it too. Occasionally, we would walk as a family, but never that consistently. The six of us walked around 40 miles combined this week. Let's see if after the 100 days, it really is a habit, and they continue without the cash incentive.

My Running Meditation

    When I run, I sometimes think about where I am headed in life and all that I want to accomplish. I have ideas for books that I want to write and goals that I want to reach. Other times, I just enjoy the run and try to relax and clear my mind. When the run gets too hard, I focus on an issue I want to resolve. If I begin to think about stopping before my planned running time, I just repeat the word "push" over and over. It sort of works like a running meditation. That is how I felt at the end of my 8 mile run yesterday, but I made it. My legs were tired and my toes were cramping, but it felt so good when I finished. I ended up running 12 1/2 miles and walking 7 miles this week! 
   

Two great Days of Running :)

   Even though it was chilly out, I had a great weekend of running. It may be confusing, but from now on, I am going to discuss my week of running from Monday through Sunday. Sunday seems to be an easier day to blog, and I hate writing about my week of running without including my Sunday run. After last weekend in Memphis, I was tired all week and only ran 2 miles on Thursday. I went out at 830am Saturday not sure of how far I could run. The wind was bitter on my face, but since the snow is finally gone, the bike path was open. I ran from Jim's house in Wheeling to Lake Arlington then back. I estimate it to be approximately 7 miles. The last mile was hard and my toes started to hurt, but I felt good. I started out today in my neighborhood thinking that I would do 2 or 3 miles, but felt so strong again that I ran 5.3 miles. It was still cold, but at least the sun was shining. And yes, I did put sunscreen on my face!

Should have ran in Memphis

   So after my best week running, the kids and I road tripped to Memphis for the weekend. It was 9 hours there on Friday, and 9 hours back on Sunday since I had to work at 630am Monday. The weather was beautiful, and I did bring running clothes, but I just was too tired after museums, walking around and Graceland. I did just run 2 miles, but that is for this week. Last week was 3 days of running for a total of 7 miles. I will get a long run in this Saturday, so check back soon for this week's update!!

I ran 1/4 Marathon today (6 1/2 miles)

   So it is getting a little easier every week. Although I have a little cold, this was my best week yet. I ran 14 1/2 miles total with today being a 6 1/2 mile run. It took about 1 hour and 22 minutes, but the first 3 miles were pretty easy at that pace. There is a Chicago Half Marathon May 15th that I may sign up to run. If I continue to be able to increase my miles, I am definitely on track to be able to run it. As I sit here typing this, I can feel a slight soreness in my left knee, and I also have some soreness in my right shoulder. I am not sure if I am holding my shoulders too tight while running. I will make a better effort to hold them more relaxed and shake them out while running. I did not start the energy packets while running yet, nor did I run with water today. Once it warms up, I will need my water bottles, but maybe if I run any further than 6 miles, I should be sipping also. I am going to try to hold off on the energy packets, so that I don't get too relient on those for a burst of energy. I am feeling positive about my running!

250 minutes aerobic exercise a week = significant weight loss

    According to Health Magazine, a person needs to exercise 250 minutes a week in order to have significant weight loss. Since my running pace is approximately a 12-13 minute pace, I would need to run 18/19 miles a week to have an impact on my weight without changing my caloric intake. I am quite below that amount of exercise, but since I am feeling better from my cold as well as my other health issue, I am ready to push it hard this month.
    I ran 6 miles total this past week. I was able to maintain an 11 minute pace on the treadmill Friday for 2 miles which was really good for me. My goals, other than increasing my mileage in preparation for the marathon, are to lose at least 15 pounds and maintain an 11 minute pace for the marathon. Although I count my week of training from Sunday through Saturday, I was able to run 4 miles today towards my next weeks miles. It was a struggle yet I felt good. I really enjoyed listening to my music and being alone with my thoughts as I ran.