"They say..."

I've only got a few minutes to post here since my to-do list at work is approaching half-marathon length. But, they say it takes two weeks or twenty days or something like that to form a habit, so even if a paragraph or two is all I can spare, I need to make it happen and form my blog habit.

A quick update on my running, which also has been pretty much nonexistent the last two weeks. A few weekends ago, I worked 19 hours at my part-time job (on top of my 40hr work week) and, unsurprisingly, I came down with a pretty fierce cold. They also say you shouldn't run if your symptoms are above the neck, so I took a break and focused on drinking gallons of water and sleeping as much as I could. Suffice it to say, in the last two weeks, I ran once. (On Thanksgiving morning, which I think I should get extra credit for doing.)

The biggest update is that I gave notice at my part-time job. It's just been too much to manage both jobs and attempt to have a life. I need to be able to spend more time on me: visiting with my much neglected friends, using the Pilates class Groupon I purchased months ago, running, keeping up with out-of-town friends. So, I'll work through New Year's weekend then return to just holding down one job!

I'll post again this week about my December goals, because they also say it's important to set mini-goals when you're tackling a larger goal, and I'll share my new plan to run without a watch... craziness, right? Till then, cheers and Happy Holidays!

Slackers & "Paranoids" Anonymous

It is a good indication that I'm slacking off on running when I slack off on blogging about it. Or, it is a good indication that I've had a good run when I take the time to blog.

I knew it would be challenging to work nights and weekends in retail on top of my full-time job, and I was right. I suspect it's mostly mental: I need to not expect that I'm too tired to get up and run in the morning, or expect that running will ultimately make me feel better and more energized.

Last week, feeling tired was not an obstacle I could overcome. I went a week between runs (Sunday to Sunday), even skipping the 5K race I'd signed up for on Saturday. I don't have any good reason for skipping it, just a few weak excuses. I did run this past Sunday, though, and finished my normal 3-mile route in 29 minutes--shaving a full minute off my time.

And, today, I finally managed my first pre-work/weekday run in weeks (months, really). Who knew it was so light out at 6:30 a.m.? My new curtains are obviously quite effective. I've put off running in the morning expecting it to be pitch black out, but I discovered today that with daylight savings time, it's actually fully light out then. Huh. Who knew. That knocks out one whiny excuse I've been using!

I tried out a new 3-mile loop on campus today and finished in a respectable 32 minutes--not bad given the hills and traffic intersections that I don't normally encounter. So now let's hope I can keep it up and create the morning routine I've been hoping for.

Now, on to the consequences for breaking my own rule by not blogging before 10pm on Sunday. I had planned to excuse myself because I got called into work (retail) on Sunday afternoon, then had to go back from 7-10pm for a team meeting. But, considering I didn't blog until today--three days later--I think there must be consequences.

So, before 10pm tomorrow night, I'm required to complete 100 squats, 100 crunches (bicycle style, so 50 per side) and 30 push-ups. (I'm superbly weak when it comes to arm strength. 30 push-ups will be a challenge.) I can break it up over tonight and tomorrow (but suspect I'll end up doing it tomorrow as I'm working retail tonight).

On a final note, I'm becoming a little paranoid that when I run that I must look awful or awkward or like I'm about to keel over. Sunday morning, I encountered a college-age woman running about halfway through my run and then just as I was finishing up. I had a really solid pace at the end (picking up my knees, pushing into a faster run), so maybe she was just acknowledging that, but she called out to me something like "Way to go" or "Keep it up." I shouted back, "Thanks! You too!"

Now, while this might have been innocuous praise, I did feel like I was getting some funny looks while I was running, and then I was thinking maybe I was purple-faced (I get pretty bright-faced when I run) or my shoulders were abnormally hunched or I was wearing a miserable expression on my face (although I felt fine).

My paranoia was enhanced this morning toward the end of my run: I passed a gentleman and smiled and said "Good morning!" He just laughed. At me.

So, call me crazy, but I am slightly concerned that this is a result of my appearance. I may need to try to get some video of me running or something along those lines to get to the bottom of this. It's quite disturbing.

Or, maybe it's not, and maybe I just need to relax and smile, purple-faced and awkward and sweaty and all.

Running quotes

I started following Running Quotes on Twitter, which posts some great and inspirational quotes. I just had to share this one:


The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. -Jacqueline Gareau


So true. And, it prompted me to go ahead and do what I'd been contemplating: Create my own Twitter account for this blog. So, profile is under construction, but you can follow me now at @agirlandahalf.


Tweet, tweet!

One squat, two squat, three squat, four...

I knew I should have blogged on Saturday, but I put it off. It was SO NICE to have a whole day off, and we are having issues accessing the Internet in our apartment... and, yeah, a whole lotta excuses. So, as I stated in my last post, no blog before Sunday at 10pm means I'll be doing 100 squats this evening. (No way it was happening this morning.) Wish me luck!

I did, however, succeed where it counts this weekend: with my runs. I set a goal to run 6-8 miles, and I did it.

I think it had been about two weeks (eeks!) since I'd run, but I still managed my three-mile route in 30 minutes on Saturday morning. (This is big for me, because when I first started training for my previous half-marathon, I was managing a 12-minute mile. To be starting at a 10-minute mile is exciting for me.)

Also of note for Saturday's run was (a) I thought I was going to die (exaggerating, yes) about three minutes in because it hurt so much when I inhaled and (b) I got a side stitch halfway through, but I pushed through and kept running through both. I may have seriously thought I was going to "be ill" after the run, but that went away soon enough. Gotta get and stay mentally tough for the half. No whining about side stitches. :)

Yesterday, I attempted a four-mile run on the UNC campus. Whereas my three-mile route is nearly all flat, running on campus (and particularly the route I run) is quite hilly, and somehow it seems like it's all uphill... at any rate, I'm still impressed that I finished in about 42 minutes, particularly because I stopped 2-3 times waiting to cross at intersections, and I walked for a minute while I shed my long-sleeve tee for the tank top I was wearing underneath: It was warm out there! I look forward to conquering my four-mile route in the coming weeks. It did feel good to push myself, and my aching hamstrings today are testament that I got in a good workout.

I do think I'm going to need to be fitted for some new running shoes, and soon. Mine are giving me blisters in a few spots (one is on the bottom of my foot), and they just don't feel comfortable anymore. I have been working on improving my form by lengthening my stride, so perhaps that's a contributing factor. At any rate, new shoes are on the horizon.

So, looking ahead this week: I have two weeknights "off" from my part-time job this week, which I think will help me manage some weekday runs. I'm also running the Eve Carson Memorial 5K for Education on Saturday. Let's take a moment to pray for her and her family; my heart still aches for their loss.

Before I sign off, just want to give a quick shout-out to "Stella," "Anna" & "Max Powers" (names changed to protect the innocent... okay, mostly just because it GREATLY amuses me to make up or assign pseudonyms) for a great Pre-Halloween Fondue Extravaganza on Saturday.

I'll be back later in the week to fill you in my squat penance. I may not be able to walk in a day or two, but I'll still be able to type.

Cheers!