Monthly Archives: April 2009

Click on the title of the blog post to view the entire entry.


Bouncing Back

To give a more complete picture of how my “training” has been… the last two days have been TOUGH.  Felt like I went from a personal best to an all-time low… Eric probably thinks I’m being dramatic… but honestly, I was SO discouraged!  On Tuesday, I underestimated how cold it was and had to stop less than a mile later because I felt like an ice cube.  Yesterday, Wednesday, I plodded along for a mile or so, then… for no good reason… just gave up.  Didn’t push myself… just stopped.  Became very frustrated and called a good friend with hopes that she’d confirm my rut was hormone-related… maybe?… but No, it’s all mental she said… and suck it up, Jen!  Thanks, Lynne. =P  For the record, she said many nice things too and I felt much better.  Thanks, Lynne. =D  So today, I tried some of her tactics like focusing on my form (breathing, stride, posture) in order to distract myself from feeling tired… setting shorter goals (versus my tendency to calculate total and remaining distance)… oh, and she also likes to count fingers and confuse herself with numbers (apparently another distraction technique), but that didn’t work so well for me.  I tried! 

Well, today I did 5 miles in 1:01:42.  Had to walk a couple minutes and got a blister on my third toe… but no complaints…. progress is progress!  And I was able to recover from my 2-day rut.  Next step is to add hills and pray the weather stays warm.  Yikes.

DLF > DNF >> DNS

Sorry, this blog is temporarily turning into my running journal.  Ran 4.2 miles today, slow (and I mean slow) and steady, but without stopping.  Sometimes I feel like I’m in over my head, and that there’s no way I’ll be able to run the hilly 5-miles in less than 2 weeks.  I can hardly make it on flat ground, plus my feet are throbbing afterwards!  I imagine this is what a pregnant woman’s feet must look like!!  But today, I also came across something encouraging online, which made me realize that even if I finish LAST, it’s OK.  Guess I was a bit afraid of the embarrassment of being at the very end of the pack, with people twice or thrice my age flying by me.  But I’m trying to remind myself of the progress I’ve already made.  I know I’m in better shape than I was four months ago–when the most I could do was 1 mile–and Lord willing, I’ll be in better shape four months from now.  The most I can do is try my best.  If there’s anyone out there who feels like they’re attempting the impossible, I’m right there with you… just start small and don’t give up!!

Out Of Necessity

Eric has been burning the midnight oil at work lately, so consequently I’ve been home alone for the past few evenings.  Out of necessity, I have been cooking.  Yes, two consecutive days of real cooking, with real starch and real meat and real vegetables… as opposed to frozen pizza or canned soup.  In my pre-married days I prided myself on being an independent woman–able to manage my own finances, keep a clean home, and whip up a decent meal.  A year later, I’ve reverted on the domesticity scale and been spoiled by a husband who actually likes to cook.  [weirdo]  So although being home alone has its perks… I do what I want, eat when I want, eat Eric’s ice cream, watch tv, and actually accomplish quite a lot… still, it’s been too quiet and our home feels empty and worse of all, there’s no free dinner!!  Eric, come home!!!

In other news, I ran 3.5 miles yesterday without stopping!  I swear I saw a turtle zip past me, but who cares, I DIDN’T STOP!!