summer running

Finally - summer is upon us.  Okay, it is a bit overcast right now but it was lovely this morning when we went for a run.  And we had two beautiful runs on Whidbey Island last week.
I am officially on summer break so it is time to kick in the summer running schedule.  More morning runs, more afternoon cross fit work outs, and healthy eating - all working toward that Labor Day half marathon.

so close

I came so close to having a 70 mile month (68.9 miles).  We had rain or snow on 27 out of 31 days in March but somehow, I managed to get out there and run. 
Today was a gift.  I had planned to run a 10K but then I needed to be at a work meeting so I didn't sign up (happy that I didn't pay early).  It rained right up to the end of the meeting and then . . . the sun came out!  So my last run of the month, the one that got me ever so close to that 70 mile mark, was a sunny run - it doesn't get much better than that.

Now, on to April - I am aiming high - hoping to get in at least 80 miles.

I know I can because . . .

I am on track.  That means, unless something big comes along, I will meet my monthly goal of running 65 miles.  I know it says 62 by April 1 but when I set the goal, I had already run 3.  There were days recently when I was so far behind I began to doubt my ability to complete this goal.  I came pretty close to cancelling the goal last week.  But I decided to press on and here I am, with just 9 miles to go and four days to log those 9 miles. 
I know I can do this!

activity logging

I just discovered this feature on the Nike+ Active site today.  I don't have an i-pod so I don't track my steps or other activity but I guess that is an option.   But I rather like the looks of this data - my running - 23 days out of 37 - I think that is a pretty good run at it considering the weather we have been having.

one foot in front of the other

I am aiming for 20+ mile weeks but lots of little things have gotten in the way lately.  Last weekend I went away with some friends.  I was able to run one morning.  But we also got in a good, long walk on the rocky beach and along the way, we stopped and lifted some driftwood - a bit of upper body work :) 
Still aiming for 20+ mile weeks on a regular basis but also trying to be kind to myself.
And there is comfort in knowing that the days are getting longer. 
For now, getting one foot in front of the other - moving, moving, moving along.

a dream, a challenge, a possibility

personal goal - run 1000 miles between 1/5/2012 and 1/5/2013

I saw it on another site.  The 1000 mile challenge.  At first I said - No Way!  And then I thought again.  Last year I ran 784 miles.  When I look at my calendar, I see some months where I missed weeks, some days when I only ran two miles.  I wasn't running 4-5 miles per run consistently until summer.  1000 miles, 52 weeks, that is just under 20 miles a week.  And I think I can, I think I can, I think I can . . .

Be a planner

I got this idea from my daughter.  I took a page from my planner and marked all the days that I ran in 2011 so I could see the big picture.  It is interesting to see the months when I ran fewer days and to remember what was going on during that time.  Looking at this also helps me think about how I want to plan my running for 2012.

I also had an email from the trainer at our Fit Club today with this you tube video.

http://youtu.be/rEBedscSlYk

Time to make some plans.

@home workouts

Yesterday I watched a show I don't usually see when school is in session.  A "fitness guru" talked about how you can get in shape with just 10 minutes a day if you use his workout method.  I know his method and I have seen some great results on a few of the moms at school (most of them under age 35 and not overweight to begin with).  I also know that it is not inexpensive.  I love being able to work out @home, that is I love it now.  I didn't love it as much when I was out of shape.  It was too easy for me to "adapt" and not push myself.  At least when I would go to the trail to walk and eventually run, I had my husband or my daughter along so it was harder to quit early.  I have a few workout videos (each costing less than $10) that I have started doing again.  This time around, I find that I am pushing myself.  And they are just what I am going to need over the next few months when the days are shorter and wetter.  I don't have that Bob Harper DVD yet but I do have my own kettle ball.  I love the Kathy Smith tummy trimmers - they are only 10 minutes per work out so I can do 2 workouts before I go to work in the morning.  Same with the Jillian Michaels shred program.  I saw that the ladies over at the Get Moving Fitness Challenge (formerly the 100 Mile Challenge blog) are starting up again in January.  If you are ready to make a commitment, that is a fun place to find some folks to share the ride.

So, what will it be?  I am planning to average 20 minutes a day for the next 3 months.  And you?

Looking toward January

Time for the Whole Living Action Plan

I used to subscribe to a magazine called Body and Soul.  At some point, they change their name to Whole Living.  Last year I gave myself a gift subscription to start the new year and jumped right into the Whole Living Action Plan.  Today I received my final magazine (taking a year off from subscriptions) and was happy to see that it is the 2012 Action Plan issue.  I am looking forward to reading through the 3 week plan and making my shopping lists.  A great way to jump start the new year.
You can also find the information on their website.

why tag your runs?

I don't tag my runs very often.  Tagging is a function on the Nike+ system that lets you record information about the run - weather, location, how you felt. 
After our race last month, I decided I need to run more hills - they really got me on the race route.  So I am trying to run a hillier route at least once a week and I want to keep track of my progress.  So, at least for the hill run days, I am going to try and take that extra time and tag my runs.

rebooting and renewing

After taking some time off posting about health and running, I am returning to this space.  I find so much inspiration in reading what others are doing - running, walking, climbing hills, eating well. 
So, as October is coming to an end, I am going to reboot this space and hope that some regular posting will be a good motivation as the days get shorter and the rains come down.
Yesterday I had a good run - 6.5 miles in a misty rain.  I have a good rain jacket but I need a better hat - one with a longer brim.  I am closing in on my personal Nike+ goal and have promised myself some new running gear to celebrate so a new hat is just around the corner.  Today we have been promised sun breaks so I think I can kick out my last big run on the green Nike+ level.