six weeks in

I'm six weeks into my half marathon training schedule and it feels like its going really well.  I started off this week with my amazing run on Sunday.  Last night I headed out with my DH and my always willing to participate friend Ali for a 5km run.  We went to track since we all have our own speeds and could go at our own paces. 

The weather was perfect for a run, dare I say it even felt cool outside (compared to last week).  I did some quick (and poor) math thinking 9 laps would have given me the distance and but without realizing it I went 10 for a total of 5.15 km.  DH lapped me at least once, okay maybe twice so he probably did at least 12.     I ran a few short sprints at a pretty good speed and walked it out for a little then went back to my running speed for the majority of the run.  As I was completing my last lap DH started making his way towards me so I decided to take off in an attempt to catch up to him, only he realized this a little to quickly for my liking and starting running backwards.  Sneaky.  I didn't catch him, but eventually I will.

I went for my third run this week with a friend from work.  We had planned all spring to go out and one thing after another happened so this was the first time we actually made it out there.  We have a track near the office so we met up there.  The track there is not like my soft springy track by my house, this one was paved and didn't nearly have as much give, but I figured its probably better to change up the running surfaces so I don't get too spoiled.

Tomorrow night I will run with the running room run group and then Saturday I am going for the long run instead and will do the 3km on Sunday to start off week 7.  Wow...where has the time gone? 

I was thinking about that earlier actually, I started training the night before my birthday and I am already 6 weeks in.  I actually never thought I would be able to run as well as I do, and I know I am going to keep getting better, faster and stronger.

a new blog for a new attitude

I had the best run ever last night for my weekly long run and it was during this run that some kind of switch got flipped and my attitude about myself changed.  I'm no longer the "former fat girl" or the
"chubby kid in the family" the nicknames and labels thrust upon me as a child no longer define me. 

With this attitude change I wanted to let go of my former blog "fat girl no more".   Writing this blog certianinly helped me get to where I am today, but I no longer want the emphasis to be around weight or that label, I am letting go.  Letting go of the pain I felt as I struggled with my weight, letting go of the labels and letting go of the emotions I was still carrying with me all these years later.

I had stayed in bed longer than I was planning to yesterday hitting the snooze button for two hours.  DH got home early and we had breakfast then enjoyed just vegging out together for a while.  I made some yummy pasta salad for lunch this week and then I decided it was time to get out there and run.  I was going to just hit the hamester wheel but it was just too nice outside to pass up the evening so I laced up my shoes and hit the bike path.

Running felt easy, I felt like I could go forever and was surprised when I reached Walkers Line so soon.  I turned around and made my way back towards the track to finish off my distance.  As I was wrapping up lap 5 I was making the last turn towards the starting point I felt the warmth of the sun shine on my face and I started smiling. I had the biggest grin on my face I think for the first time running outside.  It was the best feeling ever, it was the best run ever!  I can't say for sure it was at this moment that the my mind set changed, maybe it was when I walked through the gate to the track, I forgot I stopped to take this picture for my blog until writing this post now.

I finished off my laps and made my way home going for a total of 9.5 km.  I got back and queued up one of my favorite mellow play lists and did a bit of yoga to stretch out the run.  It was as after that, I decided it was time for a new blog, this blog.  The blog about me, now, the now ME and what I am doing in my life to live a healthy life.  I am one of those people now who set goals and want to achieve them and focus those things in life.  I even said to DH, I could throw away the scale because it really doesn't matter anymore.  Those things that use to define me don't restrict me any more.