Day 22

Oh okay, so this is a funny story.  Remember that post when I wrote that I purposely pick a treadmill next to someone (preferably someone who looks fast or is a good looking male) to get motivated to run longer and faster?  Keep that in mind as you read this.

So yesterday I was supposed to run three miles.  So I got on the treadmill next to this dude.  We both started running at the same time and ended up running at the exact same pace.  It was perfect.  At 2.64 miles I looked over to his treadmill and his read 2.69, so I bumped my speed up a couple notches to catch up to him (see!  My theory works).  Three miles pass and I start walking.  Almost immediately the guy looks over and says "You're giving up on me already?  I'm pacing myself to you for motivation!"  True story.  So we start chatting and Joe is now my new YMCA-gym-running-friend.

Tonight I (actually, we) ran....

3 miles

9:40/mile

Christmas Vacation

I'm back in Nashville after a wonderful yet fleeting stay with my family in Florida.  I might have been feeling the winter blues the past couple of weeks, but a few days with my crazy family has me re-charged.

I really didn't think I was going to run at all while in Florida.  But much to my surprise, two of my sisters and I ran a couple miles on Christmas Eve.  By the end of the run the pedometer said 2.4 miles, however there was definitely a few bouts of walking and chatting so I'd say we ran a solid two miles.  I was the motivator on this run, which is a brand new role for me.  Historically, I'm pretty awesome at being the complainer, not so much the motivator type.  But I think I did a good job.  Kaitlyn stayed with me throughout the entire run - naturally she wanted to chit-chat the entire run but I put a firm stop to that after about five paces (I hate talking during a run while Kaitlyn never stops talking ever, no really... ever).  Allison became a lost cause when she decided she wanted to stick to a leisurely stroll after about a mile, which is totally fine because if the skinny-minnie works out any more she'd probably vanish into thin air.

Anddd... as an added bonus, Santa sent me many running outfits and other necessary running gear (that I never would have thought I needed).  I'm very, very thankful :)

My Running Buddy.

Okay so how did this start?  More appropriately.. who will I blame for my upcoming year of pain & tears but ultimately thank & be totally grateful for on October 9, 2011?  My friend and running buddy, Catie.  I met Catie in modern dance class my junior year at Marist (I was the worst dancer in the class and she was the best).  We clicked and became housemates our senior year.  She's super funny, outgoing and weird.  We like to do awesome things together like plan unusually themed parties, steal things and play pranks on others.  In other words, my maturity level drops 98% when we're together.

I had originally planned to run the Music City 1/2 Marathon and had chatted about it with Catie one afternoon.  She had already signed up to run the Portland Marathon (she lives in Yonkers now but is originally from Oregon) and we talked about becoming training buddies.  You know... to swap stories, advice, and just be there when training gets tough.  But what's the sense of being training buddies but ultimately run two completely different races (and lengths for that matter)?  So somehow the crazy girl convinced me to add 13.1 additional miles to my already exhausting journey and run the full marathon with her.

I'm super excited for the road ahead.  Especially since I finally get to visit the West Coast.  Nashville is the farthest West I've ever been.  I might love Portland too much and never come back.  It's a risk I'm willing to take.

{Lets pretend this is us making a pact to run a marathon together one day}

{Catie and me on a good day}

Day 14

Three miles felt really good tonight.  It's is definitely getting easier and easier.  However, I haven't become too comfortable yet.  The moment I start to feel at ease with three miles I'm bumping it up to four miles.  Or once January 1st comes along.  I have a feeling my subconscious is in favor of the second option.

Tonight I chose a treadmill next to a really cute guy and after awhile I found myself running at the exact same pace as him.  I couldn't help it, he had a good pace going... it didn't have anything to do with the fact that he was attractive and I wanted to somehow get his attention.  Riiight.  Anyways, it totally helped motivate me to keep running all while making the time pass quicker.  I'm gonna admit, it's a little creepy... but this technique is definitely a keeper.

While running I like to think about what songs I would add to the create the perfect Race Day mix.  Matisyahu totally made the cut tonight.

Confession

I didn't run at all this weekend.  Not Saturday or Sunday.

...Okay not Friday either.

I have a hard time running on the weekends because really the only time I can run is first thing in the morning.  I despise running in the morning.  I just want to be lazy and drink coffee and read my morning blogs.  And be lazy.  I need to get used to running in the morning anyways since this damn marathon starts at 7:00a.  


I just had an idea - this can be a New Years Resolution.  Along with sticking to my running schedule.  Done and done.

Day 8

Finally!  Three miles was easy last night.  I could have easily ran one more... but that would just be brash.

Could it be the fact that I listened to the Beatles "Can't Buy Me Love" about 10x on repeat?  Possibly.  What!?... it's got the perfect tempo.

Could it be the fact that I had to text a few people in the middle of my run and was distracted?  Possibly.  I hate people who do that.

Could it be the 10lbs of chocolate goodies our old intern brought in for us when she came for a visit?  Um, no.  Due to fear that it might become a habit... definitely no.

Cheers to a good run!

Day 4-7

I'm a bit off schedule.  I still ran, just not the amount of mileage I was supposed to.  This week will be better.

Day 3

As I expected, it didn't take me too long to stray away from my running schedule.  I was way to tired to run last night.  Especially since I have to work 9a-6p at my reg. job and then from 6p-10p at the restaurant today, I didn't want to be too exhausted.  

But I WILL make up for it on Monday.  Monday is usually my day of rest, but I'm going to run this week.

Day 2

I ran 3 miles today!  First time I've run that much since I was in High School.  My legs started to get sore and as many times as I told myself it's totally fine if I stopped (not okay), I pushed through.


Note to self:  That's the last time we're going to eat a bowl of Guacamole right before a run.

Day 1

I'm officially running the Portland Marathon 2010.  That's 10 months away.  Whew.  That's a lot of time to get bored and off track.  Which is why I need motivation.  My friend Catie said that if you tell everyone you know that you're running a marathon and then write publicly about you progress everyday, you stay motivated and have a better chance at crossing that finish line.


She better be right.


Here goes:  Ran 2 miles today.  I surely can't wait for the day that running 2 miles is more like a walk in the park rather than a slow crawl through hell.


Two down.... 24.2 to go.