Things are picking up some speed!

     I mean that both in my summer and in my running! I heard a commercial on the radio today and it said we are already halfway through the summer!! I CANT BELIEVE IT! I was telling a friend today that it feels like June was the slowest (and the worst month ever) for me and now that we are in July and I am getting things back on track, and the month is speeding by! B and I are in full speed working on the house to get it ready to host my brothers and their loved ones for the holidays because I know when school starts my free time will be long gone! We are also super excited because we leave for vaca in a little less than 3 weeks and it is SOOO needed for the both of us!
     I could go on and on about what B and I are planning ahead but I still need to blog about my running! Last week was super busy but I was able to log about a mile each day. I know that isn't much, but I also know "something" is better than "nothing", so I am happy with it. I logged a longer run last Friday because I had a little extra time and I was able to get in 2.5 miles. Now for my big run thus far! Yesterday, (Monday) I ran 5.5 miles on the treadmill! My first, second, and fifth miles kept an easy pace with gently increasing and decreasing speeds. I ranged anywhere from 4.0mph to 5.2mph depending on how I was feeling. My goal in these three miles was just to keep running! For miles three and four I focused on speed and recovery and ran sprints. I would run one minute one and two minutes off; my speed on the sprints were 7.0mph - 8.0mph. Not too shabby!
     I was not sure I could keep myself going during my long run. Several times throughout the 79 minutes I was on the treadmill I was so close to pushing stop and hopping off the "mill" for the day. But, I kept going. I knew how awesome I would feel once I accomplished what I promised myself I was going to do! The "runners high" that you always hear runners talk about is such a real and amazing feeling, I cant put it into words. All I can say is RUN! Push yourself out of your comfort zone and try to go just a little further than the day before and you will feel that rush of endorphins so many runners talk about it. It is the BEST feeling! I walked around the remainder of yesterday with a definite pep in my step!  I am not going to lie, I am crazy sore today so my workout this evening will definitely be met with a LOT of stretching and a much lighter run! I definitely felt this run in my sole yesterday! And check out below.... I am ALMOST to The Woodlands!!!

Miles Covered Wednesday, July 6 - Monday, July 11

Miles ran/walked: 10.5

Miles Left:

Big Goal/Mini Goal: 235.8/9.8

Watch OUT for a runaway wagon!!

      That's right! My wagon has run off without me, as I have somewhat fallen off the wagon last week with my running...Or should I say my LACK of running. My excuse for my absence of exercise is "I am FULL of excuses!" I feel I can reason myself out of anything and it is okay with me... at that time. But, then afterwords I hate that I didn't do it and vow to make up for it next time. I am queen of the statement, "I will start tomorrow" and "it doesn't count today because...." That is probably my worst habit of all, my ability to make excuses and talk myself out of anything! I know that everyone does this and for all kinds of reasons and I am no exception to the rule. I also know that I am not okay with this horrible habit of mine and I intend to change that. So starting NOW, that's right tonight, at 10:25 pm, I am done being a bench warmer, a watch the world go by-er, an "I will do it tomorrow-er." I am done with excuses. Bottom line is; I made this challenge for myself, this commitment to my family, and this promise to dad. I want to succeed in this blog challenge, I want to see how far I can run on a map, and I WANT to reach The Ballpark in Arlington! And then I want to choose a new ballpark to run too, because I know this will be an amazing accomplishment for me and a proud moment for both my parents, who I know are watching over us. I can do this and I WILL DO THIS!!

      So, everyone has to start somewhere no matter how small. It may only look like I walked 2 measly miles tonight taking our dogs for a walk, but that is 2 miles MORE than I walked last week, therefore, I am already doing 100% MORE exercise than this time last week, and it is only Tuesday! Hows that for motivation!!!! BOO-YAAA!!! Bring on tomorrow!! WHOOP!

Miles Covered Tuesday, July 5th:

Walk the dogs: 2 miles

Miles Left:

Big Goal/Mini Goal: 246.3/20.3