Amy's "BUT I'M NOT A RUNNER" Journal

[AmyBeth68]

"We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort."
~ Jesse Owens

So all of us here have dreams and I'm constantly inspired by all your determination and dedication. For me, self-discipline will be the key to my success. Without it, I will be unable to complete this journey. This week I felt a little slacky...a bit less exercise than I should have done. But with that said, I did put my steps in and continued to run. I have a few new goals for myself....first of all to continue eating healthy, maintaining sound nutrition to fuel my daily exercise. Secondly, I have to try to get all my XT in each week, because that develops my core strength which will be necessary, particularly in the latter stages of the marathon. The best news this week was my Thursday run which was a quick and easy 4 miler!

To recap this week...

Monday: Rest Day
Tuesday: 3 Mile run (it was an inconsistent and difficult one)
Wednesday: 60 Minutes KBX
Thursday: 4 Mile run (41:19). This run was just perfect...my splits were very consistent, hovering around 10 mpm, and I really felt good all around.
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: 5 Mile run (53:37). This run also felt good, but I ran it considerably slower than my Thursday run.

The schedule wasn't bad, but I should have done either 2 days of KBX or 1 KBX and 1 Yoga. I think at this point that one rest day is sufficient.

Splits for 5 Mile Run:
10:54/10:55/10:54/10:35/10:17

I'm happy that I was VERY consistent again. My HR averaged at 172 bpm. Overall pretty successful and I felt good. I know I could have gone another few miles with relative ease, but I don't want to push myself too hard less than a week out from the 5 Mile Trail Race.

Thanks again for all your support! Without you guys holding me accountable I'm not sure how well I would be doing!

Oh, and Scott, no need to send the search party out for me LOL! I've definitely been doing a bit of run-dancing, although I have strict orders from the kids that I am not allowed to shake my booty anywhere near the school bus . I'll try not to be a journal slacker this week .

Cam: Thanks so much for stopping by my journal!!

Kim: So glad to have you back! I miss your posts and personality!!

 

[toystoryduo]

"We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort."
~ Jesse Owens

Amy~

I love this quote! In fact, it is one that I will be putting in my DH's Father's Day card. Thanks for sharing!

You are doing such an amazing job, Amy! I am so proud of you for all that you have accomplished! With your focus and determination, you are definitely going to meet your goals! Keep up the good work, Amy!

Have a great Sunday and Happy Father's Day to your DH!

 

[goldcupmom]

Just catching up...
Amy, the pics are GORGEOUS!!! Like Kim said you ARE a skinny Minnie!!

Any time you want the heat, I'll be glad to FedEx it to you. I'm quite done with it here, now.

Hope you have a great rest of the weekend! Your running is AWESOME!!

 

[ScoJo15]

"We all have dreams...." Hmmm...yeah, I guess I have a few dreams of my own. Hopefully I can turn some into reality over the course of the next few years...

Anyway, thanks as always for the quote And don't get too down on being 'slacky' during the beginning of the week...you pulled two awesome runs out (thurs and sat) and should be very happy with that! Check out those negative splits on the Saturday run!! Way to go!!

I hope you're having a great weekend and have an awesome week ahead!! The trail run on Friday sounds exciting and I know you'll do awesome!!

Have a super day!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Amy,

We have the heat here too..so if Julie sends some your way and you still want more, let me know! They said last night on the news that we are in for setting the record for the hottest June in 130 years! WOW!!

Anyways, back to you! You are doing a great job!

IKeep up the wonderful work!

Have a great day!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Tuesday, June 20th

There are as many reasons for running as there are days in the year, years in my life. But mostly I run because I am an animal and a child, an artist and a saint. So, too, are you. Find your own play, your own self-renewing compulsion, and you will become the person you are meant to be. ~George Sheehan

To beat the heat I actually got up and ran early. Not as early as some of you....I have to say that getting up before 6:00 am to run is not within my power....but still early for me. I was up before 7 and out the door. It was nice to run in the morning, especially knowing that my workout was done for the day before the kids even went to school. Unfortunately today my Garmin wasn't working, so I don't know my splits. But I finished 4 miles in 41:46, which is fantastic for ME on a Tuesday! My HR avg was 167.

My only concern right now is some minor pain on the top of my foot. It has been bothering me a bit over the past few runs and today it definitely felt the most uncomfortable. My main concern, of course, is a stress fracture. However, at this point, my guess is that it's a tendon or some shoe pressure. I was given some great advice about tying my running shoes differently to relieve the pressure. Hopefully this works so I can stop worrying about my foot lol! I'm just shy of officially beginning my marathon training and the thought of anything now hindering that is frustrating!

My schedule for the week is as follows:

Mon: KBX
Tues: 4 miles
Wed: KBX
Thurs: Walk & Yoga
Fri: 5 Mile Trail Race
Sat: Rest
Sun: 4 Miles

After this week I'll take a few easy weeks of maintaining status-quo and possibly healing injuries. But I am less than a month away from beginning the most important leg of my journey. I have been training now for 5 months, preparing myself for the task, which is nearly at hand. That task, the training, will not be easy. And yet I imagine it to be wonderful and enlightening. It's amazing the twists and turns this path has taken. When I look back at my struggle to run 2 miles...and before that my struggle to survive 60 minutes of KBX....and now to find myself at a point where I can race. I started out somewhat alone and isolated. Yet here I stand ready to take this plunge....but truly not feeling alone in it all. I've really discovered some wonderful things up until now. The 5 Mile Race is going to be a nice end to this chapter...and I look forward to seeing what happens next in this incredible, unfolding story.

 

[ScoJo15]

Good morning !!

What an awesome run! 41:46 is fast for 4 miles, maybe you've found a hidden love for running in the mornings?!? And about that foot, I've also heard that tying your shoes differently can help with 'top of the foot' pain...I think the New Balance website even has a handy dandy walkthrough on how to do it

I hope you have a blast on your trail run Friday night! I'll be curious to see how it went....how will all of those people fit on one little dirt trail thru the woods? My advice? Make sure you drink lots of water (not like 200 oz, but enough to get you hydrated), make sure your ipod batteries are charged and get out there and have fun with it!!!

I'm excited for you on your journey towards January 7th! Look back at your journal and you've accomplished so much in such a short time, be very proud of yourself!! I hope the next chapter brings you even more sucess....just remember to be patient and stay focused on the course that you plan out.

Have a great day!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning Amy,

Wow! Your post was amazing! You have accomplished so much on your journey already! I am so proud of you! You will accomplish anything that you put your mind to.

I hope that your foot is feeling better soon.

Have a wonderful week, Amy! You are doing a great job and you continue to inspire so many people here on WISH!

 

[kimwim8]

Wow, lady....look at you go!! You are doing AWESOME, as many have said. I can't wait to follow along with you while you train for the marathon. I just know you will sail right through!

And the early morning run....SEE!! Now you know what I mean...it's so nice to get it out of the way, and it's also nice because of less traffic and less noise around.

Have a GREAT week, looks like your workout plan is GREAT! You're gonna do wonderfully in your race!

 

[ScoJo15]

Amy - trail run is today, right??? Just wanted to wish you the best of luck (and hope that foot is all healed up now)!!

Go Amy!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Saturday, June 24th

Thanks Scott for remembering my run last night!!!! Really appreciate that you thought of me!!!!

Kim and Tracy! Thanks girls for being so supportive of me! It helps so much more than you know!

I took off Wed and Thurs to heal my foot. Did a little bit of yoga...but not much more. Looking back on it....was the best decision I could have made. Fortunately, my best friend convinced me that rest was the best course of action, otherwise I would have been at KBX and probably causing more damage. That would have been bad news for the race last night! The best news is that the foot didn't bother me a bit during the run...and using the new sneaker-tying information helped for sure!!!!

So last night was the Summer Solstice 5 Mile Trail Race. Wow....what an amazing experience. Truly one of the most physically exhausting and difficult things I've EVER done. I ran with a group of 8 women (woo hoo for girl power). Many of them said it was harder than childbirth . Have to say that I wouldn't go quite that far....but it was pretty darn close. Trail racing is a grueling endeavor. Unlike road racing, all your concentration needs to be on the trail....there are logs, rocks, branches, streams, snakes (eek)...you name it. So the things that we normally concentrate on during a run (breathing, form and pace) take a backseat to survival LOL. Lots and lots of people fell....several came across the finish line bleeding!! Most of us finished muddy and dirty! Fortunately I didn't get injured nor did I fall....however there were moments when we were running down steep....VERY steep....mountain biking trails that were covered in stones and wet leaves...when I thought that all it would take is one wrong step and I'd be done for!!! We had to scramble up stones and grab trees to help pull us up the steeper embankments. It was honestly challenging...at times painful....and yet one of the most remarkable things I've done. I didn't quite hit my goal of finishing under 50 minutes...but I'm still proud to say that I finished the race in 50:56 which is just a bit over a 10 mpm. Would I do it again? You betcha....but I think I'll recover a little bit from this one first . In the fall there is an 8 mile trail run in the same state park. I've heard that one is brutal....so yeah...I'll probably do it!!!

Wow....I keep saying it....but it's true. This is such an amazing journey. A year ago I would not have imagined myself to be doing such a thing as running through the woods for 5 miles. Couldn't even begin to imagine all the wonderful things that have come out of this marathon journey. Self discovery, finding strength from within and new found passion are probably the most surprising rewards of all. Simply, truly amazing. Thanks for sticking with me .

 

[AmyBeth68]

Sunday, June 25th

Managed to get out there and run today. Wasn't even planning on doing 4 miles.....matter of fact was bracing myself for perhaps the worst run of my life. The odds were stacked against me.....and some was my own doing. On Friday was the 5 Mile Trail Race which pushed me to the outer limits of my endurance. To make matters worse last night I over-indulged in wine .....and woke up feeling tired and dare I say a bit foggy. The air was thick and muggy and storms were rolling around all afternoon. SO....facing all this I did the most logical thing I could think of.....I put on my running shoes and headed out LOL. OK...so maybe not logical....but for some reason totally necessary today. I put on some nice mellow music ..... expecting to run a leisurely pace and just loosen the legs up from Friday. I told myself that if I felt awful...I could always just walk. And it was better to get out there and try than do nothing at all.

And....the strangest thing happened.....I felt really good. Actually, aside from my legs feeling a bit tired....I felt really REALLY good. My stride was strong, my pace was fairly quick and my breathing was comfortable. So I chose to take the 4 mile route and see what I could do. My splits were:

10:08, 9:49, 10:34, 9:48

Not sure how I managed to pull this one off...finished in 40:20. Just maybe I had my guardian angel running with me today....because there is just no way I should have done so well.

So to my running angel I say... THANKS!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Amy

First of all, what an incredible trail run!! 51 minutes would be awesome running on super flat land, but you did it while traversing some impossibly difficult terrain...so proud of you...way to go!!!! So what, you gonna go adventure race in Costa Rica to prepare for the 8 mile trail run in August? Such the extreme athlete you are becoming

Second...nice run today!! Look at those splits and that last mile! You are my hero!! Maybe this calls for a new training program that has us drinking the night before races? (gonna have to try that one out myself some time )

You're a true inspiration and motivator Amy. Look at how far you've come in such a short time! Keep up the great work

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Amy. You're really doing great! You are my running hero - doing that trail race!! I don't think I'm brave enough!

I don't have to tell you to keep up the great work, you always do!! Have a great week.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amy,

You are doing a great job! Keep up the good work!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Friday, June 30th

Hi guys!!!


Well.....had a decent week of exercising:

Sun: 4 mile run
Mon: Rest
Tues: 4 mile run
Wed: yoga
Thurs: KBX
Fri: Rest
Sat: Rest
Sun: planning on 7 or 8 mile run

Just want to wish everyone here a Happy JULY 4TH HOLIDAY!!! Have fun in the sun and enjoy the long weekend!!!

I will be completely off-line for about 2 weeks. I'll post work-outs when I return. Until then...wishing everyone awesome weeks of exercising and healthy living.

Gonna' leave you with a few fortunes I got tonight at the Chinese restaurant ( I mean....can't leave you guys without a few quotes )....

"Not having a goal is more to be feared than not reaching one"

So...hang in there...don't worry if you don't reach goal...just the fact that you are all here trying to live healthier lifestyles says SO MUCH about who you are. Celebrate all the successes....forget the slip-ups....enjoy!!!

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible"

OK...that one is for my marathon running buddies. 'Cause honestly....a year ago....the idea of me running 5 miles let alone 26.2 was pretty much as impossible as it gets. I know you guys are out there....really this is for everyone who couldn't have imagined doing the things they are doing TODAY. Have fun doing the impossible...miracles happen EVERY DAY!!!!!!

Be safe...be happy....HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers!!! See ya' in 2 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The path we choose isn't easy.....but the rewards will be worth it in the end.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amy,

I love the quotes you shared with us! I hope that you have a Happy Fourth of July and a wonderful two weeks!

 

[ScoJo15]

Amy - Um....2 weeks? We're gonna miss you around here!!

But really, have a great time and have an awesome 4th of July!!

You've been such an inspiration so far...can't wait for your return to see how things went!

 

[ScoJo15]

Amy - It just came to me that we have no idea where you are! Sure...you'll be 'off-line' for 2 weeks but what exactly does that mean? Hmm...allow me to hijack your journal for a second and ponder the possibilities...you can let me know if I was right upon your return from 'mystery world'...

Let's start with what we know:
1. You'll be 'off line' for 2 weeks
2. You will post 'work out' info upon your return

So with that information I have come up with three scenarios to describe the whereabouts of our beloved Amy....

Scenario 1 - Access related - You are 'off line' due to not having access to a PC or the internet in general. Everything else is status quo. Maybe you are switching to the dish (or vice versa) and it's gonna take some time to come back up. You did disappear right before the 1st of the month, which would line up perfectly in billing scenarios. Or maybe the PC has been shipped off to the manufacturer or local store for repairs. In any case...you simply don't have access to the internet.

Scenario 2 - Vacation - You've been whisked away on a magical vacation to a beach somwhere where you are having fun in the sun, running along the ocean, watching sunrise & sunset and indulging in a few cocktails at some beach side palm tree laced bar. But 2 weeks? seems a long time for a vacation...most people just spend one week away...hmmmm

Scenario 3 - Alien Abduction - You are stuck in the mothership. The super advanced, other worldly mothership that doesn't have internet access. Hopefully not getting probed and prodded by some green faced, bug eyed, purple tight wearing, mind controlling beast from another world. It's the most unlikely of scenarios, but would provide the best stories upon your return.

So I wonder which it is? Or maybe none of the above?

I do apologize for posting this in your journal...but I had to do something in your absense....hope you'll forgive me

And we all look forward to your return!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hey Scott...thanks for not allowing my journal to slip off page one! You rock. Please feel free to journal-hijack whenever you want. Thanks!!!!

And....sorry to leave ya' hangin' there on my whereabouts. But I'm afraid that if I told ya....I'd have to kill ya'. See....I'm really an international spy who was sent on a very dangerous mission. Can't discuss the details. Sorry. I like ya' way too much to have to do ya' in.

OK ok ok.....I was really at the beach and since I don't have a laptop (donations gladly accepted)....I had no computer access short of packing up the pc and dragging it down there with me . So I was unplugged for a while...and let me tell you....the withdrawal was pretty rough. But I live to tell the tale. No aliens I'm glad to report...although there sure were some characters at the bars .

Believe it or not I DID actually exercise those two weeks. I got some good runs in and actually rocked out some 3 mile times...26:20 and 26:16. Now if I can do that in my upcoming races I will be a very happy girl! I am a bit out of shape however...missing the KBX and the structure of my daily routine. Not to mention the overindulgences in food and um...yeah...alcohol. So...vacation is over and I'm back to normal. OK...normal is relative. But I am committed to getting my runs in this week. Schedule should look something like:

Tues: 4 mile run
Wed: KBX
Thurs: 4 mile run
Fri: KBX
Sat: rest or yoga
Sun: 6 miles

That's the plan....the reality...well...we'll see. But it's a start .