Determination.

That's all I've got for you. That is the only reason I can think of that I keep running. Tonight me and mom got in 3.2, and to be honest it seemed awful. Yes, I ran the whole program and didn't stop any and even ran the whole mile back, only stopping once allowing myself 10 seconds, but it still seemed awful. 

I hurt every step of the way, and I am not even sure how I kept going. Only by God's grace was I able to keep going. I was moving at a snail's pace, but hey, I was running. I honestly just wanted to cry, and on our  last mile we ran back, I almost did allow myself to cry. 

I kept thinking over and over how am I ever going to do a marathon, why am I doing this, I am so slow, etc. But the more I thought about it afterwards, my spirits lifted. I just ran 90% of 3.2 miles; while that may not seem like much to some people, I was lapping everyone on the couch. I have to step back and realize how far I have come since October. Mom reminded me tonight that at the beginning I was exhausted at the very thought of only running 1 minute, and now I can accomplish about 85% of 4 miles on our longer day. Thoughts like that help me push through and I realize that I CAN and I AM going to do this! 

I read this quote earlier this week and I knew it had a special meaning for me; today I kept thinking it after our run:

"You don't need to strive to please the world. You're already amazing in the eyes of God and He loves you unconditionally." 

Amen : )

xxx,

Regan 

Hello!!

I have been super busy lately. Last week at work was very busy and in between all of that Valentine's day was Thursday, and yes, I chose to spend it with my hunny instead of running. I managed to get in a small run on Saturday, I was excited to try out my new watch Markus got me for Valentine's day. I was totally not expecting him to get it for me, he's sweet like that. He is very understanding and supportive of my running, and I am very thankful for that. 

Me and mom got in a 4 mile run today, I did good, but I just felt ok, not good. I feel like I am having some issues with my shoes, I am not 100% sure though. I manage through the pain I have every time I run, but if another pair of shoes will help manage the pain that I will go that route. I run in Brooks Glycerin 10 right now and I feel like my feet are constantly sliding and when I tighten the laces to stop the sliding I am constantly battling my feet going to sleep. I get shin splints, I guess that's what you would call them, almost everytime I run, and they just last when I run. I always have a new pain or ache it seems like, I know I have not been running that long but I don't think every single run should be like that. Or maybe it will be something I have to just continue pushing through. 

But I decided to order another pair of Brooks, that were actually on sale for a really good price. I ordered the Brooks Pure Cadence shoes, I read tons of reviews on them and decided to give it a try. So, they should be in some time later this week for me to try out, I'm excited to see if they help my issues any. In the meantime I am going to keep pushing through because it is what I do everytime and I know that I can make it through my minor pains. I know that there are people out there that would love to be able to run; thoughts like that help me get through. 

I also have a 5k this weekend so I am excited about that! Sorry for the lengthy post! : ))

I just love my new watch!! 

Later!

Regan

The weather here has been so nasty!

It has been raining literally every day this week; pouring down, cats and dogs, thunder and lightening.

I have only missed 1 day of running though!

I ran on the "dreadmill" yesterday. I was all mentally prepared to do awful, but to my surprise I did great! I felt great and was able to run more and a little faster. Maybe the treadmill is easier, who knows, but I did well and that was a good self esteem boost for me. I think you need runs like that; that maybe are a little easier because they really boost your self esteem and make you feel great about yourself! But I could be totally wrong about the treadmill being easier, I mean I'm sure it is easier on your body but who knows, you're still running and it is better than not running at all. I would love to hear people's opinions about the treadmill.

On another note, I am so excited because my fiance got me a pink Garmin Forerunner 10 for Valentine's day! He must have read my blog :p, or maybe it was the photo on the fridge? I am so excited to use it, I know I am going to love it!

 

Anyway, today is Valentine's day and I have not been eating good and will continue to not eat good tonight! I can have an off day, it IS ok! : D

Later!

xxx,

Regan

What is a "good run"? 

In my opinion the words good and run shouldn't be paired together. Every run is a good run, a run is not either good or bad, you are running either way. No matter how slow or fast you think you are, you are running. You are trying and sweating and probably cursing under your breath.  

This is something I need to engrave in my brain. Today I had what I kept referring to as a "bad run". I was running alone today, something I am not strong at. I was what I kept referring to as "slow". My spirits were down, and I was feeling like a failure. 

So I texted my favorite running partner, my mom, and she offered some words of encouragement which I am  forever grateful for. It turned me around and my spirits lifted. No matter how fast or how slow you think I am going, I am running. I am out there and I am trying my hardest and that is something that I can say is true for every run I have been on. So from now on I will try not to refer to my runs as good or bad. I will remember that every run I go on, 2 miles or 26 miles (one day!) is good for me. I am progressing and growing and learning about myself. I have also got to remember I have only been seriously running since October! : )

Me looking not so excited on my run today.

 

My gorgeous view!

From now on I will try to be less hard on myself! 

Later,

xxx,

Regan 

Bright colors make me happy! : )

The weather has been so wonderful the past couple of days, Monday I had another great day running, 2 great running days in a row-I was so surprised! And by great I mean I didn't hurt much at all, and I really pushed through and overall just felt good! I am really finding my "stride", as cheesy as that sounds. I am so excited at the progress I am making, it is really showing.

Tonight's weather was amazing, it was about 73-ish outside and sunny, it felt like a spring day. I started out not feeling so good, I kept telling myself it was going to be a sucky run. The devil lets the negative thoughts enter my mind, but thank God mom was there to remind me that this was not going to be a sucky run, and that at least I was out there making progress. Every mile counts. Finally the fog in my mind lifted and I knew that even if it hurt, which tonight it did hurt, that I could push through. You have to be stronger than the thoughts in your mind, I talked to God a lot and I knew I could do it.

It was only 3 miles, and at what most people would consider a snails pace, but I pushed through and just ran. I zoned out, looked at the sky, listened to my favorite running music Lecrae, and just ran. It was that simple, but sometimes we tend to make things in our life overly complicated. We can get through anything in our life with God's help. The marathon in January will be the hardest thing I have ever done, the journey leading up to it not any easier, but God will be with me the whole way, and for that I am greatful.

Later!

xxx,

Regan

"Running is the greatest metaphor of life, because you get out of it what you put into it." Oprah W.

While Valentine's Day is not my favorite holiday, I love any excuse for a small gift! : D

Here is some neat, affordable stuff that would make great gifts for beginner runners like myself, or even for the veteran runner in your life!

http://sparklysoul.com/ : Sparkly Soul makes the cutest non-slip headbands! I have read tons of reviews on them and want a few myself. They were created by athletes for athletes, they are super cute and I have read that they don't cause headaches or hair breakage. They also come in tons of fun colors to mix and match with outfits! I would love to have a few!

http://www.spibelt.com/ : I actually own one of these and I love it! It is called a spi belt, which stands for small personal items belt. I got one for Christmas and use it on almost every single run. It comes in lots of fun colors and color combinations, mine is black with a hot pink zipper. It fits around your waist and really doesn't move or bounce at all while you run. I just put my cell phone and car key in it for now, but I have read plenty of reviews and know some friends that put their ipods, gels, chews, and whatever else they may need in theirs! I also know several people that have used them in marathons and they did great as far as staying in place and holding enough stuff. The little black pouch expands to a pretty large size, pretty cool huh?

http://www.runnersworld.com/ : Runner's World magazine would make a great gift for any runner. It has articles for every level of runner and often has great product reviews! I just subscribed to this magazine and I have loved it so far!

http://www.garmin.com/en-US : I have had my eye on a Garmin Forerunner 10 for a while since I have started running. It is a simple, no frills GPS running watch perfect for a beginner. It tracks distance, speed/pace and calories, it provides motivation along the way and keeps a log of personal records. It comes in 3 super cute colors- pink, lime green and black. While in the higher price range, at a price of $130, I think it is totally worth it. I really don't love running with my iphone, and hate having to pull it out to see times, pace, etc. and I don't 100% trust the app that I use! I am hoping to get on of these soon, I think it will really help me with pacing myself. I want the pink one!

http://www.ericasaradesigns.com/ : You could even get a little more personal with a personalized piece of jewelry. Every girl loves jewelry. Erica Sara Designs has some pretty, dainty pieces that any girl would love. She has pieces for the marathoner and beginner runner, the yoga guru or even monogrammed ones for the mom or newly wed. I have my eye on a custom wish necklace, which is shown below. I want 8 wishes with a bible verse on the back. Just looking at these gorgeous pieces of jewelry inspire me. She offers font options, chain options, so many options it would be hard to decide! Unless you know your girl to a 't", I would let her pick her own out. : p

So here are some basic ideas with several different price ranges, I could really go on and on and get even more in depth with clothes and stuff like that but I won't even go there! And I know V-day is more than a week away, but it will be here right before you know it.

Yes, I am aware of how dweeb-ish I look!

Yesterday was one of the best running days I have had in a long time! I can't even explain it, I felt awesome the whole entire time. I ran the whole times we were supposed to and we ended up running the whole mile back, I only stopped once giving myself until the count of 10 to start back. For me this is huge progress!!

I so needed a run like yesterday's. After feeling like I sucked and wasn't really doing much progress, yesterday was such a blessing. I actually found myself smiling some during the run, I think I just could not believe that I was running this much without stopping or hurting. I feel like I really hit a stride, overall I just felt amazing!

I went into it not feeling like I was going to do well because it was extremely chilly (46 degrees) and we missed running Wednesday because of terrible weather, think tornadoes and 50-60 mph winds. But whatever I did, I did something right. It was just the boost from God that I needed to assure myself that I can do this.

This is the run, while it is not the furthest or my fastest, it was amazing. It started to get dark on us so we didn't do 4 miles, just about 3, I think I started my Nike+ program a little late. I think I am finally figuring out how to pace myself, I started out what most would consider pretty slow, but that is what I need and what MY body needs and I love how I am figuring it out. I kept wanting to get faster, faster for you may be different from my faster : p, but I wouldn't allow myself to until the end. I kept a good steady slow-ish pace for majority of the run and the last mile sped up just enough- and I felt amazing! Only by the grace of God : )

If you made it through all of this rambling, then props to you!

Later,

Regan

xxxx