Pain!

Ohh.....so I realized today while running that it really isn't my ankle that hurts - it's actually more of my shin. Is there a tendon or something there? I have no idea. Honestly, I think it's just part of getting used to running regularly, and the fact I've been pretty lazy with working out the past year or so and my body is retaliating. It's cool, I'd be pissed too...I'll get over it.

Halloween Hiatus

Hello.

So I totally took a break from running in observance of my favorite holiday of all time - Halloween. I spend a lot of time and effort preparing, making plans, and attempting to execute plans that usually fall through and I end up doing something random and even funner than my original plan. That said, I believe I went 5 days without running, so shame on me. I am giving myself a break on this one though.

Why, you ask? If this counts for anything: I watched half-marathon runners partake in a race along the lake, and my sister was one of those runners. It did inspire me to run and actually made me excited for my next run...although it didn't take place until 2 days later. But my run this morning went really well.

Halloween is already over??? 364 more days to go. :)

ouch?

Today I ran the most I've ever run in about..2 years??? I feel good, except for my ankles. I'm not sure if its because I'm not stretching properly, but the second I started to run, my ankles just sort of killed. I got over it as I was running, but then when I was walking at the end, they started to hurt again. I'm going to have to do some research into this.

I keep thinking about how much better this is all going to be once I am on a normal work schedule!!! I am currently working the overnight (I have been for 2.5 years) and alot of the time I am just too tired to even go to the grocery store, let alone run. I was planning on running yesterday after work, but seeing as I immediately collapsed into bed the second I got home, that was pretty much a fail. But I did run today, so that's what matters, right?

sick?

I went running this morning and 8 minutes in I legit felt like I needed to vomit. I stopped and went into an alley and took some deep breaths. I got through it, but I'm not sure what went wrong there.

I took a 3 day running break after running 3 days in a row. So now I am on track to run every other day, taking Sundays off.

Trying To Overcome That Little Voice Inside...

I just got back from a 20 minute walk/jog around my block. After at least an hour or two of frustration, I finally got my Nike+ censor to work (note: if you ever have an issue getting your sensor to work, it may be in sleep mode. Press the little button on the back of the sensor and then try it!) and decided to give it a whirl. I went 1.63 miles in 20 minutes. I have no idea if this is good or bad, but it was definitely difficult, especially with the wind in my face for most of the run. Every time that voice inside said "screw this" I tried extra hard to push myself. Man, it really is hard.

One thing I need to do is quit smoking. This may actually be harder than the running itself. I don't smoke a lot, but I am sure that I smoke enough to the point where I would notice the difference in my endurance if I were to quit. I have almost a full pack of cigarettes in my purse right now, and I'm not going to lie to myself or be delusional - I will likely finish and hopefully give away that pack by this time next week. But after that - I seriously need to try harder to stop altogether.

One weird thought: Where do people put their house keys when they go for a run? Do I need a fanny pack? I've been putting them in my car and then just not locking my car. That's not the best scenario in the world but if someone wants to break into my 1995 junker, that's their problem, because all I have in there is a car phone, broken CD player, cassette player, and a bunch of empty McDonalds cups.

From that day on, if I was going somewhere, I was running

I ran today for the first time in, well, I have no idea. I vaguely recall running along the lakefront last summer, meaning, well, it may or may not have happened. In short - I haven't run in a really, really long time. I was actually going to start running tomorrow, but I woke up this morning after a good night's sleep feeling motivated.

I did have one setback- I couldn't get my Nike+ to activate. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with it and I'm just being technologically challenged as usual. That said - I had to gauge how far I was running using my own intuition, which usually isn't super trustworthy. But, I would say I jogged/walked about a mile. It was difficult. When I got home, I kept thinking to myself, "A year from now, I am going to do 26 of those in a row." Wow.

I have realized this is going to be a battle of mind over matter. I am physically capable of running, but mentally is going to be a different story. My inner voice is so good at making up excuses and telling me I can't do it, and constantly questioning why I'm even doing this in the first place. That in itself is the biggest reason to accomplish my goal. It's time I tell the inner voice to go screw itself and actually follow through with something I want to do.

The Shoes

I took one big step forward in my quest today - I bought a decent pair of running shoes. People say having the right shoes make a big difference in your running, and just by trying these on and walking around in them, I could totally feel the difference between these, and the shoes I currently use. They are the Nike Pegasus shoe and I got them at Road Runner Sports in Naperville. They actually gave me a customized shoe fitting and it was pretty cool. Plus they are pink which is a plus too. :) I also bought the Nike chip thingie to put in my shoe to have it sync up to my iPod. I haven't hooked it up yet but it seems very cool from what I've heard.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but my sister is allegedly running the marathon as well. And when I say "allegedly," I mean I'm pretty certain she is, but today I could tell she had some reservations. I don't really have any reservations about it, so I think maybe at this point I am just not really aware of how difficult this is going to be. I know once I start running on a daily basis, it will start to sink in that I'm going to have to put a lot of time and energy into this. I feel like this is going to be a lifestyle change - which is what I need. That's a huge part of the reason why I want to do this. I need something positive in my life. I need to get a healthy hobby. I need something meaningful in my life. I have done a lot of personal growth in the past few years, but I feel like I need something to show for it. I also wouldn't mind shedding a few pounds as well.

Well I am kind of in a rush to get out the door right now, but I really wanted to post a picture of my new shoes. Today is Saturday. I am going to start running on Monday. Keep me in your positive thoughts!

Getting Started

If you know me at all, you know I've had many goals, dreams, aspirations in recent years that failed to come to fruition due to my own lack of motivation/and/or stupidity. Well the past few weeks as runners from around the country were gearing up for the annual Chicago Marathon, the gears in my mind started to turn, and I began to wonder if I could ever be one of those people.

Long story short, I decided I am going to conquer the Chicago Marathon next year. What does that mean? Since I am not a competitive runner, an awful lot of pretty hardcore training within the next 365-ish days. I am hoping this blog will help keep me motivated and remind me why I have decided to do this.

This will all start with me purchasing a brand new pair of Nikes.

Godspeed!