New Shoes are ALWAYS Motivating!

Time: 5:30 pm (10/22)

Trail: Blackhawk

Weather: windy, about 70*

Distance: 4 miles Week Total: 10 miles

Marathon Training Total: 29 miles

Yesterday my excuse to not run was going to be because of the wind. We went to a job fair yesterday and it's failure made me not want to be active. It was rather windier then usual so I was trying to use that as my excuse. After the fair and hanging out w/ my jobless homies, I went to pick up my running shoes that came in the other day. As soon as I tried them on at the store, my feet loved me again! I new right then I had to go running!!... and running I did! I ran 4 miles. Barbs was suppose to meet me out there w/ Bella. The last leg of my run... I saw them and Bella had a big smile on her face happy to see me! Such a good running day! =)

Rain, Rain GO AWAY!!!

Time: 5:30 pm

Trail: Neighborhood

Weather: cloudy skies, rainy, 80*

Distance: 4 miles Week Total: 7 miles

Marathon Training Total: 25 miles

I had to cut down my 5 mile run today to 4! Ughhh I seriously hate rain!! I waited all day for the rain to pass, but it never came so I decide around 5 ish to go out and run. I was about a mile away from my turning point and I start to feel light mists of rain. I knew that was my cue to just turn around from where I was at, so I did. I figured I could take the long way back home to make up for the lost coverage and if it got worse then I would just head home. The mists were just mists of water until I got to about a quarter of a mile before it starts to really sprinkle, so again, I decided to cut the run short and head home. By the time I was on the long stretch back to the neighborhood, that's when it started RAINING! The only thing I cared for was my iPod, so I tried to turn it and hid it between my arm and my body.

I really hate the rain. I guess I can just make up my mile tomorrow. Maybe I should bring an umbrella with me on days like this? The good news for today though is that I got a call that my shoes came in!! Time to go pick them up!! WoOoHoOo~!!!

Mind Over Matter... So I think about SURFING!

Time: 9:15 am

Trail: 3 mile neighborhood course

Weather: mild warmth, slight breeze, light humidity about 85*

Distance: 3 miles Week Total: 3 miles

Marathon Training Total: 21 miles

Today was definitely a Jack Johnson day. I pumped myself up for the eazzy breezzyy 3 miles to Step into a World (Rapture's Delight) by KRS-One only to psyching myself out! I don't know if it was because of the lack of sleep I got or because I ran earlier then usual, but these 3 miles today were not breezzyy at all!!! I did a 3 mile course around the neighborhood (tracked by www.mapmywalk.com) which didn't seem that long at all, but I had to ask God for endurance the entire way!! As I got closer to the house, I had to relax my mind because I was starting to get anxious about getting closer to home. When I get anxious, I seem to run faster and then I wear myself out even more and end up walking, and that was the last thing I wanted to do. So I started thinking about surfing. What's more relaxing then a good day at the beach surfing with a friend? =)

This particular surfing episode I had running through my mind was the day I took a friend surfing for the very first time. One of the best feelings in the world to me is teaching someone how to surf for their first time. I wanted to share surfing with this particular friend because he was going through a tough time in life at that moment. Robert August has for sure gotten me through periods in my life, so I wanted to share it with him. Like everyone I've taught, they're clumsy at first, but they eventually get the hang of it. At the end of any session, no matter how hard of a time you had, you go home smiling because that's just what surfing does to you.

This run was definitely humbling! After running 7 miles on Sunday without any problems and then having the hardest time today, I was reminded that running is nothing but a mental game. Once again I have to scream: I DID IT!! -- because this run was really challenging!!

I DID IT!!!!!

Time: 4:00 pm

Trail: Blackhawk

Distance: 7 miles Week Total: 18 miles

Marathon Training Total: 18 miles

Going into this run I was nervous. As soon as I stepped foot on the sidewalk that lead me to the trails, I prayed. I prayed hard that God would help me get through the run without any complications and without stopping. I was afraid I would fail this long run since it was my first long run. I didn't know how my body would react to it, but overall, it reacted rather nicely! I was proud of my work! It might not have been at a really fast speed, but it was a very comfortable pace. My right ankle is hurting a little bit when I walk on it. I hope it's just because I need new shoes. Hopefully I'll be able to get to the shoe shop tomorrow and get some new running shoes.

I made a new playlist of songs for this long run. I put so many songs on this list that I didn't get to listen to everything. I was afraid the songs would get me off pace, but I'm actually starting to run to my own pace rather then to listen to the song and let it pace me. This run was a really good run, I'm so proud of myself!!

Running as the Sun Goes Down

Time: 6:40 pm

Track: Blackhawk

Distance: 3 miles Week Total: 11 miles

Marathon Training Total: 11 miles

Mother Joy decided to come out with me today. I normally don't like her coming with me at this time because it gets dark early, and I hate knowing I left my mom out in the dark abyss by herself with no one to protect her but Caramel & Mini with their tongues hanging out.

Easy 3 miler today. I hate running when it gets dark. That's when the largest mosquitos like to come out and play. Of all the years that I've ran at that trail, this year is the first time they've ever had cops out there patrolling the path. A cop on a bike did a last tour of the trails to make sure everything was ok. It's nice to see that. I wonder if there's one out there in the mornings, I would really LOVE to get up early and run in the mornings again!