Mother's Day and Running

Happy Mother's Day to all you mommies out there and to all of you who are dreaming of being mommies! Today we celebrated the baptism of my niece and had a lovely family gathering, followed by a four hour car ride home.

Now, my whole thought was I would walk in the door and get in my pajamas and curl up with a book. However, I made a pact with a friend of mine, Kaila, that we were going to streak through May, since its national running month, and I'm determined if nothing else, so I won't just skip a day because its not AT ALL what I wanted to do. I actually put on pjs, then remembered, looked at my husband very dejected and said "I am supposed to go run", fully expecting a "it's ok you don't have to". Instead he said "yes, you are!", so I did--only a mile and very begrudgingly, but I did it! 

I'd love to end this with a great story of how it made my whole day bright and I felt shiny and new afterwards, but that's not the case, I just felt accomplished and still a little grouchy. Still, I've never regretted a run, but very often regretted skipping one, so I will not wake tomorrow with that regret! Plus, Foxy rubbed my legs afterwards, that's a plus! 

Run happy y'all because if you're not having fun, well, you're just not doing it right! 

Chasing Dreams

When I first started running I was just pumped to run a mile, the 3.1, then tackle a half marathon. I had no goals in mind except finishing.

After having Sugar my goals changed, my depression lifted and I fell in love with running in a whole new way. This was *my* thing, the thing I have as a SAHM that still gives me a title separate from Mommy (which is my favorite title). I enjoyed pushing Sugar and feeling like I was teaching her something good from the beginning of her life. Then she couldn't talk or respond and mostly just slept, but I felt like it was good to get her outside and I would point out things to her or just play my music and go. After Lacey and I got closer she really started encouraging me to believe I could do new things. I remember last summer doing Run for Sarah here and pushing Sugar, but still making great time and it was freeing. It liberated me to believe that I could do more with myself and my body, that I was stronger than I ever believed! I ran that race and many before and since with Skinner. Today I got to video her little girl crossing the finish line of a 5k where she won her age group! I hope Sugar wants to run too!

My first half after Sugar's birth was a PR for me BIG time, I took 28 mins off my previous PR, that's when Lacey put on the "Coach" magic and started pushing me! I knew I wanted a sub 2hr half and I started working for it! In Sept last year I got it and I'm not sure I've ever been more proud of myself. So now I'm working on a 5K PR and I must say its a lot more fun since it takes a little less time! If only I can get this asthma under control, I know I can reach my goal!

What are your goals?!?

Run happy whatever your goals! I've started telling myself during runs...if you're not having fun, you're not doing it right!

Music...yes or no???

So my coach challenged me to run without music for a couple of reasons; one being that I will play with my music while running, and two it will help me to keep a more even pace. For a race my music wouldn't work, I played with my phone for the first 5 miles, and then I just listened to the same song over and over! That song was Led Zeppelins what is and what should never be, so at least it was a good song!

I have really grown to like not running with music, especially during races because I can hear and chat with people on the course. When I run alone, my thoughts do wander sometime from man this is an amazing run and when I am finished I feel like I can conquer the world! On days where my run is not going so good, I think about the end result and how much better I will feel once I am done! I make to do lists, I conjur up new recipes, I pray, I think about upcoming events, I solve world peace, and so on! Lately running without music helps me to be more aware of the snakes!!!! YIKES!!!

I still have writers block, hopefully it will lift soon!

Do you run with music?

Happy running,
Lacey!