Down from the mountain

You know how people talk about "mountain top" experiences? That's how my long run Saturday felt. I loved it and was on a high from it until today! Today I came down from that mountain top experience with a tough run.

Sometimes I'm discouraged by a tough run, especially when they are short. That was my experience today and I hate that I get discouraged when I should be celebrating all runs. This concept got me to thinking about my run and suddenly I realized that I finished my run today in less time than I planned and I planned to run at a faster pace than I typically do! Back to the mountain top! It is exciting to see my body getting stronger and my times getting better even when some runs feel tough! 

Sometimes it's just the small things of getting yourself out if bed to run early so you don't miss a run, when what you really wanted was to sleep in!!! This morning I literally had to tell myself a litany of things to get out of bed including some of the following:

You never regret a run!

You will beat yourself up all day if you don't get up! 

PRs don't come without effort!

Don't forget what today is 8-6-13, honor those men who gave all two years ago today--that did it! 

What tough thing have you overcome this week? I think it's most important to remember to have fun! If you're not having fun you're doing it wrong!!! Retain the JOY of running! 

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!

Trail Run

Lacey and I have many things in common, one is an obsessive fear of snakes! Yesterday Rhonda and I took to some trails that run right beside the Red River. It was a beautiful day and being back in the woods it was cool enough to be enjoyable! Rhonda shares our snake phobia, and insisted I run in front of her. No problem, I got this, right?!?

Y'all we are trucking, along chatting it up, enjoying the morning and I jump sky high! Pretty sure that I jumped and turned 180 degrees in one fluid motion, there was a HUGE!!!! HUGE!!! HUGE!!! Snake laid across the trail, and no sir, he was NOT dead! I'd say his diameter was equal with a mason jar and about 2 feet of him was stretched across the path and who knows how much more was coiled up behind that! We were screaming like middle school girls being caught rolling someone's house (not that that's ever happened to me)! We both spun around and ran faster possibly than we have ever run before, all the way out to the paved path!

While I'm still determined to tackle Hell's Hills, I'm quite a bit more nervous now! On our run yesterday we just sprinted back the way we had come in a hurry (fairly certain my HRM read 220), but during a half that won't be possible. I'm starting the prayers now that all snakes will be cleared from the trail before I spot them!

Run Happy y'all!

**image from google**

Motivational statements

Today on Facebook, I saw two different postings that made me smile, the first one from Claim Your Journey seriously spoke to my week of running. The second from Runner's World just seriously made me laugh because only runners think that way!!

Both made me smile. I've had some bad runs lately, more bad than good honestly and that's hard. What seems strange is I've only contemplated quitting maybe twice, and by quitting I mean running altogether. Years back it would have only taken a bad moment to make me actually quit! My super long marathon training run I wanted to quit every step, but knew I wouldn't just from sheer determination, however, I did cut my speed work short yesterday! It was very hard for me, but I couldn't breathe well (asthma was winning in the humidity) and now that I'm a mommy I worry about taking care of myself. Where my single a/o non-mommy self would've pushed until I passed out, I worry too much about who will take care of sweet Sugar if something happens to me (her Daddy is awesome, I just mean from a mommy standpoint). I thought I'd just go out yesterday afternoon and do a few easy miles, but again Mommyhood stepped in as Sugar wasn't feeling well, so I had to get her from MDO and go to the doctor. I didn't feel right taking her out feeling bad, so we just snuggled up at home. Then I thought I might go after I put her down, but Foxy wanted to go to the gym and I had at least gotten in a short run. So yesterday didn't go as planned. Sometimes life gets in the way of your "plans", but getting back out there when you can is most important! I'm battling sinus infection, so hoping as it resolves so will these tough runs, then the good ones will mean that much more!!!

Happy Running y'all!

**post to come soon on form as Lacey and I have been discussing it a lot!!**

WWP San Antonio 8k

http://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/individual-fundraising/Domommyswearrunningshoes/

This is a link that you can go to and donate money to the WWP which is an amazing organization! I invite you to check out the WWP website! Every time I open the page there is a picture of a different injured veteran and it immediately brings me to tears. My fingers shake as I type this.

So many injured soldiers are forgotten about when they come home from war where they have been fighting to protect our freedom and the freedom of our loved ones. At the top of the WWP page is this quote, "The greatest casualty is being forgotten."

I have been asked many times why I run, I have a lot of answers to that question. On September 16, 2012 I am running to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project! Kenyan and Bug will also be running! I told bug about the race this morning, and why we would be running and this was her response, "I'm going to run super fast to help those soldiers!" This makes me one proud runner mommy! I will definitely need to be wearing waterproof mascara this day!

I will share a couple stories about my little patriotic bug....Her godfather taught her this before she could barely say a sentence; when he asks her, "bug what are you?" and she screams "I'm an American!" I have a video of her singing every word to proud to be an American, she taught herself that song at 2 years old. It could be because that is the lullaby of choice that Kenyan sang to her as an infant. Every time I heard him singing that to her over the baby monitor it brought me to tears! It's like the song is a part of her!


Any donation helps, thank you in advance:)

Happy running y'all, Lacey

National Running Day!!!

Happy National Running day from Do Mommies Wear Running Shoes! How are you celebrating?!?

I'm planning on a run this afternoon with Sugar in the BOB! Looking forward to logging some miles! Maybe working on some speed to get ready for my 5K on Saturday!

My race Saturday benefits the NICU at LSUHSC in Shreveport. If you're interested in donating or running just google "Run for Sarah, Shreveport". A family lost their baby girl after the mom was in a wreck while pregnant, so in her memory they are raising money for the NICU to buy another transport unit! Obviously, this story touched my heart, so of you want to help please do! I adore running for a cause! :)