Oh morning run.....

Well, my eyes shot open at 5:30 with my mind immediately swirling with thoughts, which is usually not the norm for me in the morning. I decided that since it was supposed to hit 90 degrees today, perhaps I should get my run in before I became a puddle of my former self in the afternoon heat...

So, being as though I am NOT a morning runner I figured I would give this a whirl, "I"m sure it will be fine!" I thought to myself as I slipped out of bed, put on the running clothes and sat down to get a quick oatmeal breakfast in and maybe 1/2 a cup of coffee. Let's be clear: I've become my mother's daughter and without the coffee in the morning I morph into a version of Meg that clearly isn't pretty, I think I may even develop horns and breath fire at times. I feel like this gentlemen inside:

http://community.imaginefx.com

So onward I went, once I put my caffeine monster to rest. I decided today to do a "fun run" at Solomon's Island! What can be better than waking up, looking at the water and feeling the gentle breeze as cruise along the beautiful sites of the area?!  IT WASN'T FUN...

Okay, maybe that was a little bit of a strong statement, I DID enjoy parts of the run and the scenery, etc... however my body didn't think it was fun to run at 6:45 in the morning. In fact, I think it was actually still sleeping. Each step was shocking to my legs this morning and I felt sluggish and tired. I blame the monster above! 

But as I continued, it did get better. I did find myself feeling accomplished about getting out so early in the morning and overall it turned into an okay workout. I expected when I left to maybe get a couple of miles in and feel good... 

What I got was probably 1.5 miles, then walking, then deciding to turn it into some interval speed runs (but only so I felt like I accomplished something) and then walking again. But it really showed me that every day is different. The 6 miles I ran Saturday, felt NOTHING like the couple I did today and that was okay.... because there will always be other days, better runs and worse runs, and all that counts is that I got out there at all. (Insert pat on back here) I was proud of my positive attitude today.

When I left this morning I decide I would try and take some photos on my "fun run" today so I've included a few of what I got.

AH, yes....this is the photo of where I started. Still thinking, "WOW! this is going to be great! little did I know that my legs weren't really on board with me yet...

That's more like it! about 4 minutes in...realizing this wasn't going to be as "fun" as I was hoping...haha. Flattering photo isn't it? The look on my face says it all.....

Then came the duck...to add insult to injury, he was SLEEPING!!! He clearly knew it was too early to be up and about, he never even blinked an eye as I ran by. Thanks duck.

BUT, it got better..

I met this lovely bird lady along my run who was spreading bread out all over the road. Guess what happened next? Insert in your mind a giant flock of sea gulls all around me squawking and eating. I must admit it made me giggle.

I love when I get to see this thing... It is literally wooden driftwood shaped into a sculpture of a horse, pretty sweet if you ask me...

*Sigh* This is what I WISH I was really doing.... looks pretty amazing right? But it certainly was a pretty view to run by...

Moral of the story? All runs are NOT created equal. Some surprise you in a good way, and some bring you sleeping ducks! (I was really jealous of that duck) However there is a silver lining to every run even if it means you just got to see some cool sailboats and run amongst a flock of crazy sea gulls.

Oh and P.S. I learned on my morning show today while listening on my run a random fact for the day: Did you know that you can opt to give birth with dolphins in a pool now?! REALLY? I didn't believe it, but I looked it up and here you go http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/28/woman-to-have-dolphin-assisted-birth/ There really is everything available in America....

Happy Running!

My inner "Forrest Gump"

I started thinking about creating this blog a couple of months ago. I think because I want to be able to share this with friends and family, but I would be lying if I didn't admit that the support and accountability won't continue to help me along the way. So I guess I see this as a two way street, and also a way to get my thoughts out and share the upcoming challenges of training for my goal.

I must start from the beginning in saying that I have always run in the past... sometimes a lot, sometimes not for months but I always find my way back to it after being introduced to cross country in the 9th grade.

In the past I think I always approached it as an "all or nothing" kind of activity. I would find myself running almost every day for awhile...or not at all. I felt that if I didn't run 5 or 6 days out of 7 then I had failed...... now I know this to be absolutely ridiculous.

The last couple of months I have FINALLY found a balance in this sport that makes me happy. I decided to start walking as I had allowed myself to lapse into months of not running again.When walking felt better, I picked up the jogging only this time I told myself I would  run until I felt like I didn't want to anymore. No more telling myself I was a failure if I didn't make a certain time or mileage and miraculously.... IT WORKED!  Every day I did decide to run  it got easier, I felt better, I made better food choices, which gave me more energy, which let me run further. 

 I like to think of it as my inner "Forrest Gump" coming out.

In fact, I am now running further and longer than I ever have. I think it's because I actually let myself enjoy and work hard at my own pace. It's been  a good balance of setting goals but then having days where I literally run just until I don't want to anymore. I find myself pushing the limits of what I thought was possible for me.

As of this past Saturday, I hit the 6 mile mark. A personal best for me. I ran all six miles in 1 hour and 3 minutes and it felt AMAZING. In the back of my head I've always wanted to accomplish a half marathon and I think I'm going to take the challenge on of training for one. With days where I just run "Forrest Gump" style of course!

 

It's official, I've decided to publish this.... *GULP!* I sat on it for two days thinking can I do this? Can I put this out there for other people to read? Granted I choose who to let know about this blog but there is always a chance that I could fail! I could fail to continue on this positive journey I've started, I could fail at training for a half marathon and then I realized......

WHO CARES!?

It does not matter if I achieve all things PERFECTLY and that is exactly the point. One turn in the right direction is a win and I realized that today. A friend of mine contacted me today and said the words that made any future running challenge seem reachable. "You have inspired me" Those four words felt as good as the day I reach my 6 mile mark because I realized that I was spreading some of the positive vibe that has lit a fire inside of me.  She went on to tell me that she decided to run again for the first time since September of 2011 and knowing that I offered her the motivation, and positive thoughts to lead her to this decision feels great. So "friend", YOU have inspired me... to be brave enough to share these thoughts and continue my journey despite whatever results prevail.

So who will you inspire today? 

Some days you'll just never realize that the words you say, the message you send can bring about change in unexpected places. 

 Happy Running!