Just Me...

Christmas time is a wonderful time of the year, but it sure makes you prioritize what is important when everything is trying to get a bite of your schedule.  Last week I felt it important to spend some time with family from out of town and be with the kids and my husband in getting ready for Christmas.  It was so much fun...but...by Friday afternoon, I could so tell I didn't work out for the whole week.  My hormones were out of whack, I didn't eat breakfast or have any coffee, I was going out of control.  I had to move forward so I had a coffee and a diet coke (yes, in one sitting) and got on with the day wishing so much I had made working out a prioirty at least once or twice that week.  Anyway...that is in the past, but is dutifly being recorded so that when I review for next year, I don't repeat!!! I am really grooving on my training plan and even though the runs are shorter than what I was doing before I started on it, I love having a plan to follow. ...

I am so excited to have a training plan.  Earlier this year, I signed up for the Indianapolis Mini Marathon (held in May 2011).  I walked it (ran part of each mile, but mostly walked) last year and I am determined to actually train and do it for real this year.  Last year I only had 2 days notice before I actually did the event.  Not much of a "plan".  This year, the event sent a link to a free email subscription to a training blog/event info thing and I signed up.  When I went out to the link there was a training plan that started this past Monday (Dec 6) and since it was only the 7th, I thought I would start it off and give it a go.  I have my printout downstairs by my treadmill and am working through it day by day.  I am so excited when I get to check off a run.  I can't believe how motiviating this is.  I am really looking forward to this event.  (Note:  I am also posting this on my blog so that when, in March, I am ready t...

Yay!  We did it!  Congratulations to all who participated in the Virtual 5k this weekend.  Some of you even went the extra mile (or 13.1 :)) and did it twice!  I am so happy to see the results and can't wait to try for another event (anyone want to think about at 10K in March?).  When I started this 500 Mile challenge and we determined we would do a virtual 5k, I will admit I was nervous of actually running a 5k.  Why, I don't really know, I had run 2 races before.  However, I think it was the fact that it meant that I would have to keep up the running to be able to do the Virtual 5k as planned.  I am happy to say that the experience was exciting to have so many people involved, but somewhat of a non-event since I have been able to run 3.1 miles for a while now.  I am happy that it gave us a motiviating event to do together, but I am ready to go the extra mile (pun intended :)). Also, congrats to Beth for finishing her first "half-mary"!...

Here are the rules...they are so simple: 1.  Run/Walk 3.1 Miles between Friday December 3rd and Monday December 6th 2.  Post a comment to this post with your time and when you ran.  Also include any thoughts on your experience and if there is any interest in doing another in a couple of months (February or March). Have fun and good luck.  I look forward to seeing everyone's results! Ashli

So, yesterday when I was working out, I finished just shy of 2.2 miles and was so excited about the workout.  Then I realized "oops", I forgot about the "blog" part of the whole 500 mile challenge.  You all have been doing so great and I am so excited to see your posts, I just am not used to posting anything.  So I am currently at 63 miles and that puts me at 12.6% complete.  I am a little behind on my 10 mile per week average, but I am not going to let that get me down.  I am making some great strides in speed and overcoming some obstacles in schedule with my new job and my husband's start to basketball season (he coaches a high school girls' team).  My kids are letting me run when we get home from school/work while they wind down from their day.  Then we have dinner and fun time before bed.  I am able to do 2-3 miles at a time and I know as I get faster I will be able to do more. Also, I have some wonderful news in the clothing department....

I can't believe it has been 7 weeks since I started this challenge.  I have learned so much and wanted to share a few of those things. Setting a goal is really motivating. - To actually put the 500 miles on paper in weekly intervals really showed me that I can do this. Life sometimes gets in the way of that goal.  - This is a big one for me since I realize that I am only 48 miles into the 500 miles instead of the 70 that I should be (goal was 10 miles/week).  I made some choices during my job switch that sleep was most likely healthier for me than running (who is to say whether that was good rationale or not, but it is in the past so I am not dwelling on it).  I am not alone. - I am so excited that there are 16 participants in this challenge on the Daily Mile and that 14 have logged miles toward the challenge.  Some are logging more than others and that is fine.  It doesn't matter that everyone stay on the 10 miles per week pace, just that we keep m...

Sorry to have been MIA for the last few weeks.  I recently was offered an opportunity to advance my career with a different company.  So, after 11 years, I left my former company on Friday and started a new job this past Monday.  I am having a great time and adjusting to the new set of co-workers and office culture.  I am very excited about this move.... That being said, I have been just a little tiny bit busy...try putting 11 years of information stored in your brain on paper in just 10 business days... I have been working out though and just updated Daily Mile with my stats.  I can see that we seem to all have agreed on the weekend of 12/4 for the Virtual 5k.  I am looking forward to this.  I am working up in intervals.  Right now I am working 5 min intervals with 2 min running and 3 min walking.  Next week I will switch to 3 min running and 2 min walking and then the following week I will work up to 3 miles.  My goal for the Mini ...

Someone on the 500 Mile Challenge on Daily Mile (see tracking widget at left and click to be taken to the Daily Mile site) mentioned that we may want to try a virtual 5k where we take a period of 3 days and each person who wants to particpate does a 5k workout and posts their time on my blog.  The "Winner" would receive bragging rights and, if I can figure out how to make one, a fun badge.  Even if you are not participating in the 500 Mile Challenge at Daily Mile, I would love to have you do the 5k with me.  The virtual 5k will be held December 3-6, 2010.  I will post a blog post on the 3rd and times can be added to comments on that blog post.  Who's in? Also, I am so excited that many of us have broken the 25 mile mark!  A major milestone.  I would also love to do a badge for this, but I don't know how to do a badge.  Anyone out there with experience in this that could help me out? Earlier this week I was able to run 4 minute intervals...

I know for a lot of people Exercise (especially running) has been an awesome stress reducer and I am in total agreement on this.  However; I can't seem to tell my body that when I am trying to get out of bed.  My body thinks that sleep is the best stress reducer.  I work out at 5am so it is dark and cozy in my bedroom and my body likes it that way...:)  I've even had conversations with myself about getting out of bed...mentally running through how easy it would be to get dressed, grab some water and go downstairs...if I go, I can watch XYZ on DVR :)  I think I might be going a little crazy?  Anyone else deal with this...please say yes and tell me I am normal. I did 2.3 miles this morning and feel great.  I am relaxed and ready to face the day.  I would like to take a snapshot in my mind now that my body can register on those days I am trying to talk myself out of it.  How do you get yourselves motivated?  Anyone else do workouts supe...

Hi Everyone!  I hope your running/walking is going well.  I am hanging in there.  We have been super busy so I am exhausted.  I couldn't get myself out of bed this morning (ugh!) the house was just too cold and I couldn't get motivated to get 3 miles in before a day of work.  I am thinking that I am going to go 2 miles max on the weekdays until I can work up some speed.  That just sounds so much more manageable.  On Saturday's I could do 4 miles instead of my scheduled 3.  My knee is feeling somewhat better.  I did intervals on Saturday and felt good for about 2 miles of run 1/walk 1 intervals.  Hopefully I am on the mend.  @Liz, I hope you are feeling better! Happy Running! Ashli

How time flies.  I was just checking on the Challenge at Daily Mile (click the tracker at the left for more details) and am amazed that we now have 11 people in on the challenge.  There are people from all over the country and even Canada.  Having just entered the blogsphere, I am just in awe of how far reaching a plan can go.  I am so happy that you all are joining me! An update on my progress.  I have now completed 22 miles and am on pace with my 10 mile per week goal.  I will admit that I am somewhat disappointed that my knee is bothering me so much that I can't really run for a lot of the workouts.  I am planning go get a foam roller and work it because THIS WILL NOT BE MY EXCUSE FOR NOT RUNNING...yes I am yelling at myself there.  I am the kind of person who could walk forever.  Just set the treadmill to 4mph and go and go and go :) However, I have goals.  I want to compete in another 5k (am contemplating one that Liz at Et...

My friend Liz  has set up a cool challenge for all of us to track our miles at Daily Mile.  If you want to join the challenge, let me know once  you have an account with Daily Mile (its free!).  Mile counting doesn't start until the day you accept the challenge.  Remember the original challenge time was from September 15, 2010 to September 15, 2011.  If you are keeping pace at 10 miles per week, that will give you 520 miles total so if you start the challenge this week, you should still be able to stay on track and get 500 miles in before the end date! I have 3 miles to do tomorrow.  I am looking forward to it.  I really need to find the time to get some new shoes so that I can actually run more.  I keep trying, but my knee is killing me.  I just haven't had time this week to do anything about it, but walking is better than nothing right? I added the Daily Mile widget at the left so you can see my progress as I post my workouts there...

I can't believe that Wednesday marks the beginning of week 2 already.  I feel like I was just telling Liz that I had this idea for a running challenge and shabang...here we are starting week 2!  And people are doing it with me! I logged 10.5 miles in Week 1 (starting off a little ahead never hurts :)).  Overall I felt good about getting the miles in, but I am having a pain in my knee when I run longer than 3 minutes at a time so I am doing mostly intervals.  I think it is my IT Band...I know this is pretty common, but it stinks to have pain.  Anyone have any good suggestions for IT Band therapy.  I have heard of using a foam roller, but have no idea how to use one or even what to buy...suggestions?? Liz has also given me a great idea to do a badge or something to mark progress on this quest.  I am thinking of something, but haven't had much time to devote to it.  I like the idea...what about anyone else doing this journey with...

I am so excited about how things have gone so far this week.  I have planned the following schedule (in case you are following along). Monday - 3 Miles Tuesday - Strength Training Wednesday - 2 Miles Thursday - Strength Training Friday - 2 Miles Saturday - 3 Miles Sunday - Day of Rest I am also excited to report that I have completed 4.5 miles of this journey already.  On Wednesday, I did 2 miles.  I ran and walked parts of it.  Walking at 4mph and Running at 5mph and 2 minutes at 6mph!  Today, was supposed to be my Strength Training day; however, I work out with 2 other women from my department on Thursday's and we decided we would tackle cardio today.  So, I swapped Friday for Thursday and did 2.5 miles.  Tomorrow I will do Strength.  I don't expect all of my posts to be all about numbers and why I chose to do one thing over another, but for the first day, I wanted to lay some groundwork. I have also decided that I am in much need ...

In the past 5 years I can be quoted as saying: "I am NOT a runner" "I HATE to sweat" "I will NEVER run" "I was a swimmer, I never ran growing up, I am sure that is why my joints just won't work for running." Let me warn you now, when you hear yourself things like this, just pretend it its "opposite day" because the likelihood of those proclamations holding true is pretty much non-existent. This past year, I have found myself running 2 5k events, run/walking a half marathon, finding a running training plan to work on speed of all things.  I really can't believe how much I actually look forward to working out...and how much my day changes when I don't. On days I work out, I am happier, have more energy, feel better rested, am a better parent and wife and have a desire to live out God's will for my life. When I don't work out...well, let's just say it is not pretty.  Nothing is on time, I am short fused...