That's Not Going to Happen Part 2

Remember that race I posted about a few months ago?  The one that I was going to kick my husband's butt at?  Well, after all that, it turned out I wasn't even able to race in it due to some staffing problems at work.  I was able to attend the race and I learned something from watching him race.

My husband is amazing.

He spent months training for this 5k, aiming to run it in under 30:00 while I was aiming for sub-35:00.  We woke up this morning to rain and clouds and wind.  Did he achieve his goal of 30:00?  Nope...30:40 and he was happy with it.  Given the BIG HILL and the wind and the cold day, he crossed the finish line smiling and happy and to the cheers from his wife, daughters, friends, and coworkers.

I'm so proud of him for training for this race.  He took over 3:00 off his 5k time in 2 months and that's just a WOW in my book.  More than that though, he has been such an inspiration to help me to run faster.  He's been able to train for this around my already crazy training schedule and still manages to find time to be an amazing husband.

So...congrats to my incredible husband.  I may not have beaten him in this race, but I know that we will continue to enjoy running together in the future.  Someday, I might even be able to keep up with him!!  Wanna know more?  Follow him on fitocracy: nyrangerfan.  

<3s to my inspirational, wonderful man!

The Gift

Six months ago, I was given the beautiful gift of running by a friend.  This person wasn't the first person who tried to bequeath this fun upon me, but it was the first time in my life that I was ready to receive it.  With help, hard work, and a crapload of perseverance, I was able to take that gift and make it my own.

A few weeks ago, I was questioned as to how I was treating that gift and whether or not I was truly focused on it.  After much much much (probably too much) consideration, why do I run?  My answers:

1.  Satisfaction of having completed a goal.
2.  To get away from it all.
3.  To push myself further than I thought possible.
4.  To inspire greatness in others.
5.  Because I expect greatness out of myself.
6.  Because it's fun!
7.  Calf muscles.
8.  Cute running clothes.
9.  Camaraderie with other runners.
10.  To show those lifters on fitocracy that you can do both!!!
11.  35 pounds in 6 months...nuff said.
12.  "What is that orange tag on your shoe for??"
13. Cause I'm a badass.
14. To set a beautiful and wonderful example for my children.
15.  Because I am a strong, beautiful woman.

And really??  Do I need a reason or a focus?  The point is...I love to run.  Anyone who questions that can kiss my butt.  :)

Six Months and Counting

Has it really been six months since I started running?

It all started with the words "you can go further than you think you can...just slow down and breathe."  And, with some great coaching and great support systems, I have surpassed anything that even I thought possible six months ago.  I remember posting back in October that I finally ran seven minutes without stopping with a goal of running a mile.  Can it be that I set a new PR for my 5k time at 34:43 last night and that 5k is now an easy distance for me?  I eyed the people in October lifting the weights as strange and foreign.  Today, I'm one of them and improving my lifts every session.

Those six months have been some of the best in my life and definitely in terms of making some radical changes.  Changes to running routines (October), a new lifting routine (February), and diet (April) have led to an amazing 35 pounds lost, a size drop from 16 to 10 (and counting!), and an incredible wellspring of optimism and self confidence.

It would be completely unreasonable at this point not to send kudos and thanks to the people that have helped make this happen over the past six months: first and foremost my husband Mike.  Without his support and encouragement, I would in no way be where I am today.   Josh, my running not-coach (*grin*), who very first told me that I could run further than I thought.  His confidence in me and constant challenging me to go further has helped me more on the road to running than I can put into words.  Joey, my trainer (see...you aren't a guru anymore), who taught me that conventional wisdom might not be the most effective way to meet your goal.  Taking the time to teach and to support and encourage helped me drop 10 pounds in March and definitely push past a dietary plateau.  My friends and supporters at fitocracy (nyrangerfan, Maurice, Blister, Talm, Fr3sh, SilverSwift, SK, Reminisce, lokkju, Saai, YT, bondmonster, argyle, DuzAwe, MearCat, das_pscho, RunnerChick...the list could go on for ages on this one) have taught me about the necessity of community spirit.

I read somewhere on fitocracy that getting started starts with a foot out the door.  But, for me, it started with someone else's belief in me...paying that forward is the best way to say thank you.  Have crazy goals.  You never know what you can accomplish.