Slacking...

Luckily I'm slacking on this blog and not my running.

I did ok last week, getting back into the swing of things.  I found a trick that gets me through the runs easier.  I noticed that as my runs got longer, I was having a really hard time.  I'd listen to my music and try to not focus on the time remaining.  But I didn't do very good at it.  Last week it was time for me to do my 8 minute runs.  I didn't know how I was going to do it.  So for the heck of it, I decided to attempt reading on my iPhone.  Not easy as you are running.  I kept losing my place...BUT, it really helped keep my mind off of the time left.  Before I knew it, I was done!

Ok...so fast forward to Friday.  I was working from home.  Work was a little slow.  It was a fairly cool, cloudy day...a little humidity, but there was a nice breeze.  I decided to get my butt up and attempt to do a run outside.

Now, I've heard running outside, when you are used to running on a treadmill, is a totally different experience.  Well, let me tell you.........it is.  Holy cow!  Not to mention, my next scheduled run was 20 minutes STRAIGHT.  But I decided that I had no good reason to not attempt it.  I figured that I'd just slow down if I needed to, but that I should at least try.

It was rough.  I felt like I was back at the beginning of this journey.  My chest was heavy.  My legs killed.  I was sweating even though it was cool with a nice breeze.  I had to slow down to a walk twice, but all in all, I did ok.  I was pretty proud of myself.

Well, yesterday I was back at work.  Back at the gym.  Scheduled to run on the treadmill.  I wasn't sure if I could do the full 20 minutes...but I figured I'd try.

I get on the treadmill and I decide to try the reading trick again.  It was hard.  But my breathing was ok.  My legs felt ok.  Before I knew it, it was counting down.  Every time 5 minutes passed it would tell me.  So I'd just try making it through that 5 minute run and then I'd tackle the next.

Well...four 5 minute runs later...I did it!  I did 20 minutes continuously!  No stopping!  I did 4.2...so a slow jog...but I did it!!!

Hard to believe that just a couple of months ago, I was getting winded walking up ONE flight of stairs.  Now, I'm jogging 20 minutes at a time! 

I feel like my goal of a 5k is within my reach.  I can see it in the distance...its coming into view a little bit more each time I run.  I can see it!!  I'm so very proud of myself.  So proud that I don't even have the right words...but I feel it...and I love it!

Yay me!!!  I think you can officially call me a runner!