Runnin Down a Dream

Have I already used that title? Ah well, I'm sure someone has.

Holiday weekends are always long. Long drives, long hours socializing with family, more long drives. Even so, I KNEW I could not afford to slack on my 5k training. As you probably know, I am gearing up to race on Oct. 4 in support of my local domestic violence shelter (if you can, sponsor me and help the battered women of DuPage county).

Thusly, I managed to get my week 5 day 1 couch-to-5k run in on Sunday. And, as it turns out, I ran more distance and walked less than I was supposed to according to the plan. This gave me hope for day 2, which increased the distance again.

I completed that run (W5D2) last night, and OHMIGODS did it feel good Great! I didn't end up getting to the gym until almost 9pm, after grocery shopping and feeding the kids. But once I was there, my music on, I started walking and warming up and watching some E! special about Jon & Kate plus 8. As an aside, I never watched that show, and was unaware of just how excellently good-looking Jon is. But then they switched it over to baseball. Sigh.

So the run was supposed to consist of a 3/4 mile jog, a 1/2 mile walk, and another 3/4 mile jog. After I finished my first jog, I was glad for that walk. But about 1/4 mile into it, I was like, "ok... this is ridiculous. Why do I have to walk an entire half mile? My heart rate is back down, my muscles are relaxed, let's DO this thing." so I did. I ran about .2 mile more than I was supposed to, in all. When I was finished, I was glad to be done, but I felt amazing. I felt strong and sure and successful and... other "s" words? Anyway, I was proud of me.

After that, I wasn't about to just get in the car and go home. The gym wasn't to close for an hour, so I stretched a bit then worked on the circuit my PT and I planned out during my free training session. It's mostly arm work, with a little bit of abs. Good thing, because my legs were NOT up for weight training. As I worked my way across the gym, I chugged the last of my water. By the time I was heading to the car, with "Jump, Jive, and Wail" playing on the Shuffle, I was dancing through the parking lot.

Thursday is Week 5, Day 3. This is the day people are terrified of, and I was definitely one of them. But after last night, I think I just might be able to handle it.

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Daily Gratitudes

* The gym is open until 11 pm. This encourages me to get there no matter what.

* My niece!! She reminds me how much I Do Not Want more children of my own while still being adorable and cuddly and fun and enjoyable.

* 21st Century Breakdown. I cannot stop listening to this album.

* Taking pictures again. And, on a related note

* Discovering the Mandie underneath wife, mom, etc. I never feel more like myself than when I am behind the lens, in my running shoes, or in the car alone, jamming.