Push It

It's been a while since my last blog. I always feel like I am back in Catholic church when I say that. Forgive me blog readers for I have been lax. It has been two months since my last blog. And now on with the show.
Last May I did something next step for me. I ran a 10K. I did not go on and on about it because it was a weird situation.It was my first solo race without my racing buddy Cindy. It was a longer distance than I ever ran. Even after I paid for it, I was not sure I would run it or chicken out. My ambivalence was out of control. I did train for it. I told my manager at work about it and she told me that she ran it as well( in Central Park). She also warned me that there were some enormous hills and that I would have to walk a bit. I thought that all the training I put in prepared me to run the heck out of that race. I ran from one end of the park to the other thinking "wow I was able to run those hills and now all I have to do it run back". But I was wrong. There were real hills around the corner causing me to stop running and start walking.By the end of that race I was drained of energy and some of my spirit.
       The weather started getting warmer and I concentrated on running on the treadmill just a little bit at first. But little by little I ran a little longer on the treadmill. I even added a little incline and speed.When Summer came to an end, I realized that I had not been running outside and I wanted to  run the Hunts Point Hustle 5K with my son Jake in October. I had to suck it up and get out on the track again. Jake and I ran our annual mother/son race and we both PR'd . I was so happy. And now there was yummy cool Fall running weather. During my running hiatus I became addicted to Zumba classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. My weight loss stalled and I was looking for a way to boost my weight loss and get more running in so I decided that Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays were running days. I started out running 2 1/2 to 3 miles on those days. I wanted more.
     I created a small challenge for myself to push to run 10 miles every weekend. When you see the words 10 MILES you feel intimidated . But the truth is I am competing against myself. A challenge is a good thing if it motivates you to be a better you. A challenge should not make you feel weaker; it should make you feel stronger. As I grew stronger with my challenge I pushed myself to run 4 miles one day. The next time I decided to run 4 miles, I pushed myself to run 5 miles. Today that's as far as I plan to run in one day but who knows what next week while bring. I have been doing this for a few weeks and I checked my Garmin history for the amount of miles I ran in October alone. It said that I ran a little over 60 miles (5K included). I do not feel drained of energy or spirit anymore.

BOBism
I don't have to be really more excited. I just have to be less discouraged.

Activity Week Oct 30-Nov 5 (59 Activity Points)
Wed.- Gym 45 min running on treadmill + 30 min weights in afternoon
Thurs. -exercise bike 30 min + two 45 min Zumba classes back to back in evening
Fri. - 30 min run on treadmill + 25 min weights in morning
Sat. run 5 miles outdoors
Sun- run 4 miles outdoors
Mon - run 3 miles outdoors
Tues. - Run on treadmill 15 min + weights in morning an 45 min Zumba class in evening