2016....A look behind...and a look ahead...

Wow! I'm not sure where the year went. I made my first goal or resolution pretty much ever last year. I was bound and determined to run 700 miles. With a last ditch run of 2 miles on the 31st I ran 723.9 miles and then had 121.4 walking miles that I tracked. That totals up for a whopping 845.3 miles for me in 2015!! I cannot even begin to write my feelings on this, although I was so nervous to put up an actual number I knew I would make it because I just cannot let a challenge that I lay out for myself go without success. The only part of my 4 pronged goal that I did not make was running a half marathon. None of the stars aligned for me to get it done. But this year is a new year and there are some new goals.... I am running at least 800 miles this year and I will get at least one half completed. So out I went today, in the drizzle and started with a healthy 5.1. Five years ago if anyone had said I would run 5 miles just for giggles on New Years when I could sleep in I would have laughed out loud at them....No way, I'm not a runner and why would I want to run 5 miles in a row anyway. I mean, if a bear is chasing me, I'll run as far and as fast as possible, but not just because. And so I will run, and sweat, and have bad days and good ones. I will run far and I will run short. I will run because it's not just for me, it's for everyone who loves me, it's to keep the stress gone and the calories off. I run so I can eat and drink wine. I run for peace, and for solitude and to challenge myself. I run and sing loud, cry, sometimes I even try and dance while running which usually ends up in not such a good way. I run to feel free, to show my kids that anyone can do it,I run BECAUSE. And BECAUSE is a pretty good reason for me.....

Day 335....That light at the end is blinding me!!

I am reposting my first day of running post: Running...Day 1....700 miles to go.... Was actually super excited for today to get here....wanted to start this year and goals off with a bang. And I did. 5 miles complete, me, 5 miles. I never would have thought I could do it, or more importantly that I ever would want to do it. I cranked up some tunes and just ran with no goal, just ran. At mile 3.7 it got a little crazy as the trash man passed me and I had to beat him to my house to get the trash to the curb. Who would have thought that they would be working today?? Certainly not me, so I ran really fast from 3.7-4.1 and got the can to the curb, had a quick drink, noted all 3 kids were still sleeping and hit the pavement again. At this point I was pretty sore so my run was more of a jog and I just did what I could. At 5 miles I decided I would still like to be able to walk tomorrow so I stopped and walked about 1/3 of a mile. So as Jack so perfectly noted, I now have 695 miles to go in my goal. Tomorrow is another day! Happy New Year! And here I am, almost complete. As of today I have run 673.7 and walked an additional 118 that I have logged. I never would have dreamed that I could accomplish something like this, it seemed too big. Now my husband and kids are all asking me every day how much closer are you? I'm planning on hitting the 700 and flying right on by....On to next year....What's the next challenge? I'm up for suggestions!

Running.....Day 304 complete....

Okay, so I've been extraordinarily lazy writing these posts, but have continued running. With my Halloween run this morning I have pushed over 600 right to 604.7. With 61 days left in my challenge to myself to run 700 miles this year I can clearly see the end in sight. If I didn't believe it before, surely I cannot overlook it now, I'm truly a runner. I've learned some pretty amazing things this year in running, but the one I'm going to share is most important to me. I've never felt so sad about where our country is going, the petty name calling, the division between people of different races, religions, colors, I just see it as a sorry mess right now. But, runners are amazing people. You go to any race and they all start pretty much the same way, with the national anthem being played. And for the most part everyone stands at attention and listens. And then the gun goes off and everyone goes. On the course runners cheer each other on, family and loved ones cheer for everyone. Runners race for and support a myriad of causes for groups and people they've never met. And they do it repeatedly. You know why? Because it all feels good. It's simple. We all just want to be the good, sometimes we forget. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our agenda or what's happening to us that we forget to be the happening, to be the bright spot. But on every weekend runners are out there doing just that, donating food, running for a cause, cheering on an 8 year old girl who is bleeding from her knee because she tripped over the train tracks on the course, pumping her up so she can charge ahead and finish. Watching my kids become and be a part of that and want to continue is such a cool feeling as their mom. Maybe you aren't a runner, that's ok, go out and cheer on people you don't know, bring a cowbell and be loud, I guarantee you will get smiles and appreciation. But who knows, maybe you really are a runner, you just never knew it. Get out and be that good, and I'll see you at the finish line!!!!

Running Day 122.....One Third Through the Year....Where did that time go?

I cannot believe that we are so far into the year. What is more unbelievable is that I've stuck with this challenge and it's just getting better. I have lost 10 pounds since this time last year. My clothes are starting to fall off and pretty soon I will actually have to start buying a smaller size in shorts and pants. When I look at my numbers it's still not registering. I set my original goal of 700 miles and was truly scared that i wouldn't make it, that I would be running crazy distances at the end to try and make the total. Well at the pace I'm going now I am set to almost make 800 miles!!! I would be just short but I had never had any idea that I could do that. Some days are an absolute struggle and some days it's so wonderful to get out there and just run, to burn off the stress, the crazy, the deadlines, the feelings of failure as a mom somedays, the how am I going to actually get all of this done and why am I running feelings...It's just a matter of putting yourself out there, making the time. It's not easy. But oh is it worth it! Running YTD: 264.30 2015 in 2015 totals with my team: 1070.96 We are going to blow that 2015 number out of the water!!! Happy running, walking and getting off the couch to you all!

Running....Day 92.....Holy smokes it's a quarter through 2015!

Well I know I have been lazy, and haven't posted, but I have been running. Running so much the miles are really beginning to rack up. Some have been hard, some have been easy, and all have saved my sanity for just one more day. When this year long experiment is over, I think I may be addicted and may not be able to stop. I definitely have a problem. I mean, I even ran when we went to Disney World on vacation. What is wrong with me? Wasn't I going to get enough mileage in during the day walking the parks? And yet, I ran. And it was only two miles, but it was peaceful and quiet and mine. I waved at all the other souls trying to save their sanity, burn their calories, complete their mission, and on we all ran. I think I may have a problem, I may be a runner. And what does this mean you ask? It means expensive shoes and socks. It means working out even if I'm on a vacation. It means traveling to places to run with other crazy people. It means sanity. It means friendship with people I don't even know, a kinship, a bond. It means black toenails and foam rollers. It means a husband who notices when my jeans are loose and tells me to go get some new ones that fit my butt. It means being a good example to my kids. It's all of that and more. And to the numbers.... My YTD miles on the way to 700: 196.15 My miles for 2015 in 2015: 203.95 My teams YTD for 2015 in 2015: 752.81 ( We are killing it!!!)

Running Day 50......Yes, Even Florida Gets Cold!!

Yesterday I ran. And I knew the forecast today called for a high of 44, so I thought that it would be a great rest day. For some reason though, I actually decided it would be a great day to get a good run in. Really? Was I joking? Oh no I wasn't. So I packed up my warm weather gear and even my DD hat. Around lunch time I kept checking the temperature and then decided to just go and stop worrying about it. So out I went and I ran. And I ran. And I froze. And I loved every second of it. I stretched it out for 4 miles and have noticed that my pace has been picking up lately. Instead of 11 minute miles I am now running about 10:10 to 10:30 minute miles. And so all this running stuff is really falling into place for me. Something that began as a small gesture has turned into something that I cannot live without. If I have a day or two off of running my body hungers for it. My mind absolutely needs it. And to maintain my sanity as a mother there is no other thing that offers me the time to decompress, and recage so that I can be at my best. And so tomorrow is supposed to be colder, but I think I'll throw my hat back in the bag and get at it again.... YTD miles: 102.35 2015 miles in 2015: 126.40 Holy smokes I've passed 100 miles running!!! Only 600 more to go!

Running Day 38.....Every. Step. Was. A. Battle.

Today was one of those days. The kind where you are up early and just want to stay in bed anyway, all day long. I had an early doctor appointment with one of the kids so didn't get a run in beforehand. I joked with friends on Facebook to get out there and hammer down, and watched folks who were running 5-15 miles in snow and wind. Errands all done, and 65 and sunny out I knew I had to go. No excuses would win out. I dressed and strapped on the tunes and off I went. This is a small replay of the conversation in my head... Step 1.....it's beautiful out....no your leg hurts. Step 5....breathe....your leg hurts. Step 18...I hate running....shut up. Step 47....I'm hot...no wait I'm cold....shut up. Step 126....leg hurts....just keep going....a mile is nothing...really we are only running a mile? Step 533....can we get away with only running 2 today....shut up and go. Step 600...shut up. Step 601...shut up Step 602...shut up Do you see a recurring theme here? I kept steering myself farther from home because I know me. I know that I will run home from wherever I am. At each turn I had to will myself to actually turn away from the house and keep going. And i have no idea why today was horrible. It was the most beautiful day. I have friends running in zero degrees and snow who would give their running shoes to me to be able to have this day. I cranked up the tunes and found the best beats in my playlist. I listened to Heroes 3 times in a row, because I knew I wouldn't quit to that song. I channeled every one of my Megstrong friends. I played it out over and over in my head what they had already done today or yesterday. I literally fought for every single step. And then I ended up running 4.25 miles. When it was finished I collapsed on to the back deck and just sat in the sun. Everyone has these days. I tried to figure out why I had this day today....I have no idea. What I do know is that for those 4+ miles I never once stopped, I persevered and kept on. I fought myself and won. It's hard not to quit on these days and if I did, well then I'd be out and doing it again tomorrow anyway, because that's me, that's who I am. I have come a long way in the last year. And one thing I do know is I don't quit, on anything. Running with Meg, well you just can't quit. Congrats to all who ran today, who walked, who moved and did something, we all win. 700 miles YTD: 74.5 (Holy smokes I'm a tenth of the way there!) 2015 miles in 2015: 98.05 (I've almost broken the 100 miles mark!! Woohoo!!)