Today was a great run day, made all but about 10 ft.  Why did I walk it?  I think I got bored?  There is no reason for me to stop anymore, I GOT THIS!!  Tomorrow the whole 1/2 mile from start to finish in RUN mode!  I could smell the smoke from the fires but ran anyway.  I took my asthma meds right before heading out, I am sure that helped!  I did not run yesterday because of the smokey air we have but wish I had, my legs seem to know they should have ran and would not sit still last night after work so I had to do some stretching and stuff.  Tomorrow is the last run of the week and I said I would have the 1/2 mile by the end of the week so I WILL!!  DONE AND DONE!  :-)  Work is great, I love my job, it is so awesome!!  I really work with wonderful people and the environment is what made me want to stay after I finished school!  It is a very caring place that truly does care about student success! That is important to me.  I have a 9 am appt. so I need to go and finish getting ready so I can have everything ready for her.  Till tomorrow---RUN RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!  LOL 

AH felt good to run today, did not run yesterday, had shooting pains in my knee and did not want to risk anything.  I am sure it is all part of not being a
"spring chicken" anymore, Ok well I did not say I was OLD just not young.  At any rate, I am still running and will continue to do so!  It is starting to feel good to run and I actually am beginning to look forward to my runs.  I love the energy it gives me throughout the day and how good I feel.  I have not noticed any difference weight wise yet, but I don't really have a scale so I go by the way my clothes fit or don't fit.  HOWEVER, it seems my thighs are starting to look more like they actually have a set of quads in them!!  NO MORE COTTAGE CHEESE--yes its going away!  I will eat it for breakfast but I do NOT want to wear it anymore.  Part of the reason I run!!  Been busy at work and today shall be about the same way, did I tell you how much I so love this job??  No, really I do!!  Its an awesome job for me.  Still more to learn and that part is awesome, I was so worried about getting out of school and my brain not being stimulated with learning, not the case with this job. It's Learn Learn Learn so I totally love it! Course the part about having my own office and stuff is cool too--woo hoo!  :-)  Well time to run oh ha ha go to work that is--catch you on the trail and remember--slow and steady wins the race, its the finishing not the winning!  ENJOY YOUR DAY I know I will!  :-)

Great run today, inspite of the smoke in the air, it's not near as heavy as it was, just took may asthma meds and off I went!  Did not run Saturday but felt great running today.  A bit of smoke but not so bad.  Walked less, should have the whole 1/2 mile under my belt and no walking by the end of the week.  It really felt good to run today! I did miss it when I didn't, had a lot of pent up energy.  Well, I am at work so, gotta go, enjoy your day!  :-)
 

Not such a great run day today.  Fire burning nearby in one of the mountain valleys, throat was burning, lungs were burning so I had to stop at the 1/4 mile plus about an 1/8 more.  Got so dry I could barely breath.  I will be consuming lots and lots of water today, it is supposed to be in the 90's again.  Time for my shower and breakfast then off to work.  Today is blue jeans day!  YAY!!  Oh I love the blue jeans Fridays.  Didn't sleep well either so I am sure that played a part in it too.  Well here's to blue jeans Friday and a better nights sleep!  :-) 

Great run today, went the whole distance of the 1/2 mile, had to walk some but not so much. Hope to be running the whole thing by the first part of next week.  The end of this week marks 3 weeks of running for me, so when does the weight start to come off??  ugh  I am sure my legs will appreciate it when it does lol.  Just need to shed 10-15 lbs to make me happy!  Ya I know it takes 3 weeks before any noticeable difference occurs so I will be patient, or at least work on it!  Great day at work yesterday as well.  I am so loving my job as well as the energy I get from doing my running in the morning.  I am rapidly becoming a morning person again!!  woo hoo!  yay me!  It is supposed to be in the 90's again today, another good reason to get the run done in the morning!  HELLO SUMMER HEAT!  When you start the day energized, it goes so much better.  I am out of cottage cheese so its strawberry yogurt and my protein shake, will have to stop on the way home from work to get some more, cottage cheese that is.  Well, need to go make me a wrap for lunch, turkey, provolone and spinach!  mmmm sounds good to me!  Off to the office--make it a fantabulous day!  :-)

I think yesterday must have been the "crest of the hill" in some ways, I was feeling like I was not getting anywhere but then this morning, I not only did the 1/4 mile I extended my run.  I did the 1/4 plus a bit running then I ran/walked another something between 1/8 and 1/4!  Felt good, I am making progress woo hoo!!  :-)  Looks like by next week hopefully I will be running the whole 1/2 mile!  I decided when I can do the 1/2 mile I deserve some better running clothes and shoes!  MOTIVATION!  lol  Today and tomorrow I work at 11 so I can make my morning run less rushed.  I actually slept well last night and that made a big difference.  Sleep is important but some nights its just not what happens for me!  Time to go pack a lunch for work and head out.  ENJOY YOUR WONDERFUL DAY!  :-)

Tuesday, did not have time to blog this morning, went out for my run then had to shower and get ready for work.  It seems like I am not making any progress running but I am sure I am; at least I HOPE I AM!  I was tired this morning and ate way too much good food at the Summer Solstice party we went to last night.  From Norwegian Pancakes to lots of goodies and salads, it was awesome!  Good food, good fun and lots of wonderful music, accordions and such.  We really enjoyed it, the weather was great.  Somehow I knew running this morning would be rather difficult!  Oh well, I made the 1/4 mile and that's what really counts.  Back to work--till tomorrow AM, RUN RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!  :-)

It's Monday again, with no running on Sunday and the allergy pill I took yesterday I was dragging this morning but I did make it plus a little bit more!  Its not feeling natural yet or comfortable yet so I think I will stay running at the 1/4 mile plus whatever else I can for another week before I even begin to try and pursue the 1/2 mile.  Today we get to move our office back to our regular place as the carpet should all be done by now.  FUN FUN!  Had my usual yogurt and cottage cheese and my protein shake for breakfast.  Hopefully I will drop some pounds here soon!  I am not eating M&M's anymore--that has to help!  lol  Well time to go to work,  looking forward to and OUTSTANDING day!  ENJOY!!  :-)

Saturday Morning and the day is in full swing.  Got my running out of the way, felt good! Today I am spending time at the Family History Center with some people working on Family History/genealogy.  I love the amount of energy I have with doing my running in the morning.  It starts my day off with a boost and I love it!  Can't stop now, the addiction; running that is, has begun to take hold.  I run for me, I run because I want to, I run because I want to.  I am very grateful to the people that have been encouraging me, giving me pointers and just simple cheering me on!  From family to friends its an awesome feeling and it helps to keep me going.  I hope everyone finds something fun to do today on this beautiful Saturday, no running for me tomorrow, the one day I am not running so until Monday--ENJOY YOUR DAY!  :-)

Today's run was nice!  I went past my usual stopping a point for a little bit and then walked about 1/4 mile.  Getting amped up for the 1/2 mile stretch woo hoo!  I like the feeling I have during the day from running, being full of energy and ready to take on the world :-)  It is so worth it in  my book, I am feeling better, not that I was feeling badly but just better.  My eating habits seem to be changing along with my running--this is a good thing!  I still have a hard time resisting M&M's but what can you do!  More water, no soda, healthy snacks--I GOT THIS!!!  Seems like my body is beginning to take on a better shape, I know its early yet but it is working.  I am not a stranger to working out at all, just the running thing.  I am eating my usual breakfast; cottage cheese, yogurt & protein shake.  Keeps me going until snack time at work.  Well gotta run oh ha ha go to work that is--till tomorrow KEEP RUNNING!!!  I know I am!!

The 1/4 Mile seems to be getting a bit easier to do without walking now.  Starting Monday I will add in the next 1/4 mile, I don't expect to run it all but will attempt to see how far I can go.  I am going to have to get some different shoes soon so I better save up my pennies!  :-)  I am really enjoying getting up early in the morning and going out on my run, my whole day goes better, with more energy and I am sleeping better, for the most part, at night.  It's the way it should be in my book.  My knees are starting to bother me a bit I may have to get some neoprene braces soon!  Let's face it, this ol bod just ain't what it used to be LOL  Work at 11 today so I need to finish my breakfast and get some stuff done before I go.  Switching offices for 2 days so we can get new carpet!  It's a bother but it will definitely be nice to have the new carpet!  If anyone is reading this--I am always up for comments, suggestions and ideas!  Thank you all, and enjoy your day!  I know I will! :-)

Day 8:  So I found the secret to running, fumble with your I Pod earpieces while running, before you know it you are at that third curve that has been the stopping point for a week and you sail right through--lol  By the time I got them situated right in my ears I was already turning the 3rd corner and guess what??  NO DESIRE TO WALK!!  I am definitely making progress, I realize 1/4 mile is really not far but its my starting point.  Having not run in um well lots of years I need to start someplace!  I will spend the rest of this week fumbling with my earpieces and cruising thru the 3rd corner, with a burst on the home stretch.  Next week I will add in the next 1/4 mile.  I do think I will probably be walking a bit of the new stretch for a week or so but thats ok.  Goal date to run the 1/2 mile is well lets say by the end of the month!  High hopes?  ya maybe but if I don't set goals how will I achieve anything?  Ok time to head to work, have New Associate Orientation downtown today so I am off to Trax!  Till tomorrow--KEEP RUNNING!!! :-)

Day 7:  Goal:  run 1/4 mile no walking--ACHIEVED!!  WOO HOO!   My legs are shaky I am eating my protein shake, well drinking while eating my cottage cheese and yogurt and I feel GREAT!!  Next goal:  1/2 mile but that is not for a week or 2 to start.  I will work on form and pace with the 1/4 mile for the next week or 2 then start on the 1/2 mile.  Thank you to those who believe in me and helped me to believe in myself.  I feel like I have run up a mountain today lol.  I guess in some ways I have!  Well need to eat and go to work early today, just had to put in my achievements for today!  :-)  YAY ME!!  

Day 6:  Had trouble sleeping last night, my legs just would not stop!  It was like they just wanted to run so they wouldn't feel like they did!!  I don't have to work until 11 today so I reset my alarm for 7:30 to get a bit more sleep.  I got up, got my running clothes on, stretched out and off I went.  Went better this morning, I only walked about 10 feet, BUT I walked my cool down 1/2 lap and decided to run the last blast; I remember one of my coaches always saying:  "FINISH WITH A STRONG BLAST!" So I did and guess what??  IT FELT AMAZING!  It's always the same place that I feel the need to walk so I just need to get past that point and I will be ok.  I took my IPOD today, it helped cause I could focus on the music and not my running--brilliant idea those devices!  LOL  Now I just need a holder for it when I run so it won't keep changing songs on me! :-)  Today is a beautiful day and I started it off with a better run, finished strong; what a great way to get my day going woo hoo!!  :-)  Eating my cottage cheese and yogurt and drinking my protein shake!  AH THE GOOD LIFE, created by ME! OH I have a WHY to run, I have a very good friend who is overweight and she decided to do a 5K in Sept!  I promised here I would do it as well so ya, by then I think I should be able to make a 5K--who knows maybe go on to a half marathon??  My ultimate goal would be to go back to Massachusetts and do a run with my nieces and brothers!!  THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!  We will see, maybe by next year I will do that!  Boston Marathon??  mmmm no but then who knows??? for today its a 1/4 mile to conquer then on to a 1/2!!  Happy running and enjoy your day!  :-)

Day 5:  Okay day 5 of running and I am doing this why??  I forgot how you ache and hurt for the first little while when you start working out again.  My thighs are on fire, hopefully that's some nice muscle being generated lol.  It is a beautiful day this morning but I have that wanting to quit feeling.  I am not a quitter so that is NOT an option.  I ache and have truly realized why you should NEVER stop working out.  However, I did and now I pay the price.  Fortunately by the end of next week it should get better.  My goal is to make it all the way around by the end of next week, if not sooner.  I do have to set realistic goals, after all, it's not like I am 21 again! :-)  I used to run like the wind and I loved it so I am trying to dig deep down to find that passion again.  Right now I just want a hot tub and new legs.  Tomorrow being Sunday I will not run so I will not write again until Monday after my run.  I will not quit, only strive to do better cause that's what I do!  We have some nice stairs here, maybe next week I will alternate between the 1/4 mile and running stairs.  Kinda shake it up a bit.  I need to walk a bit more right now and then hit the shower.  We are moving a bunch of stuff to the garage today to have more room in here so I get more workout.  Glad I am on the second floor and not the 3rd!  :-)  Enjoy your weekend and till Monday--RUN FOREST RUN! 

Day 4:  So today I worked on pace and form, just like I said I would--guess what??  I made it a bit further, walked a bit less, no more days off except Sunday, from here on Sunday will be the only day of no run!  I am still not liking this lead like feeling in my legs but I am sure this will improve in time.  I had a bit of RLS last night, woke me up!  Bet it was cause I didn't run yesterday!  I feel great!  I remembered a lot of the things my track coaches used to tell me.  I could hear my 9th grade coach in my ear, "DIG DIG DIG"  I realize 1/4 mile is no great distance but wow it sure seems like it as I am running right now.  Lots happening at work today, its jeans day and a short day; only 9-4!!  YAY!!  No work tomorrow so I can maybe sleep till 7 or 7-30!  :-)  I know I can do this and I know it gets better, just in the few short days I have been at it, I can see a bit of improvement already.  Here is my coaching minute for today:  NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER LET YOURSELF DOWN, ALWAYS MOVE FORWARD AND DON'T LOOK BACK!  I am going to add a coaches minute every day.  Hey, my blog seems to be getting viewed, feel free to add comments, I don't mind!  Have a fantabulous day I know I will!!  :-)

Day 4:  No running today, everything says when you start out you should run rest so its a rest day, I think I like the running better.  Next week will be a rest on Sunday only week. Ok, so I have started a blog, started running, graduated from Eagle Gate College on May 1, 2012, started a new job in the Financial Aid Dept. at Eagle Gate College on May 2.  WOW  so whats next??  My goals are to run a 5K with a very good friend in Sept., lose a few pounds; oh 10-15 would make me feel good!  Take on better eating habits and drink more water.  Besides my job I am also an Independent Business Owner in ACN, saving people money on cell phones, internet, TV, home phones as well as power and energy!  Staying busy and Staying happy is my goal!  Tomorrow I will do better at pacing myself and form and not worry so much about just getting it over-with--its not the speed I am looking for right now it is the distance.  I was a distance runner in both high school and college, ya I know that was a day or 10 ago lol. I know I can do this and I know I will feel better for it.  Time for work, gotta run--oh ha ha not really run run but you know what I mean!!!  :-)

Day 3:  I did not run yesterday but I did today.  I walked less and ran more.  I hate the feeling of lead like legs and feet.  I figured out I need to work on form and pace.  I know, its ONLY 1/4 mile--FOR NOW!  If I cannot pace myself for this distance, how will I ever pace myself for more??  Every couch to 5K plan I have pulled says the same thing--walk, jog, walk, jog when you are starting out.  Why do I think I am better than the experts?  OH maybe its cause I hate to waste time improving I just want to be there!  Exactly why playing the piano did not work well for me lol  Running is not by any means new to me nor I not understand at least SOMETHING about it.  Guess I am just a a bit "rusty" (for lack of a better word) and need to work out a few kinks--in my back, my neck lol.  I need to just slow it down a bit and stop expecting to be able to do a 3 sec. 1/4 mile, besides; who cares how fast or slow I do it?!?!!  What is most important is DOING IT!!! I will run again tomorrow and blog again but for now, its cottage cheese and yogurt and my Costco weight loss shake for breakfast!  Enjoy your day I know I will!!  :-)

Day 1 & 2 of blog

Day 1:  Saturday, June 2.  Let the running begin!  On Friday we drove around the complex and measured out different distances so I could start running.  I know my 1/4, 1/2, and 1 mile distance points.  It has been YEARS since I have ran so this is going to be fun--I THINK! I got up Saturday morning and decided it was time to just get going so I stretched out, and went for the 1/4 mile not having any idea how far I would actually make it.  I surprised myself!!  I did not make it the whole way but much further than I thought I would.  I had to walk a part of it but that's ok, I ran most of it.  Sunday I did not run.

Day 2:  Monday June 4.  Got up early and stretched out, set out on my 1/4 mile run/jog.  It went ok, had to walk more than I would have liked, need to push harder.  I figured I would take it rather easy this week to get used to running again.  Not quite ready for the spandex thing so I run in lightweight sweats and a t-shirt for now!  My goal is 2-fold.  I have a good friend who is going to walk/run a 5K in West Jordan in September, I told her I would love to do it with her!  So that and to lose some weight.  Weight lose goal is about 15-20 lbs.  I know I can do this and I will!  If I write every day it will help me to keep track of my progress.  Time to get ready for work--Oh did I mention I will be running in the mornings before I go to work?  Well thats when I will be doing my running, getting too hot in the afternoons! :-)