Day 232 of 365: Really.. I tried!

I tried to get up to run this morning. I set the alarm for 5:15 and pressed sleep several times. I took this photo when I was actually awake enough to think to go get my camera and take a photo for the blog! It's hockey's fault- keeping me up too late at night!

Day 195 of 365: Giving in..

I've had a nasty sore throat and clogged ears and nose since last Friday. I finally gave in and went to see the doctor. Bleh. Waited about 30 minutes and they did a rapid strep test. The doctor came in and said the test was negative and basically I've got a cold and there's nothing I can do. Booooooooo. He said I should be "turning a corner" in a couple of days or so. Doesn't he realize I have a half marathon in 2 1/2 weeks?? I need to run! I can't be sick any longer. Grf.

Day 179 of 365: Free!

These are my new Pumas! I love them! Very cushy and comfortable. I got them from the running shop on Friday. Puma is introducing some new models and gave several pairs for the employees to try out. And I got a pair! Yippee! :)

Oh, and I love this little detail on the inner shoe liner:

"Pre-release edition" Fun!!

Day 178 of 365: Ouch!

Please no judging the poor state of my winter/runner's foot!! The bruise on my big toe is from the other day! I dropped a metal mixing bowl on it and it hurt like a mo'fo'. I was on the phone with my sister and making dinner, so I just shook it off and went on. Well, this morning, I looked down and lo and behold- a bonafide bruise! Luckily, it hasn't hurt any since the initial impact. Looks yucky, though. I haven't run with it yet, and I'm doing a 10K in the morning. I hope it doesn't hurt when I run.

Day 164 of 365: Good intentions

I had intended to get out for my miles after work. It was in the 50s, sunny, etc. However, I didn't leave work till 5 (grades to input before Monday morning) and *had* to rest for a few minutes. By the time I was ready to go run, it went from light to dark within about 15 minutes. So, instead I laid everything out for an early Saturday morning run. I normally like to sleep in a bit since I have to get up early every other day, and since I work PT on Saturdays. But, I had to get the run in! And yea! It's going to be in the 30s in the morning. :( So... wish me luck.

Day 145 of 365: The Greenway

This is the start of the trail I like to run on whenever I can. It was cold and a bit windy today, but after about a mile, I started to warm up. I love having access to this trail right around the corner from my place.

Day 136 of 365: Fun meetups with a friend!

Not my best angle, but this is Amy and me after our run at a local park! We had a good time running and got to eat again at the Seasons 52 place from the other night. Yummy! I had the same entree. We tried their flatbread appetizer. Whoa. Delicious! I can't believe I had never been to this place! It was a great change of pace seeing Amy this week. We headed to Taco Mac afterwards for a beer! Good times!

Day 128 of 365: Resolution kept

[From L-R: Elizabeth, Heather, Charles]

In the interest of starting the year off right, I decided to make sure I ran something on New Year's Day. So, when Elizabeth suggested we meet up for the Atlanta Track Club's yearly Resolution Run, I figured I'd give it a go. Discovered the night before that Heather was also going to do the run, so we made plans to meet up beforehand. They had 5 and 10K options- basically one or two loops of the course. I hate double loop courses and just did the 5k while everyone else did the 10k! I did pretty well (for me) despite my recent lack of training up until a week ago! After the race, we all headed over for lunch at TGI Fridays. This photo was taken after we'd all filled up on a nice meal! Definitely a great way to start the year. Hopefully a sign of things to come this year. :)

Day 126 of 365: Back to running :)

First off, I should note that it is ridiculously difficult to take a picture of your ipod screen!!! Holy moly! Anywho, this was today's run. I LOVE my nike+ that I use with my nano. As you can see, it keeps track of time, distance, speed and calories! Now you, too, can see how slowly I run! I can set it with different goals (time/distance/calories) or just on go mode where it goes till I stop it without giving me feedback during the run. I love hearing the lady tell me how far I've gone, though. And the 400m countdown at the end is the best part! I always know I can make it at that point.... Anyone who's thinking of getting a nike+, I can't recommend it enough! I love it! And for the price point ($29.99) it can't be beat in terms of what it delivers.

The best part is, I'm back to running. I'm starting to feel human again and not just a workaholic drone. This was one of the best runs I've had in a long time. I am not looking forward to going back to that rat race schedule next week. :(

Day 115 of 365: 'Bout time!

Finally! I've got my new shoes! (cue Paolo Nutini!) My running shop co-worker brought them over to my store Wednesday and I finally had a chance to go by today to pick them up. I haven't even tried them on yet, since I came home feeling all sick this afternoon (sinus/cold crap). I hope to take them for a spin tomorrow...

Day 99 of 365: Well at least it looks pretty!

I got this on Sunday and have yet to even listen to it. I WILL remember to take it with me in the car tomorrow. Since I'm tutoring all over, I'll have plenty of time to listen in the car as I drive from place to place....

I was hoping to have a photo of my new shoes here tonight, but sadly they aren't in at the running shop yet!! Come on Mizuno! Get on the ball! I need to run!!

Day 98 of 365: In training.. officially!

My dirty old shoes! I desperately need new ones, as it seems I can only go about 2.5 miles before my knee starts aching (my usual signal that shoes have gone bad). Yes, I know the irony. I work in a running shop and I can't get myself new shoes?? Well, they haven't had my shoe in my size for about 6 weeks now and the new model is arriving this week. So I'm holding out. I'm going to call tomorrow and hope they are there so I can use them for my run tomorrow. That would be ideal. I would like to go 3 miles tomorrow, so I'd really need the new shoes for that. *Cross your fingers for me!

Now, as for the title of the entry for today... after having run the half marathon the other day on practically no training, I set up my own training schedule to follow for my next event (another half- which is 13.1 miles in case you were curious). It started Sunday with 2 miles and 2 miles again today. I did 2.75 Sunday and 2.5 today! Yay! I beat my own goals. I'll be posting more about this on my running blog over the next 4 months. It feels good to take time for myself again!

Day 93 of 365: Thankful for feet

As much as they hurt right now, they carried me 13.1 miles this morning. Some running, some walking, but I made it. And oh yeah, the rest of me is in pain as well! Can we say stiff???? Oh well, this will remind me that I really DO need to go out for that 2 miler (or whatever it is I'm putting off at the moment!)

Day 50 of 365: No, I promise I won't wear it over there....

Detail of my new running shirt. Was looking around during a slow moment at the running shop and this was hanging on the sale rack. Apparently it was part of a series that came out for the Olympics this summer. There were all sorts of countries available. This was one of 2 left. Before I looked, I said "if it's my size, then it's meant to be!" It was my size. :) Got a sweet deal at 50% off, too!!

Day 16 of 365: New job!

Well, I had my interview here at the running store this afternoon and was promptly offered the job! Super excited. Not only have I kind of wanted to work at a running store for a while now, this is how I will help finance the big move.... :) I took this from my car in the car park right after the interview. I tried to be discreet and I hope they didn't see me! That'd be embarrassing! I start next week! :)

Day 14: My Mizuno Inspire 3s

So these are what I see first thing in the morning (we're talking 5:30-ish!) I like running before work but it leaves me knackered. Plus I can only get in 3.5 max if I leave by 6:15. I've been getting to work between 5-10 minutes late. I know, I know, leave 5-10 minutes earlier for the run, right?? Seems easy and logical enough, but it just never happens no matter how hard I try. And I am trying. Really. I am. And I'll try harder tomorrow again. I will. I promise.

It's quite dark in the morning, though. Most of my run is in complete darkness. I look forward to when it's cooler out and I can run after work. At least sometimes. Looks like I will have a new part time job after school now. Morning may be my only time to much of anything! Oh well.. pain's only temporary. Happiness is forever! ;)

ETA: I did get up about 10 mins earlier this morning! Yea me! But I was still a few minutes late to work. Oh well!