Hey guys!
Well my life has been all about RUNNING lately. I have ELEVEN days until my Half Marathon. Woo hoo! I’m actually quite excited!
I must say that right now I love running more than I ever have! It actually kind of surprises me. 😉 The last few weekends, Kev and I have driven to new places to run and I’ve really enjoyed it! I have a few favorite running routes close to home that I usually run because of simplicity and time, but it’s been SO NICE to run in new places! It seems like such a simple thing, but I really believe it’s made all the difference.
On Saturday, Kev and I decided to wake up early (big sacrifice for me right now) to get our run done first thing. We had a busy day ahead of us, we were also worried it was going to get too hot (it was supposed to be almost 80 degrees) and we wanted our run to have the least impact on our kids….so we got ‘er done early.
We intended to leave the house at 6:00 AM, but because of “baby issues,” we left about 6:20. We had our daughter listen for the baby and thankfully, he slept the entire time we were gone. Yay!
When we first left the house, the sunrise was GORGEOUS and it made me feel so energized, motivated and grateful. When we finally got to our starting point, the sunrise wasn’t quite as pretty, but I took a pic anyway…
I tried to take a picture with Kev and I in it, but it turned out scary…
I look a wee bit psychotic. Hee hee.
Anyway, we ran ELEVEN miles and it was a tough run! I LOVED the first 6-7 miles and felt so great. I was so happy to be running outside in the beautiful weather and in the early morning. Sidenote: I LOVED getting my run in first thing! The morning is so fresh and motivating to me and I just felt so good. It helped set the tone for the rest of my day as well. Once my baby is a better sleeper, I hope to get my workouts done first thing in the morning as often as I can.
Anyway, after I hit mile 7 or 8, I started to fall apart. My body felt fatigued and achy and my mental state started to waver. I decided to eat a few Shot Bloks, but they didn’t seem to help me!!! Usually I notice a big improvement when I take an Energy Gel or Chews, but I was discouraged that I didn’t feel any improvement.
I let Kev run ahead and I trailed behind for a bit. I started talking out loud to myself (I’ve been known to do that!) saying things like “This isn’t hard” and “I got this!” I couldn’t help but think of Stuart Smalley and it made me laugh out loud!
Running is SO MENTAL and I know that “affirmations” really do help the mental state while running, while trying to lose weight or for anything that takes effort and perseverance.
I eventually finished my run, but those last couple of miles were tough! My overall pace was 9:27, but after looking at my Map My Run thingy, I realized I went way too fast the first several miles and then seriously “bonked” the last half.
I’m happy I ran in the high 8s and low 9s quite a bit (makes me feel more like my normal self), but the reality is that I shouldn’t be running that fast….yet. I really hated those last 4-5 miles.
Ya know, I’d really love to run my half marathon under 2 hours, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. 🙁 I’ve only run one other half before (6 years ago!) and I ran it in 2:04. I’m thinking I’ll be right around that same time this time. Sad, but true.
However, I plan to keep on running and I would love to run another half this year and do it faster! We’ll see. I’ve told you guys before that I think weight has a HUGE impact on SPEED of running. I really can feel a significant difference every time I lose 5 pounds. It’s crazy. I read an interesting article about how weight affects speed in Runner’s World recently and it really hit home for me!
I’m definitely a proponent of HEALTH first and I don’t have unrealistic expectations about weight and weight loss, but it is motivating to see and feel a difference in performance as weight is lost. Five or ten pounds can really make a big difference! Imagine carrying around a five or ten pound dumbbell with you as you ran….that would be crazy! I also notice a BIG difference in the classes I go to at the gym and when I do things like pushups, pull ups, jumping exercises, etc. when I lose weight. When you weigh less, exercise becomes easier. Simple as that.
I know a lot of people suffer from eating disorders and I definitely want to be sensitive to that when I talk about weight loss. When I talk about trying to lose weight, I’m not talkin’ about unhealthy starvation diets, becoming sickeningly skinny or anything like that. I just think it’s good to know what a healthy weight is for your height and build and then strive to get there! It DOES make a difference!
‘Nuf said.
I also want to mention, that I really love running to this song right now…
I LOVE David Guetta so much! He is seriously the coolest ever! I love so many of his songs. I also love running to these songs right now…
Immortals (Fall Out Boy)
Geronimo (Sheppard)
Fight Song (Rachel Platten)
I Bet My Life (Imagine Dragons)
I’ve been listening to a Playlist that Kev made and I really LOVE most of the songs on there, but there is ONE song that drives me bananas…
Barf.
I LOVE Katy Perry, but I really don’t love this song. Uggh. I think she sounds just like Ke$ha. Blah.
Well, I thought I’d share a story about my favorite baby! Yesterday, I was about to lay him down for a nap, but he didn’t look super tired quite yet. I thought I would rock and snuggle him for a few minutes before I laid him down. Well, as soon as I sat down, he snuggled right up and started grabbing my face…
I was in HEAVEN! He is the best snugly baby and I’m so grateful. I immediately thought, “I don’t care about all the ‘to-do’s,’ or anything else I have to do, I’m just going to soak up this sweet baby every second that I possibly can.”
Then I totally spoiled him and rocked him right to sleep…
Oh guys, this is one of my most favorite things to do in all the world! I love cradling his tiny body, touching his soft skin and rubbing his fuzzy little head. I love this precious little boy so much and I’m just so grateful that I get to be HIS mom. What a gift.
I read something recently that Mitt Romney said at the Jacksonville University graduation that I LOVED! He said,
“Get a life, have a life, live your life in full. Embrace every fruitful dimension of life that you possibly can…..If your life is lived for money and position, it will be shallow and unfulfilling. The real wealth in life is in your friendships, your marriage, your children, what you have learned in your work, what you have overcome, your relationship with God, and in what you have contributed to others.”
I agree with every word! Life is precious. Every day is a gift. I try to live each day with gratitude and make the most of the time I have. I feel so blessed to have my health, the people in my life that I love soooo much and to have my faith in God that brings me such peace, comfort and purpose.
Well, that’s all I have to say tonight. I hope you all have a wonderful, happy, peaceful night!
Way to push through Mel! The mental part of running is the hardest part.
Thanks so much Jill!
You guys are FAST. On my long runs, I’m happy to do anything under 11 min/mile. The problem I have with early morning runs (other than the fact that they’re early) is not having the time for a full breakfast beforehand. I hate bonking! I also can’t do those energy chews or packets because they give me a stomach ache. It’s a problem.
Your baby pictures make me swoon. He is so sweet!
Thanks! Kev is quite a bit faster than me, so a lot of the time when I run with him, I trail behind. Ha ha. I’m always worried about pre-run eating too. I ate a PB and Honey sandwich before we headed out for this run and it was perfect! I know a lot of people who pack sandwiches WITH them on their runs. I may try that too because I don’t LOVE energy gels and such. I just use them because they’re easy!
Is it funny that as you shared the story about rocking your baby to sleep I realized I was rocking in my chair as I read it? I definitely have the baby itch now that my little one is approaching 18 months, she’s not a little snuggly baby anymore. 🙁
Someday I may make it down to a 10 minute run, but right now I’m amazed by your 8 and 9 minutes, and that you consider that slow!! You’ll do great in the half marathon!
Ha ha, that’s funny! Oh, I love the 18 month age, but it’s so sad when they don’t snuggle anymore! Some of my kids never really loved to snuggle. I’m so grateful this last little baby does!!
Thanks so much for your encouragement about my running! When I first started, I ran about 11-12 minute miles and then just before I got pregnant, I ran about an 8 minute pace. My running speed is always fluctuating!
Great job on your 11 miler! I think we are running a race on the same day. I’m not in the best shape of my life, but I’m excited. Good luck next week!
Thanks so much! That’s cool we’re both running a race the same day. I’m certainly not in the best shape of my life either, but I’m looking forward to it! Good luck on your run!
Way too push through. It takes time post baby and you are doing an amazing job. You’ll be getting faster and faster with every run.
Thanks so much Abby! Running is tough (as you well know!), but I always love it when I get faster, go farther or complete a tough run. It’s so rewarding!
Beautiful post!
Thanks so much Charlotte!
I wonder what David Guetta would listen to if he were running a marathon or a half…. Do you think he would listen to himself? LOL
That’s an interesting thought, lol! I LOVE so many of his songs and they are amazing to run to….I think he SHOULD listen to himself!
I am not a huge fan of running. Never have been! I love Katy Perry too but not a huge fan of that song. I do love Geronimo!
How cute is Carson!? Cooper has done that a few times and it absolutely makes my day! Sometimes he grabs my face and “kisses” me.
Also, I’m not sure I’ve seen your new site. Looks great!!
I NEVER wanted to run most of my life because it seemed so boring. I got into running about 7 years ago and I’m actually surprised that I like it!! Ha.
Oh my word, I’m loving this baby stage right now! Your little Cooper is a doll! I could just eat Carson up all day long!
Love your posts and your comments on my posts are always so motivating and uplifting. I 100% agree with you about weight loss and exercise, the heavier you are, the harder it is!!!
Thanks so much Jen! When I was very pregnant, my body felt….soooo….heavy! I had to remind myself that I was carrying around an extra 30-40 pounds of weight! I’m looking forward to losing a little more weight and to exercise getting a little bit easier!
Hi Melanie, I’m new here. Love your blog and the healthy lifestyle. I’m all about that. Bravo on the running. LOVE the quote from Mitt and also agree with every word. That’s the only way to live your life. Those pics of you and your baby are so precious.
Thanks so much Kim!! I’m so glad you found my blog!!!
You should definitely check out the Runtastic Playlist on iTunes!! Vol.2 is my favorite!!! They are def techno-ish and are programmed at the perfect beats per minute! Check it out!
Oooo, thanks so much for the tip Brandi! I didn’t even know there WAS a Runtastic playlist! How cool! I’m def checking that out!!
I love exercising first thing in the morning too. You are lucky your husband runs also, that is a great way to connect. Our play lists are so similar ! Good luck for the last few runs between now and your half marathon. You’ll do great, and remember, have fun !
My husband and I have had so much fun training for this race together. It’s been so nice! I can’t wait for our race tomorrow!
So great that you are enjoying running (mostly) and that you and Kevin get to run together!!!
Sweet pictures of you ad your little cutie!!