Run, run, run.

Okay, this week's run scared me. Last week I was only running a total of 9 minutes and now it's up to 16 minutes! Run 3 minutes, walk 1 1/2 minutes. Run 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 minutes. Repeat. On Monday, my baby alarm woke up late and I didn't get out until 6:50a. The sun was already up and it was feeling like summer. I don't know why the program has the run ending on five min instead of starting with five and ending with three. That last five minutes I was DYING!! The voice in my headphones always tells me "You have 45 more seconds of running...ten more seconds..." I'm running for what felt like forever and thinking I had to be more than half way. Finally I hear "congratulations..." When I hear the word congratulations, to me that means, good job, your done, you can stop now, but no-o-o-o.... "You have 30 more seconds of running" WHAT?? I had already stopped running and there was no way I could start back up. So, I did not finish Monday's run, by 30 stinking seconds.

I got up earlier on Wednesday, but even though it was just barely light out the air felt really gross. I guess this is just how it is going to be. I was hoping that this second run would be easier than the first time. The whole time I was trying to distract myself, by pointing out all the wonderful creations God has made, including myself :) By the end, all I was doing was staring at the road. My brain was going to explode from how hard I was concentrating. I didn't realize that running was a mental exercise too. Holy Cow!

We had a co-worker of Steven's over Wednesday night. He's a big time runner and gave me some tips. The reason runners can run so long is because they've trained themselves to keep their upper body very relaxed, letting their legs and hips do all the work. I catch myself being tense ALL the time: running, driving, nursing, sleeping, even just now I'm telling myself to relax my shoulders.

Relaxing was my goal for Friday's run. I went Friday night. My body needed a bit more rest. I had to really focus on relaxing. It was a great distraction and I made it through the run, no problem. I do have to say I felt really flabby. My gut was hanging out, my arms were flapping and my hands were waving around, but, I was relaxed! It was a good run and I'm ready for next week. Did I really just say that?

Side note: I signed up to do this 12 week fitness competition. At the end of the 12 wks, we have to run, swim, do sit up, etc. To get points for your team, you have to exercise for 30 minutes, 4 times a week. So I need to squeeze one more day of exercise. I think I'll focus on my core. So even though it is almost 9:00p I have to go do 30 minutes of my fun little exercise video. Can't let my team down. GO TEAM!