I’m Coming Back!

Today I was so tired.

I couldn’t sleep last night. I woke up at 1, at 3, at 5, and then at 6:20 I was like, “FINE I WILL JUST GET UP!”

I was super thankful that we didn’t actually swim today. It was picture day so we just stood around for an hour and got a picture taken. I don’t think I would have had the energy to swim. I came home and crashed. I read and napped. I actually fell asleep while I was reading. That’s how tired I was. Peter took the book off my face while I was asleep. So kind! 🙂

Anyways,  I went out for coffee and ice cream with friends…and shopping! That perked me up until I got home and kind of crashed again from the caffeine. The only thing I could think of that I wanted to do was run.

So I went after dinner.

MOST. BEAUTIFUL. RUN. EVER!

Firstly, it was a lot cooler today than it has been the past couple of days. I had a WONDERFUL break from full-out sweating after the first half-mile. I was still drenched by the end but still…

I ran a new route. It wasn’t completely new; there were parts I run frequently and parts I recognized but it was a new order and a couple new blocks and it was really beautiful! I felt really relaxed. I wasn’t PLANNING on going fast.

I wasn’t really even pushing myself at the start. I was just going at a relaxed pace. Or should I say “relaxed” pace. Cause my first mile was 7 minutes! My average was 7:29 per mile. That is a minute faster than Monday! My overall run was four minutes faster than my run of the same distance on Monday. And I’m not even that sore right now. After my Monday run, my hip felt like it was pushed out of place and I was limping. But today, after my run, I wasn’t limping and I’m barely sore at all! So awesome!
I thought of another reason why I run! It’s the only sport I’ve never tired of. I get bored of all other sports. Except running. And I like to run even when I’m tired.

So yeah.

Running is cool!

Oh by the way, anyone know of any upcoming races they may be running in the Chicagoland area? I have remembered why I love racing so much and am looking for races in the area. Fun ones, preferably. And cheap. And if one of you are running it all the better cause then I will have a friend! 🙂

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More Running-ness

Okay I think I now understand why I run.

It’s not solely for exercise. It’s cause I love it. I realized this last night when after an exhausting hour of swimming and day, in general, I went for a run. I wanted too. I was tired and sore from swimming. But I had to go. So I ran four miles. They were by far, the slowest I have run in a long, long time. The last time I ran an 8:30 mile was in March. But whatever. I’m actually just proud that I even ran four miles. So, at this point I don’t really care about the time (I was running 8:20’s) cause I’m just proud that I ran at all. I know. I’m such a  tough coach. 😉

Anyways, after my run of awesomeness, John lent me his compression socks. I’m not the athlete who has like all that fancy post-run stuff like a foam roller or those stretchy things (yeah, I don’t even know what they’re called) or compression socks. Although, compression socks are for when you are running. Well, all through my run and when I got home (and actually all  day), my calves were killing me, so I saw James wearing compression socks and I thought maybe that would help my calves, so I asked John if I could borrow his. I was quite the sight last night in my short shorts and long socks. I thought of taking a picture but decided that would not be the wisest decision!! 😉 But today, my calves were fine! They weren’t sore at all! Now the rest of me is sore. My shoulders, my arms, my back, my hip. I’m falling apart. But it’s okay. Cause once I get used to swimming, I should be okay.

Okay I want to tell you all about my race on Saturday. Thanks for the many well-wishers, both online and in real life! 🙂 That, in itself, made it fantastic! 🙂 It was hot. I was slow. But that’s okay. I ran a minute faster than last year at that race. I had to walk for like 10 seconds (that was all I allowed myself) and I thought I would die. But in the end, it was three miles, and I run that all the time. I was a little disappointed by the results but I hadn’t exactly trained for it. Actually, I hadn’t trained for it at all. It was just fun to actually run in the race! And I started out with two of my friends. They both finished before me, but it was nice to start out with people that I knew and have them there for me at the finish line! 🙂

Who’s that half-dead girl about to cross the finish line?? 😉

Victorious!!!!

Haha. I love how I look like I’m dying. Or about to cry. Or something.

I love races. They are so fun. I am planning on doing at least one more this summer. I think I am going to start training for another half marathon. But not now. I have started training for a half marathon like ten times this past year. I’m going to wait until…august? September, maybe. I’m a wimp and I hate running far when it’s super hot out. When I am training for something and I have a schedule and the schedule is like:

-~-Saturday- run 10 miles.

And then it’s Saturday and it’s 80 degrees out and humid. What idiot would run 10 miles in 80- degree weather? Well actually I can think of plenty of people that would do that but I WOULD NOT. So then I get off track and it’s all annoying and messed-up.

Of course, I’ve decided that now that I am a “veteran-half-marathoner” (wow, that’s a mouthful), I no longer need a schedule. But still. I have one in my head. So I’m waiting until it gets cooler before I start. But I’m going to try to at least get my mileage up to six miles over the summer. Six is a good distance.

 

 

Pre-race Excitement

How can you tell when the race you are running in is coordinated by a church?

When there’s a devotional in the running swag bag.

As if I didn’t already know that Run for the Stars 5K is organized by my old church, the running devotional pretty much sealed the fact ! 🙂 It’s actually really awesome to think about the fact that over 900 participants will be receiving a devotional in their goodie bags. Anyways, if you haven’t already figured it out, I picked up my race packet today for the race on Saturday! I am #409! Yay. I don’t understand why that’s a “yay” but whatever… Anyways, I also went on a run this afternoon. It was HOT! I was dripping buckets by the first mile. It was hard. But I ran 3.1 miles.

It wasn’t my best run ever. I had to keep stopping for water breaks. But it will do considering I got up at 6:30 to swim for an hour. And then I babysat for two hours which included biking to the park. And I feel amazing right now.

Getting my race packet got me all excited about the race! I love race packets. They are awesome. In fact, if for no other reason, run a race for the packet! You are bound to get at the least an awesome t-shirt and a bunch of brochures concerning other races. But often there are other things like free samples of various sports items and coupons for athletic stores. And after the race, there is always free food and water or gatorade! And pictures and sometimes medals!! 🙂

I was thinking about what I would write about in this post and I was thinking, “I’ll say that the only reason I run races is for the packet!” Cause that is partially true. The goodie bag is awesome. I always look forward to it. But that’s really not the only reason. I also run it for the satisfaction. I run it for the competition. I run it cause it’s fun to cross a finish line, accomplish something, and have tons of people cheering for you! Even if it’s only three miles which I run practically every TIME I run (except yesterday, that was an exception).

I like races.

They are totally worth the money.

My Very Own Slap-happy Running Post!

For those of you who don’t know: today is National Running Day. And this morning, I was quite upset because I was reading all these slap-happy blog posts from slap-happy runners who actually GOT TO RUN TODAY. I never really realized how big a part of my life running really is! If I’m bored, I’ll run. If I’m upset, I’ll run. But also it’s just part of my schedule. My feet have been itching to get out there!!! I was complaining to my mom about how I couldn’t WAIT until swimming started in the mornings so that I could run in the afternoons. I was like, “MOM TODAY IS NATIONAL RUNNING DAY AND I CAN’T RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Her very comforting response was, “Oh! I should go for a run today!” Wow. Thanks Mom! 😉 Anyways, so all day, I will admit, I was in a bit of a funk, because I couldn’t go on a run. But then I got this brilliant idea! I could just go after swimming!!!!

So:

Today. I got to run!

It was awesome. I ran fast. And short. I only ran 2.2 miles. But I don’t really care because I also swam for an hour!

I feel so fit. 😉

How I know that I am getting more exercise than  usual:

1) I am always tired. I went to bed at 10:30 last night and got up at 9:00 today and I have been half-asleep all day! Okay, not half-asleep, just a little dazed.And, it’s not that I’m not used to being tired but I got 10.5 hours of sleep last night! After a sleep like that I should NOT be tired!! 🙂 Unless I’m burning more calories . Or growing! Growing would be nice also. But I’m pretty sure it’s just the extra hour of exercise everyday! 😉

2) I am incredibly sore. All the time. Right now, my arms feel like they are going to fall off.  And my legs are sore. Actually, basically everything that could be sore, is right now, sore. I’m not really complaining though because soreness means:

3)I am gaining muscle. Noticeable muscle. I have always had this kind of weird obsession with being muscular. My mom says it’s not ladylike but…I don’t care cause I think it’s awesome. Anyways, I now have muscles! 🙂 Not like amazing muscles but muscles enough and they will get stronger! 🙂

The End.

🙂

Swimmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmming and running! ;)

So far we have had four days of swim practice. We would have had more, but due to cold-ish weather, we missed two days. But so far I am loving it! I come home from every practice hungry and exhausted. I enjoy that: having a reason to eat so much food!! 😉 But I really do love it. I can feel myself getting stronger. And sorer.

Last night, I was so tired. I went to bed at 10:30 which is early for me and then I woke up at 8:30. A good ten hours of sleep and the only thing I wanted to do all day was go back to sleep! I’m used to being tired cause of school but this is a different kind of tired! And when I do sleep it is so peaceful! 🙂 I love it.

Another great thing about swimming is the sun! 🙂 Right now our practice is from 4:45-6:00 so I am fully enjoying that late afternoon sun for a full hour!!! 😉

Our coach is awesome. He really likes swimming. He’s strong. He’s funny. He’s friendly. I like him! 🙂

So yeah. Swimming swimming swimming. I love to swim.

BUT THIS IS A RUNNING BLOG!!! 😉

So I am going to tell you all something! I have a race on Saturday! I’m not the least bit nervous cause that’s really on the back burner right now but I do wish that I had more time to TRAIN FOR IT! I really wanted to make this my best race ever and blow last year’s race time out of the ring… but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I know I can run a 22:30 which is technically “blowing last year’s time out of the ring” but in my mind it’s not good enough. I ran a 20-minute 5k once. See, I know I can do that well. But I’m thinking that with my infrequent training and my recent slowing of pace (what is up with that?!) that a 20-minute 5k is NOT gonna happen. Sadly. But truthfully. Too bad. Cause if I ran 20 minutes I would totally place in my age group and that would be awesome.

Anyways, so that is my recap/heads up of my sports endeavors!!! 😉

What are your recent sports endeavors?

SURPRISE! :)

Laughing over how surprised Mary is!!!

“Don’t make us wash dishes!!” Sorry…inside joke!! 😉

Downtown!!!

So cute!! 🙂 Trying things on!!! 🙂

❤

You do the hokey-pokey and you turn yourself around… that’s what it’s all about!!!! 🙂 HEY!

Chicken dance!! 🙂

People looking…. 😉

This evening, Abby, Ann, and I surprised Mary for her 14th birthday. We went out for dinner and ice cream and then walked around downtown and took pictures (obviously!) 🙂 Mary: I love you to the moon and back a million times! I hope you feel loved and celebrated because you MOST CERTAINLY ARE!!!!!!! ❤ you girly!!!!!

Me and my exercising!!! ;)

So, today was a Wednesday.

Which is usually a running day.

BUT NOT TODAY!

“Why?”, do you ask?

Because today swimming started!

I am doing a summer swim team with my awesome friend Mary! Today was (as I already said…) our first practice and I was super excited all day. Okay, actually I have been excited about swim team starting since I signed up for it like three months ago! See, when I was younger I was on swim team with Abby and I was actually pretty good. Of course that was like three+ years ago but I was good, so I was excited/nervous to see how my swimming skills are/will improve.

I am OUT of shape.

But that’s okay.

I’m super competitive so being on a team is good for me! I refused to let anyone pass me and I actually passed about half of the team so by the end of the 75-minute practice I had established myself as, at the least, a fighter. 😉

We did a bunch of drills for freestyle and it was so hard. By the end of it, I was SO sore. But, it was the good kind of sore.  The “I-just-kicked-butt” kind of sore. 😉 (sorry Mom…) Running is a really good workout but swimming? Swimming is by far the best sport in the world. If you want to get in shape, swim. Okay?

I LOVEEE to swim. I do! And it’s only been the first practice. And I already remember why I loved it. Well, I never really forgot.

Don’t worry. I’m not ditching running!! I was itching to get out there all day, but Mary had warned me that the first day is always a big workout (mostly cause you are out of shape ;P) so I decided to conserve my energy and just chill out at home.

Chill out: to eat food and tan. And go on walks with your little brothers.

That’s what I did. All day. It was fun. I was feeling lazy. Obviously. 😉 I was also coming down off of my high from last night’s party. No. Not a real high. Just an excitement, I-love-people high. 🙂 Just clearing that up. MY POINT IS, I am very glad that I conserved my energy cause I definitely needed all of it!

Have I mentioned that I love to exercise? I feel like I have….

Person: You want to go on  a 20-mile bike ride?

Me: YESSSSSS!!!!!

 

Person: You want to go on a 7-mile run?

Me: I’m game!!

 

Person: You want to go practice with Michael Phelps for five hours?

Me: Duh!!!

 

Person: You want to go work out at the gym?

Me: Can you get me in?

 

Person: You want to play a game of 1-on-1 street ball??

Me: (How can you answer NO to that question!?!? 😉 )

 

Okaaay. You get the picture? Yes? Good?

 

 

 

Memorial Day in Pictures!

It was decided that Abby and I would host the Memorial Day picnic this year. And I have to say, it was a success! 🙂

This was the watermelon-lemonade that I made! 🙂 It had watermelon chunks in it and everyone said it was delicious. 🙂

This was our meal. Roast beef melts, cole-slaw, apple-walnut salad, watermelon, corn salad, and gazpacho!!! 🙂

The roast beef melts were super amazing!!!

I didn’t take any pictures of our various desserts because two families came over and I stopped taking pictures of FOOD and started taking pictures of my friends! 🙂

Abby and Ann were obviously SUPER interested!!! 😉

I forgot to take picture before Lisa and Tess left so there are only pictures of Abby, Ann, Mary, and I! But there are lots of them!!! 😉

Me getting my hair cut. It’s not really a noticeable difference.

My hair is so RED!!!

Abby was not on board with the picture-taking.

Ann, Abby, Mary, and I!!!!

❤

And then, after the party was over… I went on a much-needed run. I was very sore from my sprints on Saturday so I needed to work out my sore muscles. I ran 3.1 miles. I wasn’t impressed with my time. I signed up for the 5k last night. It’s in two weeks and I want to place in it. But I looked at the results from last year and I have to be running an average sub-7 minute pace so I’m not sure if I will be able to do that. Today I ran 22:49. I wasn’t happy. That is an obvious change from last year’s time but I really want to get it to 21 minutes. I did run my last mile at a 7:07 pace though so that was awesome! 🙂 Anyways, I am really going to try to get faster before the race but I don’t want to burn out. I guess we’ll see! 🙂 Also, part of it depends on conditions. Today I was tired out from throwing a party, I was sore from Saturday’s training and it was REALLY hot out. I was sweating buckets. Hopefully on race day, I will be well-rested, have relaxed muscles, and it will be cooler since it’s in the morning! 🙂

This is me after my run. Pardon the bathtub in the background!! Our bathroom has really good lighting! 😉

So, yep! 🙂 That was my day.

How was your Memorial Day?

Winning Spiel

I just wanted to show you all something that came in the mail for me yesterday! 🙂

Yes! 🙂 You see how it’s all crumpled? That’s because I read it and jumped up and started screaming and jumping around! 🙂 And as if that’s not awesome ENOUGH:

It’s a medal! For fourth place! And it’s personalized! This is like my biggest achievement in my entire life! 🙂 I feel like I have finally accomplished something that I can really be proud of! 🙂 I am just so excited about this! 🙂

And the other awesome thing is that this medal makes me look back and realize how much I have improved in my own PERSONAL running. Also, it gives me momentum to keep striving for better! I truly hope that at some point in each of your lives, you can win a medal for something that you truly care about, be it a race, or a speech tournament, or a basketball game! Winning is awesome. But it’s even better when it really means something to you and when it’s something you’ve worked for! 🙂

Okay. I’m done with that little spiel! 🙂

Today I did 10 100-meter sprints with my brother and a friend. It was awesome. When I do sprints by myself I don’t run as fast, but when I’m doing sprints with a 5′ 10″ guy as my competition? That’s when I actually SPRINT! So I definitely got my workout for the day! 🙂 I love working out with guys cause they are super tough and fast and athletic and when I work out with them I get BETTER! 🙂

 

So what’s the thing you are most proud of at this point in your life?

I’m a runner AND a coach!! :)

WARNING: I am in an insanely happy mood, so if you’re grumpy then you might not want to read this post! 😉

Yesterday, I ran 6.2 miles. That is the farthest I have gone in a long long time! 🙂 I think the best part of that is that I ran sub-8 minute miles the entire time! I came home, drenched in sweat and smiling! And limping. But I stretched so all is good! 🙂 Anyways, it was a beautiful hot day and my iPod played awesome music! Have I ever told you how I sing along to the songs on my iPod as I’m running? I think I have. It’s quite a sight. I ran on the trail and it hurt my ankles a little but I’m hoping to strengthen my ankles and shins so that they are strong enough to run on trails.

This would be the victorious “I just finished 6.2 miles” look!

I’m planning on signing up for a 5K today or tomorrow and I am hoping to dominate!! 🙂 If any of you have checked out my “Me, Running” page, the race I want to sign up for is the first one on that list! I ran it last year but I have gotten TONS faster since then! Anyways, that’s in two weeks. But the reason I’m bringing that up is because James, my younger brother, is already signed up for it! He’s going to run it too!! Remember when I took the ACT? Well, that same day there was a 5K across the street from my house that the elementary school was holding. James ran that race and that was when he got into running. So, he trained for awhile and he got money from all our relatives and some friends so that he could enter this race. I was insanely jealous of that because….races ARE expensive. 🙂 Anyways, so for awhile, he’d run with my mom and they were all training and he got his money and signed up, etc. But then, he kind of lost interest. The race was still like a month away and he just found other things to do. Now, we have about two weeks before the race and Mom goes, “James!! Aren’t you signed up for the race?! You need to train!”

So, guess who got volunteered to help him train.

If you guessed me, you win!

Apparently, since I’m the runner of the family, I’m also the coach!

I really don’t mind. It’s insanely fun for me. For him? Not so much. But for me, it rocks! I ride on my bike behind him, listening to my iPod and singing the songs so James will be “entertained”. Today, I got a couple of weird looks from people which made me laugh.

Self-portraits ftw!!!

Please enjoy the picture because it’s really scary to take a picture of yourself, when you are riding a bike with NO functioning brakes with one hand, behind a little boy who keeps STOPPING.

Which brings me to the second reason it’s so fun! I get to scream, “RUN JAMES!!!! KEEP GOING! DON’T STOP!” And eventually, “JAMES I AM NOT KIDDING! KEEP RUNNING! GOOOOOO!” I think the next time, I’m going to need to roller-blade or something cause it’s really hard to get him to run when I’m on a bike. Like at one point I had to get off my bike and run with him (holding his shirt) so that he’d start running again. Then I ran back and got back on my bike.

Maybe I am taking this whole training thing a LITTLE too seriously, but I feel like if he’s going to run, then he should RUN!!!! He comes home and he goes, “She only let me take ONE break!” I was like, “James. If you want to run, then you RUN, you don’t take breaks!” Well actually, he didn’t want to run, but I made him. Whatever. He’s always happy with the results though. When we got home, I mapped it out and he’d run approximately 2.3 miles and he was so proud of himself! 🙂 And I was proud of him. The little whiner. 🙂

Here he is!

He’s a cutie. And at the race, he’ll run the whole thing without stopping, thanks to my hard-core training!! 😉