Run like the wind!

Ever since high school, I would go through spurts where I would run a mile or two. Back in July of 2011, I started to run on a consistent basis (which I am still doing in the cold of February). I had signed up for a 5K (3.1 miles) and I wasn’t going to make a fool of myself. So I started to prepare. I also figured that running wouldn’t hurt anything since I had a wedding coming up and needed to get in shape. Brad (my fiancé) is somewhat of a natural athlete and much faster then me. I thought that I better start improving my time just incase things go awry at the alter. Just kidding! Kind-of! There are also other incentives... like getting into goo exercise habits now so that I am more likely to work out when I get older in hope to live longer and healthier. I think the picture below pretty much sums up where I was heading:

So anyway, when I started running in July, I was in the middle of a somewhat stressful rotation and it was a good way to relieve stress. To me, running is one of the hardest things to do. While am in good shape, I have always found running to be difficult. It’s a mind over matter kind of thing. Sure the first time that you start up running, you get the terrible soreness and it makes it hard to get back out there for the next jog. The way I see it, running is more of a discipline sport.

Especially if you are running long distances (to me right now and most Americans, it’s safe to say that 5 miles = long). You have to get in the mind set that even though you’re tired, you have to push through. When I see a hill, I try to push my self to the top and then not stop once I get to the top because I don’t want to rob myself of the joy of going down hill. By the way, I am pretty sure I talk to myself while I am running. When I get to a point in the run that is difficult and then overcome it, I will congratulate myself. I listen to my ipod when I run so I can’t hear myself talk and I really thought that I did this ‘pat on the back’ in my head. Judging by the looks on people’s faces, this is not true.

Whatever. It’s doesn’t really bother me because I am passing them. Yes, I am slightly competitive too. Now I look back and see where 3 miles was difficult but is now considered to be one of my shorter runs during the week. The best thing about running and training is that I can see myself improve. I can see how people get addicted and want to continue to do more. Since that first 5K, I have ran 3 other 5K’s including a mud run in October. If you have never done a mud run before, I highly recommend it. It’s a blast! (I’ll post about that sometime in the near future with pictures.) My sights are set high and I am currently training for a 10K (6.2 miles)in March.

This last picture was just a disturbing little nugget I found while googling running pictures. It’s kind of funny because it reminds me of what Hannibal Lector would wear if he ran (outside of chasing victims to ‘put the lotion on its skin’). Pretty gross. But I guess its better then the body suits. Let's hope Hannibal doesn't get into swimming or scuba diving!