From the monthly archives:

February 2010

Running Shoe Changes

by admin

asicgels

ASICS GEL-Nimbus Running Shoes

It turns out that companies think it’s a swell idea to change up their shoes a lot. They like to make changes, and they’ll sometimes do this 1 or 2 times a year. What this means to a runner is if you find a shoe that fits you like a glove – suddenly you realize the model is about to change and you’ll do one of two things:

1. Panic because the shoe you love may be changed
2. Go with the flow and try the new version

I want to be a person who does #2. I really do….I resent the fact that my shoes cost me $125 as it is, and that I need to replace them more than any other kind of shoe that I wear. I resent that I can’t find a discount on my shoe until they discontinue them.

What I decided to do was say – forget it — I’m not going to get roped into one type of shoe, or one style – I’m going to be a go with the flow person….but I thought, just in case, I’ll go hit the mall and grab one more pair of my style – just in case.

Know what happened? Not one of those stores had my shoe in my size, or even carried it anymore. What??? Excuse me? That’s when panic set in….

So I went online to look for my shoes…and sure enough – while some places carried the shoe still, my size was sold out. WHAT? PANIC…suddenly I NEED THESE SHOES…

Okay, okay…deep breath. You’re doing exactly what they want you to do. They are forcing people to stock up on shoes in fear…changing out their models – gets people in that state of mind.

So I go to the store and buy a “similar” pair — and yeah, they are “okay”….they aren’t MY shoe. I put MY shoe back on- fits like a glove, feels so right…Dang…I’ll be stocking up on one or two backup pairs of my shoe. It’s going to happen…I am going to try to hold out just a little longer though until the price drops. If I’m too late, I learn a lesson – but I just have to get past my own panic. It’s JUST A SHOE…there will be another “MY SHOE”….try them out…it will be okay. Deep breath….

*link leads to Amazon

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Two Gomers – Steven Hurt

by admin

I was catching up on Facebook this morning and saw that Steven (Gomer 2) was hit by a car on Wednesday during a run. I wanted to send out good thoughts and a prayer for him and his family. These guys have inspired me to laugh while I run…love their show, but wow…scary stuff.

Here’s to a speedy recovery Steven. Based on the Facebook update, it appears he has some broken ribs and bruises…but will be okay.

Two Gomers
Two Gomers on Facebook

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

I Must Add this to my Collection

by admin

passshirt

I NEED this shirt. It’s perfect for me… :) You can find this and other cool sayings at One More Mile Running — and I was happy to see they’d be at the Expo at my 1/2 in 2 weeks. Hope to pick it up then!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

10 Miles Please

by admin

moving

Please, oh please let me make it…that’s what I was thinking as I rounded up on 7 miles. I was starting to feel the wear on me, and I had a large mental hurdle in front of me. I knew my goal for the day was to reach 10 miles, but all ready I was playing headgames….if I make it to 8, I can stop…maybe I’ll just go for 9 – that’s plenty.

I plodded along, and was digging deep for inspiration, for strength, heck for anything at that point. I just didn’t know if I’d make the distance. As I rolled up past 7 miles and worked my way towards 8 – I knew there was no way I wasn’t going to push forward. Heck if I can go 8, I’m going for the full 10!

And that’s what I did on Wednesday night. I did a slow and steady 10 mile run. I was damn proud, and darn exhausted! Either way, I can happily say – I reached my goal of going 10 miles at one time. WOW….me. Neat-o! Pretty amazing stuff…

10 miles! I did it! I really did it!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

New Runner Goes Eight Miles

by admin

eight

I ran eight miles yesterday. (ME?!!! Yes, me!) Who am I? I’m still trying to figure this out. I’m slowly increasing my long runs, and I have to tell you – I felt amazing yesterday when I finished. Heck, I still feel amazing this morning….

I never said I was fast. I’m not training to be fast, I’m training to go the distance….and that I’m getting done!

At this point, my longest run has been 6 miles. When I hit 7 miles – I threw my arms up over my head – I was elated..I knew I had it in me to keep going, but I was so excited and tickled that I was doing it – as it was happening. By the way – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my Camelbak – I am SO glad I bought it.

How did this 200+ pound chick get to this point. People are telling me I’m inspiring them, some have even started up running….pretty cool stuff to get to be a person who inspires others. What’s crazy to me is that it’s me. Seriously, couch potato was my middle name for many, many years. How did I end up being a source of inspiration? It still blows my mind….

I still don’t look great in jeans. I’m fat….I’m burning fat though, and one day I’ll look great in jeans. My body is changing in the process – neat to see. I put my leg up in the shower to shave it, and I noticed extra padding that used to wrap my thigh is no longer there. My pudge starts up almost at the top of my thigh near my hip. It used to start right at my knee. My entire leg has reshaped…and it’s not done yet!

One of the things I noticed – being fat and all – is you’re invisible at times. You can go to the store and people generally don’t take note of you, writing you off as you go by. I’m a very upbeat and happy person, and I have a positive outlook on life. I never had to deal with hostility about my weight in public, or hear snide remarks…people were nice to me if I was nice to them…but recently, as my body changes shape – and my confidence rises – I notice more and more people making eye contact with me. More people are looking my way when I walk by…it feels weird not to be invisible. I’ve been invisible for so long…and I wonder if it’s been my weight, or my low confidence….either way, is very weird to suddenly be visible to others once again. I notice it so much more….more eye contact, more men looking at me as I walk by…weird transition. It’s been awhile…

I got off topic here, but I guess what I really want to say is – I feel so amazing. This fat chick ran 8 miles yesterday, and I’m crazy proud of myself. If I can do it, you can too!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Proud Moments and Running

by admin

happystar

I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be able to run and run and run and run….and yet last week I ran for 2 hours straight. It was quite a feeling to realize I could do this. I’m not the fastest runner you’ll ever meet, and I may in fact be the slowest runner you will – but regardless, it was my body that was moving.

I’ve had a rough couple of weeks, and really needed a boost in my confidence. My tailbone issue had flared and started swelling. I finally gave in and went to the doctor – and got some meds for it. It’s enough to help subside the swelling right now, and I decided to give it a go. I laced up- not promising myself anything but movement.

I’ll see how it feels and go from there. I need a long run for endurance. It’s on my training schedule, and I’ve got to do it….but no promises. Do what I can. I slowed down my pace – and put one foot in front of the other. I went one hour, and decided I was okay to keep going – and after a total of two hours I racked up a long run and something happened inside of myself.

I realized I was an endurance athlete in training. ME —> an athlete, imagine that? My husband was blown away that I’d just run for two hours straight and my confidence soared. It was an incredible feeling and I felt on top of the world….amazing. I’m doing this…

…and 2 days later I got a stomach flu.

I keep getting knocked down over and over again. Come on all ready. Haven’t I proven to myself all ready that I’ll keep chipping away at this stuff? This winter I’ve dealt with 3 head colds, a stomach flu and a fall down stairs.

Know what? It hasn’t stopped me yet, and it’s not going to. When it comes down to it, I’ll dust myself off and get up — and try again.

Yesterday I had a pinching sensation in my lower back near the tailbone-ish area…so I stopped. It just wasn’t worth causing further injury…rested, and I’ll try again today. Persistence is going to pay off…and it has shown me all ready that if I just keep at it, don’t give up – slow and steady – I’m making progress.

Progress is good!

Here’s to another endurance run on my schedule – it’s going to be a long one – each and every time I start a big run – I make no promises. I just give it what I’ve got, and take it from there. I like it that way. There are no expectations, and only pride and excitement when I show myself that yet again, I’ve done it!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }