Single Digit Days...

We are down to 9 days until we can register for our Disney race! 9 DAYS!!!!!! Single digit days?!?!?!?!?!?! How can it be? It seems like it has been forever since March and now we are mere days away from signing on up!

In roughly 230 days I will be one of the princesses running through the castle doors in the Magic Kingdom with one of my very best friends in the whole world! Who gets to do that? I'm so blessed for the opportunity and I cannot wait until I get to do it and document the journey. Who knows? Once we accomplish this we might even be brave and try to sign up for the Disney Marathon in 2016. What do you think B?

It seems so strange that July 29 of this year will be the 2 year anniversary since Brittany and I started running. Now don't get me wrong, we stopped and started and stopped and started again, but we have only gotten better the longer we have gone. This is the longest that I have been consistent and to be honest, I don't see myself stopping, even after we finish our half. Although, I may take a week long break to give my body time to recoup. I plan to go ahead and sign up for a new race so that I keep on training. 

I just had to share my excitement! Looking forward to getting all signed up and registered. Once I do that, the race is real and I don't have an opportunity to back out. :) 

Have a wonderful Sunday,

Jana

A Fab 4th of July & A Personal Record

This morning when I woke up, the weather was fabulous! It wasn't very hot, there was low humidity, and there was even a breeze. So I knew I had to do a run outside. I chose to go to a local trail here in my hometown. I love this trail! It is is about 2.5 miles round trip, shaded, and runs by a creek.

When I started this run, I assumed I would be pretty slow. I would not say the trail is very hilly, but it does have some short but steep inclines that make me have to push it, and those hills can really slow me down. So imagine my surprise when I did my first mile in 14:42! That is my fastest mile ever! I couldn't believe it! Only one of my miles was over 15 minutes. When I usually can only manage a 16 minute mile. I'm finally starting to get a little faster! I plan on upping my mileage to 5 next week.  And I have a 10k next weekend! Wouldn't it be amazing if I could run it all? Although I'm not putting pressure on myself, just want to do what I can.

After my run, I was sitting on a bench resting, and I looked down at my pants and saw this caterpillar crawling on me. I may or may not have flipped out! I hate bugs!

In the afternoon, I threw on my swimsuit and some sunscreen and headed down to a local water park, Point Mallard. The cool thing about Point Mallard is that it has America's First Wave Pool. But I love going for the lazy river. While I was floating on the river, I ran into two of my coworkers and we hung out for a while. 

I went home and took a nap. When I woke up, Adam and I were able to watch the town firework's show from the comfort of our bedroom. Now I'm sitting here watching old episodes of Gilmore Girls and writing this little post. Just so thrilled to have the whole weekend still ahead of us.

Brittany

10 Tips For Finishing the Couch to 5k Running Program from a Former Couch Potato

The Couch to 5k program is an awesome way to get into running for complete beginners. I have done it twice and wanted to offer some helpful tips for completing it!

1. Choose A Race

The biggest motivation in finishing the program is having a goal. Before Jana and I even started the couch to 5k plan, we signed up for the Street Car 5k in Columbus, Mississippi. I suggest picking a race 9-12 weeks out, since couch to 5k is a 9 week program! However, our race was 6 weeks out, and we trained every other day, which is totally doable! I find Running in the USA and Active.com great websites to find races!

2. Change Up The Scenery

The treadmill (or dreadmill as I like to call it) is great when you are training for a 5k. It forces you to maintain a steady pace and it makes it easy to track mileage. But there is nothing like getting out and pounding the pavement. Not only can you run in different locations (keeping it from getting boring), but it is also helpful in getting ready for a 5k because the races take place outside. And running outside the gym feels so different than hitting the treadmill and vice versa.

3. Remember The First Weeks are the Toughest

When I started the couch to 5k program, I was 350 pounds and could barely walk a mile!  So honestly, I didn't think I could run a bit.  So I was amazed to discover I could! The first couple of weeks were very difficult, even though they were only 60 second, 90 second, and 3 minute intervals.  And the 3 minute intervals almost made me quit. But once I conquered those 3 minute runs, it got so much easier from there. I have talked to others who did the program that felt the same. I think the conditioning kicks in, and it all just gets a bit easier. That is my theory at least. Just stick with it.

4. Have the Proper Gear

You don't have to go all out and buy top of the line running shoes, but you do need a decent pair of sneakers. As long as they aren't too old, too beat up, and have good support you should do fine. If you do have the money, investing in running shoes is a good idea. You can also go to a local running store, run on a treadmill,  and they will analyze your stride to match you with the perfect pair for you.

5. Forget About Speed

Everyone wants to be the next Usain Bolt when they start running, but unless you are already uber athletic, it just isn't going to happen for you. It's more important to focus on time and distance (in that order) than speed. Don't feel bad if you feel you could walk faster than you run. Speed comes with consistent practice.

6. Find a Way to Be Accountable

I think the reason I have been so successful with my running is I have someone to be accountable to. Jana and I have always checked in with each other after runs, reminded each other to run, and given each other a kick in the pants when we needed it. It is a great to have that person to check in with it. It is easier to skip workouts if no one knows you are skipping it. If you have no one to check in with, I would suggest a website like Stickk, where you have to pay money if you don't meet your goals!

7. Make a Kick Ass Playlist (or an AudioBook)

This tip is probably a little obvious, but you need something to occupy your mind when running otherwise the thoughts of, "I want to stop running now," will take over. If I'm inside, I watch some of my favorite shows, but outside I love to listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or music on my phone.  It is absolutely essential!

8. Honor Thy Rest Day

After you have that first successful run that does not make you feel like you want to die, you will get a total runner's high. It can be so addicting, and you might just think, "I want to do this all over again tomorrow." But don't. It is important to take a rest day for your muscles to recover and grow stronger. It will just make you a better runner next time!

9. Do What Works Best for You

Figure out a schedule you can stick with. Do you feel more energized in the morning? Wake up early in the mornings to run. Do you hate mornings like me? Go in the evening. Do you feel drained every Friday after a week of school/work? Do your runs on a Thursday instead. Think of what days will be easiest for you and get out there and run.  You know you best of all, so put some thought into what your training schedule needs to look like, so you won't be making excuses not to get out there on training day.

10. Don't Stop After the Race

One of the biggest mistakes I've ever made was to quit running after my first 5k. I got lazy and felt like I had accomplished my goal. Too bad, I had already signed up for a 10k! I walked that whole 10k, but I wished I could have run it! I had to start the program all over again because I lost all my conditioning. Make new goals to accomplish after that 5k. Do the 5k to 10k program, train for a half marathon, or finally start some speed work. Just keep running!

Have a Great Holiday Weekend Everybody,

Brittany

No More Excuses

It is hard to believe that 2 weeks from today I will be sitting in front of my computer constantly refreshing the runDisney webpage so that I can register for my very first Disney Princess Half Marathon. To say I am excited is an understatement. To say that I've been obsessing over this moment since March when Brittany and I decided to take it on, would be the honest truth. I honestly can't believe it is within reach. 

I'm finding it hard to believe that it is only 7 months until the race. Given that today is July 1st, I decided that I really need to buckle down on the training wagon and get my diet under control. I know in order to be at my best I need to eat as clean as possible. I also need to make sure I'm training regularly. So here are my July Goals for success:

Run a Minimum of 3 days a week

Cross Train 2-3 days a week

Log on myfitnesspal daily (janak2004 is my handle)

Meatless Mondays

Dairyless Tuesdays

Breadless Wednesdays

Sweetless Thursdays

No Fried Food Fridays

Water ONLY Weekdays (with exception of Gatorade for runs)

Today was Day 1 of my redo 5 mile week. I finished in 1:17, which is under the Disney requirement. I know I want to get my speed up, but right now I'm focusing on my distance and I will work on speed as I go. My goal is eventually get up to the 13 mile mark and complete it in under 3:30. If I can do that on my own, I can then work on picking up my speed. My goal before the race is a 3hr race, but if it takes me the whole time I won't be disappointed. 

I hit a wall around mile 3 today and tried to justify stopping and just calling it a day. I thought of EVERY reason possible, but then yelled at myself for being so stupid. If I can't handle 5 miles, how on earth do I expect to handle 13.1? After giving myself a brief, but stern talking to, I realized that I was almost done with mile 4 and I should just shut up and keep going. At mile 4.3 my feet started to kill me. Again, I could see the car right up the road and I knew I could just go on there and not worry about the last 7 tenths, but the voice of reasoning kicked in and I pushed through. When I finished I was hot, sweaty, and my feet hurt, but I was so happy that I had made it all the way through. Sometimes I can be my worst enemy. I know I need to get out of my head and just do it. 

I got to thinking about all the excuses I make as a runner about why I can't do it and what others have told me in the past about why they refuse to run. I have created this list of excuses and facts for your reading entertainment.

1. Excuse- Running is too hard on your body.

    Fact- Running IS hard on your body, but the more you do it the less difficult it is.

2. Excuse- Running hurts too bad.

    Fact- Again, YES, it does hurt, but not in a bad way. It hurts in a "I am kicking butt" sort of way.

3. Excuse- You get all hot and sweaty.

    Fact- I do get all hot and sweaty, but the most rewarding part of my entire workout is pulling off my sweaty clothes after a good workout and taking a nice, hot, relaxing shower. There is no other feeling that can compare to that. And FYI, that sweat is toxins leaving your body. The more you sweat, the better. 

4. Excuse- I don't have time.

    Fact- You have to make time. A one hour run is only 4% of your day. In the time it took you to read this blog post, you could have already started a good workout. Get out there and do it. 

5. Excuse- I'm too tired.

    Fact- A good run will actually make you less tired. You will be amazed at the boost of energy you get. A runner's high is the best thing ever. 

6. Excuse- I'm too self conscious. People will talk about me if I get out there.

    Fact- You would be amazed at how wrong you are. I have more people that give me a thumbs up and a kind word than anything when I go run. Nobody is focusing on you. Nobody is thinking what you think they are. Believe it or not, you might just be inspiring them. Keep going! Don't stop!

I'm sure there are a lot more excuses. Feel free to add them in the comments with your facts. I'd love to see what other pitfalls people have. 

Start the month of July off right! Get out there and Run! No more excuses! You can do it! :)

Talk to you soon,

Jana