Just keep swimming...I mean, running!

The reality of this half marathon is staring me in the face right about now.  I have 13 days until race day.  Part of me feels like I'm ready and I can totally do this thing, and the rest of me feels like I might just throw up thinking about it. 

 

 

This past week was not my best for miles.  I had so much planned, but then I got this painful, unexplained bruise on the top of my right foot that sort of sidelined me a bit.  I got in 2 short runs - 2.5 miles and 3 miles - during the week and that was it.  Kind of a bummer since those were supposed to be 5 miles each.    The 3 mile run was actually the 1st ever Reeths-Puffer Adventure Run, which I did with my nieces Alexis and Krista, my daughter Hallie, and my son Leo.  I think we look pretty good here!

Yesterday, I decided it was time to suck it up and get back out there.  My supportive husband came along as I knocked out 10 tough miles.  I felt good, but we were slow, because most of the run ended up feeling like a trail run instead of a road run.  It was hot and humid, and I somehow got a blister on the bottom of my left foot.  It started around mile 5 and by mile 8 it was really starting to hurt.  I was determined to finish those 10 miles though.  We took a few little walk breaks here and there, but the important thing is that I got the miles in.  My sore right foot wasn't too bad, and that was encouraging too.

This morning, I was supposed to run the Labor Day 5k here in town, but decided to give my legs a rest and did the 4 mile walk instead.  It was a good choice, and gave my muscles a chance to get some of the kinks out from yesterday night's run.

This weekend is kind of a big deal for me, when it comes to running.  I read somewhere that it takes 21 days to make something a habit, and 4 months for it to become a lifestyle change.  4 months and 1 day ago, I started the Couch to 5k program.  I think people think I am being funny when I say this, but C25K changed my life.  And now, 4 months later, I've officially made a lifestyle change.  I'm a runner.  I made the choice to get up off my butt and DO SOMETHING to become a healthier person.  I did it for my kids, and more importantly for myself.  I am so proud of the progress that I have made over these months, and can't wait to see where the future will bring me.  It has also been 2.5 weeks since my last coke...or any type of pop for that matter.  Eventually I'll let myself have it as a treat every now and then, but I know it was an unhealthy habit that needed to go. 

So, in celebration of making it 4 months into this running adventure, I have new progress photos.  the scale may only say that I'm down 7lbs (on a good day, LOL), but my body definitely looks better, and feels better too.  Here goes nothing...

 

Front view...these are different pants because the others ones are just too darn baggy anymore.
And here is one with the shirt pulled tighter, so you can see the belly shrinkage.  It is funny because even though I don't feel like its smaller, when I look at these photos, I can see the progress.  I should also add that 4 months ago, I would never even have entertained the idea of wearing pants like this in public...so that is some progress too!

 

 
The back view...I feel like the 18 week picture makes me look bigger because it was taken closer up and the shirt is bunched funny.  Trust me when I say that the back fat is still shrinking. 





And the side view.  I pulled the shirt tight again for this one, because the one with the baggy shirt didn't show the progress like I wanted it too.  My butt looks huge without the shirt hanging over it though.  Darn muscles...my ass used to be flat before I started this running thing.

It may be slow progress, BUT it is progress. Plus, I swear I read somewhere that slow progress is more likely to be a permanent change, so I'll take it.

For now, until September 15th my mantra is like Dory's.  I've got to "just keep running!"  Even when it is hot or I am tired, or the kid's schedule seems crazy.  I can't let myself slack off now.  In 13 days, I'm going to cross the finish line knowing that I put forth my best effort...and I can't wait!