Sunday, February 28, 2010

February 28th 2010 Running Blog

“Being a runner means you are now "free" to win and lose and live life to its fullest.” - Bill Rodgers (American marathon Runner,1947)

February is almost over. This entire month I felt like I was fighting for my freedom! I fought against laziness, sickness, transportation and personal aggravation. But it wasn't all bad there were many wonderful parts and the highlight was my Family doing the Guns and Hoses race. After that day, it was as if all the bad running days dissolved and even though it didn't turn out the way I wanted, it turned out the way God wanted. Everyone does not fit into any certain mold but God uses unique situations or sets them up for us that we may be molded together. Its amazing what God uses to pull a family closer to each other. However, we all are different and have different roles to play. But one thing we did this month was play, we played together this month, in the snow after a run, in a park with all three of our dogs (trying to run :-/) and on a 5k race when the weather was harsh. Playing is a good thing :-)

I did not run today. It feels like I haven't run in many days. I don't like this feeling so I look forward to tomorrow because tomorrow I will run!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

February 27th 2010 Running Blog

"Bringing up a family should be an adventure, not an anxious discipline in which everybody is constantly graded for performance." - Milton R. Saperstein

I love family adventures! Today was really neat. Kailah took 2nd place in her age bracket! She has come sooo far and this is a great fete for her! Way to go Kailah! Jeremy my most competitive one out did his best time and running in his Vebrims, came in at 35 minutes, yeah!! Its great to beat personal records and he did :-) Meghan pushed through in this race and though she loved being with family she did not love doing this 5k. Her words were along the lines of, "good job guys...ok let go!" Bless her little heart, she does not do this and looking at her I started to realize how much I toughened up! It was below Freezing and really windy. My solution is RUN! Thats how I stay warm. I run my guts out till I'm sweaty and can't breathe then I just take it easy and enjoy the run. Meghans nose was runny and I just got used to it, when its that cold and your out there running, thats just what happens. Her eyes were watery and that happens too but I wondered is she about to cry? She was really miserable. It was only because of the weather. She pulled out her little hands and said look mom they are burning and they were purplish red :-( I don't feel too, too sorry for her because I told her how to dress and she wanted to do her own thing...mama knows best :-)

However, I took advantage of the time we walked together and we just talked about all sorts of things. I told her it was now her responsibility to do 5k's with our whole family. She looked at me and the look on her face was one of "alarm." I said since your just going to walk, I'm going to go buy a stroller big enough and you will have to push our baby Shih tzu's! Her little red face lit up and she got so happy! She said she would totally do that. I said good! Now our whole family will be able to do 5k's :-) When we told Jeremy he was like, "oh my god...your serious?! Lord, help me!" We all had a big laugh but are going to go ahead and do that. So me and Meghan walked 3.1 miles. She is still talking about the kind of stroller we'll need for all our dogs ~ Daisy, Aslan and Lucy ~ Yep! Running is a great adventure...you never know for sure what your about to embark on and how awesome is that?!

BUT next time its every man for himself! I am going to run out my goals!

Guns and Hoses 5k
3.1 Walked 65:10 min.

P.S. I didn't have dreams of being late, I just woke up on the hour instinctively making sure I didn't!  ~ guess I'm a runner :-)

Friday, February 26, 2010

February 26th 2010 Running Blog

"You know your a runner when; You have dreams about showing up to a race late or not wearing any clothes." - Christine Luff

Well tomorrow is the Big Day! Our whole family is doing a 5k at Hobgood Park and I am so excited! We've never done that. I've read and planned our whole "before" race daily menu and focused on being relaxed (if there is such a thing.) I've wrote out all the directions, checked the time three times, checked weather to see if it will change its supposed to be 29* F. I just want to make sure everything goes well and that we are there on time ready to run! Because I have been known to be at the wrong places, times, dates and locations PLUSS it has also been known of me to have naked dreams!!! I do not want that!!

We will be running the "Guns and Hoses" Race. We had to pick between the Guns (Police Dept.) or Hoses (Fire Dept.) and race against the other. Five Dollars of our fee's goes to the one we picked. So Jeremy and Kailah are supporting the Police and Meghan and I are supporting the Fire Men. This is going to be so great! Meghan hasn't really been into running which is perfectly fine however, what doesn't make it perfect is the fact that we're all doing it and she's not! So, I'm running against Jeremy and Kailah but what I really am doing is running with Meghan. I had a goal and that was to not stop in a 5k but this is not the race to do that. So if Meghan wants to walk, we'll walk and if she wants to run we'll run and if she wants to sprint...I'll be her biggest cheerleader!! haha
 
I pray in Jesus name no naked or late dreams and we will all do wonderful and have a fabtabulous day!!
 
Did not run today - on purpose!!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

February 25th 2010 Running Blog

"Work like you don't need money, Love like you've never been hurt, and Dance like no one's watching" and Run like your friends are there with you cheering you on all the way." - Scott Hodukavich --- From Shaggy

Almost every single time I have little pictures that play in my mind like snap shots and when I'm totally 100% exhausted, I see those little pictures and somehow strength comes out of nowhere and I'm able to sprint like nobody's business! They are snap shots of my family who don't live near me and all my friends from childhood to now. I didn't realize what an important role they played in my life. Funny how that works :-)

Today I ran later than what I wanted too, but I ran :-)

Boling Park
3 Miles Ran

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

February 24th 2010 Running Blog

"It is the illusion that we can go no faster that holds us back." - Kenny Moore, American athlete and journalist

Today was good. I'm ok with today but I'd rather gone further than what I did. I basically got a taste of running longer and want to stay there but sometimes my body just won't follow. I have to wonder though...was this an illusion in the back of my mind because of the last few days of crappy runs?? I can't think like that, moving forward or should I say running forward :-) One thing is good, its good for me, I ran 3 miles in 39 min. told ya I was slow....but I'm getting faster!! That is the fastest I ever ran 3 miles :-)

Boling Park
3 Miles Ran

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

February 23rd 2010 Running Blog

"If you don't plan, you plan to fail" - Bill Philips (Body for Life)

Ouch, pretty strong statement!

But what if you planned and it failed anyways?
Tip #1 - Always have a backup plan.
What if your back up plan falls through as well?
Tip #2 - Chalk it up to you get an A+ for effort and move on with your day!!

Bill Philips, I appreciate your quote but it can only go so far, thanks.

Ok, so ready for this...yesterday my tire went flat and I could only let kailah run (I'm too slow) before I had to get the car back. Turns out all rims and three tires had to be replaced...I'm thinking, "Toni, stay focused, don't get mad, you will be able to run but run with a clear attitude." So, my plan was, for sure they will all be fixed by 3pm. and I will go then that was Plan B because it meant I had to go after 3 which I don't like.

I get to Boling, yeah! However, my daughter Meghan who was waiting for us in the car came out to us in the middle of mile #2 and say's," there is black smoke coming from the car, its making weird sounds and shaking!" I was able to get it to the auto store for help and ended up there for over an hour.

That pretty much sums up my running day, ugh.

Boling Park
2 miles

Monday, February 22, 2010

February 22nd 2010 Running Blog

"If you set a goal for yourself and are able to achieve it, you have won your race. Your goal can be to come in first, to improve your performance, or just to finish the race - it's up to you." Dave Scott

On the way to Boling guess what happened?? The car got a flat tire, yeah. However, I didn't have alot of time but a friend let me use her car so we went anyway and I had just enough time to time Kailah. She can now run 3.0 miles in 28 min. That is the best she has ever done! I am so proud of her :-) Her main goal is to run 25 min. before June, which is when her cross country season starts. She is really the person in my life that through example helped me start this adventure called, running :-) Goals are imperative, they do help you be a more successful person in whatever you choose to create change.


Wished I could've run....

Sunday, February 21, 2010

February 21st 2010 Running Blog

"Experience has taught me how important it is to just keep going, focusing on running fast and relaxed. Eventually pain passes and the flow returns. It's part of racing." - Frank Shorter

The only way I could describe today is, weird. I only did one mile and it was aweful, I walked parts of it! Its a little humbling to go somewhere knowing you can easily pop out three miles only to produce one that really wasn't even one! I took an assesment of today and there were some new things but frankly I do not give a flip, I expect much better of myself than that! I'm annoyed.

We went to a new park. It was a family dog, sport, kids zone, running park. Very full of all kinds of people, and their dogs. When we ran it was on concrete...I am not a road runner, I'm a cross country runner. If that was ever questionable...the answer is now confimed!

I really enjoyed all the family activity and animal interacation but that is a place of recreation not running, UNLESS you like running on concrete. At Boling Park dogs are not allowd...it was evident today why that is. As we ran we had to run or skip around dog mess, fortunatly I didn't run into any of it.

I was honestly ok with everything, taking into perspective the enviorment that I was in and how it shouldn't be a distraction from my running but what wasn't ok was my knee started hurting. It wasn't like sharp pain, but like a headache in my knee. That is when I stopped. It got worse as the night went on so now as I'm typing I'm also icing my knee, fun times.

On the lighter side, I will take my family (my whole family-dogs) and enjoy the out doors just hang'n out there and having fun :-) That would be so much better than watching T.V. haha!

Swift-Cantrell Park
1 Mile walk/run :-/

Saturday, February 20, 2010

February 20th 2010 Running Blog

"People ask why I run. I say "If you have to ask, you will never understand". It is something only those select few know. Those who put themselves through pain, but deep down know how good it feels."
Anonymous-Submitted by : Katherine, USA

That in a nut shell is why I run. Today it was just me and Jeremy...and that feels good all the way around :-)

Boling Park
3 Miles Ran

Friday, February 19, 2010

February 19th 2010 Running Blog

"You can't coach heart and desire, it must come from within" - Unknown


     Today was a great running day! When it was all said and done I'm just short a 1/2 mile from running five! I know I could defiantly do three, so I was set out to do that at the least and I was aiming for another four. Well, I had to stop so I walked a half mile. All of a sudden I remembered...I don't have to go home! I can stay out here as long as I feel like it! Then this thankfulness rose up and I was very grateful to my husband who works for a living and gives me the freedom to run instead of having to go to a job. He is a good man. A big smile came across my heart and I had this boost of energy! I thought, I'm not going to finish out the rest of this 1/2 mile running only, I'm going to run another mile too! When I finished the 5th mile, the finish line never looked so wonderful as it did today! As exciting all this was... my legs were shot! But what a great way to start the day :-)

Boling Park
Ran 3 miles, walked 1/2 mile, Ran the last mile and a half!

Grand total = 5 miles! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

February 18th 2010 Running Blog

"Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain." ~Author Unknown

You ever feel like and idiot but are so happy you found the answer your ok with the fact you did something stupid, then you realize you had to go through one to get to the other? That was my running experience today! I about passed out thinking I was having seizure activity. I have every right to think that, its been very real in my life. It felt like I was about to have one, the dizziness, blurry eye sight and nausea. This has happened more than once since I've been running. I can be very stubborn..to a fault. When I would feel that way my reaction was, "oh. ok. you want to act up? (speaking to my body) Fine! I'll run some more!" I'd get home and go straight to bed. However, today was an enlightening experience. Even though I am very slow I do run with everything within me. I don't run around out there playing or something. This time while I was bending over so not to vomit all of a sudden the articles, books, advice from friends that run; flooded into my brain! As soon as I got home went and grabbed some macaroni and downed it! Suddenly, that awful feeling and headache disappeared, then I started finding carb. stuff and just started eating it. Then all the sickness I was experiencing left.


This whole time I thought I was dealing with seizures. I would pray and everything to make it go away and in reality my brain needed sugar! I was trying to eat right, but I found out for my body this is what I have to do. I began to think about this...that is why they have people at the end of meets waiting to wake people up from fainting after a race, they exert so much energy! I thought those tents with all the deserts were more of a reward thing. People told me it was to replenish the body and I was thinking ya..right..we both know that is an excuse for you to eat cookies and bananas because personally I love those things! Until I started experiencing a passing out feeling I didn't realize your body seriously does need that!. Haha then I was like, "whohoo!" I get to eat bagels and cookies! Can running get any better?!

When I run at Boling the ground surface is little pebbles and sand. This was certainly day over overcoming little pebbles on my way to cross a mountain. I don't think when I run from this day forward the gravel under my feet will ever look the same again :-)


Boling Park
4 miles ran 3.5 walked .05!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

February 17th 2010 Running Blog

"Nothing ever fatigues me, except that which I dislike." - Jane Austen

Today I took Meghan to her first Kickboxing Class and did it with her to get her started not knowing what I was getting myself into. Once again I came to the conclusion that truly, within my heart, I love running! Kickboxing was fun and I'd like to do it one day, maybe...probably not :-) When it was all said and done I was like, "ok lets go run!" However, by the time I got outside the gym, my legs felt like jelly and I was tired. Suddenly it occurred to me, there is no way I am able to run! So, even though it was fun, what made it fun for me was that I was with my daughter. If she wasn't there, I wouldn't be but I wouldn't trade today for the world. I was with my daughter doing fitness training the way she loves :-)
There is nothing that compares to a run outside,with absolute freedom, experiencing the expanse of Gods creation! I realized I will never quit, I love it too much :-)

Did not run.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

February 16th 2010 Running Blog

"If one could run without getting tired I don't think one would often want to do anything else." - C.S. Lewis 


   Today it was freezing cold and snow flurries were all around, walking into the park I put on my sweatshirt along with the biggest smile on my face :-) This is the third snow we've had here in North Georgia and I've gotten to run with each snow! Interestingly enough each snow has been a different experience and for that reason I desire to run with it. I wonder what new adventure is going to happen today?
I still struggle with breathing its not so much that I get tired but more of a, "where did the oxygen go?" It doesn't bother me too much because I just take a deep breath and run some more!




 Boling Park
Ran 3 and 1/2 miles
Walked a 1/2



Monday, February 15, 2010

February 15th 2010 Running Blog

"Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells 'CAN'T", but you don't listen. You just push harder. And
then you hear the voice whisper 'can'. And you discover that the person you thought you were
is no match for the one you really are." - Unknown

    That little whisper is the Holy Spirit and I'm beginning to see a glimpse of who I really am and I am happy. I love the Lord, He totally loves me and more and more I get a peak of how He see's me. I said all that to say, I ran really hard today and was able to finish three miles with Kailah meaning, I'm getting faster. However, I then could only walk the next mile and nothing after that. When I get a little fore sight of going beyond what I did before and today was about "time" I tend to push alittle harder because I know its in me somewhere even if I don't produce it now :-)

Boling Park
Ran 3 miles
Walked 1

Sunday, February 14, 2010

February 14th 2010 Running Blog

"You know when you have found your prince because you not only have a smile on your face but in your heart as well." ~Author Unknown


Today is Valentines Day, Happy Valentines Day! I spent it with my Prince who has given me my wonderful family, no running, just being.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

February 13th 2010 Running Blog

"Snow just feels good underneath my feet as I run and leaves evidence that I did it!" - Toni McAlister (a runner)

Yes, I ran in the snow today! I could not find any good quotes about my running experience today, so I made my own :-) My whole family went to Boling Park and I ran but when I was done I had bunches of snowballs waiting to hit me! I welcomed every single one! I was burning hot! I took off my gloves and played in the snow with no coat. The snowballs I ate were most refreshing! Seriously, I had run in layers and they came off with each lap! For some reason today's run was extremely hot, I even wondered, "is this what running in the summer feels like?" I was just really excited about running in the snow and couldn't wait to do it!

After I did my miles, our family went to the other side of the Park and went sledding down the hills :-) We tried to build a snowman but it ended up in pieces, it was more fun to tear it apart and throw huge chunks of snow at each other! We did make some pretty snow angles and as I laid there, I looked up into the sky and it was majestic. The clouds had let sunbeams through and parted enough so I could see the blue sky above them. I was laying in a bed of cold yet feeling the warmth of the sun across my face. The tree's a Boling Park are beautifully decorated when it snows. There is a presence of peace and leaves with it a rewarding experienced.

Boling Park
3 miles, Ran

Friday, February 12, 2010

February 12th 2010 Running Blog

"Rejoice with those who rejoice" - Romans 12:15

Well, today I did not run but having a choice I'm glad I didn't. It was a wonderful day to run however, my friend Rebeckah who has walked with me in Boling Park (making sure I'd get my miles in) a pregnant mama; had her baby today, Aidan. That little baby was way over due that being said, I wasn't gonna miss it for the world!!
Also, earlier I had taken my girls to go ice skating...if I ever go again it was because God Himself came to me and told me to go. Hated it to the max! But I'm willing to try anything once. I quit after two laps because my ankles were bruising...can you believe that? I thought no, I am not going to let this mess with my running so that was my experience with ice skating :-)

Just enjoyed the day everything was new but really, I rejoiced with those who rejoiced :-)

Thursday, February 11, 2010

February 11th 2010 Running Blog

"Success does not come to the most righteous and rigorously disciplined but to those who continue running." - Amby Burfoot

hhmmm...noticing a pattern. When I run a mile one day the next day I run four...not sure what that's all about but I am glad it happened! The best kind of encouragement is the one that gets results. That being said, I was totally encouraged today!

I can't leave this out though. The whole time I was running I kept thinking about having a conversation with God. Like, asking Him, "How was Your day today?" I have tried to talk to people at times and they are so busy they couldn't look me in the eye and pay attention to my "amazing story" or whatever sparked that conversation. I just began to think of God speaking to me, do I pay attention? When I ask Him, "how has Your day been?" Do I actually set my things aside and listen to what He has to say? Those were the thoughts that while I was running were wondering around in my mind, then all of a sudden I realized...you just ran four miles...where did the time go? Maybe just trying to listen to God more, takes care to the time I seem to never have :-)

Boling Park
4 miles Running

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Feburary 10th 2010 Running Blog

“My feeling is that any day I am too busy to run is a day that I am too busy.” - John Bryant

Agreed, or procrastination or lazy or wimpy or whatever it was today. I take full responsibility. Basically, I ran one mile because I was not tolerant of the freezing wind slapping me in my face and feeling like a stinging wind burn. The problem with that whole statement is I did it before and took it on like a challenge and loved the fact that I beat it!! I felt lazy and gave way to it.

Boling Park
1 mile Ran

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

February 9th 2010 Running Blog

"Today is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalms 118:24


I just kept thinking about this verse the entire time I ran. Today was wonderful! I was able to go when I wanted to, 8:00 am. and had a little extra time. I didn't have to hurry back :-) I was out there for over an hour just enjoying the run. I was delighted with the run because my friends were there too! Then it started to rain, a light rain. The rain seemed to run along beside me, patting me on the back and holding my hand like a good friend saying, "good job, here let me cool you off."
I started to feel a bit guilty, thinking....every day is a day that the Lord has made and I haven't rejoiced, like I've actually blown it off. However, it would be worse if I took this beautiful day and held on to that guilt so I decided to free myself and run! I was able to run an extra mile too! Today is a good day, all day long, Yeah!!

Boling Park
4 miles Ran :-)

Monday, February 8, 2010

February 8th 2010 Running Blog

“Frustration is the first step towards improvement. I have no incentive to improve if I’m content with what I can do and if I’m completely satisfied with my pace, distance and form as a runner. It’s only when I face frustration and use it to fuel my dedication that I feel myself moving forwards.” - John Bingham

Transportation = Big Fail
I need my own mode of transportation. I need to run on a softer surface because my knee's have been hurting when I run on concrete. Problem, my car needs to be fixed or I need a new one....Jesus is King :-)

Boling Park
1mile

Sunday, February 7, 2010

February 7th 2010 Running Blog

"Doing something is always better than doing nothing, and any sustained effort will help you maintain a sense of control." - Madelyn Fernstrom, The Runners Diet

"Note to self: DO NOT EAT MEXICAN BEFORE RUNNING!" I don't know what to say about today...I had a choice; I could get really mad or laugh.
   I went to Boling today, sooo excited because I could take my time and get my miles in and it was really going to be a great day. I was hoping to see Janet running out there just was going to be a real encouraging run. Well, I ran a mile. As hard as I've tried to get to a place where there is a good running enviorment and then have to sit out because I wasn't careful in what I ate before running was...dumb. I desided to chalk it up to "lesson learned" and begin again tomorrow, ah well. Did get to see Janet and left with a smile on my face. Running, this is my life now, the way I choose to live, for that reason I'll never quit...its my life :-)

Boling Park
1 mile ran

Saturday, February 6, 2010

February 6th 2010 Running Blog

"There is an itch in runners." ~Arnold Hano

Aaahhh...today I scratched that  itch! I really, really need to run...I have hard days when I don't. Seems like no matter what is going on, if I run it will be ok. Days that I don't run, it won't be ok until I do! I need to run.

Boling Park
3.0 miles

Friday, February 5, 2010

February 5th 2010 Running Blog

"Commitment to the body machine. It was as critical as the commitment to the goal itself." - Richard Christian Matheson, "Third Wind"

Need to make a better commitment to my body. I am so lathargic. I only concider "sick" is when you have a fever, everthing else just feels crummy but your good. Well, I can't seem to get out of the "crummy" state! I'll go from one room to the next and need to take a nap! All night long it's like I start to dose off and wake up suddenly because of coughing. When I feel I have a good day (no flu like symptoms) I have no energy....AAAHHHH!!! The only reason I would even talk about this is because I wonder if I'm doing something to cause this? Like I probably need to eat better and take vitamins...I just wanna run.

Did not run today ~ very sad.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Feburary 4th 2010 Running Blog

"At first an ordeal and then an accomplishment, the daily run becomes a staple, like bread, or wine, a fine marriage, or air. It is also a free pass to friendship."- Benjamin Cheever, Strides

I'm at this point malnourished.

unable to run :-(

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Feburary 3rd 2010 Running Blog

"Consistency requires discipline. Force yourself out the door." - Bob Glover and Shelly–Lynn Florence Glover, The Competitive Runner's Handbook

Its been a couple days since I ran. That is scary for me because in the back of my mind I wonder, "will you quit?" I hate it, its and awful feeling. But today I ran! The thing about it though was I almost, one more time didn't go run. There was alot of time consuming matters that had to be taken care of today and it was getting dark. In order to run, I would have to drop everything and run out the door... I DID!! Well, I was alittle late to where I needed to be but there was this huge satisfaction of ~ you know what, you did it, thats all that matters.
Today felt like a good stretch when you wake up in the morning, a sensation of aaahhh, now wasn't that nice :-)


Boling Park
3 miles Ran

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Feburary 2nd 2010 Running Blog

"ggggrrrrr...." - me

Still recovering....but tomorrow no matter stink'n what! I will run or crawl if I have to but I will be out there pushing myself no matter how I feel cuz this will not jack up my goals...I am not happy about this!! I want to be out there now but its the dizziness that makes my thought process say, "that is not wise" ugh.


Did not run (eyes glaring, intence aggrivation)

Monday, February 1, 2010

February 1st 2010 Running Blog

"Remember, the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running."  - Sarah Condor

I'm sick, ugh.

no running today :-(