First outside run of 2014

Yesterday was beautiful.  Sixty-six degrees, slight breeze.  Just enough to wear a layering tank and cotton long-sleeve shirt.  I decided it today was the day for my first outdoor run of 2014.

I've been on a treadmill for months!  It was time for fresh air.

My small town has a "lap" that is about 4-4.5 miles long.  Factor in my driveway and I have about a 5 mile journey.  I am so proud and excited to share that my months of running on a treadmill paid off yesterday when I ran 4.5 of the 5 mile jog.  It felt so good.  SO GOOD.

I of course am sore today, simply because of the difference between running on a cushy treadmill versus pavement.  I also don't run on any incline (no need to beef up the calves), so the natural inclines and downhills were exciting and fun to experience.

I still feel like I have so much to do, so much weight to lose, so many goals to accomplish, but this was an exciting breakthrough for me.  Now, if I can do it three more times then I will feel like it's not a fluke.  lol

Until next time!

Feeling GOOD

Brittney, here!  Hi, how are you?

I think today was a classic 180-day.  A mere three hours ago I was ready to lay waste on my couch after a highly stressful day while drinking an adult beverage and probably eating bagel chips.  Sadly, this is the honest truth, but I DIDN"T.

Instead????? I just got back from a 2 mile jog/walk.  I have to give my husband all of the credit for the motivation to accomplish this task.  He swooped up the kids and said, "Go for it!"

The weather was pleasantly warm today, but as I started jogging I could tell it was getting cool.  Around 36 degrees.  Sidewalks were starting to get a little slippery from a misty rain all day.  I decided to run on the street with my bright construction vest (it's literally bright orange with reflective stripes on it).  This time of year seems like the hardest time to see things at dusk and I'd rather look like a jogging construction worker than risk someone not seeing me!

I don't want to pat myself on the back as if I just ran a marathon, I don't feel like I deserve that kind of applause YET, but I will say that I feel really good for two things in particular.  I ran 1 mile straight tonight.  I'm not sure if I've already done that in the last few weeks, but it was from start to finish - one mile.  I feel very fulfilled to be getting comfortable running again.  Baby steps!  I then walked & jogged the second mile of my workout and felt great afterwards!!!

Second feel-good event of the night was after my cool-down and ab exercises.  For the first time in a long time I attempted side plank abdominal exercises.  I have no idea if that's what they're called, but I lay on my side and bend at the waist, raising my torso and legs slightly off the ground.  This accomplishment might be confusing if you're just starting to read my blog.  A little backstory, I have had a couple years worth of working on correcting my diastis recti (splitting of abdominal muscles from pregnancies).  I've been VERY very very cautious, but tonight I felt it out and it felt GOOD.  So I took it easy and did one set on both sides.  Baby steps, part deux.

In addition to my exciting turn of events tonight I'd also like to share some information about the first part of my day!

I went to a Women's clinic to figure out if I'm having any kind of hormonal irregularities or not.  Over the course of the next few weeks I will be taking a ZRT Saliva Test to see if I need a little bit of help in the hormone department.  After the discovery of the little skin abnormality that was removed from my back two weeks ago most likely being caused from a hormonal imbalance?   Plus the fact that I've been off and on anti-depressant medication from post-partum depression for three and a half years, but still don't feel "right??"  It's time to try to figure out the root of what's going on.

Busy day!  Time to relax with the hubby and decompress.  Until next time!  :)

Cool Crisp Night

I used to think that running during the summer months was my favorite (which don't get me wrong, I love it), but tonight?  I was reminded of cold night jogs.  The kind of cool that startles your lungs at first, but when you are done running and after you've stretched and cooled down, you still feel the cool breath in your lungs.

Tonight I did a 3.5 mile jog/walk.  Felt so very good, yet so very bad at the same time.  My body is still adjusting to pounding the pavement.  I've been on my elliptical the majority of the past few weeks.  The switch to running outside is not feeling the best on my ankles, shins, and knees.  Not only is my body not used to this type of impact, I'm also carrying a lot of extra weight at the same time!!  I am still officially on the dark side of exercising.  I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but DAMN!

The problem with running outside in cold weather includes sweating.  You need to have just the right balance of layers.  You also cannot stop or slow down too much or else you get chilled and then the remainder of your workout is just not fun.  It was about 32 degrees Fahrenheit tonight, but as soon as it gets colder I start to need something over my mouth when I run.  I don't like too sharp of cold air on my lungs.  And remember, I live in MN, so I can honestly say I have run in colder weather than I probably should.  haha

Another problem is wearing gloves that aren't smart-phone friendly!!  I told my husband today that I want a pair of gloves that I can still wear while using my iPhone (in case i need to switch up my playlist, etc).  If anyone has some gloves they love and care to share, please leave a comment!  I'd be grateful to hear some of the tried and true gloves.  

I didn't have a chance to stretch very good at the end of my workout, either.  and I was COLD when I got home, so I jumped in the shower right away.  

Not to sound like I'm complaining this whole time, but tonight was my first plunge into exercising with my suture wounds.  I was not very loose, I think I was pretty tense in my upper body the whole time from some discomfort, but I'm not going to let these little buggers keep me from staying active.  I just hope they heal good, and fast.  

That's all for tonight!  Have a good one :)

Will I Be Able To Move Tomorrow?

There's a little country road that I used to run on regularly. It's a plain old gravel road, but it's my road. Sure, other people use it, they throw their garbage along the ditch, and the river kind if smells. But it's my road. One solid mile to the next intersection, a mile and half to where the road makes a T.  Plus there is a big hill that never gets easier.

I used to live within a quick warm-up walk from my road. It was an easy hop, skip & jump to squeeze in a friendly jog.  That is no longer the case.

Today for the first time in... literally years, my road & I had a reunion. It took me three miles of jogging/ walking to simply get to my road!! And about a half mile into the reunion I realized I probably won't be able to move tomorrow from being so sore!! It even crossed my mind to have someone come and get me as my muscles were tensing up!! But that doesn't matter. I was determined, and frankly it felt so damn good to be back.

The sky. The air. The sweet little spots along my road that burst with character  made my two hour long workout the most fun I've had in a long time.

Looking down at this gravel brought back sweet dejavu but also memories of the sweat and tears I worked on this dirt. And I plan to do it again.

What a beautiful fall day for a run <3