Last run of 2009

Week 4/Run 12

1.48 miles

24 mins

As you can see, I not only completed this week but I kicked its butt!! I was so upset Tuesdays run that I was not looking forward to today at all. But once I got myself on the treadmill, everything just seemed easy for me. The only issue I had was that somehow I screwed up the time between running and walking. But I made sure to get my 15 mins of running in. Maybe....just maybe....I can do this!


On Friday (Jan 1!) I will be leaving for Orlando, FL! I saw that our condo had gym. So I am super excited to run week #5 in a new setting!! I am very excited to start a brand new year and a brand new me.

Got some fancy new kicks!

I finally got to the store to buy myself some new shoes on Monday. I was all excited to use them on Tuesday but found that they hurt my feet. I think its because my foot is no longer a 7 1/2 in sneakers. So I went back to Kohl's and returned them for an 8. Hopefully they will be much better on my feet then the 7 1/2's.

Although these are not the cutest shoes in the bunch, they are special. I am a sucker for gimmicks and things that promise to improve my life. These shoes are the new Nike+ shoes. What are those you ask? Well let me explain how fancy my new shoes really are!

When I went to Kohl's to first buy shoes on Sunday, I saw this next to the sneakers. Being a new interesting looking product, I picked it up. It said that it would track how many miles you walk/ran right from your shoe to your ipod. Sounds like it could be really helpful for me! So for $30 I bought it thinking I can put it in any shoe that I own. WRONG!

When I got home and read the directions, it said you needed to purchase special Nike Shoes AKA Nike+ shoes. These shoes had a special little chamber for the chip to go into so that it can properly count your steps and track your miles. So I went online and say a few Nike+ shoes that I really liked and headed back to Kohl's. When I was there I only saw one type of Nike+ shoes. I knew that they sold these at Sports Authority, but at Kohl's they were on sale. So for $70 I bought myself a pair of shoes that I normally would never even try on. I am more a black/pink or blue/white shoe kind of girl. NEVER would I chose yellow/silver. But the shoes are actually growing on me....slowly.

The instructions say that you need to lift the inside of the shoe foot pad thing. When I lifted it up there was a little chamber for the chip. When you first get them, there is a little foam pad in the chamber. Take these out but don't throw it away. The instructions say that you should only use your Nike foot chip when you want to track your walk/run or the battle will run out. If the battery runs out you can not replace it either. That's how they get you to buy more.

The next piece just plugs right into your ipod. There was no need to download anything. When I went to the menu screen on my ipod, a new option was added called "Nike+" When you want to start tracking your walk/run your click on that option and just chose what kind of workout you want. You can program your ipod to tell you when you reached a certain number of miles, calories or you just want to track everything. You can enter your weight for a more accurate reading of your calories.
I chose the basic workout which just keeps track of your pace, miles, time and calories. I walked around my apartment and saw that it did pick up my steps. It will let you play your music while running this too. This will be a great tool to have when I start jogging outside and need to track my jogging without having a treadmill to do that for me. Plus this will let me know just about the time when I should get new sneakers. I read that you should replace your running sneakers between 350-550 miles depending on how hard you use them and your body weight. So I plan to change mine at 450.

When you are done with your walk/jog all you need to do is plug you ipod into the computer. itunes will have an option for you to track your Nike+. Click on that and it will bring you to a website which will keep track of your walk/run.
One of my favorite parts of the website tracker, is that there is a little journal section. It lets you chose how that run made you feel, the weather, and where you ran. Plus you can add little notes. Since I have this blog I probably won't use this too much, since I journal my feelings there. But for anyone who doesn't keep a blog, this is a great tool! It is always fun to go back a few weeks and see how you struggled at things that come so easily to you today.
My second favorite thing on the Nike+ tracker website is that they have a training section. Since I am using the Couch to 5k program already, I don't need the 5k one. But I would have loved to use the first one "Walk to Run" and I am planning to use the 10k once I graduate from my 5k training.

On Tuesday when I used these shoes, my feet where killing me. I am going to give them a second chance on Thursdays because I did get them a size smaller then I should have. Now that I have the proper size sneaker for me, I am hoping that my run will be alot better. I will give a better review of them on Thursday!

Worst run...ever

Week 4/Run 11

1.23 mph

21 minutes

16/21 jogging

This had to be the worst run I have done since the beginning of training :( After leaving the gym I never felt so crappy in my life. As you can see from above, I ran .10 less miles then when I did this same training on Sunday.

Here is some factors that I think may have made this hard for me:

- All I have been eating lately is junk. Today all I had to eat before the gym was 2 cups of coffee, some chocolate covered almonds, a can of soup and combos. My size 12 pants are starting to feel really tight and I am afraid one good sneeze will rip them in half.

- I should have gone to the bathroom before I got to the gym. I would rather shoot my foot then to go to the bathroom at my gym.

- I was wearing my new sneakers. Maybe I should have got them one size up or maybe I need to break them in more. My feet killed and I couldn't wait to take them off.

- I really need to learn some good stretches before I run. My calves felt like the muscle was going to tear apart.

So that is how my crappy run at the gym went. I had to lower my walking speed to 2.7 at one point and then I had to lower my jogging speed in the last 5 minutes to 3.7mph. I said I would never do that, but I let it go since I at least can say I finished the jogging part. I didn't walk during the running part even though I REALLY wanted too. I was good and did raise the speed to 3.8mph after a minute or so.

Next week I am supposed to jog for 20 minutes straight on Thursday. Right now I DO NOT see that happening. If I can't do the run on Thursday without lowering the speed again I am going to have to repeat this week. I have a funny feeling that I am going to repeat week #5... I am really hoping that I don't have to repeat week #4. I really want to end 2009 with a good running record.

I can't give up. Even if I have to repeat a week of training. I just have to keep trying.

"Never give up. Never surrender." - Jason Nesmith, Galaxy Quest 1999

I want to be a big loser

I am totally, completely obsessed with this show. I love watching the contestants lose weight right before my eyes. I end up in tears during most of the season because I can relate to them so much. I wish I had a chance to workout with Bob and Jillian. I need someone like them to kick my butt into gear. Instead I have to settle for virtual Bob and Jillian.

For Christmas I was happy to get the following:

This is a game for my Nintendo Wii. I saw alot of positive feedback online regarding this game. It is supposed to be like you are an actual contestant on the show and you try to be the "Biggest loser". Whats not to like? Losing weight and playing a video game! I'm all for that.

While I was looking for reviews on the Nintendo Wii game, I came across this DVD. It says that I can lose up to 30lbs in 6 weeks. Lets see about that. It is supposed to be just like the "Last chance workout" that they always talk about on the show.

I can't wait to start them! It will probably be after I get back from Florida. I want to incorporate these workouts in with my jogging training. I will make sure to post my trial with them!

Week #4 starts today!

Week 4/Run 10

1.33 Miles

21 Mins

16/21 Jogging

HOLY MOLY I JOGGED FOR 5 WHOLE MINUTES NONSTOP...TWICE!! I am so proud of myself right now. I was terrified last week of doing 3 minutes non-stop and now I just completed 5 minutes! Granted, I went at a pace of 3.8mph. But Sundays are always my tip-toe into the run day.

There was some points of that run that I thought I was going to quit. I felt that way when I was running the last 3 minutes. I didn't know how I was going to do the last five minutes. But I played an upbeat song and just focused of watching the Patriots football game. With 30 seconds left, I did start to get a cramp in my side. When I used to have to run a mile in field hockey, I would always get them about 5 minutes into jogging. They would cause me to stop jogging and I would have to pinch my side to stop the pain. I will have to look into why I get a cramp more... But I still managed to finish my run without stopping.

What kept me going is the idea of having to be behind a week. I want to advance myself not stay behind. I want to run that mile next week. I want to be able to tell Johnny that I can jog 2 miles non-stop and not have it be a lie. This week is going to be hard for me. It is going to be my heart vs my body. I am hoping my heart will win.

It's Christmas eve and I am at the gym

Week 3/Run 9

1.12miles

18 minutes

9/18 jogging

At 1pm I said Merry Christmas and goodbye to my co-workers. While 95% of them are going home to relax or do some last minute Christmas prep, I went right to the gym. Who in their right mind goes to the gym of Christmas eve??? People like me I guess. It's not that I am a gym rat, its more of that I didn't want to miss a day of jogging training. I wouldn't have been able to go back until Saturday. By Saturday I will be exhausted and filled with cookies. So Christmas eve was the best time for me to go. Let me tell you, it was the best jog I have done so far!

I really pushed myself today at the gym. Even though I wanted nothing more then to go home, take a nap and start on my Christmas cooking. But I parked my car, put my sneakers on and headed to the treadmills. That's when I realized that I did something very stupid. I looked the keys in my locker. I have NEVER done this and I had to ask the guy at the desk what I should do. He said after my workout go see him and he will cut the lock off. So my stupidity was running through my mind as I went over to the treadmill.

I really thought that this was going to get me down and that I wouldn't be able to jog like I wanted to. But I got on and started. Since this was my last workout of "Week 3" I wanted to go as fast as possible and break that 1.09 miles I have been doing all week. So when it came to jogging I pushed the treadmill up to 4mph!! I was able to stick with this the entire 3 minutes!!! Then when it was my last minute, I pushed the speed up to 6mph (it might have been to impress this cute guy there) and finished. But I stupidly didn't see what my miles where at 18 minutes!! Crap. So I have to guess and say it was 1.12 even though I think it was more.

So despite being one of 10 people at the gym on Christmas eve and having my lock cut off; it was a successful "Week #3" and now I am on the "Week 4"! Wish me luck!!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Wish list

I need a new pair of sneakers so bad. Mine are alittle over a year and I took crappy care of them. I would love to buy a pair JUST for jogging. I think that after Christmas I am going to head over to Sports Authority to get them before I go to Florida. Then what I want to do is keep track of how many miles those shoes did.



I also need to buy myself a good running bra. I don't need anything fancy or expensive, just something to keep the girls in place. Although they look pretty darn good running in a pushup bra! But for safety reasons I think I should strap them in. Safety first!

Can I run and talk at the same time?

Week 3/Run 8

1.09 miles

18 minutes

9/18 jogging

I went to the gym after a pretty hard day at work. These cold winter nights make it so difficult to head to the gym over going back home with some comfort food. But I went tonight cause I know I would be mad at myself for breaking the training. I am actually getting pretty excited that I am doing so well. I am actually looking forward to next weeks training because I have to jog for 5 minutes straight!! Scary stuff!!

Anyways...I went to the gym and was lacing up my sneakers when I heard my friend. We talked for about 10 minutes and then she followed me to the treadmills. I dreaded this more then anything because I hate feeling so out of shape and to be next to my skinny little friend who can jog 10 minutes straight doing 4mph would be discouraging. Plus would I be able to carry a conversation with her while I was running. I didn't want to sound like I was having an asthma attack!

You know what? I was able to complete my workout and hold a somewhat small conversation with my friend! This is very exciting to me because during the half marathon I want to be able to hold a conversation with someone. I believe it would make the time go by faster and show that I am in some kind of shape. Slowly I am turning into a runner!

Crestfallen

crestfallen
adjective
dejected, disheartened, or humbled

I had such a crappy day today. Between work, life and the news my friend gave me, all I want to do is sleep the night away.

I am sick of hearing people bitch, moan and complain. It is getting to be too much for me. I am starting to feel myself getting very cranky. I feel like I am going to blow up on someone really soon. I just can't deal with this!! Grrr!!!

Then my friend told me she might not be doing the Disney Marathon with me in 2011 :( This really disappointed me. I was hoping to not do it alone and feel like quiting training right now. I don't know if I can do this by myself. But I have done so much alone. I got a tattoo alone, I went to court for the final signing of the divorce alone and I go to bed alone every night. Would it be so bad to get on a plane all by myself, get a hotel room all to myself and run the marathon by myself....

Writ ting this post really helped make me feel better. I was pretty much ready to quit but now the idea of going at this jogging alone doesn't sound half bad. Now I have no one to hold me back or anyone to make me feel slow. Its just going to be me vs 13 miles. Maybe I will make a 4 day weekend out of it. I will fly out Friday, race during the weekend, make some new friends, have a message after the race and then head home on Monday. I can do that.

First "blizzard" of the year

Week 3/Run 7

1.09 Miles

18 minutes

Jogged 9/18 minutes

Supposedly we were going to get this huge blizzard. But in New England, you don't call the weather until it happens. Although we did get hit with a good amount of snow, I wouldn't call it a blizzard. I woke up to a blanket of snow on everything outside. It looked really pretty. My car doesn't handle the snow and ice very well and the idea of staying inside was very tempting. But there was two issues with that:


1. I had no food in the house. I should have went yesterday but the stores were mobbed!
2. Today marked the start of Week #3 training for my 5k


So I bundled up and went outside to find my car covered in snow. Being the person that I am (last minuter/forgetful) I didn't have a car brush. HOW CAN I LIVE HERE FOR MY WHOLE LIFE AND NOT HAVE ONE! I used to have one in the back of my car but it disappeared. Why I didn't buy one yesterday....well who knows why I do anything that I do. The idea of going back to my apartment looked great.


I was good and cleaned off my car with my hands and a platter I had in my trunk. I got in the car and started to back up. My car was stuck. Looks like it was back inside for me! I tried again and this time was able to roll back all the way. Now to make the voyage to the gym.


On a normal day, it takes 10 minutes to get to the gym from my apartment. Due to the snow and my towns lack of snow-plowing, it took 25 minutes. I was slipping and sliding the entire way. That whole time I thought "This can't be worth it".


I get to the gym and was relieved that the parking lot was plowed. I went inside to find a total of 12 people working out. I felt pretty darn good making it to the gym or I know my training would be screwed up. I am the type of person where if just ONE day gets screwed up, I will just quit. Can't help who I am I guess.


I get on the treadmill not looking forward to jogging 3 minutes non-stop. I already feel like I was going to fail before I even finished warming up. I did the first 90 second jog fine and then it was time for the test. Could I do 3 whole minutes???

YES I CAN!

When I started doing the 3 minutes all I did was just focus on the TV. Paula Deen was making cookies. I just focused on that and not the timer. I just focused on that and the beat on the music. I tried to play something on my ipod that had a fast beat. This helped greatly. I finished the first 3 minutes with very little problem at a speed of 3.9mph. I figured if it got to tough I would bring it down top 3.8mph but would not go any lower then that.

When I did my second three minutes I just focused on the tv again. All I had to do was 3 minutes and then my workout would be done. I played a fast song on my ipod for the last minute and felt alittle cocky. I put the speed up to 4.mph and finished! I felt great!!! I was so happy to complete this day without feeling like I was punched in the gut.

Maybe...just maybe... I can do this...

Completed Week #2 training!!

Week 2/Run 6

1.21 Miles

20 minutes

Something is wrong with me.... I think I am slowly turning into a jogger. All day today I couldn't wait to hit the gym to get in my jog. I am actually surprised at this considering I had such a crappy jog on Tuesday. But I was feeling good and even did a whole 2 minute jog!!

Two minutes sounds like such a joke. Especially when my friend said she can jog at 4mph for 10 minutes straight. Damn her :( I was pretty proud of my little two minutes until I just typed it out on here. I am expected to jog for 3 and a half hours for our Disney half Marathon!! So far I can only do 1.21 miles out of 13.2!!!!! WHAT AM I THINKING!

Baby steps....baby steps.

I did find a few 5K's that I am looking to do in 2010. I am looking to to the Tim Harmon 5k which is to support Hepatitis C. I am also looking to run a 5k for a firefighters charity. I don't know why I am planning 5k's when I couldn't even run a half of a 5k.

I really hope by the end of this program that I can run a 5k!

Three years to go

Week 2/Run 5

1.19 Miles

20 Minutes

Yesterday I turned 27 years old. It was slightly depressing because due to my birthday being so close to Christmas, people usually are too busy to do anything for it. Plus there where a few people who will go nameless, who didn't wish me a happy birthday. I spent the night at my parents house after work. It was very nice though. My mom made me pasta with chicken cutlets and meatballs. Then she made a cake for me. Its alot different from how I spent last birthday.



Last year when I turned 26, my marriage failure was still fresh in my mind. I remember Johnny calling me to wish me a "Happy Birthday". It resulted in me sitting in my car in tears and screaming at him to take me back. I barely functioned on my birthday last year. I was miserable and a wreck. Its amazing what a year and good friends can do for you.



So turning 27 means I have three years to hit my jogging goal. Even though that is a long time off, I still feel like I will never make it by then. I also feel like I am getting very old really quick.



My run was really hard for me today. I think its because I have been eating like crap and have a cold. Its hard to control my breathing when my nose is stuffed up. Plus the pants I was working out in where a tad tight. I just didn't feel great with this run today. But I "Passed" and keep the pace of my jog at 3.9mph! Which is good because I need to stay about 3.8mph for the marathon. I am hoping to get it up to 4mph eventually. I am alittle afraid for next week since I have to run for 3 minutes straight. That means 9 minutes total will be jogging next week compare to 8 minutes jogging these last 2 weeks.

Starting Jan I am going to start taking better care of what I eat. I tried dieting now and its just too damn hard with the holidays. I will be going to Disney the first week of Jan so my Weight Watchers strict diet will have to begin on the 6th.

I'm 27 today

For my birthday, my parents bought me this beautiful necklace! It's real diamonds. I love it! I have decided that this will be my good luck charm during my runs. That way I will always feel strong during those time.

Thanks Mom and Dad! I love you!!

Finally done and a new jog week.

Week 2/Run 4

1.20 Miles

20 Minutes

This morning I woke up nice and early, put on my makeup, made my hair look nice, pulled up my Uggz boots and drove over to my ex's house. This was my last trip that I would need to do. All I had to do was grab the rest of my stuff and leave. I was not going to cry, beg or even ask what he was up to. I was going there as a strong woman.

I go there and my ex was his typically asshole self. He tried asking me how I was doing and whats going on in my life. I just tried to get my stuff and leave. We were civil to each other which is rare since we seem to fight after 5 minutes of talking and I didn't have to face any of his family. THANK GOD!! That was a major concern of mine because I really didn't want people to talk to me.

I loaded up my car with my stuff and was ready to head off. For some dumb reason, I thought I would show him my tattoo. BIG MISTAKE. He took one look at it and said "I'm not a big fan. I don't even know what it is." What an #&@* loser. I can't stand him. He then offered to show me his nipple ring, I said no and something very mean (which I wasn't too proud of)

I turned on my car, said a quick goodbye and drove off not looking back. I was pretty proud of myself and felt like I finally am done with him. There are a few things that I lost in the divorce that I am very angry about. I can get over the big screen tv, the bedroom set, our new couch and all those appliances that we got in the shower. But what I am p-off about is losing a few pictures that I had framed including my graduation picture with my tassel and my fifth grade camp photo. I am also made that I lost a very large tiger latch-hook project that took me 4 years to complete. He swears that I gave it to him for a gift. I never did. :( Those items are the things I can't replace. I hate him for that.

Anyways.... about my jog now; I really passed the first week with little to no-problems. This week is slightly more difficult. This is what I have to do:

Walk: 2 Minutes Jog: 90 Seconds. All for a total of 20 minutes.

It wasn't too difficult. I found myself checking the time alittle more then I did last week. I think what I need to learn is how to pace myself. I am constantly feeling the need to go faster and really all I want to do is finish without feeling like I got punched in the stomach. I jogged twice at 3.9mph and then brought it back to 3.8. The last 30 seconds I jogged at 4mph. I guess I am just trying to advance way to fast. It may not be an issue this week but next week is going to kick my butt if I don't learn how to pace myself. This is next weeks:

Jog: 90 seconds Wak: 90 seconds Jog: 3 mins Walk: 3 mins TWICE!!

The 90 seconds won't kill me its the whole 3 minutes of jogging. I am terrified! But if I keep my pace to 3.8/3.4 mph I should be ok. I want to push myself so much. But I get concerned when 90 seconds of jogging hurts my legs and makes me winded. Doing 3 mins straight is going to be murder. I might be doing that week twice...

I am still working on that mile.

A little white lie never hurts...does it?

Week 1/Run 3

1.20 Miles

20 Minutes

For some reason my ex decided to call me just to say "Hi". This always makes me nervous because I know there is always more to it then just saying "Hi". What was really strange was that he called me once at 1:05pm on Tuesday and then again that say day at 8:30pm. I talked to him briefly when he called me at my lunch time (1:05) but was very short with him. I think the whole conversation lasted 3 minutes. I missed the other call at 8:30 though.

Instead of just ignoring the fact that he called me a second time, I texted him on Wed. I was curious and wanted to know why he had called. He told me he just wanted to say "hi". I thought this was really strange and told him he already did that earlier the same day. He said he knew. Okay....

So we went back and forth texting each other. I refuse to ask him how his life is going but he insists on knowing how my life is. I know he wants me to be "Happy" and it bothers him greatly when I say I am miserable. Plus my birthday is coming up so I know he must have some guilt going on. Whenever he asks me if I am doing okay, I always try to choice my words carefully.

Since I want him upset and bothered, I love telling him that I am miserable, sad and depressed. It seems to have a better effect on him. He shows some kind of emotion and for a few brief moments I have my old Johnny back. But then when I get off the phone I hate myself. I am not that miserable, sad or depressed. Some nights I feel lonely but for the most part I feel happy and free. So when he was texting me back and forth and I started taking the mopey Laurie road I quickly change courses. That's when my little lie came out.

This is how the texting went. I don't know what made me say some of these things. I couldn't control myself.

Ex: Ok...that's fine....sorry I bothered you - This was after I told him I didn't need his help anymore

Me: Don't be sorry. I am awesome. I can see why you would want to talk to me.

Ex: Yeah you are.

Me: You have no idea. You would like me 100 times more now. I do so much more with my life. I am planning on running a half marathon in 2011. - This is true. I am planning the Disney Marathon in 2011.

Ex: Wow nice....my gym buddy has done that....sounds fun...but a half marathon is a little much for me- HE HAS A GYM BUDDY!!!???? hahahhahahahaha

Me: That's why you start with a 5k. I running one in June. I have a marathon trainer. He is getting me into shape. I can now run 2 miles non-stop. - WTF was I saying!! Who is the trainer that I say I have?! 2 miles non-stop!! I can't even run 1 mile!!

Ex: Nice what pace/incline?

Me: About 4. I run horn pond alot and on the treadmill. I vary the incline.- The lies just kept coming out of my big fat mouth.

Ex: Good for you... you should be proud of yourself. I am happy for you.

Me: I am proud. I plan to do the Boston Marathon by the time I am 30.

Ex: Wow....congrats, lemme know if you do.

What's wrong with me? I don't know why I thought that lying would help me. Now I am just more upset with myself because I can't do what I said. Why would I lie anyways? It won't get him to be with me. I don't even want him back in my life again. I just need to just get him out of my life.

So about my first full week jogging/walking, I think I did really good. So I am off to week #2 starting on Sunday. Yay me! I am also starting WeightWatchers AGAIN to try to lose some of this weight. I would like to lose just 5lbs a month. That's my goal. I am pretty crazy for starting a diet 2 weeks before xmas, but I have to start somewhere.

Feeling left in the dust

Week 1/Run 2

1.19 Miles

20 Mins

Do I dare say that I was looking forward to today's run/walk?? I don't want to be crazy and say it was fun, but I actually was happy to hit the gym and complete my training.

While I was doing my training for today all I kept thinking was that I hoped my friend (who is going to be running the half marathon with me next year) was taking this as seriously as I was. I imagined myself getting annoyed when she needed me to walk instead of jog. I didn't want to stop if I didn't have to!

As I was leaving the gym I saw her. She was on the treadmill. I went over to say hi and noticed that she was jogging at a speed of 4mph and was jogging for 10 minutes straight! My heart just sank. I can't even run for more then 60 seconds right now :( . Suddenly my training felt stupid and my goals felt so far away. Now all I can think of is how I am going to be the one that begs for us to walk and that I will be the one holding us back. My friend also is like 50 pounds lighter then me.

I don't know how I am going to do this.

Off to a good run

Week 1/Run 1

1.15 Miles

20 Minutes

Today was my first official training day! Yay me! I am following the whole "From Couch to 5K" program that I found online. My friend told me that she heard alot of good things about it. It seems easy enough as long as I don't read ahead. That's when the program gets alittle scary. Jogging for 20 minutes straight?! Hahaha! I can not see myself doing that. I can't even run 60 seconds without feeling like I am going to die.

My schedule for today was fairly easy: Walk for 90 seconds. Jog for 60 seconds. For a total time of 20 minutes.

I was able to finish this with no big problems. Towards the end I was feeling tired and slightly out of wind. I made sure that my jogging was never too fast. The plan said that I should be able to carry on a conversation. Since I plan to run in the Disney Princess half marathon in March 2011, I figured how fast I would need to jog in order to finish in the 3 1/2 hour limit they give you. I would need to go at a pace of 3.7mph. So that was the speed that I jogged. Although eventually I would like to train to finish the marathon in less then 3 hours.

Baby steps, Laurie, baby steps.

My first goal is to just jog a straight mile with no stops. Then a 5K, 10K and then maybe a 13.1 half marathon. Those are my goals by March 2011. Seems almost impossible since I can't even run a mile yet :( As you can see it took me 20 minutes just to run a mile.

Saying goodbye to my couch

In high school I played sports. Although I was really good at these sports there was one thing I could never do. I could never run a mile straight through. I would always have to stop jogging and walk for part of the ways. I remember knowing where I could start walking in order to hide from the coaches. But they always knew. I was almost cut from field hockey because I couldn't do a full mile. It would always bother me but I did nothing to fix it.

After high school, not being able to run a mile was my biggest regret. I could never say that I ran a mile non-stop. I felt like a failure for not doing it. It never bothered me too much until my ex, who was once completely out of shape, was able to run more then a mile non-stop. I was always the one that was in better shape then him. Now he was running past me. I then tried to run a mile straight and still couldn't. What was wrong with me?

Now I am turning 27, divorced and out of shape. I decided a few months ago to create a list of things I wanted to accomplish before I die. Running a mile non-stop is on that list. So isn't running in the Boston marathon.

This blog is about how I am going to run that mile.

This blog is how one day I will run in the Boston Marathon.