What? I'm not even halfway there?!

Last night we conquered a 12 mile training run. Overall, it was a pretty decent run. My legs got tired around mile 9 but I pushed through it and actually felt more alive by time mile 11 rolled around. We paced 10:17 miles, not bad considering we did stop a couple of times for brief water breaks.

Hard to believe that even with a good run like that, I still haven't run half the distance yet. I think I could've squeezed another mile out last night, but that would've been all. Now, I know from experience that the race atmosphere facilitates the excitement needed to push beyond the usual limits, but that 26.2 still seems so far out there right now. I especially wanted to write about this particular run so when I complete my 18 and then 20 mile training runs, I can remember how challenging 12 felt at the time.

I really don't know what it is that propels people to pass the marathon finish line. That's why I'm doing my first at Disney World; I figure a little sprinkle of pixie-dust couldn't hurt! I'm still highly motivated though, even if my physical stamina isn't quite there yet, and I know half the marathon battle is in the mind.

Speaking of motivation, I don't know what's happening to my Baby Boot Camp girls. They seem to be falling off. Some of my most motivated students are skipping classes and don't seem to have the enthusiasm they did at the beginning. Surely this is "gym syndrome" that happens to most normal people, those who don't salivate at the site of a treadmill like me. It's hard for me to understand though, and I don't know how to help them through it. For me, not exercising is not an option. It's so ingrained in me and my daily life that just not doing it anymore is not even a possibility in my world. When I get upset, angry, or otherwise feel myself spinning out of control, a little 3 or 4 mile run puts my perspective back. If you don't experience that, I can see where it's just another thing you do. I live for those endorphins!

Gotta head out today for an easy 3 miler just to stretch the legs. I really don't feel like it, but I'm going to anyway. That's the mindset I wish I could give to the girls-- just do it.

A Runner's Dedication

I decided to challenge my Baby Boot Camp students to commit to running a 5K race this December. I wasn't sure if anyone would respond or not, and surprisingly, I've had three say they want to do it, and another decided to take the plunge after one of the initial three talked her into it. I'm surprised and excited, knowing that one or more of them might get bit by the same running bug that's had such a profound influence on my life. As I went out running with Anthony in my sweet new Kelty Baby Boot Camp stroller tonight (p.s.-- that's one sweet ride. I feel about that stroller like some people feel about their cars!), I thought about what running has meant to me and my life's direction, and I can honestly say I never would've ended up here doing what I'm doing had I never decided to run a step.

I wrote this dedication to running awhile ago, and tonight as I feel such accomplishment of getting others excited about the race and in the midst of training for my marathon, it seems ever the more true. This is dedicated to runners out there who love it as I do, and can't imagine their lives without it.

A Runner's Dedication

I love to sweat.

I love to feel the pavement pound beneath my feet.

I love the early morning sun peeking over the horizon.

I love knowing I'm half way there.

I love thinking, God how I hate this!

It's a strange relationship we have, me and running. I've heard before there's a thin line that separates love and hate. That describes our partnership to a T.

The first mile sucks. Even when I'm in the best condition of my life, I struggle to find my rhythm, get control of my breath, and not curse out every step. Mile 2- everything settles in. The burning thighs quiet down. The stitch in my side knows now is the time to stop. My heart begins to find its groove. The endorphins start to do their job. Aw yeah, I'm liking this now.

Mile 3- We're fully committed now. If it's Monday, I'm happily headed back home. If it's Saturday, we've got a ways to go. That's ok though, because my old pal running and I, we're in it for the long haul now. We're working together, sweating together, and remembering why we found each other in the first place. My ever-present hard rock music pulsates through my headphones; inspiring me to go a bit faster, push myself a little harder. I pass landmarks I never thought I'd see when I first started out. I leave them in the dust like they were never there. See ya on the trip back home, yield sign. I continue to tick off the miles, my mind free and clear, thinking about nothing but the lyrics to the song that's playing. I mouth the words; maybe even sing a word or two aloud. Who cares, there's no one else around.

The sun climbs higher in the sky, and my clothes are officially soaked now. It's all good, it's all good. I'm on the road towards home. I can keep pushing a little more, a little faster, a little harder. Soon I'll be downing a cool powerade. Oh, that sounds SO good. Sweat drips into my eyes, I brush it away and focus on what I'm after. I turn onto my street, crank up the volume on my iPod, find my favorite motivational song, and give it all I've got.

This is why we stay together. We wouldn't know how to make it apart.

Running-- you rock.

Finding our Groove Thang

This weekend Anthony found his groove. It was absolutely hilarious... Sheramy was over, and we were singing an old 80's song called "Chains of Love" by Erasure. Apparently it inspired Anthony's inner dance god, because suddenly he started dancing to our off tune music, bouncing his knees up and down, getting down! We kept singing so I could capture the moment on video... check it out here: http://s218.photobucket.com/albums/cc190/cdimuzio/Videos/?action=view&current=dancing3.flv

These are the moments that make having a one year old priceless! We've also taught him to do some chores, as evidenced by the photo. Ok, just kidding, I don't have my one year old doing chores (yet)-- he willingly and wantingly grabs the broom and sweeps the floor. It's become one of his favorite things to do. Let's just hope that doesn't change!

So while Anthony was finding his groove to old 80's hits, I've been trying to get back into the mindset of Running Rules like I had after the half marathon. I've just been so unmotivated lately. It must be the heat. It's hard to be motivated to get outside when you know you're going to sweat two gallons by the end. Plus, I like running in the afternoon, and this heat makes that impossible. Treadmills are just BORING, though it's been good for me to adjust the incline and get some hill training in. Yesterday I did a 3 mile treadmill run in under 30 minutes, adjusting the incline from 1% up to 6%. I actually love the hill climbs, when I feel myself sliding to the back of the treadmill and huffing and puffing to keep from flying off the back... exhilarating! Yeah, I'm a weirdo, I know.

Got out with Erin for a 3 mile run at 7:00am this morning. Had to visit the facilities the whole time, so I was running with purpose to get back home. All in all not a bad run, but I was in a dead sleep when the dang alarm clock went off this morning, and thank goodness having a running partner is keeping me honest. I so would not have gotten out of bed otherwise!

Running diary this week:

6.25 mi Friday

3 mi treadmill w/varying inclines Sunday

3 mi Monday

In Health,

Chantel

Hey, Found Me!

Hey! I found me! I'm back. I took a little hiatus to try setting up a separate website. Here's a tip-- no matter what you hear to the contrary, designing a website is a big pain in the diaper and it costs too much money. Plus, I went through all this trouble, and it doesn't look any better than good ol' blogspot here. So here I am.

That's Anthony on the beach. Isn't he freaking ADORABLE?

I can't believe he's 15 months old now! It's crazy how fast time is flying. He walks (well runs, actually), talks, and is a little person now. His favorite things lately are crackers, his push car, and Choo-Choo Soul. I'd like to know where in the heck did my son get his Boston accent? He pronounces cracker like "crack-kah". That, along with "Cah" for car, makes me wonder where that's coming from. I've gotta get him saying "ya'll" and "grits" soon!

So, being that it's July already, now I really gotta start thinking about this marathon training. My friend Erin signed up a couple of weeks ago, so we're all in. It's nice to have a training buddy. Despite the Africa-heat (Erin's term) we've managed to get out a couple of mornings a week, BEFORE WORK, I might add, to get our run on. This morning my alarm went off at 6:00am and I was out the door by 6:30. Did 6 miles before running home, literally, and jumping in the shower to get to work. Is that dedication or what??

Now with everything I'm going to get Baby Boot Camp going, I'm less focused on this marathon, but it's not like there's not plenty of time still. I don't really need to officially begin training until September. Now I'm just trying to maintain my maximum long run of 6 miles, where I'm at now.

I'll be glad when Baby Boot Camp finally sends me my new jogging stroller. Mine currently smells like crap. I sh*t you not. When we came back from the pool the other day, apparently Anthony had a loaded diaper and managed to leave the smell as a souvenior in the fabric. I can't get rid of it!! It's driving me nuts. The dang thing smells like a dirty restroom. Imagine pushing that while you're running in the Africa-heat!

Well I'm happy to be back on blogspot and will do better about posting regularly. We're preparing to go to Atlanta for the 4th and then I'm going to be in Vegas for my first Baby Boot Camp conference. I'll be sure to report back on that event. It's sure to be a blast.

In Health,

Chantel