So I'm reading....

Yep, whenever I start something, I've got to find something to read. I found this book , Running for Mortals, by John "the Penguin" Bingham. I'm found this book after reading a quote Jim left in a comment. First of all, the quote was so good, "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.", that I had to look up the runner himself and found his situation to be much like mine: at 43, he found that he needed to do something about his health and started running (in a nutshell-- it's much better in his words). I was also inspired to read it by the title. I don't have a lot of claims to "fame", but I can say without doubt I am mortal. His co-author, Jenny Hadfield, is also inspiring and has given me some new things to think about. She's involved with things like adventure racing which sounds intriguing and exciting. I don't know if I'll ever get there (who knows), but the idea is so cool. I think the fun of reading this book and running in the Shamrock Sportsfest is figuring out that there really is fun and rewarding exercise out there for adults to take part in, outside of some organization (namely school). The motivation, fun, and rewards in organized competition does not have to end with graduation from high school (as it did with me) or college. In many ways, I've had to admit to myself lately, I am extrinsically motivated. This was a really difficult reality because I've always had a belief that the intrinsically motivated are more noble, but I've come to realize that that attitude has made me miss out on some really good things in life. Like most things, finding a balance between the two is essential. I'm really motivated by participating with other people-- even if I don't expect to be "in the public winner's circle"; I'm really happy being in my own circle-- but I do like being "out there" running for that goal with others good, bad, and indifferent. I was really jazzed when the start horn went off and I moved off in the mass of thousands of runners and walkers to finish the course. A thrill I look to repeat because, honestly, it is more motivating then some seemingly far off goal of "good health" and the loss of 50 pounds, which may as well be a million!

I'll be back later with more thoughts spawned from this book....

I am a machine!!!!

Yes, tonight I went on a three mile run and beat my really slow average of 13:30 with each successive mile. : ) 12:25, 12:00, and 11:53. I felt like a lean, mean running machine. I was breathing in and out so smoothly, my arms were pumping with percision, and my feet were lighter than air. The moon was high in the sky and the temps perfect. It truly was a thing of beauty.....

Some May be Wondering.....

about the numbers behind my run.  How long did it actually take me to run the 8K? I ran (yep, had to walk a little) in 1 hour and 7 minutes.  A pretty slow mile at 13:32, but I finished and under my 1:15 goal. There were 7,000 runners and I came in 4037, or somewhere around there.  From there the numbers (like age group, female) are bleak and I prefer not to look at them.  I do have a little pride!  I hear there's another 8k in June sometime.  I think I'll see if I can sign up and improve those numbers a bit because, after all, October 19th for theRamblin Rose Mini-Triathlon is a long way off and I need to keep up my motivation!

I did it! I really did....and I got the medal, too.

So there it is: the medal.  I have to say it was fabulous to cross the finish line and get handed a medal, just for finishing.  Where else in life do you get that?  I love it!  I'm ready to sign up for the next one.  But truly,  I did more than just finish.   I kept up a physical exercise program for four months. I persevered through the frustration of not losing weight, even though I was exercising.  I persevered through feet that hurt and sweat dripping in places that I don't care to mention.  I talked to myself a lot, but with purpose and effectiveness.  I have grown to love running...on most days, and I enjoy the fact that I seem to breathe much more deeply than I ever have....and I'm sure that has benefits somewhere.  It is great to go out at the end of the day and run under the stars or the early morning before most people are up.  I look forward to continuing the journey and getting up early with my family  on some other day to go to a race -- even if there isn't a medal at the end.  In fact, I'm so excited that I signed up with my cousin to run a mini-triathlon in Chapel Hill, NC in October.  Not only because I'm excited about staying fit but because I know that without a goal ahead of me I'll too easily slip back into my sluggardly ways-- despite my new found love.  Admittedly, while I love the running for all the above reasons and more...our couch is really really comfortable!