Well, since I let the secret out last week, I figured that I should continue to update anyone who is interested on how my running is going.  Jason ran a 10K race on Saturday, and I took the boys to find him on the course and wave to him, and then we met him at the finish line.  He did so well!  I was so proud of him.  :-)  (Because my husband rocks!)  In addition to feeling proud, though, I also felt motivated.  If he is already running 10K races in under an hour, I need to get myself in gear and get working on my training.

Between my post last week and his great time in the race, I had the extra motivation I needed last night to complete my 3rd workout of the week.  Generally, I run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or Saturday depending on our weekend schedule.  Monday’s run went pretty well.  I ran about 1.5 miles, and then I took a short walking break before I finished the last mile.  Wednesday was TERRIBLE!  I’m not sure what happened.  I felt tired almost as soon as I started running, and I only made it to about 1.75 miles before I ended up walking the rest.  Ugh, it was disappointing and frustrating.  Then, on Saturday, we went to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law’s house for my niece’s fourth birthday.  We got home late, and I had a greasy piece of yummy pizza for supper followed up by some birthday cake and ice cream.  I was pretty sure that Saturday’s run was going to mirror the one I’d had on Wednesday, but I decided to give it a try (as spurred on by the 2 previously mentioned motivators!).  I ran the first mile and a half at my usual pace of 4.2 miles per hour.  Then, since I was feeling good, I decided to run the next half mile at 4.5.  I went back down to 4.2 for .75 miles, and then I did the last .25 miles at 4.5.  I was really happy about that run.  I felt good while I was doing it.  I ran the entire distance.  I increased my speed a little, and I made my goal!

After that run, I decided that I needed to get serious about making a plan.  Jason had used the Hal Higdon 10K running plan for his race yesterday.  He felt like it prepared him well, and he was quite satisfied with it.  I decided to (again) follow his lead, and starting a week from tomorrow, I’m going to start that plan, too.  I’m a little nervous about it, but I’m hoping that things will progress gradually from here on out.

Since my other post, I’ve had a few people visit with me about running.

“Doesn’t it make your feet hurt?”  Surprisingly, no.  In the beginning, I had hoped it would so I would have an excuse to quit.

“I’ve tried running, but I just don’t enjoy it.”  I started running in June.  I definitely did not enjoy it in the beginning.  I’m not quite sure I would say that I enjoy it now either, but I can say that it does feel good.  It makes me feel strong and, I know it’s good for me.

I’m not saying that everyone should run or that I’m for sure going to be able to run the half marathon in May, but I do think that there’s something to be said for making a goal and sticking with it even if it is *very* much outside your comfort zone.  That’s essentially my goal.  I think the 13.1 miles are secondary.