Reconnecting

Well, I have been a little disconnected the last few days.  No new post, no new run, no new workout.  I had a lot going on last week - new job, new classes, and the BF was out of town all week- so, five days without a run.  The funny thing is that I'm not upset about it.  Yesterday I thought about the reasons for not running.  I also reevaluated where I was fitness wise and why I started running to begin with.  I think I just needed to reconnect with running.  I'm still a beginner and for me that means running hasn't become a habit yet.  It isn't second nature for me to get my shoes on and go for a run regardless of what's going on or how I feel...yet.  I am still at a point where I can easily talk myself out of a run if I am not feeling up to it (or into it).  When this happened last week I got upset with myself but now I just feel like it's a part of becoming a runner- I am still learning to make running an integral part of my life.  I've still made a lot of progress over the last few months and I think my resolve is solid and I will keep improving.

Today was great.  My new office building has a little work out room so as soon as I got off I went down there and hopped on the treadmill.  I could definitely feel the five days of not running (or working out at all) but it felt great to get on the 'mill and get through the usual 2.5 miles.  My time was a little slower then it had been last week but not as bad as I thought it would be.  It just felt like I was back on track when I was done :).  I am very grateful to have that treadmill at work, I think that will help me on days that I am not feeling motivated to go out and run- no stopping by the house before the gym (or even changing my mind on the way to the gym)- it's there and there are no excuses to get out of running.  Just what I need :)!

I also did my weight training routine today.  This was great because I had only done it one day last week and my goal is to get two days a week in.  I could feel a bit more of a burn today but it was the good kind- like I was accomplishing something by lifting those weights.  I am hoping to get my second day in on Thursday.

I actually signed up for a challenge that Amanda at Run to the Finish is putting on.  The challenge is to commit to 3 changes for 30 days.  You get points by sticking with your changes (and a couple of other ways) and at the end she is having a giveaway for some great prizes.  I thought this would be a great way for me to get out of my slump.  My challenges are:
    1. Commit to lifting weights 2x/week (have been aiming for this for awhile but somehow only do it 1x/week)
    2. No eating after 7:30pm
    3. Upping my runs to 5 days a week (right now I am only averaging 2-3 and I would really like to start building mileage).
I think that this will be a great challenge and am looking forward to sticking with my changes :).  Make sure to check it out for yourself HERE.

Looking forward to a great week!

'Life is short.  Running makes it seem longer'
Baron Hansen