The New Year so far!

I've been tracking my food intake and staying within my calorie range. So far so good. I've lost 2 lbs so far!

Last Thursday, my sister Lisa calls and asks me if I want to do a 10K put on by the Dallas Running Club with her. Mind you, I haven't been running on a consistent basis. So, of course, I said "Sure!" I went ahead and signed up with the Dallas Running club because for a small fee, you can do 8 races free per year!

The 10K that we did was the Frigid Run. It was a mess. There were about 900 runners and 4 computers. Race was supposed to start at 8am. They kept saying "20 more minutes!" "20 more minutes" About 9:45am, they said again "20 more minutes!" and by this point, we just wanted to go. They warned us that it wouldn't be timed but no one cared. They said "Go" and off we went.

Since they weren't timing us, my sister ran with me. I'm much slower than her and it was good running with her. The first couple of miles were tough but soon after, I got into a groove. I did stop to get water. Then we crossed that weird concrete bridge that I crossed during my half marathon. When I crossed it during the half, I thought something was wrong because it was moving!! My sister said to run on my tippy toes and that helped. Plus, I knew what to expect. About the half way point, we met these 2 ladies and chatted with them. Neat to meet new friends during a run!

We crossed the finish line at 1:17 but my sister's watch said 1:16. I'll take it! This will be my starting point.

My goal for this year is to try to do a race a month.

Feb:

DRC 5 miler 2/1 ?? (not sure yet)

March:

Dash Down Greenville 3/17

April:

Not sure yet

May:

Heels and Hills Half marathon 5/8

American Heroes 5/28 (this is with my Moms of Multiples Group)

That's all I have for right now!

I found out through my new running group that if you sign up for the Mellew Incentive program, you can win free entries or other free stuff! You have to watch their web page and they'll tell you to email them and the first 10 gets a free entry (or whatever).

And, I won a free entry to a race (lower than a half)!!

http://www.mellew.com/index.php

I'm thinking that it would be fun to do the Dadfest and maybe get my dad to do it. We'll see!

2011, The Year I Transformed

I posted my goals for 2012, but I'd like to look back at the past year. Partly because I hear all the time how people start out running but don't like it. Or, that they couldn't possibly do a 5K or a half marathon.

I've been running for a few years but nothing really serious. I'd do a 5K here and there. But, that was the extent of it.

I started running as part of my exercise routine; to lose weight. I found that setting a goal, helps me to be motivated. So, my sister Lisa and I decided to do the Dash Down Greenville. That was a fun race and it was HUGE!!

Here is me almost to the finish line

I really enjoyed racing and having my sister there (even though she is MUCH faster than me). Just something inside me ignited, that I LOVED doing races. It wasn't more of being competitive with others, but being competitive with myself. Could I beat my time? What can I do better? Plus, I loved the swag and t-shirts that we got for signing up. So, we decided that we would try to do a race every month, and we'd switch cities. One month, we'd do a race in the Dallas area and then another month, we'd do another one close to me.

So, since we did the Dash Down Greenville in Dallas, we'd do one close to me. We did the Mad Dash in Cedar Hill. This was a smaller race, just for women.

The next race we did was a night time race. We did the Firefly Run in Plano. Also a crowded race. I didn't have a good race that day. I fell at the beginning of the race. At first, thought I sprained my ankle. I was about to be transported back to the front but I decided I'd continue on. I couldn't bear the thought of quitting. My time sucked but I was happy that I finished.

Here's my unexpected souvenir from that race

I think about this time, Lisa and I were talking about doing a half. The thought was overwhelming, but I thought about it. I decided to go and and go for it and see what happens!

I also found a running group to take part of. Met some amazing runners and people. Unfortunately, when the kids started school, and my husband not getting home til late. I couldn't go anymore. Then our car situation happened, and we're down to one car.

August, we did the Historic Reach in Waxahachie. A pretty good race, not too big.

I didn't do anymore races and focused on training for the half in November.

And finally, my last race was the Reindeer Dash here in Midlothian, which was another night race.

I feel that this year was the year that I turned into a "serious" runner. I run because I *LIKE* to run. And it took me a few years to really get to this point. I've also met new running friends that I know will keep me motivated. I can't wait to get to know them better throughout this year.

I'm looking forward to 2012! Now I just have to figure out my race schedule! I'd like to do a race every month but that depends on finances.

I hope that those of you who want to run, find it enjoyable and rewarding as I do. It may not be right away but give it time.