Morning Motivation (or lack thereof)

Morning Motivation (or lack thereof)

Its never easy getting out of bed during the 5 o'clock hour, but I've managed to do it many times, most of the time since I've been running. But this morning I did not want to get out of bed. All I could think about was sleep and coffee. I know training for a half marathon during the winter will not be the easiest time to do so. But training for a half marathon is not easy, regardless of the time of year. Being from the deep-deep south, the gulf coast, I do not know how to handle the cold. Can I run if it's snowing? What about ice? (that's a death trap, right?) And its dark for most hours during the winter! I was looking at a picture I took during a summer run...it was a sunset... and it was taken around 8 pm. I need sunshine. Of course, my minor cold does not help with my energy. I'll blame not getting up this morning on that. And I'll try to wake up early again tomorrow. For now, I'll drink my coffee, cook some nice warm eggs, and keep my slippers on.

And what about rain? Some mornings I wake up and it's raining. Ugh. It may be raining the day of the half marathon and I will run! But when you haven't paid to run and it's super early and you have no more bananas to eat, pre-run... it's just hard. Oh well, I can always run tonight.

When I do manage to wake up early and run I love it. And when I'm struggling a little I remind myself:

1. I always feel better after a run
2. I will have to rest of the day to do whatever I need to do
3. I can be lazy tonight (after I put the kids to bed, clean up...)

 Do wake up early to exercise? How do you stay motivated?

Half Marathon, Here I Come!

I was thinking that 2016 would be the year I would run a half marathon. I thought I would train for a 10k first. But when a friend approached me about doing a half marathon, I threw caution to the wind and said yes! I have been running consistently since March 2015, so I know my body can handle it (with some aches and pains, I'm sure). And I am totally ok with walking! Just because you sign up to run a half marathon, doesn't mean you have to actually run the whole time. In 2009 I walked a marathon distance with Avon 2-day walk for Breast Cancer. I did not walk the second day due to soreness and emotions. So I know if I can walk a marathon distance I can complete a half marathon!

We're following the Hal Higdon half marathon novice schedule (training schedule). There's cross training and some strength training days, as well as long run days. So far, the furthest we've run is 4.5 miles. If you're trying to get 10,000 steps a day... you'll almost complete that with this distance. I'm looking forward to being in great shape and hope to lose a little bit more weight.

 I will be running with some friends and we're running the Flying Pig half marathon in Cincinatti, OH. I'm excited for this journey and the challenge. I enjoy running and I can't wait to really push myself. Stay tuned for the excitement and complaining that is to follow : )

Return to Blogging/ Resolutions

I'm making a return to blogging! I have really missed writing, regardless of how many people are reading my blog. Since it is the beginning of a new year, I will list my resolutions for a few different areas of my life. First, my three main goals for the year: run more, read more, write more. Also, have some specific motherhood goals.

Motherhood:

1. Try to be more patient
2. Play with my kids more/ carve out specific time to be available to them
3. Do more individually with each kid.

Other 2016 goals (I prefer goals to the word “resolution”):

1. Watch less TV

• I have always been a TV junkie, however I do not want my kids to be this way. I know the only way they are going to think to pick up a book instead of watch TV is if that's what they see. Lead by example, right? We try to have music on during the day, and not always a TV show. But at night, when they go to bed and I've done my “chores,” its my go to activity. I'm hoping to take one night off of TV a week.

2. Eat less sugar

• I know sugar is not the best thing for you... and I am addict. I love sweets! And white rice and regular pasta. Carbs, sugar, carbs, sugar, mmmm. But I know to run more, my body needs better nutrients. I need to try brown rice. I'm writing this as I'm having a yummy biscuit, mmm.

3. Blog more!

• I have missed writing. After my first child was born I started a blog, and then I got pregnant, we moved, we moved again, and I had a second child. With a toddler and a baby, it was hard to do anything for myself. Now that I have a 3 year old and a toddler (still crazy busy), I'm starting to get a control on things (for now).