I am super excited about my very first race ever....I am nervous, very nervous but excited. I know 2 miles is nothing for many folks, and I can easily walk 2 miles... I can probably do it in 30 to 32 minutes comfortably... but to know I have to finish in under 30 minutes seems like a bit of pressure for me. I am scared! I don't know why... I know I can do this, right? Surely I can? I just have never ran one of these things and I really don't know what to expect or what not to.
I got a new watch yesterday. A very expensive new watch. Garmin Forerunner 610, which is a touchscreen watch to help me train and hopefully be a better runner. I LOVE IT! My first run was only 1 mile last night in the frigid weather to try the watch out, but I set the program to run 2 minutes and walk 1 minutes and I finished the mile in 12:34 min/mile which is actually a really good mile for me. Now that being said, I felt a few of the runs were too long for me as I am beginning and I was really struggling and this was only 1 mile last night and I have to do 2 today... so I have set the alarm to tell me to walk 1 min and run 1 min and I am hoping this will be a 13 min pace for the 2 miles and will help me finish the race under the 30 min. I love that my watch can do this for me! It also has a virtual partner and virtual race setting to try to help me train to beat myself.
I am experiencing some discomfort as any one who is learning and beginning to run and push themselves might. I have a nagging heel pain on my Left foot that is really bothering me but it isn't horrible pain, just feels badly bruised. I have a shin or something issue on my Right leg and it flares up from time to time... but most of these are from not taking rest days, see I am learning. Even with baby steps I need to rest some to keep from over doing it and when I allow myself rest time I feel better on my next run. I also found what they call "super feet" inserts for my shoes (even though my shoes were new and properly fitted, I invested in some inserts because the folks at Fleet Feet recommended them for my two lil' issues. I will say I got them yesterday and did that one mile run last night without a single discomfort (other than the normal pushing myself when I am tired and the clock says to run and I just want to walk.. yeah, other than those times).
So I may have spent a shit ton of money over the last month (Treadmill $600, Shoes $140, Inserts $45, Socks $20, Watch $350, Clothes $200, $95 Training)... I think all the money I spent will inspire me to continue, help me to reach my goal, or make me go broke one. HAHA! I think knowing I feel better, and I am seeing progress helps me justify the crazy spending spree I have been on lately. It is wonderful to know that I have a man in my life who is 100% supportive of me and my goals and encourages me to reach them and do so by whatever means I may need to even if it is spending a shit ton of money. I do feel like all my expenses are over with, now its just the miles that I need to travel to continue to improve. I will need new shoes periodically and maybe new socks and new inserts oh and clothes lol nevermind this will always cost money as everything in life does, but at least this hobby and this money is going toward my health. Some may say I am crazy to spend it, but you know nothing was bought on credit all paid for in full by hard working money (rather it was mine or Thomas' lol I told you he is super good to me), so no need to feel bad about it. Yes maybe I could buy my kids something and spoil them more than they are already or maybe I can sit and enjoy the fact that I can put me first and spoil myself to make me a stronger healthier woman. I am going on 36 and maybe by the time my Birthday gets here I will be stronger and feel better than I have in over 5 years physically, that would be an awesome gift for myself and my family... so be it a crazy spending spree or not, I am exercising daily now and I was just a measly old couch potato who dreaded doing any form of actual exercise. I enjoy it now! So, this is a shout out to Thomas for allowing me all the luxuries in life that I would otherwise be deprived of and for being so supportive in me no matter what it is I want to do. I am very grateful and know how blessed I am.
Now... on to my big run today! ACK! It helps to know he will be there rooting me on and encouraging me! I can do this! :)
