Scenic Saturday 4/27

I've decided that for every weekend run, I am going to find a new scenic place to run, and feature it on my blog. Hence: Scenic Saturday(sometimes it'll be Sunday).  I'm going to use this as a way to explore my new surroundings.  Some weeks I will be able to travel farther and hopefully find some great places to run.

This week I had an early morning haircut and style, and the weather wasn't the best so I'm keeping it simple:

Historic Olive Branch, MS.

The town is not far from where I live, but I have discovered some beautiful parks.

Today I am officially two weeks in to my Race Warrior training.  Today's workout: C25K 3.1. I found out that Historic Olive Branch hosts a Mayfest 5K on my birthday.  I may have to try and work that one in to my training schedule!  And to make my birthday even better, my mom and dad ordered me a Garmin Forerunner 110!  I am so excited! 

I'll leave you today with a picture of my new summer 'do.

What do you think?

I am open to suggestions for other places to explore for Scenic S-days.  I am willing to travel, no matter how far, I will give it a thought.  I am young, and I want to see and run as many places as I can, while I can. So suggest away!

LSD day

Today, I got up and decided to try an LSD day (Long Slow Distance). I initially set out to do one of my normal routes, but I got to the turn around point and decided I didn't want to turn around, so I took a back road that I knew would lead me back home. It was gravel road, and I was wearing my Kinvaras, bad idea. I ended up going 3.25 miles at my last 5k speed, then discovered I still had 2.5 miles to walk back home. It was refreshing because it was all back country roads, but I was extremely dehydrated because I hadn't prepared to go over 3 miles. Oh well. I feel better now! I feel like I have my old running self back. I took it easy the last couple days, and today the side stitch was almost non existent. I have another 5k next Saturday and I'm hoping I can make it a PR. I am definitely ready. Rest tomorrow, 3 miles Monday, strength Tuesday, 2 miles Wednesday, speed work Thursday, rest Friday, Race!

PS: I have officially graduated from the Couch to 5K program! :)

Week 9, Round 2

Today was terrible. I set out to do 3 miles, but at 1 mile I had to stop. I and the most excruciating side stitch I have ever had in my life. I've never had a problem with this before, so I listened to my body and stopped and walked for 5 minutes. Then my uncle stopped me and needed some help with something, so I helped him than ran back to my house, a little over half a mile, about 7 minutes. I think I am going to try and do another mile and a half tomorrow, then do day 3 on Saturday. I think this pain is being caused by me trying to run faster. I'm just going to take it easy.

WEEK 9

Ok. Final week of the Couch to 5k program. 3 miles, 3 days this week. Today was round one. It was pretty rough. I had to stop 3 times to stretch. Side stitch on both sides of my body. Mind you, I was really pushing myself, trying to get down to 11mm pace. That was probably a bad idea. That and it was 100% humidity. Yuck.

One big positive: I'm really starting to notice big changes in my body. Muscle definition in my shoulders, thighs and calves that I never knew I could have. All of my clothes fit loosely, even the ones I bought super tight. I'm even beginning to see some definition in my stomach, even though it's through a very thick layer of fat. It will be there when the weight comes off.

I'm beginning to realize the changes I'm making. It is going to be a long, rough journey, but I am ready.

End note: my brother has been trying to get me to ride bmx bikes with him... I don't know if you've ever experienced standing and pedaling on a bike with tiny, tiny sprockets... It's really hard, and is a good reminder of just how out of shape I am. It takes a lot of leg and ab strength. New cross training? Possibly.

Week 8... Oh boy

This is getting rough. I haven't seen any weight loss for over a week. I know I have to be patient, but it's hard. Also, my cousin got married on Saturday, and I did a little imbibing. Ok, a lot of imbibing. The hangover really threw me off, and has me aching all over. I went kayaking yesterday, but then we got Arby's. Which ended up not being as detrimental, but I can tell that the amount of alcohol I consumed on Saturday has affected my metabolism. My body just wants to curl up and sleep. Before it wanted to be active, so this is an unwanted feeling. Just gonna try and clear my head and keep it up.

Week 7: the Trail Run

So, it's week 7 now. No more intervals. Also, my cousin is home from North Carolina and wants to be my running buddy, but she only runs trails. I'm not talking paved bike trails, I'm talking old country farm four-wheeler trails. Lots of hills, lots of rocks. But what they heck, why not switch it up. Woke up early to beat the heat and headed out to the trails. I had rained, so it was wet, but it was really fun! It was a greet switch up from my usual road route. The only problem was that I can't keep track of distance in the woods. So, we just went by time. Running with a stronger runner also kept me pushing myself. I almost gave up on some of those rocky hills, but I had to keep going because she was still going. We also pushed each other for the last minute of time. It was a great workout. Can't wait for the next one!

My First 5K

So today I did it. I completed a couple of my goals. The biggest being my first 5k! I hadn't registered for the race, so I got there super early. My heart was in my throat with nerves as I signed the waver and got my bib and timer. Before the race I met my friend and her sister. I found a great starting place and waited for the starting whistle.

The announcer's voice could hardly be heard, so we were all unaware that the whistle was about to sound, and then it did. I started off at a pretty comfortable pace. I was able to maintain that pace through the whole race. Just around the one mile mark my legs were beginning to rebel and I couldn't help but think "oh my god, I have to go back." I don't know what kept me going, but my friend's signs definitely helped. As I rounded the final block, the timer said 39 minutes and I swore to myself that I would get under 40. I sprinted as fast as my legs would go. 39:27.1. Success!

It was an amazing experience. Random strangers cheering you on, telling you how great you are doing. Other racers pushing you to keep going. The energy on the street, the adrenaline. It's awesome. I can't believe I made it the whole way through. In high school, I couldn't run one lap around the track, and it took me 16 minutes to run a mile. Today I ran 3.1 miles at a 12:44mm pace. This is where my life starts changing, and now I feel comfortable calling myself a runner. Yes. I am a runner.

Week 5 Over!

I DID IT! I ran 2 miles without walking! I did it at a snails pace, 26mins, but I don't really care! I did it. This morning I woke upon so much pain from my intense strength training yesterday and the excruciating sunburn on my shoulders. I knew what I had to do, but I didn't think I could manage it, but I went out anyway. And I did it! I am so happy! Bring it on 5K! :D

Week 5, Day 2

So, today's workout was great. I thought it would be hard, and it was, but it wasn't so hard that I couldn't do it. What excites me about today is that 4 different people told me that I have inspired them to get in shape. 4 people. It made me so happy that I could inspire people to do what I'm doing and make themselves better. It's going to make me cry. Not only am I reaching my goals on step at a time, I'm helping others begin their own journey. And in today's increasingly out-of-shape, obese America, that is a huge deal. We don't have to be the world's fattest country. It feels good to be healthy, they don't just say that to make you work out! I feel hundreds of times beet now than I did a month ago. I have more energy, my clothes fit better, and my depression symptoms have all but disappeared. It truly is amazing. I'm so excited! My life is changing, and it is AWESOME!

5k in 38 days! Friday's workout; 2 miles without stopping. I got this.

Week 5(k)

It was so dastardly hot out today, but I got through that workout like it was cake... sweet, delicious cake. I was so uplifted after my race that I FINALLY registered for my first 5K! this is sup exciting for me! It make it all so real, like I am training for a reason now!

Here is the link the website to register for the race I am running, in case there is anyone reading who wants to run. http://www.bottleblue.org/RaceCranberry/Home.html
So I guess today I get to start a countdown! 40 days till the big day!

End of Week 4

That was the hardest workout so far, though I chose a harder route just to switch it up. The new shoes feel great! I can lift my feet higher because they are lighter, therefore improving my gait and stride. The only problem I have is the traction. The don't have much traction in small gravel, and I run on a gravel road for about a quarter mile each time I run. I just get over it though, because they are wonderful on the road.


I have been having some pain in my hip flexors recently. I think it stems from the workout DVDs, but I'm not certain. I am going to have to do some investigating.


Oh hey, guess what. I'm halfway to my first 5k. :)

The first mile

For the first time in my life, I ran an entire mile without stopping. This is huge for me. Yes, there were times I felt like stopping, my mouth got dry and I thought I was going to die, but I made it. I even went a little farther. 13.5 minutes without stopping. I can't even believe I did it. This makes me even more excited to complete 5k. :)

Week 3, Round 2

It was a little bit harder today. At about 14 minutes into the workout I felt like I wanted to die, but I pushed through. I even ran 3 minutes extra before my cool down (but I owe that to 'Fantasia on the Dargason).

It is good to see that I have inspired my older neighbors. I saw an older man walking about halfway through my loop, then at the end of my loop, he was back to his house. He was amazed that I had run the whole 2 mile loop in the time it took him to go .25 miles. Hopefully I've inspired him to do something positive for his health.

Oh, and note to self: no more loose shorts for running. They just get in the way.

Starting off on the right foot

So. I graduated from college. Bachelor's of Science in Education. In search of the perfect job, or I guess any job would be fine. My life is at a stand still and I've decided to take matters into my own hands.

Since high school I've wanted to be a runner. Some of my best friends are runners and I have found myself envious onf their energy and spunk. I enjoy jogging, yet have struggled to find the motivation to overcome the hurdled of long term training, until now.

I have always been very overweight, but with the help of online resources such as prevention.com and loseit.com and the Couch to 5k running program, I am going to reach my goals; my biggest goal being to run a 5K with my close friend Thrish.

In the last 4 weeks, I have lost 13 pounds and have been working out every day. Tomorrow I start week 3 day 1 of C25K program. Starting now, I am going to use this site to inform the world of my progress and vent my frustrations, just in case anyone cares or could take inspiration from my journey. If I can do this, anyone can!