A new challenge!

I have been running! I swear to you all! I run everyday on my lunch hour 3 miles in about 25-27 mins and a lot of sweat! I shower really quick and return to my desk! (I then continue to sweat and eat my SmartOne). I rarely run outside right now, and I rarely go for a long run on Sunday, which has always been my goal. Luckily, my 15 miles has done some great things for me despite my shortfalls on terrain and long runs.

My regimented treadmill runs have done some amazing things for me!

1. I have build a tremendous base! It actually feels good.

2. Somehow along the way I began to get in control of calories consumed/portion sizes and finally dropped about 10 pounds that I had been carrying with me since the day after my wedding in July of 09 until about August of this past year! AMAZING!!

3. Mastering of the mental game-Have you heard this before? Running is 70% mental? Because I really believe it, and I feel like I have finally realized what it takes to somewhat overcome the mental blocks that keep me from changing into my running cloths and hitting the pavement (well in my case the treadmill).


Thank goodness for the good fortune of the a free field house with some great treadmills right across the street from my current cube. I know that I would not have made it through the past year or dropped some lbs without logging the daily miles.

But...all good things must come to an end. And I have a great announcement! I have taken a new job!

My new job is probably the greatest career move I could ever make. From what I know, the job will use my strengths instead of a daily grueling challenge to connect with my tasks. My new job is with a great team of seasoned mentors! My new job will help me grow in my passion.

My new job will require me to not sweat at my desk for half an hour after lunch, it will not include a daily hour lunch hour away from work, and will force me to sit in a car for about 2 hours a day.

So the other day was my birthday and I am dealing with the reality that I'm closer to 30 now than 25 every day that goes by...Don't worry Hubs reminds me all the time. And then I remind Hubs that he is older than me.

But in all seriousness I can't let the new job and old age interfere with my active running life. So I am making a new commitment to myself. I will run 15 miles a week.

It starts with a plan. I tied to mention to Hubs that I planned on starting to run outside more. Then he reminded me of 2 things...last summer when I ran outside a lot I ended up falling a lot. Yes, falling. Once in San Jose right before we moved back. Once on the Vegas strip. Once when I went for an awesome fall run around Reeds Lake (in Michigan). That was the end of outside runs for me, because I called Dave and asked him to come get me. That fall was actually an ankle sprain, and if you know me you know I have terrible ankles (like really really bad, had to have surgery once and was once in a wheel chair in middle school with two sprained ankles...it's a miracle I'm alive, ok not alive, but it is a miracle that I can run consistently, ask my orthopedic surgeon, I'm pretty sure he thought I would be a pudgy sedentary person for the rest of my life.)

So since then I've been running on the treadmill.

I wont have a free gym anymore :(. This is sad. I also won't have a dedicated lunch hour, as often my lunch time will be spent in meetings or possibly on the road.

But the new plan:
Run....inside maybe join a gym (near my house?) or maybe try to buy a fancy treadmill? That would be a dream! I checked out a local gym, and sent a little inquiry about cost, so we will see. Also my new employer has a drop in membership to a lovely facility for $3. This could be a good alternative if time permits at any point.

Also...I think I should really try that long run on Sunday thing. I used to play that game really well. So if I could make it to the gym 3 times a week for a 5K and then a 3rd time either outside or at the gym for 5-7 miles that would get me to my 15 miles! And the time commitment would be manageable.

Ok so as I plan to make a more detailed plan...I'll keep you updated.

My last day with the cube job across from the treadmill is October 7, so by then I need to have a new plan in place!