Running partners...

I have always been nervous to run with someone. Afraid that I will slow them down, afraid that they will think I am foolish, afraid of what I will look like.... the list could go on and on. Throughout my running "career" I have found inspiration from friends, mainly on facebook. High school friends that run, relatives, strangers, whoever..... This weekend I decided to change my run to Saturday. There had been talk of snow coming on Sunday and I really didn't want to do 10 miles on the treadmill. And Saturday's forecast was beautiful!!!! I posted on FB that I was planning my run, and a HS friend said she would like to meet at some point. I got nervous and excited and we agreed to meet at a local pizza place. Sandra is a lifetime runner. And more importantly, one of the coaches (maybe the only) of track/cross country teams at Catonsville High School, the school we went to together. Simply put, she is awesome. Has two kids and looks FANTASTIC!!!!! We met up and started our loop around Arbutus. I wasn't sure how it was going to work, but I quickly discovered Sandra can talk while she runs! I found this amazing, cause I cannot. Lol. We talked.... well I take that back, she talked. I talked a little. My favorite thing.... Sandra said "I am a spitter" I said "Don't spit on me" She warned me to stay on her right. Ahhhhh..... We ran roughly four miles together. As we parted I missed her! I put my ear buds back in, but man she was such a motivator! I slowed down significantly and even walked a little. But in the end, I ran 10 miles in 1:43:52 and I learned a big lesson. Running with a partner rocks!!!! I hope to catch up with Sandra on future runs, and will soak up all her coaching!!!!!

Poor Choices.....

Ugh. Tonight I could barely run on the treadmill. I was so slow, and felt like I was going to throw up at any time. I know why though. My food choices have been AWFUL! I have been eating out alot again, and eating out more and more and more. And not drinking all the water I used to. Drinking regular soda. Eating snacks at night. Ugh. Oh, and don't even get me started on the candy I have eaten. Ugh.

So, I am going to write some simple rules for me to follow.

1. Breakfast = Protein drink
2. 1 Salad a day.
3.Dinner = Protein and Veggie. No starch.
4. Snacks in between. Fruit/nuts/protein.
5. NO EATING AFTER 7PM.
6. Water. Water. Water. Stop the soda.
7. Bring lunch to work 4 days a week.

Friday - Eat dinner out.
Saturday - Carb load day.
Sunday - Long run day.

Come on Mary. You've worked hard at this. You deserve to treat yourself better!

Updates

This past Sunday I did the Penguin Pace 5k, which was a great run. The beginning was downhill, and even though I had never run the race, I quickly figured out we would be going back up the hill in the last mile! I still had a PR despite the hills, and finished in 28:29. I am not sure when my next 5k will be, but I am hoping the next one will be under 28.

I have been adding more races to my schedule for 2012. I am excited about many of them!!!!! Heres what it looks like so far....

Feb 5, Penguin Pace (completed)
April 1, Cherry Blossom 10 miler (so excited about this one!)
April 29, Iron Girl Half
May 6, Frederick Half
June 16, Baltimore 10 miler
July 4, Arbutus firecracker 10k
August, Falls road full moon run
September 22, Color run w/family
October 13, Baltimore Marathon Woot woot!
November, Zoo zoom 8k
November, CHS Turkey Trot 5k
December 15, Celtic Solstice 5 miler

Possibly some other's to come!!!!!!