7 Miles

I am not kidding you, people, this was the easiest run I have had YET in my training. I was like, no problem 7 miles. I really love this program that I'm doing because I think it really works. It takes your goals, how much time you have and gives you training days that pay off. Otherwise, I know I wouldn't feel this wonderful...it's just super awesome. I'm starting to see that they key to the training are the pace runs. The pace runs don't have high mileages, but twice a week I run in interval paces for 2-3 miles, next week it will bump up to 3-4, but the point is those speed intervals make the long run on Wednesday like NOTHING.

If you're interested in this training program, it's called FocusNFly and the web address is www.focusnfly.com

I swear by this. I started the program only being able to run 2-3 miles at a time and today I just ran 7 miles. I'm so excited!!

I think that ANYBODY can do this. I have asthma and not just mild asthma, I use controller medication and emergency inhalers from time-to-time. I'm not saying that other conditions won't prevent people from training like I am, but I am making a point that with the proper training, an average person without major medical conditions could really DO this.

(Sorry, I'm a little amped up...must be the long-run endorphins, lots of coffee, and I'm seeing Star Wars live in concert in about 3 hours)

Training for a long race is hard, yes, however the benefits outweigh all the reasons not to. Here are some benefits I've seen so far:

1. I have already seen my wheezing get better after and during exercise. Granted, I still use two puffs of albuterol before every run, but that seems to do the trick. Before training, I sometimes would use my inhaler after climbing a flight of stairs...this doesn't happen to me anymore

2. I can eat more carbohydrates! Especially on long run days. I love this benefit. My diet is so much more fulfilling and yummy because of my running habits now.

3. Holiday weight gain is just not an issue anymore. Training in the winter is a great way to not only keep the pounds off from cookies and frivolity, BUT it also...

4. Keeps ya happy. With all that running, I have endorphins like crazy. On top of the craziness and sadness of life, running helps maintain a source of endorphins that is consistent.

5. Routine! I have such an organized daily routine because of my runs. It's great for people who are in school, like me, so that I can stay on task, on time, and just more focused.

6. Spiritual. I know it sounds cheesy, but I have started to pray more, think about my actions, and feel more connected to God. It may be because I have like an hour on the treadmill with just my music and my thoughts, but I also think it has to do with discipline and the excitement of making myself better in a way. I don't want that to sound strange, but since I've been running, I feel more self-confident and proud of what I'm doing...I think this also goes hand in hand with nurturing my heart and soul.

Connected to running or not, I'm trying to be more understanding this Christmas season. Recently, I've found myself yelling at inanimate objects. For example, when I check my email and there are no emails, I am literally angry at my inbox...or...construction signs when I have to drive a different way...or...the door behind which the professor who teaches before me takes too long to leave the classroom and I don't have time to get ready to teach...or...yelling at other cars because they can obviously hear through glass...or...the television when a dumb commercial comes on and I just say something rude or make fun of it...you get the idea. Some of these things are funny and none of them really are that bad, HOWEVER I get worked up over nothing and that's just not worth it. So I'm trying to calm down and use some understanding and common sense when it comes to inanimate objects. :)

I'll end on that. No run tomorrow...it's a day of rest. Run on Friday!

Later!!

Erin