Running with Christmas Vacation

I love my running app.  Not only does it keep up with my miles and pace...but it also posts on Facebook for me when I'm out on a run.  If anyone makes a comment on my run, the app will read them too me.  Often I get comments like, "Run like you stole it."  This week, however, my friends Holly and Tony decided they wanted to entertain me while I ran.

I Love Streaking...

Today is my 9th day of streaking...just not that kind of streaking

So far, I've run 8 of the 9 days.  (Yes, I broke the streak on day 4.  It was a Sunday and I just forgot to run.  When I remembered it was 8 at night and I was in the middle of my second piece of pizza...oops.)  I decided the next day I would start all over and ignore my miss.  I wasn't going to let one little mistake keep me from meeting me goal for the rest of the month.

It's Only a Mile...Or Is It?

The mile.  Ever runner knows the mile.  Some love it, and some hate it.  

During my "career" as a runner the mile has had different meanings to me.  During my first couple of runs I never thought I'd be able to run a mile.  Heck, I could barely run for a minute.  How was I ever going to run long enough to cover a whole mile?  I even drove a mile in my car to check the distance.   It just seemed crazy.

Then one day, it happened.  I actually ran a mile.  After training for what felt like forever (really only about 2 months) I ran a mile.  I was a miracle. Before I knew it I was up to 2 miles and then 3. 

It's amazing how over time you perspective changes. Recently I was on a long run and told myself, "Only one more mile."  Only one...like it's no big deal. Just around the corner (or two or three). I would never have said "Only one more mile" way back at the beginning. 

Starting today I'm going to look at a mile a little differently. From Thanksgiving through New Year's Day I'm committing to run at least one mile each day. That's 35 straight days of running. At least 35 miles. I usually only run every other day...so this will be a challenge. 

This morning I started my "streak" by running 4 miles around the base of Stone Mountain. I can't think of a more beautiful place to run. It was a cold, cold, cold morning...thank goodness is was sunny!  

Now that I've put it in writing for the world to see I can't give up. It's the start of something new...for 35 days at least. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Let Me Introduce Myself

Hello! I'd like to introduce myself.  My name is the Random Runner.  You may have heard of me...I used to write a blog about my running...or sometimes the lack thereof.

Lately you may have noticed that I haven't been blogging...but you may not know I haven't been running much either. Yep...that's why I'm the random runner.

Miracles Really Do Happen!

Saturday wasn't just a good running day...it was a MIRACULOUS day.  I did something I never thought I'd do...I earned my first running medal.  Now this wasn't a finisher's medal...the type everyone who crosses the finish line gets.  Nope...this was a real honest to goodness medal I earned.  Well...kinda.  Here's my story:

In an effort to get in my October race I needed to run this weekend.  Last weekend we were out of town and I have conflicts the next two weekends...so that meant this was the only weekend available.  The only problem is that there weren't many races to choose from...without driving a couple of hours. I finally found a race that was close to me.  I had trouble finding it, because it wasn't well advertised, but I finally found the Benevolent Charity Fund Stamp Out Poverty 5k.  

Old Runner's Blessing

No...I'm not really old (even though I'm not young either) and I'm only a "random" runner.  But, I had a little time to think during my run yesterday. This is what happens when I run 8 miles and have 90 minutes with nothing to think about.

That's right...I stepped it up yesterday and ran a full 8 miles. Why?  Because I felt good. Because the weather was wonderfully cool. Because I need to work towards my goal of 10 miles. Because I haven't felt the need to take Advil lately. 

Embracing the Randomness

September is over.  It was both a good AND bad month for running. The month started with very little time to run, and ended with me breaking records. Times like this is why I'm the RANDOM runner.

So...here's what I did manage to accomplish in September:

October Marathon Goals

October is here!!!  I'm looking forward to possibly getting a peak at fall...cooler temperatures and lower humidity.  We don't really have fall here in Georgia, but I'll take any relief from the summer heat I can get.

October is also the month of the Joggermom Marathon. (Read more about it here.)  Now that the event is starting I need to decide what my goals will be.  I could just go out and run...but I do that every month.  I've decided to set a few goals to make the month more challenging.

Race for Education

First...I think I may need to change the name of this blog.  What do you think about the "Random Blogger?" I guess I just couldn't call myself the Random Runner if I ran (or blogged) too regularly.

Moving on...
Saturday I ran in the Race for Education...a local race sponsored by Central Georgia Technical College.    You may remember that my goal for the next 12 months is to run at least one race (a 5k or more) each calendar month.  That took care of my September race.  I know what you're thinking...I waited until the VERY LAST weekend of the month to race.  Between soccer, cub scouts and when races were available this was the best race for me.

My New Obsession

A few months ago I told you about my love of  running shorts.  Really, it's an obsession.  Well, I've discovered an new obsession:  running headbands.

I used to run with a narrow little headband, but that didn't keep my long bangs from flopping around and bothering me. Very annoying.  My next solution was a hat.  I love my dri-fit hat...it keeps my hair out of my way and wicks the sweat off my forehead.  So much better!

10k Baby!!!

I wasn't planning on posting today...but I had an epic run. Not a good run, not a great run...an EPIC run.

For starters, I woke up to a beautiful 63 degree morning. That's a whole 10 degrees cooler than my last run. It's amazing the difference that makes. Second, Monday's run had been record breaking in many ways. I was sure today's would be even better.

A Day of Firsts

Today was a great running day.  Some days are good, others are bad...but today was great.  I love starting the week off with a good run.  It makes me feel strong, it makes me feel confident, it makes me feel like I can conquer the week ahead...and it makes me feel tired.  Once I finish this post and take a nice power nap...then I'll be ready to conquer the week.

Today I did something I've never done before...I ran my first virtual race.  (Click here to learn more about virtual races)I know I told you before I signed up for a virtual marathon...well that one's coming up in October.  This was another virtual race I found through one of my Facebook running groups...and the race that opened my eyes to the grand, exciting world of virtual running.

He Said What?!?

Today I had a doctor's appointment. It started out like usual...weight, height, blood pressure, sit in the cold little room in my underwear, etc. Soon the doctor came in and it was time to get the appointment under way. Next the doctor wanted to listen to my heart and lungs.

After listening to my heart for a moment he had a strange look on this face. That's when he asked is I ever exercise. I told him I run 2-3 times and bike 1-2 a week (that's probably a little stretch...but we can keep that secret between us). The concerned look left his face, and he responded, "You have a slow hearts beat like an athlete."

August Adventures

Another month has come and gone.  August is always one of my favorites because the kids head back to school (though I didn't like part when I was a kid) and it's my Birthday.  The start of school means the start of scouts, dance class and sports.  It's been a marathon month...in more ways than one.  Here's what I did  in August:

It's My Birthday

When I moved to Georgia two years ago I was not running.  At all.  I ran a race on May 1st, and then stopped for a while because of knee pain.  Before we moved in July I only ran once or twice.  Once we moved I didn't even think about running.  If you've ever moved cross country, you know how hectic it can be.  If you haven't trust me...it's a circus.  Getting the kids started in school while living in temporary housing, closing on a house after leaving one state, closing on a new house, dealing with financing people from some unknown location...and so on and so on.  There is no time to run, or think about running, or take a shower.

Once we moved into our new house and I got a majority of the junk stuff unpacked I decided it was time to start running again.  I chose lace up my shoes and hit the road on my Birthday.  What better day for a new beginning?  

Mid-State Classic

Saturday night was the Mid-State Classic...a 5k race organized by the Warner Robins High School Cross  Country Team.  Cross country...yep...these guys know how to run.

Even though I posted on Friday that I was running I put off registering until I showed up at the race.  My toe was multiple shades of purple (I have pictures but I'll spare you) and there was rain in the forecast.  I've always said I'm a fair weather runner.  This race was taking place at the fair grounds...and I wanted good weather.

It's Race Time

I

Summer is coming to a close...and that means race season is upon us.  There aren't too many races in the summer...it's just too hot around here.  Soooooo...I'm kickin' in back into gear tomorrow night at the Mid-State Road Race.

It's been a couple of months since my last race...but fortunately I've become a stronger runner since then.  I just hope the nightly rain stays away...because I'm not a rainy weather kinda runner.

The Random Runner's Guide to Becoming a Runner

I know I once said that I really have now clue what I'm doing when it comes to running...and that any advice I give should be taken with a grain of salt.  Well...it's advice time.  When I started this blog I had several friends you mentioned they've thought about running, but just never got the urge to start.  I'm hoping this post will give you the know-how (and hopefully some motivation) to get out there and become a runner too.

This post is based on my experiences, as well as some other "not so random" runners that I know.  In other words...this is based on people who know what they are talking about.

A Rain-Filled Furlough Friday

Yesterday morning it started raining.  Since then there have been a few moments of no rain, but it's mostly alternated between a nice gentle sprinkle and raining cats and dogs. As I've said before...I'm more of a perfect weather runner.  A small sprinkle doesn't bother me, if fact, it feels kinda good.  Rain on the other hand...I avoid like the plague.

I decided that since it was raining (hard) I would head up to base and run on the treadmill at the gym.  As soon as I pulled into the long line going through the gate I remembered it's furlough Friday.  That means the gym annex is closed, and there are limited hours at the main gym.  When you add the rain into the mix it means there were a LOT a people there today.

Medals, and Medals, and Medals...Oh My!

Several weeks ago I told you that I registered for a virtual marathon, the Joggermom Marathon Cancer Run 2013.  This is my first virtual run...and I'm pretty pumped.

Today I was looking at Facebook and I found a group for virtual races, called Virtual Runs!.  That's all it is...a way to connect runners with virtual races.  I could not believe how many virtual races there are out there.  Each one is being put on to benefit a different charity organization.

Standing on Top of the World

Yesterday I was standing on top of the world...well at least Atlanta.

In our family's typical impromptu style we decided to make a spur of the moment trip to Atlanta for the weekend. One of our favorite places to go is Stone Mountain...and when you go to Stone Mountain you have to climb to the top.  So much for a Sunday of rest.

Stairs...Why'd it Have to be Stairs?

Last night my husband had a volleyball game at church. Instead of just watching the game, my friend Tasha and I decided to get a little exercise ourselves. Tasha suggested we run the steps outside the church. She's always getting me in trouble like that.

There are two sets of steps outside the church...each with 28 steps. One set has 3 landings and the other only has one. We decided that we should at least start with the harder flight. 

New Shorts...Wahoo!!!

A few weeks ago I discovered that I am addicted to running shorts. I have way too many pairs, and I wear them all the time. When my husband read this post he banned my from buying any more shorts...and honestly I can't blame him.

This week I bought some new shorts. I didn't break any rules, however, because these are not running shorts. I'm pretty sure they would not be comfortable to run in...but it would get the whole neighborhood rolling on the street laughing.

My Running Bucket List

Part of running (at least for me) to going to races.  Just about any weekend there are hundreds of races across the country.  Here are just a few that I would LOVE to run...one of these days:

July Journey

July is over.  What a month!  This was the first full month I've been writing this blog.  So far I've had over 900 page views.  That means that a lot of you are reading my blogs, or I have a stalker out there somewhere.

Today I looked back at my posts over the last month as well as the summaries from my running app.  Here's what happened in July 2013:

Week in Review

What a week.  Out went July, in came August!  With the end of July came back-to-school shopping, and August brought the first day of school. Time to get back into normal life.  Well, as normal as things can get.


I've been trying to run more often, and get on track to train for a 10k.  My body has not been happy with me...specifically me knees.  I've been fighting my Iliotibial Band (aka IT Band) for a while now.  (A common running injury.)  I thought I'd slowed down enough to make my IT band happy, but it's been letting me know that I was WRONG!  Sooooo...I've decided to try and mix in some other exercises to rest my kneew.  The goal is to keep active, but not run all the time. 

It's a Women's Prerogitive

I've changed my mind.  I'm a women, and that's what we do.  A few weeks ago I told you here that I was going to slowly add a little distance with each run.  Eventually I would be able to run my full 4 1/2 mile route.

Well, I'm throwing that out the window!  I've changed my mind.  I decided that if I'm going to do a marathon (ok...a virtual, month long marathon) that I needed to set some goals for myself.  So far I've only set one goal...but I've got 2 more months to come up with some others.  That goal is to complete a 10k during the marathon.  That's what made me change my mind.  Running one driveway further each run is never going to get me there in time.  What I need is structure.

Sand Between My Toes

Notice my feet?  Both feet off the ground!!!
I am a runner (click here to see why.)

Last weekend our family took a last minute trip to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.  We spent a good part of the weekend swimming in the ocean, swimming in the pool, dodging the rain (notice a water theme here) and eating.  It was a great weekend!

Being in Hilton Head gave me a chance to do something I've always wanted to do...run on the beach. I love playing on the beach, so why not run on the beach?

My Running Story: Why I Run

I couldn't decide what to call this post.  Should it be "Why I Run" or "Why do I Voluntarily Torture Myself?"  There is both good and bad to running...but I guess the good outweighs the bad, or this blog would be about being a couch potato.

Running is hard...there's no doubt about it.  Every time I start running the first 5 minutes or so are the worst. My legs hurt, my lungs hurt, and my heart feels like it's going to explode. In those first five minutes I start thinking I should just stop running.  Forever.  So...who's ready to lace up their shoes and join me?

Marathon Madness

What have I done?  I think I've lost my mind. I just signed up for my first marathon.

Well, technically it's a marathon. It's called a marathon. I'm going to run 26.2 miles. I'm even going to get a finisher's medal. 

Buuuuutttt...I guess it's not a real marathon. There's no actual race.  I'm not going to run all 26.2 miles at one time...not even in one day. 

I've registered for the Joggermom Marathon Cancer Run 2103. This virtual race takes place October 1-31 this year. That's right...I have a whole month to finish the race. That's less than a mile a day...I can do it!
 

The Motivation of a Good Friend

Some days I just don't feel like running. I know this may come as a shock...since I'm such a dedicated runner. Okay, maybe not so much.  After all, there's a reason I call myself a random runner.

Today was one of those days. I woke up and I just wasn't feeling it...I was tired.  I went outside and it was already sunny...not a cloud in the sky. Not my favorite running conditions. I had talked myself out of running until a friend posted a picture for me on Facebook:

Random Thoughts

Today was not a good run.  I don't even want to talk about it.  So...here is a list of my random thoughts and observations during my run:

     1.  It's crape myrtle season.  They are blooming all over the place in my neighborhood.  White, purple, red and about 20 shades of pink...I love them all.

Conquering Mountains In My Head

There's no doubt that running is a physical activity. Some days, however, the problem isn't getting my legs to move...the problem is getting my head to tell my legs to move. I have to convince myself, (especially when I start a run), that I really can do it.

It took me a long time to conquer the big hill on my normal running route. Driving through the neighborhood you barely even notice the hill, it's really not that big. In my head, however, it looked more like Mt. Everest.  I felt like I was scaling a mountain. Finally I made it to the top.

I Love Running Because...

Someone asked me why I run.  I'm still working on that post...but in the mean time let me tell you one of my favorite things about running.  I love running because...of the shorts.

Back in the Saddle Again

Vacation is over. It's been a full 11 days since I've laced up my running shoes. (Okay...that's not entirely true. I wore them the last day of our camping trip after we packed up all our gear in the pouring rain and my other shoes were soaked through.  I did not, however, run a step...not even when there was still shopping to do and the outlet mall closed way too early).

11 days...that's a long time to not run. Today I was determined to make the full distance!  Before I started I checked the temperature on the back porch.  Only 71...great!  I looked outside.  It was still pretty cloudy and early enough in the day that there was lots of shade.  Wonderful!  I did not, however, check my weather app.  I knew what I would find...and actually seeing it would put a damper on my run. 

Vacations are not for running

Yay...it's vacation time!  Time for some rest and relaxation...and random running.   It's now been 5 days since I've thought about running. Don't worry I'm not sitting around doing nothing. So far I've gone:

• Swimming. Well...actually we were floating in tubes. The water was in the 50s so I did my best to stay dry. I didn't do a very good job.  I'm sure I burned a few calories regulating my body temperature. 

My Running Story: How it all Began

I started running in January of 2011.  I don't know the exact date...my phone had issues and my app lost all that data.  I know it was probably around the 10th of the month...so I'm going to adopt that as my runaversary. 

I had a couple pairs of running shorts (because that's what I wear over my swimsuits) and an old pair of athletic shoes I had bought to wear to the gym several years earlier.  They still looked in pristine condition.  Target had some dri-fit type shirts on sale in their "Christmas is over but it's too early for summer stuff so we're going to have random things on sale" area.  I bought one in black and one in purple. I also had to buy a new sports bra.  The ones from college just didn't fit anymore...that's what having two kids will do to you. 

Cross Training

I can't run every day...my body just can't take it. Since I ran yesterday I had to take a day off.  Like any good athlete, I decided today would be a great day for some cross training. Did I lift weights or pop in my Buns of Steel VHS?  Nope...I pulled weeds and trimmed bushes. For two hours.  Before you say, "That's not real exercise," keep this in mind:

Running in the South

It's the middle of the summer in Middle Georgia.  It's hot.  It's humid.  It's sunny.  As a friend of mine once said on Facebook, "It's officially too hot to run during daylight hours."  Amen sister!  Today I got a late start.  By the time I was done running it was 81 degrees with 80% humidity.  That means it felt like it was 86.  Did I mention it was sunny?

Today's goal was to simply run a 5K.  I only made it to a little over a 4K (2.5 miles) before I had to walk.  While I was running I had to take off my glasses because they were fogging over. I also had to wipe the sweat off my face with my shirt.  The sweat was running into my eyes and starting to sting.  I apologize to any of my neighbors who were forced to look at my white flabby stomach.  I'll try to not let it happen again.  

I am a Runner...No Matter What Anyone Else Says!

I am a runner.  Three years ago I would have rolled on the floor laughing at that statement.  I've always been an un-athletic klutz.   My family just laughs when I fall down...it's normal for me.  After all, I've broken both arms and both legs...fortunately not at the same time.  (Okay, I did break both arms at the same time...but the legs were totally different events.)  I learned early on that sports were NOT for me.  Growing up I only played soccer, and I wasn't any good at it...so that only lasted a few seasons.

About Me

I am a random runner.  The dictionary defines random as, "proceeding, made, or occurring without definite aim, reason or pattern."  I think that pretty much describes my running habits.  Without aim, reason or pattern.  I've run on and off for the past 2 1/2 years.  Why so random?  I have two kids, ages 7 & 8.  While I'm a stay-at-home mom, you should really call me an in-the-car mom.  There is always something to take care of: school volunteering, after school activities, grocery shopping, Girl Scout planning, and on and on. That keeps me from being regular with my running.  You can also throw in weather (I don't like to run when it's hot, cold, rainy or sunny) and the occasional running injury.  Yes, over these last 2 1/2 years I've been pretty random.

If you are reading this blog to make yourself a better runner...you are definitely in the wrooooong place.  Any advice I give should be taken with a grain of salt...because I really don't know what I'm talking about. If you're looking for someone to commiserate with on the trials of trying to run...I'm your girl. I'll just try not to be too random!

Krista