It's a New Year...and a New Random Runner

It's 2015!!! It's time to make a fresh start. More importantly it's time to cut down on the randomness. 

2014 was a great year...filled with lots of change. If I had to sum it up into just a few highlights here are my Hits and Misses:

Hits

• Moved halfway across the country from Georgia to Oklahoma. More importantly I did it without losing my mind or drop-kicking one of my kids. 

• Participated in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Relay. This has been on my bucket list for a while...and now I can finally say I did it!

• Bought these fancy new running shoes. Aren't they pretty?  I call them my purple pavement eaters. 

• Added Texas and Colorado to the list of states where I have run. 

• Joined the Y and tried out spinning and yoga classes. 

• Completed my first ever running streak of 32 days. That's right...I ran at least a mile a day for 32 days in a row. In the middle of summer. In the Oklahoma heat. (Some days I question my sanity) 

Misses

• Fell flat on my butt while running...for the first time. Honestly, I'm amazed this didn't happen before...I'm quite the clutz. After running exactly 0.16 miles on the San Antonio riverwalk I stepped in a whole and twisted my ankle.  

• Broke my toe. I'd love to say I was doing something exciting...but I was just putting away laundry. I've been telling my husband for years that housework can be deadly. I'll spare you the pictures. 

• Logged very few miles in my pretty new purple pavement eaters. Now that I'm working part time it's just harder to fit in a good run. Or a run around the block. Or a brisk walk to the mailbox. 

• Zero blog posts. Wow, that is TERRIBLE!  Another sign that some things need to change around here. 

Now it is 2015. A new year and a new start. A new chance to get back into running. To make sure I don't lose focus I've set a new goal. I signed up to run a half marathon in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. My first half marathon EVER!  What have I gotten myself into?

I'll let you know how training goes...it's going to be an interesting 4 months!

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.