Never in a million years

Did I think;
I would be as physically active as I am now

I would be able to say I have 7 solid miles under my belt

I would say I enjoyed running

I would be setting goals for myself that begin with 13.1 and end with miles

I'd find such support and encouragement through this journey

I would be able to soak up this gorgeous view everyday (picture below)

While running in Key West that my fleece lined running tights would come in handy not only in Minnesota but also in Key West!

Running is a pain in the ass but it'll give you a nice one.

Just down and back

...is what I heard from Bill, after running down the the White Street Pier and doing a compilation of burpees, sprints, planks, even bear crawls through the sand.

Now, those three little words, "down and back" seem small, perhaps even easy?

Not to be fooled, those three little words meant down to Bertha Street and back to the studio, and all though the distance may be short (little under 3 miles total) after calisthenics on the beach, 3 miles is tough.

I told him it was tough, but I made it through and it even feels better after its DONE, he said "join the club" :)

Anyone who has been physically active knows the "feels so good it hurts" burn in the muscles, that soreness that is indicative of a good past workout. Even though I know I'll be sore, I know it'll be difficult and I know it'll push me... if I can remember to look past all that and keep focused on my goals I'll forget about the burn and the sweat in the eyes.

I'm proud and honored to be part of an unwritten "club" that enjoys a good work out, a little muscle soreness and certainly a great deal of accomplishment.

What will you do today?

Running is a pain in the ass but it'll give you a nice one.

We are dedicated...

Just got in from a 3 mile run... Can't say I've blogged lately but today is a new day. I've been saying for weeks even months, "getting back into it" "starting over" but it wasn't until I truly realized, or should say admitted to myself that, yes I have the tools but I'm not self disciplined enough to do it alone.

I need the:
extra push
accountability
group setting
consistency
knowledge
and good old, encouragement (you know it you like to hear you're doing well, too)

With all that being said, I also need change, change in my diet, exercise routine and, trainer. Raquel fit perfectly for what I needed in the beginning and many months to follow; working on beginning running, strength, spinning, etc. But now as I'm nearing the half marathon, I'm looking for guidance from someone who is well versed in the running world, and can run along side me.

Even after our first run together, I'm feeling more confident and better about myself. I was pushed harder, taught more and ran faster for a period of time. Bill, with Ultimate Athletics has brought the love of running back out of me in a short 30 minutes. Telling me "you'll get back to the point if loving running"

I want to so badly be there.

Through all the huffing and puffing and even though a point that I didn't think I could come out...words of encouragement seemed to surround me. I know it was a short run, and a very short period of time in both of our busy days, but for those 30 minutes I was reminded again why I started running...

for me

and I CAN and I WILL complete this half marathon!

Running is a pain in the ass, but it'll give you a nice one

(I'm going to upload a photo every week- change is coming, I can feel it!!)