The Start of Something...

In the interest of simplifying, I decided to start a running blog. Anticipated audience: Me.  It's too much of  a pain to post a blog on SparkPeople, and MapMyRun doesn't really have a "diary" option. I tried to upload my old Nike+ info into MapMyRun, but it was too old.

Long story short: It seems while I've been thinking I'm behind how I was...I'm actually ahead. This is great news.

I retrieved my old info off of Nike+:
2009 to 2012 is when I used it.
2009: 36 runs, av 2.2 miles
2010: 37 runs, av 2.4 miles
2011: 16 runs, avg 3.1 miles
2012: 1 run, 2.8 miles

There is some overlap, though, with MapMyRun. I signed up for MapMyRun in June of 2008 - I think for tracking food of all things.  I started using MMR to log runs in February 2011, apparently alternating with Nike+ in February, March, and April, and then moved away from Nike+ and to MapMyRun exclusively in March of 2012.

So far, in 2013 up through yesterday, I've completed 58 "workouts" - mostly runs, a few hikes, a bike ride here or there. 

I've also lost 10 lbs. I'm back snugly into my size 10 - which is a size bigger than "normal" for me.  I'm really focused on that right now, because we're heading out to Michigan to the lake next week, and I want to be comfortable in the new swimming apparatuses (no more bikinis for me) that we purchased.  Plus, I feel like if I really dig in, I can drop this weight and move on as lighter, and more active - and maintain easier.

I'm going to be looking into cross-country skiing, and snow shoeing this winter.

My family, while not unsupportive (they don't complain about weird/late dinner hours, or eating Chipotle a lot), is NOT into the exercise thing like I need/want to be. Kind of a bummer, but I can't sit around and give into the couch potato thing any longer, either. I need to do this for me.

Oh, also, my last drink of Dr. Pepper was June 3, 2013.  I have been Dr. Pepper, and Mountain Dew-free since June 4, 2013. Not even a sip. The only stuff I've had since is Dad's Rootbeer. I'm not worried about succumbing to that, so it's OK. I'll probably partake in some Vernor's while we're in Michigan.

Now, I run a 4 mile route by the house, and try to do this every day, with a day off a week or so.  The run is incredible. I worry that I'm maybe getting myself into a rut, being so fond of a particular route - but at this point, I don't care, because it's serving my goals well - and it makes me so happy. It's such a great run.

I'm also hiking with Mom - this is something we just started doing - this Saturday will be my third or fourth with her. I think we're pretty much going once a week. I hope to keep this up, but with the family obligations, and Jeeping, I'm not too hopeful...we've wheeled a LOT less this year, due to being busy with other stuff - but I'm not sure how long that's going to last.

Skyler just got spiffy new running shoes (at Kohl's).  I told him that if he keeps running, he can pick whatever he wants at Road Runner, where Chris and I just got new running shoes after talking with the "consultant."  Chris for custom insoles, me to move away from Nike and into another brand. I chose Brooks for the roomy toe box, and that's what Chris wound up getting, too (along with the schmancy insoles).  So far, Skyler has run one mile with me.  Granted, we've been too busy the two following days - hopefully he'll go with me again tonight, after my four.  I've been making him ride his bike with me on my runs, since he's WAY too sedentary.