IMAGERY

I have read several articles on running. One article caught my attention. It talked about using imagery. It said to think and say to yourself: I am running effortlessly and very relaxed. Imagine that your running form is SMOOTH and Graceful! These hints go along with what I already believe with positive thinking. Those who are around me on our long runs, know that when I approach a big hill, I say out loud, "I just LOVE this hill!" Then as I top the hill, I say, "You know what I love about this hill? THE OTHER SIDE!" Okay positive thinking and a little sarcasm go a long way! I have always believed in positive thinking, now with using imagery, I can enhance my runs mentally. This "running business" is hard physically and can often be a mental battle. So... Saturday, if anyone hears me say out loud "I am running SMOOTH and GRACEFUL!" and " Isn't this the most beautiful scenery ... Don't laugh... just join me in my SMOOTH and GRACEFUL run through the Rain Forest!!!!

IS THAT ALL?

Saturday morning was great!!! I can NOT believe that I did a 10 mile run!!! Okay, my feet believe it, but... it is still hard for my mind to comprehend! I did not do as many of my running intervals though. I heard Mark say take it SLOW! I have become aware that if an old Pro says it, you better listen!!! Part of the way into my run, I paired up with Felicia. She and I are about the same height and have about the same energy level. That makes for a good run together. Not to fail to mention that she doesn't mind all my gabbing! We caught up to the lady who was there to give suggestions on speed walking. The last time I tried speed walking, I found muscles in my body that I did not even know existed! Right before Felicia and I caught up with her, we had started to use my interval watch to pick up our pace. We did the speed walking with her for 2/3 of the walk. At the last water station she bid us good bye so she could help others who were interested. Felicia and I took off thinking how well we had done so far. We continued speed walking and using my interval watch as a reminder to "get at it!" We rounded the last corner and went up the last hill. It was all downhill from there. I said to her, "Let's RUN the rest of the way, You ready?" I think she thought I was joking at first! But then we took off... It felt great to have that BURST of energy at the last quarter mile!!! When she realized that we were in seeing distance of Fleet Feet...she said..."IS THAT ALL? I told her I could kill her!!!!!! It sounded at first like... Oh... is that all? I could run another 10 miles! But in reality I knew exactly what she meant. We had had such a good time on our run but to believe that we felt good enough to run during the last quarter mile. We both laughed about how months ago we were saying... 2 miles, oh my!!!! I AM A MARATHONER!!!!

Monday May 21, 2007

Saturday's run was yet another learning experience! I did pretty good on my run. I even got in a few extra steps!!! Thank you Clark for running me down to tell me that I missed my turn!!! The mistakes I have made during training , I call learning experiences! So... when I get to Chicago, I ought to be a PRO!!! Blogging is really great! I look back and read some of my beginning blogs and am able to realize just how far I have come.

Brenda, You go girl, I just love to be around you. You are such a character!!!

Amy W., You are doing so good.

Amy Walley, I am so verrryyy proud of you! I know you can do this because you are a Walley!!

Kelvin, You look like you are getting younger by the minute!!

Chuck, You look like you are really enjoying your run!

Morgan, You are doing fantastic!


Amy and I changed our route this morning. We went for a little more than a hour. We walked to my church, Pinelake, and thru the parking lot. Last year at this time I would have laughed uncontrollably out loud if someone would have wanted me to walk to Pinelake (for fun). Okay if it were to go hear Pastor Chip preach, I would have been all in! But.. for fun???

I had puffy knees after Saturday's run. I did not stretch near enough! Lesson learned!!!

Have a good week fellow marathoners!!! I AM A MARATHONER!!!

From then to now...

From when I was a little girl (yes, that's me), to now, I have set many short term goals. The Chicago Marathon is the first real long term goal that I have set for myself. I am really proud of all I have done in the last several months! Everyday, I wake up and thank God for all the opportunities He gives me!

9 MILES !!!

I still can't believe that I made it through 9 miles!!! Who else noticed that the Firemen put us out a cooler of water in front of the fire station? That was so nice of them! I really enjoyed talking to every one during the run. I just keep telling myself... KEEP A MOVIN' !!!!

Before the race!!!

Before the race on Saturday morning, I was in the parking lot waiting on Amy to arrive. I decided to run up to Conoco and borrow their restroom. The man inside told me there was one next door in the laundry mat. So I bopped on in and noticed on my way in that there was a TV blaring so loud you could have heard it downtown. I used the restroom and washed my hands, stared at myself in the mirror and gave myself a pep talk. I turned and twisted the door knob...THE DOORKNOB CAME OFF IN MY HAND!!! Imagine the thoughts that ran threw my head!!! I kept saying to myself..."I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS IS HOW I AM GOING TO SPEND MY DAY, TRAPPED IN A BATHROOM!" I didn't have my cell phone with me, no one knew where I was, the TV was so loud I could have hollered and no one would have known! I tried to put the knob back on but that didn't work! I kicked the door but it shut from the inside. I stepped back and stood there starring at that door for 7 minutes. The closer it got to 7:30 am the more I kicked. Finally I kicked the door hard enough and the top of it bowed out enough for me to get my fingers stuck in it. So now not only was I stuck but so were my fingers! So one more swift kick and I was able to get a grip on it with both hands. I turned into the Almighty Ises (Super Hero Wonder Woman!!). When I was finally able to pry that door open it was the greatest minute of my life! That was ... Until I crossed that 10K finish line. Now, that IS THE GREATEST MINUTE OF MY LIFE!!!!

MY FIRST 10K !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I finished my first race!!! My first 10k!!! I am so verrryyy proud of myself and everyone in the Marathon Makeover!!! I remember Mark saying "Marathoners can do anything they set their mind to". Well I set my mind to run down the mud trail and around the corn field. The only hindrance I had was those wonderful (sarcastic) Sweet Gum Balls! The run through the woods was interesting. As I was running it made me think about how I gave up my early morning Saturday fishing trips to become a Marathoner. I wished for a fishing line and a five gallon bucket when I passed the creek!!! The next thing I knew, I was in a corn field! Oh, and the field of purple flowers was beautiful. When I hit pavemnent again there was a cool breeze! When I saw that finish line, it was as if I had accomplished going to the moon and back! It was also great having one of my brother's and my two neices at the finish line. ( I borrowed Amy's cheerleaders!) What a wonderful day! I wonder if I framed my #273 put it on my Mother's mantle on Mother's Day, would it become a conversation piece? TODAY WAS GREAT!!!! THANK YOU, GOD!

OUTSTANDING!!!

This has been an OUTSTANDING week! ( I am using positive thinking!!!) My time on my run has improved soooo much since I use my interval watch! My cross training is good, too. I still have to remind myself to watch my portion control on my eating. It is so easy to slip back into my old eating habits. It is a 39 year old habit and it is taking a lot of reajustment. But... I AM A MARATHONER... so I can do anything I set my mind to do.

I am so excited about the 10K cannonball Run this Saturday. I will be there with bells on!!!