I Don't Want to Run

Miles today: 3.2

Miles this week: 10.5
Miles in 2010: 180.3

Today after work I was tired and cold and didn't want to run. Sometimes several times in the past two weeks, I haven't wanted to run at all. I am tired from working a lot and running a lot. For me, 25 miles + for the past 6 weeks has been kind of tough. I know I'm not even comparing to some runners I know (like Megan and Angela's 15 mile long runs or Patterson's 100+ mile weeks) but I do know that this is the best I've ever done. The videos above and below say it best.

So...with that, I'm just being honest by saying that some days
I don't even want to run.
Isn't that horrible? I hope that in the next few weeks I can build back up to 25+ mile weeks, but I think this week only holds just over 20 miles. That's okay. There aren't any rules with my challenge besides running a mile a day. And I'm meeting that goal. It's just not always easy.

Why I Run...

Miles today: 2.4

Miles in 2010: 80.6

I run because...

• it clears my head.
• it makes me feel beautiful.
• it keeps me healthy.
• it is challenging.
• it makes me sweat.
• I can feel the benefits.
• I want to.
• I want to be faster.
• I am inspired by others.
• it gives me energy.
• I love to.
• I have goals.
• I have determination.
• I want to get better.
• I want to eat some junk food.
• I like strong legs.
• my legs were made to.
• I want to inspire others.
• it makes me happy.
• it relieves my stress.
• I like the rhythm.
• if I hadn't, I would never have met Gregg.
• I like to feel the pavement.
• I like to push harder.
• I like to try out new shoes and gear.
• I work at a running store.
• it's worth it.

Today after work I was really hungry and couldn't stop thinking about Olive Garden's salad and breadsticks. I asked Gregg if he would run just a couple miles with me and if we could go to OG afterwards, both of which he agreed to. I have to be totally honest...the majority of my 20 minute run was spent thinking about both of those food items.

Gregg and I just ran from the store down Rivermont Avenue to the Virginia Baptist Hospital and back...a quick couple of miles. I can't help but continue to notice that every time I run, things seem to get easier and sometimes more intentional. I love how my feet move a little faster than they did a month ago and how my breathing is less labored and how I feel pushing it out on hills. It's so invigorating.

While we were out, just before we passed Magnolia Foods, we passed Margaret running in the opposite direction. Now if any of you don't know, Margaret is a local new anchor here in Lynchburg and she was the girl who started this whole thing...she told me about her committment to run 365 days in a row and I thought it was such a good idea, I decided to do it too. She blogs, too, at a blog called Runningitis.

I imagined that I'd probably run into her sometime in this upcoming year, but I was surprised to see her tonight. I'm glad we ran into each other...it's the first time we talked since I've started the project myself. She offered that we could run sometime. I hope this happens. I'd love to.

Day One: It's All in the Motivation

Today is my first day of running for Project Three Six Five. Originally my goal was to start on January 1st and run everyday throughout 2010...however, my plans were foiled when we decided to drive to Pennsylvania to visit my family for the new year. Waking up at 9:00am and knowing that we needed to leave by 10am to get to the New Year's party at my aunt's house by 4pm just didn't allow for a run...not to mention it was BITTER cold on Friday morning.

So, my next plan was to run Saturday morning in Greensburg, PA while home with my family...I even got as far as packing my bookbag with running stuff before Gregg and I went out to run some errands. By the time I walked two minutes in the cold from my car to the mall, even in the semi-shelter of a parking garage, I knew I was not going to be able to run on Saturday, January 2nd, either. It was 11 degrees out! I'm a wuss, I know.

So, that left my start date at today, Sunday, January 3rd. I know I'm a little late, but I wanted to be consistent, and at least I had a reason to run when we got back to Lynchburg from my parents' on Sunday afternoon.

Now, I'm not going to say it was easy...the motivation for this run must've been sitting in a corner hiding under a blanket, because even when Gregg agreed to run with me when we pulled in the driveway at 4pm, I still wasn't very much into the idea of running in 24 degree weather...but...he persisted and I caved, and I completed my first run of 2010...all through the streets of Boxwood, a neighborhood off Wiggington Road with a little add on in my neighborhood at the end (not shown). Here's the map:

When I got back inside after a run in a balmy 24 degrees, I felt happy that I had accomplished my first run of the year and my first run in a project to make me more consistent than I've ever been as a runner before.
So, with that, we're off to the races!

Miles Today: 5.47 miles
2010 Miles: 5.47 miles