Blerg..

I haven't updated in quite some time. I've been swamped with trying to be social, be a member of my family, spend time with said family, this stupid online geography course I'm taking, learning how to drive, and of course trying to keep to my running schedule. It has been super hard to do all these things at once. It has all been super stressful as well. I have been in a mood of depression for about 2 weeks now and I just can't seem to shake it. I am super depressed over a lot of things but I don't want to share any of it in this blog. Nonetheless, I'm trying not to let any of it get me down and hold me down from going out and running. Running.. anyway, has become a release for me.

I went for my first ever beginners run with the North Brooklyn Runners on Wednesday! I had a great time but struggled trying to do the 2 miles straight. I ended up having to walk once I got to the 1.7 mark. I'm going to try to do a lot better this week. What I enjoyed most though was being able to finally meet new people, try to rebuild a social life at home, and run in a group. It was great to be able to run with a group that encouraged me to keep going, stood at my pace and didn't leave me behind, and were sociable. I didn't bring or need my iPod. I really enjoyed it. It made the whole run go so much faster when you have people to talk to and it was a ton more enjoyable. :)

I have been having some leg/shin pain in my right leg again which is keeping me from doing what I want to do. I've taken the past 3 days off but I hope tonight will go well.

I'm visiting my best friend next week for a week in Albany. He's so proud of me for running and everything that I'm doing. I cannot wait to get out there and spend some time with him and maybe finally run together. I'm so excited over seeing him. I think seeing him will definitely boost my mood a ton and hopefully give me further motivation to keep at all this and make it through the summer. I don't want to go back to spending my entire days in bed with depression.. I want to leave that all behind,

DONE DONE DONE!!!

I ran and completed my first 5k race today at the Good Shephard Sports 11th Annual Race! I finished in 40 minutes and wasn't the last one to finish! (That was one of my fears.. but it was super fun! I stayed and cheered for the people coming in at the end). I also went with Ramses from North Brooklyn Runners (the group I'm part of) and he won a 3rd place trophy in his age group!! I was really glad to have someone there to talk to and who was super supportive of me and motivated me. He even waited around for me to cross the line! I was so happy! Hahaha! I can't wait to go running with more people from the group and meet even more members. :P I need to get me a singlet so I can represent at my next race on Thursday.

Eitherway I feel great and more motivated than ever to get in shape and continue running. I want to be able to place in my age group one day. :) I love running more than ever. I am super addicted. BWUHAHAHA. Tomorrow is strength training/video day and maybe a shortened run. I'm going to the advanced beginners run with my group on Monday but it's 3-5 miles which I don't think I can do. I'm going to try though. Ramses said the group does things at different paces. Which makes me feel good.

I just dunno what to write about super excited.

I'm home and back to running in weather and routes that I'm used to. It's great. My run yesterday felt really easy but I still have that annoying shin pain.

Tomorrow is my first 5k! I'm really really excited about it. I'm planning on icing my shin again tonight and then wrapping it tomorrow. Then I might have to take the next week off entirely and just cross-train and do strength work. Bleh. Hopefully I'll take the week off.. but knowing myself I won't and I'll make myself go out and run.

So anywho. I'll update about my first 5k tomorrow. :D

Wish I could press rewind.. and rewrite every line..

I feel like I'm falling into a deep depression. Bleh.

First 5k this Saturday.

I'm getting major butterflies in my stomach when I think about my first 5k race being this Saturday. I've been reading articles all morning on what to eat, how much to rest, what to expect on race day, etc. I just hope I do well. I know I can run at least very least 22mins straight which for me is about 2miles or so. I know I can push myself to 2.5miles straight. I know I can do it. Even if I have to take breaks to walk. I will do this!

I'm excited and I'm nervous all at the same time. This is the first time in my life that I'm doing something for myself that is completely driven by my own motivation, for myself, and where I'm only relying on me for support. I always relied on other people to support me through school and other such things and finally.. I know that the only person I can rely on to finish this race is myself. My own legs, my own lungs, my own mind, my own motivation, and my own heart will get me through this race. I know when I cross that finish line -- even if I'm last -- I'll know that I made it there all by myself. It's going to feel great.

I'm super nervous and reminding myself to take it easy with the training this week. Only easy runs this week.

Today was my hardest run ever. I'm still visiting my sister.. but running in her area has been pure hell. There are HILLS UPON HILLS OF DEATH HERE. My 5k time today was 50 minutes! I was really disappointed about that.. but then again about 70% of it was all hills. Blerg. As aggravated as I am.. I am looking at the positives of it. It should make my training back at home easier where it is mainly flat roads. So I guess this is good hill training. :) The air is just also more humid and it stays hotter longer out here.

I did some Wii Fit Yoga and strength training today. Felt really really good to spend some time doing yoga. It was super relaxing.

I'm almost done doing all that homework for the geography class that I'm taking online. I can't wait for it to be over..

I'm taking tomorrow off. My body is insanely tired and I realized during todays run that I really really need a rest day as much as I love running..

I got to run today! All is right in the world. :D

...

.. I didn't get to go running today. Broke my routine. I'm literally twitching. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight. Getting up early tomorrow. Going to go on two runs.. Must make up for it.

Ugh..

Shin splints..?

I think I might have my first shin splint! I hope not, because I have a race on the 19th! My 1st ever!! I was running in NC (visiting my sister for a week and a half) and ran by the Harris Teeter and past Wendy's but when I got on the trail on my way back I think I hit a bad rock or something a weird way. I have a bit of pain.. I'm going to ice it tonight and maybe go for a walk tomorrow instead of running.. I sure hope it's not my first injury. I will be totally depressed.. =(

I also ran without my iPod today. Was a good experience. I am going to do this once a week. :) Be totally tech free!!

Hot

Went shopping yesterday with Mom. Bought a ton of stuff. Got a new bag, a pair of underarmour shorts (awesome awesome awesome no more chaffing), new running sneakers, anddddddd some good food that totally sabotaged my diet. Haha. We ran into this little street festival on 6th avenue that was going on. They had empanadas. How could I not? They were yummy. There were tons and earrings and goodies for sale. I was so tempted to get more earrings.. but I already don't have enough room for the ones I own. :[

I was also tempted to go clothes shopping. Especially at GAP. But I told myself I wouldn't buy more clothes until I'm at least another size or two smaller. I have a lot of clothes as it is and it'd be nicer to just donate what won't fit anymore and get a whole new wardrobe. As opposed to buying new clothes and then not having them fit in a few months. Not buying new clothes has been a challenge. Instead I've been treating myself to new running stuff.

My Dad gave me his Garmin GPS watch. It is pretty awesome. It tracks my time, milage, and pace. It's super helpful when I go on those spur of the moment runs and it'll give me an idea of how far I went and how long I was out there.. cause even though I like to run for enjoyment I do like to track my exercise for my dieting/weight loss reasons. It's a super neat watch.

I WAS ALSO TEMPTED TO BUY YARN! I was running by Macareen Park on my run yesterday and there was an Etsy-looking craft fair going on! I ran right past the yarn and it took a lot of me not to u-turn and go browse. Good thing I didn't have any money stuffed into my underarmour anyway. Hahaha. Mom wants me to keep emergency money and a metrocard in my secret underarmous zipper.. but I think I might carry emergency spur of the moment shopping money. HAHA. FOR SALES. Nah nah, just kidding. :P ... Or am I?

Going to North Carolina tomorrow to visit my sister and spend a week and a half there. Then I'm bringing my niece home for the summer. Hm. Should be interesting trying to run out there where it'll be even hotter. I can barely deal with the heat here since I love northern NY and the cold and Potsdam. Erg. Prolly going to have get out in the morning. Plus.. it's more trail running over there. Hopefully I'll still be able to get in decent mileage.

Okie dokie. My Mom is rushing me outta the house because she wants me to accompany her shopping.

Ew.

Todays run was ehhh.. decent. It was way hot and I felt really sluggish. What was really nice was this little old lady who was waiting for the bus. As I passed by she said "Good good good!" in a really heavy accent. It really made my run. :)

Can we talk about the rudeness of bikers on the Pulaski bridge? It's like pedestrians are in the way and they think it gives them the right to make faces, sigh, and complain when they have to slow down. God forbid you get anywhere a bit slower.. you're definitely going to get there before I do. Plus, you're supposed to dismount when you go down the bridge because of the speed etc. Whatev tho. So irritating. I can't wait for Greenpoint to stop being the 'cool' and 'hip' place to live. Ugh.

Sitting around now watching Law & Order. Going to take tomorrow off entirely. I'm tired and I really need a lazy day. Plus I need to catch up on homework for this online class that I'm taking. Boo. I don't like homework. A nap is sounding pretty good right about now..

First post!

So, I guess I should finally make my first post on this blog. I'm mainly keeping this blog for myself, to track my progress in weight loss, my love for running, and for tiny interesting tidbits of my daily life or anything cool/interesting I see on my runs.

I originally starting running for weight loss and few months ago but ever since it has become an addiction and I have become a runner. I go nearly daily and spend a lot of time reading articles about running, fitness, exercise, nutrition, and planning out my runs/making new routes. I started out weighing at 221lbs and currently I'm at 207.3. :) I suffer from depression which made it really hard for me to get the motivation to start on my journey. Running has helped me to clear my head, go somewhere else, and concentrate on my feet hitting the pavement. It has proved to be the ultimate stress reliever.

I'm 22 years old and I live in Brooklyn, NY! :D I go to school in Potsdam, NY, some 9 hours away. For the summer I'll be running at home, until I return to school at Potsdam. I'm an Early Elementary Education Major with a Minor in Geology.

My favorite running outfit is in pink! I can be seen running around my lovely neighborhood in my pink outfit (unless it's dirty!) and my pink and black running shoes. :) I love shopping and instead of spending my money on clothes like jeans and stuff I decided that until I lose at least 20lbs, I will only buy new running outfits. :P

I also like to play Wii Fit when the weather is too hot or as a nice cool down when I come back from my runs.

Did I mention I love living in North Brooklyn? I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I've lived here all myyyy life.

My best mile so far has been a 10min/mile. My average is about 12min/mile. I've signed up for my first 5k race on June 24th. I've been training for it.

Fellow runners! Feel free to add me!