I broke my arm on a run last week from a really bad trip and fall due to a store's negligence. Really bummed and trying to keep positive. Safe running to you all!!

P.S: Having a RoadID also helped to get me medical attention sooner and notify my Mom since I was in so much pain when the accident occurred and I couldn't even coherently tell the two passerby's who to call for me besides 911. I never thought it'd come in handy but it did. I def suggest one to any runner no matter the level or the distance you are going out for since I got injured only a quarter mile in. http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx

Better entry when I can type with 2 hands or get a scribe.. lol.

An update -- Judgemental people on the road

So I know I've been neglecting my blog but I've been working a ton and still trying to stick to my running.

I signed up for a local neighborhood 5k which I'm really excited to attend. I even got one of my co-workers to sign up so e are going to do the race together (Probably not alongside each other because I'm sure she's faster and more in shape than I am).

I've been having a few bumps in the road with my diet and gained 2lbs back but I'm back on track and have lost the weight again and busted out the healthy food and pushed the cheeseballs and beers away. :D

I've also missed running at night. I did so the other night and it was fantastic. I remembered how much better and focused I feel at night and how great I feel about myself and my body.


I'll paste something here that I posted to daily mile about the run I just came back from..


Alright. I'm starting to really yearn for night runs for a few reasons. 1. I'm more focused. 2. Less car traffic. 3. LESS IDIOTS WHO LAUGH AT ME FROM INSIDE THEIR CARS. Seriously now.. seriously? Are we really going to laugh at individuals who are trying to achieve a healthier lifestyle? I know I'm 212lbs and all but I can probably still run longer and faster than you who sits on their couch all day devouring cheese balls and whom never run a mile straight in their life. When I'm nice and fit you'll still be miserable in your car looking for people to laugh at.

^^ Basically how I felt. Ugh. Just getting tired of people who spend their whole time judging others except themselves. I have never judged someone who works out. Even walkers. I passed by a really overweight walker today and said hello and smiled to him. I also hope I inspired him because I know how hard it is to stay motivated when you're obese/overweight and you feel like the entire world is laughing at you for trying to make a change. It is definitely hard to run out there when you feel self-conscious about your own body. I'm sorry I'm not the attractive female runner out in short shorts and a sports bra. But you know what? I'm working on it. But either way, no matter the shape of someones body.. How about we worry about ourselves? Stop being so interested in making fun of that "fatty" who is running 2-3 miles everyday or even for the women who are just trying to lose a few pounds. NOT EVERYONE IS PERFECT. AND NOT EVERYONE DESERVES YOUR JUDGEMENT. Look at yourself. Something is probably seriously wrong with how you feel about yourself if you spend your whole day making fun of others.

Injury free!

Finally! Finally I can say I am now running injury free. :) After for running nearly a month with shin splints and trying to overcome them with ice, rest, and cross training.. Last weeks runs were great and I experienced no shin pain whatsoever. Even though I was upset with work, I am very happy that it intervened and forced me to not run.. Because it allowed for adequate recovery time! I went on 3 runs last week all of which I experienced no discomfort (except for 1 but it was because I nearly twisted my ankle trying to dodge someone in my way). I am building up slowly of course. I only started with 1.5 mile runs last week. I normally do 3 miles so this was a huge scale back for me. That's okay tho. Next week (This week) I am planning on doing 2 more runs at 1.5 miles and then doing my last run at 1.75 miles. I've also been paying a lot of attention to my gait. Things are getting better..

and guess what?

I ran my fastest this week! All of my runs were under a 13 min/mile, my fastest being at 12:19 min/mile. This break was definitely worth it! I just got to get my diet under control and things will be golden. I am losing weight as well. I like that my job does not allow for any snacking. :)

A happy post.

The only negative thing I am adding is that I might not be doing my 5k Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday. I don't want to push it from my injury.. and that's okay with me. Even though the Brooklyn Bridge is my all time favorite bridge.. I will sacrifice the race and run the bridge by myself when I'm ready. :) Pretty sure after my recovery I will have a nice PR on it. ^__^ Plus, there are always more 5k races to sign up for. I am looking forward to doing a local run in my neighborhood in October.

Looks like I won't be running my Brooklyn Bridge 5k. My job makes me work on Sundays and since I just started last week.. I definitely can't already ask for a personal day off. Hopefully I get an afternoon shift that day because sometimes it varies and I'll be able to make the run in the morning.. Only thing that sucks is that I can't pre-register because I don't want to spend the money if I'm not running it.

Speaking of work..

It has made it increasingly difficult to work out at all. I worked out 1 day last week and that was a pathetic run. I haven't run since. My work schedule is making me work the night shift and I'm not a morning exercise person at all. I'm going to have to figure something out and start scheduling in my runs and my workouts earlier in the day. Maybe I can squeeze them in before work but I don't like the idea of having to bring my sweaty gym clothes to work since they check everything in our bags and it'd be pretty embarrassing to have my sweaty underwear and stuff in there. Gross. But, I promise myself that this week I will at least try for 3 workouts. Let's see how that goes. I'm so used to worked out 5-6 days a week.. but if I can squeeze in 3 runs/gym workouts and maybe do some yoga with the Wiifit and Netflix at home it won't be so bad. When I get my bike to ride to the gym or the track my workouts will become a lot easier since I won't waste nearly 45 mins walking to and from the gym or the track/dirt trail (easier on my shins which I really need right now).

Other than that my weightloss has been slow. I'm having a really hard time controlling my diet and sticking to my healthy foods. I will promise myself to get back on track again. I need to stop eating my feelings and giving into temptation.

Chronic shin splints..

Every time I really get into running.. the shin splints return. I try to be good. I try to give myself rest. I try to watch my form. I take anti-inflammatorys. I ice my shins. But they keep returning. I get really bummed out. I know I have to take time off and seriously cut back on mileage but I'm really addicted again and I love going out. I went out in the rain today and felt great. The streets were basically empty and I felt awesome but the shin pain became too much every time I took a walk break.

I'm going to do more cross-training at the gym this week on the elliptical, do some yoga/pilates, and some cycling.. but nothing beats running. I think I may just limit myself to 1.5 miles on my run days. Is that still too much? I just feel like I can't keep myself off the road that long. I promise I will do my 1.5mi on the dirt trail. I sweaaaar. Just don't keep me off the road. :( I swear I won't run on cement this week..

Sigh. I just really feel like running is the time where my brain gets some time to be free. I over think and analyze every little thing in my life (which is one of the main reasons I have major depressive disorder) because I can't turn my brain off. When I'm running.. I can get a break. The only thing I focus on then is my pace, stride, breathing, and if that bike is going to hit me or if I'll make it across the street before the stoplight changes. I don't wanna lose it. Plus, I want to PR my 5k time at the Brooklyn Bridge 5k run I'm doing next month.

But.. I do understand I need to rest. I wish I could have a perfect stride, perfect weight, perfect everything so that I don't end up with an overuse injury..

Time for the pink outfit!

Time to live up to my name! I have severe farmers/runners tan and it's time to even it out and wear my pink outfit which will help to get my shoulders some sun. I also have to remember to put sunscreen on my face before going out. My cheeks are really burnt and I'm soon going to have raccoon eyes from my glasses. :P

It was waaaaay hot out there today. Did a 5k but really had to walk a huge majority of it. I could barely breathe. Eitherway I am happy I got out there. :)

A quote!

I always run alone, away from phones and stress. Running is a major part of my life because it keeps me sane.

-- Michael Roux Jr.

Love itttt.

Just updated my paper training log after months of neglect and found out I have logged over 209 miles!!!

So excited. :) Many many more to come!

Another post!

Yes! I also have a RANT to post today.

Why is it that I get so many dirty looks when I'm on my runs? Some people just give me the total STINK eye and look me up and down. The only people who smile at me during my runs are OTHER RUNNERS. I feel so weird sometimes and discouraged when I get really mean looks from people I don't even know. Shouldn't people be happy that I'm overweight and doing something for my overall health and fitness? I don't know. It made me feel really bad.

I just realized my 5k Brooklyn Bridge run is a bit more than a month away! Really need to kick the training up a notch.

Am I weird?

I went for my run today and I felt such satisfaction when I walked in the door and saw how sweaty my shirt was. It is always one of the things I check and get great happiness out of seeing drenched with sweat from my hard workout. I know some people probably get all grossed out and rip off their shirt and go immediately into the shower but I love seeing how much I worked and kicked ass out there.

Am I weird? Am I the only one who does this? I even look at my shirt before going into the shower and I'm just like "Yeah Jennuh. You kicked ass. ;D"

It makes me so happy and proud of myself for going for my run. Today was great, btw. I took a week and a half off mainly because I was visiting my sister in NC and because I had a really bad shin splint in my right leg. But all seems a lot better now. I went out there and tore it up. :D Definitely pounded the pavement today. Might do some cycling at the gym tomorrow and get the new class schedule. I feel really excited to get back into my workout routine and really get onto my weight loss adventure. So going to be thin and healthy soon and happy. ^^

Heat and smog

I had a hard run today. Got very frustrated with my splits on my Garmin so I just ended up turning it off and trying to get some relaxing untimed unpressured run in. I just am not a good summer runner. I would rather run in 20-30 degree weather with snow on the ground like I did in Potsdam. Blerg. Once it starts hitting above 70s I feel like I'm dying. I probably also feel terrible because I'm not running in the country anymore but now I'm running in heat AND smog. Smog is just terrible. It's not even officially summer yet and I feel like death out there. :( Sigh. It's really making a dent on my motivation.

I really really want to do the Brooklyn Bridge 5k in 36 minutes. I don't know if I'm going to get there. But for now.. that is my goal.

Motivation.

Lately, I've been finding it particularly hard to remain motivated. I do enjoy running alone.. but lately a lack of support has put me down. It is very hard being the only person in your family who works out regularly, attempts to eat healthily, and the only one making strides towards living a healthier lifestyle. I don't have a picture of me racing or crossing the finish line.. or an afterwards picture because simply.. I have no support system. I love seeing pictures of other runners crossing the finish line or pictures of them along the route. I would hope to have pictures of myself like that one day. I just don't know if that'll ever happen.

I am a solo-runner. I am part of the North Brooklyn Runners but I haven't gone to a group run in a while (taking off, gaining weight, slowing pace, losing endurance has really made me stop). How do I get motivation otherwise? I suppose I am very self-motivated and disciplined.. but sometimes it would be nice to hear encouragement from others -- especially my family.

I guess I won't let this bother me too much. About to lace up my sneakers and get out.

Garmin turned not-so-friend.

I have noticed over the past year of using my Garmin Forerunner 305 that is off by like 1/10th of mile most of the time even on the clearest days. This has become quite annoying after a while. I would like to trust my Garmin 100% but when I track myself on maps and see that the Garmin was off.. it upsets me. I also see this when I view the route the Garmin thinks I have taken online. It seems like I could fly and cut through the middle of buildings etc. As much as I still love using it for working out the fact that it takes FOREVER to find satellite reception and then isn't even accurate is very annoying. It takes my Garmin about 5-10 minutes to get satellites and even when I updated my maps and firmware.. it made so difference. I think I will eventually have to invest in a better watch once I get a job. I did get my Garmin 305 for free from my Dad so I can't really complain.

I just wish it made me feel better about my progress rather than me having to get home to really find out how well I did.

Here I am! :)

I'm back! I graduated from college with my Bachelor's degree. I'm now certified to teach elementary school Pre-K through 6th grade. :) I'm home now and taking a break from school. I got accepted into my master's program but I decided to defer and take a year off and focus on myself and weightloss. Also, I needed to find out who I am when I'm not in school. With schoolwork I become such a workaholic that I can't imagine what I'm like without it. I've never been out of school before.. so this will definitely be interesting. I also want to finally get to losing all of this weight and being finally happy in my own body. :)

Been on a few runs since getting home. I did a lot of relaxing. I still have yet to unpack. It feels great to be reunited with my family even though we are having some hards times with my grandma right now. It makes me really glad that I'm taking a break from school to be here to support my family.. mainly my Mom.

I have 1 race lined up so far. I will be running the Brooklyn Bridge 5k again this year. Time to get to training so I can try to beat my time from last year! :) Planning to run the Williamsburg bridge in the coming weeks and get used to the bridge runs which are definitely long and have steep climbs. :P

Ran for 3 miles today even after recovering from being sick all weekend! I'm so proud of myself. I don't think I've run 3 miles since November/December that wasn't race related. :) Yeeey.

I really need to get some motivation! I ran today and when I went to log my workout I can't believe that 20 days had passed since my last run! 20 DAYS. I swear.. time is just FLYING by me. :( I really need to make myself for accountable and get myself out there. I'm really planning to lose at least 40lbs over the summer and I want to get started on my goal now.

I felt really unmotivated during my run. I just felt sad and depressed. I just couldn't get my legs moving. I had just come home from a stressful day with my 1st graders as well and my feet were killing meee. I just couldn't stop thinking so much while I was out there. The entire time..

"I'm so tired."
"My feet hurt."
"What am I going to do for classroom management.."
"I can't believe I couldn't keep running."
"I don't want to walk, I want to run like I used to."
"It's cold."
"People are watching me."
"I'm depressed."
"I miss home."

It was just constant complaining in my mind. Which is very unusual for me since when I run I usually just forget about everything and the only thing I usually think about is my feet hitting the floor. For some reason the sound of that and watching it just relaxes me. Didn't work today.

I did get a boost of motivation tho! I was about halfway through my route when a group of girls running were about the zoom by me. They kindly said thank you and continued on their way. I just felt motivated watching them that I was able to get started again and take a lot fewer breaks for the rest of my run. I just kept thinking about how great it will feel when I will be able to go father and faster and how easier it'll be when I lose more weight.

So yes. I want to keep myself accountable.

I AM BACK OUT THERE!!