There is an uneasiness in my heart...

This is an open letter to me, in case I ever forget why I run...

M,
  Do you remember that day in May of 2011, when you told yourself that Makayla deserved a mommy who would be around for a while? Well I do. I remember that spark that it lit inside you that made you get on board with changing your unhealthy eating habits, which eventually led to you doing a C25K program. Do you remember that first time you started that program? How long that 60 seconds of running felt? How you kept asking yourself how you let yourself get so unhealthy? Fast forward to Thanksgiving day 2011, when you ran your first 5K. Remember the nerves? Remember how proud you felt when you crossed the finish line? What about your first 10K in Feb? Besides the physical pain, do you remember how you felt finishing that one? How about how many people you work with who you have inspired? Think about that for a moment.  There are people out there who are running because you INSPIRED them to do so. Because they saw how far you have some in such a short time. You should be proud of yourself. Yes, there are people, family and friends who think you are crazy for actually wanting to run. Hell, you had those thoughts in your head when you first started running, and you, YES you, are having those thoughts right now.

Remember how you feel as you are running...it's your chance to let your mind be at ease. It's your saving grace, what keeps you going. It's ok that you aren't a speedy Olympian, you ENJOY it and do it for the love. You have come far, and will go where ever your legs take you. Although you are having a minor IT band issue, and although you have it a roadblock, look within yourself and know that you have the strength and the support to work through it. Yes, it may take longer than you think, but as long as you get through it, that is all that matters.  Remember, Makayla loves you whether you run another half, ever run your first full marathon, or even if you never run a 5K again. Your running family and your true friends and family will help you through everything, just know when to lean on them.

Believe in yourself, remember how far you have come and how hard the struggle. It made you where you are today...happier, 57 pounds lighter, and even a half marathoner. Life isn't easy, but running is your drug...even if you only get out for 2 miles...GO STRETCH YOUR LEGS AND LET YOUR MIND BE PEACEFUL!
Love,
 You

Week recap (Yes, I know it's only Tuesday)

I am supposed to be doing homework, don't worry, I will get it done, but I needed to reflect on this week. I am down another 2.2 #s this week, which puts me at 47.2 pounds loss. My original goal of 50# is soclose, yet I can't seem to get the scale to budge. I will keep trying, don't worry. Monday, I went to a store called Aardvark's and got fitted for running shoes. I learned that when I walk I walk on the outside of my feet, and the running shoes that I had pushed my feet outward more. Explains a lot of the shin pain, AND why my feet hurt so much on Sunday. I cannot wait until Friday to pick them up. (Don't worry, there will be pictures). I guess that officially makes me a runner now, that I am excited about getting new running shoes. Also, I stress out about my Garmin, everytime I walk past it I make sure it is charging. This week is 12 weeks until my first half marathon, and is day 2 of Hal Higdon's game plan. It is also my first run day after a 10K, and my first time trying to find a route at the new apartment. First things first. My legs felt like I was wearing shoes made out of iron and I was trying to run on magnets. It took 2.5 miles (only slated to run 3) just to feel like they were warming up. Oh.my.gawd! I hope this doesn't keep up! But I wouldn't let myself quit. What's 3 miles when you just raced 6.2? Then came the problem of finding 3 miles that was good to run. I found a route, and it had a lot of hills. I am sure I will run it again, but I think my run on Thursday will be on the bike path or somewhere FLAT. I think my legs need something flat. I also need to find a good home video or something to help me stretch (suggestions greatly appreciated).
In running, as in life, you meet some great people. I have met a lot of great people with BCR and I hope that I can consider them friends one day. I owe a lot of my success to them, whenever we do our weekend group runs they are always encouraging me and helping me NOT QUIT. I hope that in my running, I continue to make them proud.
I still can't believe that I have only been running since Sep, and I have completed a 10K and am now training for a half-marathon. Who would have thought it?

Blah

I am feeling kinda blah today, for no reason in particular. I got called into work last night at 1100 to assist with an appendectomy, and got home at 2 so I did get some sleep. I know I have a full week of work and school work so it's not like my schedule changed much. I just can't shake this blah feeling.  Over the weekend I was looking at my loseit.com on my computer (I usually use it on my phone so I don't view the entire site too often). Anyway, when I looked at it I looked at what my goal is, and how far I have come. I know that I have been doing loseit now for a while, but I think I started doing it again faithfully right before our family vacation. I also know that since vacation, I also started a C25K program, and joined the gym at my work, also to help keep me motivated. Well, looking at where I came from...I can say that I have lost 29 pounds since May! While I am proud of that, I know that there is so much more to come off. This starts week 5 of the C25K program, and I am happy to see that I have stuck with something this long.I take it one day at a time. I will post pictures tomorrow, of when I started 5 weeks ago and what I took today. While I don't see a difference, you might. What I can say, is that with all of this weight loss and running, my bras are now 2 cup sizes smaller, and my pants are 3 sizes smaller from May, but 6 sizes smaller than Jan last year. Yes, smaller than before I got pregnant. Here's hoping you are having a good week.

Do I have a twin?

So, I stumbled across this blog written by a young lady named Michelle. The more I read it, the more I was like, wow! We have so much in common. First thing is obvious, our first names, except that spells it with 2 "l". Then, both of our nicknames are Shelley, although she spells it "Chelle." Then, our occupation is the same, we are both nurses. We both are moms (although she has 1and 1 on the way) we are both married to servicemen, and while she is currently also a full time student, I am currently applying to grad school! Wow! What a small world! So, go on over to her blog, learn a little more about her and enter her, "How did you meet your cupcake" giveaway!

Why...

Hubs and I were having a chat on the way home today. Nothing unusual, unless you look at the topic.

Why do we drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?

Why are packages traveling by car called a shipment, and by a boat cargo?

Why does a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance?

That is all we talked about so far...what thoughts do you have?

Hope your Sunday went well. Here's to a good week!