Long Walks, Long Thoughts.

One beautiful thing about spending hours on the trail every day is that I spend hours thinking, pondering, wondering, wishing, praying, and smiling.  What a beautiful time it has become.  I do listen to music every once in a while, but I find myself more and more just taking out my earbuds and thinking.  It's so good to just be away from the house and outside.  The weather has been beautiful, and the fall air feels so good.   
One problem with walking/running long distances is that if I don't go 6, 8, or 10 miles I feel like a slacker.  Today was an off day since I went 10 miles yesterday.  My one day of recovery.  I thought about going for a short walk, but instead I did chores and eventually wandered over to starbucks to write this blog.  I think it's probably better for my body anyway if I give it a day off.  Especially after yesterday.  I still struggle with feeling like I'm slacking just because I took a day off.  I had to readjust my attitude, and now I'm feeling much better about not going my usual 6 miles. 
The Holidays are approaching along with colder weather.  I'm getting nervous about what I'm going to do when it gets bitter cold out.  I haven't decided yet, but I know that I'll figure it out as the time approaches.  I never used to understand where people found the determination to workout every day, but now I do.  Days when I don't work out, I feel tired, sluggish, and sleepy.  Even now I feel like taking a nap.  Instead I'm drinking water, and I did chores all morning.  Anything to keep moving.  :)  I hate the idea of joining a gym, but I might have to.
So, I'm still kicking, and I'm really enjoying my new routine. 

Run, Carrie, Run

So, I like to go running a lot.  I'm not sure I actually like it yet, but I go.  It's often time hard on me...but I go.  Today I ran nearly 6 miles and walked another 2 giving me an 8 mile total.  6 MILES!  That is farther than I ever thought I would ever run.  Ever.  I just had the drive to push my body today...and I did.  I got home and I have two enormous blisters on my arches.  I don't think I'll be running that far again for a while.  I'll continue to stick to my two mile daily run and 4 mile walk.  I've been walking a 6 mile loop for some time now. 

So, I just wanted to let you all know that even though it's been challenging finding time writing on this blog, I'm still working really hard, and am starting to see and feel the changes in my body.  :)

Friday!

Well, it's the end of a very busy, eventful week.  I had sick children in the beginning, but from Wednesday on it has been Halloween madness, and running.  I started reading this book called, "The non-runners guide to marathon training"  Amazing.  It's encouraging, and it helps give me a reasonable idea of how my running should be.  Although I'm not planning on running a marathon in 16 weeks, I am planning on walking 13.1 miles in a mere 5 weeks.  13.1 miles is a long way!  So, I took the books advice and started running.....very, very slowly.  I think the reason I've always hated running is because I hate going slow.  Sometimes I could actually walk faster than I am running....but that isn't the point.  Running for me is a mental thing.  Pushing myself to do something I hate.  I ran 4 miles my first day.  I was stoked.  It is so much farther than I ever thought I could run.  Given, it took forever, but I did it!   My foot is hurting, so I only ran Tues and Wed.  Yesterday I went for a walk, and my plan is to go for another run today. 

Eating healthy has been somewhat of a challenge.  Most of the time I find myself in the pantry just looking for something, anything to snack on.  I almost always can't find anything and end up eating either celery, lettuce, or an apple.  I've eaten a ton of apples.   It's funny how you're hungry, but you just can't find anything.  My staples have become hummus, apples, muesli and yogurt, and pita chips, among other things.  I eat whatever Henry makes for dinner.  On Thursdays I eat at subway.   Yum. 

I hate the struggle in my mind over food.  I think that it's getting easier, and I'm trying to make sure it's balanced the way it should be, but a lot of the time I'm thinking about food.  It's hard to know when I'm actually hungry, or if it's just the fact that I'm trying not to eat to much....so I want it.  That standard reaction that every child has.  You can't have something, so you want it even more.  My mind struggles.  Luckily I live in a house of very organic vegetarians.   There isn't very much junk around for me to grab.  I did sneak a few dark chocolate edamame the other day but if that is the worst I can do, then I'm feeling pretty lucky.  Change, change...sometimes difficult, but often fun. 

Playlist:

Paramore

Ingrid Michaelson

Beyonce:she's been fun to run to.

Monday

Hello All!

So, sick children have me overwhelmed at the moment.  Sorry for not blogging.  I generally try to type during the day, but when they're home from school, it is hard to find the time.  I had Alicia do a Pilates video with me today for a little bit of a core workout.  I've been walking a lot, but today(because I was home bound) I wasn't able to hit the trail. 

My eating has gotten into a bit of a routine. 

Muesli for breakfast.  Sometimes with fruit and either milk or yogurt.

Lunch is usually leftovers, a salad, or a few pita chips with hummus....I love hummus. 

Snack: nuts, crackers, or fruit

Dinner: whatever Henry makes.

I went on a walk Thursday morning....it was hardly sprinkling

But, while on the walk, it started pouring...and pouring...and pouring

So, here I am.  Completely soaked to the bone.

My poor shoes.  They were so completely drenched.

It's been fun finding and trying different foods.  The options are different here for the most part, so it's interesting.  I will say that sometimes when I have to have a dessert my option has been yogurt raisins.  I think they're delicious.  I think I'm doing pretty well, and I'm sorry that I haven't been blogging as much as I would like.  It's nearly 11:30 now...so off to bed I go.  I need good sleep to make good decisions. 

Playlist:

Lifehouse

Norah Jones

Reading:

Acts and Ephesians

Ephesians 2:18-22

"For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ²²In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

ZUMBA

I have been eating way less then normal... actually potions of a normal human being... and I have been doing better at not snacking at every moment...

I also would like to say that I have the best Dad ever... He bought me Zumba yesterday, and it should be here by the end of the week... I will post for sure about how it goes... I am actually really looking forward to it.

Shameful!

So, sorry I haven't been typing this week like I should be.  No need to worry though, my lack of blogging is not a lack of work being done.  I've had a great week.  Lots of walking, lots of healthy food, a few mistakes, but for the most part it's been great fun.  I just haven't had any time to sit down and type.  For those of you that don't know already, I injured my foot.  It is an injury called Plantar Fasciitis.  I strained it walking in my flats, and other shoes that have no support.  Now I'm paying the price.  Every morning I stretch it out, in hopes that I'll be able to put pressure on my foot.  I've still been walking though, only now I am ditching my cute shoes for my very supportive shoes.  Shoe shopping is in my future.  I'll try to finish out this weekend with more updates. 
A few things I did this week:
Walked atleast 3 miles every day. 
Played a pick-up game of basketball in a park.  So fun.
Walked around downtown with Alicia. 
Walked through the National Museum of Natural History.

Playlist:
Mat Kearney
Brooke Fraser(her new album rocks)
Paramore

Basketball!

Yes! Amanda's wedding is over and done with and now I can really get serious about losing some weight. I had an amazing time at the wedding, but I looking forward to feeling better about myself.

Here's a picture of the bouquet I caught... So that means I have to get into shape so I can meet the man I am supposed to marry! haha

Tomorrow open gym starts. And I am looking forward to it... I absolutely love basketball and getting back into it is going to be great. Getting up early is going to be the pits but atleast I will be getting some exercise. And I am almost sure this will just start my will to work out more. I am looking forward to getting back on the court. I haven't played basketball in such a long time but I am so excited to give it a go again... Basketball has always been a passion of mine.

Now to the whole eating better thing... I need to get on that... Its October... which means Halloween candy everywhere... not a good thing... I don't really have a sweet tooth... Its just easier to eat it when its sitting right there in your face... So here's to will power! God give me the strength to stay out of the candy bowl at work and at home!