Ugh the heat.

I've been running, but man the heat is brutal.  I usually get up and run at 5:15 in the morning.  It's still about 90 degrees and the humidity is insane.  Lucky for me I've got a break in coaching.  Our new program starts up on Aug 22.  I'm hoping that the heat dies down.  I go back to Wyoming On Sept 8. I'll be there 3 weeks.  So running will be great.  In an effort to strengthen my leg muscles and get rid of shin splints I bought the five finger Komodos.  Here's a pic:

Not the cutest shoes at the ball, but they will do.  Happy running. :)

Half Training and Crossfit

Soo, I started training for the route 66 half marathon officially on July 9.  Since then I've been on scheduled runs (and coaching).  Last week I ran 20 miles.  Most of these miles were done at 5:15 am since everyday this week its been over 103 degrees.  Its still very hot and often humid when I do these runs.  So they are fluff.  I've also been coaching a 6pm on Monday and Wednesday.  These runs are actually the hardest.  Imagine trying to encourage new runners when its super hot.  I feel like they do. HOT!  While doing this, I've also been going to crossfit Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Whoo! that is a great and addictive workout.  Its hard too.  I love it.  I don't love the soreness that comes with it.   I hope all of this brings me closer to my fitness goals.  I'm going to investigate the paleo diet today.  I think cleaner eating is in my future (if only I can get a certain great griller to grill for me).

I'm hoping to make it back here.  The finish line, but at the Route 66 race.  I believe I can make it.  

Night all. 

Crossfit!

Let me start by saying that I've been a busy bee.  I still haven't put up my Wyoming pictures (I swear I will).  But this weekend, I begin my half marathon training.  Honestly, its hot as hades here too.  I'm nervous.  In a bid to be prepared, I decided to change gyms to one that has crossfit.  Now, I drive ALL the way across town to the YWCA.  This is the only gym in town with affordable crossfit.

Crossfit is no joke! Its hard and fast and you will be sore.  Usually, it takes about 20-25 mins to get done (depending on YOU).  We do stuff like sprinting, super squats with weights, burpies, etc.  It ain't easy.  I keep going because I truly believe this will help me to be a better runner.  Sigh, at least I hope a whole lot.  Here's a pic of my first day:

I think I look intense.  

I'm back!!

I just spent a week in Wyoming and loved it.  The sad part about it was there was no signal!!! None.  So I couldn't post.  Now, I'm getting ready to run 2 miles.  I'll begin the picture posting when I get back.  :)

Route 66 Half Marathon.

Soo, yesterday I ran 4 miles.  At first, I was a bit overwhelmed by the prospect but I've run farther before.  The problem was I took two weeks off of running due to an injury and have had a hard time getting back into the swing of things.  I still coach, but I suffered a bit just like my students (don't tell).  I'm pretty good at putting on a happy face though.  Anyway, yesterday I felt awesome.  It was like I was born to run.  It didn't matter that it was very hot. It didn't matter that I wasn't really hydrated well.  I still felt like I was flying.  Afterwards, I signed up for half marathon training.  I know I can do this. Lupus be damned.  I run this house not lupus!!! My goal race is the route 66 half.  After that I may do something fun like the disney half or a running cruise. Who knows? The sky is now the limit.

Happy running.

National Running day!

Today is national running day.  Its a day made to celebrate those that love to run.  That's me.  It was HOT today.  I swear I saw folks melting on the sidewalk.  But I managed to get in a 2.5 mile run with my running group.  As a coach sometimes its hard to get the new runner's to understand hot the heat can affect their bodies.  I preach hydration and the art of bringing water, but sometimes it does not get through.  Today, I saw a spark in my runner's. THEY began to understand.  I was proud.  Sigh, its almost like a mother seeing her child grow, on one hand its sad, on the its exciting.   I like being excited.

Night all.

Tattoos!

Really on one big one made of little tattoos.  Today was the day I put my stamp on lupus and running.  In folks that have lupus, the butterfly represents the common rash that most of us get.  I don't get it, but I understand it.  So all my butterflies represent that and the years I have and will have lupus.  There is no sure for this autoimmune disease.

Getting worked on. 

It hurt like nothing else, but I was a trooper. 

 The 13.1 represents the half marathon I'm preparing to run this year.  I started running about 5 years after I found out I had lupus.   I was very hard and still is some days.  Now, I coach other runners because I understand the struggle. Actually, some days I still struggle just to run a few miles.  But this year the plan is to run either the Route 66 half marathon or the Jenks half.  Either way, I've claimed it and I'm going to do it.

To others with lupus, you can do anything.  To those that don't understand why folks with lupus don't look sick, trust me we are.  Our bodies fight us daily.  We fight to stay alive because of it.  

Night all.