OK girls...

Guys, this is the part you can stop reading.  I mean, you can read it if you want but I don't think you'll care as much.

Boobs.  Running with more than an 'A cup' is not fun.  I mentioned that I run in a small town.  A plus is that I can run safely around town.  A negative would be that people know me, and see me running (yes, they compliment, blow the horn, and encourage me), but I also feel more self conscious about running.

No, I'm not a "hot babe" and I'm talking about my boobs, not that awesome headband.  I don't think I have the power to cause an accident like "Mayhem" dude here, but if anyone has AFFORDABLE ideas for proper sports bras for big chested women--I'm all ears.

 I can't find that "just right" bra.  I feel like it's the holy grail and I may never find it.  They either don't support enough, or make you look like you have some uni-boob thing going on while at the same time stressing the muscles on your shoulders and upper back.  I have tried under armor type clothes (stretchy tanks and shirts made pretty much of spandex) that are supposed to ..you know.. hold all my "junk" in the appropriate car metaphor areas.  I wouldn't be writing this post if they worked.  I have lost weight though, and that makes it easier to shop, but why does good workout attire have to be so damn expensive?


If you have advice or know of a product to try, leave a comment below! Help is definitely appreciated.

Advice?

I know, I said I had caught the runner's bug.  I still have it, but apparently if you let the bug go for a few days..no a little more than a week, the bug doesn't bite quite as hard as a regular runner.  Does that make sense?

What I'm trying to say is that you shouldn't take breaks when you're trying to get in the habit of running.  I had read this on one of the reddit forums, but thought it wasn't applicable to me.  That, because I had actually gotten to love running, I would keep at it.  It's not the weather, or any one thing.  I can come up with a million reasons, very good reasons, as to why I haven't been able to run.  But this very logical side of me, the "don't give me that shit" side (which sounds a lot like Arnold from "Different Strokes"), knows that it's all crap. It's excuse.

 Yes, I'm busy (but who isn't). Yes, I have tons of schoolwork and work work, and side projects and things for other people. Who doesn't?  The difference between the regular runners and the person who comes up with excuse after excuse is the fact that a real runner, someone who wants to run, makes time to run. 


So that's what I plan on doing.  For those interested, I am restarting the C25K but with a twist.  I stay on a week until I have mastered it, until I feel that moving on isn't going to kill me.  If it takes me 2 or 3 weeks to move from one challenge (aka a change in workout plans), that's okay.  I thought this would keep me back, not push me enough.  Instead, it makes me feel empowered.

Discovered

So, I had a very "ah ha" moment the other day.  On my last post (which was, 'gasp', more than a week ago!), I talked about having a stomach bug and had to have a make up running day on Sunday.  That was good of me, and I am sticking to it.  I was psyched about starting a new week, when everything hit me at once.  Midterms, work, anniversary parties, and then I get a horrible head cold. I haven't ran this week.  Not once.  I feel crappy about it.

So bad, in fact, that after working 9 hours on Saturday, and then scooting home with only enough time to get my dog ready for the groomers, I changed to my running shoes, just so I can feel them on my feet again.  I was itching to run.  I still am itching to run.  I was even planning on running in the rain tonight, but I didn't realize it had gotten so dark, and at 7:20 p.m. it was already too dark to see.

That's my "ah ha" moment.  I actually like running.  I like breaking from the books, computers, phone, and television and just getting out there.  I get to enjoy music and fresh air.  I crave it, and I've caught this runner's bug.

Accentuate The Positive

I swear I'm not a whiney person, though when you write a blog like this, it's hard to not come off as a complainer sometimes.  So, I'm going to outline the positive and negatives regarding this week's runs.

(I had a better picture, but it came from a very bad source apparently...this is iStockPhoto)

Positive: I ran faster and further than I have before the whole shin splint debacle.

Negative: I was sick and worked a full day on Saturday, so I took the night off from running.

Positive: I ran Sunday instead...

Negative: I almost gave up the last part of my run because my body is exhausted.

Positive: I didn't give up.  I looked at my time left, and how far I had already ran and told myself to keep going.

Positive:  I said my body was exhausted, but it's not from running.  Working full time while fighting a bug, as well as going to school and having projects due (stress) is what I think caused my extreme tired feeling.

Positive:  I was complimented several times at work by customers and coworkers who said they could tell I'm losing weight.

Negative:  My family tries to encourage me, but often ends up discouraging me.  I know they don't mean to, but compliments like, "You're doing good, but ... " followed by how I would look so much prettier if I lost weight, and how hard it is to lose weight when you're older, and other phrases make me want to run away.

Positive:  I'm not running just to lose weight.  It's a stress reliever, and a lifestyle change I want in my life.  It gets me out of the house, away from my computer, and away from all the annoyances in my life...briefly.  I get to enjoy my music.


Any tips on how to boost energy when you're feeling very sluggish before a run?  I felt ready to run, and my mind was excited about it.  My body...not so much.