Next Challenge- Swimming!

So, what do you do when your Running Coach also happens to be a Tri-Coach?  You learn how to swim (in order to improve your running, of course).  Okay, so I had the basic idea, and could stay afloat in deep water, but that whole breathing thing and proper form?  No way.  Thankfully, Joella is very patient with me.

This is my next big challenge- and I figured a good one for the winter, when I can't get out to run nearly as often as I'd like.  Plus, I need to switch up my routine a bit anyway-- plateauing again.  So here's what I'm focusing on right now:

• Getting the breathing thing down-- I am pretty sure I could do it- IF I didn't have to work my arms and legs at the same time.  *Multitasking and Amber don't mix very well
• Keeping my legs straight, and kicking from the hip.  For the life of me, I can't stop bending my knees!  Guess I need more kickboard practice.  Focus on one thing at a time.  (*See multitasking comment)
• Fingers together
• Breathe to the side, only to the side.  And don't suck in water.

Right now, I'm swimming with flippers.  I must say that I was getting foot cramps yesterday with them, so I took them off for a few laps--- oh.my.goodness- you'd think somebody cut my feet off!  It was like swimming against a current!  Uh yeah, I don't see myself doing a tri anytime soon--- I've got a LONG way to go!  

But I like it!

Finding Myself

I can honestly say, I never felt good about myself before, and definitely didn't love myself nearly enough.   Especially not in high school... or college for that matter.  It affected everything I did, and what friends I had (or didn't have!).  It affected what I was willing to try, what I was willing to risk (nothing).  I wasn't "good" at anything, and that's just who I was going to be for the rest of my life.

People categorized me as "shy", but the truth is, I just truly believed I wasn't good enough.  So I kept my distance, and kept my mouth shut.  (Still working on changing old habits there...)

It didn't matter how nice my clothes were, how I fixed my hair, how pretty I smelled, I was always, just Amber.  Shopping for new clothes was a chore.  NOTHING ever looked "nice".  I always felt I had to hide behind baggy clothing and t-shirts.  ... and was always the ugly sister.  Although meant whole heartedly as a compliment, now I hear, "You and Jill could share clothes..."  or "Wow, you look so nice, I really thought you were Taylor!"--- and I DO take them as compliments because my sisters ARE and ALWAYS have been beautiful, but just sayin'...

That's changed now (much to my husband's dismay, when it comes to new clothes shopping...).  I feel like I am finally starting to "find" myself, in learning how to run.  I don't need to be an Ironman, or run the fastest... but I'm doing something for me.  I'm finally good at something!  And it's overflowing to every other area of my life.  Some of my friends have asked me how I've stuck with it so long.  (It's only been a year...)  How I stay so motivated.  The truth is- I just don't want to lose this feeling- the feeling of finding myself, and loving myself.  It's not about running.  That's just the road that got me here, and I am forever grateful.

Next up: Learning how to swim.

Who knows, maybe someday a Triathalon?  Maybe.  But I'm willing to explore my options to find out!

Big (Little!) News!!

I almost forgot my BIIG news!  I made it to a Size 8!  I've never been a size 8!  WOO HOO!  AND, Old Navy has a $15 Jeans Sale, so I got myself some new ones!  YES!

The Best Christmas Gift Ever!

I got a fun new toy for Christmas!!!  A GPS Watch!  I'm still learning all that it can do, but I'm mighty impressed!  I love RunKeeper, but it's not always accurate, and I have to use my phone in order to track it (I'm out of luck if it's raining!)-- or try to put it in manually, which is a pain in the butt.  This keeps track of everything for me!  Split times, heart rate, distance, maps... and I can even race with or against a virtual partner!  I love it!  I am really hoping it helps with my upcoming half marathon training-- beginning January 1.  I'm really struggling running without music, so I'm hoping this will help!

Running without the Tunes

I meant to post this last Thursday... but alas I didn't have time to think until today (when 1 child is sleeping, and the other at preschool!)

So on Thursday, I did my first 4 mile run without the music.  Man, once you are used to it, it's CRAZY how much you depend on it!  I made it though... but I definitely don't think I could have a few months ago.  It was a lot harder for me- not impossible- but I actually felt like a Biggest Loser competitor when they have to strap the weight that they lost back on, and then complete an assignment.  I felt like I had weights on me.  Music always seemed to just carry me, to get my mind off the pain/ uncomfortableness, put me in a good mood, gave me that extra boost to make it up the hill, get me fired up when I was ready to quit, whispered those words in my ear, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...".

But, for safety purposes mostly, I feel like I need to learn how to do it without the music.  I'll save music for gym workouts and elliptical.

On another note, I've been able to make it to Run Club a little more often, and I'm learning how much running with others helps, and makes it more enjoyable!  Yesterday, we made it almost 6 miles, and I literally felt like we went 2.  I'm so thankful for having found this group!

Reminiscing the Pre-Running Days

So  I ran into my best friend from childhood/ high school last night at Applebee's.  Amid our discussion, the topic of me starting to run came up.  She kinda laughed and said:

Haha, I remember when we used to take Kickboxing at the Y in high school, and had to run laps around the gym to warm up.  (The gym had a large divider down the center for other classes, but we were able to navigate around them to get our initial warm up in.)  We would run passed the teacher, and then when we got to the other side of the divider where the teacher couldn't see us, walk.  I believe I even recall walking along the divider, instead of the perimeter of the gym!  Did I mention we were totally pooped after this as well??

I have come a-looooong-way!

I survived!!!

I survived my first 17 degree weather run this morning!!!  I had no idea how I was going to make it through the winter... yet alone running at 5:30am on Tuesdays and Thursdays...  but I really did okay this morning!  

I do NOT like the cold... whether it's the MS or just the way God made me, but cold weather literally HURTS me, actual physical pain... I despise the wintertime.  But with the layers I had on this morning, I heated up pretty quickly, and the cold didn't really cross my mind, despite seeing icicles in everyone's hair and eyelashes!

Along our run, this little kitty started following us, and running right along with us for a good mile or two.  So cute!