Vanessa's Running Blog

Ran 10 miles through the neighborhood. Energy down. Yawn. 

Ran 8 miles on the trail I will be running on  for a 25k trail race October 31. Was a sneak preview event. Energy was low starting out but I got a second wind and really picked up the pace at the end.  Felt good to run fast. Hadn't ran this week.  Have felt so zapped, down and anxious. Was dreading the 60 mile drive to the event.  Driving makes me anxious. I made it though.  Focused on keeping my muscles relaxed. Made a conscious effort not to grip the steering wheel too tight and to breathe slowly. Had the option to carpool but I wanted to get there myself so I would stop dreading driving there race day. Now that I have drove there once I'm not as afraid. Also wanted to drive because I hate feeling limited by my fear of driving.  I want to defeat it. I aspire to be a confident driver.  A few years ago I wouldn't have even considered driving 60 miles to run around for 15 miles with a crowd of people. If getting there hadn't gave me a panic attack just being around a bunch of people would have sent me into a panic attack.  Crowds aren't a issue anymore.  Little by little the fear list is growing smaller.  I'm a work in progress but I guess everyone is. Two years ago I was 50 lbs heavier and the maid of honor at a friends wedding. I got lost on the way to her wedding and had a panic attack.  Had to stop somewhere to recollect myself so I could drive. Showed up late, frazzled and embarrassed. Wasn't long after that I started eating right, exercising and running.  Running has seemed to dramatically reduce the amount of panic attacks.  I have only had 6 this year. I use to have about that many a month. There is a quote I like and think about a lot because I find it so fitting, "The more I run, the more I want to run, and the more I live a life conditioned and influenced and fashioned by my running. And the more I

run, the more certain I am that I am heading for my real goal: to become

the person I am." --George Sheehan, M.D., former RW columnist

Felt grumpy for most of the day. Didn't want to but I went to the gym.  Ran a 4 mile tempo run on the treadmill. Did some ab work and lifted weights.  I feel much better now. I love running. 

I was in a much better mood today even though I didn't get much sleep because I stayed up too late building a website. Ran four miles on the treadmill after work.  

Was cold starting out but it turned out to be a beautiful morning for a 10 mile trail run. I love nice weather and nature.  When I got home I felt energetic so I went for a 15 mile bike ride through the neighborhood. Now I'm hungry. 

Ran through the neighborhood. Was hot outside, strange for Fall. 

Ran a easy two miles on the treadmill. 

I was so tired today. I didn't get much sleep last night.  Have been thinking about a lot of things and writing. Was hungry all day too. Despite being tired I still craved a run after work so I ran a mile as fast as I could through the neighborhood. 

 While I watched my favorite TV show tonight I biked on my trainer and after that I did a lot of push ups. 

 Hopefully tonight I can sleep good so I can go on a long run tomorrow.

Ran 9 miles on the treadmill at different speeds and inclines. 

Ran a easy two miles on the treadmill.

Biked 35 miles in a event to raise money for various things. Was fun despite being nervous at times.  Started and ended in town.  That is the second time that I have rode my bike in the city, cars make me nervous.  Have always rode my bike out in the country. It was fun meeting and talking to new people.  I think it is something I will do again.

Ran a easy two miles on the treadmill.  Finally feeling better after a stomach bug I came down with on Sunday.  I hope it is totally gone before Sunday, that is when my 25K trail race is. I have been training hard since August.

Ran my first 25K Trail Run! It was fun! Turned out to be a perfect day for it. Wanted to finish in 3hr and 30 min and finished in 3hr 46 min. Not too far off. Was moving along pretty good until I had about 5 more miles to go.  Ankles were really hurting. I think I laced my shoes too tightly, loosened my shoes when I had about 4 more miles togo.  Despite the pain I ran the last mile quickly and ran through the finish line with a lot of energy. I can't wait to run this event again next year. Next year I will be faster!