Jackie's Exercise Log

January 25, 2014

6 km done! It was cold and bitter and I was froze but determined to break past the 5K rut I seemed to be sitting comfortably in the past few weeks. When I got up and saw the temperature outside was -20 I thought my PJ's sounded like a better idea but I bundled up and off I went.   I can't say it was pretty and with my bad lungs(to cut a long story short my mom smoked when she was pregnant on me and I was born with bad lungs). I really had to push myself and each time I had to run into the wind I just couldn't force the air down into my lungs even though I had my face covered.   No way was I quitting though, lungs burning, head hurting I kept going. I had to talk myself through about half the run. Do you guys ever do that? Please say you do, if not I'm a tad touched.   Come on Jackie, one more step you can do it. You won't get back up to your half marathon distance if you whimp out, for god's sake you can run 6K you have dome much further..and so on. Next weekend 8K here we come.  

January 28, 2014

I couldn't help but go out while it was sunny today I have to admit I am thinking about you guys running this evening though.  I have to admit, I'm a morning person and running in the evening is hard on me. It felt so wonderful to be out in the sunshine today, it was energizing and refreshing in itself.

I've been thinking about what motivates me as I gear up for the plans I have in store for myself over the next couple of months.   Are there blogs you follow, are there sayings you hold to heart, is there someone or some cause you run for or you is there someone that inspires you? If so please feel free to share it with all of us :).   If the ladies(sorry guys) reading this I  find Fellow Flowers very inspiring.  They have a declare it day on February 1st. Stay tuned for what I am declaring for myself on that day.  They have some nice inspirational tech shirts. I've worn a few of them to my Saturday runs the past week.  If you see me wearing a yellow flower sometimes that is also where it is from.  If you wish you can check them out. Their web site is felllowflowers.com.  I hope you enjoyed your run today!

Jan 30, 2014

No run today. Our group run was cancelled due to the weather and to be honest, I was glad. I had a rough day at work, I am tired and the thought of going out in the cold blowing snow just didn't do anything for me.

February 1, 2014

8K that was my goal today and I feel fantastic because I did it!  My goal was to get the distance in and not worry about my time so much.  I walked when I had to especially over the ice when I ran alone.  One can never be too careful and I'm not looking to injure myself.   I dedicated my run today to my dad.  When the going got though and I was feeling tired I would think of him and smile and know he'd want me to keep going so keep going I did.   I love running in the sun, even if it was cold at times. The sun just rejuvenates me. I had to push myself to keep going a few times and the hills got me a few times but I stuck to it.   The mind is a wonderful tool.  If you believe nothing is impossible.  Some of you may have noticed the yellow flower on the back of my hat.  It's from Fellow Flowers and today they have a declare it day. I made a declaration and it's on my facebook page. If anyone wants to see it feel free to check me on FB. They have different flowers and each color has a different meaning.   The flower is a symbol of friendship, strength and beauty.  It represents your journey, the miles and moments.  The training and transformation.  The realization that your body is strong and your mind is even stronger.  It's telling you that every day YOU are worth it.  The yellow flower itself(besides having been my dad's favorite color) stands for joy happiness and confidence.  To smile for a reason. To appreciate sunshine. To find your happy!  I'd like to thank Gina for coming back to check on me, you are such a sweetheart!   It was so nice to sit my fellow runners afterwards and get to know you guys better.   You are such a wonderful group of people.   I hope you all have a wonderful day whatever it involves.

February 4, 2014

No run for me today. I hurt my back yesterday and had limited motion so I'm letting it rest. I hope you all enjoyed your run!

February 6, 2014

No run for me again today. Our regular run was cancelled due to the snow storm and it might have been for the best. I'll rest my back until Saturday it feels much better than it did.  I hope it's ok now. I have training to do! I know I have to listen to my body and all but you know how it goes.  I miss my runs this week that's for sure.   :(  I've set a weight loss goal for myself for February. At the end of the month I'll let you know if I made my goal for the month or not in regards to the scale.   I'm determined to reach the goals I've set for myself in 2014. Have you set any goals for yourself in regards to your health for 2014? It doesn't have to be a weight one.  Please feel free to share them with us as this is group blog not an individual's blog.

February 8, 2014

What an awesome morning for a run.  My eyelashes were frozen and certain other body parts were pretty cold but my breathing was good and so was my back. It felt so good to be out there in the fresh crisp air and to enjoy the sunshine and to see the smiling faces of you all!  That in itself is inspiring.  I can honestly say that was the best run that I've had in a very long time.  I hope you all enjoy your day!

February 11, 2014

Another great run. Yes, I can say that now seeing I'm done!  I had 3 base layers on and could hardly move but I was determined to go.  I'm happy we just had a short 4K on tap this evening.  My legs were like lead. I don't know if I was tired or if it was from all the clothes but I pushed through.  I kept picking points and saying to myself, "Come on Jackie you can run to that pole".  Around the 3.5K mark I got a pain in my head, I guess from the cold but I pushed through that also. I was determined to get it done and I did! Just goes to prove you can do just about anything that you set your mind too.  

February 13, 2014

Hot coals, hot coals, believe, believe, you can do this, hot coals.  Do you see the things that RUN through my mind as I try to keep myself moving on some of my runs?  They say that running is 90% mental and I agree!  Had a wonderful run with my husband this morning. We went early as we won't make the group run this evening due to our work schedules and we both wanted to get our runs in today.  It was a crisp run again but I truly LOVE running in the mornings.  It's as if you are one with the world.   It's nice to see the morning breaking, the silence and to hear nature at it's finest.   I get lost in my morning runs with my thoughts and I reflect on life.   Then when I struggle I push myself through with my conversations to myself.   My breathing was much better this morning.   I hope that means that my lungs are adjusting to the running conditions here.   I got tired around 4 KM's but I pushed myself through it.   Believe in yourself and you can achieve great things :).     

P.S Happy Valentine's Day to you all tomorrow!   

February 16, 2014

Run fail this weekend.   I was really looking forward to our Saturday group run this week but mother nature had other plans.  We had planned on running this morning before the next storm was to hit, got up, got ready, got to the pond and just as we got out of the car the freezing rain hit.  It's been a messy day. Hopefully this coming week will be more forgiving.

February 18, 2014

Fantastic run! It was cold and slippery and wonderful :). 

P.S. No sugar coating added.

February 22, 2014

Today was such an inspiration to say the least.   PRC held it's Snow & Ice 5 KM  run and we had done fundraising for one of the member's son who has epilepsy.  I had been looking forward to this run for weeks now and I'm so happy mother nature held off and the run went ahead.  I love running to give back in some way.  Every day that we have on this earth is a gift in itself and so many people that that for granted, I know in the past I did myself.   Off we went for our run. I looked at the route and knew that it was going to be one of the hardest 5 Km runs that I've done because I'm not really use to running hills.  I just put my head down, got in my zone and off I went.  It actually felt good and knowing I was running for Ben it encouraged me to keep going.   I had to stop a few times along the way to regroup but didn't stop for long and off I'd go again.  It was so nice to greet the other words and to hear the words of encouragement along the way and see the smiling faces.   Before I knew it we were back at the finish and I was very happy with the time that Jack and I finished in.  Afterwards we all gathered inside for refreshments and the awarding of the medals.  When the amount of the fundraising was announced I was truly shocked. I thought that we would probably come up with a number much less than what was actually raised.  When I saw the figure I felt such a surge of pride.   Then when Diane spoke it was hard to see a dry eye anywhere close to me.  It's so nice to see everyone really acting more like a family.   In today's world it's so refreshing to see a group come together and support each other.   You are all an inspiration and a wonderful group of people.  :)

February 27, 2014

What a beautiful night for a run!  We were a bit late going as our work makes it hard for us to make the 5 45 run time but we went!  I'm still finding running after work harder than running in the morning. After having working all day doing what I do I am usually drained. Needless to say I had a hard run and had to really push myself.  Next week is the start of our official half marathon training and I'm going to try to get my week day runs in during the morning to compare morning running over evening running. The roads were slick last night but if you took your time and were careful it was fine.  It wasn't as cold as I thought it would be, maybe spring isn't too far away? A girl can always dream!  Over the past month I set certain goals for myself and I'm proud to say I met them.  In the last 3 weeks I'm down almost 13 lbs!  In March I've set a goal of 8 lbs. That's about 2 lbs a week which is pretty realistic.  Dedication, some hard work and believing in yourself goes a long way!