“It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.” ~ Henry Ford

Spartan Shape-Up, Day 56:

A beautiful (if slightly warm) day for a run, today! Although, I must say, my allergies seem to have different designs. It was a bit like breathing through a straw. A big straw, but a straw nonetheless. I felt like I was getting just a smidge under the amount of air in that I actually wanted. Not enough to seriously impact my run, but just enough that I didn't quite have the get up and go that I had on my last run. It also probably didn't help that I was a bit stiff from yesterday's squats and thrusters.

I think I'm really going to need to get on board with these ice baths. Spartan Chick's Margo the Great tells me I will love them. And quite frankly, if they aid in not having the fatigue feeling (thus impacting the next workout/run), then I can sit in a tub of ice, as necessary.

Tried something a little different with the run today, too. I was testing out the iMapMyRun app/website, as recommended by my TG. I've historically been using Runkeeper, which is pretty awesome and I would recommend to anyone, but iMapMyRun seems to have some interesting different/more features to utilize - including Live Runs. As in, yes, you can literally watch me run in real-time. Now, when my TG (who is not local to me) suggested this, I thought, "oh sure, that'll be cool!"... Which, it did turn out to be, but in a much different way than I thought. It went something like this:
Tie sneakers, turn on music, head out door. Start up the app, start the workout - which automatically Tweets a link so that anyone I've deemed a 'friend' can follow me live. Begin running. Run uphill (DAMN you uphill start.). Feeling slow today, curse allergies. Get about a mile into the run, scale back my pace a little to try to regulate my breathing around my allergy stuff, and receive a text from TG, simply saying "Run run run!"
... It suddenly dawns on me: They're WATCHING. (Who "They" are, is anyone's guess, but my TG was apparently at least checking in.). Now, did "they" stay to watch me slowly run 40 minutes, probably not. But I have to say, the thought that -at any moment- SOMEone might be looking at my pace, etc. was *incredibly* motivating.

Anyway, Stats for today's run:

Time: 39.5 min.
Distance: 3.45 mi.
Ave. Pace: 11.45 min./mi.

Definitely not my 'best' run today, as I felt less consistent - more up and down in my speed than usual. However, I would like to note (and pat myself on the back) that I *DID* accomplish today's goal of adding more mileage - about 1/3 of a mile more than my last run, and just under 1/2 mi. more than my average run. SO, take that allergies. Slow run, but still kept at it.

Another milestone today, too: Today was officially the end of 8 weeks of Spartan Shape-Up training. 8 weeks solid that I've stuck to 6 workouts a week, changed my mindset, found some new goals and am chasing down the person I want to be (albeit slowly at an 11.45 min/ mile...).

Bring on week 9!! I would also like to note, Dear Readers, if I can do this, anyone can.  Really. You just need to find your fire within (as cliche as that sounds). In January 2010 I was 70 pounds heavier, ragingly out of shape and limiting myself because of what I physically could and could not do.
Today, I'm steadily moving towards a more ideal weight, have muscles that show (some places more than others, lol), and refuse to accept any limits on what I can and can not do. I may say I can't do that YET, but not that I can't.
Key components in making that transition: Figure out WHY you want do to it. If it's for someone else, you're not going to stick with it. If it's for you - your health, to feel better, your self confidence, whatever it is - you'll do it. Find that tiny nugget of desire to change, and hold onto it for dear life.
Second, seek out your support system. You'll need one. Know that it's okay to ask for help. And it may not be the people that are currently in your life. Accept that. Love them, but find the people that will get behind you on your quest to be a better version of you. There are mornings that I definitely don't want to roll out of bed, put my sneakers on and run, or lift stuff, or whatever it is.... But I know that my TG, the Spartan Chicks and a handful of other people have my back, want me to succeed and will help me do that. That makes it infinitely easier.
Third. Set Goals. Big goals AND little goals. You need something to set your sites on and run (metaphorically) towards. And yes, it can be something as simple as "I want to be able to walk up a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing." (don't pretend like you don't know what I'm talking about!). As for me - That Spartan Race I'm counting down to is my Big Goal. But in the meantime, I'm chasing down the little ones - being able to do a pullup, run a 5K, successfully bust out 30 solid burpees in a row (yeeah... that might be more of a "big goal" than anticipated), or run just a little longer, or a little further... Chase them down and beat your goals into submission.

That said, I'm getting off my soapbox. Mostly because I can feel my quads stiffening up to Evil. It's going to be Ice Bath day. We'll see how this goes. There is something inherently wrong about submerging oneself voluntarily in really cold water... but if it's going to help me along, freshen my legs for tomorrow, Count me in.

What goal are you chasing down today?