Finally I can post on my blog. I was having some issues for a couple of days. So when I left everyone last week I had just finished another 5k with my BAM girls. Love these two so much!!
 Well this weeks running has been pretty enjoyable with the cooler temperatures. I completed a 6 mile run on Sunday and on Tuesday. I have an 11 mile run tomorrow that will be taking place at 5 am. Oh Boy!! I better start hydrating now.

So this week my running schedule increased the number of miles I am supposed to be doing. With this increase has come ,increased pain in my knee, hip and feet. This made me really start thinking about whether or not I am running properly. Pain is not a normal side effect from running. If I was running correctly I would not or should not be having pain in the places that I am.
I started researching running techniques and the most common mistakes. Out of the top 5 mistakes most runners make I was doing three of them. That is a lot of mistakes to be making when your training for a marathon. So here is a list of the top 5 most common mistakes new runners make:

1. Wrong shoes- This is a huge mistake made by runners that could result in injury. Making sure you have proper fitting shoes is essential to proper running and preventing injury. Also runners should replace their shoes every 350-500 miles.

Mizunos have been a great choice for me, they are light on my feet and give me the support I need. They have been a little piece of heaven on my feet.

1.  Improper running technique- Your running form is very important, making sure you have the proper form with also help prevent injuries and soreness. Making sure you run with your shoulders back and your back straight allows for proper lung expansions. Slouching and bending over does not allow you to get the oxygen you need. Also making sure you not tightening your core is important as well. This allows for proper movement of your pelvis to move properly and can decrease the pain in your knees.
2. Too much, too soon- Most new runners make the mistake of thinking more is better when it comes to mileage and running. This is a common mistake that could lead to injury as well. I know from experience this could cause shin splints, runners knee and ITB Syndrome. ITB Syndrome is what causes the pain in the outer area of your knee. It is very painful! Make sure to start slow and give your body time to adjust.
3. Over striding- Most new runners make the mistake of thinking that longer strides  means better running. This is not true, making sure your feet land directly under your hip is key.  This is a waste of energy and could cause shin splint. Trust me you do not want those. They are painful and can 3-6 months to heal .
4. Improper upper body form-  a very common mistake that many runners make is swinging their arms side to side. This could lead to slouching, which  leads to inefficient breathing. Slouching does not allow your lungs to expand properly. Keep your arms at hip level and move them back and forth.

Another run in the books. Go team BAM!!

So, yesterday was our third race together and man oh man was it hot. Hot actually doesn't even begin to describe how warm is was outside. I would say it was blistering!!! My run time was ok at 28.56, I did place 1st in my age group which was nice.  The course could have been better, it was all open with no trees and with the temp being around 88 degrees it made for a very miserable run.

As you can see with the after picture. None the less we had a great time and I look forward to the sumer filled with Foam Feast 5k's, Slime runs, Color runs and many others with these ladies. Team BAM!!!

 Love these ladies, not only am I getting to run with these two inspiring women but I also get to work with them in a setting that truly could be one of the best reality TV shows. Can't wait for our upcoming races and the good times to come.

Its crazy to look back at where I was a few months ago and see how much I've changed in such a short period of time. I started running at the end of March and since then I've become a happier person. I know many people wonder how running can make someone happier? How could punishing yourself with every mile you run bring you so much peace? Well here are a few reasons why running makes me happy.
1.) Physical exercise, is known to release endorphins in the brain. Endorphins act as a natural "drug" that make a person more energetic, more awake and, yes, happier. The endorphins released during a run or workout is usually referred to as a "runner's high." Almost every runner experiences an elevated mood after running, and most will tell you that their moods tend to be gloomier when they don't run.
 This is a 100 % percent true for me. The days I don't run,I seem to have a little less energy than when I run. 
2.) Running allows me to set goals and achieve them. This triggers a happiness response in my brain. I love working towards something and having goals. It makes me run harder and try my best. Reaching the goal is wonderful but the journey towards the goal is what makes me the happiest.
3.) Running is a great way to get in shape, being in shape give me more confidence and allow me to handling  stress at work better.
4.) Running has brought be friendships that will be life long. My BAM ladies are my inspiration . We have a summer full of races that we get to do together. I look forward to our daily conversations about running and how each one of them are doing. We've shared so many laughs, smiles and down right just goofy times.
 All of these reason are why I continue to run. Running is turning me into a confident, strong, independent, happy woman who will not stop until my goals are reached. 26.2 miles here I come. I ready to dominate my first Marathon in October. Today I'm more motivated than ever.

 Well last week I did not get to post as much as I wanted. The crazy life of a nurse at a Long Term Care Facility got the best of me . I did however find time to get my runs in, Tuesday was a nice 3 mile run, Wednesday was 5 and Thursday was another 3 miles, Friday was a rest day, leaving me with 8 mile run on Saturday. Yahoo!! :) I decided that I was going to put the run off until Sunday morning because I worked until 10pm on Friday night. So, Sunday morning came bright and early at 5 am. I woke up , started my coffee and got dressed. Got my running gear ready(my water bottle, chews, hammer gel and my music) and set out for my long run.  Before leaving I made my pre-workout drink called C4 from Costco. This stuff is amazing, by far the best tasting workout drink I've tried.
  I decided that I was going to start on the Lewiston side of the levy. It was a gloomy morning with no sun at the time I started, making it the perfect temperature for me.  I turned on my 80's Cardio on Pandora and was off. I started off at my normal pace of about 91/2 minutes per mile, then I decided to pick it up. I was feeling great! I had so much energy, feeling like I could just keep on running. The first 3 miles were done before I knew it. I kept waiting for my body to give up but I just kept running and running. By mile 5 I was feeling even better than I had during the first three miles. My breathing was on track and my knee wasn't hurting. Soon I was at mile 7 and then mile 8. I finished my last mile faster than I did my first few miles. This to me shows a huge improvement in such a small period of time. I am so proud of myself and my body. I love feeling and seeing the transformation I'm going through.
  After finishing my run I rushed home to get ready to have breakfast with my amazing father-in-law at my favorite breakfast spot" Hazels" they have the best coffee in town. I finished up with breakfast and realized that my knee is throbbing and I can't bend it. I take this as a sign to go home and rest. So that is what I did.

Looking forward to this week with my "BAM" girls.  We have a 5k on Thursday making it the 3rd one for Amber and I. I love the these ladies and am so thankful for the friendship that has developed with these two. Life long memories are being made.

5 am morning run with my baby Clara

So 4:30am came way to early this morning. I turned off the alarm and rolled my troll looking self out of bed. Grabbed the running gear that was neatly piled up on the floor at the end of the bed, poured my cup of coffee and woke Miss Clara up. 4:47am we were heading out the door to the local bike path. It was a beautiful morning, with the sun hitting the water and a nice cool breeze.

Clara was ready to go all nicely tucked into her stroller , being kept warm under her nice big purple blanket. Today was an easy 3 mile run so the temperature really didn't matter to me much. I just needed to get my 3 miles in so I could enjoy ladies night at the local golf course. 

So, so far this week I've ran a total of 12 miles. Monday was a rest day, Tuesday I did 3 miles, 5 on Wednesday and 3 today. I noticed this week my body gave into running more than last week. I was starting to get discouraged. Thinking I wasn't making progress and if I'm going to be running a MARATHON in October I need to be making progress. So I'm very thankful that this week has been able to show me that I've made progress. The most important thing for me is just to continue to get the miles in. Try not to think about how fast you do finish each but, look at it as one sept closer to your goal.

    So here goes nothing. On March 15th, 2014 I decided I wanted to start running. At that moment I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  My running experience has not been all butterflies and rainbows. It started out with me gasping for air after about 20 seconds of running, pain in my legs, hips, heels and pretty much every other part of my lower half. This was my realization that I was way more out of shape then I had ever imagined. Before you look at my pictures and say "oh yeah, she's really out of shape"! I was out of shape for me, we are all different in our level of capabilities and that is ok . It doesn't not mean that you can't do what I have done/am doing. We all have to start somewhere, this is just where I happened to start. Just know that you can do it. Will it be hard? Yes! Will you be so sore at first you can't stand to sit down on the toilet and just falling onto it seems easier? Yes! Is it worth it in the end? YES!!!!! With every step you take during running journey, you are getting closer to a mile you never thought you would finish or a 5k that you never thought you could do or a half marathon that seemed impossible. Will each step, it is one more step than someone sitting on the couch. Find your motivation and keep it!