100

So, in all the excitement of my half marathon PR and new adventure, I missed the fact that my last post was my 100th post!  How did that happen?  It seems like I just started this little blog.  But, I actually started it last June, so I have been writing here for almost a year.

It's funny...I wanted to start a blog for so long, but I was so apprehensive.  I worried about sounding and looking stupid.  I worried about people reading my blog and people not reading my blog.  I worried that I wouldn't have anything to say.  I guess you can say I'm a worrier.

I spent months thinking of blog names and potential posts, and I even created a few blog templates through blogger and wordpress so that I wouldn't lose the rights to the names if I ever started blogging.

I wrote my introductory post about two months before I actually started blogging. But, even with all of the preparation, I just never hit publish.  It wasn't until I decided to participate in Emilie's Clean Food Challenge for the first time that I finally decided to take the leap and start blogging.  After all, it only seemed natural.  I love blogs and read them every day.  So, why wouldn't I have a blog of my own.

In the beginning, it felt a little awkward.  I'm an "academic," which means I'm trained in the art of research writing.  So, I really had to adjust my writing style to fit more with blogging.  It has been a fun process.  I finally feel like I'm finding my groove.  I'm constantly blogging in my head and I'm starting to gain some readers.  Not a lot, but a few.  I'm commenting on other blogs and participating in fun challenges and blog events.  And, I'm making some new blog friends in the process.

So, what's in store for the next 100 posts?  Well, the first and most exciting thing is that this blog is getting a new name.  When I started the blog, I chose "My Own Trail" because I really liked the way it sounded.  Unfortunately, I never checked to see if it was an available .com domain.  So, a few weeks ago, when I decided that it was time to take my blog to the next level, I naively went to Go Daddy to purchase the domain, only to find out that it wasn't available.  So, I did what any calm, rational blogger would do.  I stomped around and pouted and told my husband that I didn't want any other domain name.  I only wanted "My Own Trail."  Luckily, after my very zen husband calmed me down and reminded me that lots of bloggers change their blog names at some point, I relaxed and began looking for new domain names.  I finally found one that I LOVE and actually think is better than my current blog name.  So, I immediately purchased it and I'm starting to work on transitioning my blog to the new domain.  I'm not sure when I will make the official switch, but it will be sometime in the next few weeks (maybe after I submit the final draft of my Master's thesis).

So, what is my new name going to be? 

Fit Like a Mother

I really like the name and think it does a good job encompassing me and what this blog is about.  So, I'm really excited.

Anyway, that's the next big thing for this blog.  I'm hoping the next 100 posts are just as exciting as the first 100.  Even though it took me so long, I'm really glad I finally hit publish last June!

Plattsburgh Half Marathon: A PR and an Adventure!

So, today was the half marathon and I'm happy to report that I finished strong in spite of major calf cramping the last two miles.  This is the first half marathon I ever ran (last April), so it has a special place in my heart.   It's a great course and I just love the whole vibe of the race.   It's a local race for me, which makes it even better.

This was my third half marathon, and I have to admit that I went into this one with a lot of anxiety and self-doubt.  It's strange, because I was more nervous than I was the first time I ran a half marathon.  I finally figured out that it was because my last half marathon was a pretty awful one.  I started out strong but ended up walking most of the last mile because of severe leg cramping, and my final time was actually 9 minutes slower than my first half marathon.  So, I think I had some fear that I would have the same problems again this time.

I started out really strong this time and felt confident most of the run.  This half had a relay, so I was able to see my time at the halfway point.  When I ran through the relay exchange, the clock said 1:00:15, and I was elated.  For me, this was a fantastic time.  It meant I was actually running faster than I thought.  The second half of the run was great...until I hit mile 11.  Just like my last half, my calves started to cramp up.  I ran the last two miles with charlie horses in both of my legs.  It wasn't fun.  But, unlike last time, I made myself keep running.  I knew that if I stopped I would never start running again.  So, I reduced my speed, found my groove and just kept running.  It wasn't the most enjoyable experience, and I had to do a lot of bargaining with myself and give myself a lot of motivational talks during those last two long miles.  But, in the end, I was OK.  I didn't stop to walk and I crossed the finish line feeling strong and proud.  My time was 2:07 (still waiting for the exact chip time).  Last year, I ran the same race in 2:13:37, so this was an improvement for me.  It was also a PR!  I feel good about my results, even though I was secretly hoping to be under 2:05.  If my legs hadn't cramped the last two miles, I would have met my secret goal.  Oh well, I guess I'll just have to train better for the next one.

So, that's the first half of my post, but what is the adventure part of all this, you ask?

Well, I didn't wear my Garmin during the race.  I know this might not seem like a big deal to some of you, but it's huge for me.  I'm a bit addicted to my Garmin.  I need to use it so I can know at all times how far and fast I'm running.  Quite honestly, I think sometimes it does more harm than good.  So, since I was already feeling anxious about this run, I decided t leave my watch at home and just listen to my body.  I ran the whole 13.1 miles paying attention to the cues my body was giving me and reassured myself that I would run the half in the amount of time that my body was capable of running.  Other than the time clock at the halfway point, I had no idea how fast I was running.  It was actually really liberating.  Sometimes I become fixated on my watch and ruin my run because I put too much pressure on myself.  I really liked running without it today.  So, I think I'm going to leave it at home more often.  I'm still going to use it...just not for every run.

My First Adventure

As you know, I signed up to participate in Janetha's Adventurous April Challenge.  Unfortunately, I was not able to accomplish my goals the first week due to way too many unforeseen circumstances.  And, I was barely able to squeeze it in this week.  But, today, the last day of the week, I finally did something that I have always wanted to do.  It's not a big deal, but it's still something new to me.

I finally used the Precor AMT trainer at my gym.  For the past year, I have been watching people use it and I have always wanted to give it a try.  But, for some reason, I have been completely intimidated.  I didn't want to look stupid while I tried to figure it out.  I was worried that it would be too hard.  I felt like I should just stick with my favorite machine: the elliptical.

But, today I went to the gym with the plan already in place.  I knew I was slacking on the Adventurous April challenge, and I wanted to end the week with at least one new thing under my belt.  So, I woke up this morning and decided that today was going to be the day that I was going to tackle the AMT.

So, after a year of building it up in my mind, how did it go, you ask.  Well...it wasn't as great as I thought it would be.  I figured it out pretty quickly and I used it for a while.  It gave me a good workout, but I still prefer my beloved elliptical.  It just felt awkward.  But, I realize that it could be because I'm not used to it, so I'm going to give it another chance.  I just don't see it becoming a regular part of my workout routine.

I have big plans for my new adventures this week, so check back next Sunday for a full report (oh, and a half marathon report as well since next Sunday is my half marathon).

Hope you are all having fun adventures of your own!