I know, I've already written an entry today, but I'm on such an energy high that I feel like updating again.
I just went running, out of 3 miles I ran 2.5 miles. I feel so good, on Wednesday I'm going to try to run all 3 without a half mile walk break, we'll see how that goes. I'll keep you posted. At the end of the run I got my second wind, Stephanie and I started to sprint for the last block. I hope Stephanie never moves out of my neighborhood, she's my running buddy!* It feels so good to run; I love it. Sometimes I just let my mind wander while I run and I think about random things. Other times I like to run in silence and just listen to the beat of the footsteps and the rhythm of breathing. It's so soothing, it clears my mind and it's such a stress relief. One time Stephanie was mad about something when we went running and it made her run faster. I love running; even when I get really tired or sore I still love it because then it feels like I'm doing something good for my body. Today I was running different and working my calves more, causing them to feel sore, and when I walked my legs felt like jelly; it was awesome. It's great when I get home from running and I can still feel it in my legs, then I know I got a good workout.
On the days when I don't run, I definitely feel the consequences. I get restless and I tend to just sit around and do nothing, which doesn't make sense. If I go too long without running (like longer than three days) I start to get moody and depressed and easily irritated. When I'm not running I wish I was running. Running feels so good; it's an addiction.
Cross country practice starts a week from today. I really want to do it, but I don't know if I'm at that point. I don't know when the meets are, but they're 5k (3.1 miles) long and I can't run that without walking, especially under 18 minutes. I'm slow, I run a mile in 10 minutes and an acceptable time for girls in cross country is 5k in 18 minutes. For guys I think it's 12 minutes! Craziness. I'm not at that level yet, and I'm not sure how long it'll take me to get to that level. It's all mental, I have to mentally be there. When I get tired when I run and take a walk break, it's not so much that my legs are tired but that mentally I don't want to run anymore, so I need to keep my mind occupied after I've been running for a while. Today Stephanie told me that sometimes when she runs she looks at the sidewalk and tries to not run on the cracks because it occupies her mind, so I tried it and it worked and I ran faster. I should try that sidewalk crack trick on Wednesday and see if I can do 3 miles, or at least more than I did today. We'll see how it goes and where I am on Sunday. Right now it's not looking good, but God works miracles. I would love to do cross country.
Ah man, running is great. I'm still on such an energy high. I want to go run again or get up and start belting out songs and dancing around, but I think it's more important that I take a shower instead.
*I run with Amberly too, but she's going off to college soon so I won't be able to run with her anymore, and I run with Stephanie more than I run with Amberly.