Hope

Happy Sunday. It is so beautiful here in Prince George. Defiantly spending my day outdoors today and I hope you are too.

Hope, so integral to success. 

Learn to Run: Week 6

Week 6

Tuesday 6.0 km run

In a nut shell: Super Awesome! Got lost and ended up running 6.5-7k easy breezy! (Yes no breaks, except at lights) So proud of myself.

Story experience: “I arrive at the Y and Carol has just started to arrange us into our 5k and 10k groups. We step outside and begin our warm up walk. The evening breeze makes me instantly regret my choice of attire. The appearance of the sun has misled me. I rub my exposed arms with the hopes of creating some warmth.

We head up Carney Hill and I can feel my legs shaking from my boot camp exertions earlier in the day. I cringe through the hill and feel the ease in my thighs as we return to level ground. I am running with Vanessa, Brad, and Buddy today. The conversation is lively as we discuss the possibility of a ½ Marathon in August. Vanessa and I have even decided to train together over the summer and to keep each accountable to a schedule.

In the midst of it all, we discover that we are a little lost. Perhaps a wrong turn somewhere but we eventually arrive at the Y. Out of breath and red faced, we begin our routine stretches. I feel fantastic and leave feeling so proud about our run.”

SeaWheeze ½ marathon here I come!

Thursday 4.0 km run

In a nut shell: It was a strange and difficult run. I ran by myself. All by myself. Alone with my thoughts…

Story experience:

“Today Carol informs us that the 5k and 10k groups run together.

We begin the run.

The group is small today.

I look around but I don’t see my usual running partners Vanessa or Brad.

We head up Carney Hill and I notice that almost immediately the group disperses.

Carol and Lindsay are leading the group and I can see them not too far ahead. I have managed to set myself between two groups. I am, for the first time during this clinic, running alone. My legs are still fatigued from Tuesday’s run but after the hill they begin to get their rhythm. Carol and Lindsay motivate me to keep my pace. If they get out of sight, I’m lost. The Prince George streets are still new to me and I wouldn’t feel comfortable finding my way.

I feel conflicted as I battle my breath, my goals, and my thoughts of walking. I am running alone and my thoughts of quitting are haunting. I think to myself “you can do this, you have done this before, and you are still accountable to yourself and your goals.”

My lungs are burning and my legs are weak. My self-motivation is dwindling. I try not to think. All I can think about is walking, which is quitting, because I know I can do this. I want to walk, take a break, and stop.

But somehow I make it to the Y.”

Self-revelation: I need to learn how to run by myself.

Thursday’s Run was really hard for me but I pushed through. Proving to myself that I can so this. Running is a mental game.

I'm going to start logging my runs so you guys can see my progress.

Jog Log From Thursday's run

Learn to Run: Week 6

Soooooo, something crazy happened on Monday.

Because of      1.) Life goals,

2.) The rebirth of my passion for running (b/c of the running clinic,) and

3.) My love for Lululemon,

I signed up for the SeaWheeze Lululemon half marathon!!!! That’s a little insane right? Here I am training for the YMCA 10K road race, and then BAM, ½ marathon here I come.

Alright, it has been one of my life goals to complete a ½ marathon before I’m 25. I just turned 24…times-a-ticking. And I seriously, (never thought I would say this) really, actually enjoy running in the moment. Running use to be one of those things I would make myself do because I knew it was good for me, and it would make me feel accomplished afterwards. But because of the clinic, I really enjoy seeing my progress, the conversations, and my elevated moods; which are all a result of the running.

And after running for 6 weeks consistently, I really think I can do this. 22 k! YAH! I really think I can. I have shied away from signing up for a race before because I was scared I couldn’t do it. Or terrified I would quit. But I have this new found confidence in my running abilities and if I work at it, I think can do it!!!

So that’s my news for today. Seawheeze ½ marathon in my old home town of Vancouver. I’m going to start my marathon training schedule right after the road race. If you’re interested, I am looking for a training partner. We can keep each other accountable to the schedule. Also yesterday at the running clinic we were entertaining the idea of putting together a Prince George team. What do you think? If we get enough people I think it would be so cool to represent PG this way! Thoughts?

Email hong.trieu@pgymca.com

For more info about the Seawheeze ½ 

http://www.seawheeze.com/

Boot Camp Tuesday

I love looking for inspirational quotes and pictures before I start my Work out week. (Sunday is dance night, and Monday is rest. The good stuff doesn't start until today!) It's been almost 2 months since I started writing this blog. So far I've tried over 10 different classes and programs at the Y! It feels so good to be working at something and being consistent with a work out plan.

But there are days when I just don't want to move. And days where I try to make excuses for myself. But every time I go to the gym or do a class, I never regret it. Seriously, Never ever! 

Truth be told, getting motivated to start and keeping with it is the hardest part for me. So today I'm going to start a weekly tradition of posting an (encouraging, inspirational, motivational) thought, quote, or picture to help kick off the week. Because I need it, and you may need it, heck when did too much motivation ever hurt anyone?

Today’s Inspiration

“Weight loss is when your thoughts become words, your words become actions, and actions become habits. And those habits? They lead to a healthier you.” From 125 blog

Lets get healthier! If you have any thoughts, pictures, or quotes that really help you out, I would love to hear them. They may even appear on the blog. Email me! hong.trieu@pgymca.com