Still running!

Dear friends – if anyone’s still out there…

I’m still here. And still running! 😀 I have about 20 miles planned for the next 7 days and I’m actually looking forward to it. Its amazing to think I used to be unable to run just one mile!

Anything is possible. Anything.

Still raising funds for Give Kids the World too.  Every penny (literally) counts!

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/StacyBell/disneyprincessweekend2014

Racing

So I ran my first race!  It was an 8k.  Flat.  10+ mile per hour head wind.    It was my longest run to date.

I finished towards the end with my best friend and cheerleader.

BUT  I  earned a personal record on my mile, 1k, and 5k.   🙂

And it was fun.

I can’t wait for another race to beat my time!

But next time I’mgoing to have to figure out something else to do with the chip.  My ankle’s still recovering.

BIG Announcement!

I am running for a great charity – Give Kids the World.     Will you join me through financial support?

GKTW provides week long free vacations to families who have a child with a life-threatening disease like this little princess.

I’ll be running the Glass Slipper Challenge at Walt Disney World – 19.3 miles in 2 days.  A 10k and then a half marathon!

Will join me on my journey and donate a few dollars?    The goal is for $3000.

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/StacyBell/disneyprincessweekend2014

On to Week 8!

12:40 – Fastest Mile yet!   When I started my c25k training I did an 18minute mile.  🙂   Although my second mile was a 13:40… I’m ok with that.  One step at a time.

I tend to pace too quickly at the start of my outdoor runs.   Is that normal for you?

10:00 minute mile here I come!!! 😀

On of my tricks when I’m at a low point on a run is to switch my music to the Magic Kingdom’s Wishes soundtrack.  I imagine getting to watch the show for the first time as a runner.   🙂   Maybe that will help other Disney-loving-wanna-be-racers.

Oh!  An incase you hadn’t heard:   Disney is starting to offer healthy treats in the parks.  If you’re like me, vacationing means eating:  Turkey legs, soda, Dole Whip, Mickey ear bars,  pastries from Main Street, funnel cakes… well, you get the idea. 🙂   now they are opening stations that sell fresh fruit, more healthful beverage options, etc – you can read all about it at the Disney Parks Blog.   Good news for those of us trying to trim down our Minnie Mouse girlish figures. 🙂

Almost time to start 13.1 training!

I can’t believe it but I am now running 25 minutes straight.  Granted my runs are sloooooow but it’s more then I’ve ever done.   I’m actually about to finish week 7 (last run tomorrow) of my c25k training program.

 

I realize I’ve been pretty pathetic on keeping up with posts.  However,  for all the I-don’t-think-I-can-run folks out there:   I didn’t think I could either!   Running has always been a bucket list item for me.   But when I hit week 5 of my C25k (Couch to 5k for newbies) I thought I was a gonner.   I had to run longer then I ever remember running before.

 

Thankfully I had my friends at #Team runDisney.    <— If you haven’t found them you can check out the group on Twitter (@TeamrunDisney) or on Facebook!

They gave me great advice on what to do including slowing my pace.  And now here I am!  A week from running 5k distances!  And honestly,  I’m pretty sure I could tomorrow if I tried (but I’m sticking to my programs… all about the mental game at this point and finishing what I started).

SO, I now feel like I can call myself a runner instead of a runner in training.   🙂   A slow runner, but still doing laps around the me of this time last year! 🙂

Below: After an especially rough run last week.  I was supposed to do 20something minutes without stopping but I stopped twice in the first 10 minutes.  BUUUUT,  THEN I restarted and ran the whole assigned distance.  I had a little Rocky moment at the end of that run. 🙂   AND important lesson learned :  small strides on hills!!! 🙂