HomegirlRuns

Does she who runs in fits and starts ever truly become a runner?

I feel like I have started a new running program way too many times to even justify starting yet another one before giving up or at least admitting that this running thing may not be in the cards for me. But I totally want it to be. Everybody else in my running circle of peeps (it seems) has either jumped back on the running wagon or jumped on anew and are logging 5k, 10k, even half-marathon races. And I'm still just about to re-start couch to 10k...again. On one hand I feel like a loser, but if I'm trying, at least, doesn't that count for something?

I signed up for the Shape Magazine Diva Dash with a group of friends. The tour hits Austin in 18 days and I'm super excited. What makes me nervous is whether or not I can get into enough shape to at least run between the obstacles. The ladies I'm running with are way older than me and can probably outrun me for sure. That does not make me feel awesome. I figure if I at least run three times a week until them, I'll be in a better position to not suck than I am right now. And maybe, I'll actually stick with the training program long enough for it to count.

How many times is too many times to start a running program? Will I ever cross the finish line of a 10k with the grace of a gazelle? I have questions. 

Awesome News! Advocare Now has a 24 Day Challenge Workout DVD!

I just saw the news that there is a new DVD designed to make the results of the 24 Day Challenge even more impressive.

I can't wait to get mine in the mail. Y'all remember my first round of results, right? 

I anticipate awesome results this time, especially since I'll be using the DVD designed to work with the Challenge! 

Have you tried the 24 Day Challenge? Why not?! Order yours today! 

Vanity and Procrastination Drive Me To The Sauna

*Update: I freaked out and couldn't go in. Can't sit in a hot room in swimwear with strangers. So the sauna thing--highly unlikely. I'll just tack a couple of miles onto my AM and PM runs. At least for a moment, as you'll see below, I thought it was a good idea.*

I have tried to avoid this, as much as any activity in which I have to wear a swimsuit or less in public, but it seems my time has come. I'm going to visit the sauna at my gym.

Apparently, it's a great way to relax, sweat, and burn a few extra calories after a workout.

I'm planning a trip to Europe and want to be as svelt and glowing as possible, since the pictures of my time there must include me and will be seen by many eyes and possibly forever. *sigh* I wish I was one of those women who could get over the fact that they're not nineteen anymore and nobody is going to ask them if they're a model ever again in life, but I'm not. Trust me, I have tried. I'm too young to accept that yet. Instead, I'm trying to avoid being photographed until I'm back down to a size that I deem acceptable for myself. Judge me.

This trip is right around the corner, and I need to be able to enjoy myself while I'm there without feeling self conscious, and love myself in the pictures.

So I'm pulling out all the stops. I'm taking my Advocare MNS supplements, doing a running/sauna combo twice a day, band workout three days a week and cutting carbs after breakfast and sugar. And I'm doing it all religiously. It's going to absolutely consume my life until we leave for our trip, but I won't regret it.

Strangely, I'm more productive in my life when I'm keeping a strict diet and exercise regimen. When I'm not going to the gym or watching what I eat, things fall apart. So this bout of living in the gym should leave me and my to do list a lot slimmer.

If only I could keep a normal fitness routine.

I Totally Ran Outside!

So, I may have mentioned that I joined a running group called Black Girls Run. The Austin group is so supportive and for a long time I was a lurker on the Facebook page...months before I ever joined a run. A friend of mine joined the group and basically told me one day that I was going to join a run. Unable to come up with a suitable excuse, I agreed. 

It was an early morning run on a Saturday at Ladybird Lake aka Town Lake. I hadn't run in a couple of months and was nervous about running in front of people and passing cars and not looking like Sanya Richardson. Confession: I run on a treadmill in the Cardio Movie Cinema at the gym, because it's dark and everyone is watching the movie, and it's easier for me to believe that nobody is looking at me. I really had to step out of my comfort zone to hit the trail that day, but I did it. There was only one incident with a dog...my biggest fear of running outside...but he only darted out of the water towards me en route to his owner. I almost peed myself, and so did my running partner. We didn't realize we had run into the leash-free area on the trail. Trust, that will never happen again. After our run, we went to the Juice Bar for wheatgrass shots and smoothies. It was a perfect morning.  Highlight: One of the runners recognized me from my vlog! She was like, Iknow your face and your laugh--where do I know you from? It was awesome. 

I managed to run two miles and walk two miles back at a relatively decent pace for my first run outside. Austin runners are such cheerleaders! Twice when I slowed to a walk and was obviously fighting for my life out there, I had runners pass me and say, "You're doing great--keep it up" or something similar. Perfect strangers!

I can't say that I will never run out there again. I imagine when the weather cools a bit, a run on Town Lake will feel a lot less like death. I'm not sure when I'll make it back out there, but I am committed to my treadmill runs once again. Saturday I ran two miles and watched the first half hour of Batman Begins. Going for another one today.

Still waiting to experience the runner's high everyone keeps talking about. I'd probably have to do more than two miles to get there, huh? Wish me luck! 

Shape Magazine's Diva Dash Austin 2012

I signed up for this three-mile obstacle course race with a couple of friends. I haven't worked out, seriously, since Christmas. :-/ The two friends I'm running with are pretty fit and one is getting back into the swing after having he second baby. I have to train for this, and starting 20 days out, is late as hell, but better than not training at all. 

Check back later this month for my Race Report and pictures! 

Info about Shape Magazine's Diva Dash Austin: http://divadash.com/city-austin/austin-race-info/

Here's the video from last year: 

Pray for me?