I recently joined 7 Hills Running Club of Huntsville, TX.  Yesterday was my first official group run.

Every other Saturday, Luke's Locker & Seven Hills get together to run in The Woodlands.  That's a 90 minute drive for me but considering how far in the woods I live, it's definitely worth the effort & time to enjoy some commorodery.

Once I got to The Woodlands, I spent all of 2 hours searching for the location.  It wasn't on Google Maps or my Navigator so I nearly gave up.  Having asked numerous strangers & driven in circles.. literally, I finally searched the 7 Hills online site & found some clearer directions.

I arrived 5 minutes before START!

Signed in, set the Garmin, visited briefly with Ken & Jerry from Madisonville, TX & just like that.. we were off like a shot!

I found my natural pace & tried to stay focused on my rhythm instead of getting too excited about all the other folks and trying to rush ahead.  Ken passed me & of course, beat me again (3rd time).

There was a little group I found myself in the midst of & we took turns passing one another.  I was just glad to see others because I didn't know the course & didn't want to get lost.

Gosh.. The Woodlands is a gorgeous place!  Our path wove in & out of the forest & it was so clean.  The air was so fresh!  I saw dogs being walked, families strolling together & cyclists powering by.  Aside from Austin, this is the most physically active town I've seen in Texas.

We were getting close to the Finish Line when I tried catching this guy who was inadvertently pacing me.  I did finish before him but that's only because I missed the last lap.  The course was a little confusing.

My time for 3.1 miles was 35:56.  I'm pleased!  Mostly because I reached the Finish Line without being sick from the heat.  Plus my time is consistently improving, even by a little.

My next race is at the Dog Days 5k in Huntsville, TX this Saturday 08.01.10.  Come One Come ALL!

I noticed after 2 weeks of vegan eating that I wanted a standard Tex Mex breakfast.  Somehow it seemed like a reward.  Unfortunately, the decaf coffee I allowed myself (1st coffee in a month) & Southwest Breakfast Burrito of sausage, egg, cheese, mixed bell peppers & onions only served to make me sick to my stomach.

Maybe between the heat & my running, I'm noticing a quicker turn-over in how food/drink effects me.  All I know is.. I kept having this gag reflex to the burrito & the coffee too.  I had little blip images of crisp juicy apples, bananas & my homemade fresh wild berry smoothies.

I was offered my fave pizza the other night & instead of *treating myself* to a little, I ended up with a huge spinach salad.  I don't recall actually thinking about it.  Totally instinctual.

After my group run in The Woodlands today, I got my mall shopping on.  I chose a high end Tex Mex place to sit for a nice relaxing meal & just found my stomach doing that whole *REJECT* thing again.  I mean.. srsly.. I usually LOVE chicken fajitas.  Not today.  *wags tongue*

Tonight, I had a massive baked potato w a couple pats of real butter for dinner.  *nods*  That felt ok.  Didn't hit the spot though.  So I found myself back in the kitchen scammin' on the fridge.  I made a large fresh blackberry smoothie w almond milk & stevia.. & FINALLY.. I am feeling satisfied.  Like *ahhh yes*.  That is what I've been wanting.

Not sure what to make of all this.  When I was RAW for 4 solid months, I craved chicken so much.  I'm not interested in eating any one way 100% ie: all raw, all the time.  But definitely feeling an internal shift as my body prods me to more fresh.  Hell, I would have taken a couple bananas over that lunch I had today.

Compressing info here.  Lots going on this Summer.  How bout you??

No race this weekend for me.  Instead I walk/ran w Terra & her dog Hammer last night.

I went out for a 4 mile run this morning & it was early enough for me to still see mine & Hammers footprints in the sand.  My Aasics & her Pit Bull Mastiff paws.  Gotta say, I really enjoyed running some sprints with her last night.  Terra's not up to running but Hammer the Beast seems to find my pace & stick right to me.  It's amazing.  Seriously, if I ever own a dog again.. I think it will be based on "test runs".  I mean, I've wanted a Bull Terrier for several years but now.. I'd have to run with them to see if I could find one that's up to speed w me.  Although I'm sure I could train one.  Kinda cool.

It was crazy hot this morning & I sweat buckets.  Salt in my eyes, on my lips.  The Dog Days of Summer are literally here.  Even OC3 is layin' low in the shade.  She's refusing to come inside to cool off though.. her new boyfriend kitty is too skittish & she won't leave him.  *heh*

There are several writing projects I've been wanting to do, aside from my weekly column.  Much talk & inner debate goes on about these projects because I can be something of a frustrated perfectionist.  After a recent convo about some of my ideas, my Sister said.. "I'd read all of those books!"  I replied with "Now I just need to write em."  Her response.. "WRITE THE G#$%&MN%D BOOKS!"

*pause for excessive laughter*

My Sister & I see the world in many different ways but I DO believe her particular form of motivation is just what I need right now.

So.. I'm considering setting a date for a Workshop sometime between now & Dec. 2010 & just make sure I write the freakin' book that goes with it before scheduled date.  *giggles*  Kindof a backwards plan but I know the context & just need a deadline.  Am I totally crazy??

I chose a Half Marathon training plan (New Balance) that I like but I still intend to tweak it a bit.  I'm not ready for even the Beginner Plan yet.. maybe in a couple of weeks I'll be up to the mileage required to simply start.  *smirk*

I'm enjoying lots of fresh fruit this Summer.  All the Farmer's Markets are overflowing with a motherload of homegrown goodies.  Oh the strawberries & blackberries... Yom!

What's new with you??

This time, the race was in Diboll, Tx.  My 1st visit to the little town known for their Lumberjacks, apparently.  =D

My race support crew consisted of Momma (my ultimate cheerleader!), her BF Tim, our friend Josh & my little nephew Seth.  We were all so dedicated that we actually got up at 4am to get ready & make the drive over in time for the kiddo's 1 mile Fun Run at 7:50am & for my 5k at 8am.

It was a pretty good sized group of at least 40 runners.  I saw a few rivals, including the guy who unknowingly paced me at the Centerville race and here.. he beat me again!
 

That's me in the pink lemonade outfit.. ready to run!

The gun fired & we were paced by a recent Ironman finisher on his lovely road bike.  I was pleased to be able to see folks during the run this weekend.  I'm either getting a little faster or these folks were slightly slower.

It was seriously hot & the road went on & on.  I thought surely I'd be turning in my slowest time of the year but it turned out that it was actually my fastest time in a 5k race this year.  36:56 *whew!*

I didn't win any places in this race but Josh won 1st place in his age group.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to sing my Momma's praises.  She was out there running as much as anyone just to catch a photo of me & the boys!  She was cheering & ringing the cowbell.  And just when I thought that old road had me, I slowed to a walk & I heard her shout.. "Just over 30 minutes!"  That was all the impetus I needed to pick up the pace & finish that race, which turned out to be nearly 1 minute faster than last weekend's race.  Thank You my sweet Momma!

HOORAY!!!

p.s.  Next race is a Club Run with the 7 Hills Running Club of Huntsville, Tx.  I am their newest member so this will be my inaugural run;  Saturday, July 24th in The Woodlands.  I'll be runnin' with the Big Boys!!  Wish me LUCK!!
 

Everything I need to know about rest, I learned at the zoo.

On Saturday, after my race in Diboll, my family & I went to the Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin. We had just filled ourselves on wonderful Olive Garden gnosh & started off riding the train to sit & digest awhile.

When we got inside the zoo, we realized that the animals had just eaten too. There were sleeping creatures everywhere. It was the heat of afternoon & wild animals were tamed all around by their full satisfied bellies.

Turtles laying flat with dangled legs out back, a rhino laying his face on a folded arm (looking softer than I imagined), tigers out cold.  It was a wonderland of sleeping beasts & a very magic time.

I've been thinking about rest & recovery, especially in terms of running.  Mandatory taper & rest days make me crazy!  It's like this little bell goes off in my head when I tell myself there isn't a work-out or run that day.  I know.. sounds insane but it's true.

It's like.. the very act of telling my body "no" sends my brain into overdrive trying to figure out a way to torture myself into deciding to do a work-out anyway.  Seriously, my brain says weird things to me all day, rationalizing why running on a rest day would be ok.  My body goes nuts too.  On rest days, I'm sure to crave everything I absolutely don't need & usually don't want.. sodas, greasy foods, sugar.  It's ridiculous.

So, here, in the quiet of the zoo.. I watch the wildlife follow their instinct, listen to their bodies, heed the need to relax.. in the moment.

Teaching me that if I feel the desire to move my body on a rest day, I should just go for it.  If I feel like resting on a work-out day, I should do that too.  I understand the need for rest completely but maybe if I employ this concept of paying attention to my body in the moment.. moment to moment.. I can flow through the process much easier & let go of this resistance to rest.

love..

HUGE SHOUT OUT to my friend raw_julie  for hitting her 1000 mile marker for miles run this year!!!

She's very successfully ultra running her way to meet her goal of running 2010 miles for the year.  She is an amazing inspiration to me.

BIG LOVE to ya Julie!  *cheersbounces*