Running, it's a mind thing!

I am so proud of myself!!!

This morning, reluctantly, I got up at 5:00 a.m., fed baby Princess and headed out the door to meet the local chapter of "Black Girls Run!" for a run. I was both excited and intimidated.  I knew that the group would also be running with people preparing for the local marathon runners for 2012, and I am no where near ready for a marathon!

I met up with a group of girls I've known for years (so glad they too, are working on getting fit and fabulous) in a VERY HILLY area of town.  There were so many people there ready take off when I arrived!  These people are serious about their running.  They had headlights (literally), blinkers, belts with water bottles attached and more!  I'd seen all of these running gadgets before but . . .WOW! I suppose I was gadget girl with my Droid, iPod, and Spibelt all strapped on and ready to go, but some of these folks far "out-gadgeted me!"

Considering I am finishing up Week 2 of C25k, I knew some of them I wouldn't see again after we took off.  I was happy however that I had "Cocoa," "Sunflower," "Honey," and "Mocha" to run along side me.  I think we all felt pretty proud that we were out there with some serious runners.  Luckily three of us were on the same workout of C25k, and that was a plus considering I was the only one with the app on my iPod to prompt us when to walk and run.  With much enthusiasm, we took off!  Sunflower and Mocha took off since they were not doing the C25k program, while Cocoa, Honey and myself diligently followed the instructions of my handy dandy iPod.

It wasn't long before we were all wondering what in the world we had gotten ourselves into!  The hills were steep!  VERY STEEP!  We were so happy when we were running initially because we had a very long downhill stretch; and then it happened . . . Cocoa, Honey and I came to the realization that that lovely hill that we were enjoying running down, had to get us back UP to where we started! I could have sworn Cocoa wanted to cry about that dumb hill and truth be told so did I.  I tried not to indicate my dismay so I kept telling myself that it was just a hill and that I could conquer it!  After all, I think running is more mental than anything. There were times when we had to go back and forth to catch up with one another but in the end, we stuck it out and all five of us ended up together, defeating the beast . . .that dreaded hill!  During our "cool" down walk up the hill, I said to Honey, "Let's run!"  I am sure that she wanted to push me into to the road but instead she told me, "Nuh-Uh, I ain't running!"  I laughed.  I was only kidding but the look on her face was priceless!

I truly enjoyed the run and the company even more so.  I am so ashamed to admit that I did all of that running this morning only to go to the State Fair this evening and consume a polish sausage, funnel cake and virgin peach daiquiri!  One of these days, I'll get completely back on track.  Until then, "Queen Foxy Brown" will continue to try and break free from "Big Momma!"