(if you are looking for the Paper Haus Blog Hop and Giveaway, go here)
There is something about me most of you probably don't know. Want to know?
Five months ago I went to Disney World and Daytona Beach with my husband. While we had a great time, I was totally uncomfortable with myself. It hit me how much weight I had gained, and how out of shape I was in.
Don't misunderstand me. Alex thought I looked beautiful (and he still does!). He never once complained or made me feel back about the extra pounds.
But I felt bad...I felt bad about myself. And I wasn't living the life of loving yourself unconditionally that I have always tried to teach my boys.
Literally the day we got home from vacation, I joined a gym. And I changed my eating habits. And I started running. I am an 'all or nothing' kinda girl and I knew I had to do this completely or else I would just make excuses.
Later on I will tell you about the gym and my eating habits. Today I want to tell you about my running. Lordy, when I started, I could barely make the block. And I definitely wasn't fast. But little by little, I began to run further and further. Sadly, I haven't picked my pace up that much. I am slow.
But the point is, I ran and ran. When it was hot, I ran. I ran in the rain. I made some new friends, and we ran together. I ran alone. Every week since the beginning of April I have ran. Most weeks, I run atleast 18 miles.
To date, I have ran in a race every single month since April. I run knowing that I won't win the race - but I run because I can. I can run 3.1 miles without stopping. That is something that I could not say before April.
Since my life changing decision to start exercising and running, I had lost almost 30 pounds. And 18.5 inches. HELLO PEOPLE. That is a crap load of extra weight that is gone now. And for the fist time, in a very long time, I feel in control of me and my body. I feel like I am living up to my rule of loving myself unconditionally.
This past Saturday, two of my running partners and I headed to Albuquerque, NM to run in The Color Run.
Before the run (see? We are all clean!)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpneqdS6Nd34qUB5lqepo1T0zpTzKv_vmvMwrXGCtpC2C-v6b1xgFiB-a0KqowVqmIZ8xiPSG7_9Xlla2VQv8N1Uzft7-gT8yS_-2Wtpb5SToXcWd2LJWFguf-d1jBwn2cY4lxvgUH6eAX/s320/ColorRun1.jpg)
Paint, anyone?
Me, afterwards.
And trust me. The Color Run is truly the happiest run on Earth. Oh, we had a blast. Oh, and we wore tutus. And tall socks. And white headbands. And WE TOTALLY FIT IN! LOL
This race wasn't a timed race - and we ended up wagging (walk/jogging) because of the thousands of other runners - but this race was a goal of mine. I ran this race because I could, and because running has become something I truly do love. I chose to spend the weekend running and I NEVER thought that would happen.
Now, I still have some work to do. Mainly on my tummy. But I am not worried about it. I have conquered some big obstacles in the last 5 months. I know that I can flatten things out if I continue to watch what I eat and I make time to run and workout.
I am a work in progress and I am ok with that.
But this weekend? It was worth all the sweat, all the miles. It was the happiest run on Earth for me.
WOW girl that is just AWESOME i am so super proud of you. You are looking amazing, but i know what you mean, it is all about how you feel inside. well done on the run!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I wish I had the same motivation and will power you have! You look fantastic and that race looks like a whole lot of fun! Well done!
ReplyDeleteYou are one motivated gal, and I love the color run pictures! I'm dying to do one of those races.
ReplyDeletehow fun...
ReplyDeleteyou are an inspiration. wow! look at you.
ReplyDelete