I run. Anywhere.

Here I am again, ready to celebrate a whole year that was filled with so many great things. Honestly though, I have so much to look forward to in the new year, there is absolutely no looking back now! 

This morning I went on a run in the foothills of Albuquerque. I was blown away by the beauty of the New Mexican desert. Since I am posting photos daily on Instagram @journey2MY1stMarathon, I want to try to start running in more scenic spots, instead of always where it is easiest. 

The drive was only ten minutes long, and I found a nice little parking lot where I could park. There were trails in every direction. It made me wonder why I hadn't ventured out to begin with!  Of course, I had to stop for a few seconds for each picture, but this is the first thing I was able to see. 

I absolutely loved the view, but let me tell you, trail running is a whole new beast that I would love to tackle. I am more of a road runner, only because it is most convenient, but I truly truly appreciated where the trail led. Convenience though wasn't the only reason for staying on the roads...I am also a BIG CHICKEN. At one point in my life I wanted to be a detective for the FBI, and my dad told me that it wouldn't workout because I was afraid of my own shadow. So, then my dad bought me a can of mace, and that wasn't enough to give me courage, so he bought me a stun gun...anyway, do you think that I carry it? No, I don't like carrying anything when I run. Anyway, this is why I stay on the roads=people can see me and I can call for help if needed. I do run in Albuquerque, where our crime rate is through the roof! 
Anyway, to get back on track...with my husband there the sky will be the limit! I will be able to explore new and beautiful places in Albuquerque! 

Today's run was much slower than my six mile run on Sunday, but I was okay with that. Our training schedule only called for three miles, so I didn't mind stopping here or there for pictures. Three miles at this point is a very easy run, and I don't feel like it hurts to stop. Man! I am so lucky to be able to say that...and it is only easy because I have been "running" now for a couple of years. 
So, on Sunday, near my house I hit a maximum elevation of 5,448, with a gain of only 209 ft. 
Today, I hit a maximum elevation of 6,033, and gained 303 ft. 
Let me tell you though, it felt like I was a thousand feet higher in elevation up there. :)

I really look up to Dorothy Beal, and by following her on Instagram (mileposts), it has helped push me to go further. I want to be that inspiration for other runners who are just starting out. I want to be someone who can tell them, start one mile at a time, and you will get there because with all my heart that is what I believe. 

Let's see what our minds can push us to do! Please let me know what you are training for, or what your goals are.

“The sky is not my limit...I am.” 

― T.F. Hodge, From Within I Rise: Spiritual Triumph Over Death and Conscious Encounters with "The Divine Presence"

Back at it/ I'm running

Well today marks the first day back at it. My husband and I are now training for a marathon. These past couple of months consisted of eating junk, and working out whenever it suited me. I am ready to get back in the groove, and to have a goal again! 
In 2014, I plan on becoming an even better runner! I know that it is going to be hard because we may start trying to have kids in the summer, but I want to still run (just not as far once summer arrives.)
We are planning on running a marathon in May, so we have quite a few months to train! It is going to be long and grueling, but hopefully we will do well. Our goal is to run it in less than four hours. Training in higher altitude should really help us because we are planning on racing at sea level.
This last week I only ran 18 miles, and so I am going to have to start getting used to running more than that in the coming weeks. This week, I am going to have to run 24 miles! We are using the Hal Higdon Intermediate Training program, and it has definitely worked for my friend and I when we trained for the two half marathons.
Today's training (Mondays) consisted of cross training. I just decided to do intervals on the treadmill because it doesn't have intervals in this training plan, and in order to get faster, I think you have to do some! I also worked on the row machine, and lifted some weights. My goal is to try and lift at least once a week while training. I would like to lose about ten pounds, although I do not want to weigh in because I will drive myself crazy. I will be able to notice if I have lost weight by the way my clothes fit, and how I feel. It shouldn't be too difficult because I hope to be eating better, and with all the miles we will be running, it shouldn't be too hard a feat. 
In 2013, since May, I have ran over 440 miles. I know this because of my awesome Garmin watch that my husband bought for me for my birthday. I say over because I did not record every run. Within those 440 miles, I gained over 25,000 feet in elevation. I recorded the least amount of runs in November, and that is when I started slacking off in all aspects of being healthy. 
I am so very thankful that my husband is running this one with me. It will be nice to run together, and maybe be a little more creative in where we run!

 Goals for the new year:
Run at least:
Three 5ks
Two 10ks
One 1/2 marathon
One Marathon

Drink less alcohol
Volunteer my time
Take vitamins consistently
Eat clean-ish :) 
Be closer to God
(In no particular order)

Let's bring on the new year! Good luck to everyone, and I hope you reach your goals. PS You are more likely to achieve your goals, if you set them! ;)