It’s official..

… morning runs are my new favorite thing! I woke up this morning to my freshly brewed coffee (thank you Mr. Cuisinart), munched on a luna bar, and caught up my running blogs.

Runner’s Rambles: Loved her post this morning about the blogging community. I’ve gained so much inspiration and information from running blogs. If I hadn’t stumbled upon the amazing support that the Healthy Living/Running Blogs showcase I know I would not have had the confidence to start running half marathons and then begin training for my first marathon! Chicago 2011 here I come!

Chic Runner: Chic Runner was the very first running blog that I came across. Danica gave me a whole new outlook on running. Like Danica I spent my middle and high school years racing during track and in sports that used running as punishment. It left me pretty jaded with running. She has one post where she wrote about the run that changed everything for her. She stopped in the middle and thought to herself: “Why do I do this?” She then came to realize that she didn’t have to race every time she ran anymore, she could run as slow as she wanted or as fast as she wanted. Now, whenever I run I run for myself. Whatever speed I feel like that day. If I want to take a break and walk, I do it, because in the end it’s my run and I make the rules.

Ali on the Run: Ali is a relatively new runner and is training for her first marathon while being sponsored by Jack Rabbit Sports. Each runner sponsored by Jack Rabbit is in charge of raising money for a charity. Since Ali has been battling Chron’s disease since she was young she decided she was going to raise money for the Chron’s and Colitis Foundation of America to help find a cure. I always find inspiration in her posts because she talks honestly about her struggles with the disease and can somehow turn the most negative/crummiest day into a positive and uplifting post. I always leave her blog feeling thankful for life and running! I strongly encourage you guys to check out her blog if you haven’t already and donate to her charity!

After I felt thoroughly inspired for the morning I drove over to campus to knock out my 4 mile run and weights session that I had planned for the day.

Here’s how it all went down:

• Mile 0- 1: 9 minute pace
• Mile 1-2: 8:30 pace
• Mile 2-4: 8:45 pace

I then went on to do my weight session which wasn’t too productive. I have a few staple moves that I tend to gravitate to.

A few of these..

Some of these..

And a little bit of this action..

I know it’s lame and while I took a weight lifting class in high school I know squat (no pun intended hehe) about weights. So, I think to fix this problem I’m going to find my way to the book store asap to find this gem that I have read wonderful things about:

Even though my weight session didn’t earn me any bragging rights today I would have to say this mornings run was just lovely. A nice morning jog to set the stage for the rest of my day. 75 degrees with a little breeze. I would take that over the 97 degree afternoon that was in store for later!

Side note: In high school my track coach would get mad at me for running like I was on a “Sunday morning jog” during our 400’s, I told him that “I loved Sunday  morning jogs..”  Clearly I have a competitive spirit 😉

I’ve never been fast or competitive for that matter, nor do I ever plan to be. I run because I love it and I definitely do not think that you have to be competitive or fast to classify yourself a runner. I love to run and I run alot. I wear running clothes and legit running shoes so yea I’m a runner. If nothing else I sure as heck have running feet to prove my dedication and love for the sport! and that my friends is a fact.

So, yep I’m a runner and that’s that.

Do you classify yourself as a runner? Are there certain blogs that you go to when you need to some inspiration? Have you used NRLFW? 

Happy Humpday!!

~Sarah