Author: Colleen

The run streak isn’t really something I set out to do or achieve. It actually just happened and then became a thing for me. Well, not just a thing…an addiction. I love my morning runs and I can’t imagine missing a day.

The streak isn’t why I started my running journey and yet it became part of my story. There are a lot of things that I thought I wanted to do and still haven’t achieved. So did I really want those things?

It’s a funny how the things we think we want and desire sometimes seem out or reach or unattainable. They sound good, like worthy goals and something to strive for, but do we really want them?

I know there are a few things that I keep saying I want to do or achieve and yet…here I am with little progress. So do I really want them? What is the first step? The second step? Do I even know? Who should I ask?

Some random thoughts on your average run day.

Run happy!

Still thoroughly enjoying morning thunderstorms, overcast skies, and cooler temperatures. Speed continues to be close to a 9 minute mile. Feeling strong and hoping to continue this streak.

My average pace today was a 9:01 min/mi which is super fast for me. I woke up earlier than normal and it rained a bit before I headed out. Most likely being more alert and having my chai latte prior to running made a difference.

The cooler morning temps with the thunder storms are a welcome change despite the humidity. I really hope I can keep this streak alive as I am enjoying it so much!

Run happy!

The quote on my daily running calendar is, “There is magic in misery, just ask any runner.” by Dean Karnazes. He is an ultramarathon runner and author of Ultramarathon Man. I haven’t read the book and clearly I haven’t felt the misery enough yet to feel the magic!

I have felt the tremendous runners high and great feeling of accomplishment after running. I don’t think the distance matters or the amount of suffering, unless you are into that, I think it is just doing what is right for you and makes you feel challenged. I truly enjoy the challenge of running every day.

Run happy!

The staph infection is healing…that is the good news. The biopsy results for the three spots removed two weeks ago (the cause of the infection) turned out to be cancer. So I have to go in and have surgery to remove all of the cancer cells at the site. It is called a Mohs surgery and I am not looking forward to it.

They say no exercise for a week after the surgery. I am already researching how to work around this.

Don’t take running for granted! Every day now is glorious!

Such a nice change waking up to the sound of rolling thunder and rain. It cleared by around 8:00am and cooled everything off. I think it was around 80 degrees when I headed out for my run. Everything was fresh and clean from the downpour. I was hoping to get a little drizzle while I ran but no such luck. It was still nice having the cloud cover and the cooler temps.

Run happy!

Some weeks are longer than others. By Friday many of us are fried! So happy that I am still about to get out for an early run. Today was overcast and felt a few rain drops. Was hoping for a downpour but no such luck. Maybe tomorrow.

Run happy!

Are most days made up of routines that are familiar and contribute to long term success. Or are they a series of habits that compound over time into success. Is there a difference between a routine and a habit?

It seems to me a routine is a schedule that is consistent daily and it is something you can count on. Like the mail gets delivered every day around 11:30 am except on Sunday. Routines keep us comfortable. They keep us in our comfort zone.

Then does it follow that a habit is a deliberate action that can become routine? Like brushing your teeth when you wake up in the morning. It is a learned habit that becomes a routine. So the question is, if you want to break a bad habit or create a new good habit how long does it take to make it a new routine?

I guess it would depend on how far outside the comfort zone the change in habit is. Some habits (and routines) are very hard to break. And some times it seems nearly impossible to create the new good habit.

My running routine did not start out as a routine. It was a deliberate action that had to be planned in advance in order to create the new habit. It definitely took a long time before the new habit became a routine.

Just some random thoughts on a run. Run happy!

I decided to challenge myself a little today. My original thought was to do a 30 second sprint every half mile. And when I say sprint, that means run a little faster…haha, at 54 I am not sure my body knows what a sprint looks like. Anyway, first three sprints went good and my second mile time was an average 8:44 min/mi which anything under 9:00 minutes is fast for me.

The problem was after the three “sprints” I was maintaining a faster running pace and started to feel a twinge in my right thigh. Just isn’t worth it to pull anything so back off for the third mile.

Still had a great run and will continue to train and push. Need to sign up for a race to have something to train for!

Run happy!

Listening to the book, Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey, after having just read it. I do like this learning style and am enjoying listening as I run (listening to Matthew McConaughey’s voice doesn’t suck). Each chapter has multiple “greenlights” where he describes a life experience or a life lesson.

As children we played red light, green light on the playground. In real estate we play red light, green light with our finances. Having a new way to think about red light, yellow light, and green light as it pertains to areas of my life is an interesting concept.

Where in my life am I hitting the green lights? Am I proceeding with caution through a yellow light anywhere? I know I am at a red light in one area of my life right now. Trying to figure out how to navigate and start proceeding with caution is a challenge. Right now turning this into a greenlight seems like an impossibility.

Deep thoughts for a morning run. I hope you are hitting all greenlights! Run happy!