A week of exercise

This has been a good week for me. The month of August I began slowly building my daily run miles. Ok, let's be honest--
Week 1 I didn't run at all
Week 2 I ran on Monday (3 miles)
Week 3 I ran on Monday and Wednesday (4 miles, plus 3 miles biking)
Week 4 I ran on Monday and Wednesday (5.5 miles)

Not great, but it was a good start to motivating myself to run again without paying money anywhere to motivate me. My goal for September is to work up to 20 miles a week and this week was a good start.

Week 1 I ran Monday and Wednesday (7 miles, plus an 11 mile bike ride with the family)

Now I just need to add my Friday run. The best part is that I feel so good! I have also lost 5 pounds in the last three weeks. This is really good since my sister is getting married at the end of October and I need to fit in the dress in my closet.

While I was riding the bike today I had so many thoughts running through my mind.

1. Biking is a good cross training exercise for running. It strengthens a different section of muscles in your legs which in turn make you a stronger runner. That's what I've heard any way. Today I realized another positive thing about bike riding. It makes me appreciate my runs more because I do not enjoy bike riding. I figure if you are wishing you were doing something else the entire time you are exercising, you should do something else! I know as I get stronger I will enjoy biking more, and I did enjoy being with my whole family out on the trails. It was a beautiful day to be out.

2. As much as I enjoyed being with my family, I really enjoy running alone. I like the private time to just be inside my own head without anyone bothering me or needing anything from me. I think it is my first ever, non social thing that I really enjoy. The more I do it the more I want it just for me, without interference from anyone.

3. Even though I run with my Ipod, it is time that I can think about all the things I don't have time to concentrate on during my busy day. I keep my Ipod turned down low so that it is just in the background giving my feet a rhythm to move to. I was missing my Ipod on the bike ride. I've actually started going to sleep at night listening to it. It only has running music on it, so I lay in bed visualizing myself running the next morning. Right before falling asleep I turn it off and set it by my bed ready to grab when the alarm goes off.

4. The spirit that lives in my body still feels 17, but after 11 miles up and down hills on a bike, my body definitely does not. I don't think my body even remembers that far back. My quads were killing me and so was my tush. I need to buy a bigger, softer seat than what came with my bike. Maybe I would enjoy biking more if I could walk after...enough said.