Happy Birthday to Me!!

I'm a bit behind, considering my birthday was a few weeks ago but......This year for my birthday, I got one of the best gifts ever. My best friend gave me a Garmin GPS Watch!! I had been wanting one for some time, so that I could track my runs without having to carry my heavy phone with me. In the winter it is easy to carry along but with the summer coming, I won't have anywhere to keep it. I was certainly not expecting to get one for my birthday, let alone such an awesome one.

I finally had a chance to sit down and figure out all of the settings and capabilities that it has. The Garmin Forerunner 405, is awesome! I thought it was going to be difficult to set up but once I took the time to look up some directions, it was pretty easy. It is extremely accurate and very light. I finally got the heart rate monitor synced ( a bit of a challenge because I initially set up the HR settings wrong) and I can't wait to take it out for a run tomorrow.

Now that summer is on it's way, I have made some changes to my usual get-up. I have traded in my iPod for an ipod Nano that I can clip onto my shirt. I also switched up my phone run tracker for my fancy new watch. Any change in the usual routine throws me off a bit at first but after a few 'adjustment' run I'm sure things will be right back on track.

Back on track...I hope

So, just as I have taken a break from keeping up with this blog, I have taken a break from running. It wasn't planned or intentional but I took a 4 week intensive summer course that really messed with my schedule. I was on such a routine with my morning runs, work, tutoring and kickboxing that something had to trade out for homework and writing papers. So the last few weeks I have clocked about 10 miles a week, which isn't great, but i guess it's still something.

I started back up with my morning runs, which feels great. I wish each morning that I struggle to get out of bed, I could just get a taste of how great I will feel after I get back from my run. It helps me start my day in such a positive way! So now that I am back on track, the 26.2 seem that much more daunting. Up until not I have only run a 13.5 miles. It just seems so difficult to get past that 15 mile mark but I think once I do it, it will get progressively easier.

I am signing up for a few races this summer to keep me on track. I will be doing a triathlon in July, a half marathon in august, some warrior dash/muds runs along the way and an 18 miler in LBI the week before the full. This summer I am hoping to keep up with my early runs so that I can't use the heat as a reason not to train!

Only time will tell, but I am determined!!