Sweat my bum off with Insanity!!!

Haven't been running since Friday:( Been kind of busy, however I hate making those kind of excuses, because I know there has been like at least 4 hours that I have just sat on the couch watching TV. :p Should have went running!!! Anyway, even though I wasn't able to go today, because I didn't get home from work till like 8:45 tonight, I did do a 40 min Insanity workout, and boy is it INTENSE!!! Sweat my A** off and felt like my lungs were going to explode, but felt really good afterward. I love Insanity because it is such a good high intensity cardio workout, so I really think it preps me for those long distance runs, plus you also use your own body weight to strength train, I love it, even though I'm yelling at the TV screen when I'm in the moment!!! What I also like about it is that it is a workout program that was put together by a track and field professional, Sean Teague, so he understands the endurance you need and the strength you need to go long distances.

New Beginnings!

Sooo, as one can see by reading the title of this post what is to follow are new adventures and new excitements in my life. I've definitely picked up on the "runners high." What I mean is that I, along with many, many other people have discovered what I like to call a "relationship with running." It is my newest relationship. It is still in the beginning stages and though I cannot go as far as my mentor, Erika, who turned me on to long distance running, I still have reached new distances I have previously thought to be unattainable. This is a typical date with the pavement... Before I literally hit the ground running in my new running shoes that Nathan (my boyfriend) bought me I prep myself. I put on running clothes, I make sure that my ipod is charged and I have a great mix to help keep me motivated on the road/trail, I put my hair back, and I always have a head band on (I can not stand my hair in my face when running). Right before I take off on my journey with the road I get really excited. In the beginning I find my grove, my pace and I try to stay with it the entire run. Sometimes I feel as if I am going to fall short of my goal, that my feet just feel too heavy to go on, or that my body just does not have it today. Then suddenly I snap out of it, of course I can finish, I've come this far already, and just think Abbey, you never thought you'd be able to even last 2 miles at one point in your life. Finally you reach those last few steps and everything inside you that was telling you that you could not do it goes away and you almost feel guilty for letting yourself doubt your body, your heart, and your runners soul! Anyways, that is my relationship with running, and I just love it.
Blogging is a new relationship of mine. It is approximately 40 min. old. Thanks for having me, so far I love it and all I've done is written one post. My sister Erika is right, I am going to become addicted, she is and we seem to enjoy the same things, so it is inevitable! Again thanks for having me!
I know I have talked about Erika Gerding already, and you all know she is my sister in-law, almost. But I would like to dedicate this post to her. The two new events in my life, distance running and blogging are something that she participates in and seems to really enjoy. I have always used running as an exercise technique, but never really ran longer than 20 minutes, it was at one point in my life boring and just exhausting. When Erika began her running journey she always talked about how rewarding and challenging it was and how through running she has incorporated more positive events in her life, like races, blogging, new friends, becoming apart of new fun groups and much more. I thought, hey, maybe you didn't give it a fare enough chance. So I started running 3 miles like 4 days a week. Then one day I went with Erika and we ran 4 and a 1/2, the most I've ever ran. It was hard and I wanted to stop and walk after 2 and a 1/2 but I didn't, I kept going. I felt so liberated and proud of myself. What a challenge! Then I continued to run and I worked myself up to 5 miles, and feeling pretty good while doing it. Then one day Erika took me on an 8 mile run. Oh my goodness, it was so hard, I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream, and most of all I wanted to QUIT! But I didn't, I kept going, and even though my pace was quite slow, I finished. I wanted to cry at that point as well, but for a whole different reason. I was so proud, again, and I couldn't believe I did that, 8 miles, it was AWESOME. Erika really pushed me that night, there was no way I would have done it without her, she gave me the courage to keep pushing through, she is very motivating. I would not have even felt the way I did after that run without her, because I probably would have quit. Sometimes we need people like that, to help push us through the hard times, not just in running, but in life in general. We have ran together 2 more times after that a 5 mile run and a 7 mile run, both of which I have improved greatly since that challenging 8 mile day. So basically I wanted to end today with telling Erika "Thank You!"  You have introduced me to some new really cool and fun events. Now lets lace up and hit the road!!!