4.5 miles baby!!!

Today I ran 4.5 miles!  I STILL can't believe it!  I am so crazy proud of myself!  ESPECIALLY since I got up early and ran before it got hot!  In the past - the heat would have TOTALLY been an excuse for me to not do it!  That, and waking up early.  I am NOT a morning person!  My legs were not thrilled at the early run this morning.  It took a mile and a half for them to feel like they usually do.  I felt like I was lugging lead weights along with me this morning! 

Know what I love about running?  I love how other runners smile at you - it's like you're in a secret club or something! HA!  I always get head nods, or smiles, or people saying "good job" or "way to go"!  I LOVE that!  It makes me feel like I'm a part of something bigger than myself.  I think this is pretty funny, since running is a solo sport!  Even though my legs were launching a protest, my head REALLY enjoyed my run today!  I wonder though, will people still be that way to me when I'm fit?  Sometimes I think they are just shocked to see a fat chick out there running!  Oh well, whatever - I like it, hopefully it continues!  Of course, I'm too chicken to say something to someone I don't know.  It's funny how I am introverted and extroverted all at the same time.  I am an enigma!  So here is a pic of me after my first 4.5 mile run!!  Yes, I am aware that I am doing something weird with my eye - I look kind of like Igor. HA!  What do you want?  I was beat?

Next week I'm on to 5 miles!  For some reason, that scares the living crap out of me!  I know I can do it - it's just a matter of keeping my mind in the right direction!  I've said it before and I'll say it again - running is SOOOOOO much a mental sport!  I can't even count how many times I was ready to quit, but then my brain kicked in and I was able to finish!  I can only imagine this "push yourself through" mentality is good for other aspects of life too!  I LOVE running!!  I have a 10k coming up on the 28th of this month, my FIRST 10k!  I'm CRAZY excited!  Cross your fingers that I find a way to pay for it.  The race itself is only $15, but if I want a shirt, that's another 8.  I guess I really want the shirt, just because it's my FIRST 10k!  If I have to do it without getting the T though - I will!!  I'm NERVOUS and EXCITED!!

Oh - so after I took the above picture, I was scrolling through my camera and found some pics of me at a similar angle - from December.  HOLY CRAP - what a difference!!  You see it too right?  It's not just my wishful thinking???

Ok, by the looks of my daughter - this may have been more like the fall, but still!  I'm finally down to one chin!!  I know the angle is a bit different here, but I honestly didn't allow myself to be photographed much.  As you can tell - I was asleep in this shot, otherwise I would have certainly nixed it!  I'm sure at some angles I still have a little of a double chin, but NOTHING like the jowls I had before!!!

Well, I'm off - my daughter needs her nap and to be honest with you, I could use one too!  Thank you SO much for reading!  Have a WONDERFUL day!!! -Monica