"Man imposes his own limitations, don't set any" -Anthony Bailey

Today I ran for Boston and pushed myself beyond the "limits" I had bound myself in.

4.52 miles...BAM!

Normally Wednesday's "long" run is 3.5 miles and done somewhere around 45-50 minutes. Today I upped that by a mile and 15 more minutes. I proved that I am stronger, better, have more endurance, and can start pushing the envelope now. I did my 3.1 miles in 43 minutes. I was so happy I wanted to cry.

At 2.5 miles I was ready to quit. A panic attack was rearing its ugly head and I was doubting my ability to even do 3 miles. I took a 3 minute walk break and focused. I was doing this for all those people who lost their ability to run with their own legs. I run for them and hope that they get some killer prosthetics and are able to walk again soon. I ran for the 3 poor souls that have passed beyond this life on that day and were take too soon. I ran for the 8 year old boy who lost his life and minutes before hugged his dad at the finish line of the marathon. I ran for the 8 year old girl inside that has hugged her dad at the finish line of various races and marathons. I ran for any future daughters or sons I might have so they can hug their mommy at the finish line of a race. I ran for my husband so he can hug my sweaty self at the finish line of my first 5K in less than 2 weeks.

I ran for me.

Now I'm not fast. I consider my "running" as jogging with style. I've been working on my breathing and posture and boy does that make a difference when it comes to endurance. But still I feel awesome.

That's about accurate...

Afterwards I huffed and puffed through Week 4 of Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30. Insane? Yes. I don't think my body will work tomorrow. That's okay since I only lost 1.2 pounds in a month. Bad girl! But I have some pretty sweet muscles that weren't there before so it's not all bad.

So now I'm going to play games the rest of the day because I deserve it dammit! After sweeping the floor first, cleaning the kitchen and getting a snack.

Mileage: 4.5 (BAM!)