Joining Up

So, I finally joined a gym. I decided that I need to add some weight training in with my cardio after I read an article about burning more calories if you have more muscle. That's all it took! My husband was looking for a new gym closer to our house, and we found one that's about 5 minutes away. Even better, it's a 24 hour facility with constant surveillance so I'll be safe when I go on my own.

I went out for a run again today. For some reason, about three intervals in to running I got really tired. I was suffering through and whining to myself about it. I started feeling sorry for myself, but then my theme song (Stronger by Kelly Clarkson) came on and I remembered why I was doing all of this hard work. I reminded myself that I JUST ran this same set of intervals on Wednesday and it felt easy then. I was totally psyching myself out. I kept repeating, "It's easy, it's easy, and it did get easier." I'm learning that the frame of mind I'm in really effects how I feel on my runs.

One question for all of you runners out there... I keep getting a cramp in the arch of my right foot toward the end of my runs. Today was the second time it happened. Any advice on how to stretch that muscle before I start out?