10k on a whim

Decided to run a local 10k yesterday morning.  Not bad, ran in 8:41 avg... 53:50 or so.  About a minute and 1/2 off my PR, but not bad with the hilly course and the lack of training I have been doing.  Felt nice to run a race again since it had been 6 months!!

Weekend Runs

Ran 8 over the weekend.  Felt fatigued on both runs.  Not sure... probably have too much going on and overcommitted so taking today easy.  Plus I have mounds of laundry and cleaning to get done.  :)

20+ for the week last week.

Done with the number days

Sunday ran 6.25, no watch (dead battery), no ipod, just nice cool, cloudy weather.  Another 6 today - running 45 sec/mile faster than 2 weeks ago at this time.  Also I dropped a pound, finally!!

Day 29 = Frustrated

Been eating right for the most part and running and strength training, no weight loss and same inches.  What is going on???  I can usually just lose 4 to 5 pounds with running and eating pretty quickly.  Not sure what the deal is.

Today 5.5 miles...

Day 27

4 miles... pretty average pace.  Legs kinda tired for no reason since I took yesterday off.

Day 25 = Long

8 miles.  Felt great - Last mile was fastest.  I love that.

I got 21 miles in last week.

Day 22

4.5 miles easy

Day 21

4.2 miles on treadmill while appeasing tired children - one of whom accidently stepped on the back of the treadmill while I was running and has a few scars to prove it.  Poor little guy.  Not the most awesome workout, but something.

12 miles over the past 3 days.  Looking for at least 20 this week.

Day 20

Ran 3 quick miles this morning before having a busy day with a 1st grade field trip.  Off to flag football practice!

Day 19 = Hard day!

Ran 5.2 on the treadmill, followed by the NTC workout Curve Carver.  Ouch.  This one's gonna hurt.  But I feel awesome.
Breakfast was an Organic Cliff Bar... Mountain Mix.  Have you had these?  They are good with coffee and only about 200 calories.

Lunch:  Egg soft tacos.... scrambled eggs, fresh avocado and fresh salsa (with tons of cilantro... yum!)  And a plum for dessert.  Clean eating except for the tortillas. :)  AND it had protein.  I have a hard time getting my protein!!
About 600 calories total.

Give Away!!!

Super Exciting Giveaway Offer!!  Title Nine $25 giftcard!!  Never heard of Title Nine?  Check out their web site here!  I love this stuff and I know you will too!  They have cute clothes, workout clothes, great sports bras... anything you could want.  And it's all so awesome.  So... here's what you need to do.  
1.  Comment on why you want this gift card!  Make sure you leave your email address.
2.  Join my blog
3.  Link to this post on your blog or Twitter account!  


I will randomly choose the winner on Friday, Sept. 2!
Come on, you know you want it!!!  I have a special place in my heart for this company because I went to college on a scholarship due to Title 9 from the NCAA - mandating men and women have equal opportunity in college athletics.  Love the name of this company!!

Time to get Serious

So, I weighed this morning.  The EXACT same as I started.  I could not believe it.  Food is my nemesis.  I do not eat much, but I do allow myself to eat some junk.  So this is what I'm doing.  Going back to my food journal and 1600 calorie limit.  I lost weight fast and healthily last year when I started this.  It's tough, but I have to go to the grocery today anyway, so I'll stock up on Chobani and veggies.  Here goes nothing.  Clean eating is the goal - no processed junk, no sugar.  Hoping this will also help my energy levels return.  Let me at 'em.

Day 17 = Hills

I walked/ran the hills in my parents neighborhood yesterday.  It was the middle of the afternoon and pretty hot - 3 miles of serious hills.  So I thought it was a pretty easy workout because I walked more than ran, but today the outside of my glutes are soooooo sore.  It's seriously amazing.  I do squats and lunges all the time, can run mile and miles, but walking straight up these humongous hills has made me very sore.  It feels good.  I'm going to try to get on the treadmill today.  I have the boys by myself today, so hopefully they will behave and I can get a good run in.

Can you run at night?  Sometimes I want to run after I get the boys to bed, but if I do I cannot go to sleep.  My adrenaline gets pumping I guess and my body doesn't have time to calm down.  I may try tonight.  Who needs sleep anyway right?  Only us cat-like people that need excessive sleep feel anxious when we don't get our alloted 8-9 hours.

Day 16 = L.A.Z.Y.

L = Laggard
A = Apathetic
Z = Anything but Zealous
Y = Yawn

NOTHING today.  Blah. Boo. Bleh.

I did go to the fire station on a Kindergarten field trip which was really fun.  They were so well behaved.  Why didn't I become a firewoman???  Awesome job!

Did I mention football season is around the corner?  And soccer?  Oh, I do love the Fall.  Tomorrow we are headed to Nashville.  I have some shopping to do and  my brother is coming in town from South Florida so we will get to hang out with him some.  Should be a fun weekend.

Day 15 = strength

Did 2.2 miles on treadmill level 8 incline alternating walking and jogging.  Watching Friday night lights helps, but didn't have time to finish a whole episode. Then did 45 minute NTC workout - lots of hops, burpees, squats, lunges, planks.

My  life is about to get way busy.  Both boys playing flag football this fall, thankfully on the same team.  Both boys playing soccer on different teams of which I'm coaching both (that's 3 nights of practice a week).

That including 3 Bible Study days and weekly volunteer work with a local food/clothes pantry.  Helping with Sunday School Sundays, while also helping with Kindergarten room mom.  Wow.  One more week of bliss.

Anniversary Gift

So this morning on my email was my anniversary gift... an athleta gift certificate!!  Yay, my husband knows me so well!  I usually don't buy much unless it's on sale, I am a sale girl, and I think their clothes are overpriced.  But, I love them all the same.  I have found that many times Gander Mountain will have similar styles in their private label brand that are much cheaper than Athleta, so I do shop there some.  But I love Mountain Hardware, also expensive, and all those cool outdoorsy/athletic looking clothes.  I'm still such a tomboy at heart.  You can put the girl in a dress, but inside she's still a tomboy.  :)

Day 14 = Going Beyond

6 miles

This morning everything worked out.  It's cloudy and 70 degrees.  I remembered to eat an energy bar on the way to drop the boys off.  I was out the door by 8:30 - the ideal time for me to run.  I was awake, kind of.  Initially the plan was to run a quick 4 miles as I'm meeting the hubby for and anniversary lunch, and wasn't sure how I would feel that early.  But, after the first 2 miles I woke up and felt great.  Lots of people out walking, running and biking this morning and I felt like I could run longer.  So I did.  The best part was my fastest mile was the last one.  Granted not that fast, but overall I averaged a minute/mile faster than my Monday run.

So I've run 35 miles in the past 2 weeks, had a strength training session or two and have had two really great swim workouts.  I'm pleased with my consistency, looking forward to getting more miles in gradually in the weeks ahead.

I'm drinking a post run smoothie right now.  I usually have post run chocolate milk - my favorite being Purity brand whole chocolate milk... yum.  But we are out of chocolate milk, and we are out of chocolate syrup, and actually, we are out of regular milk as well.  Guess I'll be making a Sam's run this afternoon.  So I decided to just have a smoothie.  I added ice this time and it's so good.

Well I better hit the shower, I have a big date in a bit! :)  Have a great Wednesday.

No Swim

Found out today I don't have to swim in the tri relay this weekend.  I am a bit relieved, though I am going to continue swimming as cross training.  I really enjoy it.  Should have gone today.  Still haven't gotten my workout in, maybe this evening.  I am battling a cold the kids have brought home from school, but it's not too bad.  Just feel really tired and have sinus issues.

Day 12 = SLOW!

6.2 slow miles

The weather has been so nice and much cooler.  I got 6.2 miles in yesterday, though slow.  I am not too concerned about speed yet, just getting my mileage base back up.  Gonna try to get 4 in later today and try to get 20 in for the week.  This weekend I won't be able to run so I will have to get the miles in during the week.

Tony and me 7 years ago

Thursday is our 10th anniversary!!  I can't believe it's been 10 years!  Amazing!  I am so blessed to be married to my best friend and such an awesome, God fearing man.  He loves me so well!

Day 9 = Lunch with Mommy...

4 miles
OK, ok, ok.  I was going, GOING to run longer today.  But this morning, my little Kindergartner asked "Mommy, will you come eat lunch with me today?"  Well of course, lunch starts at 10:40.  Uggghhh.  I didn't get home from dropping them off and running by the store until 8:45, and hadn't eaten anything since I woke up late this morning.  It was a crazy morning.  I left the house at 9:30 opting for a shorter, faster effort.  4 miles about a minute per mile faster than I've been running.  I was tired and it worked.  And I made it to lunch to eat with the Kindergartner and then the 1st grader.  Everyone was happy!  Have a super duper weekend!!!

Day 8 = Liquid

weight - 130.8  If my stupid scale didn't give me a decimal place, I could say I lost a pound in a week.  Oh well, close though!
swim - 14 x 100M

The weather was so nice this morning!  It felt like fall kinda, mid 60s!  I hope it's like that tomorrow when I do my long run.  As I sit here drinking a Dr. Pepper (don't shake your head, it's been a while since I've had one!), my foot is aching so badly.  I don't know what I did to it this morning but I think I dropped something, or hit it on something.  It's right on top of my foot near my ankle.  It's swollen and a bit and bruised.  Hmmmm.

For breakfast I had a smoothie.  When I go on a health kick, smoothies become a staple.  They take the place of one of my meals.  Yesterday it was lunch, today breakfast.  Here's how I make mine....

Let me start by saying that my immersion blender broke a few months back and I found this cool little Oster smoothie maker.  Just stick everything in the blue bottle, screw on the blade, lock it on the blender and plug in.  It's so easy!  Then you remove the blade and screw a top on that has a spout to drink out of.  FAST FOOD!! :)

 Ok, so Chobani Greek Yogurt is my favorite thing ever.  Especially Pineapple flavor.  Plus it has 13 grams of protein in one serving and 140 calories!  Today I used it, with an overripe banana, (side note:  I cannot choke down a banana to save my life, but they are like Gold in a smoothie!) fresh cherries, pitted, fresh pineapple, and some pineapple/orange juice.  I also threw a little milk in.  I am so on a pineapple kick this summer.

 Here is the finished product!  I like to put it in a fancy glass to drink cause it makes me feel like I'm at a spa... don't laugh at me.

So, this smoothie energized my swim this morning.  Liquid fuel for a liquid workout.  I think I can do the 400 if I have to.  I'm gaining confidence each time I swim.  Felt great except when my foot cramped towards the end.  Kinda right where it was already hurting.... strange.  This pain better be gone by tomorrow.  This smoothie has some serious calories.  I'm guessing total about 350 maybe.  But it has so much protein that I'm still not even really hungry for lunch and it's been 4 hours and a good swim since I drank it.  Love me some Smoothies.  My friend Caryn makes smoothies for breakfast too.  She is an elite runner from Atlanta.  You can visit her blog here.  Have a Wonderful Thursday!!!

Day 7 = Combo Run

6 miles total
Part 1:  4 miles treadmill, watching Friday Night Lights from the beginning on Netflix.  If you never watched this TV show, go back and watch.  Especially if you are a football fan like me.  But it's just a really great, great show.  The series ended this year so I'm bummed, but it doesn't stop me from going back and watching it again.  I mean, I forgot some parts right?

Friday Night Lights Season 1 Cast

Part 2:  I transitioned from treadmill to road and finished with a good 2 miles.  The last mile I did some pick ups and it wasn't easy.  I haven't run 6 miles in a while.  It was hot and sunny too, but I did it (even though I wanted, really wanted to stop after 5).  Mile 6 I had some good speed bursts.  See how red my face is?  See how comfy my cat is??  See that exercise ball that turned into my boys' favorite toy???

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, CAN'T LOSE!!!  (ummm, that's from Friday Night Lights)

Day 6 = Nike Training Club

I love, love, love this app.  Find it here:  Nike Training Club
Didn't have time for a workout, had to get the house cleaned and visit family that is in town.  But when we got home this afternoon I was able to get two Nike Training Club workouts.  One for legs and one for abs.  Nice.  I may jump on the treadmill in a bit after I get the boys in bed.

I've been cheating my diet, but will get back to it.  I really want to get this weight off.

By the way my arms were a bit sore from swimming, but not bad.

Day 5 = Water Woes!

Weight = 131

Went Swimming!  Wow it was hard!!  I swam 50s mostly for 50 minutes.  I lost count of my laps.  But didn't rest much so got a good workout.  The main thing I noticed is that my arms get really tired.  They are not use to pulling water, or being used much at all for that matter - it's a totally different exercise than running.  Here I sit 30 minutes after my workout, I have the good post exercise feeling but I feel refreshed and, though my muscles are fatigued, definitely feel like the rest of my day will be without aches and pains.  I may be swimming a lot more in the future.  It's just a great workout.  As I was toweling off an older lady said, "You have a beautiful stroke, you look like you are just gliding along out there."  My response, "Thank you but I didn't feel that way."  I always wondered what I looked like swimming.  Ha!

The sprint triathlon has a 400m swim.  Initially I thought, "that's a piece of cake!"  Now I'm thinking otherwise.  I think I can do it in 8 minutes though, and if the team needs me that will give them a decent start.  My goal will be sub 8 minutes but I bet it ends up somewhere around 8:30 - 9:00.  If I can pace myself and not go out too fast, I will do much better.  I am going to swim a lot over the next 2 weeks and see what happens.  Maybe I won't have to do this relay at all!

Day 4 = Perseverence

Ran 5 miles today.  Very proud of that.  Started with clouds and slight breeze, though the humidity was still stifling.  After 3 miles, the sun decided to shine on me.  I had decided to run 5 miles and that's what I did.  I find that before I run, if I have a set mileage that I want to accomplish, I am much more likely to accomplish it if I have it in my head from the get-go.  Otherwise, I am easily talked down.  It's that old belief that you have to know where you are going to get there.  If I'm wavering at all, or decide I will just run based on how I feel, most often I end up with less mileage than if I am focused on a goal.

Today felt good, I ran slow and steady and gained some confidence back.  5 miles in 85+ degree temps with high humidity is not too shabby here in the beginning days of training.  Very happy.  The will triumphed the mind today.

Tomorrow morning I will weigh in and also planning a swim session at the indoor pool, and hopefully a strength training session as well.

Day 2 = Yawn

I've been so tired this afternoon.  I only ran 3.5 miles this morning and I was soaking wet with sweat.  I must be tired from losing all that water.  My plan was to then go swim some laps at a local indoor pool.  My friend has asked me to be on stand-by for her sprint triathlon relay team since their swimmer is nursing an injury.  The race is 2 weeks from tomorrow so I better get some swimming in.  I swam on the swim team all growing up and into high school so it's pretty easy for me, but still, I would want to swim well if I had to jump in for their team.  Anyway, I get there and they only take cash or check which I don't have.  I was planning on getting a month membership with my credit card but I guess that will have to wait until Monday.  I had lots of errands to run today, along with mowing the yard, so didn't get a chance to get back there.

I may take tomorrow off and then run again Sunday morning.  I will weigh in again on Monday. :)  Feeling good about the weight going down.  I've been watching what I eat and think I can lose the first 5 pretty fast... after that it will require more mileage.

I'm so far away from where I should be right now.  It's ugly.  I really wanted to maintain over the summer, and here I am almost starting over again.  Still I'm excited about the process of regaining my endurance, even though it's quite painful here in the beginning stages.

Me and my boys playing on the computer today...

Day 1 = Must Have Patience

My, how I've grown!!

Weight :  131.5
Waist:  29"
Belly Bulge:  35"
Hips:  35.5"
Thigh:  23"
Upper Arm: 12"



Ran 4.2 on treadmill.  I really need to work back into this slowly even though I now have time.  Don't want to cause an injury with my body being in "lazy summer" mode still.  So... I may still do another workout this afternoon.  But it would be smarter to not... but probably I will.  Just a strength workout.  Can't hurt right?  I'm so all or nothing.  It is so hard for me to work back into this slowly.  We'll see what happens.
In other news, here are my boys all ready for the first day of school!

Back to Running, Back to Reality

The time has come!  I am venturing on a return to running journey.  My kids will be safely tucked away in school starting Thursday, August 4th, and I will have more time to train.  I'm going to weigh myself that morning, report that weight here on my blog, and get back on the running and weight loss train. I will log my weight loss, inches and miles here and hopefully you can watch as I transform back into the runner in me.  :)  Cannot weight wait.

T-minus 2 weeks...

...Until I have time to run again.  I've been missing it so.  If only the weather would cool off by then.  :)  I can't believe the boys will be in school in 2 weeks.  We have been so busy lately, but have had a wonderful summer.  So much to be excited about coming up too, Flag Football season, Fall soccer season, College Football, school, new Sunday School classes, and for me time to run again! :)  And cooler temps!  Here's to the last 2 weeks of summer, and my body life getting back in some sort of order.  Cheers!

Mississippi Coast Marathon (or half marathon!)

Yes, I'm considering a full marathon.  Maybe.  November 26.  We are at the in-laws this year for Thanksgiving down in Mobile, AL, so I was looking for a race that weekend.  I found one about an hour and 1/2 away the Saturday after Thanksgiving and two days after my 35th birthday!  Whoa!  35!  I guess maybe that would be a good way to celebrate, either my first marathon or a great 1/2 marathon.  The Mississippi Coast Marathon.  It's small, cheap and flat.  I'm excited about the opportunity.  It's a ways off, but I should have plenty of time to train this fall with both boys in school full time.  I do have other obligations Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, but still should have time to get training in and up my mileage considerably.

Now to find a good 1/2 marathon in late September, early October to test my fitness.  Hmmmm...

In other news, the Nike Training Club app is awesome and getting me toner and fitter and stronger.  I love it.  But, I am in serious endurance deprivation from a lack of long runs over the past few months, though think I can get it back pretty quick.   I need to get consistently back to 25 mpw.  I'm struggling now with 15-20.  Then I will try to up to 35 if I can hang.  Usually if I get past 28-30 I am constantly tired but maybe I just need a bit more consistency until my stamina can get built up.

I'm heading to Detroit Thursday for a friend's wedding!  Can't wait to see old friends and have a girls weekend.  Maybe I can sneak a run in....  we'll see.

On the consumption front, I have been CRAVING these:

I just want DP all the time.  I haven't been drinking soda for a while so this is just strange.  I give in to the urge every now and again, while hoping I kick this little habit very soon...

What are your fall race plans?  I am pumped!!!

Considering Fall...

A fall race.  Yes, that's good.  A fall race.  I need that.  I need motivation in July.  May and June left my running shoes empty for the most part.  I can't even detail my runs they are so few and far between.  Lots of travel, hospital with my dad (who is doing amazingly well and gaining strength each day - praise the Lord!), kids at home, heat, whine, whine, whine, etc.  Soooooo, can I turn this ship around?  Can I recover my lost fitness?  On a better, more on-key note, I have downloaded an app for my Ipad... NTC - Nike Training Center.  It's awesome and is a bunch of different workouts you can choose from (think stationary strength exercises) that take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour with a lot of different circuits.  I feel stronger.  This is huge for me because usually I just run and don't strength train.  Could I possibly combine the two for an even more fitter me???  I'm off for a run... will update more often this summer from here on out.

A family pic from the beach...

Tough Days

My oldest son has been sick the last two days.  It's hard when it's 95 degrees and you have to stay inside and do nothing all day.  I did get a 3 mile run in on the treadmill.  I'm considering getting a few more in tonight when my hubby gets home and it cools off a bit.  We are headed to the beach soon and I need to lose a few pounds that I've put through the craziness of the past couple of months.  But I can't wait for our trip.

My plan is to limit my calorie consumption to 1600/day and to exercise each day on top of that.  If I can net 1500 calories or less every day I should be able to shed a pound or two each week.  We'll see if a) I can actually do it and b) if it actually works.  Last fall I lost about 10 pounds doing this pretty fast... and since I've gained 4 back.  So it worked and I kept most of it off until recently when I wasn't exercising.  Let's see if I can do it again!!  The hard part has been us staying at home and me being bored - it makes me think about eating too much (or the lack there of) when we have to stay home.  Hopefully Jordan will feel better soon and we can get out and about.

Monday workout

The past two Mondays I have done my Nike Anytime Anywhere workout through my Ipod.  I've been doubling the cardio section... I end up running about 3 miles and doing lots of lunges, squats, squat thrusts, planks, plyometrics, and other moves that make me really sore strong.  It's funny, I first downloaded it when I made a commitment to get in shape after my second child was born.  I remember how I couldn't finish it or walk afterwards... now it's tough but definitely do-able.  I do still feel like I get a great workout in... and it works muscles I don't usually use.  I think overall fitness is a great goal... not just the ability to run miles or fast miles, but also having strength.  It can't hurt right?

Maintenance

My goal for the summer is maintenance.  With the boys home and the heat on, I'm going to just try to maintain my fitness through the summer months and head into fall with a decent base to build from.  August is when I started really training for Ragnar last year, and that will mark one year of consistency for me.  I'm excited about it.  I have had some weeks here and there without a lot of consistency, but over all I have gotten back into a routine when time allowed and persevered.  This is a big deal for me.  I may race a few 5K's here and there over the next couple of months, but overall, just trying to survive the heat.  What are your goals for the summer?  Any fall races you are shooting for??

a few weeks off - Summer Plans

My dad was in the hospital for 3 weeks, so while the kids were at school I was driving to the hospital (hour drive each way) almost every other day and on the weekends.  No time to run.  I think I needed a break anyway after the 1/2.  I ran 6 miles on Friday, my kids last day of school, and it felt great.  I am excited about the summer and staying with a running program.  I am not into racing right now, just maintaining and trying to increase my endurance.  The heat will definitely test all that is within me.  :)  I really just want to enjoy running without the pressures right now.  I'm also doing some individual soccer training with a high school player and have serious plans for Jordan's ball skill development this summer.  He has great soccer potential - small and speedy with a nose for the goal!  He scored over 14 goals this season.  I'm thinking of asking a couple of other kids that have great potential to join our skills camp. :)

Other than that, we will continue to work on the boys handwriting (why are boys so bad at this?) as Walker starts Kindergarten in the fall... whoa!  We've got a Disney trip, and a trip to the South Carolina beach planned for the summer as well as probably a trip to the in-laws at some point.  The boys are only out of school for 10 weeks so I'm sure it will fly by.

The Lava Ladies are headed to the Florida Keys in January to run Ragnar again.  I can't wait for this and it will be the focus of my fall training.  I really want to get faster before this race.  It's gonna be a blast.  Hope you have a great summer too!

Emotional Race

This past week has been an emotional race for me.  My dad had heart surgery on Thursday - very surprising - and so I was in the hospital all day Thursday and Friday, then yesterday after the race.  He is holding his own, still in ICU with minor complications, but stable.  I did run the Country Music 1/2 marathon yesterday.  I did not once feel good during the race like I have in past races.  The whole thing was a struggle.  But I thought of my dad and how he would love to be anywhere but in that hospital with all that pain.  I thought of how he use to run, and instilled in me a love of sport and competition.  It kept me going over all of the hills and to the finish in 2:01.  Another day, I would be so disappointed in this time.  But on this day, during the midst of this trial, I was happy to do it and happy to be done with it.  It hurt but it was a good hurt.  A hurt that one day may keep me off of that operating table.  I ran for my dad.

Long Run Mammoth Park

My friend, Sara, and I headed to Mammoth Cave National Park yesterday for a nice little run through the woods.  We were on a gravel (ouch) bike trail for 12 miles.  My legs were throbbing at the end and I struggled with the ups and downs of the trail, not to mention the large gravel that bruised my feet.  But I got it done and feel good about Nashville.  I should be ok.  I'm going to enjoy it even if I'm not. :)

Boston Marathon Race Meal

I'm watching via Twitter the leaders and following my friends paces.  They are doing great!  And I'm enjoying this:  Egg burrito with tomatoes, cheddar, avocado and salsa.... YUM!  Yes, I feel a little guilty, but I know they are living the dream right now... and I'm eating it.

New Best Friend

Finally, after months of thinking I should, I ordered the foam roller.  But it took a strength training session to put it into use.  Ouch!  I can tell this is going to do great things for me and my dreaded IT Bands.  :)

On my mind....

I haven't been able to work hard the last few weeks like I'd hoped, but I'm still looking forward to the Country Music 1/2 Marathon.  My friends will be there running too, some from Nashville, some from Atlanta, and some from Bowling Green.  Plus my brother and his girlfriend are coming up from Florida and I've never met her, and she's running with me!   It's going to be fun no matter my time.  I love Nashville.  I run without an ipod because I just love the atmosphere.  I love the bands, the fans, the other runners.  It's just fun.  I can't wait to go to the concert after, and celebrate with all the other runners and my friends.  So looking forward to all of it.

I have two friends, Caryn (see her blog here) and Brian that are running Boston a week from yesterday.  I'm so excited for them both!!  Can't wait to follow the whole race!!!

Track Workout...

Beautiful day.  Get the kids ready.  Grab snacks, drinks, sunscreen, giant bouncy ball.  Drive to a local High School track.  Locked.  Drive across town to another High School Track.  Open.  Gold!  We get out.  Drinks, check.  Snacks, check.  Sunscreen, check.  Big ball to entertain kids, check.  No one around, check.  GOLD!!  Explanation to stay together and play nicely and try not to bug mommy too much.  Ahhh, this is gonna work.  They are happy to be playing with their big ball on a manicured football field while I jog a warm-up mile.  Last lap of the warmup... "He won't play with me!"  Fine.  Lecture on being nice and playing together.  "I need to go to the bathroom!"  Oh, no.  This could be disaster.  "No, I can hold it, mom."  Ok.  I take off on my first mile.  I'm suppose to do 3 repeats with 800 jogs.  I run the first mile in 7:29.  "Mom, I really gotta go."  (Everything is locked up as far as bathrooms around because of Spring Break and the schools being closed).  And we load up and head home.  Finished the other two miles on the treadmill.  I tried.  Fail.

Tough

So Tuesday the boys and I went to stay at my parents while the hubby traveled. This gave us a nice visit and allowed me the chance to get out and run!  They live in a very hilly neighborhood.  I ran only 4 miles, but pushed it. The second mile had 4 hills totaling .31, .16, .14, and .05 length hills and very steep... Like straight up. Houses on this road have driveways straight up or straight down. When I was training for Ragnar I tried running it unsuccessfully. I would have to walk a bit after I got to the top of the hills. But Tuesday I killed those hills and it felt great. It was hard, but I am tougher than I thought I was. I kept my shoulders back and my head up, and zoomed right up. Today I'm gonna try to get to a track with my boys for a speed workout. We'll see how much they let me do!

Slacker Days

So I missed my runs all week.  I battled the cold, and survived.  Still hanging on a bit, but I think it's at least under control.  More than that, I survived my oldest boy's birthday party Saturday.  We had company all weekend and worked all day in the yard today.  I moved huge rocks, lifting with my legs of course - which was a great total body workout.  I took a nap out on the patio by the koi pond.  It was a warm, windy, sunny day.  Loved it.  I made homemade gumbo and homemade tomato pie (amazing), and we had our first fire in the outdoor fireplace Tony built.  It was an amazing day, and let me not leave out that my oldest finally tried to ride his bike, and mastered it in a matter of minutes.  But back to running, I will get back on track this week.  Though its spring break and many miles will be on the treadmill, I'm looking forward to pushing through and getting ready for Nashville.

Next 4 weeks

WEEK 1: 16 Mi

Thu Mar 31 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @10:05 Sat Apr 2 Long Run Dist: 13 Mi @10:05

WEEK 2: 31 Mi

Mon Apr 4 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @10:05 Tue Apr 5 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @10:05 Wed Apr 6 Speedwork Dist: 6 Mi, inc Warm; 3x1600 in 8:02 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Apr 7 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @10:05 Sat Apr 9 Long Run Dist: 13 Mi @10:05

WEEK 3: 33 Mi

Mon Apr 11 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @10:02 Tue Apr 12 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @10:02 Wed Apr 13 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 8:38; Cool Thu Apr 14 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @10:02 Sat Apr 16 Long Run Dist: 13 Mi @10:02

WEEK 4: 34 Mi

Mon Apr 18 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @10:00 Tue Apr 19 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @10:00 Wed Apr 20 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 8:36; Cool Thu Apr 21 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @10:00 Sat Apr 23 Long Run Dist: 13 Mi @10:00

WEEK 5: 29 Mi

Mon Apr 25 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @9:57 Tue Apr 26 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @9:57 Wed Apr 27 Speedwork Dist: 4 Mi, inc Warm; 2x1600 in 7:56 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Apr 28 Easy Run Dist: 4 Mi @9:57 Sat Apr 30 Half Marathon Race Day 13.1 Mi @8:34 Time: 1:52:14

These easy runs seem really slow so I'm sure I will be running them faster as I don't have all day, but we'll see if it helps me make that time.  Would be a PR by almost 2 minutes.

1/2 Marathon

Ok, this is the deal.  I did not want to run the morning of the race.  It was FREEZING cold and suppose to rain, though it didn't.  It was cloudy and there was a 10 mph wind.  The course was out and back.  I was putting on my timing sensor tag and when I bent down I did something to my knee and thought there was no way I could run.  It hurt for the next hour before the race and I wasn't sure I would make it.  I have never wanted to not run a race so badly!!  I was afraid I would start it and then have to stop.  So I started a little slowly with some friends running their first 1/2 marathon.  I felt ok so I picked up the pace.  Someone had told me that I needed to run a faster first 1/2 of the course because it was an out and back course, and the way back would be directly into the wind. He was right.  When I turned around during mile 7 it was crazy windy right in my face.  So much so I now have wind burn on my face!  But I felt good while I was out there.  The last two miles my legs were seizing up, IT Band issues and also the cold... but I made it almost the exact same time as my last one.  If I can train the next 3 weeks, I am going to try to go all out at the Nashville 1/2 and PR even though it's totally a hilly course.  Now I have a serious cold that I'm fighting... not sure if it's from the race or my 6 year old's soccer game in the rain that afternoon.  But it's brutal. I may live though.


Splits:
Mile 1:  8:56  ran the first mile with some friends running their first 1/2
Mile 2:  8:39
Mile 3:  8:42
Mile 4:  8:29
Mile 5:  8:30
Mile 6:  8:18 woo hoo!
Mile 7:  8:23  the turn around
Mile 8:  9:13  why...is...it...so...windy???
Mile 9:  8:46
Mile 10: 9:09
Mile 11: 8:54
Mile 12: 9:06  I'm not going to make it.... my IT Bands are killing me!
Mile 13: 8:49
.11        : 0:46

Time 1:54:46 = 8:45 miles.

Joy

I'm full of Joy!! :)  Things are not always easy, but I am learning to find joy in the simple things of life.  Like the weather, and my amazing husband, and my boys, and running.  I am super excited about the race this weekend, just to be able to get out with friends and push my body physically... wonderful!!  And the Lava Ladies have jumped head first into the Ragnar Relay in the Florida Keys in 2012... January... I mean really, that's not that far away, and who doesn't want to go to the Keys in January?  Love!

So I'm off for a little jaunt around town.  I shouldn't run much this week but I am joyfully in the running spirit lately.  Off I go!

Re-org

I've been in a running lull for over 2 weeks now.  I think as we get busier with spring soccer, yard work, the ability to play outside, I find less and less time and energy to devote to my running.  Unfortunately I have a 1/2 marathon next Saturday and then one a month later as well.  I have decided to just enjoy the one in April - The County Music 1/2 in Nashville - it's just a lot of fun and I am going to get to see friends from Atlanta that weekend where we'll spend 2 nights in Nashville.  It's almost like a mini vacation and I'm really looking forward to it!  Next weekend, however, is the competition 1/2 here locally where I'm running with a team of people.  If I don't run well, I will feel like I'm letting them down.  Sad.  When I do run, I am not running the pace or distance I was a month ago.  I think my body, more-so than others, needs rest and doesn't respond well when I push too hard.  Especially when I'm trying to eat less.  It's just wipes me out.  Either that or it's my two little romping boys.  :)  Or perhaps a combination of everything together?

I am allowing myself this time to get back on my feet without any guilt.  I am enjoying my time with the boys this spring.  I love watching them play soccer and practicing with them in the yard after school.  That's the things they will remember when they get older, not how many miles mom logged on the treadmill, or how many pr's I get in my races.  Sometimes it's good to take a break and reorganize priorities.  Running is a hobby, my family is my life.

Lost

I realize that I never updated my dilemma in being able to hear my Ipad play Lost episodes while I ran on the treadmill.  My treadmill has speakers you can hook up to the Ipad and I guess I just didn't have it pushed in far enough.  So now I'm like 6 episodes or more into the first season of Lost and I love it.  I run while I'm watching and it's just perfect.  I know you were all really concerned about my lip reading/running problem so I just wanted to post this update.  :)

Did you watch Lost when it was on TV?  Ever go back and watch an old series you missed when it was on?  I must say, if you never watched Friday Night Lights, that's worth renting.  It's soooooo good, one of my favorite TV shows of all time.  The last season is about to air coming up on NBC.  Go back to the beginning, you won't be disappointed.

Catching up...

I'm trying to catch up on my miles this week.  Forgive me for not posting more.  Looking to get back in the upper 20's.  By the way, I got Kristin Armstrong's new book - Mile Markers - 26.2 reasons women run.  It's really a great read and is compiled of blogs she has done on her Mile Marker's blog here. Read it.

Off to run...

Dead Legs

   So I ran a 1/2 marathon...4 WEEKS AGO!!  Why are my legs still dead?  I haven't had one run where I've felt really good since then.  Every mile is a struggle.  Yes, I did run 33 miles last week which is a lot for me, but they were all hard miles.  None that felt light and speedy.  So this week I have been slacking.  I do not have the energy I should of late, and my running is stealing energy  from my family.  There is just not enough to go around.  So I've run twice this week for two reasons... 1 - to see if I have more energy for my family (Yes I do!)  and 2 - to see if my legs can recover (Not sure yet).  I think I'm bagging our group long run in the morning as the forecast calls for 100% rain from this afternoon through all of tomorrow.  I will get a few on the treadmill but my guess is my weekly mileage this week to be 1/2 of what it was last.  I am expecting more next week - energy, miles and speed.  

  I am thinking of doing a giveaway to get more people to read my blog.  I'm just not sure how to go about promoting it.  Got any ideas?  Let me know.  I hope your training is going well.  I hope your legs are light and springy and you have plenty of left over energy for your family.  :)

3 Tangent Tuesday

Here we go:

1) I don't mind when people eat and live differently than I do.  I really don't.  And I endure reluctantly those that try to impose their views on me.  I always feel inferior around these people for some reason - Yes, I still have aluminum baking pans and plastic tupperware, I still warm stuff in the microwave, and we still eat frozen, preservative filled food occasionally - and my family and I may die from cancer at some point!!  I get it!! I really do, but I am not the anal type to go research every health benefit/hinderance to every thing on the planet, and then go nut-so getting it out of my house.  The thing that really makes me laugh though, is if you try to tell these people to chill and impose some of your laid back views on them, they are totally appalled.  It's really humorous.  :)  Let your kid have a cookie for goodness sake!!!!

2)  It makes me sad that tanning causes skin cancer.  It makes me more sad that I have had skin cancer (maybe it wasn't the sun, maybe it was the aluminum, plastic and preservatives!).  I don't like being white and loathe self tanners.  The perils!

3)  My house is never totally clean at once.  I clean in segments.  For example, the kitchen and wood floors were cleaned today along with finishing up the laundry.  That leaves the bedrooms, bathrooms and playroom unkempt for now.  By the time I get to those, the kitchen and floors will be dirty again.  Don't judge, it's just how I roll.

Give me your 3 tangents!

What a Week!

... And don't think I mean that in a good way!  I realized today, after running 11 miles with a new friend I met at our weekly training run and running some extra unintended miles with her, that I ran 33 miles this week.  On top of that, my most weekly mileage ever by the way, I also did a killer strength session on Tuesday that caused me mucho soreness for multiple days.  On top of that I did a Yoga Workout and an Ab workout on Thursday after my run.  On top of all of this... I totally ate healthy and cut my calories.  I was tired this week!!!  I did lose 1 pound. 1.  1 pound.  Crap.  The last couple of pounds are doozies I find.  I will weigh in tomorrow morning to see for sure since I haven't weighed since Thursday morning, but for some reason, the weight seems stuck right around 125.  Booooo.

I'm proud of my 33 miles though.  Very proud.  And I will take a day off tomorrow. And it's suppose to rain so I may or may not lay on the couch most of the day with the iPad and Netflix.  After Church of course. :)

Chasing

  I made a bad decision to run 5 miles this morning with some friends.  My legs are continually tired for some reason.  I ran 8 Friday and 6 yesterday but thought I could keep up for 5 miles, even though these two girls are much faster than me.  We started ok though I was having some stomach issues... mile 1.  (We ran these miles are much faster than my tempo run, actually much faster than my goal 10k pace).  Mile 2: I am fading now.  Sara is way up ahead a couple hundred yards and JW is in between Sara and me.  Mile 3 proved brutal... did I mention the 30 mph winds seemingly pushing me backwards?  Stomach pain.  I can still see JW - just keep her in site!  Mile 4.... stomach pain!! I can barely see JW but am determined to keep up.  What is wrong with me?  Mile 5: Just suffer push through one more mile.  I finished the 5.  I have to remember that I didn't feel the greatest, my legs are still not back for some reason, and the windy conditions were tough.  Chasing is a pain in the rear.  But it pushed me beyond what I would have done on my own.  I am wiped out for some reason.

Weight Loss Challenge:
I am currently trying to restrict my calories a bit in order to lose some weight.  This isn't helping my energy level, though I am eating many small snacks instead of my usual meals.  I started at 126.6 lbs this morning.  I am going to weigh again on Thursday.  My goal is to get down to 120 lbs. or close to it by my 1/2 marathon in March (towards the end of March).  We'll see if my plan works as I weigh in twice a week.

  Why is it always so BUSY?  I haven't been able to go to our group run Saturday mornings in like 4 weeks.  And I'm not making this weekend's either.  I really need it this week because it's been hard for me to get back into training mode after the race.  But I am giving it up for a night out in Nashville with my hubby. :)  Bonefish Grill is calling my name... bangbang shrimp, ahi tuna - YUM!!!

  I did spend some quality time with my treadmill today.  I realized I could watch Netflix on the Ipad while I ran... which is excellent... and I never watched LOST so I thought, why not start from the beginning?  The only problem is I can't hear it.  My pounding is so loud, and I'm trying to read lips, and I'm afraid this may lead to a treadmill catastrophe if I keep it up.  Ever tried to read lips and keep your balance and posture while running on the treadmill?  Not easy!!!  Somehow, I have to figure out how to hear it!  Still, it's an awesome setup and I'm excited.  Suppose to meet a friend for 8 miles in the morning if it's not raining!  Yay!!  It's warming up!!

 

3 Tangent Tuesday

Random Tuesday Tangents about me:

1) Really, the main reason I love going to movies is for the fatty, overpriced x 1 million, greasy popcorn.  Butter?  Yes, Please!  We don't go much.

2) I always thought I wanted a little girl who looked like me (prideful much?), but I got 2 boys who look like my husband and they are the SWEETEST little guys.  Wouldn't trade them for anything.

3)  Mizuno For Life is my new motto.  Love my Mizuno running shoes.  I cheated on them a bit with a couple of pairs of Brooks, but I'm going back if they'll have me.  MFL!!

Do you like going to the movie theatre?  What kind of shoes do you run in?  Give me your 3 Tuesday Tangents!

PR!!

Woo Hoo!!  Yesterday I ran the Cedars of Lebanon Frostbite 1/2 marathon in Lebanon, TN.  I ran a 1:54:35!!  The course was hillier than I anticipated, with ice still on parts, and over a mile on a gravel trail, but I felt really great and ran hard which is unusual for me.  I think my consistent training is paying off!!  Left you will see my pre-race breakfast of crunchy peanut butter and banana on whole wheat thin bagels toasted. The race didn't start until 11 am which threw off my usual pre-race routine.  I had to eat more than normal to keep me going.


Splits:
mile 1: 8:29
mile 2: 8:36
mile 3: 8:57
mile 4: 8:40
mile 5: 9:00
mile 6: 8:31
mile 7: 8:39
mile 8: 9:13
mile 9: 8:13
mile 10: 8:43
mile 11: 8:52
mile 12: 9:11
mile 13: 8:35
0.14 : 6:02

WOW!! 8:43 Average pace which is GREAT for me.  My last PR was 9:09 Average pace on a similarly hilly course.  3 months ago I would have thought you were crazy if you told me I could run this pace for a 1/2 marathon.  It's amazing what you can train your body to do!  Cool trophy above for finishing 3rd in my age group!

A little off...

  Sometimes I feel like I could write on my blog forever, while others I just feel I have very little to say.  I'm going through a weird time right now, so maybe that has something to do with it.  I haven't run much, been feeling very fatigued this week.  I did get 3 in on the treadmill last night after taking 2 days off.  I am going to try again to run tonight, and then elliptical tomorrow and friday before Saturday's 1/2 marathon.  Or maybe I'll take Friday off too.  The kids got out early again today for snow, so far we are at 4 inches, and no school tomorrow.  But it's suppose to warm into the 40's for Saturday and continue to climb which psychs me up!!  That's shorts weather for sure!! Maybe.

  Hoping to run around 1:58 or so.  I will for sure update my blog with a race report afterwards, and hopefully will be out of my writing funk by then.  Happy running to you!

Giveaway...

No, not me silly, I don't have enough people yet for that :) - But Hungry Runner Girl does... go HERE to enter it.

Basketball Game + Treadmill = New PTR

That's right folks, I just set a new PTR a mere 5 days after I set a new PTR.  Just did 9 watching a basketball game.  Not much more to say than AWESOME!  I managed 30 this week somehow and they were all on the treadmill due to... guess:

a) husband out of town
b) crappy weather
c) sick kids
d) all of the above

Right.  You are right, no matter which one you chose.  And you are Awesome.

Endorsement

  WARNING:  I'm about to endorse a product so... listen up.  I have super sensitive skin, like super, super sensitive.  I have to use hypoallergenic products, can't use the sweet smelling bath and body works stuff, or anti-aging creams without super red, scaly skin - beautiful I know.  Anyway, I was looking for a new facial moisturizer and went to The Cosmetic Store in Cool Springs last year.  I asked the girl that worked there what she thought and she instantly took me to a new product they had that she LOVED:  Skin Retreat by Ekoh.  Now I LOVE it.  It's also not expensive, about $40 a jar, and it makes my face feel so moisturized and soft.  Made with all natural ingredients, this stuff ROCKS.  There is also a scrub you can use that is FANTASTIC.  I am about to be on my third jar.  Find it here.

Twinge...

  The last few times I've been running I've had "twinges" here and there.
Twinge: def. noun a weird acute pain that occurs in runners that makes them wonder if they should quit or just push through, and has them second guessing the whole run, especially if it comes and goes more than once.

 Now that you have an understanding of a twinge, I would like to elaborate on mine.  Twinge #1:  Right knee under patella (probably runners knee); usually happens later in runs or afterwards.  Twinge #2:  Inside left knee- have no idea what this could be but it is sharp and annoying.  Only hurts sometimes, not every run.  Twinge #3: Top of left foot; every 1/2 mile to mile, very sharp acute pain.  Ouch.  Almost stops me in my tracks.  This happened for the first time today.  Really not fun.

Since I don't know what these pains are really, I will, like other runners I know, continue to ignore them until they blossom into something serious enough to put me on my butt.  I'm sure it won't be long.

3 Tangent Tuesday

For the 3 of you that read my blog... ok, 2 because my husband doesn't count, I am going to start a 3 Tangent Tuesday where you tell 3 random things about yourself (idea courtesy of Hungry Runner Girl), or more likely, I will write 3 random things and no one will comment because no one reads this.  :)

1)  I don't let my kids win when we play games.  I usually try really hard to win because a) I'm competitive and b) it makes them try harder and want to get better to beat mom.

2)  I love it when we can stay in PJ's all day.  ALL DAY!!

3)  I have 4 significant scars on my body - 3 are from having skin cancer, or pre- cancerous moles removed, one is from jumping on the bed when I was two and busting the bridge of my nose.  Nice.

Ok, so your turn.

New PTR

What is PTR you ask?  PTR is Personal Treadmill Record.  Awesome!  SIDE NOTE: My 6 year old ask me the other day why I always say "Awesome" and I replied, "'cause it's Awesome".  Ok, so I hit 8 miles on the treadmill.  I mean, I have only had it 3 weeks so don't think I'm a slacker or anything.  I am pretty proud of myself.  Monday is looking good!

Retraction

  I have a retraction to make.  January may have made up for its past weather woes.  Today was BEAUTIFUL!  Tony and I had a much needed date night last night and got home late from a night out in Nashville, so I skipped my training run this morning and opted for a midday run.  10 miles, beautiful 50 degree weather, and though my Ipod was dead when I strapped it on to go, I enjoyed the run - just me and my thoughts.  That could be a scary situation, I admit, but it ended up actually being somewhat therapeutic.  So much better than my beloved treadmill.  I ran easy 9:05's on a hilly route.  And the kids got to play outside and release some pent up energy.  Double Plus!!!
  So for you runners out there, I have a question.  Do you run your long run the week before a race?  I have a half marathon 2 weeks out and not sure what to do next weekend with my runs.  This is not my goal half, just a training run.  I'm not gonna try to kill it or anything, so maybe I'll just do my long run next Saturday as planned.  Any advice is much appreciated.  Hope you got out and enjoyed your weather too!!

How Good Things Turn Bad

Eggs.  2 Eggs.  2 Eggs scrambled.  2 Eggs scrambled with sauteed onions.  2 Eggs scrambled with sauteed onions and ham.  2 Eggs scrambled with sauteed onions and ham, salt and pepper.  2 Eggs scrambled with sauteed onions and ham, salt and pepper, topped with cheddar cheese.  2 Eggs scrambled with sauteed onions and ham, salt and pepper, topped with cheddar cheese... and coffee.  2 Eggs scrambled with sauteed onions and ham, salt and pepper, topped with cheddar cheese... and coffee with lots of french vanilla creamer.  Treadmill.

Snow Be Gone

Ode to Snow

Go away you winter snow,

you visit fast and leave so slow.

you bury roads in your icy sludge -

you are responsible for my winter pudge.

You cover all in your fluffy blanket,

and free the kids from school, dangit!

I have miles to run for my training plan,

but you sentence me to treadmill land.

How can you continue to fall and pile?

and all the while I'm losing mile after mile.

You'll soon melt away with the havoc you wreak,

but I'm sure you'll return about this time next week.

12

  Woo Hoo!!  It was 12 degrees this morning... 12.  I ran 12 miles in 12 degrees.  I felt insane tough and I know all the people that drove by us thought we were idiots hard core.  True Runners.  Only really loopy dedicated runners do this kind of stuff.  The only part of my body exposed was my face, which I had lathered so beautifully with baby vaseline like stuff to keep it from chapping.  After one mile it was numb... like I would try to talk and I wasn't sure if my mouth was moving.  Awesome.  If there was snot frozen to my face I didn't know it.  So we finished with 8:50 averages.  Nice.  My friend, Sara hung back with me today since we were the only two going this distance.  My knee hurt the last 2 miles but now it feels ok.  Glad to have it done!

Enough Negative, More Balance

  Okay, I admit it... I'm a negative self talker. And I can't take a compliment. Ever. However, I am making a conscious effort to do better. And recently I've noticed a lot of other women who do the same thing. Women who are beautiful on the inside and out - yet totally lacking confidence. Perhaps I should start a negative talker anonymous program. Or maybe some positive person should... there I go again.

  For today's workout I ran 3 miles and did a 22 minute core workout.  It was tough.  I'm sure I'll regret the decision tomorrow when I'm trying to keep up with my friends on a 12 mile run and my abs are screaming at me.  But it will make me stronger and faster, and honestly I really need to do more strength training.  I can't be all cardio, cardio, cardio.  I need some balance.

  Hope you had a great workout today - and repeat after me:  I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and dogonnit, people like me.

Lunch

  I totally stole this idea from Hungry Runner Girl - the idea to post my salad picture I mean -not the idea to eat salad.  So this was my lunch and it was de-lish.  Ok, it's a little large for a lunch salad and I wish I could tell you I didn't eat it all, but... well there was nothing left.  Nothing.  I used some Spring Mix salad greens, cut up some deli roasted buffalo chicken, swiss cheese, purple grapes, walnuts and golden delicious apples... topped with a little balsamic vinaigrette.  Yum. 

 Also, to update on my earlier post, I busted through the funk for an awesome workout on the treadmill.  Felt good....
  Here is a picture out our back upstairs window... it's only been snowing for 3 hours... suppose to continue through the night.  Tomorrow may be a sledding day.

Funk Week

  I go through weeks like this every now and again - I call it the funk.  I get discouraged and don't even want to run, can come up with any excuse to NOT run, and find no joy in running.  This is that week.  One time, my funk week turned into about 8 months.  Not kidding.  I was in an 8 month running funk.  It came right after my first 1/2 marathon that I had rigidly trained for from scratch (see first picture, this was during that time).  I built my base from nothing, did the speedwork, the tempo runs, the long runs, the cross training, and I met my goal of a sub 2 hour 1/2 marathon... barely (2nd picture with my brother right before the 1/2).  But I had some serious Post Race Blues and didn't snap out of it for a long while.  I almost had to start completely over - 4 mile runs became difficult.  I had to find the joy in just running rather than just training.

  The good news for me is that I have races already scheduled for the next few months, and friends to do long runs with on Saturdays - keeps me motivated even through the funkiness.  Do you ever go through funks?  It doesn't have to be running, it can be anything.  Work funk, school funk, healthy eating funk, weather funk, life funk?  The key for me is having a goal to keep me motivated, and then finding the joy again in what I'm doing.  Have you found your key to getting through the funk?  Care to share?

Wednesday = Speedwork

  Wednesday is my speedwork day.  I have a love/hate relationship with speedwork - doesn't every runner?  I mean, you are literally pushing your body as hard as you can, right?  You are trying to increase your aerobic threshold by pushing your body harder and further, over and over again.  It's sheer punishment so I get the hate part... this is not fun.  It leaves my legs all rubbery and my throat raw from sucking wind.
  The interesting aspect is why I love it.  I absolutely love running all out in a sprint - discovering if I can still run like I did in my soccer days.  It takes me back to those mornings in college when we knew it was a fitness day (almost always Tuesdays!), and we knew it was gonna hurt, and the anticipation of the pain was enough to give me a stomach ache all day.  And we were all in it together, and we all dreaded it, but when it was over... ahhhhh, pure bliss.  Mental and Physical bliss.  The goal was to increase our fitness base, to make us better soccer players.  Now, the goal is to increase my fitness base, to make me a better runner.  With pain comes growth.
  Same in life I suppose.  Staying comfortable gets you nowhere.  So we move through rough spots, endure hurt, persevere through the uncomfortable - and over time it all brings growth, whether Spiritual, Mental, or Relational.  It's not fun, but we learn from being stretched, and we grow stronger.  I hope my speedwork today brings future growth.  I hope I can be consistent with it, that I can push past the comfortable, that the results are so obvious that I demolish my PR in a couple of months.  And if I don't or can't, that I will be willing to persevere and try again.