Chicago Marathon - FINISHED!

I did it!!!  With the help of my friends, I finished the Chicago Marathon.  We had such a great time!  The race turned out to have perfect weather - 40-50 degrees.  I struggled though.  My legs started hurting in the very beginning.  My right calf/achilles was hurting.  I was just running along with my friends and trying to put it out of my mind.  Part of the problem is my shoes are worn out.  Part of the soles have lost their treads.  Completely my fault for not getting a new pair a month ago or so.  My feet started hurting around mile 6 and my legs started aching around mile 8.  Yikes.  I was in for a long race.  I didn't say anything and just tried to keep positive thoughts in my head.  

Finding my name at the expo on the big board of participants

Mom and I waiting for the drawbridge when we went shopping Saturday morning.

breakfast at the grand lux.  Yum!  Beignets and coffee!

Love Chicago!!

Holly, Debbie, me and Brooke Saturday afternoon.  Catching up in the hotel.

Pre race, ready to run!

 My friend Holly paced us.  We all had our our UT head bands she bought us.  It was awesome having her because she is much faster and had done this a few times and pulled us through those last tough miles.  There was a group of 5 of us running and Holly and I got separated for a few miles from the others, but miraculously we found them after seeing them about 40 yards ahead of us on a jumbo tron set up around mile 18.  I took cliff shot blocks and gu, tried to take gatorade and water at most aid stations.  Chicago does an amazing job of having the aid stations set up ever 1-2 miles it seems.  My legs were aching every step from 14 miles+.  My garmin was all over the place, between running under overpasses and between skyscrapers, it wasn't that accurate except for keeping up with running time.  The final miles it shows was 26.57 which may be accurate with all the weaving and turns.  I just don't know.  It says my average pace was 9:33 but actually it was 9:50 officially from the race.  But the total time was the same... 4:13!  The cool part to me was we crossed the 1/2 way point at 2:05 and finished with very close to the same pace.  The only walking we did was a few steps when taking our gatorade or water.  This was such a mental thing for me.  after getting to 15, I was shooting for mile 18, then mile 20.  Then just every mile after that.  I said, just keep moving, just keep moving. Debbie and I were dying those last few miles, but Holly kept cheering us on.  I could have lost my emotions a few times those last 6 miles, but I sucked it up.  When I stopped running after crossing the finish line, my legs hurt soooooo bad but luckily one of holly's friends handed me an advil and that helped lots.  I hung out a few minutes with my friends and headed back to the hotel to get a shower and then drove 7 hours home with my mom.  I drove.  I'm a bit sore today, a lot sore, but I'll survive.  I will never forget this.  My friend Holly talked me into it, and I'm so grateful.  Just to know I could do it, that I could push through the pain.  I'm not sure if I hit the wall around mile 17, but whatever it was it was tough.  I never stopped.  I couldn't have done it without Holly and Debbie there, it was such a great experience.  And I have a medal to prove it wasn't all just a dream. :)




I also raised over $300 for Compassion International!  Thanks to all my friends and family who donated!!

Mental taper

The Taper before a marathon.... supposedly it is an uncomfortable time.   You scale back your training, rest your body a bit more, all to be primed and ready to go at race time.  I have read that it drives people crazy - the fewer miles and storing up energy.  I for one am enjoying it a bit too much.  So then comes the mental questions... should I be running more than I am?  Am I losing some of my fitness base?  If I don't do a long run for 3 weeks, will that mess me up?  And all of the sudden I get it.  It's more a mental thing than a physical thing.  My body feels much better than normal.  Much less tired.  I've dropped 2 pounds the past week.  I have been training hard for 16 weeks.  That's a long time for me to stay focused on a goal.  The fear of the 26.2 distance is what kept me focused more than anything else.  I am really excited to see how my body performs.  Will those last 6.2 be the death of me?  Will it take me 2 hours to finish those last miles?  My goal is to finish under 5 hours.... can I do it?  I can't wait for all the feelings I will experience.  The excitement, the crowd's enthusiasm, the energy filled legs!, having to hold myself back when I want to surge, pushing through the fatigue and pain when I want to slow down, the mental challenge, then, should I get there by God's grace, the exhilerating finish!  I am excited.  And now I get it.  The taper is a mental game.  A game of trusting your training and your taper.  Nothing I do now will help me but I can hurt my chances of having a great race by doing something stupid.  Though the weather is cooler, and my pace feels faster, I am going to try to do all my runs easy.  I really want to push myself, but I know, I KNOW, I just need to trust my training, and enjoy the taper.  2 weeks, and it will all be over.

Taper Time

I really have done a poor job of keeping up with my posts here.  I have been training well.  I made all of my long runs and now am entering my first of three taper weeks.  I honestly cannot believe how far I have come.  I never thought I could train my body to run.  I never thought I could run alone so far, getting up so early, sacrificing my one morning to sleep in during the week, Saturday, for a super long run.  But I made it.

I wanted to post a couple of things here about my 20 mile runs.  First thing, I did them completely alone.  Two weeks ago was my first one.  I got up and had everything ready to take.  I drove up to a park near a lot of running routes people use around here.  The night before I had mapped out a course on Map my Run, but kinda lost my bearings 3/4 of the way through.  Let me just say it was very humid that morning.  I used my car as a base and kept most of my gatorade and gu there.  I took along my hand held bottle and a back of cliff shot blocks.  I struggled from the get go.  My training week prior had been pretty brutal and I think I ran 39-40 miles that week.  My legs were tired and I was dragging.  By mile 17 I was struggling.  I almost lost it emotionally.  But I struggled through the final 3 and finished.  I spent the rest of the day on the couch.

Yesterday however, I did a little bit of a different route.  The temp was so cool - mid 50s when I started.  I loved it!  I had to intentionally slow myself down the first 8 or 9 miles.  I could have gone so much faster.  I didn't get all my weekly runs in due to my schedule so I only ended up doing 31 miles this past week.  So my legs were fresher as well.

My split comparisons are here:

Miles	Sept 1	Sept 15
1	10:05	10:10
2	10:12	9:52
3	10:04	9:41
4	10:07	9:24
5	9:55	9:31
6	9:54	9:17
7	9:49	9:24
8	9:38	9:30
9	9:49	9:37
10	10:06	9:27
11	10:00	9:13
12	9:49	9:26
13	10:05	9:31
14	10:11	9:18
15	10:07	9:39
16	10:12	9:45
17	10:13	9:33
18	10:24	9:49
19	10:17	9:37
20	10:26	9:30

This gives me so much confidence heading into the taper weeks.  I am hoping to shed a few pounds by watching my diet the next couple of weeks.  That way I'll be lighter for race day.  I am so excited about the marathon and hope those last six miles aren't too brutal.  If yesterday was any indication, I think it's gonna be a blast!  3 weeks from today!!

18

It's crazy.  I ran 18 miles yesterday.  9:51 average miles.  And I'm not  sore.  I wasn't sore last week after 17 either.  I'm not sure why... I guess my body is just adjusting.  I am doing an ice bath right when I return from my run, along with ibuprofen.  It seems to be working.  Now only one super long run before the big event.  I am confident I can do my 20 miler in two weeks.

I have read a lot about how hard it is the last 6 miles.  I guess I just trust my training and knowing I can make it.  I may walk, but I will finish barring some unforeseen circumstances. I am really getting excited.  Where before I was scared and worried, after doing the plan so far, I am confident I will make it.  It's really amazing what you can train your body to do.  I never thought I could run this long.

Another funny thing is, this week is a cutback week, and my long run is only 13 miles.  That's so funny.  13 seems so easy now.  Ha!

I need to focus on nutrition.  I haven't been eating the healthiest and if I can do that, I should be able to down my weight and stress my legs even less.  We'll see.

17 miler... body changing

I made my long run of 17 on Saturday morning.  It was really tough from 9-12 but fine after that.  My legs have been aching after my long runs, I guess due to glycogen depravation, but a couple of alieve and an ice bath seem to help.  I was hardly even sore yesterday.  Isn't that a little strange?  I don't get it.  I use to get so sore when I ran 1/2 marathons.  I guess maybe I'm not running as fast or pushing myself so my body is use to the pounding.  Looks like it may rain today so I'm going to get out and do my 5 miles then go visit my grandmother for while before picking up my boys.  I can't believe only 8 weeks until the marathon.  I only have 3 major long runs left: 18, 20 and 20.  Not sure if I'll do both 20s or not but we'll see!  Yay, I'm getting there!!

Training, heel pain, long runs

I haven't been keeping up with this too well.  Last week I got my 15 miler in on Thursday before hubby and I went on a little trip.  The kids were visiting grandparents so it worked out well.  Since then though I have been struggling with heel pain.  I was worried it was PF but then after researching I thought it was achilles tendonitis.  I'm still not sure.  I took wednesday and thursday off to see what would happen.  This morning I put on an older pair of running shoes and ran 6 miles.  I struggled but there wasn't as much pain.  Suppose to do a 17 miler tomorrow... we'll see.  I'm committed to doing it unless I am in a lot of pain.  I really don't want an injury.  I have put so many miles into this training already, and I can see the end in sight.  I may have to get a new pair of running shoes soon.

Can't decide if I want to drive to the park tomorrow or just run the neighborhoods again.  I'm thinking neighborhoods.  :)

longest run ever, beach running, back in the game

Thursday the 12th I had my longest run ever at 14 miles.  I wasn't sore the next day and felt ok during the run.  We left for the beach that friday and I only ran 3 times while gone.  two 5 mile runs and a 4.  Not good.  But I'm back at it.  I ran 6 this morning and ready to get 30+ miles this week again and keep it going.  Doing 15 Saturday morning hopefully! :)  I am amazed at the human body, and how you can train it to get stronger so quickly.  I never thought I'd go out and do a 14 mile run... training run.  Crazy.  In a few weeks that will seem short... which is a scary thought. Or a cool thought.  I feel like a real runner.

Wavering

I've been following my plan well.  For 2 weeks I only missed one run.  Ran 30 miles week before last, 20 last week.  Have 11 already this week.  I will have to run on vacation next week, so I'm sure I won't get all my miles in, but gonna try.  My friend met me this morning after I ran four, and helped me through the final 3 miles.  Ended up getting 7 and 1/2 in.  I am happy about it.  Haven't been able to sleep well at night and not sure what is up with that, but hoping it doesn't continue.

Good Early Run

I did it!  With the help of a friend, I got up at 5:30 and ran.  We had a good run too - for me, not really for her.  She is way faster than me but ran with me.  Got in a good tempo run 6 miles averaging 9:09.  I really like getting the run out of the way in the morning, but I am very tired today.

I may get up and run a local 4K on the 4th tomorrow.  Not sure yet though.  But maybe.  I'm suppose to do 3 miles so it would work out well.

Side tracked

I wish I was at the beach still... on that rainy weekend, just me and my hubby.  We had such a good time!

So the soccer tournament got cancelled because of not enough teams.  But I probably wasn't going anyway.  Yesterday afternoon at half time of the Portugal vs. Italy game, I started getting sick.  I got on the treadmill to do my daily miles and whoa, totally nauseous.  So pretty much from 3 until 10 I was puking.  It was awful.  The WORST kind of cleanse.  I weigh 5 lbs less today.  I think though that I'm feeling better now.  But to play soccer in 100+ temps would have been unfathomable.  Hopefully I can get enough fluids back to do my long run on Saturday.  Yikes.

Inspiration

So the past few days I've watched a couple of running movies.  I've come to realize that grinding out treadmill miles needs a distraction.  So the first one I watched was Spirit of the Marathon.  When I turned it on Netflix I didn't realize it was documenting a few runners training for the Chicago Marathon... how convenient!  I really enjoyed it.

The next one I've watched is the classic Chariots of Fire.  Good flick!

Have you seen any good running movies?  I still want to watch Prefontaine.

I got my six miles in on the treadmill last night watching Chariots.  It made me sad because yesterday's weather was glorious and would have been a perfect running day... but the hubby was out of town.

Today is cleaning day.  I have 3 miles on the docket, but will try to do more as I am going to miss my long run on Saturday due to the soccer tournament.

Warrior Dash

Well it was an experience!  Crazy, and dangerous, and fun.  My friends and I had a great time, I ended up 39th in my age group out of 877 and 115th overall out of 2748.  I'll take it!  It was a tough course, swimming through muddy creeks... really swimming because it was deep and climbing over logs in the water, Balancing over uneven boards, climbing up and over walls, up and over high cargo nets, crawling through fields under barbed wire, crawling through trenches, jumping over fire, crawling through mud underneath barbed wire.... well I'm sure that isn't all but most of it.  The part we ran was crazy too.  Very rocky and easy to get hurt.  Slippery and steep through these trails in the woods... sometimes you had to climb up the hills literally.  I'm pretty sore today, but happy with the results.  Now, to play in a soccer tourney next weekend... hmmmm.

Rolling with it

It's hard getting most of my miles on the treadmill since the kids are home.  I have such a mental block with it.

Friday night I set my alarm for 5:30 to get up and get my 9 mile run in before it got too hot.  My husband laughed.  He knows I never get up when I do this.  I didn't.  But I did run at 10:30 when it was HOT!  I only made it 8 like 9:50's.  Oh well.  At least I got it mostly in.  I cross trained Sunday and did 3 Monday, 5 yesterday and will do another 3 tonight after hubby comes home.  I'm sticking pretty well to the plan, just have Warrior Dash this Saturday instead of a 6 mile run.  And next week have a soccer tournament instead of a 9 mile run.  But I digress.  I will try to stay on top of the miles.

Training continues

We just returned from vacation and though I missed a few runs on my schedule, I also got a few in which was nice.  Overall I feel good and seem to be running faster.  Have a 9 miler for this weekend.  Next weekend I have the Warrior Dash  and the weekend after that I will be in a 6 v. 6 soccer tournament.  These are different but should still help me with my fitness goals and getting my base down as I up my mileage.  Hope to keep you updated more as I progress in my training.

Training begins in 3, 2, 1...

Next week is the big week one of marathon training for me.  Crazy.  18 weeks of consistency.  Hmmm, not always my strong suit.  This week has been good.  I've run short the last 3 days - 3 miles, 4 miles, 3 miles.  This afternoon I ran fast.  I ran the second mile in 8:01 which I was excited about.  9:17, 8:01, 8:52 I think....
Not bad.  Looking forward to getting my mileage up.

I did start a diet last week.  I fell off it a bit over the weekend but not bad.  I ended up losing a pound the first week so I have high hopes.  It's just eating clean and avoiding sugar, especially processed sugar.  Lots of salads and water, fruits, nuts and veggies, Eggs and lean meats.  I feel so healthy and have way more energy it seems.  I'll keep you updated on my progress.

May Days

Wow, this month of May is absolute chaos.  I never realized.  I have had 4 field trips in two weeks, teacher gifts for teacher appreciation week, bake sales for talent shows, field day, Mother's day, awards celebrations, graduations and now a wedding.  I got a 10 mile run in Friday which was good since I knew the rest of the weekend was shot.  I ran slow and didn't take any water.  It wasn't bad at all and I was only running 10 sec/mile slower than my 1/2 marathon.  I really was in bad shape for that race.  But I got 20 miles in last week on 3 runs so I'm happy with that.  Today I did a 25 minute run before my sweat and sculpt class.  So that's like an hour and 1/2 of workout.  I feel good, if I could only get my diet in order.  I have been eating crap.  Uggh.

Recovery Week

Didn't do much this week.  I'm still trying to shake this cold thing.  So Thursday I did a sweat and sculpt class which is pretty tough and then today I did 5 miles.  Which it's only been a week, but my legs felt fine.  I wasn't that tired.  My breathing was a little labored, but it had rained early this morning and it was cloudy.  But of course when I got through mile 1 the sun came out and it was super humid.  But glad to get the miles in.  I'm going to increase my days running the next couple of weeks to 4 to 5 days with a long run 10+ miles every other weekend.  Then when June rolls around I'm going to hit my Marathon Training schedule.  Not exactly sure what that is going to look like or which one I'm going to use, but looking forward to this adventure.  I will have to discipline myself to get up this summer and get these runs over with in the morning, then take the boys to Beech Bend all day every day and chill.... sounds like a great summer to me. :)

Country Music 1/2 - race report

I think in my last post I mentioned I felt bad.  Well it got worse.  To the point that  Thursday evening I didn't want to pack or do anything.  I would sit on the couch and rest for 30 minutes and get up and pack and organize our stuff for 10, then I'd have to sit again.  I felt MISERABLE.  Started getting body aches and thought I had a fever.  Freezing, sweating, couldn't breathe as my nose was completely clogged and my throat sore.  Great, I thought.  Friday I was to go on a field trip with the Kindergardeners to a dairy farm all day then head straight to Nashville to drop them with my parents and go to pick up my race packet at the Expo (a large feat considering the crowds and traffic at that time).  I was in no condition to do any of it.  I thought I was going to have to bail on the whole thing.  Blessings of all blessings though, I ended up having some night time decongestant in the cabinet that had never been opened.  Must have been on sale.  It was one of those packs with night and day medicine.  Yes.  I got everything loaded in the car and took a pill and went to bed.  Slept a bit though very restless.  The next morning I could NOT wake.  The medicine was still affecting me I guess.  When I dragged myself into the bathroom, my eyes were bloodshot and swollen, my nose all nasty... it was seriously pitiful.

The boys got up and I had a serious conversation with the Kindergardener.  My thinking was, if I could just get a few more hours rest and skip the field trip, I might be able to swing this race.  Unfortunately for me, He was having none of that.  Mommy said she was going and if she doesn't go, he's having a fit.  And his fits are those that make you feel so guilty.  He has the sweetest little pouty face and whimper.  I couldn't do it to him.  So I chugged some coffee and took a daytime pill.  I dropped them off and went to clean out the car since his teacher was riding with me.  The field trip was fun and I was feeling ok, but it was really cold.  Took another pill at lunch.  Picked up the other boy after the field trip and we headed out to Nashville.  The rest of the day was ok and I decided I was going to try to race.  I stayed up late watching the Predators play in the NHL playoffs and wasn't in bed until after 11:30.  Didn't want to take the night time meds for fear of not being able to get up. Slept none until 1 when the Kindergardener had a bad dream and decided to sleep with me.  Kicked me once, twice, three times.  I slept across the foot of the bed.  And "slept" is used loosely here.  5 am alarm came quick. I was up and jumped in the shower.  considering how I felt the morning before, I was not that bad.  Still stuffy head but manageable.

I went outside in a singlet and shorts to get in the car and it was already hot.  Crap.  Dad dropped me off at the race and I used the portapotty and headed to gear check.  I swear you walk 2 miles before the race even starts if not more.  It was getting hotter.  Got in my corral and noticed the 2 hr pacer.  Initially, before the illness, I had aspirations of staying with him... they faded quick.  The sun came out and it was hot.  I think the first 2 miles were ok.  I had a modest pace of 9:15 or so but haven't checked my splits.  My legs never felt good though.  Did I mention how hot it was?  After mile 2, every mile was a struggle.  I usually get to 6 pretty easily and then tell myself to get to 10 and then get to the end.  This time I was telling myself to get to 4, then 5, then 6.... yes, every mile was a struggle.  I  took everything offered - gatorade, water, oranges, salt... I had taken a gu before the race and at mile 7 I took another.  I felt like I was running underwater.  THE. WHOLE. RACE.  Never had such a bad experience.  It was so hot.  Nashville is a very hilly race.  You are constantly going up or down, but mostly up.  I felt sick a couple of times, got chills around mile 8.  Kept going.  I think the last 5 miles are a blur.  I really don't remember many details except finishing and seeing 2:15 on my watch.  It was bad.  I had given up on any type of time goal around mile 4, but 2:15?  2:06 was my previous worst.

After a few hours of thinking about it, I gained some perspective.  Remembering how absolutely awful I felt Friday morning, it's quite the miracle I was even able to run.  My husband called me afterwards and was even surprised I made it.  He said usually he isn't worried, but after seeing me Thursday night and Friday morning, he didn't think I would be able to do it.

I definitely have second and third thoughts and apprehensions about the Chicago Marathon, but I also now have experience pushing through a bunch of painful miles.  If I can train all summer, this experience may actually help me in my marathon.  I know this is long, but it will be good for me to look back on and remember all I went through to finish the race.  And instead of feeling like a failure due to my slow time, I actually feel like I did accomplish something by finishing.

Compression Socks

Yesterday I dropped $35 on a pair of socks.  No, they were not made of gold or laced with an illegal drug.  My left calf has been cramping on my long runs around mile 11, so I thought I might try a pair of compression socks.  They are black, they are tight, and they are... ugly.  I feel like a tool, but I guess I will wear them.  The local running guy here at Trax is very cool and he told me once I wear them I will never go back.  Memories of shin guard tans from college and high school come rushing back.  I will have a permanent sock tan from here on I guess.
But as I rack up the miles in marathon training, I figure they will be worth the investment.  Heck, maybe I'll even get another pair at the expo that are a bit more fashion forward... I'll let you know.

In other news, allergies are killing me.  Absolute murder.  I'm tired, my face feels swollen, my nose is stopped up, throat is sore, and I feel like I got hit by a bus.  What in the world?  I don't know.  I just don't know.  It came upon me yesterday like a ton of bricks and now I'm coughing and have zero energy.  Suddenly dreading the all day field trip to a farm tomorrow.  uh oh.  How is this going to jive with the race Saturday morning?  I will be in prayer and let you know.

Equivalent Performances

Ever checked out you Equivalent Performances?  I went to www.mcmillanrunning.com and checked mine out as I'm preparing to start Marathon training soon.  It's pretty cool.  You put in your "best" time for an event and it gives you equivalent performances for every other event - there are 28 events.  Then it gives you the pace you should run on Recovery Jogs, Long Runs, Easy Runs, Steady-state Runs, tempo runs, tempo intervals and cruise intervals.  Very cool.

I put in a 1/2 time of 2:00 since that's my average.  It says I should run a full in 4:13:05.  I laugh.  I would be ecstatic if that were the case and I guess it comes down to if I am able to train all summer like I want to or not.

The funny thing is it gives me a 5k time of 25:58 - I am a good 2 minutes faster than that.  Maybe I don't know how to push myself enough for the longer distances.  Anyway, just wanted to share how neat I thought this was.

Nashville, Year 4

I just keep thinking about 3 years ago.  I was getting ready to run my first half.  I can't believe it has been that long now.  And here I am about to do it again.  Except this time it's my eighth half marathon, 4th Nashville 1/2, and will probably be my slowest.  But that's ok.  I am looking forward to the run and the race and the fun and the friends.  I am looking forward to the anticipation and the lines and the nerves and the excitement.  I am looking forward to the hills and the burn and the aches and the push.  I can't wait to hit that hill on mile 11.  The one that keeps going and going just when your legs are about to die.  The one that when you get to the top, you know you can coast down that last 1/2 mile to the finish.  I love that part.  There is definitely fun in running a race you've never done... you don't know the terrain or what to expect, sights are new and refreshing.  But I love the familiarity of a course I've done a few times.  Knowing what to expect, where the hills are and where you can let it go, and where the fans with the fresh fruit are gonna be.  I love that this is my fourth Nashville 1/2.  I love that it's in my home town where I grew up.  And I love that it signifies I have been running for 3 and 1/2 years now.

New Treadmill Record

Just did 12 miles watching the Preds beat the Redwings in game 3 of the playoff series.  13 days until Nashville!

Mini Marathon

I haven't been able to view my official results yet.  And I haven't downloaded my Garmin to see my splits, I just know I ran slow.  And it hurt.  From mile 8 on, my hips and then the rest of my legs were screaming at me.  Part of me loves it, that I can push through the pain and finish.  But the other part of me is baffled.  I ran a whole 10 minutes faster last year.  I knew I wouldn't come close to that time, but I was hoping I would at least have been closer than this.  This is the 3rd slowest 1/2 I have ever run.  Boo.  Hoping that Nashville, hills and all, will be better.  We'll see... 4 weeks from yesterday.

On a roll

Short term - half marathon in 3 weeks, half marathon 4 weeks after that
Long term - Warrior Dash end of June, Chicago Marathon Oct. 7

I think I'm feeling good.  Running 3 times a week around 23 mpw.  If I can add that fourth day in I will be able to get up to 30.  I will hold my base around 30-35 hopefully until the Chicago Marathon.  I have been also circuit training once a week.  My body seems to be holding up well with the mileage back, but not losing any weight.  I want to lose about 10 pounds before the Marathon just to be lighter. We'll see. My diet isn't what it needs to be right now and that's a fact.

A Runner again...

Do you have that distance, you know the one where you consider yourself a runner.  The one where you are like "I'm back" when you run it again after taking off a few weeks.  Mine is 10 miles.  And I just ran it again.  And it wasn't hard.  And my last 3 miles were my fast miles.  And it felt great.  And my legs didn't even hurt.  And I could have gone farther.  And I'm back!!

New Kicks! :)

Just ordered the Brooks Launch.  Though I love Mizuno, I cannot pass up the 40% off deal we get since my husband works for the Brooks parent company. :)

Been getting a few miles in but not as many as I had hoped or needed.  About to go get a few in before picking the boys up from school. And... tomorrow my oldest is in the regional spelling bee.  Can you spell fun?  F-U-N!!

He's a really good speller naturally.  It's really funny to me as I never thought of boys as good spellers, but he really is.  I'm proud of him.  That, and he's really fast!!

Chicago MARATHON!

Well I did it. I took the plunge and registered for my first Marathon, with prodding from a friend.  Now I'm broke and scared, I mean super excited. :)

Yikes.  It's not until October but that means running a lot all summer in the heat and with the kids home... somehow.  We'll see how it all goes.  They may be spending some quality time at the grandparents house this summer.

Otherwise, I found a running partner that runs my pace! :)  We have been running once a week and maybe more when our schedules match up.  It's nice to have someone to meet and it holds me accountable.  I've gotten up to 8 miles on the long runs... pretty good as I'm still 7 weeks out from the local 1/2.  I think I'll be fine.  I think I will try to dial it back on that one and just use it as an easy training long run.  That way I can give my all in Nashville 4 weeks later.  I think last year I wiped myself out on that run and that made Nashville really difficult...  or maybe it was something else.  Who knows.

Intervals... kind of

Just ran 5 miles with my friend Sara who is struggling with some knee pain (which is why she is running with me as she is usually way faster!).

I had the not so brilliant idea to run intervals in the middle.  My goal was 3 - 1/2 mile intervals with 1/2 mile jogs in between.  Not so much.  I did 2.  The first averaged about 3:50 and the second 4:00.  This shows you how out of shape I am.  I was blitzed after two so didn't do the third.  I also felt like I was going to puke because I ate too much beforehand.

I noticed that last January my runs were averaging 45 seconds/mile faster than my last few runs.  Granted I took off about 3 months at end of last year.  But also I didn't run any 5k's last year which I had done the year before.  I don't know, maybe I'm being too hard on myself and not giving myself enough time to work back up.  All I really do know is that I am out of shape.  :(

21 miles!

I got back to 20+ miles this week again. Feels great. All those endorphins just make me happy.
Sunday - 6.5
Wednesday - 3
Thursday - 5
Saturday - 6.5

I think I'll do it again next week. 8 weeks until the local 1/2 marathon. Hoping to get up to 28-30 by then.

My old friend ITBS

As I tried to go to sleep last night, my IT band hurt every time I moved my leg.  Took today off after 4 straight days of running.  I guess I hit it too hard to start off the new year.  I'm probably not going to get a run in tomorrow either since I'm painting my house... but maybe.  Still, it feels good to get back in the game. :)

Back at it

I'm sure my life will get busy again next week, but my plan is to start training again.  I have signed up for the Nashville 1/2 (Country Music) and this will be my 4th year straight to run it.  Have run each of the last 2 days. :)  I'm off to a good start in 2012!