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!