Week 10 Update

10 weeks down, 8 to go...

Quick Stats:

Miles Run - 42.1 (295.1 total)
Miles not run - 3.9 (in my defense, I had just run a half marathon and didn't have anything left to get finish the 17 miles I was supposed to run on Saturday)
New pairs of running gloves - 1 (thanks for the gift, good people at the Get in Gear races)

One more week in the bag. The next few weeks will be the toughest. If I can make it through those, I will be ok (or so I keep telling myself). I had a great 8 mile pace run on Thursday. Of course, this meant that my legs weren't exactly in the best shape to be running a half marathon on Saturday, but workouts like those are a great confidence booster. I average around 8:10-8:15 for the whole 8 miles. Yeah, it kicked my butt, but in a good way. I even dragged my old body out of bed early Sunday so I could get in an easy 4 miles before work. It was cold, it started to rain, but it was either that or not be able to walk the next 3 days. Getting old is tough.

Speaking of which, coming up this week, I will get one year closer to 30. I think I'm in the middle of a 1/3 life crisis. Maybe this whole marathon thing is part of a pending breakdown. We shall see.

I also got some kind words of encouragement from a stranger this weekend. Yesterday while at work, one of the organizers and I somehow got on the subject of running. He told me that he has run 52 marathons so far. He's ran a 2:41, he's been to Boston, New York, you name it, he's done it. And he's still running with no plans to stop anytime soon. I brought up that I was planning on doing Grandma's this year and thinking about Twin Cities this fall. We chatted about my training program, how many miles I'm up to, how many miles I plan to do, how my half marathon had gone, etc.. And his expert opinion, I'm going to be just fine. No worries that I'm not going to finish. After my disaster on Saturday, that's just what I needed to hear.

Get in Gear Half Marathon

Saturday morning was the Get in Gear Half marathon. Official time 1:59.34. I was a little disappointed in my time. This is 3 minutes slower than my time last May. I was really hoping for under 1:50, but there's always next time. From the beginning, my legs were dead. That would be my fault from doing a hard training run on Thursday and then going to the gym on Friday instead of resting. With my daughter being sick all week, I probably wasn't getting the sleep I needed either. But having your body in shape is just half the battle. There are so many other factors on race day that you have no control over.

The Weather - Mother Nature was not smiling down on all the runners that came out on Saturday. When I woke up that morning, it was overcast and threatening to pour at any minute. About a half hour before I was planning on leaving, the rain started and it wasn't letting up. Even more ominous was the flash of ligtning and thunder that greeted me as I walked out the door to my car. Cold and rainy, not the best conditions for 13.1 miles. While it wasn't pouring come race time, there was still a steady light rain. When I got home and peeled my wet clothes off, I swear I had to be lugging around at least 10 lbs of extra weight.

Parking - With these bigger races, just finding somewhere to park is a challenge in itself. They had blocked off the park where the race was to start and finish that morning and had all the runners park at the VA about a mile away. I left me house at around 7:30 (race was at 9:00). It took about 20-25 minutes to drive there, and another 20-25 minutes to manuever my way through race traffic and finally find a spot to park.

Shuttle Busses - To get everyone from the parking lot to the start line, the race had organized a small fleet of school busses to shuttle runners back and forth. Now these busses had to battle the same long lines of cars trying to find a parking spot as I had, meaning long lines waiting to be picked up. Last year when I ran the 10k race at this same event, it was quite a bit dryer, so I just jogged down to the start so that I didn't have to deal with the hassle of getting a seat on a bus. Smart move a year ago. With it being wetter this year, I decided to wait in line for the bus in hopes of getting another 5-10 minutes of keeping dry and warming up before the race began. I almost ended up in a bussing riot. When the fleet of busses arrived, I was a little ways back in the line, somewhere around just being able to squeeze on to the first bus, but probably more likely in line for the 2nd. Well, some genius woman decided to pull in behind the first bus, forcing the later busses to have to park farther back. Then the driver of the 2nd bus decided they were going to go ahead and open their doors to let people on, even though the first bus was still loading and almost full. The other busses followed suit, and people in the middle of the line started hopping on the busses in the back. Well, this meant that the people towards the front of the line were SOL. About 10-15 more people were able to squeeze on that first bus, leaving another 20 or so standing out in the cold rain until the fleet returned from dropping off the line jumpers that were behind them. I managed to be the last person to squeeze into bus 1. Suckers!!

Bathroom lines - You have never seen as many people in line for a porta potty as you do at a race. Going pee is a contact sport race morning. It gets dirty. If the person in the line next to you is distracted when the porta potty between your 2 lines opens up, run as fast as you can as soon as you see the knob start to turn. Or just do what the guy about the mile into the race decided to do and pee into the trees lining the course. Classy, man, classy.

The Starting Corral - Corral is the perfect choice of words for the starting line at a bigger race. Just think of 1000s of people (4633 to be exact) all lined up trying to run at the same time. We really did look like a herd of livestock. You have walkers for the 10k that line up in the front even though everyone else behind them is there to run. You have people in headphones that have no clue that the race has even started. It's pure chaos. My gun time was about 4 minutes slower than my chip time (they have timing chips on the back of the bibs that sensors at the start line and finish line can read so you can get a more accurate race time). That meant that it took 4 minutes just to get from where I was lined up in the pack to the start line.

But I did finish, and just squeaked in under 2 hours, which is ok... I guess. Next race is a 10k in 2 weeks. This one just so happens to fall on a rest week, so I'm hoping my legs will be a little fresher. I would love to run the 10k in under 50 minutes. This will also be the 4th race in the Greater White Bear Grand Prix (3rd that I have signed up to run).

P.S. - There was no way I was going to run another 4 miles after the race Saturday. I do feel a little guilty not getting in my full long run for the week, but I was cold, wet, and exhausted. Plus I needed to make sure I had enough time to take a nice long hot shower and have lunch before heading off to work. The rain did stop while I was on my way out to work, letting me at least stay dry that afternoon.

Week 9 update

Halfway there!!

Quick Stats:

Miles Run - 28 (253 total)
runs skipped in favor of bday parties and the zoo - 1 (but it was only 4 miles)
flat tires on the jogging stroller - 2

Ahh, rest week. I love the easy ones. It couldn't have come at a better time too. Spring sports started up, so once again, I'm juggling a crazy work schedule. While it's not quite a crazy as the fall and winter season's it's still 6-7 days a week, and random hours. Getting back in the swing of things and not having to worry about how I was going to fit in a 17 mile run helps tremendously. We were also having some illness and sleeping issues with my daughter. She'd been waking up in the middle of the night and having trouble getting back to sleep. Running on little sleep to no sleep is not fun.

But I do feel well rested and ready to attack the tough few weeks ahead. This Saturday, I'm running a half marathon to get a better idea of where my body is at. Last May, I ran my first half marathon in 1:56. This time around, I'd love to be under 1:50. Part of me is torn as to whether I want to run for a personal best time, or since I'm supposed to do 17 miles this week for my long run, treat the race more as a training run, so that I can finish up with an additional 4 miles as soon as I'm done. Guess it will all depend on how I'm feeling race day.

Week 8 Update

8 weeks down, 10 more to go

Quick Stats:

Miles Run - 37 (225 total)
Bags of Easter candy finished off - 2 (probably would have been more, but that's all I had left)
sunburned noses - 1

I survived another week! Got off to a rough start early in the week from the lingering soreness from last Sunday's long run, but finished off strong with a 15 mile run yesterday. Now I get to look forward to another recovery week. My body needs it.

My biggest accomplishment this week was my 15 mile run. I've been staring down that run on my calendar ever since I started training for Grandma's. It had been my biggest opponent. For some reason, I was terrified of having to run that distance. I've never ran anything longer than a half marathon (13.1 miles) before now. Last week's 14 mile run didn't seem that scary. If you add in the warm up and cool down I did on the day of my half marathon race last year, 14 miles wasn't that much more of a stretch. But 15, it seemed so long. But I did it yesterday, and other than sheer boredom from about mile 9 on, and being pretty ticked that the water fountain at mile 11 was still shut off for the season, it wasn't any worse than any of the other long runs I've done.

A Little Retail Therapy

I love shopping, and sporting good stores are no exception. I can drool over a pair of Nikes like most other women drool over Manolos. While I would cringe at dropping anything more than $50 or $60 for any of my other pairs of shoes, no price can come between me and a good pair of running shoes. This being said, I made a pilgrimmage to Dicks with the family this week in search of a new pair of shoes and some solution for carrying water with me on long runs.

I walked out of there with a bag full of running gadgets.

I can't help it. I'm like a kid in a candy store. I had to have the Curvyman headphone cord wrapper upper thingy. Along with getting dehydrated on the long runs, I need to figure out the fueling issue as well, so I helped myself to an assortment of Clif and Gu fruit chews. I'm still holding out hope that my daughter will magically start sleeping in until 9:00am so that I can go on early morning runs before she wakes up, so I got an LED light armband. It took a load of restraint not to walk out of the store with the whole display case with all it little running gadgets and gizmos, so really, I was showing a great deal of restraint just getting those few things.

And I even remembered the shoes and water bottle!!

3:00 am - Woken up by my toddler wanting a Kleenex. 2 1/2 hours, a dosage of Tylenol, and a sippy of water later, she finally fell back asleep. The whole family has been fighting our annual spring cold the last week or so with my husband and daughter getting the worst of it. She's mostly over it now, just a little stuffy and the occasional cough. She didn't wake up crabby, like she normally does when sick. She just wanted to blow her nose, but then decided it would be more fun to play. For the most part she was in a good mood (she might have cried a little when I maybe not so nicely told her to go back to bed so mommy could sleep). This morning she is in great spirits. Me, on the other hand, I'm exhausted. It looks like the universe is plotting against me getting in my 15 mile run this week. Hopefully, I'll be able to sneak it in on Sunday and try to tough out an "easy" 7 miles instead today. On the plus side, the shorter run means maybe sneaking in a nap before work!!

Feeling it now

It's been 4 days since my 14 mile run, and my legs are still dead! I've had some soreness and fatigue before after a long, hard run, but never like this before. Even after my half marathon last year, the soreness only lasted a few days. The 17 year old I was channeling a few weeks ago has apparently been replaced by a 97 year old. I had planned on doing my long run of the week, 15 miles tomorrow, but unless the happy healing fairies come by tonight to untie the knots that have taken up residence in my butt and thighs, I might have to move it to Sunday and do the 7 mile run that I had planned for that day instead. That is if my ancient body can handle even that.

Week 7 Update

7 weeks down, 11 more to go

Quick Stats:

Miles Run - 33 (188 total)
States ran in - 2

Ok, I'll admit it. I was a slacker this week. But in my defense, it was spring break at the high school I work at. Between the beautiful weather and open afternoons, Easter, and going out of town to meet some of my wonderful mommy friends for a little R&R, there were so many temptations trying to lure me away from my training. So I skipped out on one of my 4 mile runs and the cross training (although I do think that a few hours at the zoo and a trip to the outlet mall should count for that one). But I did tough it out and get up early while away at the Dells for my 7 mile pace run around Lake Delton. And I resisted the urge to fill up my plate for 2nds and 3rds during Easter dinner so I could sneak in a 14 mile run while my daughter was supposed to be down for a nap.

It's back to the old routine this week (well as much as a routine as I usually have). The dreaded 15 miler is this week. With all the jelly beans and peanut butter eggs I've eaten these past few days, there won't be any weasiling out of that one.

Decisions, decisions....

I blew off my 7 mile run yesterday to spend some time with the family at the zoo. My running shoes will always be there waiting for me (unless one of my neighbors decides to steal them out of the hallway), but a gorgeous spring day when both my husband and I don't have to work hardly ever comes around. And you know what, I don't feel the slightest bit of guilt. :-D

Week 6 Update

6 weeks down, 12 more to go (1/3 of the way there!!)

Quick Stats:

Miles Run - 27 (155 total)
New Blisters - 0 (YAY!!)

My recovery week is over. It's amazing to me how much difference 6 weeks can make. This winter, a week like this would have been a tough one for me. My long runs were in the 8-9 mile range and kicked my butt. But now, this is considered a rest week. And I do feel rested. The legs feel great. Mentally, I'm in a good place (ask again about both of these in a few weeks). I'm actually starting to love the pace workouts. And who that 9 miles would ever feel kind of easy.

This coming week is going to be another story. Mileage increases across the board. No more easy 3 mile runs. The easy runs are now 4 miles and will be that distance before bumping up to 5 miles in 4 weeks. The kind of long runs are now 7 miles, with my first 7 mile pace run this week as well. The long runs move into a territory I've never been in before. 14 miles this week, 15 next. I've never run more than 13.1, so it's a little scary from here on out. At least I have the confidence from last week and the weeks before to know that while it may be a challenge to get through this next stretch of training, my body can do it. Now I just need to get my brain in the same shape and we should be good.

27 going on 17

To change things up a little today, I packed my daughter and the laundry in the car and headed up to my parents house for the day. While my daughter was down for her nap and the laundry was finishing up in the dryer, I took to the streets of my old neighborhood and did my long run for the week, 9 miles. Even though both the town I live in now and the town where my parents live are suburbs of St. Paul and only about 20 minutes from eachother, the two cities couldn't be more different. Where I live now, I'm pretty sure I'm the only runner. Occasionally I see a person or two jogging down the street, but it's still pretty rare. I'm used to get strange looks from my neighbors that are outside on their porches enjoying a beer and a smoke. The town where my parents live is a running paradise. There are always people out and about walking around the lake. Today alone, I passed several runners, walkers, bikers, rollerbladers, people out with their dogs. Instead of funny looks, I got smiles and nods from the people I passed. It's a little creepy when you're not used to it anymore.

My route today took me along the lake, starting with some of my favorite routes from my high school track days. I started along the south shore of the lake, made my way north along the western edge, continued past the turnaround point from one of the 5 mile runs my coach loved to take us on, along the biking and walking path up to the main beach before turning around and heading back to my parent's house. All in all, about 6.5 of the 9 miles were on the lake and it was a beautiful day to be out.

I have a Garmin GPS watch that I wear on my runs to keep track of miles and my pace when I'm gunning for a certain time. On my long runs, I settle into a comfortable pace which usually ends up being around 9:30/mile. Today however, I must have been channeling my inner 17 year old because when I looked at my watch as it beeped the split for the first mile is blinked 8:50.

Alright old lady, slow it down a bit, you still have 8 more miles to go. Don't kill yourself.

mile 2 = 9:06

Ok, a little better, but still a little too quick. There's a lot of miles left.

mile 3 = 9:04

I thought I told you to slow down. You're turning 28 in a few weeks. That's almost 30. Do you want to have a heart attack?

mile 4 = 8:57

Ok, could have sworn I slowed it down that last mile. This stupid watch must be broken or something. I didn't feel like I was going faster.

mile 5 = 8:49

Hey, I'm over half way done with this run. I don't even feel that tired. Maybe my old body can keep up.

mile 6 = 8:34

This is kinda fun. Only 3 more miles to go. I might not die today afterall.

mile 7 = 8:25

Did I really just run 8:25 7 miles into a 9 mile run? That's insane. Hmm, wonder if I can go any faster?

mile 8 = 8:35

Crap, I'm old. But 8:35 isn't bad. One last mile. I know I can do it. Come on legs, don't fail me now!

mile 9 = 8:19

Oh hells yeah!!!! I don't even feel like puking. That rocked!!! Go me!!

Total time = 1:18:44 (8:45/mile)

Last year I ran a 15k (9.3 miles) in 1:17:30 (8:19/mile). I felt like I was going to die after that race. My legs turned to jello somewhere around the 8.5 mile mark. But it was also one of the best races I'd ever ran. I was so proud of how fast I ran it in (I was gunning for under 1:25, so I killed it). I haven't been able to run like that since. But today, on just a regular old long run, trying to take it easy and rest up for the tough weeks ahead, I probably could have easily beat that time. Maybe these old legs still have a little life left in them.

Bye Bye 3 mile runs

Today is my last 3 miler until just before Grandma's when I start ramping down the mileage to get ready for the big day. Starting next week, the easy run will go up to 4 miles. I'm actually pretty happy about this. As backwards as it may seem, I have more trouble getting motivated to go out and do the short runs than I do the long runs. I'm sure most people would look at their schedule and be like "YAY!! Only 3 miles today!!" Not me. It takes about 25-30 minutes to do, which isn't that long. It's so easy to put off and forget about. It doesn't help that when I tell my husband I'm just going out for a short 3, he jokes that I could do it backwards in my sleep. I liken it to when your boss gives you a job at work. The 3 mile run is a quick easy task that most people in your office could do. It needs to be done, you can easily have it done in half an hour, but you have other things to do during the day, so it's easy to just put it off. The long runs are like a huge project that will take most of your morning or afternoon. While they might seem daunting, getting that project done will show up on your review that's coming up in a few months that will help get that promotion or raise you've been eyeing for awhile. You're more likely to put the rest of your daily tasks aside to get that bigger project out of the way and rework your schedule to make sure you budget the time in that you need to do it. But that little 3 mile run, it gets buried on your desk until it's almost time to go home and you still haven't gotten around to doing it. Instead you're blogging about how much you really don't want to do while you could be getting it done and out of the way instead.

Week 5 update

5 weeks down, 13 more to go...

Quick Stats:

Miles Run - 30 (128 total)
Holes in socks - 1
Blisters from previously mentioned hole in sock - 3
Number of socks bloodied by blisters from hole in sock - 2 (so far)

All in all, it was a good week. Had some great weather to motivate me to get outside and keep going. My work schedule wasn't too intense, letting me stick to my program for once and not have to worry about rearranging the workouts to fit with my crazy life. Now I get to look forward to this week, which is another easy recovery week. The running life is good.

That said, I did have my first of what will probably be many "Oh Crap!!" moments. This came about 11 miles into my 12 mile long run. The first 10 miles felt great. I took off probably a little faster than I should have (averaged about 9:15/mile when I had been doing about 9:30ish). But last weeks 11 miler felt great, so I thought, "why not?" Well, I'm old and out of shape is why not. Around mile 11, that all too familiar ache started to creep up in my right knee. When I was 15, I had a pretty nasty knee injury from playing soccer. Luckily, it never required surgery, but it still flares up from time to time, especially when running more than 11 miles. Since until now that wasn't much of a regular thing, I just learned to deal with it. Of course, instead of just shrugging it off and grumbling a little about the ache in my knee, I nearly started to cry. Not from the pain, but more from the overwhelming thought that if I can't even run 12 miles without it hurting, how will I ever run 26.2? Then the little optimist in me popped out and told off the evil nagging naysayer on the other shoulder and told it to shut up. I did a half marathon last year when I wasn't in nearly as good of shape and it didn't bug me then. It's been a rough week, training wise, so my body is way more fatigued going into this run than it will be going into the marathon. I took 15 seconds off my mile time and killed the first 10 miles. When I finally got home after that last mile which seemed to last an hour, I plugged in my GPS watch and saw that I ran that last mile in just 9:17. I might be able to survive this afterall.

Ugh!!

Note to self: Invent bandaid that actually stays stuck to foot while running.

It took all of .4 miles into my 3 mile run this morning for the bandaid on my heel to fall off. The blister from the hole in my sock during my 12 mile run this weekend was actually 3 small blisters, each one incredibly painful and equally annoying. Seriously, it looks like someone stabbed me with a toothpick, that's how small they are, yet from the looks of my sock, it looks like someone tried to sever my achilles. Guess I should have picked up a few new pairs of socks to go with the waste of money bandaids during my early morning Target run.

Same Road, a Different Day

Today was my long run of the week, 12 miles. I did the same route as last weeks 11 mile run, just added an extra 1 mile loop at the end. Even though it was the exact same run, it's amazing how a little sunshine could change things so much. Last week, the whole route was covered in an incredibly dense fog. This week, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Even Mr. Pumpkin head had been removed from the rod he had been perched on. Even though it was about 30 degrees cooler today than it had been earlier in the week (gotta love spring in the midwest), it was the perfect day for a run. Seagulls, geese, and ducks were enjoying the patches of open water that had appeared in what had been solid ice covering the river. A couple of people were even taking advantage of the rising water to get a little fishing in off one of the bridges along my route. Not even a blister that started on my heel about 5.5 miles in (somehow along the run, I ended up with a huge hole in my sock) could ruin my good mood. It is days like these that remind me why I run in the first place.

Side note: Luckily, the rising flood waters haven't yet washed out the lower parts of the road along the river. It was amazing to see just how much higher the river was this week compared to last. Trees were half submerged and areas that are normally well above the river bank were completely underwater. The river is normally pretty calm as it goes through these channels, but the current today as it was forced under the bridges was pretty intense. Fingers crossed that the flooding has hit it's peak for now.

A Little Taste of Spring

It took all my willpower NOT to go for a run yesterday. It was one of those beautiful days that occasionally pop up during early spring that give a little taste of the weather we have to look forward to. The sun was shining, we got into the mid-60s. Just one of those days that begs to be enjoyed. But, it was my scheduled rest day. The program I'm following (one of the marathon training programs from halhigdon.com) calls for a mid week rest, just before the two harder workouts of the week (usually a kind of long pace run followed by the long run for the week). Last week, I had to rework the training schedule to fit with my work schedule, moving the rest day to the weekend so that all my running workouts were done on consecutive days. While my body handled it just fine, my mind didn't. Looking ahead at my work schedule, there are going to be other weeks just like that one, so for sanity's sake, I had to bench myself for the day and settle for a walk around one of the local outdoor shopping centers with my daughter instead. I got my fill of warmth and sunshine to hopefully hold me over until the next nice spring day, and I'm looking forward to the last two runs of the week instead of begging my husband to run them for me, even if winter is making another (and hopefully it's last) appearance before submitting to spring's will.

Week 4 update

4 weeks down, 14 to go...

Quick Stats:

Miles Run - 30 (98 total)
Miles Run in the rain - 10 (Wednesday and Thursdays runs)
Times spent waiting at a railroad crossing - 2

Highlight of the week - That it's over!! I had zero motivation this week. Even though the winter season wrapped up at work, and I technically should have more time to go running, I was so busy doing the million things I had put off during these last few crazy months at work. Vet visits, checking out a class for my daughter, some serious grocery shopping and Target shopping sprees, tackling the mountains of laundry that were threatening to take over the apartment, putting an offer in on a house.... All of this took so much out of me. Even the easy 3 mile workouts took every ounce of strength just to get out the door. Of course, it didn't help that it was cool and rainy and just miserable outside all week. If it wasn't raining, it was foggy and dreary. Not ideal running weather. If all of this wasn't enough, my parents (who are also my go to babysitters) left for 10 days to go on a Mexican cruise, leaving me to pet sit their mini zoo and without a baby sitter, so now my husband and I have to co-ordinate our work schedules around this, leaving little time to get in runs, especially on the weekend. All in all, not a good week.

Run of the week: That would probably have to be my long run of 11 miles. I was able to get back out on my usual long run route after a winter of being too scared to attempt it. It wasn't the mileage that scared me, it was the fact that it's on this hilly twisty road along the river for a good deal of it (miles 5.5 to 9.5). There is no shoulder, huge drop offs along portions of it, and it crosses narrow bridges over one of the river channels at a few places. With all the snow and ice that were on the roads from about mid-December until last week, I wasn't going to chance it. But now that the snow is almost all melted, I can get back out there and enjoy the change of scenery.... even if this week it was completely hidden by a seriously dense fog.

Nemesis of the week: It's a close call between sleep, mother nature, and trains. Apparently I have a lot more enemies out there than I ever imagined.

The sun and the warmth are supposed to return this week. It's another hard one before getting to relax a little in week 6. Not nearly as many distractions and a little more down time this weekend since I get a whole Saturday off. If I can just stay dry, I'll be a happy camper :)

In a fog..

Here's the scene: Girl running down a country road enveloped in fog. Road is lined by barren trees and patches of old snow and leaves. The only sound is her footsteps and labored breathing. Every breath is marked by a cloud of condensation. As she passes one house she notices a jack-o-latern hoisted on a stick, half rotted from nearly 5 months of decomposition. She keeps running deeper and deeper into the fog, road nearly invisible ahead.

Some scene from a horror movie. Nope, just a replay of my entire 11 mile run this morning. Running in the fog is creepy. I was so excited to get back out on my normal long run route after having to find alternate paths this winter. In the winter, the hills and curves become a little too scary when snow banks and ice patches line the road and make it almost impossible to make room for passing cars. My favorite run takes me down to the river where I follow it as it cuts a channel forming an island just south of here. There are corn fields, eagle's nests, "lakes" that water fowl congregate in. I've crossed paths with foxes, deer, and many a hawg in the summer time. It's about as close to rural running as you can get this close to the cities. There are hills and curves and curvy hills that make it challenging and fun at the same time. But add in dense fog and it becomes the thing of nightmares.

Running in the fog is like running through a black hole. Time and distance become immeasurable. Familiar landmarks are swallowed up. The tops of hills looked like the edges of cliffs. I might as well have been running on Mars. But I pressed on, mainly because my options were to keep going or turn around, and well, the distance would have been the same either way since it's a giant loop with very few options to cut it short (another reason I like the run.... I can't cheat). And it helped a little that I let my imagination run wild. You make great time when you're trying to convince yourself that an axe murder isn't hiding in the brush waiting to jump out and chop you to bits.

Am I the only one not laughing?

The last 2 days during my normal running time, it started to rain as I was getting ready to head out. Both days, the rain had stopped by the time I was out of my post-workout out shower. Really Mother Nature? In a previous life, I would have checked the radar, looked to see if there was going to be a break in the rain anytime, and adjusted my schedule to accomidate a little more pleasant weather. In my new life, I get up at the crack of dawn to drop the cats off at the vet, come home to toddler that's just waken up and incredibly hungry. Get her fed and ready to head out the door to toddler class at the Little Gym. That wraps up just in time for me to grab a quick pre-run snack, call the vet back about the message they left on my voicemail, throw a load of laundry in before waking up my husband so I can get my 6 mile pace run in for the week and he can head to the gym before I have to head to work for the afternoon. After whining about the rain that had not been there when I was driving home from class just a few minutes before, I get a huge laugh from my husband when I get home, because the second I turned the corner, it starts to pour. Mother Nature is probably laughing along with him somewhere. No rain on my way to work. None again on my way home, when I stop at the grocery store, when I'm leaving the store, on my way to pick up the pets. Nope, just during that 2 hour window in my day that was my only decent slot to run. Nope, I'm not laughing.

Some new tunes to run to

My iPod has the annoying habit of randomly resetting itself so that instead of playing my running playlist when I head out for a jog, it just plays whatever it feels like. Since I also have a playlist for my daughter on there so that she has something to listen to on long car rides, not every track on it is appropriate for running (it's pretty hard to push through a particularly tough stretch while having to listen to the chicken dance). Today though, I had a couple of pleasant surprises while out on my mid-week kinda long run. About a mile and a half into my 6 mile run, I was treated to the Glee cast's rendition of "Bust a Move." For the next half mile, I had to fight the urge to bust into dance right there on the side of the road. So if you happen to be out for a drive and happen to pass a woman running down the road with a big smile on her face while doing the sprinkler, don't alert the authorities to see if someone has recently escaped from the loony bin. Just give her a little honk and a polite wave, because she's just out enjoying a run and having a good time.

Mother Nature - 7 me - 0

So I took a peek at this week's forecast to see if I needed to tweak the training schedule at all. Can I take the whole week off?

Today - 40s and fog
Tomorrow - 40s and rain
Wednesday - 40s and rain
Thursday - 50 and rain
Friday - 40s and rain
Saturday - 40s and sun
Sunday - 40s and sun

Of course, I'm working all weekend, so I'll probably hit the gym one day and then rest the other. So the only 2 nice days of the week, I'll be sitting in a gym working. The last thing I want to do after working 10 hours at a youth basketball tourney is to go for an 11 mile run. That ranks just above getting up at 5:30 to hit the gym before being on the other side of town 8:00. Not sure what I did to upset Mother Nature so much, but I'm really really sorry.

Week 3 Update

3 weeks down, 15 more to go!!

Quick Stats:

Miles ran - 23 (68 total)
Days of sunshine - 7 :)
Pairs of pants that got stashed in the back of the closet for being too big - 2

Run of the week: The 5 mile pace run. It's a love/hate relationship with pace workouts. As in I hate doing them and love it when they're over. A pace run is when you run for a set distance at set pace. It's sort of a combo speed and endurance workout. My goal was to run at a steady 8:30/mile. That's the pace I would love to run my next half marathon at. I was only a few seconds off that goal (8:35) and it felt great. No puking when I was done, which is always a plus.

Highlight of the week: Breaking out the shorts for a 6 mile run on Sunday. Spring is near!!

Duh moment of the week: Overdoing the leg workout at the gym on Monday. This was supposed to be an easy week and my legs killed most of it. June Cleaver on steriods was hogging the leg press machine so I got on the laying leg press. But at least my legs looked sexy and toned doing it.

Back to the hardcore workouts next week. I have to say I'm actually looking forward to the 11 mile long run. This week's warm weather hopefully melted the snow and ice enough for my to get back out on my usual long run route. I'm really starting to get bored with my two winter safe routes. Time for some new scenery!!

Stretches for a busy mom

Hamstring/low back stretch-

While the little one is in bed, position yourself in middle of play room/living room/family room. Bending at the waist and keeping the legs straight, pick up as many toys as you can without having to stand up. As soon as you can't hold any more, stand up, carry toys to toy box, find a new spot to "stretch" and repeat. This stretch will probably have to be repeated at least a dozen times. Trust me, your hammys will feel like jello when done. For a more challenging stretch, give little one a bag of blocks or puzzles to play with just before nap time.

Hip/IT band stretch-

While talking on phone, cooking lunch, doing dishes, etc... pick up hungry/bored/just crying for fun toddler and place on hip. Make sure to pop hip out to the side to support weight of child (older kids=better stretch). Switch hips often to avoid fatigue. Repeat until chores are done or little one calms down (typically option A).

Shoulder/Arm/Chest stretch-

Take little one for car ride. When little one starts crying, reach around front seat with right arm while still facing forward with left hand on steering wheel. Without turning around, feel around backseat for pacifier/bottle/cup/toy that has been dropped, usually into the farthest corner of the vehicle. Repeat several times before reaching destination (even if you are just driving a few blocks to grocery store. Note: This only stretches one side. Make sure to use other arm at home when reaching under beds/behind couches and other furniture.

Modified butterfly stretch-

Sit on floor with legs in butterfly stretch position. Have little one sit on lap (they will usually do this on their own with little training). Hold stretch for however long it takes to read Goodnight Moon. Repeat until every book in their library has been read.

Glute stretch-

Lay on back with knees pulled into chest. Have little one lay on legs like they're flying. Tuck legs in so that your little one's head is lowered towards your face. While still balancing them on your legs, lift head, and give lots of kisses. Repeat until kissed out.

pothole - 1 me - 0

And why exactly did I agree to do this???

If you had asked me even a few years ago if I would ever run a marathon, the answer would have been "NO!!" I was perfectly content with the occasional 5k and 10k, maybe even a half marathon, but never in a million years was I aching to run a marathon. I kind of thought most marathoners were a little crazy (still think they are and question my own sanity on most days). This is coming from the girl that absolutely hated track meets (although I loved going to practice), and that was only to run a mile or two.

So how did I get here?

It all comes down to sibling rivalry.

Last year, when I announced to my mom that I was training for my first half marathon, my mom told me that my little brother was running one too. When I asked him about it, he told me he had signed up to run the 1/2 marathon Grandma's weekend. I thought about running it with him, since it was about a month after my half, but registration was already full. So I told him I'd run with him next year. Fast forward to Christmas this year. I brought up running it together this year and he said that he wanted to do the full marathon instead. I've got 7 years on him and way more miles under my belt. He quit track after junior high. There was no way I was going to let him out run me. So I told him I'd see where I was with my mileage this spring and if I was feeling nice and fit, I'd join him. I revved up the training, braved the cold, and here I am. This might be the worst reason in the history of marathons to run one, but, hey, it works for me.

Week 2 Update

2 weeks down, 16 more to go!!

Quick stats:

Miles ran - 22 (45 since training began)
# of sunglasses destroyed - 1
# of times the bed won over running - 1

With the exception of mother nature not so kindly reminding us that winter can still show it's ugly head at anytime (see Friday's post), it was a good week for training. Yeah, I did choose to take a nap yesterday instead of go for a 3 mile run after a long weekend of work, but considering how long I passed out and still had no trouble falling asleep at bedtime, it was some much needed rest. In my defense, I did get up at 6 on Saturday to hit the gym and spend some quality time with the elliptical before work on Saturday, so I think that counts for double.

After all that complaining on Friday about the cold, I finally laced up the running shoes, threw on a few extra layers, and hammered out a 9 mile run. Well, the sun did it's job and it really wasn't that bad by the time I got the courage to venture out. It ended up being a great long run. I had the energy to pick it up the last half and really go all out the last mile. It felt great!! Best part was, I woke up Saturday and the legs didn't burn and ache and feel like I was carrying around a pair of sumo wrestlers like they normally do after a long run day. I might actually be getting back into shape! I might be able to do this afterall....

This week is an easy one. Gotta love the recovery week. Of course, mother nature (that cruel hearted witch), decided that maybe we've suffered enough this winter, and give us a little taste of spring. It's going to be tough to stick to short miles when it's sunny and almost 40.

So Ready for Spring!!

Today on the training schedule: This weeks long run of 9 miles

Temp about an hour after I woke up: 4... Yes, that's Farenheit... No, I did not forget to add another number behind that 4... Yes, I had my contacts in and didn't read the forcast wrong...

First of all, I am not a native Minnesotan. While I've lived here now for 13 winters (although 4 of those were mostly spent in central Ohio during my college days), I still cringe at the thought of leaving the house anytime the temp dips below freezing. I think people that wear shorts in January are absolutely insane (unless we have a freak 70 degree day, but pretty sure Hell will freeze over first). If hibernating all winter were an option, I'd email my boss and tell him not to expect me back to work until the first 50 degree day. You will not see me jumping into an icy lake in January anytime soon.

This winter has been a pain in the butt when it comes to the cold. I've found myself trapped on a treadmill way more times than I would have liked this winter. It's gotten to that point where sucking it up and facing the bitter cold is the lesser of 2 evils when compared to trudging along on the treadmill for yet another run. I need sunshine, even if it is on only 2 inches of exposed skin.

Luckily, the sun is out and warmed it up a few degrees from earlier this morning, but I'll still be dreaming of that first 40 degree day that I will celebrate with nice long run.