Great runs

Monday was speedwork and it was GREAT! I watched Charade with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. I ran 5 1/2 miles. I really think this is the key to me running faster and keeping up my stamina.
Wednesday I ran 6 miles with a friend. I ran at her pace which was much slower but I felt so great. I could have easily run another 3 miles. It made me re-think how I should run this half-marathon. Before I was running fast and maintaining the pace but by the end I was always exhausted. In fact before the end I start to slow down. When I ran slow and steady I felt great and kept along. I don't know, I have to think about this some more.
Thursday I did Zumba.
Saturday...I just needed to know I could do it. So I ran 12 MILES!!! I am running farther than I ever have before!! Mentally I needed to get over this hump that I couldn't run more than 9 miles without struggling. I didn't think about the miles I just pulled my hat down, faced the wind, and ran. I felt like I found my zone by 2 miles in. It was awesome. I also had my friend with me to run along side for about 8 miles of it. So I wasn't trying to be fast at all I just went for distance but here are the stats 2 hours 7 minutes for 12 miles.
So 23 1/2 miles this week!!
Good times.

cell phone

My six year old asked me today, "mom, when I turn 7 can I have my own cell phone?"

What??? Did that just come out of his mouth? I told him when he has a job then he can have a cell phone.

To which he replied, "Then when I'm 7 I'll get a job. I already know what I'm going to do. I'm going to make my own job by building trains. I already know what I need. Some wheels, alot of wood, some buttons, and a turn-ie thing."

I'm glad we got that figured out.

Not much of a week for running

The weather was great all week, I even ran outside two days, however, my lungs are not working with me. I'm still sick and running just isn't that fun when you can't breath deeply. I only ran 14 miles this week. Not so great. Hopefully I can feel better by Monday. (I keep telling myself that everyday but so far it hasn't worked.)

My second time at 10 miles

Monday I did 5 miles of speed work. It was fun because I watched the new Music Man with Matthew Brodrick. It reminded me so much of the funny girls I hung out with in high school. If you are one of them you already know why (via email). Anyway it was very energizing.

Wednesday I was sick and did't want to do anything. So...I didn't.

Thursday I ran 6 miles with two friends. It was great. I was a little faster than one of them so they decided to run at my pace. I tried coaching them along to run a little faster but after 3.5 miles they were ready to slow down. However, I took off at the end which was fun. I was glad I had so much energy at the end. It was great.

Friday I was so busy and still sick, even more so because of running 6 miles the night before. I only put in 2 miles.

Saturday I RAN 10 MILES! My second time ever going that far. YEAH ME!! I realized that I can play the mind game to motivate myself for about 9 miles and then I'm sunk. I have to talk myself through the rest. I can't listen to music, I just have to give myself a pep talk the whole way. At one point I thought if I could visualize being propelled forward like grabbing vines I could go further. (Does that make sense?) So my idea wasn't working I needed more. I ran up on a bridge and I pushed off the railing to propel myself. Ahh that last mile was so agonizing. I kept thinking to myself, I don't want to run a half-marathon, I don't even want to run 10 miles today. I just had to tell myself to shut-up and keep moving. Keep those legs moving.
I also thought about how I approach hills. I generally like to run up hills as fast as I can to get it over with. I sink low in my hips and pump my way up to the top. I don't take the down hill fast either I kind of recover. I wonder if that's a good way to do it.
That's all for now..
23 miles clocked in this week.

I ran 8.25 miles sort of

So I went with my friend Jennifer to run 10 miles. I decided last night to run 8 and stick with my training plan. We went to a park where there is an 8 mile loop. It was pretty hilly which I'm not used to but it wasn't so bad. The first 3 miles weren't so fun but that is usually the case for me and long runs. By 4 miles I was in the zone and loving it. I stopped at 5 miles and got a drink then the path turned to snow!! I ran up on the road that was parallel to the path for about 1.5 miles then I had to go back to the path. It stunk! I kept slipping so then I had to walk to save my ankles. Then I thought I'd take another path which turned into mud. So not really having fun at this point. My only saving grace was this other woman in front of me. I kept thinking if I fall she is my life-line. I managed to close the gap with her and the last mile had a small melted path. So I ended up running 8.25 miles in 79 minutes. Not too bad considering I stopped and walked on the ice. I walked two miles after the run which was a really welcomed cool down.

I've been inspired

My friend Kristen has five kids and is running a marathon and she blogs her progress! I have three kids under 6 and feel overwhelmed often, I've been running for almost 8 years now and only 3 years ago decided to seriously train to run in races (5k's until I decided I liked longer runs, 10k's for awhile and now I am running my first half-marathon April 10th.

I love running for so many reasons. I feel like it adds balance in my life. When things get stressful I pound it out on the pavement or I run to escape the problems. I use to run to talk to God. I felt so much closer to him while I ran. I also run for the thrill of the journey. Setting goals is exciting especially when set and eventually achieved. I feel like running is such a mind game that takes so much determination.

Now I mentioned that I ran races before but it got overwhelming. I ran to be fast and that gets old really fast. I started to not like running...that is like deciding you don't like your arm anymore for me!! So I stopped racing for a while and ran without my ipod or watch and ran slow. It made such a difference.

So how do I avoid that same pitfall with my half marathon coming up? Cross training. On Monday I do Speed work. Aerobic intervals of running really fast, followed by a one minute recovery and then fast again. Tuesday I take off. Wednesday I run an easy run of 4 to 5 miles including weights ( I haven't had time to do the weights yet but that's the plan). Thursday I do Zumba followed by a one mile run. (Its hard to feel like I've exercised unless I really sweat or run.) Friday I take off. Saturday I do my long run.

Tomorrow I should do only 8 miles but my friend Jennifer is running 10 and it'll be nice to run with someone. The longest run I've ever done is 10 miles. I"m a little nervous to do it tomorrow. I also have forgotten how sore and tired my body gets from running so many miles.

I hope to update more on how my runs and training is going.

What will they say?

N was talking to R the other day and this is what I heard...

N- I think I'm going to be a dog when I get older
R- You can't be a dog.
Mom- Maybe you could be a dog doctor called a veterinarian or a dog trainer.
N- No, I think I'll just be a dog

One Sunday I was picking out a dress for N to wear to church. I pulled out a dress she wore last year thinking we could get one more wear out of it. N looked at it and said "Mom....I don't even rec..ognize that dress!!" What was I thinking!