77 Days Left

 

Happy St. Nicholas Day!!  My husband's father is from a German family and St. Nicholas Day is a tradition that my husband brought with him when we started celebrating Christmas together.  So, when we woke up this morning, we all had treats in the shoes that we left on the fireplace.  St. Nicholas brought me an iFitness water belt.  Of course, I had to go for a run to check it out.

 

 

Today was only a short run, so I filled one of thee water bottles just to get a sense of how the belt feels with water in the bottles.  I also wanted to see how it felt to pull the water bottles out of the belt and get them back in.  Even though I didn't really need water on this run, I wanted to do a trial so I can use the belt at the 10 miler on Saturday. 

 

When there was an opening in the schedule after lunch, I wanted to sit on the sofa and snuggle under a blanket with my boys.  After 2 days of beautiful, unseasonably warm weather, today is back to being chilly.  My brain told me that I like to run in chilly weather way more than I like to run in warmer temperatures, but my body was telling me to sit on the sofa and take a nap.  Self discipline won and I got dressed and headed out.  (Today would not have been a good day for a finish line picture....I look like a hot mess.  I don't match and my hair is sticking up all over the place.  But, I was out there.)

 

Hubby had to go to work this afternoon, so I only had about 30 minutes.  I did 3 laps around my neighborhood.  The jury is still out on the water belt.   (If you recall, I has some growing pains with the handheld water bottle too.) The belt frees up my hands, which is nice.  The handheld was starting to rub my thumbs during longer runs.  It's not heavy and it doesn't rub or ride up.  I love that there is a big pocket for my phone, keys, and GU Chomps.  I am a little concerned that there won't be enough water on the super long runs.  Each bottle holds 8oz and both bottles together are less than the handheld.  On my last 10 mile run, I drank 2 full  water bottles.  But, my husband reminded me that there will be water stops at a race, so I should be okay. It's a little toasty around my middle.  Not quite sure how I feel about that.   I'm going to keep running with it to see how I like it.

 

For not really wanting to be out there, I am pretty pleased with today's run.  Resting tomorrow in preparation for the Surfin' Santa 10 Miler Saturday morning!

 

Today's Stats:

2.58 miles in 30.16 (11.7 minute mile)

79 Days Left

 

One of my very fit and active friends told me that she thinks I am becoming addicted to running.  I don't think so. People who are addicted to running love it.  I don't love it.  It's just becoming what I do.  I think that the quote pretty much sums it up.  Training is homework.  My brain is wired to follow a plan.  If running is "assigned", then I am going to do it.  The calendar said that I need to run today, so I ran. 

 

It a beautiful day in Virginia.  It's sunny and breezy and 70 degrees.....in DECEMBER!  It's a beautiful day for a run!  After a pretty busy morning, the baby stayed home with Daddy while I went for my run before the big boys came home on the bus.

 

I stayed in the neighborhood because I needed to be close to home to catch the bus when it came to drop off the boys.  Since I wasn't running far from home, I decided to play with my intervals.  After the race on Saturday, I knew that I could probably run my short run (2.58 miles) without stopping.  But, I believe in training how you race, so I stuck with the intervals instead of trying to just run.  I set the watch for a 2:45 running interval and a 1:00 walking interval.  I didn't run hard during the running intervals.  I took it pretty easy, but I was able to run longer, which was pretty exciting.

 

The run felt pretty good.  I got tired, but at the same time, I felt like i could have kept going if I had needed to.  I noticed some things on my run today: 

1.   I am almost to a 3:1 interval.  I started this adventure with 2:1 intervals, which I dropped down to 90 seconds:1 minute intervals because 2:1 was too much.  I have added 45 seconds to my running intervals.  Not only that, I can keep it up for lots of miles. 

2.  I don't look at my watch very often.  Don't get me wrong, there are some runs where I am lucky that I don't slam into a mailbox because I am looking at it so much.  But, overall, I just run.  When the watch beeps, I walk.  When it beeps again, I run.  I don't curse it (very often) or will it to beep.

3.  I am getting faster.  Way back in July, when I registered, my time was usually a high 13/low 14 minute mile.  Now I am consistently around 12 minutes. 

4.  I don't watch my feet anymore.  Way back when, I ran looking down.  I don't know if I was trying to make sure that I didn't trip or if I was watching my feet to make sure they were still moving forward.  Either way, now my head is up. 

 

And something I noticed when I got home from my run:

1.  The bids need to hurry on up and fly south.  Apparently, I got bombed by a bird.  I didn't feel it or see it, but there is definitely bird poop on my right sleeve.   Not cool birds, not cool. 

 

Today's Stats:

3.44 miles in 42.20 (Actual watch time - 43:50.  I have no shame is subtracting 1:30 off of that time.  I had to stop and wait for the bus to come into the neighborhood, turn around, open the door, and let the boys off.  I started walking them home and the watch beeped to start running again.  I figured they knew the way and started running.  Don't worry, I had to go around the court, so I could see them as they were walking home.)

12.2 minute mile

 

And just in case the Mayans are reading this blog, they had better be wrong.

 

Well, a Half Marathon (or two...maybe 3), but the idea is the same.

82 Days Until the Disney Princess Half Marathon

Today was race day.  It was a small race.  Our church has hosted this race for 3 years now as a fundraiser for Young Life Youth Ministries.  There was no medal.  I am never in my life going to be fast enough for a prize.  It was just a training run.  I didn't think that I was even going to run it, but I decided last week to just do it.  It helped that my little people asked to do the 1 mile fun run at the same time.  So, at 7:45 this morning, all 5 of us piled into the car and headed to church for the 8:30 start.  I wore my black long sleeved shirt and my black running pants.  I had a super cute Christmas tiara and a Santa skirt that I found at a discount store that I never go to.  It was $10 and in the underwear section.  It has a bra with it that I am going to wear next week.  I thought it was a bit much for a race at church.

 

There was no packet pick up prior to race morning.  The race organizers did a good job of getting people their bibs and their shirts in time for the start.  We got there later than I would have liked to, but it all worked out in the end.  Since we were running in 2 different races, I had to check in twice.  The timing company donated their services, so all of the bibs were recycled from old races.  I had a recycled bib from this year's Wicked 10K, which I ran.  The boys and my husband had recycled bibs from last year's Surfin' Santa 10 Miler (which I am running next weekend.)  They were so excited to get to pin on their bibs.  (I was not so excited to pin the bib onto the shirt while it was on my body.  It was probably crooked.  I am glad there was no mirror.)

 

Since it was a pretty small race, there was no corral start.  The 5k runners lined up and the gun went off.  The faster runners were at the front of the pack.  I was closer to the back of the pack.  Either way, it took me 6 seconds to cross the starting line.  5 minutes later, the 1 mile started.  (Thank you to my husband for taking the boys on the 1 mile run.  Jeffrey is STILL wearing his race bib and his jingle bell "medal."  It was the highlight of his day to be in a REAL running race.)

 

I started the race just like I usually do - I ran.  Typically, I run until the crowds thin out and I can walk without getting in some one's way.  There weren't any crowds at this small race.  So, I ran.  After I had been running for about 6 minutes, I realized that I hadn't stopped to walk.  So, I told myself that I would take a minute walk break at the 1 mile marker.  So, I ran to the 1 mile marker and stopped to walk.  Then I ran again.  I told myself that I would run too the 2 mile marker.  That plan was derailed by the water stop.  I didn't carry my water for a 5K, so I took a cup of water at the stop.  (That's what it's there for.)  The race was on residential streets and there was one water stop with one trash can set up at some one's house.  This was not the place to throw your cup on the ground.  I stopped for a bit and drank my water, threw my cup in the trash, and then kept running to the 2 mile marker.  I probably lost 20-30 seconds, but those nice ladies didn't have to pick up my trash.

 

During the second mile, I started to get tired.  I also felt like I was slowing down a little.  (But, I was still running.)  When I passed the 2 mile marker, I set my watch to start my intervals.  I think that was a good decision.  I was able to pick up the pace a little on the running intervals and get to the finish line still feeling pretty good.

 

I had set a time goal for this race.  I wanted to finish in 36 minutes.  It would be my fastest race pace ever and my fastest 5K ever.  I knew that my pace was pretty good.  I felt myself slow down, but the first mile was fast enough to make up for that.  As I came around the corner to the finish line, I saw that the race clock was pretty much in sync with my watch.  I crossed the finish line and saw the 4 most beautiful faces waiting for me.  I also saw the clock and knew that

 

My watch said 36.15 and the official clock time said 36.13.  I did it!!  According to the official results, I finished #119 out of 150 runners.  My pace was 11:41 minutes per mile.  I was 6th in my age group (there were only 9 of us) and the 49th woman (out of 73) to cross the finish line. 

 

No time to rest on my awesomeness.  I have a 10 mile (yep, that says mile) race next Saturday. 

 

Today's Stats:

3.1 miles in 36.13  (11:41 minutes per mile!)

Mile 1 - 10.51

Mile 2 - 12.15 (this was the water stop mile)

Mile 3 - 11.55

.1 - 1.09

83 Days Left

 

 

I was excited for today's run.  I try to schedule a rest day before race days, but my husband offered to go to the trail with me and ride his bike while I did my run.  I decided to take him up on his offer and have some quality time together and run at the same time.  Great plan.

 

Too bad my body didn't hear about the plan.  Every single step was work today.  We went to the lake park - my new favorite running spot.  We walked to the start and got going.  I thought the run started out okay.  It wasn't an easy, feeling great start, but it wasn't terrible.  It took me 2 minutes and 30 seconds to get to the first 1/4 mile marker.  I walked for my minute and then got past the 1/2 mile marker during the next running interval.  This went on for about a mile.  Right about the 1 mile marker, then my legs felt heavy and my breathing wasn't right.  I had only gone a mile but I felt like I did after I ran 10 last week...and I still had 2 miles to go. 

 

So, I slowed down a little bit.  A 2:30 1/4 mile equates to about a 10 minute mile.  That's too fast for me.  I started too fast and paid for it.  I am not ready for a 10 minute mile.  Maybe one day, but not this day.  It felt better after that.  I don't think that I could have gone much further, but I finished my 3 miles.

 

My husband, however, also missed the part in the plan that we were going to spend quality time together.  My pace was obviously too slow for him and he took off.  He passed me about a mile and a quarter and then again at about two miles.  He got 3 laps (4.5 miles) to my 2 and went out of the back of the park to explore a tunnel under the interstate.  Our quality time was not so quality and I think that I will leave him home next time. But, I am glad that he came out.

 

Hopefully today's rough training run will mean that tomorrow's 5K race will be awesome.  I am still hoping for a 36 minute 5K.  My fastest 5K ever was 37.01 and that was 2 years ago, before I got pregnant with the baby.  I will need to average 11.6 minute miles to do it.

 

Today's Stats:

3.1 miles in 37.31 (12.0 minute miles)

 

Lap 1 - 18.02  (11.6 minute miles)

Lap 2 - 19.28  (12.4 minute miles)



86 Days Left

 

 My goal this week was to have a plan.  My husband has to work days this week, so I had to figure out when and where I was going to run.  The middle of the week is usually pretty hectic for me.  I try to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but those are the days that the baby stays home.  My original plan was to go to the gym and run on the treadmill or even outside while he played in the childcare.  Of course, he had croup over Thanksgiving and now has snot.  No childcare for him.  But, I REFUSED to be thrown off by this kink in the plan.

 

After we ran our errands this morning, I came home and put the baby down for his nap.  I took the big boys upstairs to our room over the garage and offered them the opportunity to play on the computer.  (This is a BIG deal at our house.  The computer lives upstairs out of sight of every other room in the house.  They are 5 years old and are not allowed online unsupervised.  The Disney Channel, which they watch every single day, does not have commercials for toys, but has plenty of commercials for their online games.  This results in a game of 20 questions about when they can play on Disney Junior dot com.)  This very generous offer put the big boys doing something that they want to do in plain sight of me while I got my run in on the treadmill.  Yep, I am pretty brilliant, if I do say so myself.  This is pretty much what it looked like:

 

 

One of my offspring wanted a turn on the treadmill.  So, I let him have a turn before I started.  I did a 1/4 mile warm up and then started my intervals.  It has been MONTHS since I ran on the treadmill.  I set my running intervals at 5.5....completely neglecting to set the incline to mimic the road.  My walking intervals were at 3.8.  Once I figured all of that out, I set the watch and got going.  It was easier than I thought.  I didn't stare at the numbers on the treadmill.  I didn't check the watch over and over.  I think 5.5 is a little faster than I run outside and 3.8 is a littler slower than I walk, but it worked for today.  I don't plan on using the treadmill any more than I have to.

 

In other news, the interval beeping also served as the timer for the boys to switch.  It was so peaceful.  The watch would beep to walk and the boys would switch turns.  When the watched beeped to walk again (3 1/2 minutes later), they switched again.  There was no yelling or fighting or anything.  I might run on the treadmill once a week because of the 40 minutes of harmony in my house.

 

Since everyone was cooperating, I did 5K.  The 5 minute warm up is included in the time, so that slowed me down a bit.  All in all, it was a good run.  It's done.  I have to fit in another on Thursday and then we are all running in a race at our church on Saturday.  The boys and the husband are going to do the 1 Mile Reindeer Run while I am doing the 5K Jingle Jog.  They will wait for me at the finish line.  And just so it is out there for accountability, my goal is to run a 36 minute 5K. 

 

Today's stats:

3.1 miles in 38.10 (12.2 minute miles)

89 Days Until the Disney Princess Half Marathon

 

 

There are two types of runners - fast runners and slow runners.  Today, I was the crock pot of running.  I ran long and I ran slow.  It felt fantastic! 

 

Even though I ran an AWESOME 10K on Thursday, this weekend had 9.5 miles on the schedule.  I am running a 10 mile race in 2 weeks, so I couldn't count the 10K as my long run.  I couldn't find a 9.5 mile run that started at my front door that was safe and easy.  There were too many turns.  I was worried that since I got lost on a 4 mile run with 4 turns, I would never be able to remember the turns on a longer run.  So, I decided to go back to the lake park.  It made me a little nervous to go running at the park at 7:00 on a Saturday morning, so I waited until after lunch to go.  The park path is a 1.5 mile loop with an unmeasured bit between measured posts.  Map My Run says that the loop is 1.55 miles all the way around. 

 

It was a little chilly today, but not downright cold, so I wore knee-length pants, a long sleeved shirt, and a short sleeved shirt over it.  I have been running out of water on runs over about 5 - 6 miles, so I took a second water bottle to make sure that I had enough.  I ate my Gu Chomps as I was walking out the door to drive to the park.  I got there, walked to the trail, and found a place near the path to stash my extra water bottle.  I used the walk to the trail as my warm up, so I started running at the mile post. 

 

I knew from the first steps that it was going to be a good run.  I started out slow.  My goal was to finish the mileage, not to break a time goal.  The running intervals felt good.  I wasn't huffing and puffing (much).  I could talk to people if I needed to.  I just ran....and ran....and ran. 

 

 

 

 

There were a lot of people out running.  Some of them were FAST.  Some of them ran past me (in the opposite direction) twice during my loop.  But, after a loop or 2, I didn't see them any more.  I just kept on going.  They were running fast, but I was running far.

 

After 3 laps (4.5 miles), I stopped to refill my water bottle and then turned around and ran the loop in the opposite direction.  The opposite direction was HARD.  It was windy going the other direction.  It was cold going the other direction.  But, I finished those 3 laps too.  For my last mile, I turned around again and went the way that I like better. 

 

 

 

Everything felt great until about 8 miles into the run.  Then my legs started to hurt.  I was running at about the same speed that I was walking.  The minute walking interval seemed to keep getting shorter.  But, the amazing thing is that the 2:30 running interval wasn't hard.  I didn't look at my watch.  I didn't will it to beep.  I just ran.  When it was time to walk, I walked.  I talked to myself a lot for the last two miles.  I would tell myself that I only had to go another lap and a mile and then counted down from then.  I talked myself through the last mile.  I cheered myself on.  I told myself to keep going. 

 

When I had a 1/2 mile left, I came across an older couple who was enjoying the day together.  The man was taking pictures of the woman.  When I caught up to them, I offered to take their picture.  I told them that I would be happy to so I didn't have to run any more.  I didn't really mean that.  I was glad to stop and take their picture.  I maybe lost 30 seconds doing that for them.  But, it made me happy to help.

 

I was so happy to see the mile marker.  There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment.  I did something today that I have never, ever done before.  I ran in the double digits today.  I had another long run that felt great.  I only have 3.1 miles left to get to 13.1.  I did it.  I got a little teary when I finished.  I called my husband to tell me that I did it (and to tell him that I still had to walk a half mile to get to the car.....darn 1.5 mile loop!)

 

After I picked up my water bottle and started back toward the car, the older couple had caught up with me.  The woman offered to take my picture.  (I declined.....I looked like a hot mess.  I didn't put my hair up for a finish line picture, I put it up for a 10 mile run.)  We got to talking and they asked my how far I had gone today.  I told them ten miles.  They were impressed.  That made me happy too.  I thanked them and wished them a good afternoon.  Then I headed home to my family. 

 

 

I'm a little sore now.  Not really, really sore....but a little sore.  It's not as bad as it has been after shorter runs.  It's hard to go up and down the steps.  It's a good hurt.   It's the hurt of accomplishment.

 

Today's Stats:

10 miles in 2:19:10  (13.9 minute miles)

10.2 miles in 2:19:10  (13.6 minute miles)**

**Not completely sure how far I went......

 

I took 1.5 mile splits:

Lap 1 - 19.52

Lap 2 - 20.44

Lap 3 - 20.34

Lap 4 - 21.28

Lap 5 - 21.01

Lap 6 - 20.53

Last mile - 14.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



91 Days Left

I am convinced that runners are not right.  Today is Thanksgiving.  It's a day for eating.  It's a day for It's a day for watching football.  It's a day for scanning the Black Friday ads to plan your Black Friday shopping.  If you don't have to get up and put a turkey in the oven, it's a day for sleeping in.  It's a day for reflecting on all that we have to be thankful for in our lives.

So, what did I do this morning?  I ran 6.2 miles.  I even paid to do it.  Who runs a 10K on Thanksgiving?  2413 people.  That's who wakes up and runs 6.2 miles on Thanksgiving morning.   2413 crazy people.

This race had a bit of a later start than most races. It started at 9:00.    We got to sleep in a bit.  This was a good thing because we spent much of the evening at the ER with the baby.  A dose of steroids for croup and we were home in bed by 1:15am.  I got up at 6:30 to have my bagel and banana and to take a peek at the Black Friday ads before I headed out.  (A girl has to have her priorities in order.)  I drove to Mt. Trashmore in Virginia Beach to meet up with the Moms Run This Town ladies for an 8:00 picture.   I met two new ladies at this race and saw someone that I had met at the Wicked 10K.  It's really comforting to go to a race with 2400 people and see a friendly and familiar face.  I also caught up with my friend Susan.  She waited in the bathroom line with me for a bit before scampering off to the fast person starting line.

Anyway, it was a chilly start to the morning, but not chilly enough to wear cold weather clothes, so I froze for a bit before the race started. I was wearing a short sleeved shirt, long tights, and a cute running skirt.  I was also rocking a turkey hat.  If I'm going to be there, I'm going to be festive.   It was sunny and a little bit breezy, but a refreshing breeze instead of the hurricane force winds of the Wicked.  At a few minutes before 9, we made our way to the starting line.  I found my predicted finishing time (actually, I picked my preferred finishing time, but that is neither here nor there) and got ready. 

The gun went off and the fast people started.  2 minutes later, I got to the starting line.  I was DETERMINED to finish in a respectable time so I could submit to Disney.  I knew the time I needed to get (1:14) and was going to do it or die trying.  There was a bit of a traffic jam for the first half mile and I found myself weaving to get around people.  (Read that again.  I'll wait.  It said that I was getting AROUND people....that means PASSING!  I was running faster than other people!!)  I ran for the first 5 minutes without stopping to walk.  After about 5 minutes, I felt comfortable starting my intervals without irritating the people running behind and around me.  We had a good 3 miles of neighborhood running.  It was pretty boring.  There were a few people out, but not too many.  Right at mile 4, we entered Mt. Trashmore Park.  It's a big loop with a lake and an old landfill made into a mountain in the middle.  I was chasing a couple that was running slow, but always running.  I would pass them on my 2:30 running intervals and then they would pass me during my 1 minute walking interval.  I kept up with them for a good 3 miles, then they sped up and I slowed down.

My hat was hot.  I didn't like it.  I kept saying that I was going to take it off at the next walking interval.  I never did it.  I kept running with the stupid thing on.  Now I know.

I also had some snot issues.  I felt fine when I got to the race, but once we got going, my nose got going too. I'm going to have to plan for that happening.  Snot bubbles are NOT festive.  Maybe Santa will bring me a Handana to keep my nose (and my shirt) snot free.

Back to the matter at hand....I got tired at about mile 4.  I probably should have had some Gu Chomps to get be through the last 2 miles, but I didn't.  Now I know. 

My fast friend Susan met me at about mile 5.5 and ran the rest of the way with me.  She told me about her fast person problems while we ran.  Those made me laugh and got us to the finish.  I slowed down for the last .2 miles.  An older gentleman passed me.  He told me to pick it up.  He told me that I had been in front of him for the entire race and that he better not beat me.  I found a little energy after that.  I caught him and finished right in front of him.  He didn't care.  He said that I helped him finish the race. 

I crossed the finish line in 1:16:27 (or something).  I knew that it took me about 2 minutes to get to the finish.  My watch said 1:14:42.  Official time - 1:14:02.  I did it!!!  I needed to finish in 1:14 to predict at 2:45 half marathon and I ROCKED it!!!  I finished 141 in my age group, out of 172 people.  I finished faster than 260 other people.  Looking back on my race goals, I met every single one.  I crossed the finish line.  I wasn't last.  I met my time goal!

I got some water and a a Krispy Kreme donut (just one....don't hate) and went home to spend Thanksgiving with my family.  Runners are crazy, but it's a good crazy.  I have never FELT this good after a long run.  No aches, no pains, no swelling. 

Next up:  9.5 miles on Saturday!

Today's Stats:

6.2 miles in 1:14:02 (11.9 minute miles....for 6 miles!)

Mile 1:  11.10

Mile 2:  11.42

Mile 3:  11.57

Mile 4:  12.0

Mile 5:  12.23

Mile 6:  12.34

.2:            2.51

(Yeah, I slowed down every mile, but I finished in 1;14!!))