My friend PR'd and I have 24 DAYS until Marathon DAY!

24 DAYS LEFT until MARATHON DAY!

(I get a little nervous when type that)

What a great day for a run. Well the morning wasn't that great outside but I waited until nap time and was happy I did because that is when the rain finally stopped and the SUN decided to appear...I almost forgot what the SUN looked like here in WASHINGTON! The weird thing is how humid it has been which is very unusual here. I know you EAST COSTERS are familiar with that, but not so much here.

Memorial Day Run

May 31, 2010

Miles: 6.10

Pace: 9:16

Time: 56:33

Calories: 768

I was really excited to run today mostly due to my friend Diana who had her longest training run to date. She RAN 13.1 miles in the pouring rain, on her own and without WALKING at ALL! Diana...that's called a PR....WOOT, WOOT! This is a huge deal for her and I was so excited to get the call when she was done with it. I was so proud and excited for her. It was a GREAT running day for her for numerous reasons and I could totally hear it in her voice. Runs like today make the bad runs SO WORTH it. GREAT JOB DIANA....I am so PROUD OF YOU! You are going to ROCK at R'n'R Seattle for your very first HALF MARATHON. (Her first official HALF MARATHON RACE)  She is working on getting her BLOG together and after today she was really excited to get serious about it.  I will keep you posted so you can start following her journey.

*Oh and I have a question. 
I was looking at ordering the pace bands.  Have you used them?  Did you like it?  Did it help you?  Should I order them for my first marathon or just enjoy the run without worrying about time?  I think I am for sure going to get the Grace Band...I love that idea. 

You Go Girl...

Oh man I should have got a picture of our registration for "You Go Girl". Diana and I met up with Tall Mom today to turn in our team registration for our half marathon September 26th. This is the first year and its all women and it's in my backyard...PRICELESS! (Well it isn't actually priceless, in fact it's kind of a pricey race, but the memories from the race will be PRICELESS). Diana and I had talked about doing it and decided to put a team together hoping we could save a little money on the way. We weren't sure we would get 12 people but to our surprise we got more than 20 gal's registered today. Should be an amazing race. It will be nice to have something to train for after my marathon and relay this summer. I am really excited too because Tonia at Racing with Babes is coming to race with us. Luckily we were able to steal her info from facebook to get her registered...but it was ok...she knew about it. Whewww...that was a close call.

I have to see that all this bloggy stuff has taken off and is way more than I ever thought it could be. I started blogging for me so I could document my journey to my first marathon and it has (like running) turned into so much more and I am LOVING it.  Meeting new people and planning races with fellow moms on the run...it's AWESOME. I am a people person so this is right up my alley and being able to actually meet some of you in person has been so fun and I look forward to meeting more of you in June at Rock'n'Roll Seattle and in the near future.



Had a wonderful run today, Short but sweet. Why is it that sometimes the hardest part is just getting out the door? I would rather stay at home with my family in my warm cozy house then go out in the wet weather and sweat. Well I think that until I get out there and then I love it. I left today without my iPod on purpose so I could just focus and be in the moment. I don't do this much but every time I do it...I really enjoy it. Ran 4 miles in under 40 minutes which is so exciting to me. I will say it again....Endurance and training....it changes your pace and it's so exciting. What I loved about today is I didn't look at my Garmin at all...I just ran and took it easy and enjoyed the time on my feet.

May 30, 2010

Miles: 4

Pace: 9:32

Time: 38:10

Calories: 505

Tall Mom gave me the best DVD to watch, "Ultramarathon Man: 50 Marathons, 50 States, 50 Days "...WOW it was amazing. It documents Dean Karnazes, who run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. It was incredible to watch him take on this amazing journey and so inspiring. It was perfect timing to watch it. I needed a pick me up and some new motivation and this was PERFECT. I actually decided to take a few quotes and write them down in my copy of "Run like a Mother" book so I could remember them. One of my faves was, "It's not the Destination, it's the Journey" which is soooooo true. Time to read the book.

I also finally finished "Run Like a Mother", my mother’s day gift to myself. I LOVED it. It was so great to read about other mom's surviving daily life while continuing to run. I find myself lucky to be able to stay at home with my kids and train for a marathon. I don't think I would be able to do it otherwise. You mom's who work and raise as family and TRAIN for a MARATHON are AMAZING. There was so much I related to in this book and enjoyed. I loved the honesty of Sarah and Dimity. Thanks ladies for being brutally honest. One of the parts that I loved was when Sarah was talking about "Embracing the Pain". I have thought of that so many times when my runs get difficult. It's amazing that when you focus on something and embrace it...you can actually cope with it better. There was a ton more and I would defiantly recommend this book to any and all runners.

I want to give Diana a shout out...She is running 13.1 miles for her longest run yet.  Her last long run before the Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon.  She is going to do great tomorrow (Memorial Day).  You Go Girl!  You can totally do it.

My other runs!

A run through Madrona and up a hill!  First 3 miles I didn't feel great but finally warmed up for the hardest part of the run.

May 18, 2010

Miles: 6.22

Pace: 9:46

Time: 1:00

Calories: 789

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Recover run after my long run!  The first mile was hard.  Amazing how a 22 miler can zap your energy.  Got into the groove after the first mile.  Was warmer than I thought, should have done a tank top.  Our weather has been crazy around here so it's hard to know what it will be like once you start running.  My mind still tells me that it's cold.

May 22, 2010

Miles: 5.01

Pace: 9:24

Time: 47:06

Calories: 637

******************

Quick after dinner run to keep things moving!  Great night out and got to run while the sun was setting, perfect.

May 23, 2010

Miles: 2

Pace: 9:22

Time: 18:45

Calories: 250

******************

My garmin took about 10 minutes to find a signal...Nice!  Love my garmin, but hate it sometimes.

 

May 24, 2010

Miles: 3.15

Pace: 8:32

Time: 27
Calories: 362

******************

Was challenged to keep it at a 9 min. pace.  Lets see if I can do that...I did!  I love seeing what I can do.  Exciting.

May 25, 2010

Miles: 6.83

Pace: 9:02

Time: 1:01

Calories: 850

Running in GEARHART!

Oh Gearhart...I love you!  For the last 5 years some of my closest girlfriends and I have gone down to Gearhart for a RETREAT.  It's honestly the highlight of my year.  It's a great time of reflection for me to see where I have been in the last year.  It also has always been a place that I love to run.  Though the town is about 3 miles long it's hard to get my long runs in there.  I did my first 12 miler there last year...major highlight, though I had to run circles.  I will always remember that run.

This year I changed my training around so I didn't have to do 20 miles there...running circles would be way too MENTAL for me.  It worked out great because Diana had to get a long run in to so we decided we would do a 9 miler together.  Sweet!  WE were both looking to a FLAT course since we both train on the hills around our neighborhood.

These FEET are made for RUNNING!

I always go to the NIKE outlet in Seaside and scored some great running attire and finally got to use my NIKE gift card I won a while back.  I was looking forward to testing out some new gear on the run.  It was a warm day, wait actually it started off windy and cold (see what happens when you wait so long to post about a run) but after we started running it warmed up.  The first mile seemed to take forever but the others came a lot quicker and the last half flew by.  We ran around the golf course and up a street with some AMAZING houses.  It was also nice that it was garbage day so we could easily find somewhere to throw away our sticky GU wrappers...I hate how sticky those get.  The houses in this town are amazing, Cape Cod like.  I love it. 

Shadow pictures ROCK!

And of course we had an all out photo shoot when we got back...How could we not.  No kids, cute cottage, time to spare...Time to spare... almost forgot what that was like....hmmm...don't you just love Gearhart!

Photo Shoot time...

Showing our mucles...and just a sweet picture!

Hmmm, maybe we should have ran a marathon today?

Rock'n Gearhart 2010...we will be BACK!

May 13, 2010 Stats:
Miles: 9:01
Pace: 10:09
Time: 1:31
Calories: 1141

*****************

Other Gearhart runs:

I really had no time to run and had to get a couple, VERY quick, short runs in with very little time to spare!

May 15, 2010
Miles: 2.27
Pace: 8:36
Time: 19:29
Calories: 284
Ran into my friends getting coffee as I was just about to finish.  Got some high 5's....nice! Fun to see your friends when you are running.

May 16, 2010
Miles: 2.75
Pace: 9:23
Time: 25:45
Calories: 341
It's funny how much slower you go when your tired. I rolled out of bed for this run.

13, Well Almost! Shoot....

Today my training called for 13 miles. After my high mile weeks I figured this would be easy or at least not a problem. The truth about running is 3 miles can be hard some days and last night I was reminding myself that 13 miles is still a long way. Funny how our mind deals with miles in such crazy ways when you are training for a marathon. I am so sick of running in my neighborhood. It just gets boring and it's not that pretty. Luckily it was sunny instead of raining so I was thrilled with that.


I was feeling good but around mile 6 started to feel a little tired. Not sure what is up with me this week but I feel like I am just lagging. Does this happen to you at the end of your training? I have LESS than a month until my FIRST MARATHON! I am really excited even though I feel tired. I am doing one more long run next week, 24-26 miles at Burke Gilman and then I will taper for 2 weeks. After today I was wondering how the heck I did that last week and how am I going to do it next week, but I know I will do it. I have to DIG deep.

Oh yah...back to my run...I am rambling today! So I went all through Federal Way and back again and still fell short for my miles and I got to Nice Hill and decided to walk it...I did stop my Garmin and then started my running again when I got to the top and went another half mile or so and was done. Now as I write this I should have just ran 4 more minutes and got a PR for my half marathon time but I needed to get the kids and to be honest I just did not want to. Maybe another run later on to get a little more in. Don't you ever regret not pushing yourself a little further? I have pushed myself a lot in my training and now I am not doing it as much. I have been training since January so maybe that's why. Why does running for 4 hours have to be so MENTAL (said with a sarcastic tone)

Why do I beat myself up so much? In good news I had a killer pace. 9:38…that is so GREAT for me. I can tell that my training and my long runs have really helped me pick up the pace. Endurance is an amazing thing. I don’t think I really understood that work until this training phase.

May 27, 2010 Stats:

Miles: 12.77

Pace: 9:38

Time: 2:03:08

Calories: 1605

7 Things about ME!

 

Mel-Tall Mom on the Run tagged me!! The rules are to post 7 things about myself and pass it onto some other bloggers... FUN!

 

7 Things about Jill at Running 2 Sanity:

 

1. After my 22.32 miler on Thursday I called Tall-Mom to tell her about my run.  I always love to call my friends and talk about how it went.  She reminded me that in Jr. High I couldn't even run a mile!  It's strange how you forget how much you can change when you go after something.  I couldn't even run around the track and now I am running over 20 miles!  I ran track in Jr. High for social reasons...I was not good at ALL and that is not an exaggeration.
2. I am LAZY!  I would have no problem lying in BED all day long.  Just because I run doesn't mean I am not LAZY because I am.  Maybe I run so I have a good excuse to be lazy.  I love after the kids go to bed I can sit and do nothing!  I love getting in my PJ's and just lounging in the evenings.  Just wish I didn't want to snack so much during those lazy times.
3. I don't have many dreams, really my only dream I really ever thought of was to RUN a MARATHON!  I realized this on my long run...I really don't have much I have really wanted to do...an Ironman is the only thing on this list, but that might not ever happen.  It's crazy that my ONE major DREAm (besides the obvious of marriage and kids) is about to happen...I shed a few tears on my long run the other day realizing that!
4. I grew up with My dad and my brother.  My parents go divorced when I was young.  I loved the early years with my dad and brother.  Long road trips with music blaring!  Great memories.  (My dad got remarried when I was 8)
5. My dream is to go to Italy.  I have never been to Europe and I am dying to get over to that side of the World.  I have an Alaska Airlines card to rack up miles for my hubby and I to go for FREE someday.
6. My mom is one of the very few if not the only one that can make me P.I.P (if you don't know what PIP is then you wouldn't understand) from laughing so hard.  I LOVE to LAUGH so hard that I can't control it...nothing is better.
7. I used to dis-like chocolate until I got pregnant with Max...now I like it a lot.  I am a total sweets person.  Though running has changed that a little bit.
8. BONUS:  I met my husband while working at an espresso cart.  He used to help me push in the cart at the end of the day!  We dated for a few months then broke up.  Always thought of him and then 2 years later he called me out of the blue and we started dating and then got engaged and now we have been married for 8.5 years.  Crazy how life works out!

Now I will TAG a few of you:

1. Rachel at Make a Run for It
2. Jessie at Stronger. Faster.
3. Sarah at Brunette on the Run
4. Tara at Colorado Runner
5. Hannah at More than a Marathon
6. Alicia at Alicia Runs
7. Michele at Run Michele Run
8. Molly at I'm a Sleeper Baker
9. Lisa at Lisa Runs?  Wait...What?
10. Age Groups Rock
11. Lindsay at Chasing the Kenyans

Can you have a HIGH from a long run?

Can you have a HIGH from a long run? Well I guess you can because I do. Does having a HIGH mean it was easy? No, not at all! It hurt, it was not easy but I did it and I am thrilled. I hate posting my most recent runs when I have 4 other runs to log but hey, it’s my blog and sometimes order doesn’t really matter.


I PR’d today, not in time but in distance and that is always something to celebrate. If you read my blog you know that I get a little worried, nervous about new mileage…I don’t think that will ever go away. Plus I went to a new trail which made the unknowns go out of whack even more…I am weird I guess. I told myself when I started my training that I would go to Burke Gilman for my long runs and I hadn’t done it yet so this was the day to do it. I was solo and had a lot of ground to cover so why not go somewhere flat and beautiful. I don’t usually run on trails since I am typically by myself and that is not always safe to do but that is why I wanted to go up North since Seattle would have a lot more people out throughout the day. I was so thankful that my mother-in-law watched the boys so I wouldn’t have to worry about time. Last night I got my stuff together and realized I only had to Gu’s which would not be enough for a 4 hour run, called a friend to see if she had any laying around, but no luck. I had to stop at Road Runners on my way up North to get my GU’s. Purchased my items and used their bathroom. In the bathroom they have all these running posters and one caught my attention, It was a construction sign on an open road that read (not sure exact words but something similar to this) “Running never took more than it Gave. ENJOY THE RUN”. I loved it and thought I would use it when I got into those long miles when negativity can creep in so easily.

Got to U Village and parked and got my gear ready and set-off to find the trail. Luckily a kind gal helped direct me. From the start I loved the trail. This was my longest run in a couple weeks (14 miles and then 9 last week) so I was hoping my body wouldn’t mind the miles we had to log. I decided to break my run up and got out 5.5 miles and turn back, visit my car in the middle and head the opposite way for 5.5 and turn back. The start of my run took me through The U.W. which is an amazing campus, I love it! Then I got to run along Lake Union with views of Seattle, A-mazing!

Space Needle in the distance.

 I was loving it. Ran by the offices of Google and Adobe and under Aurora Ave. Bridge where I will be running miles 18 & 19 of my marathon next month!

Underneath Aurora Ave. Bridge

All the way out to Ballard and then turned around to head back. I was surprised that it barely rained at all which is strange because this whole week the weather has said RAIN and we have had rain or sun every 30 minutes…I figured I would get some showers so I wore my hat but I was lucky to only get few rain drops and the rest of the run was mostly sunny. I got back to my car to dump a couple of my water bottles and my rain jacket and then headed out again. The 2nd half was through neighborhoods and more forestry like. I loved it too. I was feeling really good and was trying to keep my mind on a few miles at a time. At mile 17 I had a little GI issue (thought of Beth at Shut up and Run) and was worried I wouldn’t be able to get to the bathroom fast enough…started thinking about what Beth would do? Bushes? This slowed me down a bit which was a bummer because I felt like I was doing well on time. Not sure if it was my 3rd Gu or if it was the Pesto I ate last night? Tried not to worry about it and figured it really didn’t matter what my pace was. I did make it to the bathroom…whew. Sitting was actually kind of nice. The last few miles are always a little painful and are really mentally challenging. I kept thinking about the poster “ENOY THE RUN”. The great thing about being on a new trail is I really didn’t know how much further I had which in a way is REALLY nice. Knowing sometimes can mess with you, well it does me. At Mile 21.75 I was almost done and I got the worst side stitch but just kept running since I was so close. There were more runners coming out since people where getting off of work and I wondered to myself “What were they doing 3 hours ago?” I have been running the ENTIRE TIME! Strange thought! I finally finished with 22.32 MILES DONE! I was thrilled and was ready to sit down and guzzle my Gatorade. The great thing about U Village (if you haven’t been it’s a great shopping AREA) is there are 3 Starbucks so I was so excited to go get some COLD, chocolate milk. Parked my car a little closer because I didn’t want to walk far and got in line and at that time my legs started cramping as the people in front of me where taking forever! Finally I ordered and they took forever too, not sure if it was me thinking that since I was just coming off an almost 4 hour run or if they were just being really slow. Hello people I just ran 22.32 MILES!

Real runners get blisters! Well when they run 22.32 Miles they do!

 I just have to say that all the encouragement I get from my friends and family is AMAZING. I needed prayers and encouragement today for this run and you guys delivered. Reading your FB comments and your texts were so HELPFUL, more than you can ever know. Thank you Diana, Melanie, Amanda and Kerrie and my FB friends. I hope you know that your words of encouragement really keep me going when it gets so mentally hard towards the end. My ride home I called and told some of you about my run…it’s so fun doing that. I love that people care enough to listen. I’m sure a lot of my friends and family are so tired of hearing about all my running stories, well some of them. Having running friends who love to hear about my successes in running is such a gift.

"Did I just run 22 miles?" FACE!

Lets get to the stats, shall we?

May 20, 2010

Miles: 22.32 

(yah, you read that right)

Pace: 10:23

(Thank you GI issues)

Time: 3:51:53

Calories: 2722

Just an FYI....35 days until MARATHON DAY!  In case you missed my countdown

I LOVE Vacation!

I feel like I haven't blogged in FOREVER!  I have many runs to blog about but for now all I have is a picture.  I had a great time in Gearhart with some of my dearest girlfriends.  I look forward to this trip every year and we always have so much FUN!

More to come about my runs in the next couple of days!  I do have my 23 miler this week so you can be praying for me about that! 

Until I BLOG again...

14, 4 & 4 Mile Runs...Sun to Rain!

3 Runs! That's what I have done since we have last talked! 14 Miles with Kerrie, 4 Miles on Ruston and a speed work out with Janette today! All in all they have been great runs. Who am I kidding; even a bad run is a good run these days.
Let’s start from the VERY BEGGINING, a very good place to start (Sound of Music). Sorry about that but, everything is either a song or an SNL skit to me.

Great 14 miler with a great running buddy! 

I was so excited that it was a TAPER week for both, Kerri and I. We haven't run since our first run together a month or so ago so I was looking forward to catching up with her as she is getting sooooo close to her VERY first MARATHON. The DAY was BEAUTIFUL with the SUN shining, no clouds in the sky and even warm. I texted her earlier in the week to let her know we will be going on an adventure because we were going to run the BPA trail which I had never been on before.

• We stopped to take pictures in my favorite running spot because it’s downhill and also have a great view of Mt. Rainier...double GREAT!

• We made it up Mile-Long Hill and I told her that was the last BIG hill of the day. (Note to self, don't say that when you don't know the course even if on mapmyrun.com it doesn’t show big elevation).
• We turned onto the BPA trail and it was wonderful, I love being on a trail. We came to this beautiful viewpoint but it was a very steep downhill which would not be bad if we weren't coming back this way! Woops, well maybe the elevation chart on mapmyrun.com hadn’t been on BPA trail either? It was a hilly trail. Good thing I said "It would be an Adventure".
• I tried some new energy gels and I loved my Power Bar Energy Strawberry Banana, it tasted kind of like yogurt, yummy and then I also had Gu Jet Blackberry which was good too. No stomach issues which made me happy.
• At the end of our run there was not as much talking as we were both tired and ready to be done. It’s amazing how much motivation and encouragement you get from running with someone. You keep going when you might otherwise stop. If it wasn’t for Kerrie I would have stopped and been happy with 10 or 12 miles that day.
• We finished mid-way up Nice Hill and were happy to be done! So much for "Last Hill" at mile 2. Sprinted back to the gym! A little extra mileage to give it our all.

May 7, 2010 Stats:

Miles: 14.22

Pace: 11

Time: 2:36

Calories: 1804

Thanks Kerrie for going on the 14 mile adventure of twist, turns and HILLS! I love running with friends who are going after the same goal. We both have our first Marathon in June, can’t wait.

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4 Miles on Mother’s Day!

Love the view at Ruston...So pretty!

When I think of a perfect day it would always start with a run. I was hoping to get a run in on mother’s day but after the day went on I didn't think it would happen. After a morning and afternoon with my lovely family I decided to end it solo at a movie and maybe even a run! Packed my running gear and hoped the sun would still be shining after I got out of my movie, to my luck it was! Went to Ruston Way which is totally flat and on the waterfront, it's beautiful.  I never get to run on a flat course so I was excited to just run and not have to worry about any hills on this course.  I had to change in my van, so glad I have a van to do this. There were a ton of people out and about.  I wanted to take it slow since I had a speed workout planned with Janette Monday. There were so many people and it made me speed up so I could get by them. Every time I glanced at my Garmin I was seeing 8...nice, but a little too fast. I just kept moving. I tried a new tank top that I thought I would love but it kept slipping up, not so great, shoot! I enjoyed the view of Mt. Rainer as I ran back to the car for the last 2 miles! 

Mothers Day Stats:

May 9, 2010

Miles: 4.01

Pace: 8:48

Time: 35:21

Calories: 501

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Speed Work with Janette

I was looking forward to this run but wasn't sure I would do as well as I did last week. Oh well all I can do is get out there and run. When I got to the gym to meet her I wasn't feeling that great. Not what you need when you are about to do a speed workout. I was feeling tired and sick to my stomach, great! We started our run and didn't have as much time as we planned so she told me that we could just run whatever route I wanted. Went on a course that I go on all the time and we enjoyed the speedy workout in the rain. I had just started reading "Run Like A Mother" last night and loved when Sarah (one of the authors) was saying how you just have to embrace the pain and work through it. Glad I read that so I could put it to GREAT USE today. Even though I was going faster than a comfortable speed for me I could still talk...sort of. That is always a good sign. We were moving and Janette continued to talk to me about food and pace and all things marathon, I can't get enough. I'm so grateful for expert advice. We were coming to the last hill and she told me we were going to finish the rest of the run and this hill at an 8:45 pace! Great......that is a total sarcastic GREAT! This is a speed workout so I have to push it even though everything in me tells me to STOP, quit, WALK but I knew I had to push through it. I pushed, I pushed and we were done with a pace of 8:41 for 4.09 miles! Whewww. I'm impressed with myself. I did tell Janette that there are going to be times that I don't like her...don't take it personally but just know that when it gets tough I am going to dislike her and what she was making me do. But I reassured her that after the run I wouldn't hold those feelings...only during the hard parts. I also told her that I am so grateful and thankful that she is doing these workouts with me. It means so much to me because I would never push myself that much so I am glad to have someone to push me to my limits so I can see what I am really capable of. Maybe someday I could BQ!

May 10, 2010 Stats:
Miles: 4:09
Pace: 8:41
Time: 35:30
Calories: 514

Splits:
Mile 1: 8:08
Mile 2: 8:48
Mile 3: 9:13 (Hill)
Mile 4: 8:41
Mile 5: 7:21

Perfect reading for the end of my MOTHER'S DAY!

Being CHALLENGED is a GOOD THING! Even if it hurts a little!

I love that in running you can push yourself or maybe it’s that others can push you too. We can push ourselves further than we thought. That is evident for anyone who is training for something. I got to run with my friend and someone who really is my running mentor, not sure if she knows that but that’s how I feel. I will be honest and was a little scared because of her speed but was totally open and kept telling myself “I can do this”, “this is nothing”…trying to turn my fears around to give me confidence which I have to say…it worked. We talked about our route and I told her about a great 5 mile route and we could add a mile at the end if we wanted. The route is hilly but every route is hilly around here. Our run started out downhill which was great and we just chatted. Mile 1 was done and our speed was great and I could even talk which is always a good sign. I loved hearing her give me marathon advice on what I could do after mile 20 when the pain starts to set-in. I love, love hearing advice from those who have gone before me. It was also great to hear how she got into running, which I had never heard before and I could totally relate to hers…we actually had identical stories. Moms who start running to get their sanity back (and to lose baby weight) and end up going for longer runs, enjoying it and then you enter a race and the rest is history…that’s the short story. At mile 4 she decided to surprise me with a route change…um ok. New running territory can throw me a bit but I was up for the challenge. It was HILLY! I was tired but kept pushing it…mind over matter. At mile 5 we had run the entire way with a sub 9 pace! Um…yah that is worth it. Mile 4-6 were totally uphill and after mile 5 I slowed it down as I climbed the steep hill. I even asked if I could stop and she said “no…you can keep going”. That my friends is why it’s great to run with people who get you past those painful points.

May 6, 2010

Miles: 6.28 (10k)

Pace: 9:05

Time: 57

Calories: 791

Splits:Mile 1: 8:29

         Mile 2: 9:14 (Hill)

Mile 3: 8:39

Mile 4: 8:40

                         Mile 5: 9:25 (BIG, New Hill)

                                                                       Mile 6: 10:22 (Hill and recover from sub 9 pace for 5 miles)

Mile 7: 7:45

Some of the highlights of this run (beyond that I got to run with my running friend) are what she told me. We were talking about why we run and I was saying how much I love to inspire people to run because of what it has done for me and she said… I inspired her…I am sorry, what? She inspired me…how could I inspire her? That was so encouraging to me and so sweet of her to say. She also was really surprised at how well I did. She didn’t think she was going to get much of a work out since she thought our pace would be a lot slower… that made me feel GREAT!  Hearing encouragement from a GREAT fellow runner is AWESOME and is so beneficial. Her kind words meant so much to me, especially coming from her.

Some runs just give you confidence, not because they are easy but because of how you pushed yourself and how you can really be surprised by what you really can do. She gave me some awesome advice for marathon day! We are hoping to do this workout weekly which makes me excited about how much it’s going to help my marathon.

The JOY of RUNNING!

I love to run just to run. I don’t get to do a lot of that right now since I am training for my first marathon and also with so many time constraints with childcare. Seems like my time is so limited and I have to plan things just right to make my runs fit in. Yesterday was a FREE day, kind of! I decided that I would just run and enjoy my run and not have any specifics involved…figured 7-9 miles would be great. I also bought some Gu’s to try during the run so I was anxious to see how they worked. The weather was perfect with the sun shining but stilly chilly outside. Started on my run and was feeling good. I changed my route a little in the middle which was fun. Decided to take my GU, Lemon Sublime which tasted pretty good, about 40 minutes in. To my delight I didn’t feel nauseous at all after taking it. I hope that after taking more than one during my long runs will still feel as great. The rest of my run was great and I enjoyed every moment. Wish all runs could be this good. Oh well, the good runs make you forget about the not-so great runs.

May 4, 2010

Miles: 8.26

Pace: 9:33

Time: 1:18:55

Calories: 1034

What is so interesting and amazing about training for a marathon is when my short runs are my old long runs. Running and hour is short for me…even running over an hour seems short. I loved the comment Ewa left me on my post about my HARD 20 miler.  She says, “But when you look back when 10 miles seemed difficult, doesn't that make you smile?” I had a huge smile on my face after reading that and reflecting on my first 10 miler this year and how hard it was. I have to remember where I have been and how far I have come…you don’t think about it when it is happening and I find so much JOY as I reflect on my training and that I can go out on a short run, 8+ miles and love it.

I’m so excited for my run tomorrow with a runner I have admired for some time. She is one of the few people I have watched run around our neighborhood for a long time and she runs Boston every year. I have gotten to know her since we go to the same gym and she is one of my main go-to-gal for running information. She is one fast gal. When she learned I was training for my first marathon sometime ago she suggested we run together which I couldn’t believe…I was so excited about doing that. Someone I have looked up to for so long and watched and admired and now she wants to run with me…woot, woot. After I got over the excitement I started to feel scared…scared that I would be too slow, maybe I wouldn’t be able to keep up…who knew. Well this all happened while she was training for Boston which meant she was deep into training. Now that she is done and has taken a few weeks to recover she wants to run with me. I know it’s a good thing but all my insecurities come out, but I am still going to do it. We are going to do a 6 mile speed workout! I figured an hour…I can handle an hour. She said she is going to push me, but she won’t kill me…hmmmm….sounds good…I hope! I am know it will be good, it’s way past my comfort zone, but those are the times we grow most so I am thinking…BRING IT ON!

I’m looking forward to my Friday run too. Kerrie and I are meeting for our 2nd training run together. It’s our taper week so we are running 14 miles around my hood! We are going to try out a new route which included a trail that I have never run…it will be an adventure. I am really looking forward to a taper week with my running buddy. She has her first marathon in early June! Can’t wait to hear her great story about how she is going to ROCK-IT in JUNE!

oh MY GOSH...Oh My Gosh!

Oh my gosh…oh my gosh…oh MY GOSH!  I have been really excited to see my times in my shorter runs. I can’t believe it, but Sunday evening it got better. I have been in the 9 minute miles and even had an even 9 minute pace for my 3 miler last week. I have been waiting for the day to have sub 9 pace….well Sunday it happened. I was on day 3 of no running and I didn’t think I was going to make it out until Monday. After giving the kids a bath and getting the baby to bed I looked outside and it was still light out so I figured it was the perfect time for a run. I have been stressing a little about life the last few days and figured I could use a good run! Wow, these are the days I LOVE RUNNING. The weather matched my mood, cloudy, windy and drizzly, but my strength would overpower my mood. Sometimes frustrations and other not-so great moods can make me a faster runner. I went a different way so I could take on “Two-for-One” Hill in the start of my run and it went well. Mile 1 passed and then mile 2 and I was moving and it felt so good. I was in the zone and not really aware of things around me…I was focused. Mile 2 beeped at me and I saw 8:28...WHAT! That was so exciting! Just kept going and it was feeling GREAT! Finished my run and was anxious to check my pace…as usual and I was SO EXCITED when I saw 8:52! I have never been below 9 minute pace for an entire run! I was THRILLED.  Days like this I am so happy with my training and all that I have already accomplished!  Days like this keep me running!

May 2 Stats:

Miles: 3.41

Pace: 8:52

Time: 30:15

Calories: 429

Splits:

        Mile 1: 9:51 (Hill)

Mile 2: 8:28

Mile 3: 8:34

Lap 4: 8:07

Let me know continue the good stuff:

• Got new brooks shoes!

• Was asked to be a part of a Ragnar Relay Team “Northwest Passage” in July! I have always wanted to do a relay.

• Got to see 3 friends finish the Tacoma City Half Marathon Sunday morning…1 of them being my crazy bloggie Friend Amanda who ran a full marathon, her first…Last Sunday! (That’s the only reason I say “Crazy”)

• Was thrilled to hear my friend, Mel – Tall Mom BQ’d!!! That was so exciting. She totally rocked it, but I knew she would!

• I am leaving soon for my annual weekend on the Oregon Coast for a girl’s weekend! This is so needed!

• This week is a TAPER WEEK!

The Impossible becomes Possible!

My mom and I at dinner after "the run"

(This is what I look like without my cute bondiband)

Wow, I RAN 20 MILES! Knowing that I had already ran 18 miles I thought those 2 miles would not be too bad, well I was wrong. Who knows why some days are just harder mentally and physically than others? I was so happy to be able to run the final 10 with my mom. Running on my own for 2-4 hours doesn’t sound fun anymore… at all!!! The first 10 seemed to fly by…well since it’s been 3 days I can say that, maybe if I had wrote this right after I might not be thinking that, but I will go with it. I did start getting a little knee pain at mile 6 which was new and it scared me a little! Was worried that it might keep me from the last 10 miles, but I really wanted to get this FIRST 20 miler out of the way and not have to finish it another day.

1st Half/Solo

Miles: 10.04

Pace: 10:21

Time: 1:44

Calories: 1237

Got started on my 2nd half…the last 10 miles with my mom. I was feeling good and was hoping that the knee pain would start to fade, but it didn’t. I decided that I would split my run up again so for the 20 miles I broke it into 5 miles which worked ok until the last 5 miles. What’s funny (or maybe not so funny) about running with someone you are really close with is that you have no filter and if you aren’t happy you don’t try and hide it and this was me the last 5 miles. I was hurting, I didn’t want to run anymore and I really didn’t want to talk about it…in fact a few times I felt like just crying! What is running doing to me? It is so DARN MENTAL! I know that if I had been by myself that I would have stopped for SURE! I forgot to mention that this was also my mom’s first double digit of the year so that was exciting (that’s some good news)! The last 5 miles seemed to take forever and mile 16 would not END! I decided to break it down to 2.5 miles for the last 5 miles to make it easier, but just knowing how far that was as far as the course, the map in my head…it seemed a lot further. When we were at mile 18.5 I told my mom that even as hard as this is…I am so THANKFUL that God gave me these legs to run and the stamina and endurance to endure this…I was trying to think positive. I was in PR territory at this point, though at the moment that really didn’t matter, but as I write this…I realize how cool that was. We finally came to the end…20 MILES! I had done it, and so had my mom with her first 10 miler of 2010.

2nd Half/ With Mom

Miles: 10.01

Pace: 11:21

Time: 1:53

Calories: 1225

As soon as I was done I could smile and was in a good mood. I was too tired to walk up NICE hill to get my car so my mom was so KIND enough to do it while I rested on the grass, in the same place Diana rested after my 18 miler. One great thing I learned on this run is that I know what I need for encouragement and what I don’t need. Sometimes I feel like talking and sometimes I don’t. I love to hear “You’re doing a great job”, “You can do this”. I don’t like to hear…”only __ more to go”…”You have already done__ miles”…”What’s __ more miles, you have done it a million times”. Why don’t I like to hear it? Because when you are tired and hate running at the moment the thought of how far you have already gone, how much further you have to go is killer in the mental department and I don’t mean Killer in a positive light. 3 miles at the end of a long run seems like FOREVER and the last mile seems like 3. I realized I have to turn my brain off and not think about some things. Again…training is so much more than just physical training. I just think new milage when you get into these long distances will always be harder than you think. I am hoping my next 20 miler will go better.

Total:

Miles: 20.05

Pace: 10:51

Time: 3:38

Calories: 3026

I love that I finally ran 20 miles! At one time that seemed impossible. Just thinking about my 20 miler when I started my training seemed so unreal and now I write this and I have done it. I love training! The impossible becomes possible!
I am still trying to get my energy gels figured out. I have been taking Clif Shot Bloks, but like Gu’s and beans they make my stomach feel sick so I only end up taking a couple and then I can’t do anymore. I need to figure something out because I know for my marathon I have to take something. Are you doing anything new? Do you deal with stomach issues when you take the energy gels?

**Read below...I finally blogged about my runs last week.  With my mom in town it made it hard to make time to write. 

Catch up!

Max and I cheesing it up after my "Wish I had BODY GLIDE" run

April 25th Stats:

Miles: 5

Pace: 9:19

Time: 46:37

Calories: 625

When in doubt, Body Glide! Ran with my running skirt for the first time...My dream is to run in shorts...sad to say that will not be happening anytime soon...ouch!

Great run...Love these short distances. Two hills and still had good time.

Mile 1: 10:03 Warm-Up & Hill

Mile 2: 9:17

Mile 3: 9:33 Hill (shocked by this)

Mile 4: 9:18

Mile 5: 8:25

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April 27th Stats:

Miles: 4

Pace: 9:35

Time: 38:21

Calories: 503

I was so excited when my friend and neighbor, Kate asked if we could run together. Though we are neighbors we don't get a lot of time to chat so I was excited to be able to spend some time with her catching up. One thing I learned...running fast (for me) makes it really hard to talk, especially going uphill!

Mile 1: 9:26

Mile 2: 9:15

Mile 3: 10:14 (Hill)
Mile 4: 9:23

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April 28th Stats:

Miles: 3.06

Pace: 9:00 (This is a first)

Time: 27:34

Calories: 383

 

I wanted to get a short run in. Had my 20 miler the next day so didn't need to do much. I ran a different course than my typical 3 miler and it didn't have many hills. It was fun to see what I can do without hills. I love seeing my speed improve. I know it's not important but since I have typically been on the slower side, these PACES totally excite me and show me that endurance can REALLY help improve speed. Time to register for some 5k's!

 

Mile 1: 9:08

Mile 2: 9:01

Mile 3: 8:52

Lap 4: 8:29