10 Miles with a local Bloggy friend...5 Miles 2 Empty - Amanda!

I had a 10 miler scheduled this week but wasn't feeling too excited about it. My husband has been on vacation, which means...I am too. Running hasn't been as exciting to me this week...maybe it's the weather, maybe it's my lack of routine this week? Not sure! Good thing that I have some local bloggy friends! Amanda lives near me and we have talked about running together before so I was excited when it worked out to do just that...oh and I won her giveaway...so she had to deliver some fun goodies too.

When I woke up on Friday morning and heard raindrops...I wasn't excited. I was hoping it would stop but no luck...I texted Amanda to see if we were still on for running in the rain and she was game so figured it was GO time. Accountability is so important, especially on days that you don't feel like running. I would not have run if I had not run with Amanda. We were lucky that the rain decided to take a break for our run and there was not a drop the whole way! I love the route we ran....it was a perfect 10 miler that brought us from downtown Tacoma to Ruston waterfront and back. Running with new friends is great because you have so much to chat about which makes the miles go by faster. We started off a little fast for me, but figured I would do what I could and I was so happy with my overall pace. I am a slow runner the further I go so figured it would be great to see what I could do running with someone who has a faster pace than me. Thanks Amanda for sticking with me…even though it was slower for you. Running with a local running friend made me excited to run Mercer Island half marathon next weekend. I was up in the air and hadn’t registered but after Amanda mentioned lunch afterwards with everyone…I knew I had to do it. So really…I am running a half so I can have lunch with new, bloggy, running friends afterwards. Totally worth it!

3.12.10 Stats:

Miles: 10.01

Pace: 10:00

Time: 1:40:12

Calories: 1307

Splits:

Mile 1: 9:08

Mile 2: 9:31

Mile 3: 9:48

Mile 4: 9:55

Mile 5: 10:06

Mile 6: 10:17

Mile 7: 10:29

Mile 8: 10:15

Mile 9: 10:12

Mile 10: 10:26

818.17  – 10.01 = 808.16 miles left to run in 2010

Who doesn't love PICTURES!!!  Silly ladies!

Cousins who RUN together, have FUN together!!!

My sweet little niece, Addison turned 1 on Tuesday, March 9th. We are celebrating this Saturday which means my cousin Jenny got to come to town from the East Coast to celebrate Miss Addie’s 1st birthday. Jenny ran the Capital City half marathon a couple years ago so we now talk about running whenever we get together, which is never enough. I realized she was in town early and thought it would be wonderful to get together to do a run together while she was here. I wasn’t sure if she had brought her running gear but figured a quick text would get things going. Was thrilled when she texted back that she had brought them with the intentions of running with me! SWEET! I was so excited because we had so much to get caught up on. I couldn’t wait. Got in my gear and waited for Jenny. When Jenny arrived we go a couple photos…You always have to document the journey…Right….Right! We were going to do my basic 4 miler route. She is training for a 10k with her hubby so it was a perfect distance for her. It was fun to catch up and hear about her job, her marriage (she got married 1-1/2 ago), travels…they have gone on some amazing trip the last year and the crazy snow storm they had. I saw a few of my friends running…what…that never happens. Maybe because it was a different time than my usual running time? I was excited to find out that Jenny reads my blog so we talked about that and she was interested in seeing NICE hill in person which I was more than happy to take her on a real life, tour of hills..by car of course! 4 miles was over before we knew it and I so wished she lived here so this could be a regular thing for us. At least we can look forward to runs when she comes home. We did go on that tour of hills which was fun. Took some more photos’…so fun. Love my cousin and cherished our fun run together. Can’t wait to do it again!

3.9.10 Stats:

Miles: 4.01

Pace: 10:21

Time: 41:28

Calories: 546

822.18 – 4.01 = 818.17 miles left to run in 2010

    

 4 Miles...Thas right....

Yes...we DID 4 and had FUN!

Oh and I totally had to have her try out one of my BONDIBANDS...of course she LOVED it!

Running...with MOM...in PORTLAND!

I was so excited to do this run these 6 miles with my mom. Flat, beautiful, by the river and with my mom…priceless. Running new routes always make me a little uneasy and not that excited? Why…I have no idea. The anticipation, the unknown, trying to pace myself when I don’t know where the end is…who knows buy it always plays with my mind. Knowing my routes allow me to visualize I guess.

Anyways…back to my run! I was shocked to see ALL of Portland out and about being active, bikers, runners, walkers…I loved it and totally felt in my element (ok so maybe not all of Portland was out, but a lot). I usually only see a couple runners in my neighborhood so seeing all these active, fellow runners I was IN LOVE. I couldn’t believe the sites and wished I could always run in a great place like this.

Half way through the run my mom told me this was her long run which made me even more excited to help her finish. I was feeling good with my pace and couldn’t wait to see my pace at the end of 6 miles. I didn’t wear my headphones so my mom and I could chat which was a great break to just listen to what was around me and chat it up with my mom about our upcoming week together. As we were coming up to 5 miles a guy past us and said “Great Job” which was so kind and encouraging. I so rarely hear strangers ever say anything on my runs and it usually isn’t “Great Job”… it made my mom and me HAPPY. I was going a little faster than my mom and she told me to run ahead so I could finish strong. I pushed it the last .75 miles and went a little past 6 miles to where the trail finished. It was a great run…I loved it.

3.7.10 Stats:

Miles: 6.19

Pace: 9:41

Time: 59:55

Calories: 804

828.37 - 6.19 = 822.18 miles left to run in 2010

At the End...

Maybe I should have kept my big mouth SHUT!

3.4.10 Stats:

Miles: 14

Pace: 10:50

Time: 2:31:48

Calories Burned: 1816

842.37 - 14 = 828.37  miles left to run in 2010

If I hadn't posted that I was going to run 14 miles and all that great stuff last night...I surely would have stopped at 13.5 because I was TIRED! Accountability really helps out sometime even when you don't realize you have accountability. Glad I pushed myself to finish. 2 miles, a half mile really doesn’t seem that long until you have run for 2 hours and just want to stop. It seemed like an eternity and running circles to get in the last mile is not the most fun.



My run started of GREAT and I had my new fuel belt to try out. When I started I thought to myself that maybe trying this out for the first time wasn't the best idea. It kept riding up but after a couple miles I realized that my running jacket wasn't helping the situation so I had to stop and readjust and put the fuel belt under my jacket and then it was great. It would ride up a little but not too bad. I was happy to have my hands free and have plenty of water and Gatorade. I also tried out some new Gu Chomps, the blueberry pomegranate flavor and I loved them. I realized that I need to do 3 waters and 1 Gatorade because when I am running and taking Gu Chomps it's a little too sweet to have both. More water would be great...lesson learned. I loved having the Gatorade at the end so I could drink it while I walked up NICE hill for my cool down.


The first 6 miles went great. I felt good and had great energy. Around mile 9...again I started fading and knew I still had a long way to go. I would end up going pretty slow with any incline and did ok when it was flat or going down hill at all. At mile 11.5 I had to stop and walk for a few minutes to let me legs take a break. My legs felt tired and didn't want to run the rest of the way. I really wanted to get to 14 miles but felt like it was going to be tough. I just kept praying and telling myself that I have ran 3 miles before and I can do it now...doing 3 miles when your tired is a lot different than just running 3 miles for fun...but any motivation at these difficult points in a run can only help. My shoes weren't feeling as cushy as I would have hoped and am not too happy about that since they are new. I think things never feel as good as normal when you body is tired and you are pushing it. I kept thinking how a 12 mile run would be perfect right about now. That's why we train though so we can overcome the difficult times and continue on. I keep thinking how a month ago 10 miles were hard and now that sounds like a dream run. Training the body and the mind to keep going takes work and is tough. I had to walk a couple time in the last few miles but figured whatever I have to do to get my Garmin to say 14 I will do it. My last .5 mile was downhill which was nice. I finished and then walked up NICE hill. My time was slower than I had hoped but probably because I walked. My pace gets so much slower in the higher miles of my run...my body just doesn't want to go that fast when I'm tired. My legs are so achy when I stop…are yours when you’re done with a long run?

Just finished!!!  Trying to let you know how tired I was but with a slight smile!

I called my mom and my best friend when I finished letting them know that I was done. I was totally out of breath while I was talking and kept saying how HARD it was. But I DID IT...my furthest run. 14 miles...done! I am scheduled to run 16 next week but I think I will taper down for 1 week and then do the 16 the following week.


Thanks again for all your comments on my blog and HELLO to my new followers! I think a pre-run post will be good for me in the future for accountability. Thank you for all your encouragement for my 14 mile run, it means so much to me. Great hearing from other runners!

7x2=14....7+7=14...14 Miles!!! 14 miles and some Emotions!

Tomorrow I will run the furthest I have ever run...14 miles! I think the furthest I have run to date is 13.3. Its days like tomorrow that make my heart beat fast. 14 miles may not seem like a big deal to some...but to me it's a big deal. I still remember my first double digit run...do you? It's funny because sometimes when I'm running; on big days like tomorrow I want to tell everyone while I am running..."Hi I am Jill and I am running 14 miles right now...and it's my first time running this distance". It makes me proud to see where I am going, where I have been and the journey in between.


I feel so blessed to have such a great group of people that care about me and support my running. Some of things people have said to me, this week about my running brings tears to my eyes. They have no idea how much it means to me to hear their thoughts and encouragement. Some of these people are very close to me and others don’t know me that well. The encouragement I get from them is HUGE and it makes me want to keep going on this journey. This journey that is more than just RUNNING...it's my life. I started running to lose weight, but like most of us who run it ends up being WAY more than just a physical, healthy thing to do...it becomes our freedom, our passion and more.


Some will never know the feeling of finishing a run that feels like you just ACHIVED something BIG…Big for YOU! (I wish I could be better with my words...my thoughts never seems to translate as well once I start typing.)
Thank you to all of you bloggers who post motivating, inspirations things each day and who encourage me. I love reading your comments....I love it.


Now to go map my 14 miles!

Spring is in the AIR!...and A new BONDIBAND!

I just walked out to get my mail and it smelled LOVELY outside.  Smells like Sring..or maybe it's just my dryer sheet...either way I will enjoy it!  I had a package in the mail from Lauren at Adventures in Running that had my WINNING BondiBand enclosed.  I love it!  I am addicted to these things and I probably should be giving this one to my mom since she wants one and I have 4 now but I think this one is cute and I must keep it.  Plus I won it so that would be wrong to give it away.  Thank you Lauren for this great gift.  Please think of Lauren this weekend as she runs the Disney half on March 7th.  We will be praying that things go well for you Lauren.

My hubby is working from home today so I though I would get in a run before I had to be at the gym for swimming.  I am so excited that it's lighter in the morning so I can start running earlier...well at least I thought I was excited!  Figured I would get the run in so I didn't have to rush to the gym with the kids.  I planned to go 4-5 miles since it was nice and I didn't have to hurry.  Thank goodness I didn't have to hurry because I felt slow.  Might be because of my speed work yesterday and that I didn't eat before the run and it was a lot earlier than more normal running time.  Whatever it was, it made a difference.  The good stuff is that I ran 4.60 miles and it was nice out. 

3.1.10 Stats:

Miles: 4.60

Pace: 10:31

Time: 48:22

Calories lost: 606

848.85  - 4.60 = 844.25  miles left to run in 2010

*****

Speedwork on SUNDAY 2.28.10

Total miles for the day: 1.88

Did a quick warm-up with the jogging stroller.  I haven't used this for a long time.  I think Cole really enjoyed it...even if it was for less than a mile.  My husband had perfect timing and was on his way home as we finished up our warm-up and he walked Cole home so I could do the real work on the track.

Started off great until I had to go to the bathroom...(sorry for TMI) but as a runner I know you get that. Only got 2 fast laps in and 2 recovery laps in. These are hard, but I know they will help me as a runner...They have too!


Lap 1: 7:02
Lap 2: 10:26
Lap 3: 8:16
Lap 4:10:47

I went off so fast for my first lap that I couldn't keep up the pace the rest of lap 1. Knowing that I had more to do I started slowing down. I need to get used to these and learn how to breathe. Do you realize how BIG a track is? I keep forgetting until I have to run fast around them.

844.25 - 1.88 = 842.37 miles left to run in 2010

And the Honest Scrap Award goes to....

Racing with Babes tagged me with an Honest Scrap Award (not quite sure what that is, but I figure I'm scrappy, so I'll take it.) Accepting requires me to answer the following 10 questions:

1. Best Meal Ever: How to pick...I love, love Mizithra at The Old Spaghetti Factory. Might sound lame to some but I have gone there since I was a kid. I probably don’t love it as much as I used to, but I love the memories. I love the whole meal…bread, salad, mizithra and the ice cream at the end. I also love Salad and Garlic bread anytime…all the time.


2. Best Sleep Ever: Recently I had a great night sleep and I don’t think I moved the whole night. Running makes you sleep so well. I love when I am able to wake up on my own and not by my 4 year old! Sleeping without interruptions for a straight number of hours after having a baby is PRICELESS and the BEST sleep.  You forget how important sleep is.

3. Best Cup of Coffee: For sure…Dilettante! They make chocolate and make the BEST MOCHA’s. Black & White is my FAVORITE! So yummy!

4. Best Romantic Moment: When my husband asked me to Marry him! He took me to my favorite place and asked me. We felt like kids… we were so excited!  A close second...Going to Orcas Island for our 5th Anniversary.  We went to the Best B&B, The Inn on Orcas Island.  Just a great weekend for the 2 of us.  Loved it.

5. Best Childhood Memory: Driving in the car with my dad with music blaring and singing our HEARTS out. Loved it. Loved the music and the memories with my dad.

6. Best Moment of Your Life: I think finding out I was pregnant and hearing his cry when he was born. Totally made my cry when I heard him for the 1st time…nothing like it. I still remember that moment like it was yesterday.

7. Best Moment of Revenge: When I decided to let God deal with it his way and not try and do it myself!

8. Best Thing Someone Has Done For You: Love and Honesty. There are key people in my life who have loved and been honest with me in hard times which directed me to better paths.

9. Best Thing You Have Done For Someone Else: Loved them…then birthed them! There are probably a few more, but this one takes the CAKE!

10. Best Life Changing Moment: Finding out I was going to be a Mom. Another is when I decided to find in JOY even when life isn’t easy. It’s all what you make of it.


And now to pass it on. I bestow the Honest Scrap Award on ...

Kerrie @ Mom vs Marathon
Mel @ Tall Mom on the Run
Alicia @ Alicia Runs
Shelly @ It's Just One Foot in Front of the Other
Ajh @ Age Groups Rock
Zoe @ Run, Zoe, Run
Ewa @ Running Bunny
Amanda @ 5 Miles 2 Empty
Kasey @ Blonde Mom Runs

Challenging, but GREAT!

****

2.26.10 Stats:

Miles: 12.01

Pace: 10:43

Time: 2:08:40

Calories Lost: 1577

Challenging, but GREAT!  I went to bed feeling a little uneasy about the next morning due to getting Max to school and having a enough time to get in my 12 miles. I had a couple routes planned out and hoped things would work out and it did. My husband took Max to school so I could get to the gym early to drop Cole off and I could get my run in...Without rushing. I was going to be on a new route which made me a little nervous not knowing if the hills would be as big as I remembered. It was a longer extension of my usual running route. I LOVED IT! It still had some hills but I think it was as flat as I am going to find around my house. The weather was drizzly and cold but not pouring rain. It's hard to tell when it's raining with my bondiband and my great socks. I started feeling tired around mile 9 but it was still a lot easier than last week’s 10 miler which made me feel really good. I ran a few repeats down some roads so I wouldn't have to run up NICE hill. I think I need to map my run to always end before that hill. I got to finish my run right at the base of NICE hill and walk up! I loved finishing my run with a long walk to stretch my legs out. I got back to the gym with an hour to spare before picking Max up from school so it was nice to sit, stretch and relax. My sweet friend waited for me at the gym after her workout was done which was so nice. Plus I could give her my FULL report. She knew I was going on a new route and she worries about me. I can't believe how much better I felt on this run. Coming off a hard 10 miler last week and not feeling well...I was worried, but everything went well and I couldn't be happier.

Done with 12 miles...Feels so nice to be DONE!

*****
2.25.10 Stats:

Miles: 4.01
Pace: 9:35
Time: 38:26
Calories Lost: 522

  Mile 1: 10:17
Mile 2: 9:39
Mile 3: 9:39
Mile 4: 8:45
My run went really well. I had taken 2 days off due to not feeling well and I couldn't not do something 3 days in a row. I had very limited time, but my dear friend came over to watch the boys so I could get a quick run in. I wanted to see if I could hold a good pace for the entire run and I did. I liked that I actually had 2 miles in a row that were the same time because that never seems to happen. Felt good and was very happy to see my work payoff.

864.87 - 16.02= 848.85 miles left to run in 2010
I really need to get some recovery socks. As soon as I was done running my 12 miles my legs hurt and I wondered if those socks would help...I think so. I bought a new pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10 and I can't wait to try them. I am so sad that our Brooks outlet is no longer in business...so SAD! I was relying on them to get my running shoes at a great price. Luckily I had a coupon at Road Runners that saved me $15 so it helped. I also bought a fuel belt. I was going to buy one last year, but someone had suggested the handheld instead. I think both are great but for long runs I don't want to hold it. Looking forward to trying out my new goodies.

Old Shoes...                                                              

NEW SHOES!!!!

After my movie review yesterday I got to watch another movie that I have been waiting to watch and it was actually brought up by Ewa at RunningBunny. 
 
 

Saint Ralph -  Ralph (Adam Butcher) is a typical teenager with atypical questions, the largest of which concerns his mother. She's fallen into a coma, and the 14-year-old has set his sights on winning the 1954 Boston Marathon in a makeshift barter with God to make his mother well. His teacher, Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott), wants to encourage his dream, but in doing so, he goes up against the reserved, ever-realistic Father Fitzpatrick (Gordon Pinsent).

My Thoughts: Loved it!  GREAT ONE to watch!  Would definitely recommend it to you!

Too tired, but maybe I can interest you in a MOVIE?

I'm too tired to report on my last two runs.  I will do it tomorrow sometime.  I have had 2 great runs...one was a 4 miler and then I had my longest of the year today...12!  They both went well.  I will do a full report tomorrow.

Thought I would leave you with a few movies that I have watched the last few weeks.  They are about running and if you are like me...you get a little consumed by what you are doing...RUNNING and you want to get your hands on anything that has RUNNING in it.

Here are a few I have watched recently:

Spirit of the Marathon - Six runners from vastly different backgrounds train for the 26.2 miles of glory that comprise the famed Chicago Marathon. Along the way, filmmaker John Dunham provides an informative account at the centuries-old race. Vintage film clips and thoughtful interviews fill out this heartfelt portrait, which also includes appearances by legendary runners such as Dick Beardsley, Paula Radcliffe, Bill Rodgers, Toshihiko Seko and Grete Waitz. 

My thoughts...I love documentry's!  This was a great one!

Chariots of Fire - Two very different runners -- hotshot Jewish Cambridge scholar Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and rigid Presbyterian missionary Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) -- compete for the British team in the 1924 Olympics, facing intense pressure and complex personal tests of faith. Hugh Hudson directs this edifying 1981 Best Picture Oscar winner, which is based on a true story.

My thoughts...Love that it's based on a True Story.  Great movie to watch but it's REALLY slow!  Glad I saw it, but not sure I will watch it again.  There are some great lines that make you think.

Run for Your Life -  Filmmaker Judd Ehrlich's documentary recounts the fascinating life and work of Fred Lebow, the eccentric founder of the New York City Marathon whose love and passion for road running sparked a worldwide phenomenon. Featuring archival footage and candid interviews with Lebow's family, friends and contemporaries, Ehrlich paints a vivid portrait of a man who transcended his own shortcomings to become the figurehead of the sport he loved.

My thoughts...I liked it.  Great to hear the history of New York City Marathon.

Marathon Challenge - A baker's dozen of self-professed couch potatoes are put through the wringer to become long-distance runners -- and ultimately compete in the Boston Marathon -- in this thought-provoking "Nova" special that puts a fresh twist on reality television. In addition to tracking the would-be athletes' progress over the course of a nine-month training regimen, the program also educates viewers about what's going on inside their bodies.

My thoughts... I love watching people achieve something great and this group did.  I cried as they crossed the finish line.  So EXCITING!  It was a good one.

I love watching documentary’s...Could you tell?  My husband came down one night and laughed because I was watching another "Running" movie.  I can't help it...

Have you watched other movies that are based on running?  I know there is a lot out there.  What have you liked?

Really?

Figured I would try and get 6 or 7 miles in if I could. I have to be back to teach swimming lessons at the gym and I only have a small window of time to get a run in. I decided to go on one of my favorite routes but that means it would take me a ways from the gym and I was hoping I would have time to walk up nice hill. Well from the time I woke up Monday morning I was TIRED which is never a great sign for running but figured I would get out there and run. I was off mentally for some reason...figured because I was tired. I also think my legs where still a little tired from my long run...who knows. I struggled most of the way and also was running late which never helps things so I really had to push it in the end of my run and RUN FAST up NICE HILL!!! I felt like I was booking up NICE hill...felt strange but realized I should try and do that more often. Amazing what being late for something will make you do. I am a punctual person and hate being late...in fact I like to be a few minutes early to things so I can relax. I love getting to the pool early too so I can swim laps which feels so good after a run. Unfortunately that didn't happen and I had to hurry and get my suit on. Do you know how hard it is to put a swimsuit on when you are sweaty...IT'S HARD.


Felt tired and moody after my run which is not good when you have to teach swimming to 3 & 4 year olds. Hope I wasn't too mean yesterday! I just realized I really need to plan better because a rushed run is never good and I think that is one of the reasons I was a little moody.

2/22/10 Stat's:

Miles: 6.54

Pace: 10:18

Time: 1:07:19

Calories Burned: 852

871.41 - 6.54= 864.87  miles left to run in 2010

I think I am getting sick which is NO good when you are training for a marathon.  Hoping it will pass  I also I have been a little sore in my legs and foot and I'm praying that it's nothing. I am so scared of injury and getting sick because of what it will do to my running.  Praying I am fine and it's nothing major.  Not sure I will be able to run today...thinking if I'm not feeling good I should try and relax.  Why is it that when you can run you don't want to as much, but when YOU CAN'T RUN you REALLY WANT TO!

(Read below for another race report from Sunday)