Later...

Hi running friends! I will post more about my last 2 runs later, but since we are on spring break I don't have much time to write...or run for that matter. I almost went 4 entire days with no running...but luckily I got a quick 4 mile in so it was only 3 days…whewww…that was close! As I was helping my best friend move into temporary housing while they remodel her sweet digs I realized how life totally gets in the way of marathon training. Do people not realize how important this is? No, but really...do you ever feel like you have this HUGE goal in front of you...like running 26.2 miles but life gets busy and it makes it so hard to stay motivated and to keep training. It's just strange how running can take over your life, but life gets in the way. I love that I have other runners in bloggyland who struggle with the same things and understand!



Ta...ta for now....Chat with you all later!

Some great giveaways I need to check out too...I will post them as soon as I get a few moments.  A cool sport bra at Racing with Babes!  I know there are more...can't wait to check them out!  I love giveaways!

A record breaking day...in MILES!

A highlight of training for a marathon is running new distances. Yes, that might sound CRAZY to you, but taking those first few steps into unknown territory…unknown mileage is SO exciting to me. Every time my Garmin reads a new distance that I have never run I say to myself “Record Breaking”…yah I am silly that way and YES I really say that to myself. Milestones are big to me and I like them. Today was one of those days…though it wasn’t my original
plan. My training schedule called for 16 and I wasn’t sure when I would get those in since my Saturday is jam packed. The weather was not looking good for Friday, but Sunny for Saturday so I figured maybe I could work it in. I didn’t eat (fuel) for long run on Thursday so I figured with each bite of my sweet treat I was going to be running on Saturday.  (picture above is right when I finished my 16 miler...happy and tired and glad to have it DONE)

A couple great things happened when I awoke on Friday morning…Loren was going to work from home (which means he can take Max to school and I can get to the gym as soon as the childcare opens for Cole) and there was NO rain! Since I had to make-up my fuel for breakfast I ate…Chicken and Pasta…best fuel for a long run. I called my friend Diana to have her on deck to get Cole in case I got to the gym after the childcare closed and also warned Loren that he might need to get Max from school because I wasn’t sure if I would be back in time. I had no idea how long this run would take me and I didn’t want to have to sprint up NICE hill at the end. Had my route planned and hoped the weather would hold since I was leaving my jacket and gloves at home.

Due to having a hard 14 miles 2 weeks ago I decided to try out the run/walk method. I have done it before but had stopped training that way while I was training for my 1st half marathon last June. I really liked how it worked but I have such a mental problem for myself walking. Figured that this was going to be a long run and I should try it to see how it goes. I decided to run the first 3 miles and then start 5/1 (run 5 min. / walk 1 min.). I needed to do what was best for me and not worry about time. My only goal was to run 16 miles, so however I could get those 16 miles in…I was going to do it even if my time wasn’t record breaking for me. The sun was shining and I couldn’t be happier. The first few miles went great as I worked up “Mile Long” hill and then I started the run/walk. I felt so good the entire time and was actually enjoying my run. The time and the miles seemed to fly by. I noticed that when it was time for my 1 minute walk I wasn’t quite ready…I was feeling good and had great energy but I didn’t want to mess my times up since I had programmed my Garmin to alert me every 5/1. I was feeling good and thought that my next long run I would adjust my times to 7/1 to see if that helped. My legs felt so strong and I couldn’t believe as I got into the higher miles that they weren’t as fatigued as they usually are. The last 2 miles seemed like forever…why does that happen? The littlest hills seemed huge! Hills in long runs are so mean especially in the later miles…NO FUN! My route worked great and I finished right before NICE hill! I felt so much better after this run then after my 14 miler. I wasn’t as sore or fatigued as I usually am after my long run. I was really excited when I saw that my average pace for my run was 10:32.

This run gave me a lot of confidence that I can do 26.2. Running this way really helped me with my mental issues that I struggle with in my long runs and my energy. I could see myself doing another 10 miles this way and completing my marathon. Feels good when you start realizing that you can run 26.2…not that it’s going to be easy but I’m slowly starting to accept that I CAN and WILL do this. Today’s run really helped! As I start logging longer runs I know that it’s going to keep making the marathon feel more doable. I kept thinking…10 more miles and I will have run a marathon…I can do this….it’s doable. Next week is 18…I can do this! 

3.26.10 Stats:

Miles: 16

Pace: 10:32

Time: 2:48

Calories: 2025

 

Also today I realized how I could not be doing this without the support of friends and family. When I walked into the gym after my run, Diana had already gotten Cole from childcare and was holding him as she was congratulating me on my 16 miles.  It made me so thankful that I have people my life that encourage and support me in my goals. I really couldn’t do it without them! I am incredibly thankful and grateful!!!

http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=61523&BIB=1850&LNSEARCH=1&PWD=

If you like pictures...You can check out my finish line pictures from my Half Marathon last weekend.  I was praising God that I was done and had finished another half marathon as I crossed the finish line!!!

More Mercer Island fun!

Fun times before the race...about 6 minutes before "GO" time!

My mom was at the finish line and she snapped a couple of photo's before she left!

Silly runners having some fun! 

Time to eat!

PR BIRTHDAY PRINCESS, AMANDA and her son!

It was so much fun to go to lunch after the race.  As much as food sounded yummy...once it came it wasn't as appealing!  Oh well chatting it up with old and new friends is the best.  We were laughing the whole time.  I could get used to running with friends at local races.  Brings a fun vibe to the day and the race.

No matter what the outcome of a race is I will always be proud of doing something I never thought I could do.  I think everyone I have talked to since the race knows I ran Mercer Island on Sunday.  I usually don't tell everyone I talk to about what I have just done...but come on who doesnt' want to know...right?  I got a few more pictures and figured I needed to post them.

I love RECOVERY Runs! Feels good...

Had a great run this morning with my dear friend Diana who is training for her very first HALF MARATHON, the R’n’R Seattle Half. She has been training and has had to take some time off due to serious shin splints. We decided to run together today and we were hoping to get 5 miles in. We got started a little late because we were chatting with our friends at the gym so it meant we had to cut our run together a little short. We had a great run and the sun was shining. We got to catch up since she just got back from a week long family trip. We did a little walking so she could recover from a bad side ache.  Why do you get side aches/stiches?  I have been getting them too and they are soooo annoying.  I have read a few ways to recover and it kind of helps.  Do you have any great way to recover from these?  PLEASE share! We split up so she could get back and I went on to finish my 5 miles. I ended up meeting a new friend, Sue. I have seen her at the gym but we had never met. She was running back to the gym so we ran back together. She is a little faster pace than me so it helped me finish strong.


I love...love days like this. I wasn't winded at all and had a ton of energy. Hope that same feeling happens on my 16 miler this week!

Stats:

Miles: 5.58

Pace: 10:02

Time: 56:02

Calories: 717

Splits:

Mile 1: 9:33

Mile 2: 10:03

Mile 3: 10:43

Mile 4: 11:25

Mile 5: 9:04

Mile 6: 9:07

After a tough race mentally this was just what I needed to feel confident about my running.  Great runs make up for bad runs!  Nice days make me so excited about the coming months and the good spring weather we will hopefully get.

MERCER ISLAND HALF MARATHON!

I have so many thoughts and emotions and not sure if I should write everything down...One part of me is really happy with my race at it being my 3rd half marathon...but the other is not. I hate to be negative so let’s just talk about the GREAT stuff! This was the first race that I was doing with no family members running with me (my mom and I ran 2 half marathons together last summer and my dad and I did a Sprint Tri together), but a whole lot of NEW friends which made me excited. I am lucky to live in an area with a handful of local bloggers that have all connected so I was really looking forward to meeting new friends, not just friends, but running friends. I have never gone to a race and know that many people but yesterday I felt like I had a running group. We were all different paces but running the same race which made it so fun.

Many emails where passed around to figure out meet up time, carpool, LUNCH afterwards and so on. Mel and I decided to carpool since we are nervous Nellie’s and wanted to get there with plenty of time. Numerous lessons learned regarding getting there early and being prepared! Note to self…if there is no line at bag check….CHECK your BAG then! Oh well…I always learn things the hard way! It was so much fun riding up to the race with Mel. We haven’t seen each other in a while and it was just fun to catch up on life. We have known each since our elementary days…though she will say since Jr. High…maybe she is trying to forget those days? We grew up in the same town and reconnected when it was time to plan our 10 year high school reunion! Fun times!

We met up with Kerrie, Zoe and Kasey but never ran into Amanda until after the race. It was fun to actually put names to faces and see them LIVE and not just over bloggy land pictures.

Finally we got to the starting position after having to do a little rock climbing. Mel is a little taller than me so I kept asking her to tell me what she could see since I could see nothing! The race started and I felt good! I started to relax and didn’t think I was going out too fast…I would think differently of that at mile 7! The first 6-7 miles went well and I was doing shockingly well for my pace and was excited to see what I could do on this hilly course. The views were amazing and the volunteers were EXCELLENT. I love seeing smiling faces and people encouraging me as I run…it helps me… a LOT! I started to get a little tired and knew I had a hill coming at mile 7. I was wearing my jacket since it was supposed to rain but since we had no rain and I was hot I figured it was time to re-organize. I walked while I got re-situated and took my jacket off. I was worried that starting up again would be hard, but it wasn’t and I had a lot more energy. Was feeling good and then Zoe and Kerrie found me and I ran with them for a few miles. I wish I had more energy to talk but I was so tired that I just listened to Zoe encouraging/pace Kerrie as we ran for a few miles. I needed some more water so I stopped to fill up my water bottle as they ran ahead. I hope my marathon training helps me with the mental aspect as I get into longer miles. I feel good until around mile 9, 10 and 11 and it just gets tougher. Mercer Island was challenging because when those miles come…it gets really hilly. Hills in the beginning of the race when you have the energy are way easier than hills, hard hills at the end. I never thought I would get a great time on this race because of the hills. I do hill training since that is what I have around my house but I know those hills and have run them and know what to expect…the unknowns mess with me when I am tired. Mile 11.5 was a half mile hill and figured I could walk it faster than run it. I was still shocked that my time was OK even though I had walked a little. Sometimes walking can help…though I don’t like to do it and that too messes with my head. In a race I start not to care about times and ask why I am even doing this…Pay…for a RACE???? Am I crazy? Yah I think to be a runner you have to be a little crazy!

I know after the race I will question what I could have done to do better, but it becomes so mental…you know you will wonder "what if"…but you really don’t care when your tired and mentally done. Oh and thanks to the wonderful course planner they had one last gift…a hill at the finish line…so sweet of them! After getting up the hill I saw my MOM and her husband, Pat at the finish line, but I had to go around 2-hula hoopers…NICE! I am sure I would have PR had they not been there…jk! Smiled with my arms raised high…praising God that I finished! I forgot to stop my Garmin…shoot…only by a minute or less.

I waited for my mom and Pat and Mel, Zoe and Kerrie were right there so we got a couple pictures before my mom had to leave. It was so fun having other participants to talk to about the race…right after. We went and got some food and met up at our FANCY meeting place (it was a fancy dumpster shed) and got to congratulate Amanda on her PR and also wish her a Happy Birthday!

A few more thoughts:

• I know to some people walking is not a bad thing…I don’t think so either but it’s so hard for me to feel like I did a good job when I walked…even if it was short. I really think I could have PR had I not done that.
• I am also frustrated because I train on hills and feel like I should be able to do them. I don’t think I have ever run as tough of a course as this one though.
• I surprised myself that I did so well in the first 7 miles…I do feel like I am becoming a better runner and those miles proved that.

We are ready for lunch!

Mercer Island Half Marathon Stats:

Miles: 13.31

Pace: 10:10

Time: 2:15:23

Calories: 1710

The pace on the race report was different than my watch and I couldn't figure out why....then I realzed that they think we ran 13.1 but no...we ran 13.3. 

Splits:

Mile 1: 9:19

Mile 2: 9:27

Mile 3: 9:20

Mile 4: 9:29

Mile 5: 9:44

Mile 6: 9:56

Mile 7: 10:16

Mile 8: 11:44

Mile 9: 10:14

Mile 10: 10:23

Mile 11: 10:52

Mile 12: 11:39

Mile 13: 10:12

Mile 14: 10:02

And there you have it!

Last run before my Race!

Ran with my mom for a short run.  Great run before my race on Sunday!

3.19.10 Stats:

Miles: 3.20

Pace: 9:55

Time: 31:42

Calories: 414

Fun times!

Lovely day (sneeze) for a LOVELY (cough) RUN (blow)!

The good news is my sore throat is gone; the bad news is I now have a cold…LOVELY. I feel good and just have to deal with a little coughing and a lot of blowing my nose. I got some medicine today to hopefully shorten the time of my cold…hope it helps.



It was a lovely day here yesterday and after a busy morning I got to go on an 8 mile run. I LOVED it and was so happy because I needed the confidence booster. I decided to go on a normal route plus a little add-on to get some more miles. I chose a route with hills because my half this weekend is HILLY and instead of fearing the hills I decided to be friends with them…I figured if I invite my FRIENDLY hills into my route…maybe they would be kind to me today? And yes…they were…whewww. I had run a few of these hills in January and have not visited them since. That was my first long run of the year and the 7 miles were hard and since then I have not wanted to share my running days with those hills. To get my miles in yesterday I had to reacquaint myself and we had a nice visit! It was a hilly 8.40 miles with a nice downhill at the end, but not nice on the knees! My run felt really good and I didn't look at my Garmin at all.  My pace felt good, but I was trying not to worry about it much and wanted to just enjoy the run.  I was so happy to see my pace for this distance less than 10 minutes!!! At the end of my run I called my mom (she is visiting) and her and the boys came out to cheer my on as I came in. So fun having a cheering section to begin and end my run. Max has been pleading with me to let him run with me and so we ran our block at the end of my run together. It brings me so much JOY to see him want to run with me…I LOVE it! 

3.17.10 Stats:

Miles: 8.40

Pace: 9:55

Time: 1:23:16

Calories: 1098

800.24– 8.40 = 791.84  miles left to run in 2010

8 miles and feeling good!

Beautiful!

Great view...can't really tell from the picture but you can kind of see the water...

Nonie and Cole

My boys!

Max and I running...TOGETHER!

Sick, Race & Hill Repeats!

Yesterday afternoon, about 24 hours after I finally registered for the Mercer Island half...(so I could have lunch with new running friends) I started feeling sick! Really...really?  It started with a sore throat and now I feel a little sick to my stomach…GREATTTT. I was so excited to have time to run 8 or 9 miles this morning but had to cancel that plan. It's a perfect day for a run and figured it was a great day for that distance. I am really hoping it's just a morning thing and that I will start feeling a little better this afternoon.

Training never goes as planned, does it? We have to roll with the punches and figure it out daily. After registering for the Mercer Island half I was so excited. The chance to meet new friends; run a beautiful course…doesn’t get much better. Then my excitement turned to doubt as I started doubting if I am ready, have I run enough, is my marathon training working? Maybe I am not running enough during the week? Should I be doing my speed work…I keep putting that off due to time and track availability? I haven’t been lifting weights…would that be helping? Training schedules don’t count in sick time or vacation…shoot! It’s weird how you can feel great about things and then you register for a race and it makes you question the very thing you were feeling confident about. Does this happen to you?

Monday I decided to do hill repeats to replace my speed workout around the track. I think hill repeats might be better for me. Does that sound crazy? We can’t use the tracks around here while school is in session which limits me to weekends, but the hills…they are always so kindly available for me to run. I picked my hill, but first did a warm up. Thought I would run the .25 mile hill…speed up it and then slowly run down, but half way up I figured half would be good so it turned out to be .11…I will take it…and run with it. I did 4 speedy climbs and then decided that was good and went on a nice run before swim class.

3.15.10 Stats:

Miles: 3.28

Pace:  9:57

Time: 32:42

Calories: 429

803.52 – 3.28 = 800.24  miles left to run in 2010

Splits:
Lap 1: 4:07 (.42 Miles...warm-up)
Speedwork Start
Lap 2: 55 (.11 uphill)
Lap 3: 1:02 (down)
Lap 4: 58
Lap 5: 1:07
Lap 6: 58
Lap 7: 1:06
Lap 8: 1:00
Speetdwork End
Lap 9: 10:05 (1 mile)
Lap 10: 10:33 (1 mile uphill)
Lap 11: 45 (450 feet)
Not a typcial speed workout...but it worked for me!

Can you see Mt. Rainier out there...this is my favorite spot to run!  Great view!

 ****

I loved that my friend, Tall Mom on The Run made goals for Mercer…I will follow her lead!

Mercer Island Goals:

• FEEL GOOD! Not sick!
• Not doubt myself and my training up to this point.
• I don’t think I am going to shoot for a PR because it’s hilly and my last hilly half I came in 10 minutes later then my first half that was a lot flatter course. So my goal will be 2:20! Any less will be great...Anything can happen...right!
• Be CALM and ENJOY!
• Stay mentally positive, upbeat and not think that I have to do 2 – 13.1 miles in June. I am hoping it makes me more excited about my marathon.

Cousin!

After our RUN!

Was lucky enough to get another great run in with my cousin early Saturday morning before the birthday party. I was hoping to get 5 miles in since my miles for the week were low. It was a BEAUTIFUL, COLD morning here...I love the clear skies, it makes me so excited for Spring and Summer. Our Run was great. Jenny isn’t used to the big hills around here so we walked up a very good size hill. Worked out since I was having some pain on my right hip. Finished our run and got ready for the party. It’s so nice getting a run in the morning.

3.13.10 Stats:

Miles: 4.64

Pace: 10:58

Time: 50:56

Calories: 594

808.16 – 4.64 = 803.52 miles left to run in 2010

"...Can I run a marathon with you?"

"Mom, when I am done with my nap can I RUN a MARATHON with you?"

My 4 year old son, Max is smart! I have been battling with him for an hour today to take a nap and he just opened his door for the millionth time and said the above! You know you’re a runner when your son says that to soften things and to sweet talk you!  I had to pause and smile for a moment and then had to inform him that I can't even run a marathon right now, but when he is older I hope we can run a marathon together.

He has been asking all week to run with me.  I can't wait until he can or at least ride his bike.  And he also keeps asking when he gets to ring the cow bell...because I told him I want him to ring it and the end of my marathon.  As frustrated as he can make me...he makes me laugh so much.

Can't wait until we can run together!