I know I haven't been very good aout blogging lately and part of that is I always kept this like more of an online training journal. It was a very useful format while I was training for the marathon, but since then I haven't had a goal and I also haven't been running much. All of that combined meant an empty blog.
Now, with the help of mind clearing PT, I am looking at my running in a new light. I think for awhile I am going to focus more on strength and building a better base. With that in mind, I am doing way more fitness workouts than I am running miles.
Another blogger friend mentioned something along the lines of "if I only blogged about my runs, I wouldn't have much of a blog" True statement.
So for 2013 here are my goals:
A Goal: Run 13 races in 2013
B Goal: Do two fitness/strength workouts per week
C Goal: Blog shorter blog entries and blog more often
D Goal: (this is the one that scares me) Try a Tri
My D goal should maybe be moved up to my A goal, but I am just not prepared for that right now! Although, I DO believe if it is a goal worth having, it should be a goal that SCARES THE CRAP OUT OF YOU-and a Tri my friends does that for me!!
More to come....Thanks for patiently letting me work all this out!
Much Love XO XO
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I'm Running!
That is it! That's the big news, but it is actually really BIG news!
Runs since April have been hit or miss and frankly less than appealing. I have started physical therapy and I am over the moon with the results. I am not "healed" but I have run several times without pain and in fact some pain has went away after runs. This is so different from what I had been dealing with!
I also have been busy starting up a Moms RUN This Town chapter here in Kirkland. I truly feel passionate not only about my running but also helping encourage moms to run whether they are just taking their first walking steps to helping more "seasoned" runners find races and all around just to keep everyone motivated! It's kind of that theory where working outside yourself actually encourages you along the way.
Well, that is it. Quick and short-not my norm! It is the day before Thanksgiving though and I will have a race report on Sunday!!! (OMG- A RACE REPORT!!) Seattle Marathon 5k-here I come!!!
Runs since April have been hit or miss and frankly less than appealing. I have started physical therapy and I am over the moon with the results. I am not "healed" but I have run several times without pain and in fact some pain has went away after runs. This is so different from what I had been dealing with!
I also have been busy starting up a Moms RUN This Town chapter here in Kirkland. I truly feel passionate not only about my running but also helping encourage moms to run whether they are just taking their first walking steps to helping more "seasoned" runners find races and all around just to keep everyone motivated! It's kind of that theory where working outside yourself actually encourages you along the way.
Well, that is it. Quick and short-not my norm! It is the day before Thanksgiving though and I will have a race report on Sunday!!! (OMG- A RACE REPORT!!) Seattle Marathon 5k-here I come!!!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Missing: 1 Blogger
Again it's been awhile since I have shared. There is only one reason for my absence:
Embarrassment
This revelation came to me a few days ago while I was running. Yes, I have been running. Not much and Not fast, but my feet have been moving quickly in front of one another. Here is a list of things I am most embarrassed about:
As you can see there has been a whole bunch of soul searching going on over at the Mertel homestead. Motherhood changes you and I wasn't prepared for all the mental changes that went with it. I also naively believed in the whole "oh you are fit, you will be back to your old body in NO time" RIGHT!!! You gain 50# and don't do a lick of exercise the entire time, and you really think you will just pop back into place-at age 39 no less?!?! WHAT WAS I THINKING???
Also, I have never really been wrapped up in the whole "You need to look this way or that to fit in" thing. I don't believe in a "diet", I believe in eating food. REAL food, not the processed crap that comes from a box. My mom makes fun of the fact that there is a weird vegetable served with almost every one of my meals I make (that to her means squash LOL-I love her but veggies aren't her thing)
So how did I find my self "dieting" ALL summer long? I spent more time counting calories and limiting food. I spent time reading diet books and planning meals that were unfulfilling. In fact I would often just skip eating because what I was "suppose" to eat just sounded horrible.
This then led to my whole summer feeling like a haze that flew by me. I was often disoriented and spacey, not to mention incredibly moody and frankly downright miserable to be around! I slept horrible and I was ALWAYS exhausted. In fact I went to see both my General Practitioner and my OB/GYN trying to figure out what was wrong with me.
About a month ago I ran across a Facebook page Go Kaleo on MomVS Marathon's page. Her statement was simple (and I am totally paraphrasing what my mind read) Eat when you are hungry, eat whole food, move your body every day. The rest will fall into place.
Now she said a lot more than that, but that is what my mind read because that had been my EXACT philosophy for years!!!
So right now I am focussing on repairing my relationship with my brain in regards to fitness. My marathon messed with my brain. I had to realize that not every run needed to be 5+ mi during the week and 10+mi on the weekends and all runs don't have to be faster than 9mm!
Some days I run now for 20min. I try not to notice how many miles I ran. I just try to focus on the fact that I ran them pain free and that I had energy to run them in the first place!
I've stopped weighing myself and I have started eating regularly again. I feel great! I am sleeping easily again, I am no longer cold all the time, I am still a little cranky, but come on! I have a 2.5yo and a 3.5yo! Who wouldn't be a little nuts!
I am currently working on all over body strengthening. I have never been a weight lifter or gym goer for any other reason than cardio and that is no longer acceptable. Even though I am not a fitness "beginner" I have decided to start all over from the beginning. I am following the Go Kaleo First 100 days program and so far I am on day 10-well actually day 11, but I had to do day 10 workout today. I can already feel a huge difference in my body. It is quite shocking in some ways. The biggest difference is the energy I have. On top of the prescribed workouts, I have also been taking one or both of the kids for a nightly stroll. Not fast but not slow. Just a kind of mind clearing walk to end the day (this was also a habit I followed for years that I dearly miss)
So there is your update. I am going to keep my progress up to date and let you know how it is coming along. I am half tempted to do the before and after pics, but frankly I may need a few glasses of wine to work into that idea!!
ETA:
I forgot to share this great story!
I am a believer in things happen as they should and this is a prime example.
I noticed just the other day that my scale was out of batteries, so I changed them, hopped on and was immediately disappointed.
Fast forward to yesterday. I decided to give the old scale a shot as I have been feeling less jiggly so of course that means the scale should have some good news, right?!?
Hopped on the scale and what do you know? It was out of batteries again-or was it??? Maybe this is the Universe's way of saying LAY OFF THE SCALE WOMAN!!!
I get it-I can take a hint.
Scale is in the trash
Embarrassment
This revelation came to me a few days ago while I was running. Yes, I have been running. Not much and Not fast, but my feet have been moving quickly in front of one another. Here is a list of things I am most embarrassed about:
- My audacity to think running a couch to marathon program was a good idea
- The fact that I have a running blog and I haven't "really" been running
- The fact that I am horribly out of shape-yes I ran a marathon and I am still HORRIBLY out of shape
- The fact that I let myself get caught up in the "I must be a thin hot mom to fit in with everyone"-Since when in my life have I ever wanted to "Fit In?!?!"
- The fact I agreed to run with a great group of women running bloggers when I really haven't been running, or blogging!
- The fact that I took so little care of myself that I finally had to get injured to finally see that fact!
- I had to fess up to all of these facts and plenty more!
As you can see there has been a whole bunch of soul searching going on over at the Mertel homestead. Motherhood changes you and I wasn't prepared for all the mental changes that went with it. I also naively believed in the whole "oh you are fit, you will be back to your old body in NO time" RIGHT!!! You gain 50# and don't do a lick of exercise the entire time, and you really think you will just pop back into place-at age 39 no less?!?! WHAT WAS I THINKING???
Also, I have never really been wrapped up in the whole "You need to look this way or that to fit in" thing. I don't believe in a "diet", I believe in eating food. REAL food, not the processed crap that comes from a box. My mom makes fun of the fact that there is a weird vegetable served with almost every one of my meals I make (that to her means squash LOL-I love her but veggies aren't her thing)
So how did I find my self "dieting" ALL summer long? I spent more time counting calories and limiting food. I spent time reading diet books and planning meals that were unfulfilling. In fact I would often just skip eating because what I was "suppose" to eat just sounded horrible.
This then led to my whole summer feeling like a haze that flew by me. I was often disoriented and spacey, not to mention incredibly moody and frankly downright miserable to be around! I slept horrible and I was ALWAYS exhausted. In fact I went to see both my General Practitioner and my OB/GYN trying to figure out what was wrong with me.
About a month ago I ran across a Facebook page Go Kaleo on MomVS Marathon's page. Her statement was simple (and I am totally paraphrasing what my mind read) Eat when you are hungry, eat whole food, move your body every day. The rest will fall into place.
Now she said a lot more than that, but that is what my mind read because that had been my EXACT philosophy for years!!!
So right now I am focussing on repairing my relationship with my brain in regards to fitness. My marathon messed with my brain. I had to realize that not every run needed to be 5+ mi during the week and 10+mi on the weekends and all runs don't have to be faster than 9mm!
Some days I run now for 20min. I try not to notice how many miles I ran. I just try to focus on the fact that I ran them pain free and that I had energy to run them in the first place!
I've stopped weighing myself and I have started eating regularly again. I feel great! I am sleeping easily again, I am no longer cold all the time, I am still a little cranky, but come on! I have a 2.5yo and a 3.5yo! Who wouldn't be a little nuts!
I am currently working on all over body strengthening. I have never been a weight lifter or gym goer for any other reason than cardio and that is no longer acceptable. Even though I am not a fitness "beginner" I have decided to start all over from the beginning. I am following the Go Kaleo First 100 days program and so far I am on day 10-well actually day 11, but I had to do day 10 workout today. I can already feel a huge difference in my body. It is quite shocking in some ways. The biggest difference is the energy I have. On top of the prescribed workouts, I have also been taking one or both of the kids for a nightly stroll. Not fast but not slow. Just a kind of mind clearing walk to end the day (this was also a habit I followed for years that I dearly miss)
So there is your update. I am going to keep my progress up to date and let you know how it is coming along. I am half tempted to do the before and after pics, but frankly I may need a few glasses of wine to work into that idea!!
ETA:
I forgot to share this great story!
I am a believer in things happen as they should and this is a prime example.
I noticed just the other day that my scale was out of batteries, so I changed them, hopped on and was immediately disappointed.
Fast forward to yesterday. I decided to give the old scale a shot as I have been feeling less jiggly so of course that means the scale should have some good news, right?!?
Hopped on the scale and what do you know? It was out of batteries again-or was it??? Maybe this is the Universe's way of saying LAY OFF THE SCALE WOMAN!!!
I get it-I can take a hint.
Scale is in the trash
Sunday, August 26, 2012
I've Got A New Goal, And I'm Scared
This recently has become my mantra it seems. It also in my opinion is a good one to have.
Well, I didn't blog about it, but had my lovely Women's re-TREAT weekend where we state our goal preferably for the year. Last year my goal was to run a marathon before I turned 40. As timing would have it, I ran the marathon in my 39th year. The time was right and I was so glad it worked out that way.
So what to do for my goal for my 40th year??? {Big Gulp} I have committed to running a marathon in 4hr or less as my goal for he year. I can't believe I have this goal honestly. This means I have to shave a full half hour off my current marathon race pace. YIKES!!!! It's not impossible, but it will take some work for sure.
So I've started my new job this weekend. Yup-I have to consider it my job for awhile, or I know myself and I will blow workouts off like they were tumbleweeds blowing over Hwy 80 in the middle of NV!!!!
So in honor of starting my new job, I ran a route I have never run before. I ran out my door and ran 7mi (ok 6.89) around my 'Hood. In the past I have always run out my door. This house though sits on top of a hill (many hills) and there is no way to get to it that has an easy grade. I can run up a few of them, but my need to "Kill The Hill" makes it so I have to walk once I get to the top. The particular route I took, I chose because it had a tiny it of trail to run on-which I LOVE! This meant though that I had to go up two super steep hills. I choose to walk them-no shame here!!!
So there you have it. Right now I am using the Train Like A Mother-Half Marathon, Finish It Plan that I am going to segue into the Train Like A Mother-Marathon, Finish It Plan. I am pretty sure that those plans will get me on the right path to a sub 4hr Marathon.
Also, I have planned my races to hopefully make this a reality. In February, I am planning on running the Huntington Beach Marathon-Surf City 2013 and then either Portland Marathon, Victoria Marathon, or some other flat fall marathon. I am pretty sure 2013 will see me crossing the finish line with a timed goal.
It is a little unnerving stating aloud that I have a time goal. That freaks me out WAY more than anything.
Wish me luck! I'll update I'm sure.
Me Lighting my goal for 2013 and making it realClick here
Monday, August 20, 2012
Don't Look Back In Anger
I was thinking about this post and instantly I thought of the Oasis song "Don't Look Back In Anger" (link just in case it's been awhile since you've taken a listen)
I keep getting caught up in what I'm NOT doing these days instead of what I AM doing. Hello negative thinker, where did you come from?!?
It's not a secret times are tough around the old Mertel homestead. Motherhood seems to frequently take over in a very overwhelming way for me. Never BC (Before Children) would I think I would be this negatively affected by having children. I am a positive person-sometimes I have to work at it, sometimes it comes naturally. Either way it comes, that is the general state if mind I like to live in. So imagine my surprise when I realized that negative would come creepin' into my life through all sorts of cracks in my exterior.
The good news is recently I have become aware again that this is a choice I am living. Things don't have to be this hard even if they are hard. I know this. Working with Cardiac Surgeons for 12yrs made me very aware of that. Surgeons can scream, patients can die, but if I stay above it than I am. Conversely, children can scream and meltdown, but I can stay above it. Right??? We shall see. Operation "Stay Positive" is on in full affect. Pray for me please!!
So without dwelling on all the posts I haven't written and all the workouts I haven't done, let's focus on what I have recently done. I have finally gotten a gym membership. After lots of himing and hawing I decided on a membership to the YMCA. Mostly because they had everything available but also because childcare is free and unlimited and also, when I go back to WI, I can use the Y there. This is Mucho Importante as I am planning on a February marathon (if all goes as planned) and I will need to do some training runs in December while I am home for my sister's wedding.
What else is positive you may ask? Well, I have actually cross trained AND lifted some weights. I have also started doing some focussed core strength workouts.
More importantly, I got over the unexpected today and used Dimity's Outlook "Don't Think Just Go" when life took an unexpected turn this morning. The original plan was to go to a 930 spinning class. With Ryan waking up at 845 and then crying until 859 about his yogurt not being right, then the fireplace repair guy showing up at 905, I realized that 930 spinning was out of the question.
Fortunately the repair work was done in NO time and then the crazy crying child told me he wanted to go to the "Y in Seattle" which is somehow what he thinks I am saying when I say the "YMCA". Either way it served a great purpose. I told him 1. he had to eat the yogurt before we could go as he couldn't be hungry at the Y and 2. he had to quickly get dressed so we could go. I knew there was a 1030 Yoga class that I could make IF I didn't think about it and just started moving everyone out the door.
The good news: We Made It! just barely in the nick of time, but we made it. Some tears along the way and I was a few minutes late, but WE DID IT !!!
I realized I needed the relaxing down time more than an active workout anyhow. I also got a peaceful shower in...which is alway nice!
On that note, I realized that I am supposed to be training for the Seattle Half Marathon right now. Lucky for me I am using the Train Like A Mother-Finish It Half Marathon Plan. Today I had a "Fun Workout" on the books, so hooray for me-I did the proposed workout.
So that's that for one day. Good stuff will be coming along, as well as a little more action here in the blog-o-sphere.
Have a Great day!!
I keep getting caught up in what I'm NOT doing these days instead of what I AM doing. Hello negative thinker, where did you come from?!?
It's not a secret times are tough around the old Mertel homestead. Motherhood seems to frequently take over in a very overwhelming way for me. Never BC (Before Children) would I think I would be this negatively affected by having children. I am a positive person-sometimes I have to work at it, sometimes it comes naturally. Either way it comes, that is the general state if mind I like to live in. So imagine my surprise when I realized that negative would come creepin' into my life through all sorts of cracks in my exterior.
The good news is recently I have become aware again that this is a choice I am living. Things don't have to be this hard even if they are hard. I know this. Working with Cardiac Surgeons for 12yrs made me very aware of that. Surgeons can scream, patients can die, but if I stay above it than I am. Conversely, children can scream and meltdown, but I can stay above it. Right??? We shall see. Operation "Stay Positive" is on in full affect. Pray for me please!!
So without dwelling on all the posts I haven't written and all the workouts I haven't done, let's focus on what I have recently done. I have finally gotten a gym membership. After lots of himing and hawing I decided on a membership to the YMCA. Mostly because they had everything available but also because childcare is free and unlimited and also, when I go back to WI, I can use the Y there. This is Mucho Importante as I am planning on a February marathon (if all goes as planned) and I will need to do some training runs in December while I am home for my sister's wedding.
What else is positive you may ask? Well, I have actually cross trained AND lifted some weights. I have also started doing some focussed core strength workouts.
More importantly, I got over the unexpected today and used Dimity's Outlook "Don't Think Just Go" when life took an unexpected turn this morning. The original plan was to go to a 930 spinning class. With Ryan waking up at 845 and then crying until 859 about his yogurt not being right, then the fireplace repair guy showing up at 905, I realized that 930 spinning was out of the question.
Fortunately the repair work was done in NO time and then the crazy crying child told me he wanted to go to the "Y in Seattle" which is somehow what he thinks I am saying when I say the "YMCA". Either way it served a great purpose. I told him 1. he had to eat the yogurt before we could go as he couldn't be hungry at the Y and 2. he had to quickly get dressed so we could go. I knew there was a 1030 Yoga class that I could make IF I didn't think about it and just started moving everyone out the door.
The good news: We Made It! just barely in the nick of time, but we made it. Some tears along the way and I was a few minutes late, but WE DID IT !!!
I realized I needed the relaxing down time more than an active workout anyhow. I also got a peaceful shower in...which is alway nice!
On that note, I realized that I am supposed to be training for the Seattle Half Marathon right now. Lucky for me I am using the Train Like A Mother-Finish It Half Marathon Plan. Today I had a "Fun Workout" on the books, so hooray for me-I did the proposed workout.
So that's that for one day. Good stuff will be coming along, as well as a little more action here in the blog-o-sphere.
Have a Great day!!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Anyone Want To Go Streaking????
Well, it is no secret my motivation to run/blog has been at about ZERO since my race in APRIL!! Good Lord! That was in the spring. Granted summer just started here last week, but still!
I had less time and my children were harder to work around, yet last year at this time, I was running no less than 15mi/wk. Now I am lucky if I get 15mi/MONTH!!
BLEH!!! What is my deal??? I ask you this as if you have some magical answer.
I think there was such a big let down after my race and I missed the discipline so much I just let it go. I tend to be an all or nothing kind of gal, and right now I have nothing planned so I am giving it nothing :P Not smart for the long haul, but it is my reality.
Also, I am combating the months of guilt I am feeling for taking so much time for myself and dedicating my time to my running. Now it breaks my heart to think of leaving the fam to go out for a few hours to run. Then tack on a few hours to re-coop and blog. Basically take all of Saturday out of the equation.
My husband ROCKS and he is very encouraging. It is just my inner turmoil that is holding me back.
I thought of doing a full this fall. Then I thought about signing up for a half in October. I did neither. I do for sure have a race in November-a half that is notoriously hilly and always wet and rainy. I have no intention of thinking I will PR that race (and I certainly won't if this attitude keeps up!!) but I do need to train at least a little bit. If anything, I need to run more than a few miles per week.
There is good news!
This weekend I will be going on my yearly re-TREAT!!! A women's only running/SUPing/Yoga weekend. I know that this is a goal setting weekend and I KNOW I will come home reinvigorated. This most certainly will put a little snap in my action!
It also will be an anniversary of sorts. I met my first running partner at the re-TREAT. I set my first marathon goal. I was introduced to the Run Like A Mother community. I also decided to start my blog all because of one weekend away from my kids and husband.
Maybe I just need another weekend away from the family to remind me it is ok to take time for myself again.
I also know that we are on the precipice of a big family change...NO we are not having more kids...but the kids we do have will be starting preschool in exactly one month from TODAY!!!!! It is only Wednesday's and Friday's from 9-12, but I can only imagine what that is going to mean for me. I'll be honest as much as I love my kids, I so need a break from them some days!! Quite frankly, I'd say that they are REALLY excited to have a break from me. Good God I can be hard to live with! Even more so when I haven't gotten in a run consistently. Yah, it's a vicious cycle that I seemed to get looped in:
I'm guilty to spend time running
I'm guilty because I am so gosh darned grumpy because I am not running!!!
Does anyone see the definition of insanity described above??? Believe me, it is not a fact lost on me.
Clearly this is still not motivation enough for me to do something about it. SO-
I'm streaking.
It is a pretty popular thing with real Bloggers right now to do a month of something challenge. So like a month of Jillian Michael's workouts, or ab work, or planking...you get the picture. So I am going to Streak for the month of August. At least one mile everyday. I have no other plan than that.
I am not going try to plan out miles and freak out and become paralyzed into inactivity because I can't meet the days planned mileage. Yes that is happening right now...4 on the schedule, but only have time to bang out 3, I just Do None!!! Hello!!! How does that make sense??? Yah it doesn't! So minimum one mile. Who can't find time for one mile?? I mean if I am just doing one, I know I could do it in under 8min-so figure 10min max I don't even have to put on running clothes for that!
Now the fact that it is August 2 only occurred to me after I came up with the big plan to streak. Please don't be a hater and remind me I didn't run on August first! I will run on September first if it makes you happy :P Hopefully by that time I will have a race plan laid out by then. I haven't figured out the logistics, but I am going to try for a race a month for the rest of the year.
Also, I know I want to do another spring full, but I am going to negotiate around my 40th Birthday. The hubby is taking me on a vacation anywhere I want to celebrate. Keeping that in mind, I have to decide if I want to be gone for my Birthday and figure out a race that will work with that time line
Phew....It feels good to get that off my chest! I use DailyMIle to track my workouts, but I think I am also going to keep checking in on here. It worked so well during Marathon training to keep me going, so I hope to get back on track by using the same forum.
Wish me luck! It feels like I will be needing it :P
I had less time and my children were harder to work around, yet last year at this time, I was running no less than 15mi/wk. Now I am lucky if I get 15mi/MONTH!!
BLEH!!! What is my deal??? I ask you this as if you have some magical answer.
I think there was such a big let down after my race and I missed the discipline so much I just let it go. I tend to be an all or nothing kind of gal, and right now I have nothing planned so I am giving it nothing :P Not smart for the long haul, but it is my reality.
Also, I am combating the months of guilt I am feeling for taking so much time for myself and dedicating my time to my running. Now it breaks my heart to think of leaving the fam to go out for a few hours to run. Then tack on a few hours to re-coop and blog. Basically take all of Saturday out of the equation.
My husband ROCKS and he is very encouraging. It is just my inner turmoil that is holding me back.
I thought of doing a full this fall. Then I thought about signing up for a half in October. I did neither. I do for sure have a race in November-a half that is notoriously hilly and always wet and rainy. I have no intention of thinking I will PR that race (and I certainly won't if this attitude keeps up!!) but I do need to train at least a little bit. If anything, I need to run more than a few miles per week.
There is good news!
This weekend I will be going on my yearly re-TREAT!!! A women's only running/SUPing/Yoga weekend. I know that this is a goal setting weekend and I KNOW I will come home reinvigorated. This most certainly will put a little snap in my action!
It also will be an anniversary of sorts. I met my first running partner at the re-TREAT. I set my first marathon goal. I was introduced to the Run Like A Mother community. I also decided to start my blog all because of one weekend away from my kids and husband.
Maybe I just need another weekend away from the family to remind me it is ok to take time for myself again.
I also know that we are on the precipice of a big family change...NO we are not having more kids...but the kids we do have will be starting preschool in exactly one month from TODAY!!!!! It is only Wednesday's and Friday's from 9-12, but I can only imagine what that is going to mean for me. I'll be honest as much as I love my kids, I so need a break from them some days!! Quite frankly, I'd say that they are REALLY excited to have a break from me. Good God I can be hard to live with! Even more so when I haven't gotten in a run consistently. Yah, it's a vicious cycle that I seemed to get looped in:
I'm guilty to spend time running
I'm guilty because I am so gosh darned grumpy because I am not running!!!
Does anyone see the definition of insanity described above??? Believe me, it is not a fact lost on me.
Clearly this is still not motivation enough for me to do something about it. SO-
I'm streaking.
It is a pretty popular thing with real Bloggers right now to do a month of something challenge. So like a month of Jillian Michael's workouts, or ab work, or planking...you get the picture. So I am going to Streak for the month of August. At least one mile everyday. I have no other plan than that.
I am not going try to plan out miles and freak out and become paralyzed into inactivity because I can't meet the days planned mileage. Yes that is happening right now...4 on the schedule, but only have time to bang out 3, I just Do None!!! Hello!!! How does that make sense??? Yah it doesn't! So minimum one mile. Who can't find time for one mile?? I mean if I am just doing one, I know I could do it in under 8min-so figure 10min max I don't even have to put on running clothes for that!
Now the fact that it is August 2 only occurred to me after I came up with the big plan to streak. Please don't be a hater and remind me I didn't run on August first! I will run on September first if it makes you happy :P Hopefully by that time I will have a race plan laid out by then. I haven't figured out the logistics, but I am going to try for a race a month for the rest of the year.
Also, I know I want to do another spring full, but I am going to negotiate around my 40th Birthday. The hubby is taking me on a vacation anywhere I want to celebrate. Keeping that in mind, I have to decide if I want to be gone for my Birthday and figure out a race that will work with that time line
Phew....It feels good to get that off my chest! I use DailyMIle to track my workouts, but I think I am also going to keep checking in on here. It worked so well during Marathon training to keep me going, so I hope to get back on track by using the same forum.
Wish me luck! It feels like I will be needing it :P
Friday, June 22, 2012
For Reals....I'm Back!!
The good news is my dry spell is up! The bad news is you will be hearing a lot from me again :D
I have felt so lost and unmotivated. It took doing a lot of Bikram Yoga to really get my running groove back. How funny is that!?!? My legs just were not recovering and the thought of running seemed as appealing as eating rotten eggs!
Then I noticed all sorts of friends and family talking about their races and their runs. I will admit, I was getting jealous. I knew the feelings they were feeling and darn it, I wanted to feel that good too! And yes, I am one of those crazy runners who relishes in wobbly legs and exhaustion that can only come from hours of running. Mostly-I miss that clarity that seems to overcome me somewhere after 5mi, closer to 10mi. I love Long Long runs! I think that is why for me, I am hooked on the full marathon.
A half marathon is nothing to sneeze at and I cheer for every single one of my friends who finish one! For me though, it isn't long enough to commit to a training plan. This is most likely due to the fact that the first time I ran one, I did it as a training run. The distance became insignificant to ME (please do not be offended if this is your longest run to date it IS a significant distance that you should be proud of)
I think this will be a flaw that comes back to bite me in the arse. Let's face it-who knows how long I can run such long distances. Right now I am training conservatively, but I have big goals for myself-and NO I am not ready to put those out there just yet. I have murmured these goals to a few people and they have all been supportive and know no better so they think I can achieve it. I do too, but not right now. I know my time is coming.
I digress. My 1/2 marathon flaw. I hope I will get excited by the distance in the future, but right now...meh!
So I bet you are guessing what is on my schedule right? Right now I have not put the money in yet, but-I have started the training runs to do the Victoria Marathon in Victoria, B.C. on October 7, 2012. I am really stoked about it and hesitant all at the same time. I vacillate wildly from day to day. One day I am 100% in and the next I feel like I will barely be able to find the time to run 3mi let alone 20mi training runs. Mostly it is due to the fact that it is summer and there are so many fun things to do! I hate that my family will be waiting on me to finish my long run, then they will deal with my slow as a snail walking pace later that day. Training for a spring run had the downside of training in rain, snow, and ice. Training for a fall run means that all those long runs will be done when all the fun stuff is going on. Granted, I can get up at 5 to run instead of 7-that should help.
Oh the ramblings of a mom on a Friday night who has a little girl who wants her daddy to put her to sleep!
This week has been busy. I did not blog about it, but last Saturday was my first long run (6mi) since my full. It went great. Michelle and I took it fairly slow. She was just at the end of a pretty bad cold/flu and I hadn't run that far in a long time. Plus we had A LOT of catching up to do. So that meant lots of walk breaks and lots of chatting.
I ran on Tuesday (3-easy), Wednesday (4-negative splits) and today (3-easy). I have a long run of 5mi scheduled for the weekend, and I am not sure when I am going to fit it in.
The Rock N Roll Seattle is going on this weekend and Alma and I will be spectating together. I am super excited to give back as a supporter! Every person cheering meant the world to me as I was running. I know they weren't cheering for me, but I pretended they were. So, hopefully, I can give someone a bit of a boost tomorrow.
I almost forgot!! On Thursday I was privileged to Co-host a house party for Sarah and Dimity at Another Mother Runner. It was so great to get a bunch of mother runners together and have a nice night of mingling and chatting. They had awesome giveaways including a jogging stroller worth over $500!!! I was so happy to help them pull things together as they were two of a few people who really made me believe I could even train for a full marathon while I had two toddlers.
Tonights post seems kind of boring. I felt like I needed to do a little house keeping and catching up before I started really posting about the good stuff.
I learned SO much while training for my first and i know of plenty of things I will do different/smarter this time. I look forward to sharing them with you.
Once again thanks so much for following along and for supporting my journey of being a Mother Runner!
I have felt so lost and unmotivated. It took doing a lot of Bikram Yoga to really get my running groove back. How funny is that!?!? My legs just were not recovering and the thought of running seemed as appealing as eating rotten eggs!
Then I noticed all sorts of friends and family talking about their races and their runs. I will admit, I was getting jealous. I knew the feelings they were feeling and darn it, I wanted to feel that good too! And yes, I am one of those crazy runners who relishes in wobbly legs and exhaustion that can only come from hours of running. Mostly-I miss that clarity that seems to overcome me somewhere after 5mi, closer to 10mi. I love Long Long runs! I think that is why for me, I am hooked on the full marathon.
A half marathon is nothing to sneeze at and I cheer for every single one of my friends who finish one! For me though, it isn't long enough to commit to a training plan. This is most likely due to the fact that the first time I ran one, I did it as a training run. The distance became insignificant to ME (please do not be offended if this is your longest run to date it IS a significant distance that you should be proud of)
I think this will be a flaw that comes back to bite me in the arse. Let's face it-who knows how long I can run such long distances. Right now I am training conservatively, but I have big goals for myself-and NO I am not ready to put those out there just yet. I have murmured these goals to a few people and they have all been supportive and know no better so they think I can achieve it. I do too, but not right now. I know my time is coming.
I digress. My 1/2 marathon flaw. I hope I will get excited by the distance in the future, but right now...meh!
So I bet you are guessing what is on my schedule right? Right now I have not put the money in yet, but-I have started the training runs to do the Victoria Marathon in Victoria, B.C. on October 7, 2012. I am really stoked about it and hesitant all at the same time. I vacillate wildly from day to day. One day I am 100% in and the next I feel like I will barely be able to find the time to run 3mi let alone 20mi training runs. Mostly it is due to the fact that it is summer and there are so many fun things to do! I hate that my family will be waiting on me to finish my long run, then they will deal with my slow as a snail walking pace later that day. Training for a spring run had the downside of training in rain, snow, and ice. Training for a fall run means that all those long runs will be done when all the fun stuff is going on. Granted, I can get up at 5 to run instead of 7-that should help.
Oh the ramblings of a mom on a Friday night who has a little girl who wants her daddy to put her to sleep!
This week has been busy. I did not blog about it, but last Saturday was my first long run (6mi) since my full. It went great. Michelle and I took it fairly slow. She was just at the end of a pretty bad cold/flu and I hadn't run that far in a long time. Plus we had A LOT of catching up to do. So that meant lots of walk breaks and lots of chatting.
I ran on Tuesday (3-easy), Wednesday (4-negative splits) and today (3-easy). I have a long run of 5mi scheduled for the weekend, and I am not sure when I am going to fit it in.
The Rock N Roll Seattle is going on this weekend and Alma and I will be spectating together. I am super excited to give back as a supporter! Every person cheering meant the world to me as I was running. I know they weren't cheering for me, but I pretended they were. So, hopefully, I can give someone a bit of a boost tomorrow.
I almost forgot!! On Thursday I was privileged to Co-host a house party for Sarah and Dimity at Another Mother Runner. It was so great to get a bunch of mother runners together and have a nice night of mingling and chatting. They had awesome giveaways including a jogging stroller worth over $500!!! I was so happy to help them pull things together as they were two of a few people who really made me believe I could even train for a full marathon while I had two toddlers.
Tonights post seems kind of boring. I felt like I needed to do a little house keeping and catching up before I started really posting about the good stuff.
I learned SO much while training for my first and i know of plenty of things I will do different/smarter this time. I look forward to sharing them with you.
Once again thanks so much for following along and for supporting my journey of being a Mother Runner!
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