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A Running Coach!

Sounds fancy huh!!  Well, I got one!  I was chatting with a real estate agent that we were working on a deal with, turns out he's a runner.  Not a slow butt runner like me either.  Like  TEN miles in an hour runner!  WOW! So just through conversation he mention his coach, so I asked if his coach was taking new clients, and he said he used to coach and would coach me PRO BONO! Um, OK!!  Not sure what all this means, but I'm excited!  He lives out west and my pace is WAY to slow for him to run with me, but I'm gonna make this work!  I'll keep you posted on my progress!

The Blah's

I've got to get back on track with this running thing!  I'm just not feeling it right now.  No reason other then I haven't done it and therefore that first day back is the hardest.  I know I won't be ready for the 1/2 on May 1st.  I think I'm gonna spend the next few weeks training for a 2 miler that is coming up.  Try to break my current 2 mile PR(24:43).  I just wish I had more time.  I'm so jealous of people who don't work that can workout during the day.  I'm SO not a morning person, so it's really hard for me to to get up in the morning and go workout.  Then at night Jason is in class and now the kids have spring sports...  Mornings are going to be my only option.  I hate mornings.

I hate winter

I haven't ran much in the last few weeks.  I knew it would be hard with Jason having evening classes 4 nights a week.  Throw in some sub zero temps and I'm toast!  I ran 4 miles, then didn't run for a week, then did a 4 mile race, then didn't run for a week, then ran last night and tonight.  Only 2 miles each b/c that's all I have time for.  I literally get home from work, change and go run while Jason fixes dinner and feeds the kids. Then when I get home from my run, we kiss and he's off!  Not to be seen again until 10:30!

It's not ideal, however the weather has been to nice to let the opportunity pass me by.  I prefer running outside and with only 1 vehicle I have no way to get to the DRC after he's gone.  I hate missing dinner with the family, however I have to put myself first sometimes and that's my 25 minutes.  I've come so far,  I'm teetering so close to 50 pounds lost that I just want to get there!  Then move on to my next goal!!  Then the next :O)

My first 4 miler

Today I ran my first 4 mile race! My goal was to run it in 52 minutes or under. I ran it in 52:38. Not bad, but not my goal.  In addition to running a race a month, I want to a bunch of different kinds of races, so today was my first leap outside my 5k comfort zone.  5k's are easier to come by, but I really want to do all the different kinds there is out there!  I have ran my 4 mile loop here in town, but it was kind weird to run a race that length.  It was a small race, only 186 runners.  Mostly hard core runners to run in that weather!  I think it was 35 with a windchill of 27!!  Warmer than the Frosty 5k :O)

The first week of Marathon training is done!

Only 11 weeks to go :O)

I did my "long" run yesterday.  It was beautiful out!  I did my first mile in great time, but got a side stitch and ending up walking alot of the 2nd mile.  I ended up almost 2 minutes over what I want my time to be this weekend at the Super Bowl Run.  No doubt I can do it, if I run the whole thing.  It say in the info that it is an out and back course.  I'm hoping that means flat too.  A year later and I STILL hate inclines!

T~R~A~I~N~I~N~G~

Tomorrow start 1/2 marathon training!  I'm doing a 12 week program.  It's slightly more intense than the TNT training schedule.  It has strength days and cross training days.  It should be good times!  The 1/2 is on May 2nd.  My goal is to finish under 3 hours. Which is totally do-able :O)

My next race is Feb. 6th. It's a 4 miler.  I've got most of my races are picked out through June.  I'm going to run the Abilene 5k again this year.  Since it's the exact same course I want to see how much time I can shave off since my first 5k.  I'm hoping for about 7 minutes!!

Frosty 5k

I did my first race of 2011 yesterday and it was great!  Cold, but Great!  I was able to meet my goal and make a new PR for myself.  I'm so excited for this running season.  I wish it would warm up so I could run outside more.  Although I do know that the TM was a big helper is shaving a minute off my race time!  Back to pavement pounding to get off this last bit of weight and to get healthier!

4 mile run

Today I did a 4 mile run.  I haven't done one n forever!  I had to push myself and at one point I thought I might puke, but I didn't. I ran 3.4 miles non-stop, then walked for .10 of a mile, then ran the last .50 miles.  If I hadn't walked that little bit I'd have a pace under 13 minutes!  WoW!  I'm bringing the pace down and I love it.

I have to admit the treadmill is helping with that.  I can't do more than a mile at a time on the TM.  It's just such a beat down!  However, the last few weeks I've been running 1 mile(at just over a 12 min mile pace!) then doing intervals the last 2 miles.  Normally I run 6.0 or a 10 min mile for .15 of a mile then do a 4.0 or 15 min mile walk for .10. That gives me a 12:30 average pace.  Not too shabby.  Sometimes at the end when I really want to push myself I'll bump it up to 6.5 or 9:13 min mile for .05, it's not far, but it's a strong "fast" run for me!!

My trainer "retired", she actually went to her real job full time and stopped training.  She put together a couple of workouts for me that I've been alternating and doing on non run days.  I know alot know more about weights and the machines now, but I still feel better knowing it's a trainer certified workout.  Next week is my Frosty 5k and my goal is to run it in less than 40 minutes.  I'd like to do in in around 37:30, but I have to compensate for the cold.  I have no idea what the weather will be like next Saturday.

2011 Running Goals

I've had 2 of my 3 running goals for awhile now,  I like odd numbers so I've been trying to decide on a 3rd one and I think I may have finally figured it out!

1.  Run 12 races in 2011.  I would like for this to mean one race per month, however due to my schedule and race schedules, this my not be entirely possible. So I'll settle for a total of 12 in case unforeseen circumstances arrive.  I've already signed up for the Frosty 5k in Jan.  My goal is to finish in under 40 minutes, which would be a new PR!!

2. I want to run every kind of race the Wichita area provides.  Up to now I've only done 5k's and the 1/2 marathon.  I want to do them all!  1 mile, 2 miles, 5k, 10k, 15k, 10 miles and yup, another 1/2 marathon!  I went back thru last years race calender and got a pretty good grasp of what's out there and I'm taking to tackle them all!

3. By the end of 2011(but before is good too!) I want to be able to consistently run 6 miles in 1 hour.  I want that to be my twice a week short run with a long run thrown in there too!

RE-TRAIN

I've decided to do a little re-training.  Due to the 6 weeks I took off from running and the freezing air outside, my running endurance has been cut down.  Such is life, however now it's time to get it back!  I'm going to spend the month of December re-doing the last few weeks of the Couch to 5k program, on the treadmill.  This will do a a few things for me.  1.  Allow me to control my speed, which means I can set the treadmill to a faster pace and decrease my average mile time. 2. Re-build my endurance.  That's where I started and it worked once, I'm sure it will work again. 3. Make me overcome my hate for the TM.  I enjoy running outside so much more, however in the winter, you gotta do, what you gotta do!!

I have 2 goals already set for 2011, and I'm trying to find/decide on another.  We'll see how that goes~

Almost time to start running again!

I'v been taking some time off, but it's about time to get back into the game. I've got some big goals for 2011!!

I'm taking a running break. Nothing major. I'm going to do some walking and some small runs. Nothing long or intense though. I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about increasing my speed. I learned from the half that I have bad posture(remember the back crackin' at mile 5?) I've heard there is a book called Chi Running that helps with posture and speed, so I'm going to look into that. So, no worries runners, I'm just taken a break. I'll be back :O)

So, I bet you wanna know how it went...

Overall, it was amazing! I will definitely do another one, and I still have my site set on a Marathon in 2012! Jason ran with me and that made it that much more awesome. To complete an athletic event with anyone makes you feel closer to that person, but to complete it with your spouse. It's like you've conquered the world! The first 7-8 miles went along quite smooth. During mile 5 my back started hurting pretty bad so we stopped in someones driveway so Jason could pop my back. The TNT girls right behind us were kind enough to stop and make sure I was alright, then chuckled when we told them what was going on. At 5 ish is also where I took my power gel and a cup of powerade and was pretty sure I was gonna spew all over those expensive College Hill houses. I told myself I was going to continue to run unless I actually started actively vomiting. I never did. After that, we rolled onwards for another 2 ish miles.

Then we hit 9 miles. Or as Jason and I like to call it, the mile of death! The mile was completely and totally walked! Let's be honest, it my even have been hobbled! AFTER the fact we had many runners tell us that mile 9 is your "break down" mile. The mile where you want to quit, and where your pain is the worst. I pretty much agree. It was sheer will getting through the 9th mile! Once I saw the 10 on the road though it all changed. Mentally, I kept telling myself, "All you have left is a 5k!" That made miles 10 and 11 a little easier. Mile 12 was almost like mile 9. You're so close to finish, yet it's SO far away! We could see the hotel that the finish line was in front of and it seemed a million miles away! Not to mention we had a slight(and I do mean slight) incline that may as well have been a mountain! My already screaming calves were completely protesting and quivering. You know the movie Aliens, where the alien pops out of the man's belly and dances on the diner counter? I was pretty sure my calf muscles were going to tear of my flesh like that. I could seriously envision them flopping on the side of the road. They hurt so bad!

Ok, so we get up the mountain, I mean mole hill, and we start running again. The bridge is in veiw! People are lined on the roads, we are near the end!! Time to step it up. The last 10th of a mile was the best! That's where all the spectators are. They are cheering you on, yelling for you. About 20 feet in front of the finish line, waiting for us to come through was my Grammie! That was one of the best parts of the race! Having someone there to cheer you on, is so awesome. I high fived her, then Jason grabbed my hand and we ran through the finish line together. It was one of the most awesome moments of our marriage!!

Today is the day!

I'm hoping for 3 hours and 15 mins or less....

A PR!

Nothing is more exciting than being concerned about your performance, then finding out you did great. I was very scared going into my 5k yesterday. I had not run 3 miles non stop since the beginning of August. My personal goal was to come in 42 minutes or sooner. Well, I came in at 40:38! Which is not only under my 42 minute goal, but 10 seconds faster than my previous 5k best. My next race my goal is to be under 40. This running and shaving time off is a long road, but so worth it. Races really invigorate and motivate. I feel ready for my 1/2 marathon now!

Accountability

I've found that in running, and probably all sports, there must be a level of accountability. I enjoy running alone, but since I stopped running with my team I've decreased by running to almost nothing. Who am I joking? It is nothing. 2 miles 10 days ago...

On Monday I'm meeting up with my old running buddy! I'm so excited. I will get out of bed and out the door if I know she'll be sitting on my front porch stretching. I have 4 weeks until the marathon. Plenty of time to whip myself back into shape :O) I know part of my recent frumpiness is not running. I've been going to the trainer, but nothing else. My weight loss is at a stand still. I need to get my ass back on the running wagon. I felt so awesome and fit when I was running on a regular basis. I want that feeling back.

I had the air knocked out of me

One of the vendors I work with on a regular basis donated to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on my behalf. Once I received notification of his donation I immediately send him an e-mail thanking him for his support. He replied back with this:

This one is important around my house. My sister had a double mastectomy today. Good luck on your run.

I totally had the wind knocked out of me. I had no clue(why would I?), but it was not the response I expected to receive. It almost instantly made me cry. It made LLS that much more real to me and made my wallowing in self pity over a sore foot so insignificant.

Ground Zero

I'm starting over. Instead of trying to run were I was (5-8 miles). I'm going to just start over. I made myself a new training schedule for the 1/2 marathon. 6 weeks to 13 miles. Totally do-able. I'm hoping that once I start slow it will come back a little quicker that way. We'll see. I'm at an odd place with my running. I WANT to run when I'm at a place and time I can't (work, wal-mart, ect.) but when I get home and I can actually run, I'm to lazy to do it. I think I would feel better if I ran, my blahness would go away, but the blahness make me not want to run. It's an evil, vicious cycle.

In happier news, I have a new running buddy! Jason! He is going to do the 1/2 marathon with me! So excited about that. He hasn't ran with any sort of consistently in 9, almost 10 years. So we will be start from ground zero together. He's always been my biggest supporter and I'm super excited about finishing the race with him by my side. 13.1 miles of love! It should be a fun morning!

I did it....

I changed events. I changed from the full marathon, to the half marathon. It's been an internal battle for a couple of days now. I really want to do the marathon, I want to be able to say I did a marathon. However, if I don't finish it won't matter. If my training had stayed solid I would have no problem completing the marathon. That foot thing really messed me up and pissed me off. I feel so far behind. I feel like everything I accomplished from January to July is gone. I had built up such a good foundation. Now it's gone, and I'm gonna do a half marathon, instead of a full.

I know that it's still 13 miles and that's great, but it's not what I've been planning for and training for. I'm pretty bummed. I really thought about doing the marathon anyway, but I really want my first marathon to be this great adventure, this neat experience that I'll always remember. Not an event that I barely live through! Even with my decreased running ability, I feel comfortable taking on a 1/2. Besides it gives me a reason to buy the shirt that says:

I do 1/2 marathons because good girls don't go all the way!