Awesome Week!

This week has been AWESOME!
Back...early spring...when I just started this blog and just started running again...I sat down and made some goals!
And then life hit!
When I realized that I had set goals that my body was not ready for ...I got a bit discouraged!
Training fell apart...yes I had injuries...but I also was in a state of "What now?"
Then I totally blew my half marathon...and ran a 5k instead.
At that point I seriously was feeling like me and running where just not meant to be!
but...

I LOVE TO RUN!

I just needed to get my head back on and relax and understand that everything takes time!
I set aside goals of speed and activities that took more time then I was able to commit to.
Picked a new race, set up a schedule...
and now the past 2 weeks I have followed my 4 days a week plan to get me to a half marathon!
This week has been so fun because I am feeling the excitement all over again!
Plus, I can never stay on one plane of thought!
So I am racing my husband in a 200!
(remember he is running backwards)

Half marathon training and 200 training are not really the same...
But at this stage of running, it will all be fine!

Yesterday, my sister, who is known for her kick!
Took me to the soccer field.
We let our 8 children run around, while we practiced sprinting!

I can't believe that I ran in high school and college and never really developed those muscles!
(My husband tells me that it is not true, he claims that when we met, 15 years ago, I had speed....but I have NEVER beat ANYONE in the last 100 yard!)

I have to say....we just ran about 14 100's...8 at 90%...
OUCH...my arms were killing me!
No wonder I don't like my arms...I've been ignoring them for all these year....those poor things need some muscle!
So next week I am going to add 2 days of lifting to my 4 days of running!

I think this time I am not over setting goals...I can DO IT! =)

My Next Race!

We are going to have a fun couple track meet...
in 2weeks
it only has two events!
My sister and her husband are going to race a 200!
and
Me and my hubby are going to race a 200!
Only in my race he is going to be running backwards and I am going to be running forward!

Believe it or not...
He is probably going to beat me!
He has never been beat backwards...NEVER...not even by his teammates in college!

I need to work on my sprint!
So it gives me a little motivation to work on SPEED!
plus
It is just FUN!

My last race, I finished 2nd in my age group!
So my sister asked me how far ahead #1 was.
I told her, maybe 50!?
She said, "You mean you could see her and you didn't go get her?"
She was in complete shock!

Family Freedom Run!

This weekend has been so much fun...we started on Friday and ended with this race on Monday!
I ran the mile with Chelsea...
Then Mark, Brooke, and I ran the 5k!
Typically the 4th of July is blazing hot.
So I appreciated the misty cool day!
I ran the best 5k for this season....23:25

After 4 days of 4th of July fun!
I am happy to say I have a whole new attitude...
Thanks to a friend of mine!
They invited us to their lake home on Saturday to BBQ and then watch the fireworks over the lake...which I must say, was FANTASTIC!

I just happened to ask if he was still running.
"Every day...8 miles!"
me: "How?"
I just do it!
me: "I am having a hard time finding time:
"I don't have time, I take it from my sleep!"
me: speechless

I could tell he had No interest in my GIGANTIC list of excuses!

I knew he was right!
Every time that I have been able to be consistent with my running I have to do it EARLY!!!
I am sure that the majority of you would say the exact same thing?

Fair Weather Treadmill!

What's a mom to do?
I have to get my runs in!

If I....

Go up this hill...

down this hill...

up this hill....
and then a few straight areas..
then I get 1 mile...
passing my kids at least twice!
then do it again...and again...until I reach the miles that I need!

It is actually a pleasant run...and I can get my run in!

Last time, my little 4 year old boy ran a full mile with me...hills and all...no stopping!
I was literally in shock...I had No idea he could run!
I would like to say that I was slowing up for him...but I think he was slowing to stay with me!
I had to make him stop...he wanted to keep going...but I didn't know how good it was for him???
All day today he has been asking me..."When are we running MOM?"
Seriously?
My oldest daughter told me, "Mom, today you ARE getting your runs in!"
I think they realize how much I want this...and that I dedicate my whole life to them...they are giving back...gotta love it! =)

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!

Personalities!

I don't think it really matters what personality one is...a running schedule or program always helps!
I would have to say...I am rather spontaneous....a little "fly by the seat of my pants" girl!
I'm Not overly structured!
(stopping laughing if you know me personally!)
I have always functioned well this way!
I love me...and am happy with the way the Lord created me!
BUT...
I need a program!
To help me stay on track....give me direction...and just plain, help me get to my race!
There are soooooo many wonderful training schedules on the internet!
Since I would consider myself at beginner level, I didn't spend the time to review very many!
I just googles half marathon training, picked one...and I am starting today!
4 days a week of running....hopefully cut down on injuries!

Since running is more mental than most people think....
I have to admit, that my personality gives me an advantage!
(We already know of the disadvantage...and that would be...I am always under trained)
But the advantage is, that I don't get worked up over small bumps in the rode.
Actually the opposite....I thrive on them!
Bumps like....

HILLs
HOT
HUMID
COLD
RAIN
MUD
SNOW
SICK
TIRED
JUST ATE
NOT READY
WRONG TURN
ECT.

Since the majority of runners that I am friends with both in the "real" world and the bloggy world, are great example of consistency!
Thank you !
If I could find just a bit of that I would do a ton better!
But I can offer the other side!
Enjoy each and every moment of each and every run or race!
Don't let the little things bother you!
At least YOU'VE done the training!
Now just BELIEVE!!!
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!!!!

How many????

How many miles do you think I get in a day?
If I chase 3 non swimmers around the pool ALL day?

The Perfect Name!

I was so excited to see my blogs name on the tshirts!
This would have been a perfect run...
IF...
we could have eliminated the EXTREME
HEAT
HUMIDITY
HILLS!

Oh My goodness!
This may have been the toughest race I personally have ever run!
It was 97 with a heat index of at least 110!
Blazing Hot!

Everyone was just beat!
But I loved this race...it was small and simple!
Perfect for getting in a run!

Mark, my hubby, is in the green!
And Mellissa is in the purple!
I am so proud of her, she just started running about 3 months ago...
and is on FIRE!
Amazing!

Small races are perfect for lifting moral!
I got first in my age group and 3rd overall!
There was 100 runners!

After, they did a tower run!
One at a time they had the runners run up the tower as fast as they could!
Most of the competitors had just run the 5k.

I decided not to do it!
Mark, did it in 38 sec.
OUCH...the thought hurts!

There are the tower climbers!