WooHoo!!

I finished my first HM! Yeah!! I'll write more tomorrow...but thought I'd let you all know that I'm alive...barely! My body is uber sore and not happy with me. The entire thing was such a great experience though! I didn't make my goal of 2 hours but came in at 2:16.

Fart-whats?

I'm such a corn ball. While reading the Runner's World mag this past weekend I kept reading "fartlek" and giggling...not understanding what it meant. Finally today, after seeing it more and more I had to google it. Not as funny any more though...hehe Maybe it is.

Nothing new around these parts. Only a few days away from my 1/2 mar. I'm ready and itching to get it on. My shin splints are killin but hopefully I can ice them enough these next few days to be fine before Sunday.

I stumbled upon a blog today Nancy something or other who put on a virtual 10k. What an awesome idea. I'll have to watch for the next one so I can join in. Fun stuff.

That's all I got....basically just needed a few minute break from a hectic work day. Back at er though.

Another PR!

I finally got my butt in gear this weekend and with a little bullying from my running partner, Lisa - I ran 11 miles on Saturday. Yay! We found a new route which was a nice change of scenary but it had a lot of hills. I felt awful for the first 3 miles of the run and if it weren't for Lisa trotting along next to me, I would probably have just turned around. Once I hit the 4 mile mark it was as if 10lbs were lifted off my shoulders and I felt loose and ready to rock. I'm not sure how long it took us because I forget to check the time before we headed out, but I'd say we probably ran 10 minute miles...which isn't too bad.

When I got home from the run I checked the mailbox and guess what had arrived? My first issue of Runner's World that my favorite sister got me. : ) Thanks, Amy! I sat on the floor, stretched, and read the thing cover to cover. I've never been so excited and pumped about running before. I'm fully motivated and ready for my 1/2 marathon in...say it with me....SIX DAYS! My original goal was to finish. Now that I've improved quite a bit this last month I'm setting myselt a time goal as well - 2 hours.

This week my plan for tapering will be to ride the bike for a few miles tonight at the gym. Drink as much water as I can stomach this week and Wednesday or Thursday run 5 miles. That'll be it! I need to change my thought process this week about food though...I have to remember I'm not a calorie burning machine right now and can't eat everything I see. Darn. : ) Almost makes me excited about starting to train again after the marathon so I can eat without guilt again. Gotta love it.

Two and a half weeks and counting....

Well I am officially disapointed in myself. It's been 3 days since my last run (which was pitiful to say the least) and I'm only two and a half weeks away from my half marathon. My sister in law so selfishly (jk) had a baby at 3am yesterday and her husband has been back from Iraq for the past two weeks but goes back Saturday. It has completely consumed my life these days. I've declared tonight the night to get back in the swing of things though. I'm going to the gym for a good solid workout. The plan is 4 or 5 miles on the TM (it's ridulously cold and windy outside) and 20 miles on the bike. I figure this will jump start me back into action. My tapering will start next week so I need to get in a last one or two more long runs before then but need to ease back into it after my week of slacking. It's amazing how long it takes to get into shape and how quickly it goes away. Wish me luck! Hopefully this weekend I can do a PR for chris's challenge.

Runners are awesome!

Well I was all worried about running with someone else for nothing. She backed out on the workout last night. I was pretty bummed at first. Once I started thinking about it though - it really made me realize what a strong commitment to running I have right now. It's so easy for us to say eh, not in the mood today...or come up with one of the millions of excuses...but we don't (most of the time!). We all deserve a pat on the back! With that being said though - I only ran 2 miles last night and then went golfing. It was such a nice day I had to! Tonight I have 3 volleyball games which won't be finised until 9 so that'll have to be my workout for the day. Tomorrow on the other hand will hopefully be a good run. I'm going to go for 13 miles this weekend. While I know that I can finish the 1/2 marathon - I think it'd make me less stressed if I did it at least once first. That's the plan! I'll of course keep you updated!

Ouch!

So I finally understand the full extent of chaffing. I didn't fully realize how cut and raw my skin really was until this morning. This is probably too much information but oh well - I have scabs under my boobs and in the middle where I so wisely stashed my cell phone during the run. I also have a nice battle wound on my right hip where my radio was clipped to my shorts. Ouch!!! Not fun!! I look like I ran threw a blender. Not to mention my shin splints are out of this world right now. I did however, enjoy a night of watching Juno (hilarious movie btw) with ice packs strapped to both shins. It was enjoyable. No pain no gain - right?

I DID IT!

10 mile day! I wasted half of my work day yesterday on mapmyrun.com trying to find a good route where I could run 5 miles out and have to run the remaining 5 back - forcing myself not to chicken out. A guy I work with suggested a beautiful road where my in-laws own a house.


I got myself all worked up and anxious all day - I was so nervous. On my way home from work I stopped at Radio Shack to get some new headphones - which I thanked myself numerous time throughout the run. My oldies were starting to short out on the left side and it drove me crazy. I got some sony ones that wrap around your ear - highly suggest, they are awesome.

So - the run. I first drove it so that I knew where I was going and mentally noted where each mile was. I threw out a water bottle at the 2 mile mark. When I was driving I noticed a guy on a bike with a bright orange hat. Oh great - should I be wearing orange? It is turkey hunting right now and this area is total fields. I called Todd and asked him since he used to live at the farm house that I started at and he said I'd be OK as long as I wasn't wearing a brown shirt with feathers. That shirt was dirty so I was wearing my fav nike running shirt. Good thing! A minute later Craig called to see if I had started or if I backed out. I proudly told him I was just about to start. He suggested taking my cell with me just in case it got dark and I needed help. I stashed it in the back of my sports bra - since my car key and an extra battery were in the front. I looked ridiculous but I was fully prepared. The first mile my heart was beating so hard because I had gotten myself so worked up and excited about it. Once I got to my water bottle I took a big swig and kept on moving. I didn't feel good at this point - at all. In fact, it was not much further when a truck and open trailer drove past - I considering jumping in. I didn't care where he was going as long as it meant I could stop moving. At mile number 3 I was so sweaty my cell phone almost fell out forcing me to put it in the front - I had a large lumpy tri-boob thing going on but I didn't care. I managed to get to the end of the 5 mile trek and start back. I picked up the speed on the way back to make sure I finished before dark. Around mile number 8 I started to lose my mind. I was so bored. I managed to get through that mile and on to number 9 which I think I literally said every swear word 8 times. When I finally made it to the end and started walking - it was the most bizare feeling. I felt like I had prosthetic (sp?) legs. My knees were so tight but wouldn't stop moving....craziness. I finished the 10 miles in an hour and half - which to my suprise is 10 minute miles. When I'm on the treadmill I run 11 and 12 minute miles so this was huge for me. Yay - so now today I can barely walk but I'm so proud of myself it's OK. Today is storming out so I declare it as my rest day. Tomorrow I'm running with a friend of mine - which is scary. I've only ever run by myself. I'll survive though. Yay for finishing my 10 though - who would have thought?!