Change in plans

I debated about writing this post for a while...which is why I've been a little MIA.  I felt like if I wrote it and hit publish, it was a final decision and I wasn't sure I was okay with that yet.  But here goes, final answer:

So, things change.  I'm trying to roll with it...

After some very challenging training runs, I have decided to listen to my body and bow out of my half and full marathons this fall.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't super bummed out about this, but at the same time, I know there will be other races and I will just give myself the rest I need now and then get back into my training when my body can cooperate with me!  Head/heart and body were on 2 different pages when it came to running this summer.  Mentally I was completely there, ready to train for and run my first marathon (with a half along the way), even if I was a little anxious.  I think it would be weird if I wasn't a little anxious about running 26.2 miles, right?!?   

Anyway, I pushed through some of the worst summer heat and humidity for some grueling and slower runs, and thought I was coming into the home stretch when my dead legs and cramping stomach let me know in no uncertain terms that this running thing was NOT happening for us right now.  Dealing with some shin splints and a little pain was one thing, but this message was loud and clear...so I (eventually) listened.  Even though I tried to ignore it for a little while and pretend each time I went out for a run that things would be different *this time.*  

I'm still going to go to the expo and pick up my shirt and goodie bag, though :-)  I'll be back, you can count on that!  In the meantime, we'll have more time for family fun this fall!!  (yaaay fall...!)

Eureka!

...and stay tuned.  I finally figured out my problem in uploading pictures to my new computer.  It was the cord.  So, I used a different one and voila!! - works like a dream :)  Why didn't I try this sooner??  Pictures to come of recent home-life adventures, probably later tonight.

In the meantime, an update on my training since I know you're just dying to know!  C and I did 10 miles on trails Saturday and it. was. rough.  On me at least.  It started after my 5 miler a week ago, and I just was struggling, so I took an extra rest day ahead of the 10 miler.  I still had trouble Saturday, rested 2 more days, and had a tough run yesterday (3 miles).  I was feeling defeated.  BUT, I did some reading of inspirational stories and set out today with the mentality that I'd take it easy, be mindful to keep my pace slower (wore the Garmin), and see how it goes.  

MUCH better experience all around today.  So glad my body and mind are in sync again today and hope they stay that way at least through race time!!  I can't tell you what a relief it was to complete my 3 miles, having run it all, albeit slower than my normal pace.  It was such the mental boost I needed to regain my confidence. And running really is so mental, isn't it? 

Why Run?

In the midst of a very busy week last week, I managed to fit in over 17 miles.  WOW!  If you had told me 2 years ago that I would run that far in a month, much less a week, I'd have thought you were smokin' something funny.  So, since I had some time to reflect Sunday morning at dawn when I was out running my 8.5 miler, I started thinking about all the reasons I have come to love running.  Here are a few...

1. It keeps me in shape (duh)
2. I have great running buddies (and motivators) in my dogs
3. I love being able to get outside (yeah, even when it's hot and humid) for fresh air
4. It keeps me sane...that is a half hour or hour (or two coming up!) that I can just be with myself.  Sometimes I think about life, sometimes I think about what I will post on the blog next, and sometimes I don't think about a damn thing!  
5. I like the challenge it gives me physically to compete with myself - to see if I can run faster or farther than last time
6. Fit mom = strong mom = happy mom.  I like being active with my kids and being fit and strong allows me to be without even thinking about it.
7. I love the feeling on a long run when I have about 2 miles left and I know I'm going to make it to the finish.  Sounds obvious, but I get a little surge of pride about that time that pushes me to finish strong. 

I have NOT figured out (or had time to mess with it) how to get my new computer to recognize my camera.  We had a busy weekend at a soccer tournament and birthday celebration here so I didn't have any time to work on that over the weekend.  I hope to later this week so I can post up some new pics SOON. Thanks for hanging in there till I figure it all out!!

What's the best thing you get out of your exercise of choice?  What keeps you coming back again and again?

Do you think exercising is addictive?  Do you ever feel like something's missing from your day/week when you can't fit a workout in, or don't get to do as many?

Out of shape? Or...

Today: 4 miles / 38:17 / 9:34 pace

Wednesday: 3 miles / 9:15 pace

Monday: 7.15 miles / 10:45 pace

I'm going to try and put my runs at the top of my first (or only?) post of the day again...that catches me up for the week so far!

So lately I have been really trying hard not to be down on myself about my S-L-O-W pace on my runs.  I know I can run faster than a 9:15-9:30 mile!!  I was pondering the reason I've been slow on my runs this morning (out of the house before 6am! I FINALLY did it!) and I figure it's either I'm not fueling properly (likely), out of shape (less likely, given my increasing miles over the past few months), or it's just waaaayyyy too hot/humid outside these days (well, we know that's the case with 80% humidity and 80* at 5:30am).  Even though I know it's pretty unlikely I'm losing my fitness, and I know in my head that I need to take it slower in this "heat dome" as they call it on the news, I'm not gonna lie, it still kinda bums me out that I'm not able to run at the pace I would like to. My legs will just only go so fast, no matter how much I tell them how svelte and strong they are...

So, that all said (whined?), I am committing to paying more attention to how I fuel both before and after my runs for the next several months while I keep trotting towards my marathon in November. I made myself a nice protein smoothie after my run this morning with soy milk, protein powder, half a frozen banana and a tablespoon of peanut butter.  Yummy!  I drank almost all of it before Beamer started helping himself.  Seriously, nothing is out of this dog's reach.  Nothing. Even when you think your food is safely out of reach, it's just not.  Ever.

Does anyone have any good fueling tips for me??  

Do you find it difficult to adjust your training for the weather?  Does it affect you mentally at all?

3 down, 1 to go...

I finished my 3 3-milers for the week!  Now just have my 7-7.5 mile run this weekend left to do.  I usually really enjoy my time to run, and I am still looking forward to getting out there for some "me" time, but it is tough with the summer heat/humidity just the same.  I went out at just after 7 this morning with the whole team - both boys and both dogs.  The air was thick, it was very hot, very humid, and I took it slow and settled into a nice pace.  I didn't have the Garm with me today since it was charging, and I also didn't want to think too much about pace since I knew I needed to just go slow and listen to what my body needed to do to finish the miles today.  One more run closer to my half marathon and marathon goals!!

Thank goodness for day 2 eye makeup today...totally did not have (or take) the time to beautify.  I came home, iced the shins (still feeling just a little lame for icing after only 3 miles, but hey, it keeps me going and that's what matters, right?), drank down 2 tall glasses of ice water, then had to hop in the shower, try to stop sweating through use of some major mind-over-matter, get W ready, and pack both boys up to take W to his first day of "school."  He officially starts preschool in September, but we decided to help him ease into it by doing a little morning program at a daycare up the street on Tuesday and Thursday for the month of August.  

Yeah, this is going to be a LOT harder for me than him I think - and harder for me than I even anticipated!  I slipped out once he started exploring his classroom since I didn't want to make it a big deal and have him get all worked up again, but I have some HUGE guilt for not kissing him goodbye and I've been compulsively checking the time, waiting for 11:45 when I'll leave to go get him!  I can't wait to hear how it went and give him a big hug :)

Ice, Ice Baby

Is it completely ridiculous to ice after a 3 mile run?  'Cause that's just what I did today - and it made a HUGE difference after today's run. I was SOOOO sore and stiff after finishing my short run today and after ice, an ice bath (yep, did both), and a warm shower, I was pretty much feeling back to normal.  Sweet!

W tended to me while I borrowed his Elmo boo-boo buddies to ice down after a hot 3-miler late this morning.  Tonight he brought me all the ice packs from the freezer, too.  He's such a sweet little dude.

Mama had a fun night out with the girls for margaritas tonight and now I gotta set the coffee pot for the morning and cart myself off to bed.

 

Another 3-miler tomorrow morning, then REST on Friday!  I'm taking the dogs with me tomorrow - just need to drag out of the house early enough to beat the heat for an easy run!!

 

We're headed to see Sublime and 311 tomorrow night - takes me back to high school and I. Can't. Wait. :)  That reminds me - I have to charge the battery in my "little" camera so I can capture the fun times in the 757 tomorrow night!!

Can I get a yee-ha?

I have a plan!

Howdy y'all!  I must say, I am feeling SO much better today after spending a little time revisiting and revising my training plan for the rest of the summer and into the fall.  I am such a list-maker...I make lists of lists, and have to make new lists when they start to feel disorganized.  And all this must be on paper, I do not do this electronically...yet.  Maybe one day I will enter the technology age with some new-fangled gadgets like a smart phone or iPad :)  Maybe I'll get crazy and start tweeting, too!

Anyway, I found that I am in a good place to start midway into a Hal Higdon novice marathon training plan and I mapped it to a calendar and (cue the hallelujia chorus) it all worked out *just right* on the dates for both the half marathon on 9/4 AND the full marathon on 11/12.

This week, I need to do 3 miles each on Tues, Weds, Thurs, rest, and then 7 miles this weekend.  I like that there are 3 shorter runs during the week and rest on Monday, Friday, and sometimes Sunday (or cross training, which I'm thinking will be something fun with the family!).  I'm feeling good and very optimistic about this plan and my way ahead towards my first marathon now!