Wake Up Call

Sunday morning, I had signed my whole company up to do a 5K together... this was the longest I've run probably since the San Antonio Marathon in November. It was not fun. Hot and humid at 8:30 already, we ran the first 1.25 or so then stopped to try and wait for coworkers. We then walked and jogged the rest of the time. I felt so out of shape that I didn't want to / couldn't (not sure which) run the whole thing. I have 24 weeks until Nike Women's... Here I go!

Nike Women's Marathon 2012!

It's been awhile... both posting here and running! Last I left off I was trying to do some last minute training for the NWM 2011; well it paid off and I managed to come in just under 5:15! (Which is about a 15 minute PR)  I followed that up a few weeks later with the San Antonio Marathon. That one was sunny and hot and I had a great first 10 miles and then the sun came out and I took my sweet ole time, finishing around my traditional 5:34.

Then life hit! Business is going extremely well... which means I am beyond busy. I bailed on the Austin Half (although got my awesome 3M swag), deferred the Austin Full... and just completely bailed on the Dallas rock-n-roll Half.

Today is my birthday! I was up early enjoying some tea and a magazine out back when a got an email from Nike Women's Marathon... I was once again selected through the random drawing!!!!

WOOHOO! Happy Birthday to me!!!

Now to figure out how to actually train this time... ideas?!  I'm doing a 5K this weekend!

And I'm Back...

Wow, so I've been gone for awhile..May 4th it appears. A lot has happened; this summer was full of family tragedies and celebrations, as well as personal tragedies and celebrations, and a lot of traveling throughout it all.

Of course, in typical me fashion, I did not train like I wanted to for the Nike Women's Marathon this year. I have been a lot better the last 3 weeks or so, and I feel like I have my running groove back. I'm going for runs semi consistently in the morning, and most evenings as well. While my longest so far has only been 6.5, I know I'll finish the marathon, and will beat last year's catastrophe!

On June 1st, there was a bunch of marathons and half marathons on sale, so here is what my current calendar looks like:

Oct 16th: Nike Women's Marathon

Nov 13th: San Antonio Rock-n-Roll Marathon

Jan 2012: Austin Half Marathon

Feb 2012: Austin Full Marathon

March 25: Dallas Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon

I hope to keep up better with blogging about it all!

Happy Wednesday!

3 T's of Miles

I've been slacking... but I have gotten a couple short runs in via track, treadmill, and trails. Nothing big, a total of 7.5

Total Miles: 99/1000

Hitting the Road

I am not putting stress on myself to run a certain distance on certain days. Right now, it's more important to just get moving consistently now. On Saturday, while T and a friend (my personal training buddy in fact!) flopped on the couch to watch Star Trek, I dragged my behind out with the dog and ran a 5K. It wasn't that fast, but it was solid and steady and I feel good doing it.

Yesterday, despite my best intentions, I did not make it to the gym. T and I did walk around the block twice, but that was the extent of it.

So today, after a 12 hour work day, off to the gym I went! I went on the treadmill for a super easy 3 mile jog while I watched an episode of No Ordinary Family.  (I highly recommend if you haven't seen it.)

Total Mileage: 91.5/1000

3 more miles...

At Special Olympics track practice last night, I ran/walked over 1.5 miles with some of the athletes. Afterward, I ran another 1.5... it's not a lot, but I need to build my base back up. :-)

My general plan for now is the following:
April: just start running and working on improving nutrition and hydrations
May: continue running and begin some basic core strength
June: start a formal running plan which incorporates cross training and strength training

Thoughts?

Total Mileage: 85.5

Registered for the Nike Women's Marathon!!!

It's official.. I am doing the Nike Women's Marathon. I have just a few days over 6 months to get in shape for the big day on October 16th. I finally went to the gym for the first time in a long time on Sunday, did an easy 30 minutes on the elliptical and read by the pool. Not impressive, but it's something.

My plan between now and June (when my life becomes a little more manageable) is to start getting my base back up. I don't think I going to write a formal plan for that because I never seem to follow the plans and then I get frustrated! So I'm just going to concentrate on going to the gym more, and just getting my strength back up.

Mileage Update: T and I ran/walked a local 10K just for fun...
Total Mileage: 82.5/1000

Quick Mileage Update

I did the Austin full marathon... adding another 26.2 plus a 10K... another 6.2. (Since in each I ran a little further than measured, I'm adding 32.5 to my total.)

I'm now at a grand total of: 76.5/1000.

Oh. Boy.

Running on Hold

I am juggling too many balls... The past month or so has been tough for me. I'm struggling with trying to feel like I have any sort of control right now. In February, I spent 245 hours out of the house for work. My mom was in town for 3 days when it didn't work at all. This means that over the remaining 25 days, I was out of the house, on average, 9.8 hours EVERY day. This doesn't count the house I work on things for my business at home, which I would guess it at least 10 hours a week. (Should be more, but as you can see... I don't really have the hours!)

So I made some lists... On Hold, Low Priority, High Priority. Getting outside and general exercise are on the low priority until June. Specific run training is On Hold.

The main struggle I keep running into is I know exercising will help me feel better, but if it costs me 2 hours of sleep that I barely have is it worth it. Sleep or exercise... which is better for me right now? Luckily, my job is very movement based so it's not like I'm just sitting at a desk all day.

I am looking forward to June and beyond when I will have time to focus on running. I am doing the Nike Women's Marathon again, and this time I am going to be ready!!!

Beautiful Sunday Run

Yesterday was a lazy Sunday. We had a "snow day" on Friday, so no work. (Meaning we got about an inch of snow on the ground.) I didn't do much that day. On Saturday, I worked most of the day, and took the dogs for a nice run/walk around the neighborhood. I did 4 miles total in about an hour... definitely more running than walking, but I walked fast!

Then came Sunday. I slept in until about 8:30, and then T and I lazed around the house for while.  It was a nice crisp 59* when we went to the park so I could run. T played with the dogs, while I went on the trails. I wanted to do at least 7. I pulled off 10! Now, for those of you who are amazing at following training plans, this doesn't seem like a big deal. I am not one of those people. 10 continuous running miles is the most I have ever done outside of a race. I was so proud of myself. I did them slowly... finished in a little under 2 hours, but I did them. Woo hoo!

Also, I forgot about 2 miles I did at the gym before that last personal training session.

Total Mileage: 44/1000
(January: 30; February 14)

3M Half Marathon Race Report!

Let me start with two facts: (1) Worst training/prep ever (2) I PR-ed.

Oh yeah.

One of my 2011 Fitness Goal was to run a sub-2:15 on a half in April. That was before I signed up for this half...so now I have the one in April to PR on!

So 1 goal accomplished!  I finished with an exciting time of 2:13:44. I was so excited.

So fact 1, worse training ever. As I noted in my last post, allergies have been killing me. This Sunday is actually the first time I haven't fallen asleep on a weekend afternoon in 3 weeks. And I don't nap. I have felt awful, which means I did a whole 15 miles training this month, 2 of which I was walking on the treadmill. So 13 miles actually ran in January. Then to top it all of, yesterday contained a horrible headache, a 2 hour nap at 5pm, and general ickiness. I tried to relax and read in the evenings, and finally got hungry around 10:30pm. So the guy and I went to McDonald's. Carbo load anyone? I had fries and a cheeseburger, mainly because I really felt like I needed some iron.

Then the alarm went off at 5am. I hit snooze... and finally got out of bed at 5:17am. Magically, my head didn't hurt, and I felt okay. I made coffee and half an english muffin with almond butter (yum) and got ready to race. I changed my mind on my outfit, showered, and got ready to go.

I got there was time to spare... said hi to a friend pacing the 1:55 group, and stretched. I started strong about 7 minutes after the gun time. I felt good... it was 73 degree out, but overcast. The course is know as a PR course, with an overall downhill throughout. This doesn't mean there weren't some hills here and there, but it was nice. I hit a hunger wall a little before 8 and again after 11. Felt like I was running on empty. Luckily there were Powerade stops shortly, and I made it through.

When I hit 10 and realized I could hit 2:15, I pushed myself the most I could. Perhaps a little much, hence the wall at 11. But I rebounded before 12, and ran my hardest for the last 1.1 Wow, that felt good. I was SO proud of myself.

It's races like this that remind me why I want to keep running. :-)

Happy Week to You All!

Mileage: 28/1000

My Awesome New Customized Shoes

One of my Christmas gifts from T was Nikes he designed himself just for me!  Orange is my favorite color, and I'm a firm believer that if you have something custom, it and better be noticeable!  And if you can't read what they say, the left shoe says, "Go Fast" and the right shoe says, "Laura." I LOVE them.

Allergies + Cold = Minimal Running

Despite a great first week of 2011, allergies hit me, and I think a good ole cold as well. In the first week, I ran those 3 miles already mentioned, did an awesome 4 milers, a slow run/walk 3 miler, and some elliptical and biking at the gym.

This week I finally was able to get sufficient sleep to feel semi-okay, and went out for an evening jog on Thursday. I ended up doing 3 miles at a 9:47 pace which was exciting for me. Yesterday, I went for a short little over 2 miles at a leisurely pace. Then I came home, showered, and fell asleep. :-(

Having no energy is tough... I have a half marathon in one week. Oh boy. I'm not expecting to PR; I just want to make it through.

My friend and I are supposed to have the final personal training today. I did 4 of the 9 sessions with her... it was a nice kick in the butt to do more strength training. I also need to do more stretching.

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone; I'm off to make more tea!

Total Miles: 15/1000

2011 Fitness Goals

This year my guy and I are really trying to focus on fitness, among other things. We are both big believers in everything in moderation, so we aren't going on any crazy strict diet, or exercise regime, but making a concerted effort to get back in shape, and do so together. My personal fitness goals are as follows:

* Set a PR in Austin Marathon on 2/20/11

* Run a sub 2:15 half on 4/16/2011

* Set a PR on a half or full marathon after the above

* Run a sub 55 min 10K

* Run 1000 miles (trying again after last year's miserable fail)

So far, I did 3 miles at the gym yesterday

Total Miles: 3

Personal Training

My good friend, Ms. T and I, were at the gym. I have temporarily joined a second gym. Yes,  goofy, but I get a great month to month deal through my employer. We were attempting a weight machine, when I made it go **Clang!** A trainer walked by and gave me a hard time about breaking the machine. We chat with him for awhile... new training, just got out of the Marines, and he told us to come do our free orientation with him.

So we did. And at the end of it, Ms. T had signed up for 9 personal training sessions with me as her sidekick! Ms. T has always struggled to get in shape (at least in the 5 years I've known her) and felt like this was the only way to ensure success. We had had success one other time when we did a boot camp together. At this gym, it doesn't cost any extra for me to tag along, so when I can, I will and just give her money towards the cost of that session.

We had our first session last night.  Oh my gosh, I've lost a lot of strength.  This will be good for me too!  I love the idea of personal training and think I would really benefit from it... just not as much of a fan of the cost! It's fun doing with a friend as well. So this should help, since he is also going to function as an accountability buddy!  We even have to do a food diary. Ms. T is doing the next two on her own while I'm out of town, and then I'll join up again.

I'm excited!

Marine Corp Marathon!

Friday:
We at the airport Friday morning bright and early for a 5:30am flight. At the airport I ran into an old running buddy who asked if we were going to the rally? Rally?  What rally? It turns out the Cobert/Stewart rally to restore sanity was going on in DC at the same time!

After T and I got there, we checked into the hotel and headed to the Expo. It was crazy and we picked up our turtleneck long sleeve black race shirts. We also picked up two Marine Corp Marathon Christmas ornaments for my Grandpa (a marine) and ourselves.

We were both exhausted we went for dinner at 4pm at my favorite Old Ebbitt's Grill.

We wandered back to the hotel, changed into bathing suits and fell asleep before we made it to the pool!!!

T's brother came in late, so the boys went to grab food while I continued to sleep.


Saturday:
We went to grab breakfast and head to Air and Space Smithsonian. We had a good time, and when we left the rally was in full swing!  Silly us, we decided to walk through the rally just to see how it was.  45 minutes or so later, we made it across the mall, losing T's brother in the process!!!  T's parents made it in at this point and we met them at the hotel and relaxed until dinner. We had the Organization for Autism Research dinner (we fundraised) which was delicious and really nice. I tried to go to bed early, but we got sucked into watching Titantic... finally falling asleep around midnight.

Sunday: Race Day!!!
We were up and out just a few minutes behind schedule. and went to catch the metro. It was running funny and so we arrived at the race station right at start time. By the time we walked the mile to the start line, people were still waiting to start. We started about a half hour after the first person. It was perfect weather, cool and sunny, and I started with sleeves on (that I bought at NWM!) We took it slow and did well up the first hill at Mile 3. T's brother had multiple surgery's back and February and should not have been running. I left T around mile 4 while he waited to check on his brother. (His brother ended up making it somewhere between the 10K and 15K mark)  I just cruised on feeling good!  I was worried about hurting my calf again, so at the 1/3 mark I began to run walk. The rest was gorgeous, and I loved almost all of it. The worst part was the 1.5 mile bridge that just wouldn't end. It was awful, and I walked all of it. The remaining 5-6 miles were AWESOME. I love it, and I finished strong! Being the Marine Corp Marathon, half of the last .2 was a straight up hill!  According to my watch, I ran 26.5 miles in 5:34:51 for a 12:38 pace.

We then had a fantastic dinner and went to bed early!

Nike Women's Marathon 2010

So finally, a race recap.  It was an incredibly humbling experience. Let's look at the good, bad, and silver lining:

Good
* The energy was great in the beginning
* The first 10 miles were gorgeous; weather was perfect
* I powered up the big hills

Bad
* My hips and calves were so tight that I started walking around mile 11
* After running/walking for the next ~5 miles, my left calf started cramping like nothing else. I almost stumbled a few times
* I then had to walk the whole remaining 10 miles or so because my calf physically would not let me run
* The weather turned on me.. all along Ocean Highway it was cold and rainy... for the whole last 10 miles
* I finished with mild hyperthermia and was miserable
* The Facebook messages messed up and said I finished before it said I hit 21.7, so I missed my mom and T along the way. I saw no one :-(
* It took me 6 hours... my Garmin gave out at mile 25.15
* It took me so long they had run out of 2010 Tiffany's necklaces

Silver Linings
* Some nice guy around mile 25 with an umbrella walked with me for a quarter mile
* I got to eat all you can eat steamed crabs just a couple hours after! Yum!
* Because they ran out of 2010 necklaces, I got 2008's... and they are sending me 2010's!
* Because of the necklace incident, I have guaranteed entry into 2011's race, so I can REDEEM MYSELF!!

Bootie Buster!

I'm participating in the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge!

And I promise I will get my two marathon race reports up soon... it's back to the gym this weekend!

Never as much as I should...

I have done a little running the first part of the month...

Gym:  4 miles, 2 miles, 2 miles =8

Neighborhood: 3, 7, 2 = 12

So 20 more miles... 220/1000

I finally had a great run the other night. The weather is cooling down, and I just jogged real slowly and did over 6 and then cool down walk with the other dog and T to total 7. It was awesome!!!

So little time left... starting to freak out.

I have a 16-20 miler with a friend scheduled for Sunday.

200 miles!

Since the trip I've done a few runs... for a total of 24 more miles!  I finally hit the 200 mark... oh boy. I'm quite away from my goal, and not very far from the marathon.

My goal for September is to run 100 miles. This is going to be tough given I'm gone two of the weekends, but I need to make it happen!

Today the plan is to run to the track, a little over a mile from my house and then do a track workout of 2 quick miles with .5 miles in between (so 3) and a cool down run/walk back for a grand total of 6.