A week's worth of worthy updates!

Hi there fellow friends! I've been off-line a little, and I apologize for that. I got to thinking that even though I am not running all the freaking time doesn't mean that I can't post about all the other fun in my life! So that's what this post will be about...with some running...don't worry...

I got a solid 3 runs in this week! 3 miles, 2.5 miles and then a WHOPPING 7 miles just yesterday! I am still stoked on that 7 miler, I ain't gonna lie!  Times weren't the best, but the biggest thing is that I did it. And I gave it all I had.  But that 7 miler...really brought me back to the love of running. 

It was Kelly and I. We started at Old Springfield with the intent to do 6. I kinda figured we would end up at 7. Ran north to Kyle Park. Which was against the wind I might add. But it wasn't too hateful. It made ya move a little faster! Kyle Park was pumping with soccer games so it was full of people watching and dodging. But it was so fun! I am one of those people who, when running past others, think "are they looking at me? do I look silly? are they thinking "I should go do that"? please don't let me fall!" Yeah, I am one of those... I don't care really, makes me improve.

We cross over Main Street because I just had to see the Lock Canal...yeah, it's a bunch of nothin! But I had to see it. Crossing back over we see Karine and Amy! And Karine remembers my name! I have met this wonderful lady once...at a race...with Boss Lady. Once. Since then I have seen her 3 times. And all 3 times she remembered my name, that I was training for a half, and yesterday asked me how I did! And high-fived me! I know this may seem silly, but it just makes me smile from ear to ear! I mean COME ON! SHE KNOWS MY NAME! It is just so cool. But anyhow.

So, back into the park we go and we take the longer route around to hopefully find a water fountain or tackle a soccer mom/dad for the jug of water they are carrying for their kid. Thankfully I didn't have to tackle, although Kelly was ready with her phone to take a picture if I did!  There was a water fountain in the shelter. That was working. Couple drinks of water and we head back to the car. It was either warming up (defined as 35 degrees) or running with the wind you don't feel the cold. Either way, it was a little harder. About mile 6.5 we both said that we could feel it. Hips. Feet. But we pushed on. And in the end, we knew that we would be able to conquer the Hot Chocolate 15k November 18th! 

 In other news...

• Nate is kicking my ass again on the plank-a-day challenge. And I will probably owe him $10. But I am still striving to hold it longer!
• We started Advocare's 24 Day Challenge Sunday! I will be writing a separate post to explain the program! It is phenomenal! I lost 40 pounds total on this program in 6 months...18 of it in the first 24 days! And if my 12 y/o son can do it, it's gotta be ok!
• Nate and I stopped at the Taylorsville Dam yesterday to scope out a site for pictures this weekend. And while doing so, he says "let's go for a hike" Ummmmm, OK!!!!!!!! I have been asking him to do this for months! So, we picked a route (the shortest one..."to test it out, Mom") and off we went! I did get a promise that we will do a longer one next time! OKAY!!! Happy Mom right here!
• I had this amazing lunch today! Tuna mixed with Spicy 3 Pepper Hummus on romaine leaves with some plain broccoli slaw! DELICIOUSNESS! Protein packed YUMMINESS!!!  Try it!

Gonna try and get a couple short runs/walks in this week (not supposed to do to much exercise in the first 10 days of the challenge) if the weather holds out! Hurricane Sandy is bringing us some wind!!! And colder temps! And dare I say it...s-n-o-w! ICK! 

To the dreadmill I go!

Run. Strong. BOO!

-t-

My Mojo and a lil ego boost!

I ran 5 miles. Well, maybe it was closer to 4.5 if we aren't counting the walking. But regardless, I finally ran more than 2! And it felt awesome!

This was yesterday.

And the best part about it was after I finished the 5, I could have ran a little bit more. It felt good. I think I am officially back. My mojo is back!!

So remember that PLANK A DAY CHALLENGE me and my son Nate are doing? Yeah, well he was kicking my ass at it. But tonight, I beat him! I held it for a full MINUTE AND 2 SECONDS! I probably could have gone longer but I didn't want to upset him too much! Bahahahahahaha! (wink wink). He still did very good....46.2 seconds. That has been his shortest one too! I'm getting there. I will probably owe him $10 when it's over but the 3 minutes I get with him every day for the next 27 days is totally worth every dime! And what I'm teaching him is worth more! So I'm winning! 😉

Ghost and Goblins 5k tomorrow in downtown Dayton! Looking forward to that race. My time last year was 48:04. I hope I can get a PR (under 37:59) but I will be content with a PR race time itself, which is completely attainable, even if I have a bad run day!

I'll let ya know how that goes tomorrow!

The next big race after that is the Hot Chocolate 15k in Columbus on November 18th! Yep, 15k....9.3 miles..... A new race distance for me! Gotta get some long runs in in the next couple of weeks. A little bit of training. It's gonna be fun!!! Running and Chocolate! Yes!!!!

Run. Strong.
-t-

A NEW CHALLENGE!

But first a quick update on the last week...I "officially" went back to running a week ago. Thursday to be exact. I was off work for doctor appts for Nate so after I got him off to school and checked my work email, i took off for what I was hoping to be 3 miles. It was, but it wasn't a run. More of a walk/run. I was in a bit of pain. No lie. But I got out there. So that counts for something. Right? Friday, Cristen and I met for a mile or so and then to do the bleachers! I could barely walk on Saturday but I pulled it together to enjoy Fall Pumpkin Day with BFFAE and the kids! It's my second favorite day of the year, the first being the day the pool opens for the summer ;). Sunday I met Boss Lady for a run/jog/walk at the Englewood Dam. It was slow. It was easy. It hurt. A little. But pushed thru it for 2 miles running, 1 mile walking...Boss Lady? And then picked up BFFAE for some gym time in which I proceeded to do another 3 miles on the treadmill!

Monday. Rest. Tuesday yoga! I love love love yoga! The stretching is amazing and it is never the same thing! Really did some ab work that night cause Wednesday I thought I was gonna cry! No pain. No gain.

Wednesday, 2.75 mile with Cristen. Felt good. I really want to get more in. Just can't seem to find the motivation.

So the CHALLENGE!!!!!!

Tonight was the first night since July that Nate has not had football and it was not Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. We enjoyed dinner. The quietness of the evening. And then I sprung on him the PLANK-A-DAY CHALLENGE!

I had been wanting to do this for a while. And the goal had been October 1. But after the half I was exhausted. Mentally, but most mostly physically. And anything involving physical activity just seemed, oh, tiring! So last night I thought up the idea to start the PLANK A DAY CHALLENGE on the first night of no football practice.

Nate was very confident about kicking my arse! And after tonight, I am afraid he might! But, not without a fight!

So 30 more days to go! Here are the rules:
1. Plank must be performed with one of us present or a picture must be taken and sent if not available.
2. Must trust that neither of us will lie or cheat.
3. The person who holds a plank for the most amount of time at the end of the challenge wins $10 from the loser. In the event of a tie, a "plank-off" will occur with an unbiased time keeper aka cannot be either challenger timekeeping.
4. In the event a plank is missed (he goes to his dads every other weekend) all missed planks must be completed, individually.

It's pretty simple. Or so I hope. He crushed me tonight at 58 seconds compared to my 23 seconds. Whatever. I was more concerned about form.

So wish us luck! I will try and post some pics as we go along!

I will still be running. As a matter of a fact, going out tomorrow with a new recruit and Cristen for a couple of miles and then some bleachers. I'm a glutton for punishment....I have a 5k Saturday morning.... Maybe I will do half the bleachers....

Until then.
Run. Strong. PLANK!
-t-

Race Pictures!

I've been meaning to post some pictures that my sister took so here they are!  

My goal time was 3 hours or less. I finished in 3:02:36. 2 minutes and 36 seconds over my goal time...and here is why...

I had to get a hug from my son!!!

  

My biggest fan was out there waiting for me! I had to stop...

and pose for pictures...this is my niece Kate

and my AWESOME son Nate!

View of the Y bridge on the last time across...

I FINISHED!!!

Deb on the right and Steve, her running buddy on the left finishing the FULL MARATHON!

I am pretty sure I RAN HAPPY the entire race!

The MOST DELICIOUS beer ever!!!

My mom, me, Terry

 

Wonderful family! Kate, Jessi (sister), Joe (best BIL EVER!)

My greatest FAN and the bestest SON!

I had a great time at this race! The crowd was so-so, except for that part where my family was! There were TONS of people there!  I did get to see my mom and Terry one more time before I finished and that was INCREDIBLY ENCOURAGING!  All in all it was a great race. I said I would never do a 1/2 marathon twice, but I would say that I would probably do this one again. There is something to be said about seeing your family on the route. PR or not...it was totally worth the 2:36 extra time. 

Run. Strong.
-t-

I just wanna RUN!

And I can't. Or haven't been able to. It's been a week. Deb has ran. Deanna has ran. But when I try to run it feels like lead legs. Thump. Thump. Thump. And it hurts.

I did yoga in Tuesday and even that was a bit uncomfortable. It felt good. But it was uncomfortable.

Thursday I was hoping to run. But the moment my feet hit the track and my mind tried to get them to go, I felt every step I took. So I walked. Pretty fast too. Two laps around the outer part of the Rec Center. I hate the rec center track. Maybe that's why I couldn't run.

Maybe my body isn't ready to run.

This morning I went to the gym with BFFAE. She on the elliptical. Me on the dreadmill. I was determined to try this again. And I tried. And I failed. At least in the running. I did walk 4 miles in an hour. And bumped the incline up to 7 for 1/2 mile at a 4 speed. And up and down a little for about a mile. It felt good. But running. Yeah not so much. Dead legs. Thump. Thump. Thump. And it wasn't just my legs. My whole body felt blah.

I am so discouraged. I feel like a failure. And I know I am not. But I do. Let me break it down for you....
For the last 13 weeks or so all I have done is run. Run. Run. Speedwork. Long runs. Hills. Tempos. Thirteen+ weeks of running and training. And all of a sudden it hurts?! I. Do. Not. Understand. Ok. I do. To a degree. My body needs to rest and recuperate. My head knows it doesn't have to get up and run. It knows it doesn't have to train. It knows it can rest. And it needs to rest. But come on! I'm not looking to run 6 miles. Heck I'd settle for 3! Geez! Even 1 mile would be an accomplishment.

I've been told I need to rest. I've been told I'm being too hard on myself. I've been told that sometimes the recovery time is 1 day for each mile. So 13 days for me. And I know all this. But it is still hard. It is gut wrenching actually.

I can't really remember when I first ran after the Cap City Half in May. Maybe if I could remember I would feel better about this situation I am in.

Regardless, I have enjoyed not waking up at o'dark thirty this week. At least not to an alarm I set on my phone. My internal alarm clock has yet to shut off. It's still waking up at 430. Thinking it has to run. But I easily fall back asleep. So I am catching up on my sleep. Which is good. I'm also catching up, slowly, on the other things I need I do around the house.

I miss my running buddies too.

I may not be able to run, but I'm gonna walk. And walk fast. Until I can run again. Hopefully in another week!

I do have another race to train for! HOT CHOCOLATE 15k in November! But I'm fairly trained, I just want to be sure I can run!

So run for me. Send me your good vibes. Maybe I will be running next week. Or the week after. But I will be back out there. With a vengeance too!

Run. Strong. NOW! ;)
-t-