Today was a good day, a great day actually. It was one of those very rare beautiful, sunny, Michigan winter days. It's one of those days that makes you want to get outside and soak up some Vitamin D even though it's still chilly out. After running around most of the afternoon getting geared up for the Super Bowl I came home and layered up for a run. I was planning on running 3 miles and then finishing up the last 2 miles with a 5:1 run/walk ratio. From the second the run started I knew it was going to be "one of those runs." One of those perfect runs to be exact. The temperature felt right, the sun was shining and making little diamonds reflect off the snow. My play list was rocking and everything just felt right. Before I knew it I had hit the 4 mile mark and knew I couldn't stop now.
For only the second time in my life I ran 5 miles straight. It was one of those days that made me think, " I actually can run a half-marathon."
Cheers to finally having the "perfect" run!
5 miles 10:04/mile
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Lazy Bones
Is what I feel like today. I have no motivation, and it's not just a lack of motivation to run, it's a lack of motivation to do just about anything. I'm feeling pretty guilty for not running 3 miles last night like I was supposed too. I had every excuse in the book not to run and I let all of those excuses win. Next week starts the official 12 weeks before the half marathon and hopefully the end of my slacking off. I am planning on tackling a 5 mile run tomorrow (more than likely inside on the track) and hoping that 2 days off will make it a great run. I'm considering starting to implement the 5:1 run/walk ratio after I hit 3 miles.
In other news it's a very exciting weekend around our house since we are huge Green Bay Packers fans. We are hoping that the Lombardi Trophy finally comes home this weekend. Our Super Bowl Menu consists of:
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Chips and Dip
Wisconsin Beer Brats
Cheese Curds
Spotted Cow Beer (only found in Wisconsin)
hmmmm maybe that 5 mile run should turn into a 6 mile run...
In other news it's a very exciting weekend around our house since we are huge Green Bay Packers fans. We are hoping that the Lombardi Trophy finally comes home this weekend. Our Super Bowl Menu consists of:
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Chips and Dip
Wisconsin Beer Brats
Cheese Curds
Spotted Cow Beer (only found in Wisconsin)
hmmmm maybe that 5 mile run should turn into a 6 mile run...
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Why yes I did...
just go for a run the day after a Blizzard! True to the shirt my mom bought be "Run in the Rain, Snow, Sleet, Just Run!" And yes that is a huge pile of snow behind me! It wasn't a long run by any means but it was the 2 mile training run that I was supposed to get in today.
2 miles at 9:59/mile.
This could get interesting.
It's official, the massive storm that was predicted arrived last night. After getting off work early and running to the grocery store for a few essentials in case the power went out off to the gym I went to get a few miles in on the track. When I walked in to the gym it was a typical gray Michigan winter day but when I came out it was a completely different story. The winds were howling, snow flakes were flying, and visibilities were extremely low. It was an awful long 1 mile drive home.
We wake up today with an additional 13" of snow on the ground and snow drifts so high we couldn't even open our garage doors. It doesn't look like a run is in store for me this Ground hog's Day. Even if we could get the cars out to go to they gym, the gym is closed! Looks like a day of "cross training" a.k.a. shoveling the sh*t out of the snow.
2/1/11- 3 miles, 10:55/mile
We wake up today with an additional 13" of snow on the ground and snow drifts so high we couldn't even open our garage doors. It doesn't look like a run is in store for me this Ground hog's Day. Even if we could get the cars out to go to they gym, the gym is closed! Looks like a day of "cross training" a.k.a. shoveling the sh*t out of the snow.
2/1/11- 3 miles, 10:55/mile
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
It's about time...
to get motivated again. The last couple of weeks have definitely been a struggle with training. About 3 weeks ago I had a fantastic week of running. I honestly never felt better about what I was doing, how I was running, and what I was working towards. I did every scheduled run I had plus strength training sessions and felt great. My Saturday long run was looming and I was looking forward to tackling 4 miles. My husband and I were headed to a college basketball game late morning so I knew I had to get myself up and put in 4 miles before we left because there was no way I was doing it when we got home.
My alarm went off at 8:00 that Saturday morning and I looked out to see the beginnings of a typical Michigan winter day, dreary, snowy and cold! I suited up and the dog and I took off. It was a tough run with the snow accumulation from the night before and the ice that the plows left behind when they went by us ( I learned quickly that my dog hates snow plows, and I mean HATES them!). I felt so empowered at the end of the run; the time was a little slow but I chalked it up to the conditions I was running in and went from there. I felt great about myself and had a new confidence for this whole half marathon training; then I woke up on Sunday. I knew it was the beginnings of a nasty chest cold, one that took hold for days and didn't let up.
I laid low most of the week having more and more guilt building up for not running. I put in 2 torturous miles Thursday of that week and knew I wasn't even close to being over that cold. I laid low the rest of the weekend and when the following Monday rolled around I was ready to go again. I was really looking forward to having an awesome run; the sun was out, the snow was melting, and it was a balmy 30 degree's. I soon found out that the road conditions were nothing but slush and 3 miles later my knee's were screaming at me. 2 days later they were still screaming but I attempted to push out another run; it was disastrous. I haven't felt so beaten down by running (or lack thereof in this case) in a long time. I literally cried my way through 2 miles with nothing but self doubt running through my head. I came home and told my husband that there is no way I can run a half marathon. He just looked at me and said " Suck it up, I know you can do it."
Enough said, it's time to suck it up and do it. Last Saturday my husband and I went to check out a new gym with a track and when he was done with his workout he joined me on the track and pushed me through the final mile of my 4 mile run. He helped instill confidence in me that I actually can do this, and I will.
I may be running slower than I usually do but I can build myself back up to where I was. I may not have the best time when I cross the finish line in April but I will have the knowledge that I pushed myself to reach a goal I never thought I could do....of course with some "gently nudging" from my awesome husband!
My alarm went off at 8:00 that Saturday morning and I looked out to see the beginnings of a typical Michigan winter day, dreary, snowy and cold! I suited up and the dog and I took off. It was a tough run with the snow accumulation from the night before and the ice that the plows left behind when they went by us ( I learned quickly that my dog hates snow plows, and I mean HATES them!). I felt so empowered at the end of the run; the time was a little slow but I chalked it up to the conditions I was running in and went from there. I felt great about myself and had a new confidence for this whole half marathon training; then I woke up on Sunday. I knew it was the beginnings of a nasty chest cold, one that took hold for days and didn't let up.
I laid low most of the week having more and more guilt building up for not running. I put in 2 torturous miles Thursday of that week and knew I wasn't even close to being over that cold. I laid low the rest of the weekend and when the following Monday rolled around I was ready to go again. I was really looking forward to having an awesome run; the sun was out, the snow was melting, and it was a balmy 30 degree's. I soon found out that the road conditions were nothing but slush and 3 miles later my knee's were screaming at me. 2 days later they were still screaming but I attempted to push out another run; it was disastrous. I haven't felt so beaten down by running (or lack thereof in this case) in a long time. I literally cried my way through 2 miles with nothing but self doubt running through my head. I came home and told my husband that there is no way I can run a half marathon. He just looked at me and said " Suck it up, I know you can do it."
Enough said, it's time to suck it up and do it. Last Saturday my husband and I went to check out a new gym with a track and when he was done with his workout he joined me on the track and pushed me through the final mile of my 4 mile run. He helped instill confidence in me that I actually can do this, and I will.
I may be running slower than I usually do but I can build myself back up to where I was. I may not have the best time when I cross the finish line in April but I will have the knowledge that I pushed myself to reach a goal I never thought I could do....of course with some "gently nudging" from my awesome husband!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
It's official
Well it is most definitely official. I'm a registered runner for the 2011 Nashville 1/2 marathon on April 30th. Not only am I registered but the hotel and flights are booked and we are ready to rock n roll. Now for 16 long weeks of training. I've got a lot of different emotions going on right now with this run. I'm really excited that i've commited to it but i'm also scared to death. There are parts of me that thinks I just can't do this but then I talk myself into the fact that I can do anything with training. I have to get in to the right mind set in order to make this the enjoyable experience that I am hoping for. I keep telling myself over and over again that all I want to do is finish within the 4 hour time frame and while there is a lot of truth to that I know mysel well enough to know that if I don't finish it running across the finish line I'll be disappointed.
A few good things that I know will help me get through this is the fact that 2 of my best friends are also running this marathon with me. I'm so happy and grateful to have both Laura and Treena to run with, to help motivate, and to hold me accountable. At the end of the day I don't want to let myself or either of them down.
3 miles in the snowly blowy cold tonight....
A few good things that I know will help me get through this is the fact that 2 of my best friends are also running this marathon with me. I'm so happy and grateful to have both Laura and Treena to run with, to help motivate, and to hold me accountable. At the end of the day I don't want to let myself or either of them down.
3 miles in the snowly blowy cold tonight....
Monday, January 3, 2011
Welcome to 2011
It's hard to believe that we are already ringing in another New Year. I think back on 2010 and all the changes, good and bad, that I went through. All in all it was a pretty good year but I'm hoping to make 2011 a great one. I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions, my thought is that they are usually a good way to set yourself up for failure. However I am a big fan of setting new and attainable goals every year. This year I just want to live a happier and healthier life. 2010 was hectic and busy so one life change for 2011 is don't overcommit!
So with that being said my big goal for 2011 is to run a 1/2 marathon! I'm officially all signed up and let the training begin for Nashville, April 30th. The course gives you a 4 hour time limit to complete the 13.1 miles and that's my goal. Obviously I'm hoping to finish a lot sooner than that but I'm going to take it in stride and see what happens. I know that training will be grueling and at times I'll want to give up but hopefully I'll be able to push myself through and get across that finish line. Another 2011 goal is (as with every year) to be more financially stable and sound....this 1/2 marathon will not be cheap so I can't just let that money go to waste! I look forward to keeping my training updates posted on here. We'll see what happens.
Happy Monday Everyone.
So with that being said my big goal for 2011 is to run a 1/2 marathon! I'm officially all signed up and let the training begin for Nashville, April 30th. The course gives you a 4 hour time limit to complete the 13.1 miles and that's my goal. Obviously I'm hoping to finish a lot sooner than that but I'm going to take it in stride and see what happens. I know that training will be grueling and at times I'll want to give up but hopefully I'll be able to push myself through and get across that finish line. Another 2011 goal is (as with every year) to be more financially stable and sound....this 1/2 marathon will not be cheap so I can't just let that money go to waste! I look forward to keeping my training updates posted on here. We'll see what happens.
Happy Monday Everyone.
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