Week 9

9weeks down, I made it through the half way mark. This was a great week to have a recovery week. I felt nice and relaxed all week and my 11 mile run today was fabulous. I did 4 with Josie and she was great and then I dropped her off and finished with 7 more at an 8:30 pace. I felt really good. It was nighttime so I was surpirsed that I enjoyed it so much. A Bear had to work and so it didn't work out for me to go until late but I felt really good and had no stomach problems. I went on a little different route and I liked switching things up a bit and staying closer to the house. It was dark and cold when I got back but it was a good run. I really enjoyed this distance, its funny that I could feel so comfortable at such a long run in such a short amount of time. I didn't have any leg cramping and didn't have any soreness after. This run brought my weekly total to 27 and I ran all 5 days, good for me! Now I just have that 17 mile run coming up next week hanging over me.

Running Christmas

Merry Christmas! And what a running Christmas this was for me. Not only did I do a slow 3 mile run this morning, I got just about all running presents. I guess this is what happens while you are training for a marathon. My parents got me running shoes and socks, A Bear got me a water bottle, Itunes card for new music to listen to while I run, a beautiful jogging stroller to take Baby C with me running, and my in laws got me some running clothes to make it through these cold winter months. I love every, single thing that I got and can't wait to try it all out. Of course I need it to warm up before I can take this little guy out in the cold but my new running clothes work great and are keeping me toasty warm. I just need hat and gloves now I think and I will be set...but I can wait. I can't believe its Christmas already, I remember thinking if I can make it through Christmas training for this marathon then I can make it to the end. Tomorrow is my half way mark run so if I can make it those 11 miles then I think I can make it to the end of my training, at least that is what I keep telling myself. :)

Christmas Slump

I have felt so slow this week. Not to mention the unusual cold weather and SNOW we got there this week. I have felt better than last week though. Its funny because I felt like my legs never recovered at all last week and were still tired for my Saturday run and then this week they have felt better even though I ran farther. Its kinda weird but I have needed my legs since we have been so busy with all our Christmas stuff. I do feel like all the ice cream, cookies, and goodies have caught up to me on my runs. I have been slow but that's okay because this is what a recovery week is for. Josie has been kinda sluggish too and especially interested in all the trash on the ground and trying to slide on the ice.

I did do a 4 mile tempo run on Tuesday and felt great. I kept a little over an 8 min./mile pace the whole run and felt really good. Its funny how much faster I am without Josie and also how much faster I felt like I got finished eventhough I only finished a few minutes before I normally would. It has been nice to sleep in a little also since A Bear took time off work for Christmas.

Week 8

So I finished out my 8th week of training today with a 15 mile run. I ended up finishing with an 8:37 min/mile pace overall. I could tell that I had started out fast. Josie was in great shape and didn't slow me down one bit. She was actually pulling me along for part of the time. We tried out a new route today and it took us through a new neighborhood. I really liked it and liked trying out something new. The only thing about changing up my routine is that then I don't know my mile markers. But I had a great run and I felt really good. I knew at the end that I still had more in me. I was tired and my legs were definitely tired the rest of the day but I had fun. I was going to meet up with some women to run but I ended up getting a late start and so I did it by myself. I do okay by myself, I don't really mind it. I just think about what I need to do and listen to my music and focus on the run. Its kind of nice to take a break from everything else going on.

So today brought my weekly total up to 29 miles. 29 miles in 4 days, that just sounds like so much to me. I am looking forward to this week. It is a recovery week and I can tell that my legs could use some recovery time. My knee has been kind of hurting when I get back from my runs. It doesn't hurt while I am running but is bothering me after I get back. I should probably start icing it. I didn't have any power bars or anything today when I went out so I packed some dried blueberries and snacked on them along the way. I think it worked out okay but I want to try out some different stuff to see what I like the best. Well this finishes up 8 weeks of training. 10 more to go!

Forget Friday

So I have been having the hardest time getting myself motivated to run on Fridays lately. Friday morning comes and I convince myself that I will work out later. But then later never comes. I end up never doing anything. Its been fine since I have been doing long runs on Saturday and its kinda nice to rest my legs the day before but I know I need to get out and do my quick 3 mile run those days. Next week, I'm committing myself to doing my whole training schedule as it says. All the days. I can do it.

Feeling the burn

I went out for a slow 4 mile run this morning and I am feeling the burn from my 14 mile run on Saturday (Not to mention the all day shopping and busy night). My hamstrings are bearing the burden. I kept a slow pace the whole time but made it through. My running partner was a little distracted, its trash day, but she was in much better shape than me! Here's hoping I can spend some time streching out today because I need my legs.

Week 7

So another week has come to a close and today I finished it with a 14 mile run. Wow, 14 miles, that is the longest I have ever run in my life. It was a long ways but I felt surprising good. I thought I was keeping pretty good pace but I think I only ended up with a little under 9 min./mile pace. It was a cool day but not too cold so that was nice and the wind wasn't too bad. I also got to do a little bit of some hills so that was good too. I ran about 4.5 miles with my running partner and she did great and then finished the rest alone. I took half of a Clif bar with me and munched on it thoughout the run and that worked out good. I had a lot of fun running and was excited when I made it back. Today's run brought my week total to 28 miles. 4 Days of running, 28 miles so that is a lot for me. I'm excited because I have found lots of people training for this marathon or the half marathon so it should be fun! These long runs really give me motivation and encouragement that I can do this. My right knee cramped up a little after I stopped to drink some water but it went away, but other than that I seem to be staying pretty injury free. I am going to try and do some more streching so that I make sure and stay nice and limber. :)

Speed Work

So now that I am down to my final twelve weeks of training I am dedicated to do one day of speed work each week. Now I don't dislike speed work necessarily, but it does require a bit more work. I don't really feel like making the drive up the track super early before school begins and I don't have access to a treadmill so it makes it a little hard but I do think that it makes a big difference. I did it with my last half marathon and felt really good. Today I did 4 1 mile runs at about an 8 min. pace with a .25 mile recovery in between. I really felt good at the pace. I started to feel tired on that last mile but pushed it to the end. I actually went to the gym with A Bear this morning so that was nice to have the treadmill. It was also fun to watch the hubby working it out. Plus it is so darn cold right now! I am so excited because I got some new winter running clothes and I can't wait to wear them. I feel like this is going to be such a running Christmas for me. :) I guess training for a marathon will do that to you.

Red Face

That's what I had when I got back from my 5 mile run this morning, a bright red, COLD face. The wind has really picked up and when I was watching the news this morning it talked about teen temperatures early this morning. I sure hope the Texas sun decides to come back out and play or this could be a long winter of training. I tried to keep track of my pace some this morning and I guess I don't know my mile markers very well because I would do an 8 min. mile then a ten and I don't think my pace was changing that much. The cold weather doesn't seem to bother my training partner one bit, she was made for this wind. :)
Baby C has been waking up several times a night lately making for one tired mama in the morning. Yesterday I slept in and cross trained instead of running and today I was tempted to just stay in bed again. But I just keep reminding myself that its just 12 weeks until the race, I can do 12 weeks. And as usual, now that I have Wednesday out of the way I feel good about the rest of the week. I was supposed to run 6 today but its so hard to come up with 6 miles in my neighborhood...
My right thigh has been cramping up some when I start running and my left knee as well at the beginning. I hope that it turns into nothing.

End of Recovery

So my recovery week ended yesterday and it was so nice to just feel like I was relaxing on my long run. I actually said outloud the words to A Bear, "oh well I'm only going 9 miles today." I mean who says that? Only 9 miles, who do I think I am? It was a nice run and I did it at a 9min./mile pace about. Josie ran the first 3.5 miles with me and she was a great runner. She didn't try and run out into the street once but she was a little disappointed when she went to frolic in her favorite puddles and they had a thin layer of ice over them.
So for the week I did 19 miles which is my lowest yet but I did miss a run this week. I feel much better though than I did after doing 27 last week. The cold weather hasn't bothered me TOO much. I feel like I am prepared for it and really bundle up but it is harder to get out of my cozy bed in the morning. Especially on those days that I have a snuggly infant who feel asleep eating in my arms. So now I've made it to my final 12 weeks, I can't believe it, 6 weeks down!

Brr...

The cold weather has made its debut and it is fierce. I can't believe how cold it has gotten in just a few days. We even got some snow on Wednesday morning. It came right as A Bear was leaving for work but I couldn't help but think how much it would be to go running in the snow in Texas! The cold weather with the wind and rain has kept me from running for the past two days and I am missing it but also enjoying the lazy mornings in my pajamas with baby C. But I have gotten out my heavy gloves and I am ready to do some serious layering and put my cold weather pants to the test and get out there. With this cold weather it makes me seriously question my decision to run a marathon in February when I don't have access to a treadmill but it will just take more will power. This is a recovery week for my training and so it was a good week to be introduced to the cold. My Christmas wish list includes lots of running clothes, running shoes, and running accessories. Here's to cold weather running.

Dorothy...

So today was so windy that sometimes I felt like I was going to get carried away, okay maybe not completely like Dorothy did but pretty darn close. :) The main thing keeping me going on the way out was knowing that after 6 miles I would be turning around and this wind would then be carrying me home. And it did carry me home. I did the last 6 miles at about an 8 min/mile pace. The way out was a bit of a different story filled with stops along the way. A Bear came and picked up Josie at mile 3.5 and I stopped and took off my undershirt because i was hot and mentioned that my pants were really hot too. Then at about 5.5 miles my darling husband showed up again with shorts in his hands for me to change into, my sweaty legs could not have been happier. So with two stops and a water break I made it the first 6 miles in about an hour. A couple of times the wind really did blow me back a little and I had to put my head down and keep going. I felt really good though and can't complain about the beautiful day it turned out to be on the way back. I had tired legs when I woke up this morning and I rested them for a couple of hours before I took off. It was a great run and I still feel pretty good. It made me look forward to pushing myself to see how far I can go. Another exciting thing was that I found my headband that I had lost last week on my Saturday run, how amazing is that? There it was just sitting on El Dorado on the side of the road. I felt like the luckiest girl. So 5 weeks of training down, 13 weeks to go!

Grateful

Uh... runs the day after Thanksgiving never go very well. :) I could feel every ounce of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, pie, etc. that I consumed on Thanksgiving when I went on a short 3 miler today. But of course, I don't regret one single morsel that I ate...well maybe that second piece of the caramel apple pie, 4 helpings of dessert may have put me over the top. :) Hopefully my 12 mile run tomorrow will be okay. But I just don't think I'll be able to turn down leftovers today. Me and Josie were a little sluggish but it is hard to not enjoy running in this amazing weather. I just hope it stays through tomorrow....rain in the forecast and I would be so bummed if great weather all week ended on Saturday when I will be running for almost 2 hours.

A couple nights ago A Bear and I watched a special on The Biggest Loser. Now I love this show and I watching these people make amazing changes in their lives but after this one it made me so grateful for my body and that I am able to run. Sometimes I think I take it for granted being able to be phsycially active but there are so many people who can't be. And while I know some of this is due to personal decisions, I also know some of it is hereditary and because of major obstacles they have faced. I am very grateful for a healthy body. With running I am also grateful for my new runnings pants, running shoes for over pronators, and beautiful fall weather. This year of course so thankful for a healthy baby boy, who is active as can be and a husband who started going to spin classes because he loves me. I have an amazing life.

So Grateful for Thanksgiving

This has been such a fabulous week because A Bear had a short work week. Yesterday felt like such a Friday. I kept forgetting that I was doing my Tuesday run and kept trying to do my Friday run. I was so excited that A Bear would be home from work early and that we had the whole rest of the week to spend together. We have been looking at jogging strollers a lot and having fun. We have been trying out different energy/protein bars and I am going to begin experimenting with the different types of gus, jelly beans, etc. Today we went to a local running store and I'm telling you I could've spent thousands of dollars in there. The clothes were great, shoes, socks, gloves, hats, you name it... I wanted it. But it was even more fun to pick out Christmas decorations and think about this fun holiday.

Today I did 5 miles at around 8 AM and it was the most perfect time of day to go running. I felt kinda sluggish and slow but loved the weather. And like I always do, I felt like okay I got through Wednesday, I can make it the rest of the week. Good thing I went slow because we spent the rest of the day walking around stores. I keep telling myself that February is such a bad time to run a marathon because you train in the coldest months of the year, but I have been so lucky with great weather for November, perfect fall running weather.

A Bear has starated going to the spin class at his gym. I am so intimidated of those classes. So funny that I can feel like I can run a marathon, but a spin class, way too hard. I'm pretty impressed by him, he comes home looking like he sweat off 10 pounds. Maybe sometime I will go with him.

I am so excited for Thanksgiving tomorrow, I love to eat and love all the food we are going to have. One of the best parts of being a runner is being able to eat all the food you want.

Holy 11 Miles

11 miles, I can't believe it. I can't believe my training has me up to 11 miles already. It seems so soon. Okay 11 miles, surely then next week I will be tapering off to something like 5, right? No next week is 12 miles. Man 12 miles in my 5th week of training. I don't know if I am cut out for this. Training for a marathon is so different than training for a half. I mean I am still doing basically half marathon mileage during the week but I can't believe these Saturday runs. This is going to be 18 weeks of running far. Yesterday I completed my 11.5 miles in about an hour and 35 minutes. Again I missed my turn around street and ended up doing the extra half mile. It was again, an unbelievably beautiful day. I went in the afternoon, after lunch, which made for fabulous weather but not for my poor digestive system. I should've been smarter on that end and not eaten lunch or eaten something different. I started needing to go to the bathroom at about mile 1.5 and waited all the way until my run ended. Probably not the greatest for my body. But despite that, I felt fabulous. It was a good run. A-Bear and baby C met me at about 2.5 miles to pick up Josie and bring me water. Then they dropped it off for me at about mile 5 so I could get it then and then again on the way back. The run was especially beautiful on the way back, the sun was beginning to set, there was no wind and my pace was quicker. I just had fun, I thought about conversations A-Bear and I had the night before, I laughed out loud, and I did the air drums to the music. (Speaking of music I am in desperate need of downloading some new tunes) I remember when I got to the last mile, I was so proud of myself. I just couldn't believe I had made it and loved it. And I couldn't wait to get back to my sweet husband and baby. When I walked in I started looking for them, after I found the bathroom, and there they were, taking a nap together all cuddeled up on the bed. How could a person love anything more? Forget cooldown, forget streching out, forget the post-run nutrition; sometimes you just want to cuddle up with your family. Especially when you have the cutest family in the world.

Great Day

This morning I had a fabulous run. I woke up early this morning when my husband's alarm went off at 5:30 and couldn't fall back asleep. So I fed the baby at 6 and then went ahead and got up to get going. Josie was not about to let me leave her behind again today so she was on me the whole time I was getting ready. It was a great run, Josie was fabulous, I felt great and we had a lot of fun. I did 5 miles and made it back before the husband needed to leave for work. Its always nice to have my Wednesday run over with. I don't know why but I guess its because its my longest weekday run and I know I have to get up earlier to do it but after I make it through that run, I think, okay I can make it through this week.

This week I am jealous of anyone who owns one of these:

Oh how I long for a jogging stroller and of course, I would want like the most expensive one. So I am stalking Craigslist and Ebay in hopes that one will come along. Sigh...

From chocolate milk to hot chocolate

So the cold weather is finally starting to creep its way in here. I think I might be saying goodbye to the unbelievable running weather we have had lately. But the exciting part of the colder weather is, I finally got to try out my new running pants. I got the Nike Cold Weather Pants. They are last year's model and I really like them. They are super comfortable. I always feel in between sizes and went with the bigger size this time so they are a little baggy but that's okay. When I went running this morning it was pretty windy and my little hands were so cold, but my legs were nice and toasty. I did a quick 4 miles this morning without Josie. She was distracted playing in the backyard and I was in a hurry and so I left her behind. Well lets just say she isn't going to let that happen again. She has been following me right by my side all morning. I'm also convinced that I run a little faster in the cold weather, just because I'm anxious to get back home.

Saturday's run went well. I did 6 miles at about an 8.5 min/mile pace. I ended up just staying in the neighborhood and when I got back the husband left for a run too. The weather was just too good to work out inside. He is going to try and do some running now which is very exciting. I mean of course I have dreams of us going on runs together, one of us pushing a jogging stroller. Maybe someday...

Old Stomping Grounds

We spent Tuesday night at my parent's house in Arlington so I went on my run Wednesday morning around their house. I loved going on one of my old routes, I miss running around there. It is so different because I don't run into tons of people and there were only like 4 kids waiting for the bus. It was mostly just me and Jo. She of course found a Starbucks cup at about the 1 mile marker and carried it to the very end of the run when she dropped it in exchange for a piece of, what I'm sure was delicious, trash. It was also Jo's first time to run around that neighborhood. It was a great run and I felt great. Now this morning was a different story. I was dragging Josie the whole time and felt tired. I was ready to get home and move on with my day. The weather is still great but started to cool off some. It is now turning into beautiful fall weather, which I also love. I was just taking a look at my training schedule and realized I am only running 6 miles tomorrow but then I never have low Saturday mileage again, until after the marathon. Wow, that is kind of daunting. Never again a casual 6 or 7 miler, which means all of my runs will be over an hour. I need to start thinking better about hydration and eating during the run. I've always been so bad about that. I've never done the gu thing but I guess I could try it or carry dried fruit with me, or some type of power bar. Hm...

Would you mind sleeping another 30 minutes?

So this week is wonderful because my husband doesn't have to be at work until a little bit later and this means we all get to sleep in some more. He has been wanting to get up and go to the gym before work and so Monday morning when my alarm went off he asked if it would be okay if I slept in 30 more minutes so he could run to the gym. Well, I guess I could do that, sure, I mean, alright that would be okay. It has been nice to have more time to get ready to go and have it be a little warmer out. Its weird to not see my regular people out but kinda fun to see different neighbors. I just can't believe how warm it still is. I bought new pants for the cold weather and have yet to need them. Part of me wants the cold weather to come just so I can wear my new pants. (A very, very small part)

Today was a quick 4 miles and I felt good. I try to run at pace on Tuesdays and then I think the last 12 weeks before the race I will do some speed work on Tuesday mornings. This would require me to get up earlier and probably go to the track, so we'll see if I pull though but that is the goal. Josie found a stick on our run that she just wouldn't let go of and carried almost the entire run until the excitement of a new dog caused her to drop it right at the end. She sure livens up my runs and make me laugh. I'm lucky to have a funny running partner.

Another Week

This week of runs went well. I felt good on all of my early morning runs and kept good pace. Daylight savings has been fabulous for running early. It is so nice to not be in the dark and to see the sun rising. I love passing all of the kids out waiting for the school bus. Josie was pretty well behaved and is getting better and better at not chasing people and rabbits. Then Saturday, long day, 9 miles came. 9 is the fartherst I have gone post baby. I was kinda nervous but I have done 8 a few times, including last week and thought I would be okay. I got up and ready to go and then there was a complication with me and the hubby's schedule. (Golf is a rare treat for my love) So I had to wait until late afternoon to go. By then I was feeling sluggish and in no mood to run. I thought about not going but I knew if I could just get started I would be okay. I ran the first 3.5 with Josie and she was kinda messing me up getting into a true rythmn. Hubby met me to pick her up and bring me water. Then it was awesome. I found my pace, the weather was unbelievably perfect for running. On the way back the wind was with me and it was fabulous. I made great time and actually ended up going almost 10 miles becaues I missed the turn around street. And the best part is, I felt great at the end. I was tired that night but rested on Sunday and felt good this morning. I almost got in the car with Aaron at 3.5 miles and I would've missed an awesome run. I felt like I could do it, ya know, I can train for this marathon. I streched out for a long time after the run and was in a great mood the rest of the night. It is just the most amazing thing how much running affects my mood. I was in the worst mood all day before I ran and then I was like a different person after. I love the road, me, and my Ipod - and I'm complete.

Peanut Butter is a runner's best friend

So I get the Runner's World magazine and I love it. I love reading the articles and the people in there inspire me. I love reading about the beginning runner and how he is working up to 3 miles. This month they had a section on all of the runners' favorites and best stuff. Not surpirsingly the best and most popular post-run food is chocolate milk. I have chocolate milk everyday after my runs. The next best, not a shocker, peanut butter. Again I have a banana and peanut butter with my chocolate milk after my runs. I love it. But now I love it even more knowing that it is the best. It just makes me laugh how certain foods have "running foods" or food that runners eat. Like so many runners have a banana and a bagel before a run and pasta the night before. I mean I get it, carbs, protein, not too much fiber but I just think its funny how when I think, "okay what should I eat the night before a run?" Oh well its gotta be pasta. But oh how I look forward to my post run snack. I hope there has never comes a day when I don't look forward to my banana, peanut butter, and chocolate milk treat.

And it begins

So I've always wanted to have a place where I could keep track of my daily running triumphs and foes and since I seem to be pretty decent at keeping our family blog updated I thought I could start another one for running. I know I am the only one who will probably ever read this so it makes it convenient to have a place where I can write about it all, openly. I am currently training for the Cowtown Marathon in February. I have never run in a full marathon before. I am pretty nervous about it all but excited for the challenge. It wasn't until after I had Carson that I really felt the desire to do it. Having a baby is the most empowering experience in the world and I seriously felt like I could do anything after that. I am not hardcore training. I mean, I am on Saturdays but I am going to keep my weekday mileage fairly low because I don't want my training to consume my life. I want it to be something fun that I enjoy. This is where I will write about the running high I get and how today, yes, I could've run forever; also this is where I will complain when I am convinced that I will never lace up my running shoes again. I am also going to include cool running articles that I have read or tips that i have found and my opinions on shoes, gear, power bars, etc. Let the games begin!