Back in the Saddle

There's something about a good run that makes me feel like writing. Writing after a how long hiatis? I actually think about what I'm going to write as I run...makes for an interesting conversation with myself as I trot along. And what is so exciting about running that puts my fingers to the keypad again after so long an absence? A POSTNATAL run that's what! I'll just report that I had a difficult pregnancy, full of varicose viens, nautial, swollen everything...the (ab)norm. I did however, manage to stay in decent shape with the help of 24, yes, the show you all watched years ago, via Netflix, thank you Santa, and LA Fitness's pool. Here's my postnatal report. I had in mind my last postnatal experience when I ran a mile for each week starting at week 3 (3 miles) and going until week 6 (6 miles). I started a bit early and thought I'd try my luck 5 days postnatal. I ran 1 mile and REGRETED it! Way too early for such things. I sat on my booty for the following 3 days. 12 days postnatal I ran 2 miles and felt good. 17 days or 2 weeks and 3 days I ran 3 miles...going slow and did a 10 min mile, then a 9.30, then a 8.40. I ran a couple more 3 mile days... 20 days I ran 4 miles going slow but felt good. 23 days I ran another 4 miles and felt better. Yesterday my daughter had a pee pee accident at school. She came out crying and confessed the whole thing. It was just a tad and not a big deal...no puddle on the floor scenario. Fitting running in is tricky. Today it fit in after Jake got home from work and I had about 1/2 hour to it. I didn't run out with any fast intentions, but ended with 3 miles in 21 minutes. Felt great. However, I come home with a story to make my daughter feel better. I didn't even know what was happening until IT was flowing down my legs...how's that for postnatal? Yikes! I got to trace through the neighborhood in this state, yet true to my runner's pride, I didn't care...I was cruisin'! My daughter greeted me at the door and started to laugh...yes, she feels better. I feel pretty good too.

Marathon: check

ran the marathon in groveton last Saturday. it came in like a lamb and went out like a lion. that's for sure. it was a long and lonley stretch. it was a hot and hilly path. like a hotcake in a frying pan.

i ran the first half according to plan. felt great!!! at mile 16 i nose-dived, just like i have been in my last 3 training runs on anything over 15 miles. my back cramps up, and this time my chest caved in too...a full core squeeze. leaving me breathless. my legs and arms ready to rock, my core unable to move. yes, so i nose-dived/walked for 7 miles before i was passed for the lead...oh, we are talking SMALL town marathon here. somehow i still ended up with 3:50 even with a 10 mile walk in there...ha! it was really bad and frustrating. i almost pulled out at 20 miles, but couldn't knowing there was a whole race of struggling people still chipping away at it behind me. i couldn't give up when everyone else was still trying. i couldn't give up and tell my daughters that i'd quit.

so, i kept going.

although i was 30 mins off from where i thought i'd easily be. maybe another marathon, another day. until then, i'll be racing 5ks!

Training Log & Mantra #2

This weekend I ran a nice 20 miler. I've been wanting to hit 20 and just hadn't gotten the job done, so this run made me happy. I ran it in 2:20 which was nice and has me excited to run the race (which isn't for a long time and I've got to make sure I don't run too much and get burned out). Along the way I remembered my mantra #2. While watching the NYC marathon the top runners had a "slow" mile (probabaly like 5:30 or something) and the announcer commented that logging a slow mile can really throw off the runners. It's kind of like getting out of your rhythm. The first marathon I ran I didn't really know what to expect so I just went out there. I about died in the last few miles....really cramped up. After that I've had a cautious approach...start out SLOW! Now I'm ready to go all out again...one slow mile will really slow down my whole race. Couple this idea with Mantra #1 from below post, and I've got a fast race planned with training to back it up. Oh yes, sounds good...now if the stars will align just so, my kids will become independend and self sufficient, I am hit over the head with endless amounts of time and few responsiblities and my running shoes are tied just tight enough, but not too tight then I think this is going to be the pefect race.

Speaking of running attire. Remember that song Black Whole Sun by Sound Garden? Well, I feel the same way about my armpit....Black Whole Armpit! It keeps gobbling up my shirt and chaffing! Wierdest spot ever! Have my arms suddenly plumped up to make my shirts too tight? Have the shirts shrunk in the wash? I don't know. What I do know is that my armpit has a bright red chaff mark on it...ouch!

Hiatus

Nothing like a quick 3 month hiatus. My blogging motivation has been quiet...is it necessary that I provide myself a Monday Motivation for this? Hum. I have been motivated in my running though. I was given the Garmin Forerunner watch for Christmas and have loved it every day since. It is really great. For instance, I wanted to go out on a long run and had a park in mind, but had no idea how far it was. Without a care, I took off for said park and checked my mileage as I ran...sweet! Not only that, but I can see how my pace is without doing a dozen mathmatical equations in my head, however entertaining that has been in the past, it now frees up my mind for deeper thoughts. Maybe I've just been hanging out with my watch instead of my blog!

I am in the midst of training for a marathon! What? Really, I won't have a marathon on my mind and then all of a sudden I'm signed up. After I commited, I went out for a 12 miler on Monday, felt great...a few short runs inbetween...and then a 15 miler on Saturday, felt awesome! The following long week run was 18 miles...I surprised myself with how good and easy it felt...yes! and then Last weekend I tried to out of for a 20 miler, felt aweful, and ended up with 17 instead. Oh well, hopefully this weekend is better.

I have a few thoughts stuck in my head as I train for this. One is I'd like to get really nice and comfy with 20+ mile runs. In past marathon training I'd do an 18 miler or 20 miler one time before the race. I'd rather get several long runs in, but we'll see what life/time allows.

As I run I chant a little mantra: Train how you want to race. When I was in high school I thought I was training, but I was pretty much going out and jogging around everyday. Then when race day came, I really wanted to do well, but it was pretty much a 50/50 chance of success. Some races I just had it and others I didn't. Now I train how I want to race. I push myself hard, more like I'm racing as I train, and then when the race comes there is nothing left to chance. The race is much more fun this way because I'm not trying to do better then I've trained for. I've trained for the race I want. So, for this marathon I can't just go out and log 18/20 milers. I have to push myself through them and run them as if I'm racing them....fun!

This race is a qualifier for Boston and I'd like to use it to actually go and run the big race in the next few years.

Okay, now back to my Forerunner!

NYC Marathon

What an amazing race today! It is crazy to watch the top runners cruise....seems so effortless. Interesting to note that their slowest mile is part of my fastest 5k, cough, wow!

I love to watch races. I'd watch more of them if I wouldn't rather run in them! I'm always inspired by their SPEED, dedication, mental stregth, and effort. It makes me want to be a better runner

Can't wait to run tomorrow!

Racing

I ran the dollar race again this morning. What a great thing....a good run and a good price! I like running in smaller races too...it's nice to not feel so crowded. It has less of the excitement and hype that a big race has...but again, nice. I came in 3rd overall (you never know who will be there) and timed a 18:54! Yeah! I officially broke through the 19's! It felt good and sadly like I could have gone faster. But it's nice to get to know this course and hopefully when I race there again my time will drop even more just by knowing where I'm at in the race.

There was a big team of young girls there to run too. Their parents had come to cheer them on and put posters along the way. Two that I remember went like this:

May the course be with you

You'd be done now if it weren't for the running


It was good to see kids out having fun and running...and entertaining. Hope you get some race on soon!

Play List

Watched my first episode of Glee this week. THIS song will be pumpin during treadmill runs this week!

Also listening to Makano (however the video is really corny!)
and Kanya

race results

Ran the 10k race in Dallas. It went pretty well. I felt good and raced decent. I ended up getting 2nd in my age category. The first place girl was about 20 secs in front of me...sooo close! Also there racing, in the same race, were a bunch of sponsored elite runners. They ran with us, but had kind of their own competition going on. In their pack I would have finished 5th. I did get a nice MONEY prize for my finish though!

Anyway, I did get to thinking about those elite runners though. Since I finished pretty good even among them, I should be sponsored too right? ha! Sooo...I just got back from Luke's Locker (a big running store chain here), who sponsored most of those runners, and talked with them about being on the team. Apparently they have different levels of sponsorship from paying for racing to completely outfitting a runner. NICE! I would probably have to race more (bummer!!! ;) and I'd get to train as much as I could with some pretty fast runners! SUPER COOL!

I have yet to talk with the main man, but it really is sounding like this is a possibility for me! CRAZY!

We'll see....

Race Time

I'm running in THIS race tomorrow. I've done The Best 10k Workout Ever twice (see 10k on the side bar). That is 3 x 2 miles with 5 mins rest/jogging recovery. Actually, I didn't check the workout beforehand and only took a 3 min rest...does that make it even better?

I paced at a 6:39 min mile...which should put me at a 38 min 10k. Um, I may have been a little off on that pace number! I would be really happy with a 40 min 10k and think that I really would have had no problem with that before the whole stress fracture incident.

The foot still hurts and I had to take 3 weeks off. Nice. I've been back on it for almost 2 weeks. Mostly it's an issue of confidence. I can still probably run a 40 min 10k...but it's just going to hurt a whole lot more than it would've/should've/could've. Oh well. I am excited and will love racing no matter what.

BRAGGING RIGHTS

Okay. Here are all my numbers: 300, 420,330, 500, 660,650,700. Since I have no idea what you have done the last couple days, I am a bit worried. My stomach muscles are thanking you for the challenge though!
-Deanna 3,560


Here are my numbers: 400, 500, 500, 220, 500, 600, 650
3,370


DEANNA wins bragging rights! I can't believe it! We were a difference of 190! That 220 day really killed me. I kept thinking I'd do more, but never got to it. Not only did Deanna put in all of those squats/lunges/crunches/pushups....but she also kept up with her PX90 workout!..oh, and her 5 kids...and no gym pass!


I have the best LUNG IN THE WORLD to share with all of you though. I'll try to write out how to do it....

Choose a pair of weights, or do without. Step into lung, front knee bent, back leg straight. Lower chest on top of front quad and place hands holding weights in front of foot. Straighten front leg while raising back leg and chest in a straight line. Arms should hang down towards the ground. So you should look like a straight line with arms hanging down and front leg straight. Then bend front knee and lower back foot and hands back to the ground. Repeat. SUPER sore from these!

Thanks Deanna for helping me in this challenge! Now go brag that you kicked my butt!

Challenge

Today is the final day for the Squat,Lung,Pushup,Crunch...whatever I called it Challenge.

...I'm sore!

...Deanna, my opponent, is a tough nut to crack...I think I may have done it....but she could be sneaking in extra squats right now...

The Prize Goes To...

DEANNA! She was a really good girl and stuck to ONE THING AT A TIME.
I'm sending her the neutragina wave.
I came across this product as I was lusting after the Clairisonic cleaning thing...BUT $200!!! I'd have to sacrifice a few pairs of running shoes! alas, being healthy also entails taking care of your skin, so when I found this less expensive option I took it. and LOVE IT! My face feels sooo much better after just a few uses....like it can move around better and feels cleaner.

Hope you like it!

as for the current challenge...I'm trying really hard to win and am a bit sore in the process :)

Get started

Today DEANNA and I will start the Lunges/Squats/Crunches/Pushups challenge...wish me luck, this girl is tough!

Chicken Dinner

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner....

So did anyone finish the One Thing At A Time Challenge?



Starting Next Week NEW CHALLENGE!

and it's against me....

squats, lunges, sit-ups, pushups.

Now that I have to take a little break from running I'm going to pick up on these few other things....

Let's start next Wednesday the 25th to the following Wednesday the 1st of September. You need to keep count of

Squats, lunges, sit-ups, pushups

and add them all together. Obviously some people are going to be better/strong at one thing than another....so if we mix them all together it should work out right?
At the end of the week we'll all report our numbers...

What do you get? BRAGGING RIGHTS! I'll be pushing myself on these (I'm usually not very good at these things...because I'd rather run), so if you beat me, you win fair and square.

Are you in???

stressed out

I've been having some foot pain. i was hoping that it might be a little ligament pull or something sweet. today, worse case scenario confirmed....stress fracture! NO! I'm really sad and can't believe my racing season this fall is in jeapordy. if i can lay off of it and get it better, i'll still be out of shape for the rest of the season. stink! the culprut?: WAY too much pounding in my favorite barefoot shoes....hum....why is it so hard for me to follow simple directions like start out slow?

anyway, Deanna, you may be the unofficial winner of the Challenge...that's two for you!...anyone else still at it?

Secondly...new, very tough challenge starting in a few days.

Summer Eats

Right about now we're all pretty hot. I thought I should share a summer (all the time) favorite of mine.

Frozen Fruit!

I like to freeze everything...

Frozen Banana (peel it, cut in half, insert popsicle stick for easy eating)
Frozen Grapes (YUMMM!)
Frozen Orange (peel, segment, place on plate or something)


and then you know...blueberries, cherries, peaches

It's best if you let them sit out of the freezer a few minutes before eating.
I'm about to get my Frozen Grapefruit out!

*anyone still in the Challenge?

Start Today

Our Challenge (see below) started today and goes for one month. Only a few people entered to win the prize at the end...so your chances are good! Good luck and remember One Thing At A Time!

Another Treadmill PR-Training Log

Today I felt great and ran a 18:23 5k on the 'mill. Yippy!
...felt so good I could have done it again, but I'd burned my feet to smitherines...wearing my vibrams toe shoes...sore!

A Challenge Anyone?

It's been a while since we've had a challenge...

This one is inspired by myself. Yesterday I was driving down the road, calling a friend, and stuffing left over gold fish snacks into my mouth. In the midst of if all I thought, "Gross...what am I doing?" I wasn't hungry, I wasn't enjoying the drive, the convo, or the fish.

So, the Challenge is...One Thing at A Time. Specifically, No Driving and Eating/No Phoning and Eating/No TV and Eating. That's right...just Eat when you Eat...you might enjoy the eat a bit more.

Oh, for ONE WHOLE MONTH! Let's start next week, July 19th until August 19th.

...and winner gets a little prize from me :) How do you win? Let me know on August 19th if you completed the challenge faithfully. I will then randomly select a winner from those finishers.

Comment if you're in!

News Report

F as in Fat

American's are still getting fatter

Obesity Increases in 28 States


Some helpful links
Action for Healthy Kids

Eat Right