Ready to Find a Marathon

Good morning!

Yesterday was such a beautiful day in MD!  Finally.  After all the cold, ice and snow, it was wonderful to feel the sun on our faces.  I made it just over 6 miles yesterday.  I would have gone longer but I accidentally stopped my GPS app on my phone.  UGH!  So irritated.  I need to fire up my Garmin and wear it as a back-up.

Running is going well.  A little tenderness in my knee after the run so foam rolling was in order.  Definitely need to make that a priority after every run (I always say this after an injury and then it goes by the wayside after a few weeks.)  Any suggestions on how to keep at it???

The training schedule for the half is now in place.  YAY!  Next on my list is finding a marathon before the 50K in November.  This will serve as a training run leading up to my BIG race.  So here are the criteria I use to decide:

Time of year - the race date has to give me enough time to train adequately on the front end and than ample time to recover properly for the longer race. SO....if November is the longer race, I am thinking in the range of late August (though not great conditions for 26.2) and early October. A span of about 2 months.  Not bad.

Course - this is a big one for me.  I usually stick to flat courses - not a big fan of hills or mountains;).  But the 50K route is all rolling hills so I probably need to deviate from my standard.  I don't want anything too challenging (like Blue Ridge) but something to give me the hill experience over the long haul.  Also the 50K is a trail run so maybe a trail marathon?

Location - I don't have a problem traveling for a race but it is easier logistically and monetarily.  With that in mind - my first preference would be to find something in the Mid-Atlantic area.


Cost - Rock-N-Rolls are not in the mix.  Too much $$!  I think I will stay low-key and small.  For one - I don't want to get swept up in the grand excitement of RNR and go balls to the wall.  Have to remember - training run, training run.  Plus, I would love to save the dough to do a destination race sometime in the winter - thinking someplace warm!

So there are the four points I need to consider.  I have done some initial research but nothing in-depth.  Any ideas/suggestions?

Do you put a lot of thought into race scheduling or do you just wing it?  I used to sign up for events on a whim but now that I have matured (HA!) I try to plan things so I don't waste registrations.

Short on Time Training

OK - I have a half marathon in 7 weeks!  GASP!  Due to my lengthy recovery from my knee injury, the longest I have run in months is almost 5 miles.  I need to get my butt in gear.

Well....I just did a quick google search and found a ton of training plans for 7 to 8 week time frames.  Phew!  I thought I was behind.  Yay Google!

Interesting that a number of them have really low mileage during the week.  My typical training usually ups weekday and weekend numbers.  Here is an example from Dartmouth College MBA site:

Tried to cut and paste chart - no luck.  UGH!  I got a MAC for my birthday almost 9 months ago and I am STILL struggling with it.  Well - here is the link.  If you look at the immediate level training schedule,  most weekday runs are 3 miles - week after week.  They have long runs in the usual  standard progression.  Weird....

I am struggling with running and mileage right now for various reasons.

1. It has been a sucky winter to run.  Snow, ice, frigid temps.  It just SUCKS.
2. Boot camp is kicking my ass!  Thankfully we do run a bit during class.  I usually have this grand plan to run afterwards.  NOT!  I am so spent I just want a nap.  Note to self - need to work on scheduling and/or motivation.  See below.
3. Motivation (the big one).  I just can't get into the training mindset.  I was so good leading up to Savannah marathon but after the injury everything went south.  Logically I know I am being too hard on myself.  I will get into it - I just need to have patience.  A training plan will help.

So....to kick start my motivation, I may talk to some of my boot camp buddies about meeting for a run once a week or so.  A couple of them are training for some spring races.  I just hope they won't be sick of seeing my face.  HA!

I am working on incorporating more photos but for now here is one from where I would love to be right now...

Princess2 saying hello from Aruba during our Thanksgiving 2013 vacation.

Hopefully 7 - 9 miles will be in the books by tomorrow afternoon.  Wish me luck!

Time Away

Wow!  I can't believe it has been over two years since I have written here.  Yikes.... Time sure does fly.

Reading over my last few posts, I immediately sense that not much has changed.  But than I start to think of all the thing I have initiated within the last few years.

• I finally ran my 3rd marathon (Savannah)!  
• Got the guts to sign up for a 50k but was sidelined after marathon with fluid in my knee.  Crossing my fingers I have recovered and am starting to train for my upcoming 1/2.
• Started a new 3x/wk boot camp program to supplement my running - looking for balance here.
• Have been taking classes at the local community college to pursue teacher certification! Very excited about this one but is a long process. 
• Both princesses are in school full-time so I try to volunteer at the school as much as possible.

Many things are the same

• Still work at the running store but only one day a week - keeping my discount!
• Love of the beach - we aren't going as much as we used to but we still make it at least one weekend a month during the off-season.
• Trying to run as much and as smart as possible.

Running!

I have sidelined with my knee since November and I think it FINALLY back to normal.  Ran 3 days back -to-back last week.  I got in some miles on Sunday before the snow came through.  Since we were house bound I had to get creative on the treadmill.  (Note: the mill is in our basement which can get mentally taxing.  Thankfully there is a TV.)  I did a interval/pyramid workout.  Started with walking and then bumped it up by .5 every 3 minutes and then back down to walking for 2 minutes.  Once I hit 6.5, I reduced the speed by .5 every 5 min with no walking breaks.  Whew!  4.5 miles later I was a sweaty mess and so glad to get it done!

Hopefully I will make boot camp today.  Another day with no school so I have to drag the Princesses to kids club at the gym. Wish me luck!

How do you handle treadmill workouts?  Just another run or do you have to get creative?

Moving Along

Good morning!!

Obviously I have not made progress on my move to Wordpress.  SIGH...  I'll get there...

Went for my first run outside in a LONG time.  It was humid but felt great!  I didn't take my garmin because I didn't want to worry about time or distance but was hoping to get in at least 3 miles.  I was super psyched when I got the chance to map it out - 3.79 miles!!! 

Dropping the princess off at a playdate this morning.  That is if they ever get their act together!!  They are on fire!  Not listening, rough-housing, screaming....UGH!  Going to get a pedi as soon as they are out of the car;).  Can't wait!

Leaving for the beach this afternoon.  We were supposed to leave on Fri but things kept popping up - dinner at the neighbor's, wanting to stay with Daddy, playdate, etc. Such is life.

Won't be able to run again until Sat morning.  Probably a good thing.  Otherwise I could see myself trying to go all out and get injuried.  I need to get myself on a training schedule soon.  Baltimore 1/2 is only 2 1/2 months away.  And now K wants me to do Vegas!!! 85% sure we'll do it.  How could I not??  HEE! HEE!

Status Quo

Good morning!

Life has been on auto-pilot this week.  A nasty cold has hit the fam - some have faired better than others.  Superman has it the worst.  I'm a close second.  The princesses seem to have beat it pretty quickly - thankfully!!!

Updates
Picked up treadmill.  Superman put it together Sunday evening.  Wasn't too bad - maybe took an hour.  Hooray!  I LOVE it!  I try to get on everyday.  Due to my cold I've been walking.  Only one 3 mile run - very slow.

Researched ACE PT course at local community college. Unfortunately - they do not offer an online course.  Pooh!  There's a hybrid - half in class, half online but its held on Wed evenings July - August.  No can do....We are planning to be at the beach for a majority of the summer.  I don't want to have to come back mid-week just for a three hour class. So....I've decided to wing it.  I'll purchase the study materials and work on my own.  I'm nervous about this approach b/c I'm not terribly good at self-discipline.  On the up-side, it will much cheaper - I am only forking out $ for the books.  School would be another $300.  OUCH!  Plus - if I find I'm struggling with the materials, I can wait till the fall to take the course.

Exercise
With the cold - I've been scaling back my running.  I think it might be good to take a week "off".  Sleep has been lacking - getting maybe 5 hrs/night and that really affects my energy level.  Decided not to do the 5K this weekend.  Girls are not into it and I'm not prepared to run with a 100+ lb jogger.  I'm trying to recruit a couple of people to run the metric marathon at the beginning of next month.  It's a super flat course and hopefully the weather will be good.  Definitely a small race.  We'll see....

Eats
Doing OK - eating clean most of the week.   Had a coupon (BOGO) for Chipolte.  My weakness!!  So I had to use it on Tuesday;).  Big chix burrito w/a huge blob of guac!  YUMMY!!!  Major tummy troubles all day yesterday and all night.  I think the ground turkey I used on my salad was on the old side.  UGH!  Just hope today is normal....

So glad the weekend is almost here.

Decisions, decisions, decisions

First - many thanks to Running off the Reeses for mentioning me in her recent post!!  If you haven't read her blog - you are missing out!  She is hysterical, fun and REAL!  Check her out here.

Made it to the beach last night.  Uneventful.  Tried to watch Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil  but fell asleep around 9:30 pm.  Yes - pathetic. 

This morning was really lazy - didn't make it out for my run till after 9 am.  Forgot to charge my Garmin - Duh!  So I drove to the inlet without a watch and decided guesstimate 8 miles. 


Parked my lonely car

 Not many people out.  Perfect!

Felt great!  Made it to the end of the boardwalk.

Continued further north to....

Turned back here.

Super hard going back to the car.  I had forgotten how bad the wind is at the beach.  Whew!

When I got home - measured my route via MapMyRun - 7.74 miles. Almost! Not bad.


So I've had lots of time this weekend to think with the Princesses and Superman at home.  Things have been a bit uneventful for me now that my babies are growing up and spending more time away aka school.  I NEED a challenge - other than running/fitness;).  TMB's last post really hit home with me.  Stepping out of my comfort zone to grow.  She is truly an inspiration!   So (drum roll please) I decided to pursue ACE personal training certification!!!  I've been toying with the idea for sometime.  I haven't been to school in ages!  Scary!  The local community college offers a prep course for the examination which would help tremendously.  It feels great to have a new goal!!!
 
Question:  For those of you that run with a camera - how do you do it???  Do you have a case or do you just hold it?  Or do you take your phone?

FYI - Most warehouse stores (Sam's, BJ's etc) have pharmacies that offer super low prices on meds compared to "retail" pharmacies.  Per FDA - You DON'T have to have a membership to these stores to purchase from the pharmacies.  If you have a regular prescription (like we do for acid reflux) this could save you a ton of $$$ without forking out a membership fee.

Dreams do come true!

I ordered my new treadmill on Sunday!  Can't believe it!  I've wanted one FOREVER!  Superman finally conceded or maybe I convinced him that he needed one too;).  I head down to the beach Sat evening and then pick it up Sunday.  We saved a ton of $$ buying it from the outlet store and opting out of the delivery and set-up.  I have to take the trip solo (yippee!) because the box won't fit in the car with the girls' seats.  So I have a much-needed solo evening to myself - can't wait!  I have so many things I'd love to do - run, pedicure, shop, etc but I'll probably end up on butt reading blogs;)

After a lot of research, we bought the LifeSpan TR3000i.  Due to space issues, it had to be a fold-up and had to stand up to (hopefully) a lot of running.  As soon as it's up and running (HA! No pun intended!)  I post a review.

Off to make lunches for the Princesses!

Here's the Scoop

So here I go....

I've been lurking around many blogs trying to get an idea of where to start and what my focus will be.  So inspired by all the awesome writers out there!  I LOVE ready about your running, your eats and all the wonderful twists and turns of your lives. 

I've tentatively written several posts of my mine only to delete them.  Played with the design a million times.  Can you tell I'm a procastinator??  Oh well...

I'm a married, stay at home mom with an obsession in fitness and nutrition/food.  My daily life revolves around the girls' schedule and then trying to fit in my workouts.  Hubby, aka Superman, is a pretty busy guy so he joins in the insanity when he can.

History...
Semi athletic growing up - soccer, tennis, sailing, cheerleading, hiking.  Never really got serious about any sport or activity.  Then came major body issues after I started college.  Put on a significant amount of weight during my first year away.  I was able to lose it all and more in the most unhealthy ways.  Over the last twenty years I weight has bounced up and down.  I was introduced to weight training by various boyfriends but it never took hold.  I NEVER went running - just wasn't my thing.

Got married and started to hang out with some of Superman's old friends from high school.  The group of girls are hysterical, lots of fun, wonderful friends and RUNNERS.  YIKES!  Well I got sucked in;).  They were so supportive and kind.  Letting me slothe along on their runs - helping me navigate registration for amy first 5K - getting me out of bed on the weekends for long runs of 5 miles.  I was really enjoying it!  Then they got me into the gym and showed me the ropes.  I went to hyperdrive reading anything I could find on running and lifting.  Then came nutrition.  How was I going to fuel my new hobbies??  Decided I should get on ball as to what I need to eat to stay healthy and energized.

The knowledge and the foundation I created helped me to shed all the baby weight after my two pregnancies.  I can't believe that I am in the best shape of my life at this stage of my life.  I am always looking for new info, new recipes, anything to help me and my fam stay healthy and active.

I have to start thinking of my future.  The girls will be in full-time school soon.  There's plenty of house projects, volunteering opportunities, etc but I need something of my own.  So I thought I might use this space to feel out my options, interests and opportunities to find myself again.

Thanks for reading!!!