2013 recap: How I feel about failing😌

Wow!! I can't believe that 2013 is almost over, it seems like I just wrote my goals for the year and now it time for next year!! My how time  flies when you're having fun!! I've had a great year; set some PR's, had some fun, made new runner friends & started a local chapter of MRTT (Moms Run This Town).  Looking back has it advantages:) 

I set a new 5k PR (32:15) this year in March and chased it sheepishly throughout the year.  Though I really yearn for a sub 30! My half marathon record fell as well at the Indy Mini my new 1/2 PR is 2:31:12 this is a full hour faster than my prior PR and that makes me ecstatic! I set a PR in the full marathon as well, it was my first and so far only, 5:59:13.  I REALLY wanted to finish in 5:30 but it was my first and I was so unsure of what to expect after mile 22, I'm thrilled to have finished!! Since the full I've been working on getting faster, I'm excited to write out my goals for next season and can't wait to share them.  In the meantime a breakdown of 2013's goals and outcomes.  Happy Reading, Happy Running!!! 

My goals from last year: 

1: Run 13 in 2013 

I ran 12 races, I was injured for 6 weeks and missed 2 scheduled races and 1 I kind Of slept through:-/ 

2. I wanted to log 1000 miles (running) this year. 

Being injured or 6 weeks really took a toll on my mileage.  I'm going to end up just over 800, considering the year I'm very happy with that!! (Considering my total for 2012 was no where near this I am thrilled!) 
3. I wanted to eat better, I've never been a believer in diets but nutrition. 

I did fantastic with this during the first half of the year...and then I started Marathon training! Wow that makes a girl RUNGRY. 

4. More sleep

I am so very bad about getting good sleep.  

5. Patience 

I have really been working on this and when I'm getting regular running in I am a much more patient mom and wife. 

6. Spending time with friends 

I did manage to make some new friends and spend some time with them and some of my oldies as well:) it's fantastic to make new friends with similar interests!! 

7. Time with the Hubs

I (and he) still really need to work on this!!!

All in all I think personally that I had a pretty stellar year, for me. 😆

 

26.2 I'm A Marathoner!

WOW!!
Where to begin?  First I want to say, even though she ended up injured and unable to run, my sister was/is the best running partner!! We really push each other and help get where we want.  As upset as she was about not being able to run in this Marathon she still went to the Expo with me and got up and got me to the starting line.  She is awesome and I can't wait to do this again, WITH her! Second my husband and kids are AMAZING they sacrificed time to let me train and even if I did miss a few runs here and there without their support I would NOT have been able to finish this!

M-Day
Woke up to my alarm at 5:45 after restless sleep, as usual on race days.  We left my fabulous and hospitable friends home and headed downtown to Indy.  We waited in the Convention Center to stay warm because it was chilly outside. 
While we were waiting we met a young gal named Carmen who was running her 3rd Marathon, she was from Chicago and this was the smallest one she had run.  She said her goal was 6:30 as her previous 2 were around 7 hours. She had her husband and kids there but was fearful that they wouldn't be able to stick around because he may get called in to work.  We wished her luck at the start line and I went on to find a friend who is in our local Moms RUN This Town Chapter who was running the half.  Steph left at this time to go check out the starting line.  
I ran the first 5 miles with Lisa, this was her first half and it was good to have someone to run a bit with, even if it was a short time. Her goal was to finish in under 3 hours and when we split she was on track to be around a 2:30!! You can imagine my excitement when I saw she finished in 2:39!! Way to go LISA!! 
At mile 13 my family was waiting on me: husband, kids, sister, brother in-law and my dad.  (My mom was supposed to be there but my 8 year old informed me that my grandpa had been taken to the hospital so she was with him. Totally understandable!!)

 At this point in the race my projected finish time was somewhere between 5 hours 15 min and 5 hours 30 min.  I knew at this point that I would slow down some because my adrenaline was starting to wain and pushing myself is harder than my sister pushing me.  
Around mile 17 I was getting tired, I knew that in another mile or so I would see my family again so that kept me going. They were FANTSTIC, they ran the Indiana Museum of Art parking lot with me and told me all the things I needed to hear.  By now I was about 8 miles away and was projected to finish in 5:54 according to the timing mats.  I knew I had to keep a steady pace to keep my time under 6 hours and I KNEW that would be hard.  

During these miles I met some GREAT people, including a 68 year old named Carol who was running her 251 marathon and her 35th this year!!! WHOA!!! Her goal is 300 by her 70th birthday.  
For some reason the fuel I had was not working, nothing was different than on my training runs.  For some reason though it was not working for me today so I was hungry and hitting the preverbial wall.  
Around mile 21 I started running 3/4 mile and walking 1/3-1/2 mile and when I saw the 24 mile marker and thought oh wow only 2 miles and the timer looked like I could actually make the under 6 mark...in my head I kept seeing the number 5:58:58. 
Just a few blocks after mile 25 a finisher was standing and cheering us on and she said you've got this only 3 more turns.  Was she kidding 3 more turns!!! I ran the rest of the way about the last mile and when I got to the finishers shoot my kiddos came out and ran me in!! So sweet and so emotional!! And my time? 5:59:02 
Not what my plan was, but life rarely is:) I'm happy, proud, excited... 
Oh, and Carmen from before the start, I ran into her on the way to the car with her husband and kids in tow, her time 5:58!! 
Yay for Marathoners!!! 

Eeeekkkkk it's 26.2!!

Its been a while since I've had time to write a post...Being a full time mom with a full time job and training for a full Marathon leaves me with very little time, as those of you who live like this know!! 

Well...yesterday I recieved an e-mail that freaked me out! It was from the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and it said there were only 30 days left until the BIG day!!! THIRTY DAYS!!! Well I guess I should start with saying that my training hasn't gone exactly as it was written, which I'm guessing is normal? Longest run to date is a 16.4 mile run that was split due to inclimate weather, it was done within 8 hours so I think it counts;). This weekend is a 17 mile long run followed by 20 next weekend and then we start to taper...whatever that means. All I KNOW is I've heard it makes runners go mad;) 

I've also been worrying about my finish time which will be over 5 hours. That is a long time to run and seems really slow, but I've been researching and have found that the average time for female finishers is 5 hours and 10 minutes, so I won't be far behind;). It seems that I need new shoes as well so that's on my within the week list. I've already wracked my brain with ideas for what to wear and haven't been able to decide.  But I digress, I will finish and I will be proud and excited! A sticker will be bought and placed somewhere:) 

Run Happy Everyone:) 

Catch up:)

Wow, it's been awhile!! I know I was injured and I was feeling blah about running because of it.  Well good news for me:). On August 2 I started running again!!! Slowly and with walk breaks but run I did!  I had a 5k on the 10th that I really wanted to do, it is put on by my dad and the Gaston Lions Club during the local fair, so my goal was to be able to finish the 5k not fast and not in search of a PR.  

(I also had a plan to start a run streak on the 10th of August, depending on how I felt.)  

I ran about every other day until the 10th, 2-3 miles each day and surprised myself by only being about a minute slower on average. The morning of the race I always help with registration and making sure everyone knows where to go so I was there at 6 A.M.  The race started at 9 so I was good and tired by then.  It was hot and the course was sunny the while way, I finished and I didn't have my worse time!    

I have had a great week this week, I win a Camelbak during RunChat, a pair of sweat pink laces and a pair of Swiftwick socks from 0to26point2!!! I am stoked to train:) I've got one race before I concentrate on "the big one" the Indianapolis Womens Half on August 31.  

And then it's time to train for a Marathon.  It's going to be hard and hot and long and I'm certain I'll have days that I don't want to do it.  I also know that I can!! 

More on that later:)

Run Happy Everyone!!!!

A 2 mile Run

WOW!!! I have never been so excited to complete a 2 mile run!  

I mean that smile is ridiculous, over 2 miles:). But let me tell you, after 30 days with 0 mileage I would've grinned like the Cheshire Cat at one mile.  If you've read any of my other posts you know I've been dealing with hip trouble, my hip flexor was all sorts of out of whack.  I've been biking and using the elliptical, icing and foam rolling, strength training and squats and I think it's all helped!! (I also started drinking tart organic cherry juice.) Before, when the pain started it was sharp and pretty debilitating.  Yesterday there was NO SHARP pain, I won't lie there was some discomfort after about a mile and a half but still not any sharp pain.  I got home and iced and stretched.  Today I can feel it, the fact that I ran, my hip is sore.  It's sore in an I used it kind of way not particularly painful.  I've got 96 days until my Full so I'm hoping beyond hope that the soreness today is a result of use and not still an injury.  

On an aside I have a new pair of shoes, Mizunos, and I've only gone 2 miles on them so I'm not sure what I think yet.  I love my Brooks and typically am loyal to the brand, but the Mizunos are so flipping cute!!! 

Anyway, I'm on a rest day today, don't want to over do it:). My plan is not to run 2 days in a row for at least a week and then I will get back on my training schedule.  

Happy Running everyone!!! 

Sidelined~Temporarily

It's been a rough few weeks, I have literally ran .75 of a mile since June 29.  

My hope was to run with my Moms Run This Town girls last weekend for their 5k, I walked it.  Well I ran 7/10th's of a mile and walked the rest.  The ONLY time my hip hurts is while I'm running!!! See previous post for injury. 

It turns out that I didn't run AT ALL the first week, my hip was so very sore.  I haven't done any running since the injury other than the attempted run last weekend.  

I've been doing lots of strength training and this week I've spent several miles on the elliptical.  My hip is feeling a ton better!! I saw my massage therapist and upon manipulation she feels it's a strain in my Iliopsoas and that it's likely from OVERTRAINING ugh...  The good news is that at the same time she also told me 3-4 weeks off and that means this Saturday I'm going out for a RUN.  

I can't wait, and it's funny because just a year and a half ago I had to talk myself into going out to run a mile! 

I've been stretching, strengthening, icing and foam rolling, hopefully all of this will pay off and I will be back up and running...literally.  

Have you ever been sidelined? What did you do to keep your sanity? 

Ugh...taking the week off

Right in the middle of training to PR at the Indianapolis Womens Half in August and my hip is acting foolish.  It's my own fault I think, from upping my mileage to quickly.  I rested this last week without doing any stretching or anything to make it better (other than the rest).  Yesterday I did complete 4 miles in the morning with just slight issues the real trouble started today during my 12 mile long run:-/  At about mile 2.5 it really started to talk to me, I could tell I wouldn't be finishing 12 miles of anything today.  Mile 3, turn around and head back home.  :(

I stopped and stretched and tried to continue on but it wasn't going to happen today.  And so, I walked...2 miles back to the car, it was slow and I hated every minute if it.  A couple of times during that 2 miles I attempted to jog very slowly but couldn't keep my pace down and was afraid of injuring myself further.  

I'm making crazy decisions this week, including taking most of the week off.  Just a couple of 2-3 milers this week in hopes that I'll be able to do 13 next weekend.  I'm planning on living in KT tape and investing in a foam roller...any other fantastic ideas!!??

Marathon Training here I come!

It's almost summer, which means its almost Marathon Training time!!  The closer it comes to time the more nervous I get.  I've done 2 Half Mary's this spring and am planning on at least 2 more in the fall prior to the Full in November, but I still feel overwhelmed by the prospect of being on the course for close to 5 hours...  My "plan" consists of training to PR in August for my half, I want to finish in 2:15, I'm not a fast runner.  I feel like if I can do that I will be able to do the full.  

I've made out my training schedule and I think it made my apprehension worse!  From June 9 to November 2 (Marathon Day) I have 656+ miles projected!! That's a HUGE number!  I've laid out my plan and kept most weeks at 4 running days with Sundays as my long run, there are a few weeks that have 5 running days in them (mostly when there are shorter speed work days).  The original plan I was thinking of following had a long run of only 16 miles twice, this made me incredibly nervous, so I combined two plans and now have two different 20 mile long runs.  I haven't decided if that makes me feel better or worse.  Running a Full Marathon is no easy undertaking, if you've done it, you amaze me.  I'm not running until November and I'm already stressing about what kind of fuel I will need and where I will carry said fuel.  I'm stressed about the training and missing things with my family.  They are super supportive and want me to succeed.  It seems that once the longer runs start, the ones that go past the half-marathon mark, I will start to feel better about this endeavor.  

If you have advice feel free to leave it!! 

Geist Half Marathon Re-Cap

Wow! So many things to say about this course.  I have only been a runner for about a year and a half, but I have heard about this course a couple of times from people I know.  Most if not everyone I've ever talked to about this course says, if you're a runner you should do it, but you'll only do it once.  This course is basically up and down hills the entire time.  This year my lovely and beautiful sister works for one of the captain sponsors (Ameriana Bank) of the race and we had the option to do it, and for no cost.  It just so happens that the Geist Half is always 2 weeks after the Indianapolis Mini, of which we were already signed up.  So there you have it, 2 half marathons in 2 weeks.  

We debated for a couple of weeks whether we would/should/could do this and finally came to the conclusion that if the day came and we weren't feeling it we could always back out. Ha!! I had told too many people about this race and backing out was not an option. 

Pre-race 

I couldn't sleep and ended up with probably 4 hours of restless sleep before having to get up bright and early at 5 a.m. I went into this run with no expectations of doing well, I just wanted to finish:). We arrived and walked approximately a half a mile to the start line, this is so much smaller than the Mini (35,000 at the mini not quite 3000 at this race.)  The time started promptly at 7:00 and right off we are headed uphill.  

At mile 1 we were running our pace that we started the mini at and felt really good.  I checked again at mile 3 and somehow through the hills we were still keeping our flat course pace on these crazy hills.  (There was basically no running between the mini and today so as I said before NO delusions of doing well.)  When we reached the halfway point I checked our pace again, yep, still keeping up with the Joneses.  At this point I mentioned to Stephanie that it was possible that we were going to be close to our mini time (which was a PR for both of us). 

Mile 11.5

The rain came and I must say I've never been happier to see or feel rain!  It was so humid and hot this morning I felt like it was raining before the rain started.  It rained for about a mile and that gave me a little rejuvenation.  Stephanie took off at mile 12 but I wasn't quite ready, at about 12.5 I upped my game and hightailed it the last half mile.  I finished a half marathon made up entirely of hills in 30 seconds longer than it took me to finish a flat course!! 

Question: 

Does this mean that I didn't give my all at the Mini in May, or that I just had a really great run day today?  

OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon Recap

I spent most of the week leading up to the Mini agonizing over the weather forecast that I, if course, have no control over. Up until the day before there was anywhere from a 50% to a 70% chance of heavy steady rain all day long. I ran through snow, ice and even some drizzle while training, but hard rain for 13.1 miles?! I had been reading recaps from the Country Music Marathon all week and running in the rain did NOT sound like any fun. Alas, race day came and the skies were gray but the rain never came! It was actually pretty perfect, 55ish temps, overcast, not a lot of wind. Dream running weather for this gal.

I came into this Run with a couple of goals for myself. My second 1/2 marathon ever, I wanted this one to stand on its own. I finished my first half, this same race a year ago, in over 3.5 hours at over a 15.5 min mile pace. So my goals for this were simple:
Goal #1: Don't walk
Goal#2: finish in 2:30 or better
Goal #3: don't get injured
Goal #4: finish strong

I ran all but about 60 seconds of this race! At mile 11 I had a searing side stitch under my right rib, maybe it was dehydration, maybe it was exhaustion, maybe it was my imagination. All I know is it was incredibly painful. I tried to run through it but had to finally walk it out, I decided 60 seconds was all I was giving it, if it still hurt I was just gonna run with it and deal later. I ran 13.1 miles and only walked for 1 minute!!! WHAT?!?! So proud of me:)

2:31:12
You see those numbers right? One minute and 12 seconds off of my goal time! That walking really did me in. Grrrrr!!!
But seriously so close!!! Another shot in August and I'm planning a PR for that:)

No injuries!! Other than that silly side stitch that stole my goal time from me;)

A strong finish. I felt great! I felt like I finished strong. I felt like I sprinted out the last 3 tenth a of the race. Maybe if I had started my sprint a but sooner I could've beat that goal, but I still felt and feel great! My last mile was right around a 10 minute pace, which is huge for me.

All in all I am so proud of myself and what I was able to accomplish at this 1/2. I can't wait to try again and just have fun. As much as I like to challenge myself getting a PR is not why I run. I run for fun.

Run Happy

What Boston means to Me

Where do I even begin?
Boston is so iconic and even before I was a runner I would listen to see what the winners time was. Last year when I started running I paid closer attention, what was the pace, when did the "non-elite" runners finish? (To me they're all elite.) I had a voice in the back of my mind telling me I could maybe run a marathon. Fast forward to this year and I am signed up for my first (and maybe only) full marathon. So on Monday I was at work, I had the TV on in the background and was checking twitter between patients to see when Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan finished. I was getting ready to turn off the television when the "special report" came breaking in and rocked every runners world. It was surreal, a bomb? At a marathon? At Boston? I was more emotional than I thought I would be, but I've grown to love this community, this tribe of runners. I haven't ever met most of the people I correspond with and follow on twitter or Facebook, but I'm proud when they PR and upset for them when they are injured. You've seen how motorcyclists wave as they pass one another, it's the same with runners. We understand, it's demanding, fun, mind clearing, and we pour our sweat and tears and sometimes blood into it.
Some of the folks I work with said that's why you shouldn't run, bad things happen. I said that's why you should, be united, be strong, be one.
My first half of the year is in 2 weeks, perhaps the biggest 1/2 marathon in the country, the Indianapolis Mini and I'm excited! I'm excited to be with my tribe, the people I don't know but that would help anyone. I am not fast and I won't ever be, I will never BQ. However, I will always run.
I think my mom is nervous, two of her daughters are running that race in Indianapolis, but we can't stop now. That's what the evil wants, they want to instill fear and paralyze us. We won't stand down we won't stop running! I run for Boston, how about you?

Training for the long run:)

So for the last 12 weeks I've been training and there are 4 more to go. This time its for a half. When I started this crazy running thing last January I NEVER thought I'd be preparing myself to start MARATHON training. Last year the opportunity arose to do the Indianapolis Mini Marathon and so I did it, finished it but just barely. A three hour and forty minute finish equals a lot of walking! However, 13.1 is 13.1 and to finish was such an awesome accomplishment!! This year my goal is a sub-2:30 half marathon, at the Indianapolis Mini, the Geist Half Marathon and then at the Indianapolis Womens Half I'm going for a sub-2:15 half. Still not fast but for me it's perfect:). I like to enjoy my runs and observe my surroundings so this is perfect for me. So with 4 weeks to go before that first half of the season I'm happy to say that my pace is right where it needs to be.

Now I'm gearing up to start MARATHON training in June. I have no idea what to expect or how to pace myself. My only real goal is to finish, my thought is that I'd like to finish in 5 hours. I read an article the other week in the New York Times and it had all the power to turn an average runner away from the sport. The interviewed person talked about how slow runners weren't runners at all and made marathons not as special. faster runners have gone on to say that people who run longer than a 4:30 Marathon don't train or put in all of the hard work. I beg to differ, I put in all of the long runs, tempo runs, intervals and I do it by getting up early or skipping dinner with my family, no Saturday fun for me with my kids because I'm running. So instead of turning me off of running that article made me angry and more determined to finish. There is always someone faster than you, you only have to be determined and focused for yourself.

To all of you MARATHONERS who are slower than a 4:30 full, keep running!! This is our sport too!!

Liebster Award: Finding New Blogs :)

So Crystal from Just. Run. Faster. Nominated me for a Liebster award, so here goes...I've never done this before so bear with me:).


So here's how it works:
1. This award is given to new or up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.
2. The award is then passed along to other bloggers in the same category to help spread the word and support one another.
3. Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.
4. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you, then create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to.
5. Choose 11 new bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to and link them in your post.
6. Go back to their page and tell them about the award.
7. No tag backs (don't nominate the person who nominated you).

Here are my 11 facts about ME :)

1. I am secretly terrified of bridges, like my knuckles go white and I don't breathe until I'm over them.

2. One of my only regrets is not having gone across (or even near) the Golden Gate Bridge while in San Fran...see above :/

3. I suffer from insomnia 2 times a year for roughly 2 weeks each time. Near the end of winter and smack in the middle of summer. Running has helped:)

4. I love to read, maybe obsessed with it. I have close to, if not more than, 1000 books in my home.

5. I've wanted to meet Stephen King since I was 17 years old. The man is fascinating.

6. I have a guitar that I cannot play.

7. My family is most important to me:)

8. I have fallen in love with running, though I'm not fast I'm passionate.

9. I wanted to be in forensics when I was younger, but decided I get nightmares too easily.

10. I would love to get back to working in fitness.

11. I have two kiddos who have made me who I am today.

NOW THE QUESTIONS THAT HEYJUSTRUNFASTER ASKED ME:)

1. What was the last book that you read?
I just finished Stephen King The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon

2. How tall are you?
I'm a shorty, runs in the family:) 5'2"

3. What was the last movie you watched?
We just finished the series Downton Abbey, and the last movie we saw was Argo.

4. How many times did it take for you to pass your drivers test?
Only once:)

5. Where would you live if you could live anywhere you wanted?
Northern California

6. What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I am scared of bridges.

7. If you could eat lunch with a famous person whom would it be?
Gwen Stefani, she has good taste she stole my sons name;)

8. How many tattoos do you have?
3 for now, working on #4

9. Do you see things as the glass 1/2 empty or full?
I try my hardest to see it half full:)

10. What is under your bed right now?
Maybe some dust:)

11. How far do you live from your birth place?
I live 6 minutes from my childhood home, where my parents still live.

NOW FOR THE 11 QUESTIONS FOR THE NEXT BLOGGERS:)

1. Do you have children? And how many if so?
2. What is your favorite hobby?
3. What's your favorite TV show?
4. Are you a dog or cat person?
5. Basketball, Football, Baseball or none?
6. How many tattoos do you have?
7. Any fears that seem unreasonable to others?
8. How many countries have you visited?
9. What's your favorite vacation?
10. Favorite author?
11. Do you still talk to your best friend from high school?

Tagging a few:)
www.RunChunkyRun.blogspot.com
www.Sexymotherrunner.blogspot.com
www.roadrunnergirl.com
www.mindysfitnessjourney.blogspot.com
www.backatsquarezero.com


I don't know a lot of blogs yet, and a lot of them that I follow have more followers than 200. I'm also not sure if it counts that on Facebook or twitter they have more than 200, well like I said I'm new to this...

Shamrock Run recap

This weekend I completed my first non-virtual 5k of the year. I like virtual races because I still get to better my time and I have to report it to someone other than myself. (And of course there is the race bling.) That being said I really push myself a lot harder when I'm surrounded by other runners.

I ran a local Shamrock Run here in Indiana. I usually run these with my sister, she is my running partner, she was in Bloomington this weekend so I was planning on running with another friend of mine. It was chilly in the morning only about 33 degrees outside, we arrived went and registered got our tech shirts and goodies. While we were waiting for the start, trying to keep warm, my friend said she would try to stay with me.

Once the race started we took off, I had to stop and adjust my socks about 100 yards in and it was then that my friend said I should go on without her. I took off and somehow between the yelling crowd and runners I missed my little running lady talk to me about my first mile. I kept going at what felt like a comfortable pace and when the lady spoke to me at mile 2, I almost passed out. :) I was running at a 10:15 pace! (My normal pace is 11:20 for a 5k!!!).

I kept that pace through the end and finished with a PR 2 minutes faster than my fastest one. :) so happy and so proud of myself!!

I know I can better that time. I just have to keep working and keep running.

Run On

I AM A RUNNER

It hit me this week, I'm not sure why it took a year or why my brain wasn't listening to my mouth, I'm a RUNNER. I have calves that I haven't seen for decades (since I was a cheerleader in high school), I don't run out of breath going up and down the stairs at work repeatedly, I get physically and emotionally jealous when I see other people running. Yep, I'm a runner.

I've been saying that I'm a runner for a while now, but I guess somewhere deep down I didn't believe myself. The other week I was at the gym, on the treadmill, and I thought hey I'm running on a treadmill for 4 miles; I'm a runner. Later that week I ran a 5 miler outside with a pace a full minute faster than ever before and I thought; I'm a runner. Two days later I ran an 8 miler outside, kept my pace, the same pace as the previous 5 miler and it hit me; I'M A RUNNER!

It's funny but until that point I think I was secretly dreading my first Half this year. I was sabotaging myself, in the back of my mind I thought there was NO WAY I could run a sub 2:30 half. It's not fast, you're right. To me it is. But hey, I've got this, if I can do 8 miles in February at this pace and my first half isn't until May, I've so got this!! It's weird because I wasn't dreading running, just the thought of not making it anywhere near my goal. You see last year I finished my very first and only half in just over 3 and 1/2 hours. So I am stoked! Super charged! Excited! You get the idea I'm certain. :)

Because of this recent revelation I am no longer as terrified of the full Marathon I signed up for in November. I kept thinking in the back of my mind, I can always downgrade to the half. Nope not me, not anymore. I really don't care how long it takes me I'm going for it! I'm going to be a Marathoner! This is going to be my year:)

Goal setting~Goal getting

It's the end of January, the year has officially started and is in full swing. I've never really been one for resolutions and why start now? Instead I set out some goals for me for 2013, I have a few mostly health related.

1. I want to run #13in2013, that's 13 different races in twelve months.
2. I also want to log 1000 miles (running) this year.
3. I want to eat better, I've never been a believer in diets but nutrition.
4. More sleep!!!
5. More patience!
6. Spend time with friends
7. More quality time with hubby

Since its the end of the month I sat down to evaluate what I've been doing and where I need help!! I've managed to run 2 of my 13 races in January, if I keep that up I will crush my goal of 13. After my run yesterday I checked my #runkeeper and I've logged 50 miles! This isn't where I want to be but it's so far from where I was last January, (sitting on the couch eating ice cream WATCHING the Biggest Loser). I'm okay with 50 miles and have goals for each month to help me reach the end:).

Since I don't believe in Dieting, the first 3 letters say it all, I have been eating better and less. I keep track of all of my food on #myfitnesspal and that is a lifesaver. I've added more lean protein and salads to my meals, taking my lunch to work helps a lot!! Sleep is a challenge for me, I've never felt like I needed as much, but now that I'm older and wiser I know that I NEED more. I'm trying to be in bed by 10 and most nights it works, I have some cant miss TV that's on a bit later though;). My last three goals are definitely still a work in process and I look forward to working on them and building my relationships.

I am pleased with where I am and where I'm going, it's a journey make it what you wish!! :)

Dreading the Treadmill

My nemesis, the TREADMILL, I really can't stand running on it. Living in Indiana makes it nearly impossible to be a runner and not have to run on one at some point during our fabulous winters. The weather gets cold, the roads get covered in snow, the daylight is gone before you get home from work. Excuses excuses I know, but I don't use them to not run (just complain;) I still get my run on. I still get outside, even in the cold and the snow, on the weekends for anything over 3.5 miles. Today I ran my longest treadmill run at 3 miles, it was so incredibly boring, nothing to look at no one to talk to. I did it though, all 3 of them. I'm proud and I know I can do it now so there goes that excuse:).

I'm serious about my half marathon training for the first 6 months of the year, then I go right into Marathon training and to do this I am going to have to run on the treadmill. These are things that I more than WANT to do, I NEED to do them. It's time to take back me, this is how:).
I'm dreading the treadmill but I dread failing more so here I go!!

Ready to Run

I'm ready to run!

This year is going to be huge! There are a couple of different groups I have entered and luckily they overlap each other. The first is the #13in2013 a variety of distances for me. I still only have eleven of them planned or entered already. I also entered a group to run 500/1000 miles, when I did this I had no misconception that 500 would be difficult. However, last night I was planning out my mileage for training and there are over 850 miles already with nothing planned for June or July other than 2 little 5k's!! I think I'm shooting for 1000 now! WOW that's a lot of mileage for a couple of ladies who didn't run prior to January 2012.

This week we, my sister and I, signed up for our first Full Marathon, I had a tiny freak out just after we pressed enter. Now as a couple of days have passed I'm starting to get more and more excited to do this, even though the Main Event isn't until November. Don't worry lots of training and races will occur prior to then. We're doing a handful of half marathons starting in April and several 10-5k's throughout to keep us conditioned and ready. As far as training goes we have no clue, I think we've decided on Hal Higdons training plan and may even download the app. Although if anyone has suggestions we are open to them!

I'm really just writing today to confirm to myself that I'm ready to run!! Also to make sure there may be one or two people to help hold me accountable:).