Dreaming

Ok, let's just play pretend for a little while...if I really could do anything, what would I do? What would you do?

For starters, I'd finish my 10K Sept. 25 in less time than the last one, preferably under an hour ten.

I'd run a 5K, either Shortgrass Scamper or Race for the Cure (bookending the 10K), in under 30. Yeah, right.

I'd run a marathon relay with my family and not be the weakest link.

I'd run a half marathon in February.

I'd run a marathon the year after. 2012. Hmmmmm....isn't that when the world's supposed to end? Coincidence?

I'd do my core training twice a week without fail and come away with abs I could rock out in a belly-baring tank in a race.

Ok, so these are dreams...my realistic goals instead:

I'll run my 10K without walking.

I'll run my 5Ks in 33 minutes, without walking, and have a blast doing it.

I'll run the marathon relay and not worry about my turtle pace.

I'll run the half marathon...no change there, except maybe the date.

And the marathon? For now, it's still a dream. But it's my dream.

And those abs? I doubt they come without some surgery involved, but while we're dreaming, I might as well dream big.

Change Up

We, the hubby, SB, and R, all rode in a 10K bike ride this morning. We divided up girls and boys with the bike trailers/bikes, and went after it. It was just one ride as part of the Hotter N Hell weekend. We had family in some of the other distances as well: mom in the 25 mile, dad in the 50 mile and sis in the 100K. Everyone finished and did well. Our ride was on a trail, which was very nice, but it was an out-and-back trail which made passing difficult once you started to meet those who had already turned around, especially with us pulling trailers.

It was a definite change-up from my running routine, and while I missed my long, outdoor run a little this morning, the family outing was an adventure and so much fun. I'm hoping that next year, we can make 25 miles!

Bike riding is not my favorite cross-training activity, but my husband prefers it to running. He was a rock star this morning and did so well. I couldn't be prouder :)

Treadmill fun

Ok, I have to admit, the treadmill isn't so bad. However, I can't seem to make myself go more than 2 miles on that thing. I did intervals on it this morning though. So far, so good. The last time I did speedwork, I ended up hurting so badly that I couldn't run for days. The weather has cooled off here, at least for a day or so, and I'm itching to run outside. Especially since I know we're doing HHH this weekend and will be biking instead of running. I even brought my running clothes to school with me so I could squeeze in a run before picking up the kids. Of course, I'm torn between taking them for a run in the jogger with me so I can at least spend a little time with them and getting some "me" time by running from school. I think the "me" time is going to win...just a couple of miles will make me smile :) Of course, I'll have to get home and shower before tonight's church activities, but it will be so worth it!

Treadmill fun

Ok, normally, I hate the treadmill, and while I wouldn't exactly say I love it, it accomplished the job for which it was designed this morning. I've decided I can't run outside at 5...too dark, too many noises, not enough peace, which is why I run in the first place. So, I skipped Wednesday's speedwork...part rebellion against having to run indoors, part some soreness/pain I was waiting to see which way would go, part exhaustion from being back at school. And after some stressful and upsetting events this week, I needed a run. Needed does not do that feeling justice. So I ran. And it was hot in the garage, where the treadmill is. But I ran. And it felt great. And while I wasn't actually moving, I could feel the worries falling behind me. And I so needed that.

But tomorrow, I'm back out on the road because it's Saturday and I can wait until 6:30 to run. Which I will do...before I go to work to finish up my classroom.

:)

Ahh...tonight's like tonight make me smile...well, actually, the earlier part of this evening did...not so sure about trying to get three kids to sleep in the floor of one said kid's room. However...off track. We took the kids, including the niece and nephew, to the local waterpark. I wasn't really looking forward to going and was starting to get a slight headache, but I wanted to take advantage of the last weekday before school starts and the free tickets we had. And I'm so glad we did. The kids were so excited and had so much fun. We spent most of the time in the kids' area and the lazy river, but we all loved it. The weather was great because we went after Hubby got off work. We didn't leave until almost 8 when the sun was starting to go down. We were even able to relax for a while and watch the kids play on their own. Of course, it helps to have a brother-in-law and an almost-grown niece who can help with the younger ones. I needed that kind of time.

I do not, however, need the battle we are having now at bedtime. We enjoyed a pizza picnic in the floor...but sleep is not coming as easily as those $5 pizzas do. It's temporary, I know. I am already so exhausted, and I'll be working again in my classroom tomorrow...yes, on a Saturday, to finish up everything for Monday.

Wow...just typing that made me sleepy...off to bed.

So close

"So close" could mean so many things. So close to winning. So close to the right lottery numbers. So close to your best friends. Or so close to crazy. That would be where I am. This week has been a rough one...can't run outside because it's too dark or too hot when I can actually run. R has to go back to the eye doctor for the second time today. SB has puked more than once in the past week. My classroom is a mess. I have no lesson plans. And a sad day today for other reasons. I know it's all temporary. But it matters right now, and right now, it's hard. I'm ready for this week to be over, even if next week holds an equally hard one.

I know, I know...quit your complaining. And I should. And I will. I know it could be so much worse. I know we are lucky and blessed. And we are. Blessed to have two beautiful kids, of which glasses are the worst medical issue we have. Blessed to have a home with an a/c and comfy surroundings. Blessed to be able to run at all. Blessed to have a job. Blessed to have a big classroom and great classes. Blessed by a husband who handles my stress with ease. Blessed. I'll focus on that for now.

Aargh!

You wouldn't know by watching me this week that I'm in Week 3 of training for a 10K...only one run, and only 2 miles at that. I skipped speedwork Wednesday. I'm grumpy after Monday's run. Not being able to run outside really takes the fun out of it, but I need tomorrow's run. Badly. It just hasn't been a good week around here...just one thing after another. So...I will run 3 miles on the treadmill in the suffocatingly hot garage...all to get to Saturday's long run OUTSIDE!!! I didn't do my strength training Tuesday...or today, but there's still time, right? Yeah, not likely...taking baby boy back to the eye doctor, then dinner, then company coming. Yeah, not happening. Yuck. Tomorrow is a new day.

Yep, setback

I woke up and got out of bed this morning and my legs felt a whole lot better...so I got dressed and headed out the door. I gave jogging a try...and made it 10 steps when I realized that wasn't going to work. My shins are just too painful. I don't think it's true shin splints because the pain is low and on the outside, more like the connection between my foot and shin. However, it doesn't matter because I still can't run. No long run for me tomorrow :(

This is so disappointing because my runs last weekend and week felt amazing...well, except fot that devil called speedwork. I don't think I'll be doing that kind of speedwork again. I'll stick to tempo runs, fartleks, and interval runs. And hills, but I'm only going to do that once while I'm training for this 10K.

I really needed that run this morning too. It was my first day back to school for inservice, and I could have used an outlet. I always hate going back...I miss the kids, I feel guilty for craving routine again, I regret all that we didn't get done. And on top of that, there are other things causing a little case of the blues. A run would have done me good. But instead, I have an injury to regret as well.

I'll try to think of this as a rest. Granted, it's sort of mandatory at this point, but I wouldn't have had time for a long run tomorrow anyway. So, rest it is.

Setback?

I did speedwork Wednesday in my new Saucony shoes...I don't know what did it, but I am now hobbling along, even walking. It's my shins and calves. There are knots in my calves and shin splints. Lovely. I have no idea which did the damage, the speedwork or new shoes, or if it was a combination of the two. I'm supposed to run 3 miles in the morning, but I barely made the grocery store walking this morning. So, the question is...take the day off? walk/run what I can? run anyway? Hmmm....

Speedwork stinks

I had my first speedwork run this morning, and all I can say is yuck. I only did 4x400 with 400 recoveries. I'm slow, and I kept telling myself "the only way to get faster is to run faster." Still slow, but I'm willing to stick with it to see what happens over time.

Yesterday, my Mom, sister and I headed to Luke's Locker in Colleyville to be fitted with new running shoes. I ended up in an Asics Gel Cumulus in a size 7! 7! I've never worn a 7, except when I had swollen pregnancy feet. However, I'm hoping it will keep my toenails in place. Mom ended up with an Asics Nimbus and Carrie came away with a Brooks shoe.

I actually ran this morning in a new pair of Saucony Grid Raider's that I picked up Saturday with Chad. I got them a half size larger than my old ones as well, a 6.5. There was lots of toe room this morning. I tried wearing a synthetic sock under my normal cotton one also. I liked the feel of it, but I'm not sure about wearing the two socks...still a little warm in there.

I'm still in the process of losing a toenail. I wish it'd just hurry up and fall off instead of flapping around. I'd cut it off it if wasn't just one quandrant of the nail, but since it's attached to healthy nail/toe, I don't want to mess with it.

Week 2 Begins

I ran 3.5 miles this morning...as slow as ever, but it felt pretty good. It's awfully dark outside when I'm running...and when school starts I'll have to be out an hour earlier. I'm afraid I'll have to treadmill run, and I really don't want that! It'd be so much easier if I had a running partner. I've tried to recruit my brother, but so far, no luck.

I'm headed to Run-On tomorrow. I actually bought new shoes this weekend, but I've been wanting to see what the experts say about what type of shoe I need, so when Mom asked, I said sure! Hopefully, they'll tell me that what I got is just right :)

Procrastination

I finally (finally!) got around to making homemade granola bars with Sarah Beth...Ryan didn't want to help. They turned out really well...chewier than expected, but I like them that way.

I tweaked the Playgroup Granola Bar recipe off of Allrecipes.com and came up with this:

Dry Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar (fairly packed)
1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 craisins (or more)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mixed nuts and seeds (I used pumpkin, sunflower, and slivered almonds)

Wet ingredients:
1 egg, beaten
1/2 canola oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix all of the dry ingredients in a big bowl. Make a well in the center and add the wet ingredients. Use a spatula to mix the best you can; then use your hands to finish mixing well.

Use waxed paper to pat into a sprayed 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes. They'll be chewy when warm but will harden some as they cool. In other words, cut them into small rectangles before they cool.

Nutritional info if you cut this into 24 fairly small bars:
Calories: 160, Total fat: 15.5 g, Protein, 2.4 g

PLEASE NOTE: This makes 24 small bars. If you eat more than that, you'll have to adjust the calories.

Time is ticking away...tick, tick, ticking away...

I have no idea what song those lyrics are from...they get stuck in my head every so often. The words are so true now as I look at the last three days I have before I go back to school with training and inservice on Thursday and Friday. There's so much we didn't do this summer that I'd planned. But we did so much! Now, just to make the most of these last few. Of course, I think one of those days I'm going to spend with Sarah Beth for a little girl time before she starts school. And I think I'm going to spend one of them with my own mom for a little big girl time before we go back to school.

Of course, I'd like to spend today on a little retail therapy. We'll see what nap time holds :)

Reflecting

I am thrilled looking back on my first week of training for 10K #2...and I realize how lucky I am that I have a husband that supports me in my running. He never once complained that I set the alarm for 6:30 on a Saturday morning, and in fact, said that he admires anyone that can do that. And he said he knows I needed to run...."needed"...I love that he realizes how important this is to me. It's not just a want...it's a need...a need to be active, a need to be outside, a need to be healthy, a need for time on my own, a need. Wow. I'm so lucky.

Of course, this will get trickier as I go back to school this week with training and inservice on Thursday and Friday. 6 a.m. becomes 5 a.m. and my bedtime gets earlier. I know that cuts into our couple time.

But today is a rest day...for my mind and body. A day of reflection. And that's what I intend to do.

Garage sales

Our nephew stayed the night last night (our kids are going there tonight), so this morning, we were looking for something to entertain them. There was a garage sale at a church down the street, so we took them there. The kids each picked out a toy, which a nice gentleman gave them for free. The nephew picked out a Scooby Doo, SB picked out a stuffed flower, and R found a toy level. Then a lady said they could have a book, but only R found one...a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle one that he dubbed "super cool." We also found SB some clothes for 50 cents a piece...can't beat that. I'm so amazed how little it takes to entertain them...proved further by another garage sale where the kids each got a 10 cent toy for free...a metallic Buzz Lightyear, a tiny toy gun, and a magnetic block toy. And I came away with three pairs of pants for $1.50...and they fit! Can't beat a cheap day of entertainment...especially with the promise of a kid-free night to come!

Week 1 Down

Week 1 of 10K training is done, and I didn't skip a workout at all! My workouts this week looked like this:
Monday-3 miles
Tuesday-cross train (bike)
Wednesday-tempo run (3 miles)
Thursday-strength train
Friday-3 miles
Saturday-4 miles
Sunday--a much anticipated rest day!

My run this morning was aweseome. Yes, I got up at 6:30 on a Saturday morning to run, but I was rewarded in so many ways for my effort. First, it wasn't too hot. Second, the sunrise was beautiful. Third, the breeze was nice. And fourth, when I saw that I had a mile to go, my thoughts weren't "Are you kidding me? I can't do this." Instead, they were "Awesome! I can do this!" And I actually ran faster! In fact, when I hit 4 miles, I still had my legs, so I ran to the end of the block for a total of 4.25 miles. Felt amazing.

I love that last stretch of my run. It's not always my last stretch I guess, but most days it is. It's about a 1/4 mile of straight residential street, shady, with some cute houses. It slopes downward very gradually and there always seems to be a breeze blowing up that street. The stop sign at the end is always my goal.

I just feel amazing after my run. I didn't walk at all. I had planned on walking at 2 miles, but felt good so I kept going. I didn't go fast, that's for sure. But I kept going. I am going to be doing some good stretching this afternoon to keep the soreness away...probably a little Icy Hot and foam rolling, but it's not pain.

I am looking forward to a day of rest. I have a feeling I will want to do something tomorrow, but stretching (and maybe some ab work) is all I'm going to do. I didn't used to mind a day off, but here lately I find myself wanting to go for a run in the afternoon even when I ran in the morning.

This week's plan looks like this, I think (I'd have to look for sure):
Monday-3.5 miles
Tuesday-cross train/strength train
Wednesday-speed work (on the track...I haven't done that in 13 years or so)
Thursday-strength train
Friday-3 miles
Saturday-4.5 miles

Should be interesting, especially with me headed in inservice on Thursday and Friday

No Nap for You

What in the world is wrong with my kids??? Today, SB is asleep (and she rarely naps) and Ryan is awake (and he always takes good naps). And what's sad about this is I was all snug in my bed about to doze off when he woke up. I guess that's just my sign that I'm supposed to be doing the dishes and laundry, huh? Not my idea of an enjoyable last Friday off for the summer.

I am going to do a couple of things for me:
1. Figure out my Garmin so I can do more than hit Start and Stop.
2. Ok, that's really it. Wow, not much there.

The problem is the things I'd like to do require me to drag the kids out with me or find a sitter, neither of which is happening today. Those things are:
1. Replace my running shoes
2. Find some running socks that aren't cotton
3. Head to JCPenney's to use my gift card
4. Buy a housewarming gift for a friend

Oh, well...maybe next week when the grandparents return I'll get to these things.

I think I'm going to attempt making Playgroup Granola Bars since the nephew is coming over this evening. I'm thinking a little sprinkler time, pizza,a movie, popcorn and maybe they'll all crash. Wishful thinking, I know.

Making it work

Mistake #1: Not doing the strength training first thing in the morning. One thing leads to another and it doesn't get done.

However, I did do some resistance work in the pool while the kids were swimming...biceps, triceps, lats, pushups against the ladder. I'm sure they aren't as effective as weights, but it worked for a start.

I did finally do my legs and core at 9:30 last night. It didn't take long and all it did was show me how much I really need the strength training. I can't wait to see how a stronger core plays out with my running.

It was a hot, muggy run this morning even though I was out at 6 a.m. Guess I'll be getting up early on a Saturday tomorrow to get my long run in before it gets hot. I'm scheduled for a 4-miler tomorrow, and with my pace, I'm figuring almost an hour. I know. I'm slow. I'm working on it.

Tempo Run #1: Complete

I ran my first tempo run this morning. I warmed up for 10 minutes (almost a mile...yes, I'm slow). Then I picked up the pace for 5 minutes, picked it up again for 5 more minutes, and finished off with 2 1/2 minutes even faster. Then I walked 2 1/2 minutes to recover and finished off with another 5 minutes jogging/5 minutes walking. 3 miles total. I have to say, it wasn't my favorite thing, but if I don't practice faster, I won't get faster. And while I will never be truly "fast," I have to get past this turtle pace.

I did pull out a running skirt for the first time in ages. I loved the feel of it, although the shorts underneat needed to be longer.

I reworked my original training plan, so tomorrow is a strength training day only...and I'm committing right now to doing it. Now what I'll do is to-be-determined right now, but it will consist of some core exercises that I can do here at the house. That is today's project. Nothing like a little procrastination, huh?

On a different note, I'm reading Run Like a Mother right now. I highly suggest it for any running mommas out there. Very funny. Very informational. Very true. There's a website and a facebook page connected to the book as well...a virtual community of moms who run. The website is: http://runlikeamotherbook.com

And the Facebook page is at Run Like a Mother, The Book. Look for it!

New Training, New Blog

Ok, yesterday marked the first day of my 8-week training plan for my second 10K coming up Sept. 25. I ran 3 miles straight...although slowly. It as my first run with my new Garmin (thanks, Mom and Dad!) and while it was nice knowing how far I ran, I'm not so sure I like knowing how slowly I went!

I was scheduled for a tempo run today; however, my body was not going to have any of that and I dreamed about losing my Garmin, getting lost, etc. for the last 3 hours of my sleep this morning. I figured that meant it wasn't a good idea, so I didn't. Instead, I spent a while today reworking my original Hal Higdon plan into a morphed-out cross between a Runner's World plan and the one I had planned on using. It now works for me with rest days where I'm used to having them, long runs on days I can actually do them, and tempo/speedwork in a logical place for me. What that means, though, is that I have a tempo run in the morning...and I'm looking forward to it! I guess I should read up on my Garmin and see if I can set it to mark some intervals for me now.

I had no idea I could get so into the training on this...the logistics, planning, technology, etc. So much stuff to read and do.

I'm still trying to figure out when and how to fit in strength training. I know I need to do it at least twice a week, but I haven't gotten that part completely down yet. I don't like to use lots of weights and stuff, but obviously that's part of it. That will be my next task. Well, the task after figuring out the intervals on the Garmin.