Twila Keeps Runnings

Less than Ideal

2012-02-11T13:20:00.003-05:00

This morning it was 25 degrees and windy making the wind chill of 11 degrees. Needless to say it was less than ideal conditions for a 16 mile run but it had to happen. Which ended up being great conditions for our run. We were forced to slow our pace down because the roads were slick from the dusting of snow. Granted we always want close to a 9:09 pace but we were happy with closer to a 9:30 pace today. There were lots of turns and slowing down to keep off icy spots. It was nice to have a long run where you enjoyed running the whole time and end feeling you could actually run 10 more miles! Three more long runs and then a little taper and then 26.2 in ATL! So excited!!!!

Here is to another week full of 5:00 a.m. runs!

Changing it Up!

2012-02-09T16:42:00.002-05:00

I am feeling really blah about running, my fitness and my weight. I am at my normal weight that is what I weigh when I am not working out. But HELLO I am training for a marathon so I should be at that other smaller number that I really like but my thighs and butt have decided to thicken up. I guess running 30+ miles a week will bulk up your leg/butt muscles : (

I decided to change some things up in attempt to improve my overall fitness and maybe shed 3 pounds in the process! Seriously I have pants that won't zip! So I knew I needed to make sure I was getting in plenty of weekday runs and add in cross training. I have a hard time fitting in both in one day but I realized if I would crawl out of bed in the a.m. I could possibly squeeze in some cross training in the p.m. So here is how my week went...

Monday: 5 a.m. run with S.W. (4 miles her pace; 1 mile my pace)

Tuesday: 1 hour Zumba after school, 2 mile run treadmill and some cross training "moves"

Wednesday: 5 a.m. run with S.W (4 miles her pace, 2 miles my pace)

Thursday: 5 a.m. run with S.B (4 miles her pace, 2 miles my pace)

I was too tired from the new 5 a.m. wake up time to get in any kind of working out in the p.m. but I am hoping as I adjust to the new schedule I might be able to pull off some push ups or something in the p.m.

Pretty good, huh? My weekday runs are not as fast since I am running with other people BUT I am running more days and getting in more miles. If we start at 5 am that leaves me with some time run 1-3 miles on my own so I am going to push those out and get it some below marathon pace runs. Hopefully I will still be able to hold my 9:09 pace on Saturdays. I am going to attempt ZUMBA some more so that I am getting in an extra workout somedays and some of the Zumba moves are good toning moves.

I think changing it up will cure my BLAH feeling! Anyone else out there have luck with changing it up??

Long Run... Positively Awesome!

2012-02-05T10:58:00.002-05:00

This week's long was positively awesome in the fact I perfected the POSITIVE split... oh wait you are suppose to run a negative split : ( As soon as our long run started I knew it was going to be a slow and painful 16 miles. We kept the average around 9:15 for the first 8-10 miles which is great since our marathon goal pace is 9:09 or better. However, we were both sore and struggling. We decided to cut it to 15 miles since Jeremy was happy with any type of long run (he was fresh off a Hawaiian vacation) and that would be an increase for me. We managed to get ourselves back to where we started and were happy to have completed a long run even if it was 1 mile short. I was thrilled that I went on and ran the last mile since I ran right past my house.

I am not sure why my legs were so tired and heavy since my last weeks miles were low. I was short on time a couple times last week and had some issues since it was my "lady week". I am hoping our attempt at #2 for 16 miles will go wonderful next week. There are fewer and fewer weeks before I tackle 26.2 in Georgia and then I have Derby in April.

Sorry the shoe picture was so big but it did a good job of showing off how pretty they are! They are so pretty I am still not wearing them all the time because I don't want to get them wet and muddy. Plus I am hoping they will be my shoe for both marathons so I am going to try to keep their miles low for a few more weeks before I wear them exclusively. They are SO pretty! So pretty that it looks like the next time I buy a pair I will have to pay $5 more.

New Shoes!!!

2012-02-01T21:06:00.001-05:00

Yea for the new awesome bright blue and pink Pegasus 28 running shoes!!! They feel great and I am hoping they will keep me motivated. January was great with 124.5 miles for the month. I am even making plans to get up at 5:00 am to run two days a week.

Virtual Run for Sherry

2012-01-31T20:50:00.003-05:00

Please go to SUAR to read about the Virtual Run on February 11, 2012. Her dear friend and relative was murdered while on her Saturday morning run. Basically she wants as many people as possible to run in memory for Sherry that day. There is a bib you can bring to show you are remembering Sherry.

No Excuses Right BL?

2012-01-24T18:29:00.001-05:00

The Biggest Loser is talking about no excuses and it is time for me to stop making excuses. Husband works late, Parker is awake, the garage is colds, it is late, blah, blah, blah!

Turn on the heater. Turn on GO Diego Go and run. 2 miles or 5 miles is better than couch potato! New goal finish 3 miles before Diego goes off :)

The Runner I Always Wanted to Be

2012-01-20T16:46:00.002-05:00

The other day while I was running on a day that I did not want to be running I was doing a lot of thinking. I really started to think about why I run and why I keep doing it. I mean lets face it; running is hard! Right now it is cold out and there is nothing fun about running in sub 20 degree weather. Also, we are all broke down in one way or another. If you say nothing on your body hurts you are lying. Whether you are seriously injured or just fight the weekly aches and pains there are many days when it hurts to get your run in. There are numerous days where each step hurts my foot or ankle or hip or knee but I get some miles regardless. And lets face it sitting in pajamas on your couch always feels better than running around with snot frozen on your face or sweating to death. So why do I run?

There are a few events that I reflected back on to that stand out in my mind.

#1 In the 6th grade I signed up for the "long" run at field day. It was probably like a 1,000 meter or less since it was at an elementary school field day but I thought I was going to do some serious running! Lets back up and state that I did not play a single sport and the most athletic thing I did was ride my bike up and down my gravel driveway that was maybe a tenth of a mile long. To make a long story short they said go, I ran, everyone else ran really fast and finished days ahead of me. Guess who didn't try to run again?

#2 The above mentioned event must of impacted my self esteem or something because I have no memory of doing any athletic the rest of my school career. So bad that when I had to take P.E. as a freshman in high school I dreaded the one mile run so much that I lied and said my Mono was still acting up so that I could sit out P.E. for the entire nine weeks. I was terrified to run the mile because you had to do it under 12:00 minutes. However, there was a part of me that sat around watching everyone run that mile that wanted to be out there. But I did not run one step, catch one ball, or anything else athletic for my entire high school career.

#3 Skip ahead to college and my second year I had a super cute roommate that was involved in lots of sports. We would go the gym in attempts to work off our Mt. Dew and McDonalds diet (seriously how was I not 200 lbs) and we would both head separate ways. She would head to the track to run and I would hop on the elliptical because I couldn't run. She always tried to talk me into running but I had in my head that I was not a runner! It was a sheer miracle that I was in a gym to begin with!

#4 The "weigh in"... I was back home going to college and working a sports store (ironic, right?) and was living off fast food and cokes still. One doctor's appointment I weighed and was about 10 pounds heavier than I have ever been my whole life! So I made my new year's resolution (January 2004) to hit the gym. I did a great job and lost some serious weight and have kept if off since minus pregnancy. However, I made a friend while working out but she stopped being my workout buddy when she tried to talk me off the elliptical and onto the treadmill. Helllo, I DONT run!

#5 April/May 2008 I was sitting at the teacher's lounge and people were talking about having done a couch to 5K to run a new 5K run for a teacher that died a year ago. They asked me if I was doing it and I remember my response was "I don't run. I have never been able to run and honestly I just think there are some people that can run and some people that can't. I am one of the people who can't run. I guess I could walk it."

Well if you have read my sidebar you know there is where it all started. I went and did that 5K in a painful 42ish minutes and was disgusted with my 27 year old body for being so out of shape just because I had a baby. Almost three years later I guess I am a runner....

The runner I always wanted to be. Those days I don't feel like running I run for the 11 year old me that couldn't run around the baseball field, the 15 year old me that was scared of a 12 minute mile, the 19 year old me that wanted to run the track with her roommate, the 22 year old me that was scared of intervals and the 27 year old me that finally had the courage to try! I love this time of year when so many people around me are wanting to work out and run. They come ask me for advice on how to get started and I get so excited talking to them about running! I get excited that they are tackling a personal demon of their own but most of all I get so excited because it means I am runner. The runner I always wanted to be.

Daily Mile

2012-01-20T16:14:00.002-05:00

I am breaking down and trying daily mile again! I like the way it tracks all your workouts and like all the statistics it gives you. If you use daily mile please look for me or tell me how to look for you.

My name on there is Twila M., location KY and I have on a green tank in my picture!

So far I have streaked for 5 days and hope to make it a full month. Some days will be just a mile but I want to run every day and get back in the habit. Especially on the treadmill. I used to run 7 and 8 miles on the treadmill during the week but have lost that ability for some reason : (

Hope everyone is staying warm!

Gonna Get My Roll On...

2012-01-17T18:57:00.002-05:00

or something like that! I found all my burnt CDs from college and decided to but them on my iPod for running. WOW! I was a lot different 10-12 years ago. There is not one song on those CDs that I could play with Parker in the room and I honestly could not remember half the names of those songs. Lets just say I was unaware of the fact that I was white and from Kentucky when I downloaded most of those songs. Some oldies but goodies include....

Bone Thugs and Harmony: Ghetto Cowboy

Warren G: Regulate

Jay Z: Big Pimpin'

Ice Cube: You Can Do It (Put Your *** Into It)

There were a lot more fabulous songs to choose from! Great memories of the good ole days when we had no worries! But I am can say I am much better shaper and much happier at this point in my life. Not sure if I would go back and do it again : )

Too Old to Blog...

2012-01-16T18:17:00.002-05:00

Yeah.... I am old : ) Last Wednesday I turned 30! It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I really thought I was going to be all depressed and annoyed that I was getting "old" but I had such a great birthday it was hard to notice. The Saturday before my birthday I had a girl's night out and it was a blast. We took a limo to Lexington and partied until the wee hours of the morning (as in home at 5 a.m.)! Good times! Then on my birthday my husband spoiled me with flowers, waffles, 30 balloons and out to eat. The weekend after my birthday there was another limo trip with some of our couple friends out to eat and home for cake!

Note to self... do not weigh for at least a week after birthday festivities

I am still running when I am not partying : ) My running has been pretty good and I am keeping my mileage up since I am basically 2 months from my first spring marathon. My long runs have been wonderful! But we are still at 12 miles and we all know once you get over 15 miles it gets a little uncomfortable. I have been doing some weights after my work outs and plan to keep that up since I need to build my upper body strength by summer for the Triathlon and for the Tough Mudder in the fall.

Now the birthday festivities are over I am going to try to streak for a month! That sounds a lot more risky than it is. Basically I am going to run for a lot of days straight and with my clothes on. Just a mile will count for days that are typically off days. Also, I am going to try to keep up my 100 ab exercises and 50 push ups each day. If I am a good girl I will get to eat a dessert for Valentine's Day; until then I am REALLY going to keep my desserts and sweets to a minimum and know major eating out trips until then either.

Sorry for the lack of blogging but I have been getting back into work mode after the holiday break and celebrating my oldness.

2011 Recap and 2012 Plans

2011-12-31T08:45:00.004-05:00

In 2011 I ran 4 Marathons!

March: Virginia Beach Marathon

May: Cleveland Marathon

September: Presque Isle in Erie, PA

November: Marshall West Virginia

Each Marathon brought it's own challenge. I ran Virginia coming off a week long stomach bug and was so excited to set a new PR at my second marathon. Cleveland was the perfect marathon and will probably be the "easiest" for a long time. I wish they could all feel that good. Erie was a bad race : ( I started getting focused on breaking 4 hours and had a major meltdown when it did not happen. I could have had a bigger PR but let my emotions get the best of me. West Virginia was great and I loved running again! So close to that sub with a major PR of 4:03:00.

I only ran three 5Ks this year since I was focusing more on long runs and trying to save money on race fees. I do not see myself going back and doing lots of 5Ks anytime soon. They are fun but cost $15-$25 and I can easily save $200 by not doing all the 5Ks around here. I did do 2 of my favorites plus one with my family this past year.

May: Jennie Carol 5K

July: Buffalo Trace 5K

August: Railroad Days 5K

I will always run the Jennie Carol race since it is where I started running and this year I had a big goal for that race; break 24 minutes and I did! 23:30! I ran Buffalo trace with my mom and stepdad so that was a great race to be out there with them. Last, the best 5K around because it is fast... Railroad days where I broke 23 minutes!

In October I was on a team of 12 that ran in the Bourbon Chase relay. Hands down one of the best experiences I have EVER had. There are no words to describe how much fun our team had doing this race. There was nothing fast or speedy about it but we had fun being runners.

I ended the year with some great family time and less time "training". I have still been running and working out but I do not have a "plan" that I am on for the moment. I did some extra cross training, bike and even swam a few days. I am not one to make big resolutions and will not do it this year. We all know our shortcomings and know what we need to do to fix them. I am going to steal 2 goals from Racing with Babies and Redonkulous Runner...

#1: Stop having FOMO (fear of missing out). My race calendar is MY race calendar. I make it based on my goals, my needs and my schedule. I can NOT race every race I hear of and I need to focus on my training needs. Races will happen again the next year and it is not possible to race every race out there.

#2 Stop having food guilts. I am not vegan, gluten free, raw dieter, organic eater or even healthy for the most part. I eat what I eat and it is what it is. Another area of known shortcoming that I can work on but I will not feel guilty for them. I will run my 14 plus miles on the weekend and eat my cupcake with zero guilt : )

The rest of my goals will come from here..... The 2012 Race Calendar!!!

January: training

February: training

March: Publix Georgia Marathon on March 18th

April: Derby Festival Marathon on April 28th

May: Jennie Carol Memorial 5K on May 12th

June: Training

July: These are tentative and not set in stone due to the challenge level

July 14th Grandfather Mountain Marathon

July 22nd Pirate Triathlon at Fairport Harbor Lake Park

August: Railroad Days 5K (date not set)

September: Bourbon Chase on September 28th and 29th

October: Tough Mudder in Mayesville, KY on October 21st

November: training

December: St. Jude Marathon in Memphis, TN on December 1st

Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama (hopefully on December 8th; date not set)

I have worked on this A LOT and this seems like the best fit for me personally. It gives me 5 more states and 10 total at the end of the year. I wanted "12 by 2012" but I can not find 2 more races in 2 more states that are within driving distance. I want to do Bourbon Chase and ToughMudder so that cancelled out some races. But I will have 19 more years to get in the next 40 states so I think I can make that work!

The Grandfather Mountain marathon is ONLY if I can get Monica to go with me since there is weird lodging and I want someone to almost die with as we "run" AKA power walk up a mountain for 6 hours. Since I have some extra training time this summer that will not be consumed with marathon training I am going to attempt to get into one of the local gyms and swim for 6-8 weeks. IF I am feeling ready I am going to do the above mentioned Tri. Monica is planning on that one as well so it will make it easier in terms of travel. These are the two races that I am not set on.

Obviously cross training and strength training are two of my goals since I am going to be doing more than just running this year.

I am going to set my ticker at 1,500 miles since I easily ran 1, 000 miles this past year and I think I can manage the 1,500 miles next year. I am going to end this year just shy of 1,300 miles.

I still want my sub 4 marathon and will always have that on my brain. I have not picked a race for it to happen because we all know each marathon brings it's own challenges and I just need to train hard and see what race conditions are. It will NOT happen at the mountain marathon!

I have enjoyed reading all of the other recaps out there and can not wait to see where everyone else is racing in 2012. I am so excited to meet some other bloggers in Atlanta and would love for some people to put the Derby marathon on their agenda.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T13:50:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas from my home to yours! Hope you are spending lots of time with those you love. So far my best gift has been a five mile run after SIX days off (thanks flu!) and it was at a pace that I am not ashamed of!

2011 Goals Recap

2011-12-22T15:11:00.002-05:00

So I looked back at my 2011 goals and I really did not set a lot of goals last year. I had some statement like "here are some fitness goals and I have some other goals"..... yeah I have no idea what "other goals" I had so I am sure they were dropped by January 5th like most people. So I started my year like a crazy person and ran my butt off for a long time and kept really strong until fall. Fall came and I knocked out some big races and set some good PRs but then I hit a major wall : ( Not sure why but my workouts have gone to crap since my November marathon. BUT back to the good stuff...

PR some distances! Totally did that in a half (training runs, no real ones), 5K (sub 23) and 26.2!

Run some races : ) YEP! 4 marathons and a 203 mile relay and a couple 5Ks

Run 1000 miles.... and then some! Wanted to get 1,300 but the flu has me shut down.

Eat less cupcakes..... WTF! Who wrote that $#!+ on my blog..... yeah eat MORE cupcakes

2011 was a great year! I am very proud of my running this past year. I think I accomplished a lot even though I did not have specific goals.

What will 2012 hold? more running... DUH?!?!? and some PRs? Well I would hope so : ) Maybe some other races.... like an IronMan : )

Totally kidding about the IronMan but I am looking into some "other" races for fun. I might even tackle that swimming thing again for some stupid reason. I am hoping to have a set race calendar soon and I will post closer to the new year.

On the 5th day of Christmas....

2011-12-20T07:12:00.002-05:00

Okay I have no idea of how the Days of Christmas work but I know my early gift is the FLU! Yep, I tested positive for the flu yesterday : ( Hoping rest, fluids and tamiflu are going to work wonders and have me feeling before Christmas. I am exiled to the bedroom to keep the rest of the family from catching it.

The Christmas spirit is going strong in the Montgomery house! Parker is so excited for Christmas! We mark off days on the calendar each day and countdown the days left. We have Elf on Shelf and he loves seeing where "O" (that is the elf's name) is every morning. Check out our festivity schedule:

Saturday, 17th Christmas with High School girl friends (check)

Sunday 18th @ 1:00 my dad's Christmas (check)

Sunday 18th @ 5:00 Mom's extended family (check)

Friday 23rd @ 5:00 My parents

Christmas Eve morning Scott's dad breakfast

Christmas Eve supper Scott's mom's dinner

Christmas morning: our own Christmas at our house

Christmas night: stepdad's family

December 28th/29th: go to Nashvile for ICE and stay at Opryland Hotel!

WOW! We are busy people but so blessed to have so much family to celebrate with. Gaining that 5 to 7 pounds will not be a problem for me! I was planning on being proactive and getting in 5 to 7 miles most days in hopes of fighting the holiday weight gain and getting closer to 1,300 miles for the year. But I will not be running for a few days with the flu diagnosis. Glad I had a good 12 mile run last Saturday.

Kona on DVR

2011-12-13T20:40:00.002-05:00

Who has Kona on their DVR??? Me! Me! Me! I love watching Kona. I actually watched Kona before I was a runner. I randomly found it on TV and watched it thinking "WOW, that is crazy!" Running a mile was impossible for me at the time and I had never any hear of triathlons or Ironman. Obviously I already knew who won the race! I love both Craig Alexander and Chrissie Wellington so I was thrilled when I saw that they won. I did not read a lot about the race because I wanted to enjoy watching the Kona recap.

I love the fact that Chrissie and Craig did not flat out win it from the beginning so there was a little bit of excitement watching them win; even if you knew they were going to win the whole time. They are amazing athletes and showed up to win it and they did! I also love Mirinda Carfrae and love to watch her run.

I was disappointed in some of the age-grouper stories. I could have cared less about the Indy racer. I am glad they talked about Biggest Loser Tara but I think there could have been more coverage. I was really moved by the lady with colon cancer because it made me think of my mom since she was so close with her daughter. However, I always think there should be more coverage of the age groupers!

I did not think I was going to cry but when it showed the two older men at the end who were in so much pain and still trying to finish I was crying. Every time I see people of "older" status pushing themselves beyond anything I could ever do I get emotional. They were pushing past some serious pain and it was amazing to watch. Lew Hollander is amazing! I will cry whenever he passes away but I think he will make it to like 105 easy!

Overall I enjoyed it and will watch it a few more times! Who else watches Kona??

Recovery! Why Didn't I think of that??

2011-12-06T21:39:00.002-05:00

Hal Higdon, Jeff Galloway, Greg McMillan, Bart Yasso and basically any famous runner or author in Runner's World all talk about this thing called RECOVERY. Yeah, yeah, yeah I do that, right??? I mean I don't run for a few days and I just run 5 or 6 miles the first weekend back from a marathon. Then my long runs are just 10-12 miles for a while : )

Okay! SO that is not exactly what they are talking about. There is this funny little rule about taking a day off for every mile that you race. HUH? So if I run 26.2 miles I should take 26 days off. Well not really but I should not do anything extreme or push myself. Well I did just that for the past month against my own will. I have been hitting the pavement, treadmill, bike, yoga mat etc... but I have been STRUGGLING! Runs have been awkward and not fluid. Cross training has been taking a beating on my body which is actually because I don't use any muscles besides the ones you need to run. I was out there trying to retrain for spring marathons on broke down fall marathon legs. My body basically forced me to recover no matter how much I was out there trying to work out and train.

However, tonight which happens to be a month after my marathon in West Virginia I RAN. Like I stepped on the treadmill and ran 5 miles without stopping to grab by side, drink water, take a break, walk for a minute. It was a fluid 9:00 pace with some dare I say it... speed work at the end. Don't get me wrong I have had plenty of decent runs the past month but they did not have that "Runner" feeling to them.

I truly underestimated how much I had put out there in West Virginia. That 4:03 (7 minute PR) must have kicked my butt because my legs just now feel like they used to. Hoping this is the start of a new trend! I am ready to sign up for some spring marathons and kick some 4 hour butt!

PEA-NUT BUT-TER!!!!!

2011-12-05T07:00:00.002-05:00

So GU announced the other day that there would be peanut butter flavor GU! WHAT?!?!? I was so excited and was ready to drive to Lexington to find some but I decided to wait until I knew John's had some. I was able to get my parents to pick me up a few packets and I was excited to take one on my long run last Saturday. Since it was "just" 10 miles I really did not need a GU but I wanted to try it. So here is the review...

Smells like.... wait for it.... peanut butter : )

Looks like... watery peanut butter : (

Tastes like.... peanut brittle/the peanut butter in protein bars

Texture.... less sticky than other GUS and "goes down" well

My running partner tried it too and he agreed that it was pretty good. I think this might be my new no caffeine GU #2 to take with my on longer runs. The taste is not overwhelming good but honestly no GU makes me want to eat another one. The best part is the texture. The chocolate ones take too much water to get down and I was end of with a string of chocolate GU on my face. I think this GU would be great for a marathon because I would not wishing I had more water after I had left the water stop. I am going to try one or two more before I buy more but I have a feeling I am going to stock up for my next round of marathon training.

Jealous

2011-12-04T12:00:00.003-05:00

Read Skinny Runner

Read SUAR

Read Running off the Reese's

Read Sweaty Emily

Read Sarah OUaL

So I totally blog stalk ALL of the above running blogs! Guess where they are all running at today?? VEGAS! When I saw the advertisements for Vegas. I wanted to go run it SO bad. But the cost of the race, getting there and the hotel was just way too much for this girl. It is on the bucket list and will stay there for sure. One day I will be running less marathons a year and I will be there. I just hope all the other "famous" runners are still there.

Granted my blog is nothing compared to theirs BUT it would have been my version of celebrity sight seeing in Vegas : ) Hoping all the Vegas runners do great this weekend and I will be there soon!

Well.... IT Happens

2011-12-03T12:53:00.003-05:00

What Happened? Well....

Beth talks about it a lot and Cely hopes it does not happen in Vegas after binge eating and drinking.

Looks like Paula couldn't wait until the finish line back in 2005...

Yep I had "to go" and had nowhere "to go"! If you are saying "eww gross" or "I can't believe she said that" just remember Karma is unkind! If you run long distances and run a lot then you know running is unkind to the stomach and we have all been there done that. Most runners have had that nice 10 minute warning their body gives them and been able to head to the nearest potty. Well I had mine 10 minute warning and stopped at a gas station. Alright lets finish these last 2.4 miles, right?!?!?

NEGATIVE! Coming onto the last mile of my run I came to a dead stop and thought "OH MY". I looked to the left and right and I was in the middle of a road so I preceded to walk very carefully up a hill. Whew... pain is gone. Lets run again??? Made it about 50 feet and I was stopped again. At the point I am 1 mile from my truck but a couple tenths from my house. So I decide to running like a crazy lady to the house. Not so much I was stopped again by "THE PAIN" and eyed some bushes but thought that was not the best way to meet new neighbors so I hoped for the best and took off. Well the husband was not home so I had to open a gate, find the hidden house lady key and open a door. Which means...

I did NOT make it : ( Guess I can knock that one off my bucket list. Best part is I was at home with my truck still in the parking lot down the road. So I had to go back out for the rest of my run so that I would have my truck. Quite the 10 mile run : )

* Note to self: You can eat Mexican on Friday nights but NOT pizza! Stick with what works people!

Few of my Favorite Running Things

2011-11-29T20:29:00.004-05:00

Pre-run food: Currently I am eating a lara bar with peanut butter. For long runs I will add a banana and for a marathon I may even eat another small granola bar when I get to the race site.

Running Fuel: I really love the tangerine with double caffeine but I do not take more than 2 during a marathon and only one during a long run. I have not really found another flavor that I love and hoping the new peanut butter GU will be my new favorite to eat in between the ones with caffeine.

Love my Garmin and will always have one! I really don't care which one I have.

Socks: These are my favorite socks and I do all long runs and marathons in these. I am so excited that a local running store has them buy 3 get 1 free right now.

Tempo shorts will always be my favorite short and I don't know why I buy anything else. They are awesome all year long. I love just sticking a pair of tights under them when it is not super cold.

Shoe right now is the Nike Pegasus. I have always been a Saucony girl but was feeling the need for something new. After an attack from a Brooks : ) I went to a running store and I was put in the Pegasus and am in love. I am currently in love with the above color and may sneak and order a pair!

Post race treat! I love a good cupcake after a long run and I wish there were mint chocolate chip cupcakes around whenever I needed a reward : ) But any other flavor will do.

I know this was a real original post and no one else has done a favorite thing post! Join the crowd people : )

I am finalizing my 2012 race plans and will post soon. I am having to knock it back a little because mommy can't be racing all the time. Since I live in the great state of Kentucky I can not get to races with out being gone for only one night most of the time.

Hope everyone is getting in the Christmas Spirit! I know I am with my lights up, tree up, stockings up, Santas out and wreaths on the door : )

Ramblings....

2011-11-23T08:08:00.004-05:00

So after the Marshall Marathon my legs were hurting! Not all over but my quads were super sore from trying so hard to make that sub 4 at the end. I never give myself enough recovery and was trying to run again by the end of the week. I could not run "fast" at all! 9:40 pace was challenge for like a week.

Finally, 2 weeks later I am hitting 8:30 pace again on shorter runs and 9:15 on long runs! I have even been doing some speed work at seeing a pace that starts with a 7 again! Woo Hoo! I am so glad I found my running mojo again since it is Thanksgiving week and I am going to eat like 5,000 more calories a day!

I am also cross training like it is my job! I have been doing lots of DVD workouts and I am working out with the PE teacher at school who is also the High School soccer coach. He is having off season boot camp and we are doing all kinds of fun stuff! It is a nice change for me because the workouts are more of the athletic variety and I am doing moves I have never done. Lots of squats, push ups, lunges, curls, dips and pull ups! Which I think is also having a big effect on my runs. But I am willing to run slower for another month or so to get a little more fit!

I am off work for the next 5 days and hope to beat the holiday budge with a workout of some kind everyday. Granted it might be a ride on my bike indoors and a Jillian Michael's Shred but at least I will not be parked on the couch expanding my waist line.

My friend checked out Hood to Coast the movie and I fully plan on sitting in front of the TV long enough to watch that!!! I also finally watched the NY ING marathon and it was pretty awesome. So sad that Mary Keitany could not finish off her awesome run with a win BUT you can not surge that soon into the race and keep that pace. However, she proved she is awesome! The guy's race was uneventful in my opinion since Geoffrey Mutai was like 2 minutes up and no one gave him a a run for it. BUT can you imagine cranking up the treadmill to like 12 miles per hour and running for 2 hours and 10 minutes. WOW! All I want is to break 4 hours.

I also watched Marathon Boy on HBO and I was disappointed. I had already read about him in a Runner's World book so it was not that new to me and it was more about the politics around his coach Biranchi Das. Not sure that I would suggest watching it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with their family! I am so thankful for all of the great events I have coming up.... Time with my husband and son plus lots of time with extended family. Some time with my friends! I have already had a shopping trip/dinner with some girl friends and I still have a high school girls night get together coming up! Getting to see friends from out of town (Monica!) Today I am thankful for this little find last night...

If you have ever had Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream then you understand. Monica tooke me to have some when I was in Cleveland in September and I think I think about it weekly! SO GOOD! So much for not expanding my waist line : (

Race Shirts; What to do or not do...

2011-11-14T19:37:00.002-05:00

Since I am running out of my own thoughts : ) I will share this oldie but goodie! This one always makes me laugh! I have added some of my pet peeves!

1. A shirt cannot be worn unless the wearer has participated in the event. There is an exception, though: "significant others" and volunteers are exempt. I REFUSE to wear a shirt for an event I did not actually run. I went to SC for a half and it snowed out the event. Even though I ran the distance while I was there I will not wear the shirt since I did not run the actual race.

2. Any race tee, less than a marathon distance, shouldn’t be worn to an ultramarathon event. This goes double for the wearing of sprint-tri shirts to Ironman and Half-Ironman events. It simply doesn’t represent a high enough "cool factor " and sends a red flag regarding your rookiness. It's like taking a knife to a gunfight. It's probably best just to wear a generic name-brand athletic shirt, and go hide in a corner until race time. Ultra event.... umm I got nothing on this. But I do wear my 5K shirt to a marathon because I think a lot of people always think it is my first : )

3. When you are returning to a race in which you have previously finished, then wear the shirt from the first year you completed the race. Don’t short-change yourself by wearing the shirt from the year before. It doesn’t adequately display the feat of accomplishment or the consummate veteran status that you are due. I rarely do a race more than once so I don't have much on this one. If I do repeat a race it is a 5K and I do not run in cotton so I never break this rule.

4. Never wear a race event shirt for the (same) race you are about to do. Only rookies do this. It displays a total lack of integrity and might put the bad-heebee-jeebee-mojo on you for the race. Wearing a T-shirt of the race, while currently running said race, is discouraged. It’s like being at work and constantly announcing "I’m at work". Besides, you wont have the correct post-race shirt then...unless you like to wear sweaty, pitted-out clothes on a regular basis. If you do, then go back to the swamp, Gomer. This is my pet peeve!!! DO NOT wear the race shirt to the race. You have not ran the race yet. This is as bad as wearing your bib on your back.

5. Never wear a shirt from a run that you did not finish. To wear a race shirt is to say "I finished it". Exceptions: see guideline #1. If I DNF I know I would follow this rule since I won't wear the shirt of a race that was cancelled.

6. A DNF’er may wear a race shirt if... the letters DNF are boldly written on the shirt in question (using a fat Sharpie or a Marks-A-Lot). I would just throw it away.

7. During a race, the wearing of shirt from a previously completed year is acceptable. Wear the oldest T-shirt you have from that race (see guideline #3). This is probably a good practice because you now have no excuse to drop out since you’ve done it before.

8. If possible, runners should buy significant others T-shirts which can be worn without regard to running the race. (see guide #1). Keep in mind, they support your "running Jones" more than you think. They also have ways of punishing you that you can't even imagine. Or maybe you can. HA! Like my husband would wear a running shirt!

9. Volunteers have full T-shirt rights and all privileges pertaining thereto. So there. Remember, you can always volunteer for a race and get a shirt. I encourage this as your civic duty to be a member of the running community. Races don't happen without volunteers, folks. Totally agree which is why I was ticked when my Stepdad got the wrong size shirt for Bourbon Chase. I signed up way in advance and was bummed that he did not get the shirt. He worked just as hard driving as we did running.

10. No souvenir shirts: therefore, friends or anyone else not associated with the race may not wear a race shirt. If your mom thinks that your Boston shirt is lovely, tell her to QUALIFY for Boston herself, & send in her application early for next year, so she can earn her own shirt. A downside to this: she still has plenty of time to write you out of her will between her training runs for the big race. Note that your mom CAN wear your finisher's shirt under one of these 4 conditions- 1) you still live with your mother; 2) she funded your trip to the race; 3) she recently bailed you out of the slammer; or 4) All of the above. There is an exception to this guideline: (refer to # 1...If you are a "non-traditional family," and your mom actually is your Significant Other). Agreed! You can wear my 26.2 shirt when you run 26.2

11. Always wear the race shirt of your last race at the current race’s pre-race briefing. The more recent the race, the better. This is a good conversation starter. However, avoid the tendency to explain how that it was a training run for this, and this is just a training run for the next, etc. It just sounds like your rationalizing mediocre performances. Sometimes it’s best to live in the here and now. I love to read other people's shirts at races. I have some of the best conversations with other 50 staters when I see their shirts from other states. Chances are if they have on an Oregon shirt and you are in West Virginia then they are a 50 stater : )

12. Your t-shirt should be kept clean, but dried blood stains are okay, especially if it is a trail race or a particularly tough event. If you're an ultrarunner, you can even leave in mud and grass stains, (and porcupine quills). Not washing-out the skunk scent is pushing the macho thing a bit too far, though. Doubt I will ever bleed in a shirt but I did have a pair of shoes with blood from a toenail and thought it was pretty cool!

13. Never wear a T-shirt that vastly out-classes the event you're running. It’s like taking a gun to a knife fight. Or like unleashing an atomic bomb among aboriginal natives. You get the idea. So my marathon shirt to a 5K is a bad idea???

14. Also: never wear a blatantly prestigious T-shirt downtown or at the mall among non-running ilk. People will just think you have a big head, which you do. You'll also get stupid questions, like, "how long was that marathon?" If it's a shirt to a 50 or 100-miler, they'll think it's a shirt for a cycling event or just think you're totally nuts, which (of course), you probably are. If I have to say "This marathon is 26.2 one more time I am going to scream! YES they are ALL 26.2; even that one in Boston.

15. Never, ever, borrow a race finisher's shirt from another runner to wear to an event that you didn't run. If you do, remember that in Dante's Inferno, he wrote about a special Hell for characters such as you; right between Tax Collectors and Lawyers. Again you can't wear it until you run it and finish it!

16. The Bad Ben Guideline: All children or grandchildren of mine can wear hand-me-down race finisher's shirts for races that I've run in. When they are asked, "did you run in that 100-mile trail race?" They can proudly respond, "no, but my daddy (or grandad) did." If your progeny has put-up with you being an ultrarunner, they have said rights too. If you have completed an Ironman, your kids also have the same rights. They've put up with a lot of crap (or outright neglect) over the years, and deserve to wear them. I will happily give Parker any and all my running shirts : )

Might be a marathoner if...

2011-11-12T14:18:00.002-05:00

1. You go out for a 5 to 6 mile run and you run 8 because it just didn't feel right to turn around at "only 3"

2. You spend all of your recovery googling like crazy every marathon in the surrounding states.

3. You have a printed 2012 calendar printed and are planning long runs and making sure vacations and birthdays don't interfere.

4. Your truck gets broke into (nothing of value in it so no big deal) and you are more pissed about the 26.2. magnet being stolen.

5. You take your child to a different park and realize this is a great place to run hills.

6. Thumb holes make you yell out in excitement when you realize your near winter jacket has thumb holes.

7. You can't figure a tip in your head but you can figure split times for a 9:09 pace while running.

8. You run in cold gear when it is 45 because you want to see if it will be warm enough for the winter.

9. You say things like "Boston", "PR", "negative split", "fartlek" and "Garmin" and just assume everyone around you understands.

10. You assume everyone reads SUAR and Skinny Runner daily as opposed to the daily news. If they had not blogged about Kim K.'s divorce, Jessica Simpson's baby or the Duggars #20 baby I would have no idea what was going on in the entertainment world.

I am in the process of finishing off my 2012 crazy running plan. I will post soon! It is going to be fun in a ridiculous, torturous kind of way!

1/10th of the way there!

2011-11-08T20:50:00.002-05:00

On Sunday I ran the Marshall Marathon in West Virginia which makes #5 ! Only 45 more states to go. The hope is 50 by 50 : ) or sooner but I am going to have one more year and then back down once I have to start flying.

I do not have a really long race recap and I do not have any pictures at all. My friend Crystal as some on her blog; see Am I Runner or just crazy in my side bar.

The race is small and there are no frills. Expo is strictly a packet pick up and takes a matter of minutes. The parking is great because you can park within feet of the start line and there are no lines at the potty! No starting mat so your time is just gun time (probably was like a 15 second difference for me at the most). The course is a 2 looper now and that is not that much fun. However, there was a really nice part by the river and you were able to that 2 times and 1 river part like 4 times. The only thing I like about running the same thing twice is that you know where the up hills and down hills are so you can plan any stops or walks around that.

My goal is still obviously to make sub 4. I knew this race was not going to be but knew I should do closer to 4 hours since that is what I would have done in Erie if I had not had my meltdown. So to cut to the chase.... I ran it in 4:03:18 (clock time) 4:03:14 (Garmin time) 4:03:23 (results time) which is around a 9:13-9:17 pace. So close to that 3:59:59 at a 9:09 pace : ) I wish I had ran my first half a littler faster. I think it was 1:58:30 but I was TALKING to someone I had met! Imagine that. But I LOVE talking to other 50 staters and finding about other races. I put my iPod in around mile 14 and was super pumped up! Eminem had me nailing some 8:45 miles for a little while and then around 18 I started really feeling the pain from my "fast" running. I really hung in there until 20.5 and I started to slow down. I had little burst of speed but my mile 24 I was hurting! I knew it would take 9:00 minute miles to make it in under 4 hours so I just accepted by PR and ran a steady pace in.

I am excited to say I finished a marathon WITHOUT crying and was actually smiling. I even gave a little "woo hoo" when I crossed the finish line with my football!

READY for 26.2

2011-10-30T19:40:00.002-04:00

After a slight scare of a sickness : ( Aleeve D Sinus/Cold to the rescue! I was able to get in my 13.1 this weekend and I killed it! I wish it had been a real half marathon because I ran faster than my PR. My old PR was 8:34 pace for a total time of 1:52:?? but today I ran 13.1 in.....

1:51:41 (8:32 pace)

Super excited and ready for West Virginia. Not saying I am going to PR there or do anything spectacular but it just nice to show up for a 26.2 with a "I am a strong runner" attitude! Looking forward to seeing all the other KY runners that are going to be there. State #5 down only 45 to go!

Some updates.... 7 to be exact

2011-10-27T16:52:00.005-04:00

Since BBD from tagged me for 7 fun facts I thought I would turn it into a quick update on my life with some random thoughts and updates on myself!

1. I have a new house! Well actually I have a 70 year old house : ) Scott and I moved to a house "in town" and I am LOVING it. It had recently been fixed up and has lots of charm about it. I already feel like it is a home instead of a house. The best part is I live in my favorite area to run. I know lots of great little running routes from my house and I can easily go for a night run when Scott is home. My weekend runs are shorter because I do not have to drive to run. I can actually run 7 tenths of a mile to meet my running buddy.

2. My running mojo has left me : ( Actually just the treadmill running. If I can run outside I am all over it but I loathe the treadmill right now and that is odd for me. It is in the garage now but I was starting to feel that way before the move. Hoping the in town living will help me get 3-4 outside runs a week and then I can cross train the other days inside.

3. I am so Type A it is crazy! You would not know I have been in my house only 2 weeks. Minus the garage everything has a home and I can not stand to wait to get something done. So I have been super busy with house stuff. I think my OCD like tendencies get worse with age.

4. I have no idea how many miles I have ran : ( I was trying to keep putting in my miles once I went over 100 but just haven't cared that much about putting in my miles. Guess I should have made a bigger goal! I have also been running "naked" a lot. So my runs during the week are 4-6 miles. I just run familiar routes and enjoy myself.

5. I have BIG Plans for 2012! Like crazy ambitious. No one get all IronMan excited or anything. It is 100% running : ) Hoping to have a final PLAN soon.

6. I don't think it is real money if I buy it online. Drop $100 on 2 pieces of running clothes in a store NO WAY! Log in to running warehouse and throw down $100 on tights and jacket; no problem! That can get you in a bad situation pretty quick! Usually I check the credit card balance and box stuff right back up once it comes in.

7. I use to really like the color brown for clothes and home goods but now I am more into lack and gray! How is that for random??

If you read my blog feel free to blog about yourself. I would be very flattered to find out people actually read my blog. Here are the blog I stalk:

Running off the Reese's

Plus I read the blogs that are in my sidebar : ) Thanks for following along! Ready for a cold Marathon #5 next weekend with my running buddy who is running his first marathon!! Then I will take a little "time off" and then at the first of the year I will begin training for my BIG PLANS :)

Quick Update

2011-10-22T13:20:00.001-04:00

So I am not blogging at all for many reasons! After Bourbon Chase we finally moved! Pictures are coming : ) So between moving, unpacking, closing (that was a drawn out process), waiting on cable guy, waiting on internet guy, hooking up internet, decorating a house, learning where stuff is in a new house and shopping for the new house : ) I have also had you know work and raising the kid : )

No really life is great! I recovered for a few days after Bourbon Chase then started working my way back towards my marathon in West Virginia. I have had a few decent medium runs and one killer 18 mile run! I ran the first 10 miles in a 8:29 pace and then the last 8 I was able to stay at like a 8:50 or something. Should have pushed out 2 more miles but I saw my house and quit.

Today I ran 22 miles (actually 22.7 since I ran to the meeting spot) and it was great! Okay as great as 22 miles can be. I wanted a 9:40 pace just to have one last slow long run but ended up with a 9:48. Not sure what West Virginia will hold and I really do not care. If you know anyone running West Virginia on November 7th send them my way.

More detailed updates in the future! I have been reading when I have been able to with my super slow high speed internet : ( and wireless is another issue!

Bourbon Chase Recap

2011-10-10T08:40:00.004-04:00

Bourbon Chase is hands down one of the best experiences of my life! It was fun, exciting, funny, challenging, impossible, exhausting, and rewarding! Above is one half of me team. Our name was Running Under the Influence (RUI). I was runner #7 in Van #2.

Getting ready to leave for Maker's Mark. Our Van #1 took off at 11:15 am and was predicted to be ready to hand off around 4:30 pm. Check-in was quick and to the point. We just had to sign our waivers, check our equipment and get our bibs. There was a little bit of wait time to check out the distillery until my time to run since I was the first runner in Van #2. Our first van did well minus loosing a few minutes due to the insane heat and there were a few hills that were more"difficult" than their "easy" rating. I was super pumped taking out of Maker's Mark and went out a little fast because there were HILLS waiting on me. I am 100% sure those were the worst hills I have ever ran in my life and there are not words for how challenging it was. I was suppose to stay around a 9:10-9:20 average. I have no idea what I ran because my Garmin was all wonky and did not keep signal and stopped working : (. I was projected to finish in 58 minutes and nailed in right over an hour! SWEET! Considering I had blistering 4:00 sun beating down on me and there were ridiculous hills. Van 2 continued to kick butt and knocked out almost every other run below the predicted time! We ran to Perryville, Ky to hand off to Van 1 around 10:00 pm and Van 1 headed to our houses to sleep. The split time showed we were running a 9:49 pace at that time.

Sleeping at our houses was the best idea ever! There was nothing better than crawling into a big ole' queen bed at my parents house and snoozing hard for 3 hours! (All the sleep I would get)

Good morning 3:40 am! I hopped out of bed ready to go at 3:13 and was ready to kill my run #2. It ran right out of Danville where I live! I was even more pumped to find out Van #1 was taking even more time off our total time. We were getting nothing but faster! Split times later showed Van #1 had taken our pace down to 9:42 : )

I killed my second run and ran it at an 8:50 average which gave us another 3 minutes for the good side! Our Van smoked these six legs bringing our team pace down to 9:28! We handed off to Van #1 at Four Roses and were hoping their 2 hour power nap would keep them strong for their third and final leg. Most of their runners did great and were able to kill their runs. However, the heat was picking up and took some wear and tear on a couple runners. It was 85 degrees! I do not know our time for those legs but there is going to be a dip in the pace because we had an injured runner on leg #30 : ( While I was waiting for my hand off a volunteer comes yelling team # 372, #372 and I get ready to take off BUT she hands me a a pair of SHOES! WHAT?!?! The guy before me is in so much pain he is running in his socks! The officials would not let me run to him so 2 of our guys go get him and find him killing the final mile at a 7:00 min something pace! What a trooper! It cost us some time but I was ready to take on Duncan Hill!

No picture of my leg 3 outfit but here is where we napped to get ready for our third and final run. We loved lounging in the grass at Woodford Reserve. We met some awesome people and had a blast just relaxing. Some people were able to sleep but I was not. My final leg was suppose to be a killer! The whole run if people see that you are runner #7 they would all talk about the run up Duncan Hill and a runner on my team had been in Van #2 last year and told me it was basically a mountain for 1.5 miles. When I was able to take off out of Woodford I promised my team I would do it in an hour! It was 5.6 mile run so that would be slightly over a 10 minute mile. I ran out of Woodford at a steady 9:20-9:30 pace for the flat 2 miles leading up to the hill and then there it was. Straight up hill! I just took it a chunk at a time! I would take a few walk breaks in the shade to keep from overheating. Many vans stopped and cheered me on a van stopped and filled up my handheld with ice cold water. When I started the descent I dumped some cold water down my back and picked up the pace. I was hitting some 8 minute paces so I felt great! There was one last climb until the exchange and then there was my van. I gave them the 1 hour I promised!

We continued to hit our times on the nose! The last runs were the best! We were so sleep deprived and pumped up on the thought of finishing. I got a nice pick me up when I took a little cooler shower on the side of the road. Nothing like a big tarp, cooler full of water and some baby wipes to make you feel 100% better. This is the only shower I had the whole weekend. Can you say BO? Our van was quite smelly!

We dropped off our last runner and hauled it to downtown Lexington for our final run in as a team! AWESOME! We finished around 7:30 Saturday night! Needless to say we were not wanting too party to hard. A few guys went and had their free shots of bourbon and then a few members of Van #2 went to grab some Mexican on the way home. I was finally in bed at 11:00 that night..... whew! I was tired!!

Will these Wild Turkeys do it again??? This turkey has been saying no for weeks that this was a one time event BUT I think I could be talked into it : ) There are many members who are already wanting to sign up on January 2nd for next year. I am going to check out marathons for 2012 and see how it looks for me. I do know this much.... I am going to go find the nearest Mountain and run myself up once a week every week for about 6 months if I sign up again.

Final time for Running Under the Influence: 32:16:00 which was a 9:32 pace. I am so proud that we were able to kill our runs and ended up actually speeding up the entire race! On the final 12 legs we only lost 4 seconds off our average pace which I think it great!

All in all I loved my team! the volunteers (most of them), the officials and my favorite people were the other runners! Runners who help other runners are the best! I met so many wonderful teams that were so encouraging and pleasant to be around. It made the trip that much better!

I will end with best quote of the trip:

Setting: Pulling up to an exchange to hand off to the next runner

Me: "Is everyone ready to get out of the van?"

Most people: "Yeah, lets go!"

Some silence

John from the back of the van: "Umm I am naked ("neck-it")

More silence : )

Guess he was needing a little cool down!

The Good Things of the Week

2011-10-02T19:12:00.003-04:00

This week has been slightly stressful with the moving issues but there were a lot of good things too! Bourbon Chase is here! We run our 12 person, 203 mile relay next weekend and I am super excited. Our shirts finally came in and they are great! We had a sponsor buy us tech shirts and t-shirts with our team information on them. We went with a drinking theme since it is the BOURBON Chase and we run from distillery to distillery. I do not drink bourbon and will not drink any of the free bourbon but we wanted to honor the theme. The back of the shirt is in the shape of a Maker's Mark Bottle and has all of our names, sponsor names and running words. We also had some additional sponsor money so are vans are only costing us pennies and we have some free food/snacks for the race. I was really worried the Bourbon Chase was going to cost a lot but honestly it is the cheapest race I will run all year!

NEW SHOES! I never did blog about this but Brooks are the DEVIL (as far as my feet are concerned!) The Brooks felt like there were nails being driven into my arches. I ran in them a couple of time and liked them but once I hit the road for a long run I was feeling differently. Fortunately I was able to sell them to another runner who likes Brooks. I went back to my Saucony but was still feeling like I needed something new. SO I went to a local running store and had my feet measured and talked about my running and where I have aches and pains. They brought out a lot of shoes but the Nikes felt the best. I was very shocked but I have worn them in the house all day and ran on the treadmill and they seem like they are going to work for me. I am so excited about all the colors they come in. I am not fond of the neon pink I have right now but it was the only color they had for me and I wanted to buy from them since they took the time to work with me. Good thing is I will need another pair in about 4 months.

I also broke down and spend some major $$$ on work shoes. My feet are killing me at the end of the day. So I bought some of those hideous looking Dansko shoes that all the teachers and nurses wear. They too feel great! I am hoping for happier feet at the end of the day.

Weekly workouts

2011-09-30T19:19:00.001-04:00

Scott and I moved out of our house last week! We had a close date on our new house of today but the loan under writers are questioning the appraisal of our house since the lady flipped it so quick. SO we are loving with my parents for now and that is greatly impacting my working out. I miss my treadmill :( they have a treadmill but it just feels different to me. However I have been loving their elliptical and having been doing better about abs and arms. Can't wait to be in my in town house where I can run in town!

Running Sucks!

2011-09-24T13:55:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago I purchased my running sucks shirt and I love it! I actually purchased two Cancer Sucks shirts for a friend that is dealing with breast cancer. When I saw the running sucks shirt I knew it would be perfect for post long run days and great for after my marathons. The shirts are a great price, come in quick and are soft & comfy! Here is the blog and the Etsy site if you are interested in getting your own Running Sucks shirt. There are TONS of colors to choose from.

Lessons Learned

2011-09-23T19:45:00.004-04:00

After my race I went shopping for some retail therapy and to stretch my legs during the 8.5 hour drive home. I found this Nike Store with a huge 'Hit the road not the wall" sign", how appropriate! I was hoping there would be a shirt but I could not find one. After my mile 23 shut down and pity party I had some serious reflecting to do.

1. Don't set big goals! However, I do not think a sub 4 was the impossible but it was a stretch since it was asking for a 12 minute PR after not doing a marathon in 4 months. I have always had an A, B and C goal. While I have played with the other goals in my head I had never thought about anything else but the sub 4.

2. Envision the other options. I have read many strategies on envisioning yourself finishing and rehearsing how you would feel at the finish. During all my long runs and training runs I have had these visions of me crossing the finish line under the big clock saying "3:55:50" and my parents would come hug me and I would be SO excited. When I saw that number get to 4 hours and 4 hours plus some change I didn't have another vision in my head.

3. NEVER think other people will be disappointed. I do not know one person that would ever second guess my effort at a marathon but I felt like so many people were cheering for me to meet that sub 4 I was embarrassed to cross the line with anything else. I started thinking about what I would say and what my reason would be. So silly now that I look back on it but I once I thought about "disappointing" my parents I started crying and even became hysterical at some points. Once I started crying that much my chest started to tighten and my breathing was a mess.

4. USE your mantra! My Mantra is "get mad at it" and "push"! It took me 1.5 miles to get mad at it and push it out. I kept letting myself get distracted by other things; shirt, ipod, iphone, time truck and other runners. I totally lost focus on what I was doing.

5. Do NOT run with my phone. There are medics and volunteers on the course. I should have never called my parents and husband to tell them I had not made my goal. Instead I should have pushed hard to gain my time back and get closer to my goal.

6. Do NOT do complicated math when you are delirious from running 23.5 miles. At 18 and 20 miles my time was spot on! I should have stopped calculating. It was slowing me down and I was wrong with my math. On the way home from the race I pulled up the 9:09 lap times and my lap times and I was within seconds for every mile until I feel apart. If I had not stopped to walk I would have been a 4:03-4:05 easy; possibly a sub 4 if I had pushed out the end.

7. Realize that if you are going to be a 50 stater you have plenty of more races to get it right and you have to be slower on some races.

8. Make friends. I made friend with a guy named Ryan from 5 until mile 15ish but never remade a friend from that point. The people I had been noticing and thought about talking to did finish ahead of me. The mental distraction of talking to others is a huge benefit and mental trick.

9. Start your GARMIN when you cross the mat not at the gun. STUPID mistake on my point but I was always wondering how much I might be off from the real race time.

10. Learn from it and move on! The race is over and I have plenty more races. PLUS it is no big deal if I do not go sub 4. I should just enjoy the excitement of completing each race and doing the best I can that day.

Marathon #4 Recap; Presque Isle, Erie, PA

2011-09-20T21:43:00.003-04:00

Let me start off by saying I finished!! For those of you that do not want to read the entire post.. it was a 4:10:00 which was a PR by over 2 minutes. The race was great! Nice small town, BEAUTIFUL scenery AND the weather was perfect. Low 50s start and 70 at the finish.

I drove to Cleveland on Friday to stay with my friend Monica and headed to Erie on Saturday. The weekend was great! Nice and low key with lots of good food and good company. We found our hotel and expo with no problem. Plus we made a great choice to get the pasta dinner at the expo. $10 for a full meal and we were able to eat at the park and enjoy the scenery.

Brrr! It was cold at 5:30 am! We were good little girls and went to bed at 8:30 pm and were up and ready to roll by 5:15 am. There was a lot of wind and it was a little chilly so we rocked our trash bags until the start. We were all able to make our important bathroom stop in the nice park restrooms before it was super crowded then it was wait time.

Miles 1-15 were perfect! Everyone knows that I wanted a sub 4 marathon and have trained my butt off for that time. I was nailing my mile times and feeling PERFECT! I met a guy named Ryan a little before mile 5 and we talked and kept it stead all the way to mile 15. I made a pee stop in the woods and perhaps this was an omen but I PEED in my pants : ( I held it for too long and could not get my shorts down quick enough. Good thing it was hot enough people might have thought it was sweat.

I also left Ryan because he had run 30 some miles the day before at a 24 hour run in Cleveland. He is a marathon maniac and it was so much fun to talk running with him.

If you make this picture big you will see there is no smile on my face at mile 19 : ( At mile 18 I was on the nose to make right at a 4 hour marathon; maybe even a few seconds short. As I got closer to my parents at mile 19 I was super emotional because I knew they were watching my time and I was starting to doubt whether I could hold it or not. I broke into tears when I saw them. They did not think anything of my tears since I cry at every marathon. I did not tell them I was doubting myself and they did not reassure me I was going to make it. Barry knew at that time that I was 90 seconds ahead of schedule. Well I guess my marathon brain was messing with me because miles 20-23 I was doing BAD math in my head. I just kept figuring that I was minutes too slow. The more I thought about it the "slower" I got. I was running 9:15-9:30 but was freaking out because it was not a 9:09 which is what it takes to get under 4 hours. I was not stopping to look at the time I had in the "bank" from running some miles under pace. Mile 23 a time truck pulled up beside me and I figured I had 29ish to run the rest of the race. I told myself that was a good pace on a good day when you are just running 3 and convinced myself I did not have it in me.

This is when I did something I NEVER do. For the first time I stopped and walked. Not only did I stop and walk but I pulled out my phone and called my parents to tell them I was walking it in. At this point I was crying so much they did not know if I was hurt or not. I then called Scott and told him I was "F***ing pissed". In a very nice way he told me to get it together and run it in for a PR which was still very much attainable. I fixed my stupid iPod and started listening to my favorite running songs on my iPhone. At mile 24.5 ish I told myself to kick it in for a PR. It took a while to jump start my legs again but I was able to knock out some 8:45 paces : ) My stepdad had ran to check on me and found me a little after the 25 mile marker and I was running so "fast" he could not keep up with me. I was super ticked at myself for so many reasons! It took me a few minutes to find the joy in finishing a marathon in 4:10:00

Notice the lack of shirt as I finish. I was so mad that I took my NEW Saucony dry fit shirt and threw it down! Seriously I must have been out of my head from low blood sugar or something. I learned many lessons this past Sunday and am still reflecting on the whole situation. There will be more blogs about this race for many reasons! I need to re-look at my strategy to take sub 4 and I need a small attitude adjustment after the way I reacted to failure.

JUST 10 miles : )

2011-09-10T13:46:00.002-04:00

So today was a great day because I ONLY ran 10 miles! WTF?!??!! Who says that! But seriously after weeks of 16, 18 and 20s you will take 10 in a heart beat. I was super tired and grumpy for the first 5 but I stuck my music in my ears and really picked it up for the last 5 miles. The past was sub 9 for sure (8:50 I think) so I was super excited about that. Now it is time to give the knees and hips a break with less runs and a less demanding pace and be ready for Erie! I am going to get the bike on the trainer and do bike, run, bike run and then a rest day when I travel. Monica and I plan to shake out our legs with a 3 mile jog the morning before and then it is race day.

Most people know I have my eyes on a sub 4 marathon. I think the possibility is there but I also know it is a big jump from my 4:12 in May. The plan is to go all out at this one and learn from my mistakes. If I crash and burn I will drag myself into a finish and have a better plan for training and my 26.2 in West Virginia in November. In the past I have been real conservative in the beginning and had nothing in the tank at the end SO why not give some more in the beginning and see what that does : ) I have trained harder this time around so I am hoping I will be able to suck it up at the end and fight thru the pain better than before. OR I will take a finish however it comes.

Thanks for those that continue to read and follow along!

Happy Birthday Parker!

2011-09-05T19:51:00.002-04:00

Three years ago I gave birth to my little guy. He continues to amaze me each day with his every thought, action and words! What a remarkable thing to be a Mommy. Each year I love looking back at the picture books I make each year. It is amazing that he was so small and helpless. I picked just a few of my favorite from when he was just born and a few days after he was born to share. Hard to believe 3 years have came and gone; I wish life had a pause button.

I need to TAPER!

2011-09-04T13:55:00.002-04:00

I am wore out! Work is mentally exhausting and leaves me with no energy to work out. This week was a hot mess of half done workouts. Some were outside, a lot inside, 3-5 miles, some Shred, some crunches and some pretending I know how to do arm workouts. Sounds like a great marathon training plan, huh??? OH WELL! Life happens.

We are in the middle of selling our house and buying another so most afternoons are spent running papers from here to there and stressing about large amounts of money : ( Which leaves me too tired to think about knocking out an awesome 6 or 8 miler in the middle of the week. Good news is the new house is in town and in my favorite running area that I currently drive to so that I can run. SO one day I might get to run outside during the week as long as Scott is home. Pretty sure you can't go run and leave your kid sleeping in the house solo.

Long run was GREAT! ummmm..... I might be lying! We posted some big numbers for sure. Like 10:40 paces : ( WHAT THE HECK?? Didn't I just run a 20 miler in 9:09. Bottom line my hips were sore, legs were tight, it was hot and we did what we could. Both of us were having a rough day and decided to talk the whole time and just finish. Well sorta I wanted to call it day and just do 16 BUT Jeremy really wanted to get in 18. GO him for talking me into it. I told myself I could have ice cream if I did all 18. We ended up with like a 9:40 pace or something like that. Basically didn't look at the watch too much because I knew we were slow and I was sick of feeling like we sucked.

Time to taper. Going to get in decent runs this week, 10 miles next weekend (hopefully my pace might start with a 8) and then I am going to give my legs a pretty good rest race week for sure. Hoping to knock out some packing tomorrow while we are home most of the day that way I am not lifting, bending and stretching a lot the days right before the race.

Those are my ramblings for the week! I still read your blogs I promise but my time on the computer is much less right now with all the house buying/selling events. Hopefully I will have pictures to share soon.

20 Mile Run! and a Typical Week

2011-08-27T14:12:00.001-04:00

The week was the usual..... 4 miles, 5 miles, 4 miles, 5 miles. All on the treadmill and all at an 8:34 to 9:05 pace. I also did some arm workouts and have been doing 100 crunches every night. Nothing exciting there!

BUT I did run 20 miles today and I do have to see it was great. Well great in some ways. Weather was perfect! Felt great for the first 10 miles. At 10 miles I honestly felt like I had been running maybe 45 minutes : ) LOVE when that happens. No belly issues. Started to sorta fall apart around mile 14. Just really tight and ready to be done : ( However I told myself to "get mad at it". This was my random mantra for the day. I told myself I was not going down with a positive split and I was not going to fall below a 9:15 pace. I had been 9:11 to 9:13 the whole time. Well I think I got mad alright : ) Check out these lap times....

9:06, 9:09, 9:17, 9:08, 9:15, 9:12, 9:13, 9:18, 9:17, 9:15, 8:57, 9:05, 9:17, 9:18, 9:00, 8:44, 9:37, 8:51, 9:07, 8:46 :)

That random 9:37 is when I was fighting with my phone trying to get some music to play. I was needing a pick me up. I felt great but at the end I was hurting! I know I am not ready to push out 6 more miles in that much pain but I do feel good that a sub 4:00 is in my near future! My average was 9:09 which is what it takes to get a 3:59:59.

I went ahead and registered for Marshall in West Virginia the first part of November. So I am going to go to PA thinking a sub 4 will be nice but have higher hopes for nailing it in West Virginia. The good thing about being a 50 state hopeful is that I have 45 states to go after West Virgina!

Weekly Recap for 8/14-8/20

2011-08-21T08:06:00.002-04:00

This week did not go as usual since I had my long run on Sunday so lets start with 18 mile run #1.

Sunday - 18 miles at 9:13 pace (2:45:00) By myself : )

Monday- rest; sore from the 18 miler

Tuesday - 5 mile run - 43:35

Wednesday- 1 mile run and Shred 1; super tired from work

Thursday - distance unknown, perhaps 5 miles but I did some crazy hills!

Friday- rest

Saturday - 18 miles (or not) I had some mysterious pain in my left hip and I kept trying to stretch it out but at mile 10 I decided to be a smart girl and call Scott to come get me. I was knocking out a 9:00 minute average too : ( I think Thursday's hills got to me because it did not hurt anymore and I was able to run tonight (Monday) with no pain

Going back to work is killing my work outs! I am dead tired at night and my feet are sore from being on my feet all day. I am vowing to have 2 more great weeks and then it will be time to taper for the big trip to Pennsylvania.

Running Over Time

2011-08-14T17:01:00.003-04:00

Railroad Days 5K 2009

Time:30:57

This is the summer I started running and this was the closest I came to breaking 30 minutes the whole summer. My first 5K at the beginning of the summer was over 42 minutes so this was a huge improvement but I knew I wanted to be faster. This is also the heaviest I had ever been in my adult life. Parker was 11 months old and I was still struggling to keep the baby weight off.

Railroad Days 5K 2010

Time: 24:28

Major PR for me! I had broke 30 mins at the first race of the summer but this was a PR by like 2 minutes. By this time I had completed 3 half marathons and was going strong with marathon training for Indianapolis which would be my first marathon. I was also finally back down to pre-pregnancy weight and staying there! Actually a little smaller since I was also training for a sprint tri at the same time as my marathon training.

Railroad Days 5K 2011

Time: 22:55

Another PR : ) This is a great course for that! Coming off the strongest running summer to date. I have now completed 3 marathons and I am registered for #4 in Pennsylvania. Back to my "typical" weight and maintaing very well. This is the fittest I have probably been my whole life and someone at the race actually commented on my arms!

It is amazing what running can do to your health, fitness and lifestyle! I wish everyone could find an active activity to make them happy and healthier. It has been a great 2+ years of running and am looking forward to many more years of running as long as my health and family will support the habit.

Weekly Recap 8/7-8/13

2011-08-13T12:10:00.002-04:00

Sluggish start but a nice finish! This was back to work week for me. I had been doing training and working in my classroom but the kiddos were back in the building on Wednesday so that is when you are exhausted at the end of the day!

Sunday- Just Shred since I was a little sore from 16 the previous day

Monday- NO TIME : ( I had opening day, orientation and a blister (excuses, excuses, excuses)

Tuesday- 5 miles; 2 mile warm up (18 minutes) and 3.1 in 22:30

Wednesday- 4 mile run 35:30 and Shred 2

Thursday- 5 mile run (3 mile easy and 2 mile speed work)

Friday- off

Saturday- I did a local favorite 5K! 22:55!

I am happy with the 5K since I met 2 of my goals; sub 23 mins and a 7:30 or better average (it was 7:26 BUT I sort of wanted a 22:30 : ) Might have to find another one to do once the every Saturday long runs are off the schedule. Not sure when that will be.

I will be running my 18 miler on Sunday this week so I don't have a long run recap. I am HOPING to run 12 alone and find someone fast to come push me for the last 6 miles. Any takers?? I just wanted to keep close to a 9 minute mile so I can see how realistic a sub 4 marathon in. I wanted to be sub 4 hours in Erie but have a feeling it will be close but not hardly there. Perhaps West Virginia in November will be where it is at!

Running Fashion Victim

2011-08-09T19:55:00.002-04:00

Do these socks go with this dress?

I posted that on my facebook and all my "non-runner" friends were a little concerned : ) My husband and I celebrate our 6th year wedding anniversary on Saturday the 6th and since date night was after the 16 mile run I wore my compression socks until we made it Lexington. We did some shopping and then had dinner at the Melting Pot! We love to go there for big occasions and had not been in a couple years. Cheese is great, salad is good (so my hubs says) and the meat is yummy BUT the chocolate it what makes it GREAT!

You get all these dippers and your choice of chocolate! Strawberries, bananas, brownie, pound cake, oreo coated marshmallows, graham cracker coated marshmallows, rice krispy treats and cheesecake. We save the cheesecake for the end.

We did a turtle that has caramel and nuts.

See the yumminess! Our son loved the pictures and we are thinking about taking him for the chocolate on his birthday next month. It is very pricey to go for the whole 4 courses but worth every penny!

Brooks Glycerin 8 Review

2011-08-08T19:48:00.002-04:00

Big changes people! I have purchased a new running shoe and it is NOT a Saucony. Let me say I LOVE Saucony Running Shoes and always will. I worked at a sports store before I was a runner and loved to wear them to work in and work out at the gym. I always recommended them to people and still do. I have been running in the Grid Ignition before I started which adds up to 5 pairs and one pair of Saucony Kinvaras in there too.

However, I ordered a pair the other day and it rubbed my ankle and made a blister. I took this as a sign to try a new shoe. Lots of people talk about Brooks and I have read many reviews on them. I was unsure of which style but I found the above pair on Running Warehouse.com for $72 (they are a $130 shoe) and liked the looks of them. They came in right after I finished a run so I ran for just a few minutes in them and instantly knew they were going to feel great. Before taking them outdoors I did 5 miles on the treadmill and loved them. They hugged my foot well and had some cushion to them. They do feel a little flat and hard at times but I think I will get used to that. My old shoes are beyond broke down so I wore the Brooks on my 16 mile run. They did not slip and I think the bigger toebox is going to help with my toenail problem. They were a little hot. After another week if they feel good I may buy another pair before they are gone since they are a discontinued style.

Weekly Recap 7/31-8/6

2011-08-07T19:42:00.002-04:00

So last week ended with my crash and burn 16 miler due to some freaky calf cramp : ( So I tried to make up for it on Sunday but it was 1:00 in the afternoon and the heat kicked my butt AGAIN! But it was a great week totaling out at 39 miles!

Sunday 6 miles 9:30 pace and Shred

Monday 4 mile run (treadmill) Shred 1

Tuesday 5 mile run 8:57

Wednesday 3 mile speed work (23 minutes) and 5 circuits of Shred

Thursday 5 mile run (44:10; treadmill) and 100 crunches

Friday rest

Saturday 16 miles at 9:23 average

I am loving last week and hope I can love the treadmill this week because my husband is leaving to work out of town for 4 days and school starts so I will not have the opportunity to run outside too much. I do have a 5k planned for Saturday when he is out of town this weekend. Plus I want to tackle my first 18 miler. Before I run my marathon on September 18th I hope to get in two 18 mile runs, one 20 mile run and one 22 mile run. Then I will have one weekend "off" (10-12 mile run) before I leave for Erie. This should easily keep my week totals up around the 40 mile mark as long as me and the treadmill can love some 5-6 mile runs at night.

Running Chic Giveaway

2011-08-05T22:16:00.001-04:00

Another giveaway I want! Running Chics clothes : ) Great blog too!

July Total!

2011-08-01T20:13:00.002-04:00

I sat down today and did my total running miles for the month and it was 128! Super excited because that is close to my the highest ever. It would have been 10 miles higher but I had to do two 5 mile runs on an elliptical do to some daycare issues and heat (110 heat index, uh no!) I am hoping to knock out one more really strong month and get me to September 3rd then I will taper until September 18th.

However the 30+ miles per week are starting to cause my hips to be sore. Normal? Possible signs of an injury?? I do the Shred work outs which have the lunging and squatting but I try to keep the squatting and lunging to nothing that is pushing me to an uncomfortable level. It does not hurt when I run but I always have this I want to constantly stretch my hips at all times. It is more in the front of my hips; basically where my panty line is in the front. Great description huh?

Thoughts? Would a foam roller help?

Larabar Giveaway

2011-07-31T19:14:00.001-04:00

I don't typically do the giveaway thing but there is a larabar giveaway at Miss Zippy and I love me some larabars : ) Go check it out

New Running Purchases

2011-07-30T14:19:00.006-04:00

I purchased 4 new running items this week and only 1 has worked so far!

1: I bought a Road ID just like the one above and it is great. After my heat scare I decided it would be a wise investment. It fits great and I will not mind running in it at all.

2: I bought new running shoes. SAME shoe I have bought 6 times and ran hundreds of miles in but this time it gives me blisters on the back of my heel. Going to send it back and possibly shop for a new style. BUT I really love my Saucony Grid Ignitions. They are a neutral shoe and hug my foot just right. I am looking into Brooks but they never seem to feel right when I try them on. I hate to run in them a few times and realize they are not any better.

3: I bought an Under Armour Victory Tank which is my go to running shirt. I own 3 of them and love them. However, I noticed they had added some vents to the shirt. Well not only did they add vents but they added some ribbing that made it look like a glorified wife beater : ( I opened it, looked at it and immediately stuck it back in the bag.

4: I bought some Saucony PE Revival shorts on sale in a black/pink color and the color was horrible! Love those shorts but regardless of how cheap they were I could not wear that shade of pink.

SO I am back on the hunt for a new running shoe (same brand or new brand????) and a marathon outfit.

Weekly Recap 7/24-7/30

2011-07-30T14:13:00.002-04:00

So this was a pretty average week minus a yucky ending!

Sunday 2 mile easy recovery run and Shred 2

Monday 5 mile run (47ish) and Shred 1

Tuesday 4 mile run (8:50 pace) Shred 1; heat shut down my 6 mile run early

Wednesday 1 mile warm up run, 60 minutes on elliptical and Shred 2

Thursday 3.1 mile run in 24:06 and Shred 1

Friday rest

Saturday 5ish miles : ( I woke up at 5:30 and was super excited for a nice 16 mile run in the not so bad heat. Well the humidity was 90% and I could not breathe. Well I slowed it down and decided to take it easy. However, at mile 2.5 my calf seized up like the worst Charlie Horse I have ever had. I tried to walk it out, stretch it out.... nothing it helped. I decided to head home and not risk injury. I am going to wear compression like crazy until my next run. I am going to call this a mid training taper weekend and hope for the best next weekend. I was feeling really tight and wore down anyway so I think my body was saying back down for a minute.

Next week I am basically back to work. No students but I am going to be in training sessions all day so I will be back to night runs on the treadmill. I will have a good 16 miler next weekend!

Weekly Recap for 7/17 to 7/23

2011-07-23T13:45:00.002-04:00

This week went about average minus the heat! The heat index has been 105 to 110 most days so I have been running inside.

Sunday: 2 mile walk and Shred 2

Monday: No run but I did do 4 miles on Elliptical, Shred 1 and a 4 mile walk at night

Tuesday: 6 mile run in the heat! Kept it at 9:15 but it was rough; Shred 1

Wednesday: 5 mile treadmill run and Shred 1

Thursday: 5K in 22:10 and arms/abs

Friday: rest day

Saturday: 14 mile run at 9:15 pace

Let me tell you about Saturday. We started early at 6:30 a.m. to try to beat the heat. It was upper 70s before the sun came up and it was already humid. We were feeling good and ran a slower pace the whole time so that we did not end up too hot. I have been very salty after and during my runs so I ate the Cliff Blocks that have the extra sodium (margarita flavored). Up until mile 11 I felt great and never really felt bad. The last 2 tenths I was seriously praying to just make it to the parking lot so that Crystal could see me if I hit the ground. I made it to the window and told Crystal I felt bad. I honestly thought I was going to pass out and had my husband come get me so I did not have to drive home right away. I was super light handed and my legs were numb and tingly. It was not near as hot as it had been with the heat index just at 93 degrees but it was too hot.

Next week I am really going to reconsider when I do my long run. Either get up at 5:00 a.m. or try it at night if we have a "cool" night. But as most of you know it has been just as hot at night as it is during the day.

Three Things Thursday

2011-07-21T08:25:00.002-04:00

Just some Random thoughts I have been having while running that I thought I would turn into a Three Things Thursday. I do not typically do any type of weekly post but I have a lot more time on my hands. Not really because as I am blogging my 30 pound son is straddling my neck and I have a leg blocking my vision right now!

1. I could never be a personal trainer for a really odd reason! Granted no one would pay to have my unripped body and my nutrition advice is not anything you would see on Dr. Oz but the real reason is the clothing! I love work out gear and hope the new school uniform policy involves tempo shorts but I hate sports bras. For some reason if I wear my sports bra longer than a couple of hours my shoulders hurt so bad. Now some of you ladies have some weight in that area that pull at the straps but not this girl. So as I live in workout gear this summer I have noticed if I keep my sports bra on too long I end up with serious shoulder pain. Random thought, huh?

2. I love planning birthday parties for my son! He will be 3 on September 6th and I have been planning his party for weeks. I am working on invitations and his birthday shirt already; as in ordering them online not making them myself : ) I have already started designing his cake (for someone else to make) and seriously am thinking about going to Walmart to buy all the other supplies! But it makes the actual day a lot stressful when you have things taken care of weeks in advance.

3. I am skinnier when I work. I think I graze a lot in the kitchen when I am home all day. I have been about 3 to 4 pounds heavier all summer but am working out more than ever. At work I do not get to eat as much because I have like a 20 minute lunch and walk around like crazy all day.

One serious questions... as if you are still reading! Could I have possibly gained weight from just the little bit of strength training I am doing? I am doing a kettle bell work out 3-4 times a week. My clothes fit basically the same and there is some difference in mine arms and abs. Perhaps I have found some muscle???

Lara Bar Review

2011-07-20T08:24:00.002-04:00

So there are a TON of bars out there and I am always overwhelmed with which ones to try. You always read that they taste great and are just like a candy bar! Then you buy it and you are thinking "Bull S#!+, this tastes like cardboard". But one day I read a review (maybe on Shut Up and Run) and she said just like a candy bar and I was thinking "RIGHT!" BUT I was willing to shell out the $1.49 to try one. The first one I tried was the chocolate chip cookie dough and it tasted... wait for it.... just like a ...... candy bar : ) Actually more like a no bake cookie. It was pretty chocolaty so I knew I could not use it as pre run fuel. But they have TONS of flavors. I have been eating a peanut butter one before runs and it has not bothered me yet. Some favorite things are:

1: They have around 200 calories which is better for long runs since I can not GU a lot

2: They are all natural and have less than 5 or 6 ingredients

3: There are lots of flavors to try

4: They taste just like a candy bar : ) Besides the lemon pie which tasted liked Pledge

So if you are bar hopping (HA!) then try the Lara bar I think you will be happy.

*I bought these bars on my own. No one paid me and no asked me to do a review. I am just a runner who has been trying out different items this summer and sharing my thoughts. As if anyone cares : )

Amphipod Hand Held Review

2011-07-19T17:54:00.002-04:00

I have been looking for better hydration options. Currently I am drinking out of public (some private) faucets and doing water drops. I hate doing water drops! You have to remember to do it the night before and then you should go back and pick up your trash the next day. Also, I hate having to come to a complete stop so much to get water. Granted I love the stop on my long runs BUT you do not get water breaks at marathons and I feel like it does not give me a real feel for what my time could be. So I had to decide between a handheld or a belt. I have some back issues and get annoyed with my Go Belt every now and then so I went for the handheld. I bought the smallest water bottle I found on amphipod's website (12 ozs.) and I think it was a great choice. Any heavier and I think it would have been too much weight. I also liked the curve in the bottle and feel that helped with my hand NOT cramping during the run. The only bad thing that happened was when I filled it back up at a faucet I let the pouch get wet and it absorbed water like crazy so it dripped water on me for the last half of my run. Not that big of a deal and I will be more careful next time. The pouch is a good size and could hold 2 GUs. I would not put my keyless entry in it since it is not water proof. I love the bottle and plan on using it for the rest of my long runs. I would even consider using it on at a marathon if I though water stops would be crowded. However, 12 ounces is not a lot of water so I would need to be able to refill it at some point at a marathon or stop at some water stations. Great product and I will use it for sure.

Going Long Book Review

2011-07-18T17:41:00.003-04:00

I typically do not buy books because I read pretty fast and never reread books. But I was in serious need of something to read and some motivation in the running department. I grabbed this book because it sounded interesting, was long and had good reviews. It is a collection of the best stories from Runner's World. I have not subscribed to Runner's World for long so I was not familiar with any of the stories. All of the stories were short and I was able to read 3-5 depending on how long Parker napped. Each story was motivating in it's own way. The first section is able people that have overcame major obstacles/setbacks. Nothing like reading about someone running on one leg to make you shut it up when you are a little tired. There were a few stories and the running greats. This was interesting for me since I am new to the running world and I was able to learn about some famous runners. Most people I heard the name but I did not know all the details. I definitely felt more motivated to run and inspired. This is a great read and I highly suggested it to anyone; even if you are not a runner.

* I was not asked to review this book or was this book purchased for me.

Weekly Recap 7/10-7/16

2011-07-16T11:22:00.002-04:00

Going to make this short and sweet!

Sunday: 1.5 mile run and Shred 1

Monday: 5 mile run and Shred 2 (forgot to write down time)

Tuesday: 6 mile run 57:34; heat index of 106! First time I ever thought I was having a heat stroke

Wednesday: 5 mile run and Shred 1; did speed work but didn't keep track of time

Thursday: 3 mile run and abs

Friday: rest minus doing Shred 1

Saturday: 14 mile run at 8:44 pace

All in all it was a good week and happy that I was able to get my total miles to over 30 miles this week. Going to try to keep it there from now until marathon time. This week felt overall great but I am beginning to feel the beating running takes on you. There are joints that hurt that never hurt before. I do not feel injured in any way shape or form but I feel like an 80 year old : ) But on the other end I feel the fittest I have felt in a long time. Hoping to have a great next 2 weeks because then it is Hi-Ho-Hi-Ho Back to Work I Go!

Weekly Recap 7/3-7/9

2011-07-09T10:13:00.003-04:00

This week was much better than last and ended with a great run. I am not officially registered for the marathon so I need to do that for a little extra motivation. I have also been reading a great running book (which I will review later) and that helped towards the end of the week. Week looked like this:

Sunday: the 12 miler than was a redo from the Saturday flop

Monday: the 5K in 24:00 with the family

Tuesday: 5 mile run and Shred with Weights 1

Wednesday: 5 mile run (slow outside) and Shred with Weights 1

Thursday: 5 mile run (39:39!) and Shred with Weights 2

Friday: REST

Saturday: 12 mile run @ 8:37 pace!

Saturday's run was great! First off I rested on Friday and that left me with much fresher legs going into the run. Also a younger member of our Bourbon Chase team was there and our 8:33 for the first 6 miles was like a walk for him : ) I let him continue on at the halfway mark and touched based with 2 more Bourbon Chase runners that were running that morning as well. I decided to keep going fast and see how long I could hold it. I definitely slipped a little but caught myself and picked it up for an 8:37 finish. My usual running partner was there and had a great run as well!

Next week we bump it up to 14 miles : ) Going to try to keep my week miles up until school start since it will be harder once I am working again. I am also loving the Shred video and think the strength training is paying off. Guess all those famous runners and Runner's World people know what they are talking about after all.

GROSS!

2011-07-07T21:32:00.002-04:00

Besides the obvious grossness of how bad I look after at night run in the 90 degree super humid weather check out the bugs! The picture does not show how many there were but I was running thru clouds of bugs. I am not one to be grossed out by bugs but this was a little disgusting. I started running into them as soon as I left my house and for 5 fun filled miles I ate, swallowed, spit and picked bugs out of my eyes. The joys of country living! I would say there were easily 20 on my face and neck when I walked in the door and about 30 down my shirt! YUCK! It was enough to keep me indoors the next night. Guess driving into town to run has another perk; less bugs.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-06T05:53:00.001-04:00

Hope you had a fabulous holiday weekend with your family!

Buffalo Chase at Buffalo Trace Distillery

2011-07-04T15:46:00.003-04:00

This morning my mom, stepdad and I ran a 4th of July 5K in Frankfort. They had been thinking about it for awhile since it would be my step-dad's first 5K but I didn't decide to do it until last week. First off my parents did great! Barry came in at 32:30 and he was disappointed with that since he had been running closer to 30 minutes BUT I think it is great for his first 5K. Mom was around 36 minutes and she is just now back to running after a lot of trouble with her back and hip. I am very proud of both of them.

I did run for speed and was curious to what would happen. I PRed back in May with a 23:30 and have been closer to 22 minutes during my speed work. But today it didn't happen. The list of excuses could include: just ran 20 miles in 2 days, ate crap all weekend, ate the wrong breakfast bar, super crowded start and I had to poop. But maybe it boils down to I did not have it in me. I rocked Mile 2 at 7:24 but Mile 1 and 3 were closer to the 7:45 so I ended with a time of 24:00 on the nose which is a 7:44 pace. I will take it and move on with Marathon training. Even though I would love to hold a 7:30 pace for an entire 5K.

Off to eat more crap at a cook out : )

My Legs Won't Move!

2011-07-03T14:22:00.002-04:00

So this week was not great. Some people will read this and think "what are you complaining about?"! I mean I know I should be thankful for the ability to work out and the extra time I have right now to do extra stuff but I was not where I wanted to be this week. My legs seriously would not work!

Sunday: I rested since I had a pretty intense 10 mile run the day before

Monday: 3 mile run in 22:35 and Shred with Weights

Tuesday: suppose to run 8 and this happened... 3 mile run/3 mile walk (w/ mom) 2 mile walk later with Parker and dog

Wednesday: 1 mile walk (warm up ) and Shred; 3 mile run and Shred again

Thursday: 3 mile run

Friday: 10 mile bike

Saturday: 8 mile run (9:19 pace) suppose to be a 12 mile run so I have did a repeat on Sunday. When I came home I did 30 minutes of Shred to make up for the lost miles.

Sunday: 12 mile run at 9:19 pace! Pretty good since the night before I had date night and I ate the following: chocolate candy, fried banana peppers, ham/pineapple pizza, frozen yogurt with cookie dough and a margarita. Guess would had to take a pit stop in the bushes??? ME!

So yeah I worked out a lot BUT do you see that mileage? What the heck am I training for a 5k!?!? Looks like Mrs. 26.2 needs to up the weekly mileage QUICK! I am feeling it in my long runs on the weekend. I have noticed a connection in bad runs and a certain time of the month so I hoping that was my problem this week. Next week should look like this:

Monday: 5K with parents

Tuesday: 8 mile run; possible Shred workout

Wednesday: 3 mile run and Shred

Thursday: 5 mile run

Friday: REST; I think this is a missing component that I need to be fresh for my Saturday run!

Saturday: 12 mile run; if I have find someone to watch the little guy! Any takers?? He is cute.

Weekly Recap

2011-06-25T12:27:00.002-04:00

I am loving my summer routine and dread going back to work! I love all the extra time to work out, play with Parker and work on my tan : )

Sunday: rest (Father's Day)

Monday: 5 mile run; not sure of pace/time but I think it was 42 something

Tuesday: 3 miles (33 minutes; I must have broke my leg and didn't know it!) Shred 1 and 2 mile walk

Wednesday: 4 mile run (36:00) Shred 1 and a 1 mile walk

Thursday: 4 miles in 29:30 (I was trying to kill myself on the treadmill!) and Shred 2

Friday: 14 mile bike

Saturday: 10 mile run in 1:25:09/8:31 pace! Super excited about that one!

Guess who signed up for a 5k when she said she was not??? YEP! ME! BUT my stepdad is wanting to do his first 5K and I want to do it with him. It is a race that I have never done and it is on the 4th of July so it should be fun.

Marathon Thoughts

2011-06-20T12:14:00.000-04:00

How about a little Monday laugh! Thanks to Running off the Reese's

8 in the P.M. same as 10 in the A.M.???

2011-06-18T20:22:00.002-04:00

Woke up Saturday to rolling thunder, lightning and news that was talking about wind and hail. Perfect weather to run 10 miles, huh? I met my running friends and we decided to not be crazy and hope for a chance later that day or maybe Sunday for me : ( Went to Lexington to get Scott's Father's Day gift and was home around noon. I text my friends and Jeremy was up for a run. Mid 70's and humid but we were hopeful it would not be too hot! WRONG! Time to bring back the water drops! By 3 miles we were dry mouthed and drenched in sweat. We decided to turn around at 4 and get a strong 8 miles in. At 4 I felt good and was happy with my 8:50 average. Well the bottom fell out of that quick. We were searching our friend's homes for water faucets. First 2 had theirs turned off but we found luck at a local school. We struggled our way back to our trucks and called it done at 8 miles. I had hoped I would be able to drink some water and make 2 more BUT I was not feeling it and I had a cake to pick up for the hubs : )

Rest of the week ROCKED! I came back from vacation on a plan.

Sunday 6 mile run at 8:46 pace

Monday 3 mile (23:45) and Shred with Weights

Tuesday slow 6 mile with heave legs

Wednesday 3 miles (25:00;treadmill) Shred with Weights and 2 miles in 14:38 (treadmill)

Thursday Shred with Weights (Routine 2!; butt kicked!)

Friday 20 mile bike ride in 1.5 hours

Saturday 8 mile run; 9:05 pace

Feeling good about the next few weeks while I am living the life of a teacher : ) Pool, tan, open gym, nap, tan, pool... hard stuff I tell ya! But it gives me more workout time and more time to eat better. Hope everyone is doing great. Sorry for the lack of commenting but I have been reading your blogs.

Been Awhile!

2011-06-13T11:23:00.003-04:00

So I haven't been at the beach for the past 2 weeks but I have been out of town for the past 8 days and blogging was not at the top of my list : ) My working out has been present but not at the top of my to do list. The last week of school I had a lot of things going on so I got in the bare minimum and while on vacation I worked out a fair amount. Couple of 5 mile runs, lots of family bike rides and plenty of walking on the beach! Now that I am home I have full intentions of following the training plan to the letter. Yesterday I ran 6 miles hard to see what I had in me and I pulled off a 8:46 pace on a very hilly road so I am excited. Parker is going to do Parent's Morning Out 2 days a week so I will be able to get in work outs that are 2-3 hours on those days. Everything else will be in my basement during nap or after bed time since Scott will be working long hours most days and out of town some.

Hoping to do weekly recaps this summer while I am off and it will help me keep up with my progress.

Running Tattoo

2011-05-29T19:58:00.004-04:00

I did it! I have been wanting a new tattoo forever! When I was running in Cleveland I told myself if I broke 4:15:00 I could get in done. I had already had the idea of a dragonfly and putting in the wings "Run" and "26.2". My talented hubby drew the tattoo up after I had researched some designs I liked. The little blue flower is similar to the blooms in hydrangeas which were our wedding flowers. We secured a babysitter for Saturday and inked it up. I already have a tattoo on my left foot so I was not worried at all. Well I mush have had more fat on my foot or something the last time because this one HURT! Not the usual annoying/vibrating feeling but flat out painful : ( It took about 25 minutes and he stopped a couple times in between the more painful parts but it was rough. However I will be back in a few weeks to add a second flower to balance it out some more AND the point between the 26 and 2 is pretty much invisible. Good thing that will only take a few minutes. Bad news is I can not run for a few days because the sock rubbing on my foot would not help with healing. I can bike but I have to wrap my foot in cling wrap. Hoping the swelling and itching is down and I can run again on Tuesday.

This is my other tattoo that I have had for a little over 2 years. The flower is an Aster Daisy which is the birth flower for the month of September which is Scott and Parker's birth month. Parker's name is Parker Scott and my hubby is a Scott. If you look at the vines you will notice that one is a "P" and one is a "S".

Anyone else have tattoos? What about tattoos related to running or their sport??

No my Ticker is not Broken

2011-05-23T20:33:00.002-04:00

I did not run a week! A WEEK people.... it was good and bad. I walked on the treadmill, did some weights (arms) and biked inside plus one family day outside. I ate basically what I wanted within reason and tried not to think about running too much. Minus the fact that I stalked marathons like crazy. Trying to wrap my mind around this 50 state thing and get real about making it happen. The bad part is I gained 4.5 pounds which is probably because I did not drink as much water as I should and I was eating too many sweet (surprise surprise)!

So now I am on a new plan to get me to 2 marathons in the fall and I leave for the beach in 11 days! Time to run my 4.5 pounds off and let Jillian Michaels find the tiny bit of definition I have on my body. Kettlebells are awesome! Shred with Weights is going to be my new best friend 2 to 3 nights a week.

Have a great week!

Cleveland Race Recap

2011-05-16T13:10:00.006-04:00

Back from Cleveland and I had a blast! Before I left I looked up my bib number and I really like it because it had "18" on the end. I had a dream I ran a 4:18:00 and was hoping this was a sign. My last marathon was a 4:23:10 so a 4:18 would have been a sweet improvement!

I left Danville around 12:30 on Friday and was on my first out of state road trip! The drive was great and I made it to Cleveland early enough to go out for Mexican with Monica so I was a happy girl! We made plans the next day to see the sights of Cleveland. I had an awesome tour guide. I was able to see the really nice parts of Cleveland, go to the West Side Market and eat a famous cupcake from Main Street Cupcakes in Hudson AND get some sweet deals at an outlet mall in Aurora.

Check out our yummy pasta:

Above is the only race day pictures I have since it rained the whole time! Monica and I met a group of her friends at the Embassy Suites and it was the great place to start a race because there were nice bathrooms : ) We walked straight down to the finish line and did not have to wait outside in the misty, cool weather for long. It was a huge race so we had to get in the corral close to the 4:45 pace group : ( When we took off we knew we had some work to do!

Mile 1-3: (10:05, 9:19. 9:11) Elbow to elbow and trying to fight for some room. These miles went by super fast and Monica and I were still together. Can you tell the first mile was packed!

Mile 3-Mile 6 (9:59, 9:36, 9:45) Somewhere after mile 3 I realized I had to pee so I hopped over in the bushes with the guys! I think it annoys them when I do that but I am not a porta potty kind of girl. These miles also went fast and I honestly felt like I had been running maybe 20 minutes. Monica told me to go on ahead and mile 6 so took off. We had already caught and passed the 4:30 group so I told myself I was running to catch the 4:15 group. I honestly thought it was impossible because I was trying not to pay attention to time or pace and just have fun. I took a Gu right before mile 6 and noticed I had lost my second Gu during my bathroom stop. Luckily they were giving out Gus later so I grabbed a second one then.

Mile 7-11 (9:15, 9:33, 9:36, 9:13, 9:05) There were quite a few spectators during this part so that helped a lot. The race course is not something to go on and on about so I was simply getting by on spectators and playing games in my head. I felt so good it was scary! I knew I needed to slow down but I kept running too fast. So I wasn't too shocked when I came down the big bridge and found the 4:15 group At this point I told myself I HAD to slow down and stay with the 4:15 group.

Mile 12-Mile 19 (9:20, 9:23, 9:29,9:44, 9:30, 9:44, 9:34, 9:32) This is when the impossible happened! I met a guy that talked MORE than me. I had been getting by on "ear hustling" and not actually talking myself until I met Tony. He was driving me nuts but he wanted to stay with the 4:15 group too so I ran beside him for a while and I think it helped pass the time. When I passed 15 I was wondering if the I would start hurting like I usually do. At every mile marker I would just kind of do a body check and tell myself one more mile at this pace and I will slow down if I have to. I also had to hit the bushes again at mile 19.5! Guess I was hydrated enough and getting enough fluids. Might have been the rain too because it really picked up around mile 14. I ate my 6 cliff blocks during this time.

Mile 20 - 26.2 (9:44, 9:45, 9:58, 9:45, 9:43, 9:27, 10:09, 3:08 (last .4) At mile 20 it was time to count it down! I had some starbursts and the race Gu but I was not feeling like I needed to eat so I passed. For awhile I just hung at the back of the 4:15 pace group and enjoyed listening to people talk. I knew I had Monica meeting me at 22 so I had that to look forward too! However, she was not at 22 or 23 : ( and I was starting to get worried. I never hit a wall and the pain was never bad but I obviously had the "just want to be done" feeling going on! We hit a couple good down hills but Cleveland likes to run up overpasses and that was getting on my nerves. We did run my Lake Erie around mile 22ish and it was gorgeous for the whole 6 minutes we had a view. Tried to eat starbursts jellybeans but they had too much flavor for me. Mile 24 I found Monica and we were ready to knock out 2 more miles! Not sure how I was a 10:09 that last mile because I was flying downhill to the finish! Either way I felt great and was super pumped when I passed the 4:15 at a water stop and never saw them again. I did not believe for a minute I was that fast and figured they were a crappy pace group or something BUT when I crossed the finish line my watch said 4:12:44

I was in shock! Not only did I finish faster than I though possible but I felt great! Unfortunately the rain was coming down and it was super cold and windy as we walked back to the truck. We even had a slight scare when we found the parking garage locked up (but a security guard was on duty). Then it was time to hit the shower and hop in my truck for a 7 hour drive home. That was the worst part since I was having post run belly issues and had to make a couple of pit stops. Eating was impossible that day so I having my celebration dinner Monday night with my parents. It will be Mexican of course. I also have a Jennifer cookie from On the Rise that Monica told me was the best cookie ever and she was right. I told myself I could have a Jennifer cookie when I was done and also told myself I could get my new tattoo if I broke 4:15. Looks like my foot will be getting a new addition.

What is next? I am thinking Erie PA in September for my next full. Other than I am not sure but we all know I will not go 3 months without racing at all : ) I wish there was a close, cheap full this summer but I have not found one. Thanks for reading!

JC5K Recap!

2011-05-07T13:19:00.002-04:00

I mentioned the other day that my 1st 5K was 2 years ago at The Jennie Carol 5K and I finished in a crazy slow time of 42 something and walked a lot of it. I have really been working on speed work once a week while I have been marathon training all fall and winter so I was really anxious to see what it would look like outside. I do all weekly runs on the treadmill so I had no idea what I could do outside. On Thursday I went outside and ran a 5K in 24:00 even. My PR coming into this race was 24:28 so I wanted to break that but really wanted to come in at under 24 minutes!

I have NEVER analyzed a bib number but when I was handed my bib number three things stood out to me: 3 plus 4 equals 7, my phone number in the dorm in college was 3477 and the race is on the 7th! I was feeling like it was going to be a good race.

I was really nervous the morning of the race and considered running the whole thing with my mom! But I had trained my butt off and wanted to try and see what could happen. I took off with Jeremy and we were going out super fast! 7:25ish and I was wanting to maintain more like 7:45. Mile one was 7:20 and Jeremy was trucking on without me : ( and I knew I needed to hit the second mile at 15:00 even or less. Unfortunately I hit mile #2 at 15:03 and I was sorta bummed. BUT I kept on pushing hard telling myself there was still a chance. I never looked at my watch but knew I needed to hear the slow down beep (7:30) to hit sub 24. Coming into the last few tenths I caught up with Jeremy and he told me I was close to 23:30 and I thought he was just making me feel better BUT I looked at the stadium clock and saw 23:18 and decided to kick it in high gear around the track. I hit my watch as quick as I could and it said 23:35 so I was pumped!

When they gave out rewards I found out that my time was actually 23:30! I have wanted to place at Jennie Carol so bad because you get a hat! The hats and shirts are really cute : ) Needless to say I am really excited and super proud of myself. I never go into a race wanting to beat anyone just myself! Financially I do not have the money to do the 5K thing this summer so I was hoping to do well at this one. I will continue to work on speed work but my "racing" shoes are put on hold and I am working on getting stronger and distance! Hope everyone had a great running weekend and I will have more pictures to share from my good friend Crystal who was snapping away.

Last Long Run

2011-05-02T21:13:00.002-04:00

My last long run went GREAT! Feels so good to finally say that. The weather was perfect and my legs were perfect. I maintained a 9:36 pace and honestly felt great minus some stomach issues. Last week I commented that I channeled my SUAR by having to make a beeline for the potty and she commented back saying "if I made it then I wasn't channeling her" well.... lets just say me and a tree line are a little closer than I would like to be! First time for everything! The worst part was no traveling with toilet paper. Guess I know what I will be adding to my Go-Belt!

When I finished I felt like I could do more and wanted to take back off at make it 22 or 24 but my belly was rumbling again so I headed home. I was able to get in some more calorie burn by mowing the yard and starting to work on the front porch. I rewarded myself with some Saul Good and Orange Leaf with good friends Jeremy and Crystal!

Tonight I knocked out a 5k on the treadmill at 23:46 and I anxious to try it out on the road before a 5K on Saturday. I am not going to run 5Ks this season for financial reasons but the Jennie Carol Memorial Run is a special event for many reasons:

1. Jennie Carol was a local teacher and runner that passed away a few years ago after she ran the Derby marathon in Louisville. She passed away that weekend after getting choked at dinner. I did not know her personally but know many people that did and heard wonderful things about her.

2. The run supports Backpack for Kids that sends many local students home with a backpack of food for the weekend.

3. I was 8 months post baby when I decided to do a 5k just for fun and ended up TRYING to run while I was there. I finished in like 42 minutes and felt like death afterwards! Was completely disgusted with my post baby fitness level and decided to take on running. Look at me now : ) I plan to always participate in this race since it was my first and is proof of what hard work can do!

Didn't Get In ....... YES!

2011-04-27T20:49:00.002-04:00

We're sorry, Twila You have not been selected.

Which I am super excited about! I just entered for knocking off a year of the lottery entry! I do not have the money or the desire to hit New York next year. I have some other tentative fall plans that I am pretty excited about. Is it the 3rd year you get in OR after 3 years of not getting in??? I was shocked at how many people get in on their first try. I have read the odds are 1 out 9 which was making me sweat a little. Hoping to hold off on New York for a couple more years. I want to be a little more seasoned before I tackle that big of a race. I would also love it if I would get it the same year someone else I know gets it. Who out there enters the lottery?

Sorry to all the people I have not been talking to on their blogs. I have been stalking you as usual just not commenting. Trying to get back into the swing of things. Marathon #3 is coming up so I have been a good girl this week and getting in some really good workout. I have been knocking out some sub 24 minute 5Ks and keeping my 5 mile runs under 45 minutes. Tomorrow I get to run 8 miles outside! Always a rare treat to get to run outside : )

Hopefully my next blog is about an awesome 20-22 mile run! Looks like the rain and tornados will be gone after tonight.

20 Miles in Jinxed

2011-04-24T20:19:00.002-04:00

Flashback to my last marathon: Grandfather passed away a couple days before 20 milers; did it on treadmill then the stomach plagued me for almost a week killing my second attempt at a 20 miler.

Back to present time : ) Friday night all was good for the 20 miler and actually looking forward to it. It all went downhill at 3 a.m. I am going to run through the craptastic attempt at 20 miles pretty quick. 3 am tornado sirens sent us to the basement with 2 year old in hand. Lack of sleep. Up at 6 am to try to run anyway but quickly turned around when lightning picked up. Hopped on treadmill for 5 miles but my foot hurt and the family was distracting me. Went outside. Small Monsoon hit. Went into house and husband told me AC was broken and he needed to go to town. Was at mile 11ish. Tried to hop on treadmill but the little man was having no part of that. I called it quits and I am thinking it was 11 miles for the day.

We had plans to go to Lexington for some Easter errands so even though it cleared off I was not going to ruin anymore of our day with an attempt to run.

Sunday: full intentions of getting up at 5:30 am to knock out my needed 10 more miles to make it a solid 20 mile weeks. Tornado sirens again at 3:00 am; back to to the basement. Then it was Easter breakfast, Easter service at church and Easter lunch (pay attention to those 7,000 calories I ate) After hanging out with the family we came home and I decided to run at the house. 1 mile to the end and back (5 times) Mile 5.5 I was channeling by inner SUAR because I had to GO! It was the worst ever. Barely made it to the house and tried to go back out BUT those 7,000 calories of food were not working withme I was was forced to shut it down a little short of 8 miles : (

Good news is the weather for next weekend looks better! Even better news I have the cutest son EVER! I had a fabulous Easter weekend with my family and loved a moving Easter service that was a wonderful reminder of what is important in life. Jesus died so that we can live! Embrace each day fore it is a gift from above : )

Brief Recap

2011-04-17T16:35:00.003-04:00

Going back to work after a week long break always puts me in a crappy mood and tired. On top of that it was "that week" (sorry guys) so that always makes working out difficult PLUS my husband is working out of town in another state and will be for a while now : ( With that being said my week looked like this:

Monday: my foot was a little sore from Sunday's 11 miler so I was smart and did not run

Tuesday: did not get home from class until super late

Wednesday: 7 mile run on the treadmill

Thursday: 2.5 mile run (Parker went to bed late)

Friday: rest as usual

Saturday: 18 mile run (9:26 pace with the last 8 @ a 9:15 pace!)

Sunday: to be determined; possibly a bike and then a walk with arm weights while I catch up on Survivor

So this week was not great but I feel like I did the best I could considering the circumstances. On tap for this week...

Sunday: bike/walk

Monday: 5 mile run

Tuesday: walk with arm weights

Wednesday: 8 mile run

Thursday: 5 mile run or bike

Friday: rest

Saturday: 20 mile run

Sunday: family bike if the weather is nice and not super duper windy

Hopefully the next post I will have something more profound to say.

Interesting Facts about Me

2011-04-13T21:15:00.004-04:00

So I was nominated for the style award and I get to tell 7 random things about me! Thanks BDD for the honor : )

1. I HATED to work out as a child. I refused to participate in gym and I may have over exaggerated my Mono in high school so I did not have to take my 9 week gym class. I did not want to take PE because I was SCARED run a mile. Coach Purdue look at me now!

2. I love orange flavored candy. It is a fact that today someone gave me a bag of starburst jelly beans and I ate all the orange ones by lunch time!

3. I will not sleep in an unmade bed. I can not having messed up covers tangled around my feet.

4. I have been recording reruns of 90210 since I was on Spring break last week. I am watching them like "OH MY GOSH I wonder if they break up?, will Kelly go to rehab?, will the catch Colin?" They are great for long indoor bike runs.

5. When I was pregnant I gained A LOT of weight as in close to 50 pounds or something and then after I had my 9 pound baby I walked out with 13 extra pounds due to severe water gain and post eclampsia. Check me out right before I was went into labor (27 hours might I add). Can you say motivation to not gain weight?? 50 pounds does not look good on me : )

6. I research everything. You say vacation or weekend get away and I am on Google and Mapquest like crazy. I put in hotels, malls and restaurant to plan every minute of the trip. I use Urban Spoon to look up where to eat and read the reviews. I am challenging myself to not do that when we head to the Outer Banks in June. I want to throw some beach clothes in a bag with some books and not go with an itinerary.

7. I dye my hair to go with the "season". In the fall I dye my hair reddish/brown since those are autumn colors and in the winter I go all brown since I am busy and don't have time to mess with the roots. And then close to Spring I go blonde for the Spring and Summer. I have been dying my hair since the 4th grade and could not tell you my natural color. It is possibly a light brown.

I am too lazy to do the hyperlinking to nominate : ) But I would like to see someone else do it! Thanks BDD for giving me something to do!

April 3 - April 10 Recap

2011-04-11T19:14:00.002-04:00

So in trying to be better about keeping to a schedule and doing more than running here is a short recap of last week:

Sunday 4/3 1 hour indoor bike and 45 minutes of Yoga

Monday 4/4 5k in 23:58 and 30 minutes of Yoga plus Abs

Tuesday 4/5 5 miles at 45:18; 25 min bike plus a short arms/abs workout

Wednesday 4/6 1 hour and 20 min indoor bike plus 15 minute Abs

Thursday 8 mile run @ 9:24 pace (first outdoor hot run)

Friday 1.5 hour bike and P90X abs

Saturday 1.5 hour bike and 15 min. arms

Sunday Long run 11 miles outside and 5 miles inside (pace unknown)

The "heat" has been hard to get used to! It was 86 degrees or something crazy on Sunday. I could go look at my pace but I really don't want to know. I was panting and sweaty and swollen : ( I am going to assume it was a little over a ten minute average but I could surprise myself. My husband rode his bike with me and "paced" me for a good chunk of it so I know miles 6-11 were at a 9:23ish.

OH WELL! I was able to workout a lot since it was Spring Break; now I am back to night runs on the treadmill with the hope of being not dead tired and able to get in some additional stuff.

Time to head downstairs for a 5 mile run and then maybe more depending on the energy level. This week I am hoping for:

Monday: 5 mile run

Tuesday: walk or yoga after class if it is before 9:00 when I get home

Wednesday: 8 mile run

Thursday: 5 mile run

Friday: rest

Saturday: 18 mile run

Sunday: 6 mile run OR Yoga & Family bike ride : ) If the weather is decent!

My Own Personal Trainer

2011-04-08T20:14:00.003-04:00

Today I was working out in the basement when Parker woke up and I really wanted to finish my ab work. I was going to do P90X Core Plus which is just 18 minutes long. I opened the door so he could play outside while I finished. Well he thought it was more fun to workout with me. I loved it! Check out his plank and pelvic lift crunches!

The best part is when I am not doing the exercise correctly he would say things like "touch the floor Mommy" or "kick your leg Mommy". One time I was going to stop and go outside and he told me "You finish I play by meself". He is so awesome! He is always saying "Run like you Mommy". I hope he is already taking an interest in being physically active. I was not physically active as a child and hope it is different for him.

In the next few days I will post my "7 things about me" since BDD tagged me : )

Remember to always reward yourself for hard work! Like my little guy loving his cupcake after going #2 in the potty. Potty training is hard work; notice in the above picture the potty is never too far away!

Great Running Day and Fears

2011-04-07T19:47:00.003-04:00

This picture does not do justice for the view but today was BEAUTIFUL! Most of you know I rarely get to run outside (minus Saturdays) so today was extra special. My mom had Parker so I could go get my haircut and have some "me" time since I have been on house arrest to potty train all week! Parker took a late nap so I came home and went for a run in the 70+ degree weather. It was hot! As in I was sweating, thirsty and got a small sunburn. I ran towards the lake to get in some good hill work. The hills are brutal. BUT I love pushing thru and I always feel accomplished when I get done. I was able to maintain a 9:34 pace for the 8 miles which is so-so. I was not prepared for how hot I was going to get and had no fluids : ( Not a good idea.

I stopped on one hill to do some stretching and relax for a minute. It was so peaceful being up on the cliff over looking the lake.

Here is where the fear comes in; running over bridges. I HATE running on bridges more than anything. Especially this bridge. I seriously run down the middle of the road and pray for no cars to come. I have had nightmares about bridges and one with a pirate ship obstacle course thing. The funniest was in the nightmare the obstacle was you had to pee in front of someone in public Which is NOT a fear of mine. Random I know : )

Fear of Bridges = Gephyrophobia

Anyone else having running fears??? or just other funny fears; like my fear of slides!

Rocked It!

2011-04-02T11:12:00.002-04:00

After taking an easy week after the marathon I made a new plan and decided to get focused on working out other parts of my body plus working on my running. My week went like this:

Sunday: 5 miles 43:49 8:45 pace and 30 minutes of Yoga

Monday: 5K speed work 23:32 7:35 pace and P90X Abs for 30 minutes

Tuesday: 3 mile walk and 30 minutes of Yoga

Wednesday: 5 mile run 44:48 8:57 pace 30 minute arm work and ab work

Thursday: 30 minutes Plyometric, 20 minute bike and 200 crunches

Friday: OFF

Saturday: 15 miles @ 9:14 pace! 2 hrs and 18 minutes

All in all it was a great week! The plyometrics kicked my butt. I was not that sore right away but by Friday night I was feeling it. I was worried about my long run on Saturday but it did not interfere at all. I don't think I will be doing a lot of the plyometrics because it is messing with my foot that still has a little tender spot from the marathon.

The best part of this week is my abs were sore! I hate ab work with a passion but want to wear a bikini when we go to the beach in June. I go through phases wanting to work on my abs but I never see or feel results. This week was great because the soreness makes me want to do the ab work I did this week plus some.

Next week is Spring Break so I should be able to get in plenty of run plus arms/abs. Plus lots of Yoga and stretching : ) Plyometrics is going to collect some dust next week.

Race Picture

2011-03-29T18:54:00.000-04:00

I have never ordered a race photo but I thought this one was pretty neat! The next few races I have on my radar will probably not have great back drops so I decided to go ahead and order this one. Anyone else out there order pictures? What is your opinion on it? Thought it could serve as motivation or one day when I get a medal hanger I could hang some pictures around it.

The next one...

2011-03-28T21:57:00.000-04:00

Registration Details

Confirmation #:	48215652-032811185130
Date & Time:	05/14/11 - 05/15/11
Location:	Downtown Cleveland (Map)
Purchased at:	03/28/11
Group:	Marathon
Category:	Marathon
Name:	Twila Montgomery

It is official : ) Here I come Monica!

New Plan and Glad I don't bet : )

2011-03-28T18:32:00.004-04:00

This week starts a new "plan".... I follow plans as well as my best ADHD kid : ) BUT I really need to work on other parts of my body besides my legs! The legs can run but my week core and no flexibility are killing me! I can not touch my toes and am inches away from it. I did P90X Yoga and well it was horrible. I need to stretch for like 8 hours a day to make improvements. So I have made a plan that addresses other areas of my body. I am also recording some of those cheesy Yoga workouts that can come on TV for the days I don't have over an hour to devote toward Tony and his Yoga. Here is the plan...

Sunday – Yoga and Run (5 miles @ 9:00 min pace)

Monday – Speed 5K and AB work

Tuesday- walk/yoga after class; when class is over 5 mile 9:30 run

Wednesday – 5-6 mile speed work/arms OR 8 mile run at 9:00-9:30 min pace

Thursday – Plyometrics 0r P90X cardio or Insanity

Friday- rest

Saturday – Long run

I have given myself options on most days but I really want to get in more other stuff than just running but I will need to get in plenty of running because....

Somebody is talking about ME running ANOTHER marathon on May 15h in Cleveland! Who would have such a crazy idea??? Okay it might be me : ) My friend Crystal bet me I would be registered for something by summer. Little did she know it would actually be a week and she should have put some money on it! BUT it is a great way to knock off an close by state and I get to stay with my friend Monica. She is running the half so it would be a good time. I think I am going to make it official tonight. I really want to do another one quick because I feel like I could have done better in Virginia. I think the illness and lack of running for 2 weeks really caught up with me. I had trained so hard and much faster than what my time showed. My "big" runs were all sub 9:30 up until the funeral and illness stuff happened. SO we shall see : )

Skinny Runner is giving away tons of stuff! Go check it out!

Dang It!

2011-03-22T16:29:00.002-04:00

So a few weeks before Virginia I looked at the Kentucky Derby Marathon. I had heard the half was full but the marathon was still open. I did not want to register for it in case I came back from Virginia injured or really wanting a break. Well when I crossed the finish in Virginia within minutes I was wanting to sign up for something else. SO I came home and was going to hit up the Kentucky Derby Marathon since it is so close to home and would be easy to "retrain" for. BUT it is full : ( BOO! There are plenty of other races that weekend but they are more expensive and they would require much more traveling. So I guess I am on a short break. Might looking to a summer and then I think Outerbanks in November is the plan! The only other big item on the schedule is the Bourbon Chase in October. If I was rich and not a teacher I would make my goal next year "12 in 2012" BUT hard to get off work that much to jet around the US to run marathons. Plus plane tickets aren't cheap.

If you need me I will be googling upcoming marathons like a crazy person! 2 states down and 48 to go. I told my husband I wanted to be a 50 stater by 60 and his response was "Where is the fun in taking so long?" I guess he is giving me permission to run more marathons a year!

Virginia Beach Race Report

2011-03-20T13:44:00.005-04:00

We were up bright and early to beat traffic and get good parking. We left my brother's house at 5:45 and had plenty of time to park. Minus the idiots that let us in a parking garage that was full. We found a nice lot about 5 blocks from the finish which would give a good post race walk. It was SUPER cold this morning! 44 degrees and crazy wind. Luckily the wind died down for the most part and the sun was out the whole race. We did run into a head wind the majority of the race.

Taking off finally! There was a 15 minute delay to prevent the halfers from bumping into the full runners. I started off great and was keeping sub 10:00 min miles easily. I was hoping to at least PR by a few minutes. Miles 1 - 12 were uneventful. I Gued at mile 5, ran thru Camp Pendelton around mile 8 and loved the support, met some nice people at mile 6 and talked for awhile, gave my top shirt to my mom at mile 12 and peed (which is something I usually don't do)

During the first place I had enjoyed talking to two guys. When they stopped to pee at mile 11 I was worried I would not see them again but they caught back up with me at mile 14. I knew they wanted a sub 10 average so we hung together from 14 to 21 and had a blast! Their names were David and David. We did the pony dance at mile markers and stopped to dance at the band and told jokes to pass the time. Making friends is the way to go! I hate people that take is all serious and won't joke about stuff. I also loathe tutu wearers but that is another issue in itself. Lets just say I make it a personal mission to pass people in annoying clothes : ) Mile 21 the slower David started having a real hard time and the faster David wanted to get closer to a 9:30 pace. So I was left solo again.

However, I was able to stay strong mentally and push thru. My pace slipped and I would guess I was averaging more of a 10:15 at this point. Crowd support finally started coming back at mile 23 and the run down the boardwalk was great. Everyone screamed your name and I wanted so bad to run as fast as I could but apparently 10:24 was all I had left.

Clock time was about 6 minutes fast so I am thinking I was a 4:23 something which would be four to five minutes better than my previous time.

Found my mom and brother at the fish. Had some calf cramps AGAIN so I drank some water and ate a banana before walking to the car. Marathon #2 is much easier than #1. I will update this post when official time is posted or texted to me.

Thanks to everyone that has sent messages and commented!

*Official time 4:23:12 which is 4 minutes and 34 seconds faster! Which is a 10:02 pace. My last marathon was a 10:14 pace. I was really hoping to be sub 10; even if it was 9:59 pace but I apparently did not have it in be today. I could blame the head winds but it was probably the result of 2 crappy long runs and the weeklong stomach bug! OR I am just a 10:00 minute kinda girl : )

Pre Race Stuff

2011-03-19T17:25:00.005-04:00

Virginia Beach is about 10 hours from where I live so we drove 6 hours on Friday. We stopped at a hotel with an indoor pool and it felt great to get in and stretch around after all that time in the car. It was not so great that a hound dog checked in next door and howled all night and it was less great that a team of 50 high school track boys checked in! Nothing a tylenol PM didn't take care of.

Great Expo! Super quick pick up and there were quite a few vendors. Picked up my 26.2 sticker for my truck and some new block flavors. I was in and out pretty quick.

Everyone else was doing it so I took my picture with the little guy.

In Virginia Beach they have an awesome bakery that is yummy and they employ individuals with disabilities. They are non profit and I love supporting them when I am here. I had my favorite cranberry muffin and I ate it too quick to take a picture.

We had some time to kill before we headed to my brother's house so we killed some time at the beach.

They were hauling in all the bananas and waters! That is A LOT of bananas! Plus there were like 5 other crates.

We picked out our meeting place at the finish line. The orange fish : ) Bet I look a lot worse tomorrow!

I will post sometime tomorrow night how I finish. I am going to enjoy it and run as fast as I can.

The Plan

2011-03-13T17:47:00.004-04:00

Well as I laid around Thursday night and sat in the ER getting fluids I seriously considered e-mailed the race directors and deferring my place until next year. BUT I never could bring myself to do it. Even when I spend the whole day Friday sick and then on Saturday when I was still living off of dry waffles and ginger ale I was thinking there is NO way I am running. BUT....

I have trained by butt off since the first of the year and I really want to go to Virginia this weekend to see my brother and his family. It will be a great trip with my mom and I get to see the ocean : ) I have no plans other than to cross the start line and the finish line. Any times/paces that I had in my head are out the window. I am just going to go enjoy the large race and the view of the ocean. Thanks so much to those people that commented and offered advice. I will blog one more time before I leave talking about all the goods I am taking.

One heck of a Taper

2011-03-10T17:42:00.003-05:00

I said taper and my body said "I will make sure you don't run AT ALL"...

Finished the craptastic run on Sunday (22 turned 19) and then had a light 5 mile treadmill run on Monday. Monday night/Tuesday Morning (2:00 am) woke up with 102 fever. Sick Tuesday and Wednesday. Worked Thursday but am at home now with more throwing up : (

So my question is.... Do I pull out of the marathon? Tomorrow is the last day to transfer my payment until next year. I think I could pull off a short run Saturday and then treadmill runs next week. I leave Friday the 18th to drive to Virginia Beach and run on Sunday the 20th. I have trained really hard for 10 weeks. I started off with a real strong base and long runs at 10 miles. I have had two 20 milers. I know I will finish and am looking forward to the time with my mom and getting to see my brother. However, my body is going to be completely wiped and I will do good to get in 15-20 miles between now and then. Suggestions?

22 miles or NOT!

2011-03-06T14:28:00.004-05:00

I really wanted to get in a 22 mile run before the marathon. Well the running gods must be playing mean tricks on me because last weekend I had the funeral and was forced to do 20 on the treadmill and this week the stomach bug infected my little guy : (

Friday night at 5:00 the bug started and from then until 4:00 in the morning I was doing lots of yucky clean up about every 30 minutes. The hubs had to work the next day so I took night duty solo which also meant I had Saturday to do solo as well. I was going to do my 22 on Saturday while my parents watched Parker but no one wants to baby sit a sick kid AND the weather was POURING down rain for hours straight and 30 mph winds. So Saturday I sat on the couched, held my boy and watched Disney movies for hours on end. Don't get me wrong there is no where else I would rather be than taking care of my little guy. But I think all the sitting and stress had me all messed up.

Sunday I woke up and luckily my running partner was still willing to tackle 14 with me. So I did 6 (felt great) before I met up with him and then we went out for 14. Felt great for the 1st 6 we did together (12 total for me) but it started getting bad when I hit my 16 mile mark. I handed the Garmin off so J could have a decent run without my slow, out of whack self. Basically I was cramping up in all kinds of ways! I am thinking it was dehydration but lets just say I was in pain from my lower back down and I walked. WALKED down a very busy road where other people were driving. I hardly ever walk during a run so that tells you I was in some serious pain. I hobbled back to my car and ended up somewhere close to 19 miles. Also, to make matters worse I realized my keyless was not in my running belt and was freaking out that I had lost my keyless. But one good thing that happened I had left it laying on the hood of my car. Real safe huh?

I am on my way to wallow in some high calorie food and a cupcake (peanut butter banana) and hoping that 2 weeks from now will be a different story. I am going to taper and start stretching more. Hope everyone else had a better training run than I did.

***Giveaway @ Am I Runner or Just Crazy to celebrate post #100

ABCs of me...

2011-03-01T16:05:00.002-05:00

Waiting to go to close and I needed something mindless to do after a long day at work so here it goes....

A~Age: 29

B~ Bed Size: Queen

C~Chore you hate: mopping and cleaning bathrooms; which is why I have a cleaning lady. I also dislike putting away laundry. I will wash it, dry it and fold it but I hate putting it away! Matching socks is the worst and I don't do it.

D~Dogs: 2; Weimaraner named Milly and a Pug named Rancher plus 2 cats! We are slightly insane for having so many pets.

E~Essential Start your Day Item: Fiber One pop tart and I am scared that have stopped making them.

F~Favorite Color: Blue

G~Gold or Silver: Silver; simple earrings, marathon necklace and rings are my basic go to unless I am getting all fancied up

H~Height: 5 feet 2 inches

I~Instruments you play: HA! That would require me to have rhythm.

J~Job Title: Special Education Teacher

K~Kids: One, Parker who is 2 1/2

L~Live: Danville, Kentucky

M~Mom’s Name: Brenda

N~Nicknames: Don't really have one

O~Overnight Hospital Stays: Just one for having Parker and then back to the hospital for post delivery complications

P~Pet Peeve: I have a lot! No turn signals, people that whistle, when people are late, talk radio in the mornings, people that make excuses and plenty more but I don't want to look like a complete grump!

Q~Quote from a Movie: I am sure I could think of something profound if I really thought about it but this is the first thing I thought of:

From Sweet Home Alabama

Jake: [not recognizing Melanie in her sunglasses] Can I help you?

Melanie Carmichael: Well, for starters, you can get your stubborn ass down here and give me a divorce.
Jake: You're shittin' me, right?
Melanie Carmichael: I never fully understood that expression, but no, I am not "shitting" you.

S~Siblings: Older Brother (32) and Older Sister (33). They are half siblings

T~Time you wake up: 6:15

U~Underwear: I wear them except when I run

V~Vegetable you Dislike: It is easier to say I only eat green beans, corn and potatoes and well broccoli if you cover it in cheese and crackers : )

W~What Makes You Late: I am NEVER late; if I am it is someone else's fault (usually the kid)

X~X-rays You’ve had Done: ummm maybe 3; not counting dental

Y~Yummy Food you Make: I am not a good cook but I can make desserts and pretty good mexican food. Scott says I make the best salmon croquettes.

Z~Zoo Animal Favorite: Pandas : )

This outfit brought to you by...

2011-02-28T20:36:00.004-05:00

Fit Chic Headbands and Skinny Runner

All the ladies out there know how important the marathon outfit is! I spend a lot of my running time thinking about it. I knew I wanted it to be fun, say something about me and NOT be GREEN! It is a St. Patrick's Day run and I do not want to look like everyone else. I have loved zebra print since I was in college and googled zebra stuff and ran across the headbands and was excited to see arm bands to match. I have always wanted to try arm bands since I am super cold when I start running but get hot during the run. I like the thought of taking them off and tucking them in my running belt. I am going to try them out this weekend. The shirt is from Skinny Runner and has a cupcake on it! I ordered it within minutes of her posting shirts. Good thing because she is SOLD OUT! So right now this is my outfit. But it is very likely to change. First I have to see how the arm bands work out and then I am going to have to keep on eye on the weather as time gets closer. I might end up in a sleeveless something if it is going to be 50's or higher.

Anyone else out there obsess about their race day outfit?

Too Many Possible Titles!

2011-02-27T16:07:00.003-05:00

Wow the end of this week has been crazy! I could have titled this post "20 miles where?"; "You are insane" (a direct quote from Monica); "My 1st Ice Bath"; "Does crying burn calories"; or okay you get the point...

Thursday morning my grandfather passed away which was sad yet very relieving. He has been sick since November and suffering in the nursing home for about 3 months. I left work early to be with family and make arrangements. The weather was completely awful at the end of the week but Saturday was going to be gorgeous. Great running weather but I knew I would be with the family all day Saturday. So I laid out my stuck to hit the rod bright and early Friday (I took the day off) so I could be done early morning to be with family for the rest of the day. BUT I awoke to the sound of 30 mph wind and sleet. I was not willing to run in that type of weather so I did the unthinkable....

I hopped on the treadmill with the intentions of running 20 miles. I was going to set it a 6.0 mph and roll with it. That would be 3 hours and 20 minutes. I will spare you some dramatic climax... I nailed it! Watched an episode of survivor, hopped off to check internet (thought something had happened to Charlie Sheene due to a random facebook post), watched a second episode of Survivor, watched some Days of Our Lives, talked to my Dad about funeral stuff, called mom. Guess what???? Treadmills cut off at 100 minutes. So I Gued, found some water and set off for 10 more miles. Decided to go ahead and have my moment about Granddaddy so I turned the iPod to old gospel church music and had a good cry for about 3 miles. Called mom at 15 miles and told her I would call her when I was done. Last 5 miles were rough but I made it!

Then I went upstairs to try this for the first time....

I think it helped but I only stayed in about 6 minutes. I even wore socks and my tights so I could stand it. All in all the 20 mile treadmill run was not that bad. However, I do think I will do another one before than marathon because I do not feel like this one helped that much. I was a little sore from it but the compression socks and chiropractor helped a lot. Good news is I can wear compression socks as much as I want!

Now I am left to run off all the comfort I consumed on Saturday at the visitation/church dinner. We had a potluck dinner at my childhood church and if you are from a Southern Baptist church then you know what kind of food I am talking about! I think banana croquettes sums it up! I bet someone has to google it : ) Trust me they are good!

I even managed a 6.2 mile run outside in shorts on Sunday! So I did a marathon this weekend! Here is to a better week, better eating and getting in all the last training runs.

Long Overdue

2011-02-23T21:04:00.003-05:00

So I had my 18 mile long run last weekend and you would think I would be all excited to write about it but I have been busy and in a funk.

First, lets start with the run. The run was great. I met my friend Crystal's husband Jeremy for 8 miles to start the long run. We were able to keep close to a 9:00 minute average with a few slips close to 9:20 BUT I will say I was running a different course than usual so there was lots of turning and deciding where to go. Jeremy and I are also talkers so that could factor in as well. After our 8 miles we met up with Monica who was ready to tackle 10 miles with me. Jeremy stuck with us for 2 and turned around to get in 12 miles for himself. Monica and I had a good run. It was slower than a 10:00 average for the most part but I was struggling since I had had one puny run after my bout with the stomach bug. My stomach for the first time in a long time gave me some issues a few miles from being done. I am going to try a new food this week instead of my blocks in case it was a case of too much Gu. Came home and wore my compression socks all afternoon and my legs felt great! I will be wearing those for recovery all the time.

** Question: Is there a rule on how long you can wear compression socks for recovery?

I have not been in a blogging mood or a computer mood for the most part. My son is at a super fun age right now and I just love being with him! So my funk is a good funk. I just want to watch TV with Parker and lay in the floor and play cars with him. ALSO last week I was trying to fit in a run while he was still awake and he accidently threw a toy behind my treadmill. He has always been super good about staying away from the treadmill but he really wanted to get the toy for the dog and he went to get it. So I hear this "Mommy" and turn around to my child pinned between the moving belt and the wall. Luckily it was rubbing just his leg and he had a carpet burn like mark on his leg in 2 little places. I am so glad it didn't get him worse. No more running with the little guy up : ( He is 90 mph right now! Such a fun age.

This week I have been able to get in good treadmill workouts. Recovery on Sunday, speed work on Monday (FINALLY broke 24 mins on a 5K) and 6 miles on Wednesday. Tuesday are still a forced rest day since I have class all night after I get off work. I tried to come home and hit the treadmill at 9:30 pm and I just did not have it in me.

This weekend I have 20 fun filled miles to look forward to and it looks like I will be flying solo. Which is honestly good for me. I enjoy the time to myself and use it for a lot of reflection and just planning. Most importantly I have been planning my marathon outfit. I am trying not to spend a lot so I am thinking about a fun new accessory to go with a simple black running outfit. I can promise you it will have ZERO green since the other 24,000 people will be decked out in green since it is a St. Patrick's Day theme.

The next time I blog I will be telling if I survived my 20 miler : ) and if I feel real good I might go for 22 and call it taper time!

Good to Bad!

2011-02-16T17:50:00.002-05:00

So came off a great weekend feeling on top of the world!

Knocked out 16 miles like it was my job and spent a lot of time with the family and had great Valentine's stuff! Here comes to bad....

woke up Sunday middle of the night with stomach pains that felt about as mad as my labor when the epidural wore off.... then spent a few hours dry heaving. Went to the doctor for some drugs and that sorta helped.

Spent most of the day Monday feeling awful and obviously did not work. Tuesday woke up with a fever and more rounds of dry heaving. So this means I had two days of NO running!

Then on Wednesday I come home and think I will run on the treadmill and work on my speed because one day I will qualify for Boston. Well then I hop on the internet and see that everyone is talking about the requirements to get in. 5 minutes faster not THAT big of deal. I mean I might be able to pull off a 3:40 before then. BUT! even IF I get a 3:40 I still won't be "fast" enough. Because the ridiculously fast people get to register first. THANKS BOSTON! Thanks a lot! Guess I will go eat a cupcake and not run tonight. Okay not really but it seriously sucks. So much that I actually typed out the word sucks instead of censoring it like I usually do. I actually hate the word sucks and can't stand to hear people say it but tonight the word just sorta fits. Don't deliver bad news to a person who has been living on saltines and Sierra Mist!!

:) I will be over it soon enough but knew I could vent to you other running obsessed people! Sorry I have been a little MIA on commenting on your blogs but I didn't want to yak on the keyboard! I would have been in a really bad mood if I had to buy a new laptop. MacBooks don't come cheap and I am going to have to have spend all my extra money buying myself a spot into Boston... oops I started talking about it again!

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

1. Handmade gifts? Love or dislike? I love the idea of a homemade gift! I am not creative enough to do it myself but would never be offended by something that was made instead of bought.

2. Gift cards? Love or tacky? All about a gift card! I am all the time wanting to go shopping and having "free money" is great. Plus my husband knows I can be hard to please so I don't mind if he gets a gift card so I can get myself something I am wanting.

3. What type of theater do you frequent (like Cinemark, etc)? I think we have a Regal?? Who knows the answer to this! That may be because I go the movies about once a year and sometimes it is longer than. I HATE sitting in the movies.

4. Coffee? addict, like, can't stand? Starbucks, home, other? Can not stand it all all. I don't see myself ever becoming a coffee drinker. I do like to smell it though.

5. Do you read? Books you've been wanting to read? Type of books you like? I am waiting on the new Sookie Stackhouse to come out in May. I love to read Mary Higgins Clark, Nicholas Sparks and Patricia Cornwell. In the summer I typically read 20 books while I am not working. If someone tells me it is good I will read it. I mostly recently read "The Hunger Game" series.

6. 3 Favorite running accessories: Garmin, compression (tights, capris) and Clif Bloks?? I don't run with a lot of stuff. I prefer to keep it simple and would not run with a Garmin except I like to be able to run wherever I want and get my miles in.

7. Kids? Ages? 1 son who is age 2

8. Pets? TOO many; Weimaraner (Milly) Pug (Rancher) and 2 cats (Libby and Zoey)

9. 3 things you can't leave home without: Besides the obvious kid, keys and purse : ) Bottle of water, cell phone and I usually have my camera in case Parker does something cute

10. 3 Favorite magazines. I have never had a magazine suscription until recently I started getting Runner's World and Taste of Home

11. When you are in a running slump, what motivates you? new gear, making a new goal and the food I eat!

12. Complete the sentence, "My favorite thing about running/exercise is ______" feeling accomplished

13. Shoe size/t shirt size:shoe size 7 1/2 and shirt size XS or Small depending on where it is from

14. 3 Favorite Valentine's candies: If it is chocolate I will eat it! But I am a sucker for chocolate covered strawberries that tend to show up around Valentine's Day. But seriously if you have ever read my blog then you know I live off of junk food.

Habits of a Runner

2011-02-12T13:35:00.004-05:00

Bobbie from Journey In Running asked about running routines and I most definitely have them. I am a creature of habit in all aspects of my life. I can "fly by the seat of my pants" for shorter runs but when I get into anything longer than 13 miles I start making sure I have my ducks in a row. I am lucky that I can eat whatever I want the night before a run (minus milk products and alcohol) so that is not an issue. But I have to get certain things laid out. I always lay out my clothes after I check the weather; last night it was tights, wind break pants, thorlo socks, shoes, sport bra tank (the warm one), long sleeve shirt, zip up jacket, hat and headband. Then in the living room by the keys I lay out; granola bar, water, pre-run gu (caffeine one), go belt with 1 gu, cliff blocks, iPod and ID, gloves and Garmin. Post run I always call my mom and here lately have been going to get a victory cupcake!

Pam from the cake shopped made Pink Velvet for me this Saturday since she didn't have it last week! It was so funny when I ordered I got the last one and I heard Pam in the back say "No, you can't sell that one I saw Twila out running!" The girl quickly told her it was for me and Pam came out to make sure. When I saw her driving by while I was running I waved real big so she would know I was coming her way. If you are ever in Danville you have to stop by Twisted Sifter for their yummy cupcakes.

Run Recap:

16 miles in 2 hours 28 minutes at a 9:18 pace

Started off cold (19 degrees) but ended nice and sunny

Looks like I will be signing up for Virginia. My brother will be off the ship and I have done okay with getting in my long runs. 3 more weekends of long runs, 1 taper weekend then Marathon weekend!

Screaming to get out!

2011-02-07T13:20:00.000-05:00

In my case it is the opposite! Somewhere inside me there is a FAT woman screaming to get out. But I can usually shut her up with a good run. But sometimes she makes me do stupid stuff like:

Buy this stuff at the grocery store! I buy sweets and say things like "I will just eat a little handful to stop the craving" or "trail mix is healthy" YEAH if you don't sit and pick the M&Ms out and eat just the M&Ms. I don't know if it is the cold weather but I am eating like a squirrel preparing for hibernation. EVERY time I walk in the kitchen I find my hand in one of these bags. I even ate some of the trail mix (aka M&Ms) and chocolate chips when I took this picture.

Does anyone else have this problem??? In the past 5 years I have quit smoking with zero effort, gave up cokes without thinking about and cut back on drinking without a second though so why can I not quit eating sweets? Let me give you a run thru an average day for me:

Breakfast: fiber one pop tart or bar

7:30 arrive at school

See my kids acting like hoodlums; eat a piece of a chocolate

8:00-9:00 Teach Math

9:05 go get a mini chocolate bar because my kids didn't know Math

9:05-9:55 Teach Math again

9:56 eat more chocolate because those kids forgot everything I taught yesterday

10:00-11:45 Teach Reading and Writing while eating chocolate because they forgot too

12:00-12:15 Healthy Lunch followed by more chocolate

12:15-12:45 Recess Detention with previously mentioned hoodlums

12:45-1:40 Planning; while eating more chocolate

1:40-2:40 Teach

One last piece of chocolate before I go home

HOME! to eat a healthy supper but have no fear I usually split some gummies with Parker and then eat chocolate as a reward for doing my run.

See the fat woman screaming to get out??? She is like FEED ME! FEED ME! I need a support group for real. I mean who stops in the middle of a 14 mile run to order cupcakes???

Mantra Bust!

2011-02-05T13:11:00.002-05:00

So here I am ready for 14 miles, right?? After 2 weeks of not hitting 14 miles you think I would be pumped but not so much. It was rainy and a little chilly and I just had that "lets stay home feeling". I even contemplated running all 14 on the treadmill so I could run the whole thing at a guaranteed 8:34 pace. I also wanted to finish last week's Biggest Loser but my husband reminded me that would be boring and I would probably quit before I got 14 in so I got dressed at left the house. Also, my husband checked the weather and said there was no wind so that helped make me think it would be an okay run. WELL guess what the wind showed up in the form of 37 mph gust! NOT FUN. It was so wet and windy I had no voice by the time my run was over. UGH!

Earlier in the week I received a little motivation; the Twisted Sifter (cake shopped) cupcake flavor list for the week. PINK VELVET was finally back on the menu. I have not been "allowed" to go until Pink Velvet was there. My whole run I was like "pink velvet, pink velvet". So at 11 miles I went in to order and get a little bounce back in my step for the last 3 miles. Guess what? NO pink velvet. I was super bummed but went ahead and ordered a Margarita cupcake plus 1 for the hubs and the kid.

GU winner! Shorts!

2011-01-31T21:27:00.004-05:00

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:5

Looks like the number 5 is the lucky winner! #5 comment is: Dawn from Musings from the Pigg Pen I love that she is going to share the GU with a friend.

This weekend was awesome! First off it was above freezing and there was SUNshine : ) I meant to take a picture of my run because it was such a beautiful day but I never remember my camera. Saturday morning I ran with shorts (light tights underneath) but on Sunday I wore shorts and felt so free!

Reason #2 this weekend was awesome: PACE! I have been doing a lot of speed work and really wanting to get faster. This summer I could run fast for a 5K but not for long runs. Saturday I hit the pike on two missions: 14 miles and a sub 9:00 pace (hopefully close to 8:35). So I took off and cranked up the music. It was great and I pushed hard the whole time! Sometimes I would look down and see 7:30s! The slowest I was on one hill on the way back and I hit 9:30. If you look at the picture above the gray is elevation and the blue is my speed. I love how it is pretty even for the whole run. My average was an 8:24 which is lower than my "B" goal! I did stop at 9 miles to meet my mom and run an easier 5 miles. The low point was a random foot cramp that shut me down at 12 miles : ( BUT I redeemed myself on Sunday with a nice 5 mile run (sub 45 mins) AND I ran a "fast" mile to see what I could do! 7:35 mile!

Great way to start the week! I did bike and walk today to let the legs heal but will be running again come Wednesday. Tomorrow night is class night : ( And hitting the treadmill at 10:00 pm is for the birds! Hope everyone had a great weekend and I will be back to reading blogs soon. Super busy this weekend with all my fabulous running! We also bought a new couch and my son was super awesome this weekend. I will leave you with a little bit of cuteness:

How to...

2011-01-26T14:23:00.003-05:00

First learn to love the treadmill and an 8:34 since pace since that will get you 7 miles in an hour (average nap time). That also happens to be close to BQ pace for me.

Second crank the volume up on the monitor so it can be heard over the treadmill. Pre-nap I change clothes and get the monitor set up so I can lay the kid down and jet downstairs.

DVR lots of TV! Cartoons for when the kid is up during the run and plenty of trashy reality TV should do it.

Surround your treadmill and bike with lots of toys! There are no rules in the playroom besides "Don't bother Mommy"

Today's run was a success! 8 miles all at an 8:34 pace!

Double success when the desired mileage gets done AND the kid is still asleep. Today was a triple bonus because I was able to shower and get clothes on before he woke up. Not all days work out so well but today was perfect. Today was even better because it was a Snow Day so I did not have to work and I did this during nap. Typically Wednesday "medium" runs are done after 7:30pm when the munchkin goes to bed.

Running Like a Mother at it's finest!

GASP.... a Giveaway

2011-01-23T19:06:00.002-05:00

Shocking I know but don't worry I have not drank the Kool-aid. I am not one to get all excited about giveaways or do them BUT I have these extra GUs and chomps and hate to see anything go to waste. I have a set eating routine for long runs and my belly can not handle new stuff. Roctane and my belly do not mix and I love my Clif Shot Blocks. SO you can have my left overs from a sample pack : ) If you are new to running this will be a great way to try some stuff without wasting money.

There are 2 Chomps and 5 Gus. I just ask that you spread the word somewhere. Facebook it, blog it, tweet it, e-mail it, call a friend or send a letter. I don't care! Maybe I will get an extra follower or two : ) What you see is what you get. I will use one of those random selector things and post a winner on the night of January 31st.

Long Run Ramblings

2011-01-22T12:51:00.003-05:00

Something about long runs make me want to blog. Today was suppose to be a 14 mile run but my belly made me stop : ( It was super cold at the start (14 degrees) but I was not that cold. I wore too many clothes so I ended up getting hot at the end. I think that is one reason I wanted to stop to. But I kept on going when the other girls stopped at their 9 miles. However, it wasn't long after that my belly really started hurting so I headed back and settle for 11 miles.

Cold weather takes a beating on my body. The cold I am can handle in terms of temperature but the cold makes my joints ache and I have more GI issues in the cold. I am ready for a nice warm run! 40 degrees would be wonderful.

I also wore my compression socks outside but I don't think I am going to like running in them. They were great for extra warmth but I think they are going to be more recovery for me. This week was a little "low" in mileage because I did extra cross training due to some soreness from my speed workouts. Oh well! When the body says take it easy you listen.

If I were rich...

2011-01-19T20:28:00.002-05:00

I would be motivated to run more often. Tonight I had new compression socks and I wanted to try them out and this weekend I had the new Garmin to try out. It totally helps get you out the door or on the treadmill.

A lot of you had asked about the Garmin and yet it is the 305 : ) I still love it and can not believe how quick it gets a signal. I can't wait to get back outside this weekend. I purchased some CEP compression socks and didn't love them or hate them. I think they are way too hot to wear inside on the treadmill but super excited too wear them this single digit Saturday for some extra warmth. I was worried they were going to be hard to get on. That is not the problem they are hard to get off! Did someone tell me once that CEP sends you a free pair for a race photo with them on??

8 weeks of training to go! Been getting in 3 week day treadmill runs (5 to 7 miles) and then long runs on the weekend (up to 12 now).

New Garmin!

2011-01-15T13:20:00.002-05:00

I LOVE my new Garmin! I ran 12 miles today (some with my mom) and was so excited when I came home and uploaded my run. It told me pace, distance, averages, where I ran and the elevation! SO neat : ) Sorta glad the old one broke!

My run went pretty well. It was "warm" by the end of the run. Lots of sun and high 30s so it felt really good. I was able to stay under 10:00 min miles the whole time and ran a couple sub 9:00 min miles. When I ran with mom my pace was a little more all over the place since I would run ahead or her, back to her and then with her. BUT I was still able to get in 12 miles right at 2 hours so I think I would have been a few minutes under if I had ran the whole thing by myself.

Last week I was able to run a lot more thanks to some snow days. Hoping this coming week I can be as motivated and run even thought it will be 7:30 or late before I hop on the treadmill. When it is cold out I want to curl up with a blanket and just be warm.