WHAt? No Yogurtland

  So, I have figured out why I LOVE to read all the running blogs I can get my hands on, and yet never give nay focus to my own, very lame, attempt at a blog.  No Yogurtland (and no Costco, but that's a different post)  I have figured out that Yogurtland simply must be the key to a good running blog.  Post after post, blogger after blogger I read the name and see the icon.  Envious because I have never in my life seen a Yogurtland, much less had the chance to taste the deliciousness.  Maybe, oh maybe, a yogurtland will come somewhere near me soon.  I'll have to google to see where the closest one is, but I"m sure we're not getting one in small town (pop, 3500) any time soon.  YOu may all cry with me now!!

Long time coming

  Well folks, it's been a while.  Literally have not posted since the beginning of summer.  I think my failure at Dam to Dam was a set back for me and took the wind out of my sales for a bit.  I know, I was injured and all, but it just wasn't all that I had dreamed of.  I kept running, but not nearly the miles and the training that I had been doing.  Well, I have been careful to take appropriate rest days, and I feel like I'm back.  I am back to actually loving my runs and being happy with the fact that I am running and not so stuck on winning and pace.   I have won or placed in several local races, so it is exciting to see my iron medal holder getting a little attention.  I have recenlty been loving my outside sunset and sunrise runs.  I was careful for a long time not to run 2 days in a row, but I am slowly working back to more.  As always, reading posts from others and following the trials of other runners motivates me.  This is the reason I am posting today.  If this 40 year old mom of 5 could help motivate anyone to get started, then it's all worth it....Happy Running all.

Dam lessons learned

  So, this past Saturday I ran Iowa's largest distance classic, Dam to Dam 20K.  This would be my longest race to date, in fact, I've never raced longer than a 5K (mistake #1).  I have run many long runs ranging from 8-13 miles every weekend, but my weekly training was lacking.  About 6 weeks ago I ended up injuring my leg and had several xrays, followed by an MRI.  The conlcusion...a stress reaction.  What is that you ask?  I was told it is a stress fracture waiting to happen.  The sports doc gave me permission to run the race, but only train with zero pain until then.  That left me opting for the elliptical most days and missing out on the planned tempo runs, speed workouts and even easy runs.  My weekly plan of 30 miles quickly turned to 16.  YIkes!!  My final long run on the TM was brilliant by my standards.  I ran 2 miles hard and walked 1 minute to simulate water stops.  I was able to proceed for 10 miles before I had to get off because the TM's filled up.  NO problem, I had gained the confidence I needed.
  The entire family and I headed to Des Moines on Friday evening for packet pickup.  I was anxious, but still feeling a little confidence carry over from my last run.  Here was HUGE mistake #2.  I know that my perceived effort on the TM is different than the road.  I battled to keep my pace on the road the first runs I did in the spring.  However, what I didn't realize is over the 12.4 mile distance, just how much the effort would consume me.  Lesson #1...train more outside in the elements!!!!!!
  The kids (yes, there are 5 if you haven't realized), hubby and I got back to the hotel at about 9pm.  We got them all settled and I tried to get to rest.  I watched the entire movie Titanic and was still far from dreamland.  I beleive I saw every 15 minute increment until 1:19 am and then may have slept for a few minutes at a time until 4:30am.  Yes, I'm sure I got no more than 1 1/2 hours of sleep. 
  When the wakeup call came I drug myslef out of bead and got into my race gear.  I tried to force myself to eat a banana and some Cheerios.  (which I may have gotten down 1/2)  Fueling properly just might be another issue ya think?  I headed to get on the bus at 5:00am.
  The first few miles of the race went relatively well.  I was on pace (wanted to finish in sub 2) for about the first half, then things went bad fast.  I got sick about mile 6.  I think I drank too much too quickly due to not being used to the humidity.  After that I was cautious about what I drank, which I think proceeded to dehydrate me even further.  By mile 8 I was walking as much as I was running.  So much for running 2 miles hard and walking 1 minute.  I was barely running a 1/2 mile then walking a 1/2 mile.  My legs felt numb and I had to concentrate on evey step to make sure my feet were hitting the ground.  I was never soo happy to see my kids and hubby at the finish.  Bless there hearts, my kids were all holding signs that said "my mommy rocks"!!  So sweet, especially since I was far  from rocking it.  My pace was nearly 3 minutes PER MILE off from what I had hoped.  I guess the bright side is that I learned alot of lessons and I have set a really low bar to shatter next year.  Oh yes, and I'm sportin' the bling to prove it, which makes it all worth it.

Confidence Creeps in

  I say creeps, because I am very wary of letting it fulling take me over.  I have gone more than a month without following my training plan whatsoever.  After my leg injuries started I have had to settle for 2-3 runs a week, rather than the 5 my plan specifies.  I have settled for the weekend long run and maybe a run of 2-3 miles mid week and that's it.  No tempo run, no speedwork...Yikes, it's scary to type that out!!  Anyway, I did my final long run on Sat.  It was on the TM as recommended by the doc, to help keep the impact down.  Great idea except...I love the TM and my confidence soars on the TM.  I really need a long run on the roads just to prove I could do it, but this will have to do.  I tried a new plan of running 2 miles at about a 9:00 pace then walking 1 minute (to simulate water breaks)  It seemed to work good.  I was able to keep the pace the entire time.  It was a little rough by 8, but doable.  Now, If this run just translates to the road, I"ll be in good shape come Sat.

Trials and Tribulations

  Well, I haven't posted in a while because there hasn't been much to say, (unless of course you like reading the sob stories and whining that I've been doing these days.)  I did run the 5K Earth day run and placed third in my age group.  Was soooo hoping for another medal to add to me new iron medal holder, but alas, the awards were water bottles.  Nothing wrong with that, but I am kinda partial to some bling versus a water bottle my kids will steal sometime in the first week.  The run wasn't bad, the temperature (high 30's) was fine, the 30 MPH winds were brutal, but for 3.1 miles, not so bad.  My calf cramped the last 1/2 mile and since then I've been having some huge issues with it.  My life revolves around XTing, icing, compression..repeat., repeat...  It seems I recover all week, run long on the weekend and recover all week.  I saw the sports doc on Monday who did xrays and scheduled me for an MRI on Friday.  Hopefully I'll get some answers.  Dam to Dam 20K is in 2 1/2 weeks and I haven't got any good training runs in in nealy 3 weeks.  UGH!  Looks like if I am able to run, any time goals are out the window.  Keep your fingers crossed that I'll get some results soon.  Thanks

Officially wimped out

Well, it's official.  I called the race director today and changed my entry from 10K to 5K.  Call me scared, but I'm not feeling the need to run my first 6.2 in 40mph gusts and snow/rain.  I know it would be a perefct time to set a really low PR and have no place to go but up, but I also don't want to have this awful 1st experience and dread ever doing it again.  So, it's official, I'll only be running 3.1 tomorrow..in the rain..or snow..and the wind...UGH!!

Winning combination?

  Wind and cold...NOT a winning combination in my book. 
  I'm really trying to NOT get myself all freaked out about the upcoming 10K Saturday, but when the forecast came out and is predicting 39 for a high and 20-30 mph winds I tend to get a little nervous.  I have trained lots for this race, hit my pace many a time and done all I can to be prepared, but not sure I can prepare for that.  My first fault is that nearly all of my training has been on the treadmill, and the switch to the road has been a wake up call.  I definitely need to find my road legs.  My recent runs have left me less than sure about my confidence level.  I've had a few great ones, and few that leave me wondering why I am attempting my first 10K so early in the season.  (I've run the distance plenty, but the outside pace seems so different) 
  The wind is what is really scaring me.  I am a total fair weather runner.  If the wind is over 10mph I opt for the TM.  The race is right off the lake, so the certainty of lake wind and cold is 100%.  I may need to reevaluate my time goals.  The good news is that since this is my 1st 10K, I'll surely be giving myself lots of room for improvement in future ones.  LOL.  I will try to be calm and see what the day brings, but YIKES I'm getting nervous!!

Most excellent adventure

Okay, maybe not an adventure, but compared to the miles and miles I put in on the treadmill this winter, a romp around our small little town 4 times was quite an adventure to me.  I put in several outside runs last week.  The first was horrid and painful to the ego, then they progressively got better.  My goal Sat. was to start at a decent 10K pace to test my confidence for an upcoming Earth Day race, run the 6.2, rest or walk a bit, and then finish out with 5 or 6 easy miles.  I decided to carry my water in a new Athleta hand held I had purchased, but wasn't really crazy about carrying something.  I carried it the first 3 miles then flung it in my sisters yard on the way by.  I didn't bring any mid run fuel, mostly because I haven't found anything that I like.  I tried to stay at a 9:00 pace or below for the first 6.  Success!!  I finished in 54:54, which is something like 8:49 I think.  I'm gonna shoot for 8:40 on race day.  I slowed the pace after the first 10K and finished with a total of 11.25 miles.  My pace for the day was 9:47.  Not bad at all for my first long run.  I was hoping my legs wouldn't be screaming at me for going from 3.25 miles to 11.25, but so far they've felt good.  I iced and used the stick several times and I will run some repeats tonight at the gym, so we'll see.  Feeling pretty confident for next weeks race.

Redemption

  Feeling SOOOO much better after today's run!!!  I still kept it short, only 3.27 miles, but I finished uploading the Garmin with an entirely different attitude.  Today my overall average pace was 8:29, as opposed to yesterday's 9:30.  Woo HOo, 1 minute per mile faster.  I think yesterday the shock of getting back on the road scared me.  I didn't remember what it was like to have to hold my own pace rather than relying on the whirling belt of the treadmill.  I was proud of myself for jumping right back in to another outside run today rather than literally running from it.  I actually couldn't wait, I knew I had something to prove.  Now all that being said, I am still intimidated by the 10K coming up.  Haven't decided for sure if I will change the registration to 5K, or suck it up.  A few more test runs of longer distances will tell this coming week, but one thing is for sure.  This girl is BACK!!!

Did you continue your winter training outside in the cold, or were you a treadmill runner?

Did/Do you have a hard time getting back on the road?

Conclussion

  So, I finally got outside today.  I have mentioned before that I am a complete cold weather wimp.  I have not run outside since Christmas Day, and that was only because I got some new cold weather gear.  Today was a balmy 36 degrees with almost no wind, so it felt really nice.  I slipped in to the Under Armour cold geat and a light jacket, running pants and my Kayano's and I was off.  My shins hurt a little right off the bat, leaving me wondering what this run might bring.  I left with intentions of running 5-6 miles, and let's just say those intentions quickly changed.  I have really been having some issues rebounding from my long runs.  My shins seem to be sore and my calves tight for 2-3 days after.  UGH!!  I can't take that many days recovery you darn 40 yr. old body!!!  Throughout the winter I have obviously done all of my training on a treadmill, and unlike most, I love a good treadmill run.  I have increased my 5K time to around 8:00 mi. pace and can easily run 10K in 9:00 pace (or less).  Well, let's just say that confidence did NOT translate to the road.  Maybe it was just a bad run, or maybe it was my sore shins, but I struggled to keep the pace under 9:30.  YIKES!!  I ended up running 3.28 miles at a 9:29 pace.  I decided that should be enough for day one on the road.  I had better slowly venture back to avoid worse shin splints than I already have.  Isn't it said that after you're on a boat you need to find your "land legs"?  Well, I definately need to find my "road legs".  Seriously, it felt like I had never gone fast before in my life. 
  I have filled out the paperwork for a very fast approaching 10K, but I may have to consider switching to the 5K.  We'll see what happens in the next week.  I am confident that I will get my groove back, it may just take longer than I had anticipated.

10 is the magic number

  Isn't that from the Electric Company, or Sesame Street.  Ahh well anyway, it had a ring to it.   I got my long run in today on the treadmill.  I am just not up to dealing with the freezing cold and wind yet, or ever for that matter.  I grabbed a GU to try and headed to the gym to pop off the big 10.  I have had a few issues with long runs.  I usually get them done, but they're not my favorite.  I like runs that build my confidence and keeping me wanting more.  Long runs do neither of those things for me.  When I'm doing speed work I feel FAST... (relative term of course),  I race for PR's on the treadmill (LOL, I know) and feel so accomplished as I see my time improving.  Tempo runs teach me that I can sustain a respectable pace for an extended amount of time.  Long runs...I got nothin'.  I am "supposed" to run my long runs at a 10:00 (or slower) pace, which I get no gratification out of.  Today I decided I needed something to mix it up.  I decided for the first 7 miles I would run at a steady 10:00 pace, but alternate hill workouts.  It worked!  It kept my mind off the slow pace and on the fact that I was doing my leg strengthening a big favor.  My ipod died at about mile 5, so I was forced to finish the last half without music.  I have Never run without music, so this was a new experience.  Kinda liberating I must say.  The last 3 miles I ran at 1/2 marathon pace (9:05).  It did give me some confidence to know I could finish strong at pace.  Hopefully I have unlocked a secret to not only getting through the long runs, but feeling good about it.
   Oh, and about the GU.  Kudos to those of you who can tolerate them.  I tried one after 1 hour on the treadmill (even though I knew I really didn't NEED one),  I must say, I kinda gagged and threw up in my mouth.  YUCK!!  I will stick with the sport jelly beans until I find something else.  Any advice on what I might try next?

Get over it

  So, there is a race looming in the distance.  No, not the BIG 1/2 marathon I've spoke of, but a small town Earth Day 10K and 5K.  No big deal right...well, I've got a decision to make.  Am I gonna do the "oh, I'm so comfortable and confident" 5K, or the "break out of my comfort zone and suck it up" 10K.  I have trained plenty for the 10K, in fact, I'm in the middle of 1/2 training, so the distance isn't an issue, just the fear.  I feel like in a 10K I have to run fast the entire time to finish in a respectable time.  (fast being a relative term of course)  I can just buck up for 3.1 miles, but 6...UGH!!  I'd like to finish in less than 54 minutes and I am so competitive that failing is hardly an option.
  So...last night I did a test run.  I ran 6.2 miles in 54:30.  That brought me in at something like an 8:47 pace, which I would be happy with.  The real problem is that I am so confident on the TM and I panic on the roads.  Weird huh??  Everyone I know hates the TM and loves the road.  I'm this weirdo strange runner who started on the treadmill and I've gained so much speed and confidence on it that I get scared when I'm forced to step out of the box. 
  Alrighty, so here it is....I am gonna get it out in print, which means I have to do it, right.  I am gonna do the 10K.  There, I typed it..now it will become reality.  Now let the positive self talk begin...I can do this..I CAN DO THIS!!!I CAN DO THIS!!

Doing the best I can

  I am just finishing up my second week of uninterrupted 1/2 marathon training.  I say uninterrupted because the first few weeks were hampered with chest colds and shin splints.  It has felt good to get in some quality workouts and feel my speed increase.  As I progress, I am really loving the speed and even tempo workouts that build my confidence and tell my brain that "I can", indeed pull of these once believed superhuman feats.  I have been improving my 5K time to just over 8:00 pace and have recently run 6 miles all under 8:50 pace.  These runs all took place on the treadmill, so hopefully they translate to good times on the pavement soon.
  I'd be lying if I said eveything was all rosy.  I seem to be hopping from one injury or ailment to the next.  Right now I spend my days icing my right knee that is swollen and sore.  I can run through it, but not sure that is the "right" thing to be doing.  I am motivated by the fact that I need to see my miles increase for the May 1st marathon I am planning for, yet I don't want to do anymore damage.  It also seems that mid week (after 2-3 hard runs) my shin splints start reappearing.  While I can deal with the knee pain, the shin splints are an entirely different story.  The pain of running on them is sometimes unbearable.
  The temps this weekend are supposed to be in the high 40's, so I'm hoping for my first long run outdoors.  I have become a winter wimp and have done nearly all (okay, all) of my training on the treadmill.   I know that I need to get these legs ready for outdoors and the changing conditions that brings. 
  So, here's hoping for some great weather and miraculous recoveries.  Have a great weekend everyone, and RUN ON!!

Back in the saddle

  So, I am back on track and it feels great!!  I vowed to get back to the plan on Monday, after having a terrible chest cold that wouldn't let go.  Monday I ran 3 miles in the morning at the rec center and then ran out of time due to the 30 min. max.  The treadmills got full, so I did the only decent thing and got off after my 30 minutes.  I decided to go back in the evening to finish the final 2-3 miles and had the BEST run I have had in a while.  I have a goal of doing a 5K at an 8:00 pace at some point this summer.  Monday I sights on completing 2 miles at 8:00 pace to see where I was at.  After 2 miles I felt great and decided to go for it.  I finished the 3 miles and even had some energy for a kick at the end.  Woo Whooo!!  It felt great!!  I have a really great relationship with the treadmill, and typically I can run faster times on the treadmill (I've been told that is rare) so, I'm hoping I can duplicate that pace on the road. 
  Tuesday I took a rest day and did some core work on the stability ball and Wednesday morning I ran 5 miles at an easy pace.  Tonight (thurs) I am heading out for a pizza with some girl friends, so I'm not sure if I will get the run in tonight or not, but the rest of the week I have runs scheduled, along with volleyball on Sunday. 
   What I need to do now is actually press the REGISTER button for my first 1/2.  I keep saying I"m doing one on May 1st, but haven't actually registered.  Need to do it before I become a big chicken and back out.  Here's hoping I stay healthy and motivated.

Do you have lots of races on your 2011 schedule?  When?  Where?

Completely Craptastic

  Okay, so I am forwarning you that this post will be filled with more negativity than you might need to hear.  If you are an "only fill my mind with fluffy positive thoughts" kinda creature, then you may want to skip it.  Weird thing is...I am usually one of those people who doesn't care to hear it, yet I also find the need to just get it out sometimes.
  Here's the thing, I am feeling completely craptastic the last few weeks.  I pretty much had one good week of 1/2 marathon training and it's been all down hill from there.  I started by running a few too many miles in my Kinvaras (Can you say SHIN SPLINTS??) , For the next entire week I iced, wore my compression socks to bed and used the marathon stick daily.  by the following week I was able to get in a semi long run and they've felt good since then but... since then I have had a terrible chest cold on and off.  I was miserable for 3 or 4 days and then it seemed to clear up for a day or two, now it is back, rearing it's evil head again.  I am coughing so hard at night I nearly need an adult diaper to stop from wetting myself.  Seriously, after you've had 5 kids, much of the control is out of your hands.  I start to feel better mid day, but by the time I can get out for a run, I'm exhausted and congested again.  Ugh!!  I'm trying to be positive...atleast my legs will certainly be fresh after this.
  I guess the bright side is that it is very early in training and I will be able to rebound, but it is frustrating nonetheless. 
  Okay, so there's my pity party.  I'm feeling much better now!!  Have a GREAT day!!

4 down, 1 to go

  Well, I got through the first full week of 1/2 training without too much deviation, despite the fact that kid #4 became sick.  Now, 4 out of the 5 have been sick in the past 2 weeks.  Hopefully, this is the end of the stomach bug at our house.  I have been lucky enough to escape so hopefully I'm clear.  My son asked me the other day  "who holds the bucket when mommy is sick"?  It was so sweet, he was genuinely so concerned and said he would take care of me, since I take care of him. 
  We had a crazy busy weekend and I knew I wasn't gonna be able to run long.  I was short a few miles this week, but I was proud of myself for rearranging my schedule and getting the long run in on Thurs night. I was a few miles short of where I wanted to be because my run was interrupted at mile 8 with the call that Rylee (daughter #3) was sick.   I think that will be the key to my training...flexibilty.  With 5 busy kids and a dear hubby who works swings shift I am thrown all kids of challenges any given week.  I just need to keep my mind open. 
  Anyway, I'm feeling great and after yesterdays fast 5K, well...I'm feeling fast. (atleast at the short distances)  I think it might be a while before I'm confident in pushing to my 9:00 pace on an extended run.  I tried it Thurs and well, lets just say it was HARD.  I just need to be patient I guess. 
  Hope everyone is having a great weekend and staying healthy.

So, my first training challenge

 So, I know this might sound silly, because I know there are sure to be much bigger hurdles ahead (like how in the world I'm gonna work up to a 9:00 pace for 13 miles), but this is my first training challenge and I just officially started.  I guess being a busy mom to 5, I should expect many of these to arise, but I am intent on following my training plan as closely as possible, while accommodating the needs of 5 kids, 10 daycare kids, and the world's best hubby.  (just looking for the brownie points I'm sure I'll need on occasion to get out of the house) So, the issue....I continue to read that the "long run" is the most important in training.  No matter what, don't skip the long run..blah, blah, blah.  Well, turns out that Sat. (my preferred long run day) my oldest daughter has her first basketball tourney that pretty much lasts the entire day.  Immediately after the tourney hubby and I have to head out to bowling league.  Sunday brings 6 games of volleyball.  No, it's not hard core, but not so sure I want to run 9-10 miles from 1-3pm them play volleyball at 3pm and 7pm.  Hmmm, what to do???  If it was warmer out I would run really early on Sunday, but I still find myself a fair weather girl and really don't want to brave temps under 15 degrees.  So, there's the dilemma, simple as it sounds, I'm stumped and don't want to stray from the plan so early.  Just might have to hit the gym for 9 miles tonight.   Not sure my body (or brain) would no how to handle a 9 mile Thurs, but it just might have to.

Are you good at following your training plans?

What do you do if you have to deviate?

I wish

  So, I've been doing my daily check of the blogs I love and I have been finding myself increasingly jealous.   I hear stories of 60 degree + weather, I see pictures of gorgeous running trails and I yearn for the breeze coming off the lake and the sunrise over the ocean that some describe.  Wow, I keep thinking to myself, if I only had these idealistic conditions, the motivation wouldn't be hard to come by.  Instead, I live in the cold tundra and flatlands of Iowa, where every day recently has been filled only with the view of the 4 gym walls and the pounding of my feet on the hamster wheel.  I long to rediscover the great outdoors, even if it is running round and round in circles in my itty bitty town.  It may be a few more months before I can consistanly get an outdoor run in.  I am hoping that the 8-10 mile long runs I've been putting in on the weekends translate to long runs outside, so I'm not losing too much conditioning.  As I sit here typing this out I'm trying to look at the bright side.  Along with the "green with envy" posts about gorgeous scenery and weather are scattered posts of injury.  I am thankful to be free of pain (at the moment) and able to run, if only on the treadmill. 
  On another note, I am thrilled with my progress.  It seems that my standard daily run of 3 miles as somehow turned into nearly 5.  I have discovered that if I hit the gym in the latest evening hours it is open that the treadmills are open and I can run to my heart's content, ignoring all 30 minute max. notices.  I have been entertained by many a reality show and been able to steadily pound out the 5 miles on a regular basis.  Yippee for me!!!

Does your gym have max times on the equipment?
How is your winter training going?
 

Gearing up for my 1st half

Well, it's been a long while since I've posted.  I've been working out and running lots, but winter running in small town Iowa is anything but eventful.  I think I picked the wrong time to start my blog because there doesn't seem to be anything that is very inspiring right now.  Maybe once the spring/summer running and racing season comes I will have more exciting things to post.  For right now I am enjoying keeping up with other people running blogs.  I am envious of the warm weather runners who can take part in weekly races.  For me, it will have to wait for atleast Apr. or May. 
  Some exciting news though...I am very close to deciding on my first 1/2.  I have been looking at the Stillwater MN. 1/2 on May 29th.  The date is perfect, as hubby is off work for the weekend, but it falls the weekend before Iowa's largest distance run, Dam to Dam...hmm, what to do.  Either a 1/2 with hubby able to watch or 20K possibly without him there.  What's a girl to do??  I have printed out some training plans I anticipate loosely following.  I'm gonna take one more 6 week session of bootcamp starting next week, then I'm gonna designate my time soley to the training.  Hope everyone has had a great start to their New Year, we sure have.