Simple Post
1. Run a 5K PR @25:30 (the others that appear to be lower were short routes)
2. Run another 1/2 marathon with a less pathetic outcome
3. Train atleast 18 (running) miles each week. Yes, I know to many that is laughable, but I'm old and need to XT atleast 2 days.
4. Listen to my body and rest when needed.
5. Run atleast 1 10K
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Saturday, November 19, 2011
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!!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
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.
Monday, June 6, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
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.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
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
Friday, April 15, 2011
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!!
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