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.

Dear Long Run

My Dear long run,
   I am so sorry if you feel I have deserted you.  I promise when the time is right and I can give you my full attention that you deserve I will be back.  And no, I have not replaced you with the newest, latest training strategies, you are still the only one for me.  I have spent some time with the indoor treadmill, but it only makes me long for you even more.  I can not wait for the day that the sun is beating down, warming the air to a balmy 30+ degrees.  I swear, when that day arrives I will come running to you, I will run in to your arms and never let go.

Love,
The cold weather wimp

Random thoughts of Thankfulness

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  We did, full of turkey, too much pumpkin pie and family.   It was a nice long weekend and a great time to reflect all that we have to be thankful for.

 Of course #1 on that list are my 5 healthy kids.  I was reminded when I sat at the school lunch table with my daughter today, that not all people are as fortunate.  My kids are my world, and even though some times they might drive me crazy, I do realize how truly blessed I am. 

  I have been running for a full year now, almost 2 and I am very thankful that I have found a new passion. (one cheaper than my previous obsession with childrens clothes, LOL)  I am thankful that running found me and I have a new, more healthy body and lifestyle.  I think of the message that a healthy lifestyle sends to my children and I am proud we have made that choice. 

  I am thankful for extended family and friends.  A close friend of ours lost his father today.  When such events take place that force us to look at our own lives, I am quickly reminded to never leave anything unsaid.  Overuse I LOVE YOU!!!     Laugh often, love freely!!!

ME VS. MIND

  I declare myself the winner!!!!  After a few weeks of missing/avoiding the long run due to the onset of the winter like weather I was determined to get a long run in this weekend.  Hubby ended up being gone Sat.  (lucky duck went to an Iowa Hawkeye game) so I couldn't get out of the house to run.  That left today as my only option.  Well, woke up this morning to find decent temps in the upper 30's, but complete cloud cover and continuous drizzle.  We ventured to our Sun. lunch spot, (Pizza hut buffet...yikes) and after filling my belly to the brim and watching the drizzle become rain on the windshield I had all but talked myself out of the long run, and in to a simple 6 mile at the gym.
  Okay, here's where it gets tricky.  If I'm being honest here, I will tell you that it was the nearly instant fighting by all 5 children that sent me running to the door.  The outside run does much more for the stress relieving than the gym.  I set out to do 8-10 and felt really good after 8, so I decided to venture on.  The pace wasn't fast, but a nice steady "I love running" pace.
  I feel a real sense of accomplishment today.  I have won the mental battle and now have a bit more confidence that I will not be so easily defeated by the slightest chill in the air.  Well, this is Iowa, maybe the slightest chill is an understatement, but I will take on the 30's anyday.  I DID IT!!