Birthday 12 Miler!

Yes, I ran 12 miles on my birthday and it was great!  I know it is weird to say that running 12 miles was great but for me it was.  The last 2 weekends I have had really BAD long runs and felt like there was just no way I was ever going to be ready for the half marathon in a few weeks but after this weekend, I know I can do it!  It is going to be tough but I have it in me to finish and not walk!  I am pretty excited.

I had to wait a little while to get start on Saturday morning because it was storming but that did give me time to have some wonderful birthday pancakes from my hubby!  Probably not the best pre-run food but I didn't care.  After we check the weather forecast and saw that there was no more rain on the radar I got ready and headed out the door.  This time I took some energy chewables from Powerade with me and I really think those helped.  Matt came to check on my around mile 6 to make sure I was doing ok.  He gave me a little pep talk and then headed back home.  As I was rounding the corner on mile 11 I saw him again.  He was waiting for me, gave me some water and then I was off to the finish.  It felt great to get those 12 miles in.

I had a little companion for part of the run.  Since I live out in the country it is pretty typically for dogs to be running loose.  As I was running past a house their dog decided that I needed some company and it was at a great time.  It was around miles 6-8 that he keep up with me.  My route is an out and back so the dog was with me about a mile past his house and then I turned around heading back towards his home.  I thought once we reached his house again that he would not follow me but I got about another half mile down the road and he was still with me.  I figured that he would probably follow me all the way home so I turned back around and took him home.  His owners were apologetic but I told them that I enjoyed having a running partner for a few miles and it was no big deal.  They were really nice and told me to come by any time!  So that was fun.

So I got the 12 miles in and now it's tapering down until the big race on April 29!  I can't wait to get my first half marathon under my belt.

10 Miles!

Wow I can't believe I actually ran 10 miles this past Saturday, but I did!  It was such an accomplishment but it was also SO HARD!  I never thought the miles would end.

Matt was so sweet because he got worried about me so he headed out on the 4 wheeler to come and find me.  He found me on my last mile sucking wind but it was the last bit of motivation I needed.

Miles 1-4 were pretty good, and I was enjoying the outdoors and exploring the lovely town of Paxico.  My music was great...although I now know I need a longer play list, the water was working and I felt good!

Miles 5-9 terrible!  It might have been because for most of that I was running on a slight incline and the wind was right in my face and it was getting hotter.  I tried to focus on my music and not think about the miles but the problem I have is once I get into my head it is hard for me to get back out.  I talked myself into a downfall and it was not good.  I kept saying there is no way I can do this, I am so slow, this is so stupid....and many more bad things.

Mile 10 I found some energy and probably because the hubby came with his encouragement, some ice cold water and I stopped for about 30secs to take a drink and talk to him.  Once I got back going I had a hill to get up and then it was smooth sailing.  Once my garmin beeped it's lovely beep at me for the 10th time I thought I might cry!

So I made it and it wasn't pretty but I made it.  A few hours later my legs were pretty tight and a little sore but after a good nights sleep I was feelin good.  Running by yourself is hard!  I wish I had people around here to do these long runs with but I live out away from so many people that run it's not possible to run together.  Maybe I can convince Matt to get a bike so he can at least keep me company!

St Patty's 10K

This past Saturday I ran the St. Patty's 10K here in Manhattan, KS.  Let me just say it was such a fun race BUT it was HOT and WINDY!  The race did not start until 10:45 which is pretty late for most races and by that time the wind was about 20mph and it was in the 70's!  Needless to say I still had a good time. My sweet hubby was such a trooper also!  He went into Manhattan to support me by sitting at a bar drinking green beer and watching the K-State game.  I have to give him credit though because he did wave at me as I passed by the window after I finished the 10K!  Love him :)

I tried hard not to go to fast at the beginning or even during the whole race because I knew that after the 10K I still had 2 more miles to go on my long run day.  It was pretty tough to stay at a consistent pace because I kept wanting to go faster because I was feeling pretty good!  But I did the smart thing and didn't speed up.

Me, Leslie and Zoe after the Race!

I finished the 10K in 62 minutes and then went on to finish the last 2 of my 8 miles on the schedule.  It was a tough day but it was an accomplishment to say the least.  My first 10K race and the farthest mileage I have ran.  So far training has been going great.  It has been fun to be back on the streets running again and really enjoying it this time!  I am trying not to think about time's just thinking about not walking.  I mean obviously I have a time in mind that I would like to finish in, but I don't want to harp on that and get down on myself if I don't make that.  Just finishing the half marathon and not walking is my biggest goal... :)

7 Weeks Away

So I am 7 weeks and 2 days away from my first half marathon!  I am doing great on my training and really enjoying running again!

Monday I was in Rogers, AR for a conference but I did not let that stop me from getting my miles in.  It was a little chilly because I went in the morning when I usually run over lunch but I made it.  I should probably get used to running in the morning!  It was nice to explore a new area by running even though I didn't explore much it was nice to have a different scenery to look at.  I also ran with another conference attendee which was nice.

Wednesday was crazy windy in Kansas so I opted for the gym to get my 4 miles in.  What I try and do when I am on a treadmill is to start at a certain pace and then keep increases each mile or so just to work on speed.  So I started at 9:40 pace and kept that for 2 miles, then mile 3 was at 9:31 and mile 4 at 9:22 with increasing the last minute to the finish.  It helps to do this on a treadmill for me since it keeps me on pace better.  So it was a great feeling to get the 4 done while increasing my speed and still feeling good at the end.

Thursday was a little chilly but it was sunny so it was outside for me.  I ran over lunch with my friend Leslie. It's nice to do this so we have the time to catch up, at least during the first half when we talk  :)

Saturday will be my long run day and I have 6 on the schedule.  It shouldn't be that bad since I have done 6 before but you never know.  Any day could be a great one and any day could be the worst run you have ever had.  All in all I am so happy to be back at it and so far so good on no injuries!

April 29...The BIG Day!

That is the day I will run my first HALF MARATHON!  That is right friends I signed up and am going to do this!  Last year I had signed up for one but got hurt and was unable to run.  I did not have any plans to sign up this year as I thought there would be something little growing but since that is not the case, I took the plunge and signed up.

I am so excited but nervous at the same time.  I can't believe I am going to do this but also I can't wait!  I am going to do my best to not be hard on myself and realize that all I want to do is finish without walking.  No time limit this go around, just finish.

Some maybe wondering if we are putting off starting a family and the answer to that is...HECK NO!  It has been a long year and some months so if I get pregnant then I get pregnant.  If not then we keep trying.  I kept putting off this half marathon for the 'what if I get pregnant' and then realized that I can't keep living my life for the 'what if's' and I need to start living my life for the things I can do.

So please pray for me and with me as the weeks go by.  It's going to be a fun ride!

Runner's high

So I finally reached it....the Runner's High!  It was a great moment and made all the set backs seem so far away. I have been struggling to run again after my injury and it just didn't seem like things were going to ever work out, but for once I did not give up and kept working at it and finally I was able to get over the 3 mile hump!  I was having trouble running further than 3 miles for a few weeks and finally something just clicked and now I have the ability to keep going.

I ran 5 miles this past Saturday and that is the furthest I have ran since my stress fracture almost a year ago.  It felt great!  I still had energy at the end and the rest of the day I was able to still walk around and do things and was not exhausted.  It was such a great feeling.

I am not training for anything at this time, I am just running.  There is something about lacing up my shoes and putting in that ipod that just gets me going.  It is my best time to let go and to think.  That might sound weird but it is.  I am able to let go of  A LOT of things while I am running and it helps in my every day relationships. It is such a great feeling and I am so happy to be where I am.  I look forward to getting in a few extra miles each week and to see just how far I will be able to go.

Oh and I got some sweet new kicks!

Religion says Do, Jesus says Done!

I don't care what your religious beliefs are because after watching this everyone should know that doesn't matter, HE matters!

I think this man's message speaks volumes.  It is important not to get caught up in someones religion but to see what they truly stand for.  If they are living for Christ it should not matter what they call themselves because at the end of the day being Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Mormon, or other doesn't matter, it is God's Love and His sacrifice that does.  A good thing to remember everyday!  I want people to see me as a Christian because of my acts and they way I present myself not because it says I am Christian on facebook.  I need to be more like Him in order for others to be able to see that without me having to say it.  It is time for me to unmask and live in Him!