Life Happens

It's been quite a while since my last entry! As life tends to do - just when things seem to be chugging along smoothly- it goes and rattles you to your core. The last few months have done just that. After having my world turned upside down, it's taken this long to even begin turning it right side up again. However, this isn't a blog about the rollercoaster that life can be - but about how running fits into it :)

So after another hiatus, I’m ready to get moving again.

One thing that I have come to realize (not without reluctance) is that just as in life it is difficult to look to the future and have everything neatly planned out - so too with running- it isn't always a straight road that gets you where you're headed.

My original plan when I started this blog was to document my marathon training. Well, as I’ve shared in past posts, that wasn't really in the cards quite yet. It's taken a little while for me to get my running legs back, and I decided that in the meantime, a half marathon was a wonderful short term goal. I set that goal and blew it out of the water, surprising even myself with the success and enjoyment I found. In fact, I enjoyed it so much- I decided to register for another!

While I was in the process of training for half #2, life happened. It happened so much in fact, that I haven't even put the running shoes back on since the beginning of June.

 

"I run because it's so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can't. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you're capable of so much more than you thought."

That quote is true for running, and all of life. Finding strength deep down inside that you never knew you had, moving forward through things you never thought you could survive. We are capable of so much more than we know.

I've decided it's just about time to dust off the running shoes and get started again.

I'm in the process of looking for a good autumn half marathon, somewhere in the Midwest probably (suggestions welcome!). For now, we'll start out slow again, but that's alright. There are few activities better for the soul and better for clearing the head than a long run.

So here we go again :)

Oh and p.s. I did find one weekend in there to do the twin cities color run (5k) with some great girls. It was a blast and a half...
 

 

Every Day is 'Running Day'

Well I missed wishing everyone a happy official 'national running day' on Wednesday June 5, but since every day really has the potential to be a 'running day' I'll say it now..


Happy running Friday! :)
 

I've only got 8 days left before my next half-marathon, and a 10-miler coming up tomorrow! I do have to say that I'm just about ready for the summer weather to finally start. Until it does though, never fear, because I've equipped myself with some fantastic new running shoes (thank you clearance section at REI) and they feel like a dream....
http://www.brooksrunning.com/Brooks-PureGrit-2/1201331B320.050,default,pd.html?start=3&q=puregrit
 
So my new running shoes and I wish everyone a happy running weekend! :)

I'm back!!!

Well after a brief hiatus (okay longer than a brief hiatus) I am officially back on the running wagon!

After running my first half marathon in April, I decided to take a little break and reevaluate my training plans. One of the big changes I'm making is that I've decided to wait until next year to do a full marathon, and decided instead to run a couple shorter races this year.

Let's start with how my first half went....

It was fantastic!!!!

It was a frigid 18 degrees on race morning, and I was very nervous, but I bundled up and pushed through. 

 

Greg came to see me off.... 

 

....and his folks and niece and nephew came to cheer me on at the end :-) 

I finished in 2 hours 10 minutes and 1 second (had to throw that second in there :) haha). I was incredibly pleased with my finishing time, about 20 minutes shorter than my estimate!

It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life!

<----- that's me :)














So as I mentioned, I'm back to training again, a little less intensely this time though. I'm running my second half marathon on June 15 in Milwaukee, the Summerfest rock 'n sole race:

http://rocknsolerun.com/

I'm very excited, and am hoping for some warmer weather than last time :)

Stay tuned!!!

Earth Day Half Marathon!

Tomorrow is half marathon day!

I will be running the earth day half marathon in St. Cloud... And yes, we got a mini-blizzard yesterday. Good old Minnesota :) I had to break out all my cold weather running gear again. Apparently I tempted fate when I tried to box it up for the season.

13.1 will be my longest distance so far... I'm very excited and very nervous. Wish me luck!

Stay tuned!!!

http://www.stcloudstate.edu/campusrec/earthday/default.asp

Bella Wella

Someone gets jealous of the time i spend with the treadmill...

6 more miles!

12 Mile Trepidation



"run happy"

 

“Running is a big question mark that’s

there each and every day. It asks you,

‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?’”

 

– Peter Maher, Olympian and sub-2:12 marathoner

 

 

 

In spite of my extreme trepidation about my longest run so far (12.12 miles!!!)... It ended up being a pretty great success! This past Saturday was my first 'legitimate' long run (legitimate in my terms means a more realistic outdoor run, as opposed to my treadmilling like normal) and I lucked out with a gorgeous day for it :)

I was extremely proud that I was able to run the entire distance, with only a brief stop to figure out where I was, haha. I made a conscious effort to run part on pavement, part on trail, and while this slowed my progress a little halfway through, I think it was necessary (although my joints may not agree).

It was a struggle, absolutely, being 2 miles longer than my previous longest distance, but I finished it (which was my goal) and even managed some degree of grace :)

My nerves have been working overtime as I continue my internal debate over whether 26.2 miles is longer than I can possibly dream to run. As I approach my half marathon training mark, all I can do is keep moving forward, hoping to continue to build my endurance and keep my fingers crossed for some nice weather soon.

Proud doesn't even begin to describe how I’ve been feeling about my accomplishments so far, and I will take hold of that feeling and bring it with me as my companion on my next run!
 









Mile splits:

 

1- 9:57

2- 9:17

3- 9:11

4- 9:49

5- 9:35

6- 11:17

7- 10:09

8- 10:27

9- 10:27

10- 10:23

11- 10:43

12- 10:04

 

Average: 10:11 minute mile

Longest run so far...



Yesterday was my longest distance so far (and, the longest distance I’ve ever run for that matter)....

9 miles!

The knees are aching today, but I’m honestly incredibly proud - and slightly surprised - that I was as successful as I was. Granted, I’m only averaging a 10 minute mile right now, which I wouldn't exactly consider speedy... But the point is that I was able to do it, without breaking or slowing down.

10 miler coming up this weekend, and I’ll just keep reminding myself that it's only one mile more than I was already able to run :)

“I run because it’s so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can’t. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you’re capable of so much more than you thought.”


– Arthur Blank

Bella likes to hang out while I run :)

 

Back on Track

Well after being temporarily derailed from training with a bout of the stomach flu, I can happily report that I am back on track and running again.

3 miles Tuesday and 4 yesterday, rounded out by 3 later tonight and 5 this Saturday!

So far I’m still chugging along, but I can't wait for the ice to thaw and temperature to rise a little so I can leave my treadmill in the dust :) knees are achy, as I expected they would start to get, and I need to remind myself to....

stretch stretch stretch!!!

I bought a new pair of running shoes last night (see below)... Stay tuned for the official review :)

Saucony Cohesion 6 ---

Running Tunes

“If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don’t spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it.”
– Priscilla Welch

Midway through week 4 and still chugging along! :)

This weekend is the first long run that is really intimidating me... 9 miles! To prepare, I have armed myself with the best weapons I could find-

A. Great running headphones
(philips sports earhook headset)

 

B. Moisture-resistant armband
(nathan supersonic armband for iphone)

c. AND, an iPhone full of great running tunes:

song	artist
it's a beautiful life	ace of base
i'm in a hurry	alabama
brighter than sunshine	aqualung
around the bend	the asteroids galaxy tour
sweet and low	augustana
boston	augustana
live and die	the avett brothers
pretty girl from michigan	the avett brothers
i never knew you	the avett brothers
shooting star	bad company
can't get enough of your love	bad company
oh what a night	beegees
falling	ben kweller
only the good die young	billy joel
you may be right	billy joel
it's still rock and roll to me	billy joel
hooked on a feeling	blue swede
peace of mind	boston
let me take you home tonight	boston
don't look back	boston
feelin' satisfied	boston
feels like the first time	boston
cool the engines	boston
smokin'	boston
more than a feeling	boston
something about you	boston
almost	bowling for soup
time won’t let me go	the bravery
believe	the bravery
just give me some kind of sign	brenton wood
one toke over the line	brewer and shipley
believe	brooks & dunn
why don't you and i	carlos santana
magic	the cars
shake it up	the cars
just what i needed	the cars
i like the night life baby	the cars
like the rain	clint black
nothing but the taillights	clint black
southern cross	csny
roll to me	del amitri
layla	derek and the dominos
survivor	destiny's child
money for nothing	dire straits
walk of life	dire straits
cowboy take me away	dixie chicks
ready to run	dixie chicks
rockin' down the highway	the doobie brothers
china grove	the doobie brothers
jesus is just alright with me	the doobie brothers
listen to the music	the doobie brothers
how long	the eagles
take it easy	the eagles
take me home tonight	eddie money
long nights	eddie vedder
hard sun	eddie vedder
society	eddie vedder
home	edward sharpe & the magnetic zeros
even if it breaks your heart	eli young band
i should be sleeping	emerson drive
it’s in the way that you use it	eric clapton
thanks for the memories	fall out boy
go your own way	fleetwood mac
don't stop	fleetwood mac
dreams	fleetwood mac
i don't want to know	fleetwood mac
hemorrhage (in my hands)	fuel
shimmer	fuel
ain't going down till the sun	garth brooks
touch of grey	grateful dead
american idiot	green day
jesus of suburbia	green day
holiday	green day
boulevard of broken dreams	green day
basket case	green day
when i come around	green day
welcome to the jungle	guns n' roses
sweet child of mine	guns n' roses
live and let die	guns n' roses
barrel of a gun	guster
happier	guster
you make my dreams come true	hall and oates
never been any reason	head east
crazy on you	heart
what about love	heart
long cool woman in a black dress	the hollies
the reason	hoobastank
i go blind	hootie and the blowfish
hold my hand	hootie and the blowfish
only wanna be with you	hootie and the blowfish
running on empty	jackson browne
canned heat	jamiroquai
i'm yours	jason mraz
somebody to love	jefferson airplane
cold hard bitch	jet
the middle	jimmy eat world
sweetness	jimmy eat world
the authority song	jimmy eat world
down on the corner	john fogerty & ccr
proud mary	john fogerty & ccr
any way you want it	journey
separate ways (worlds apart)	journey
be good to yourself	journey
wheel in the sky	journey
point of known return	kansas
red high heels	kellie pickler
you save me	kenny chesney
all these things that i've done	the killers
be somebody	kings of leon
black dog	led zeppelin
rock & roll	led zeppelin
kashmir	led zeppelin
heartbreaker	led zeppelin
fool in the rain	led zeppelin
gimme three steps	lynyrd skynyrd
real world	matchbox 20
push	matchbox 20
unwell	matchbox 20
how far we`ve come	matchbox twenty
mad season	matchbox twenty
who can it be now	men at work
down under	men at work
will you be there	michael jackson
billie jean	michael jackson
the way you make me feel	michael jackson
home sweet home	motley crue
pocket full of sunshine	natasha bedingfield
unwritten	natasha bedingfield
keep on rockin in the free world	neil young
someday we'll know	new radicals
fishin' in the dark	the nitty gritty dirt band
half-truism	the offspring
you're gonna go far, kid	the offspring
self esteem	the offspring
fireflies	owl city
good time	owl city & carly rae jepsen
you can call me al	paul simon
let my love open the door	pete townshend
rhythm of love	plain white t's
nothing but a good time	poison
i want it all	queen
crazy little thing called love	queen
don't stop me now	queen
higher ground	red hot chili peppers
start me up	the rolling stones
listen to your heart	roxette
ashes & fire	ryan adams
lucky now	ryan adams
love song	sara bareilles
the foothills	sara watkins
you and me	sara watkins
you're the one i love	sara watkins
the warrior	scandal with patty smyth
she drives me crazy	fine young canibals
kissing the lipless	the shins
australia	the shins
phantom limb	the shins
the boxer	simon and garfunkel
always something there to remind me	simple minds
chasing cars	snow patrol
black hole sun	sound garden
just go ahead now	spin doctors
little miss can't be wrong	spin doctors
pretty baby	spin doctors
two princes	spin doctors
we built this city	starship
magic carpet ride	steppenwolf
higher love	steve winwood
signed, sealed, delivered	stevie wonder
superstition	stevie wonder
reptilia	the strokes
i can't hold back	survivor
eye of the tiger	survivor
little willy	sweet
wild wild life	talking heads
psycho killer	talking heads
love story	taylor swift
ain’t no mountain high enough	temptations
never let you go	third eye blind
semi charmed life	third eye blind
blinded	third eye blind
beer for my horses	toby keith/willie nelson
africa	toto
jump	van halen
panama	van halen
running with the devil	van halen
why can't this be love	van halen
tripping down the freeway	weezer
here i go again on my own	whitesnake
joker and the thief	wolfmother
chicken fried	zac brown band

 

 Wish me luck! :)