I'm back (for real this time)!

After a lengthy (yes, very lengthy) hiatus from running, I'm incredibly excited to say that it's time to get back on the road :)

 

 My 8 week half-marathon training kicks off today! What a perfect evening for a run... stay tuned for updates!!

 

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