Speedy, like a slug?

After a very lazy weekend, which made me feel quite a bit like a slug, I am happy to report kicking the week off with a killer 5 mile run! I had forgotten how incredible it feels to just sweat out all of the days worries and frustrations. 

Hopefully adding an extra mile or two today made up for my sluggish weekend, because I'm pretty sure it won't be the last amendment to my training plan :)

I can't wait for the cold and rain to hit the road for a while. Running on the treadmill at the gym with hundreds of people and my little tv stuck on a channel talking about George Clooney's love life is NOT my idea of a peaceful running environment...

Luckily the weekend forecast looks gorgeous! :-D

The Plan, Stan

Here it is.... the plan (ooooh ahhh). 4 weeks shorter this time, with an extra workout (or two) per week. Hoping that once I get back in the groove a little bit I might be able to be more thoughtful about my pace/time this go around. That is to be determined as I get my running legs back though.

Workout #2 here we go (and no, I promise I am not going to post something after every run, I can't imagine that would be very exciting for anyone).

As it is rainy and cool again (damn you Minnesota!) I am going to take advantage of the one week left of my Lifetime Fitness gym membership and go be a pansy :)

It begins, again...

Well I can't complain too much about my beautiful running scenery....

3 mile run #1 complete (and with minimal huffing and puffing). It was a perfect evening for a run, 60 degrees and sunny! Not surprisingly, my knees and hips were a little achy compared to how I was feeling last summer... but it's just like riding a bike.... right?? :)

I've pretty much solidified my training plan, and even though it's abbreviated (8 weeks instead of 12) and a little more intensive, I think it's definitely still an attainable goal. I've added a biking component this round (distances TBD) and am hoping to squeeze some yoga in still, mostly for my peace of mind.

Despite being a little tight and sore post-run, I have to say that I'm feeling pretty fantastic. It feels great to be out moving and sweating again... but I am looking forward to getting back to the point when 3 miles feels like a breeze!

As long as the weather cooperates (no more snow... pleeeeeeease!!!) I'm feeling really good about stretching my legs on the trails around downtown Minneapolis!

That's all for now.... day one, complete! Only 8 more weeks to go.... :)

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!!!