White socks, the smell of laundry and a bat

Tonight....I had to wear my old white socks....mostly because all of my fun colored ones are PACKED ready to go on an adventure to WYOMING!!! This upcoming Monday the 4th of July I will be running in a Road Race that I have run MANY times....about 15 years ago!!!! I have no plans of winning or even doing that well BUT I will have fun with an ol' pal of mine that we have been running together with each other via our Nike+ apps for almost 2 months now!!! It will be fun to get some pavement time together!!! Cheer me on!

During my runs I often smell a plethora of things, mostly myself ;) Often the smells are not that pleasant but tonight! Alas, TONIGHT....I smelled the wonderful smell of laundry, clean laundry for the longest part of my run and it was NICE!

Finally, I am pretty sure a bat flew over me tonight. If any of you know my feelings on bats (ie mice with wings) you will know why this is of significance and why I am choosing to say no more!

Todays stats: I have been running for 56 days. I have put in 105.5 miles over the course of 27 runs in 19 hours 23 mins and 21 secs.

PS- still no new shoes but I am hoping to go shoe shopping in the HUGE metropolis of Casper, WY! Wish me luck

Blue socks and a looooong road back

So I thought that taking a week off was going to be hard on me. Well, I found out that getting back at it is even harder. I had to work at telling myself that I was okay and there was nothing I could do about running the week Jeremy was gone at camp. But as soon as Jeremy came back and I could start running again, it was another mind game! I waited THREE days to run! I made every excuse I could. Until Sunday night when I knew I just needed to get back at it! So I went for a 2 mile run trying to beat my best mile pace (but remember in the beginning my calibration for my miles was off so as far as my Nike app is concerned my best is something I never really ran). Also, it was like running in a dryer! The heat at 10 pm was like that at 2 in the afternoon! UGH!

This past weekend I did MORE shoe shopping. I went to Dick's Sporting Goods and had an AWFUL experience! A guy came to help me, we talked about my needs and some options. He got me set up with one pair of shoes that were already out and went into the back to get the others. AND HE NEVER CAME BACK! Oh I saw him out on the floor but he NEVER came back to me! Whaaaaaat?!?!?!!?!? I did find a pair of Nike Live Strong shoes that I liked well enough but the thought of buying them from THIS store, I had to walk out. I did come back later and talked to another sales person (the guy was still working and I could tell avoiding me). The new person was VERY helpful but I just couldn't decide! Because I am buying them for more than how cute they look and am willing to spend a significant amount of money; I am wanting to make sure I get the RIGHT shoes. And therefore CANT commit for some reason. Jeremy thinks I am absurd but I need them to be the right shoe.

On a lighter note; I wore my blue socks- which make me happy. And I am thinking about getting a new pair of running shorts. All is not lost if I can have REAL running clothes, right?

Also, I am starting to waver on my half training. Knowing that I took last week off and I am struggling to get back at it. And knowing that Caleb and I are traveling/vacationing next week and wont get the same runs in. I am having a hard time being able to commit my time, money and efforts to the race in Sept. I am still trying to follow the training schedule but just not sure when my half will be. Ugh....

Todays Stats: 53 days running. 100.1 miles over 25 runs in 18 hours 20 minutes and 02 secs.

Pink Socks and a satisfied heart

Sooooooo with Jeremy gone for the week I thought I was going to have to go an ENTIRE week with out running :( But thanks to a visit from Caleb's Nana for a tball game I got to go running last night! It wasnt as bad as I thought it would be for not having run 5 days. I set out to run 4 miles but as I am still learning my way around our new town and I ended up running almost 5 miles. tired and sweaty I returned home a happy runner! Now if I can just make it to Friday when Jeremy returns home so I can get back into my routine (sans the YMCA)!

I busted out my hot pink socks for this run. And I put on my real running shorts! I still havent bought new running shoes which is becoming more and more of a problem as I can feel my current ones "running" out of life. Now living in a town with little shopping options I am going to have to make a point of getting my new shoes the next time we go to the "city"






Today's Stats: I've been running for 48 days. Training for 5 weeks (minus this week b/c I'm not really). I've run 98.09 miles over the course of 24 runs in 17 hours 56 mins and 31 secs.

Saaaaaad

Well we finally made the transition to OK this weekend! It feels good to have my family back together, boxes unpacked and starting our new life!

On the downside, Jeremy is off to a spur of the moment trip to District Youth Camp leaving me at home alone with Caleb in a town where I dont know anyone well enough to have them watch Caleb while I run :(

Soooooo...Im off of running and training for the week....We will see how it goes and how crappy it is at the end of the week when he returns and I try to jump back in.

Until then.....

Yellow Socks & a Bit of Advice

Today I am wearing my new yellow socks for my run! I have decided fun running clothes are what is keeping me motivated so I am going to indulge that for my health's sake! Last week I decided to I needed some new socks so instead of buying boring white socks I got a fun pack of bright colors. Today, I chose the yellow ones! Bright and Happy Feet! Still no new shoes yet :(

Also, an old man inspired me to what might be my greatest bit of advice EVER! While on the last part of my run a man slowed his car down and said "Hey there little lady; do you see what's behind you?" I turned around and looked and replied "Uh yeah dark clouds?" And he shrugged his shoulders and drove on. What I wanted to add was- do you see what's in front of me? BLUE SKIES!!!! And as I finished my run I decided that HAS to be something to live by- Don't look at the dark gray skies behind you but focus on the bright blue skies in front of you!! Now I realized he didnt know if I was running away from my home or if I was close to home and he wanted to warn me of the brewing storm heading my way but I chose to take the warning as a teachable moment to garner my focus on my future and not to worry or fret on my past!

Today's stats: 42 days running. 4weeks training for a half marathon. 93.18 miles run in 17 hours 2 mins 05 secs over the course of 23 runs.

Long mileage day

Fridays or Saturdays are my long run days....today was a 7 miler...I actually ran from my house just south of Maple to 21st and back....seems like a lot further in my mind that what it is for mileage. Oddly enough my second half was faster and stronger than my first. And I think the intervals helped this week as I felt more confident in running faster.

I went shoe shopping again...only to find out that my cheap budget is not going to fly with my needs for QUALITY shoes. I am just going to have to suck it up and pay $130+ for a good pair of shoes...but I will only wear them to run...I dont want one extra step to be taken in them as I have been told you should only put 300-400 miles on a pair of shoes. At that rate, with running and daily wear I would have to buy new shoes far too often! The other thing I discovered is that I am going to have to go with comfort and support over color choice....normally I buy a pair of shoes for the color and look rather than comfort and function. Not the case with these shoes...they all seem to be coming in blue and gray or white color schemes which is NOT my preference.

Today I shopped at New Balance in New Market Sq. The salesman was EXCEPTIONAL!!! He measured my feet. Put the little booties on my feet; tying them in back so they wouldn't slip off. Putting each pair on my foot AND laced them up! I am not sure what more this man could have done to earn my dollar? I did walk out empty handed but I am impressed.

Today's stats: 37 days running. 3 weeks training. 20 runs. 81.10 miles in 14 hours 50 mins and 46 secs.

Interval Training

Today I started a new phase of my running....interval training. I am guessing its to make me have the ability to run faster? I am pretty proud of my day.

I was slated to run 5 miles; 2 mile warm up, 1-2 mins at tempo and then 2-3 mins recovery. I decided to run the two miles on the indoor track -NINE laps = 1 mile :( And whats even worse is that my Nike+ app didnt start until several laps into my run. After I completed my 2 miles I jumped on a treadmill and ran 3 mins at 4.5ish and then ramped it up to 7.0 for 2 mins then back down back and forth for about 30 or so mins. At one point I got up to 7.2 for my high speed. After 4-5 sets of intervals I ran out the rest of my mileage at 5.5 or so.

I was a hot mess after that....I could barely stand myself I was so incredibly sweaty but I felt GOOD!

THEN I decided to go shoe shopping because if I am going to continue much longer I need to take care of the tired dogs that carry me around! I visited the GoRun store in New Market Sq and tried on a few shoes...of course the ones I fell in love with and felt great support and comfort were $140!!! Ouch! But if I am going to try to run 13.1 miles continuously I am going to need $200 worth of support! The salesman was very helpful, answered all my questions and even put up with a very curious 4 yr old non shopper!

I then went to Sports Authority and looked at FAR cheaper shoes. Several of them seemed to offer decent support, they offered a GREAT selection of brands and colors HOWEVER I was in there for over 30 mins and NOT ONE person greeted me or asked to help. I even saw one employee standing staring at nothing lost in thought? Or avoiding work IDK. But I decided to leave w/o making a purchase.

So still no shoes for me. But I keep plugging on anyway!

Today's stats: 34 days running. 3 Weeks of training. 19 runs. 73.91 miles in 13 hours 32 mins and 32 secs

BUSY BUSY BUSY

I dont want you all to think I didnt complete my 10k last Saturday but I have been "running" ever since! Taking Caleb to t-ball practice and a game. Driving to OK and then back to KS etc....etc...etc...

I cant accurately give you my results :( As I didnt know that my Nike app had been paused right after I had started it. I noticed it right before the two mile mark....so it only registered me running 4 miles and my pace was off b/c I didnt start it at a mile marker. I did feel like I kept an equal pace and I NEVER walked. Those are my basic two goals and I met them! I also had a strong finish and was able to run with some strategy to move myself up in standings (not that that matters when you are as far back as I was ;) But it always feels good to pass others on purpose! I felt pretty good the whole way and was VERY sweaty at the end. The only downfall was the rub burn I got under my arm from my iPod armband. (there arent any pics of me running DURING the race b/c Jeremy didnt make it in time- go ahead and give him a hard time! ;)

My knees are still giving me troubles. Mostly when I bend down, step down hard and get stiff when I sit still for too long. They dont hurt when I run. But I plan to find an orthopedic dr when I get settled in OK to make sure I am not damaging my knees beyond repair.

I am having a hard time keeping up with my training schedule as I dont always have someone to keep Caleb when I want to run (early am while he is sleeping or evening). And I like taking some aerobic classes at the Y and I cant do it all in one day. So I am usually running about a day off of schedule but I am trying my best to keep on top and not go too many days without...even if I just get two miles in- better than no miles, right?

The other exciting thing that happened after my 10k was Caleb's VERY FIRST RACE!!! He "ran" about 40 yds (with me pulling him along most of the way) from start to finish! Trying to get him excited about any sport and I thought b/c I have ran two races and he has come to cheer me on he may want to be a runner like mom? We will see. Soccer and t-ball have also been on the list.

Here are some pics from Sat.



















Todays stats: Been running for 5 weeks. Training for 3 weeks. Ran 68.85 -ish miles. Over the course of 18 runs. Ran for 12 hours, 36 mins and 12 seconds.

Happy National Running Day

Today is National Running Day...so I celebrated by Running!

I ran out of time to get an outside run in today so I had to put my miles in on a treadmill. I was supposed to run 4 today but I opted to only run 2 since I was taking a Zumba class before and feel like I can mix up my regimen to keep it fresh and to keep me motivated.

I only ran 2 miles put I kept a pretty fast pace and was DRIPPING sweat by the end. I'll just swap out my runs and run todays run tomorrow. I am having to keep myself flexible considering my new part time single parenting circumstances; I can't always get a pavement run in whenever I want to. I have to find people to help me or go to the gym. Its an interesting dynamic but worth the challenge.

Today's stats:
Today is day 9 of training...74 day left...115 days til the Bear Chase Trail AND I've logged 51.84 miles over the course of 13 runs (I've run for 9 HOURS and 22 minutes!)