what we can expect

This a slightly dated, highly humorous depiction of post-marathon runners. Wondering if this will apply to us to?

never say never

Okay. So I thought I wouldn't be able to run and talk simultaneously. I was wrong. Sort of.

Since Kim and I frequent the same gym we have begun to coordinate our longer runs on the treadmill. We ran 5 miles together last Thursday and it was very momentous for me: the ever first run that I didn't use my ipod for any period. How could this be? Because Kim talked to me the entire time (and I thought she couldn't talk and run either!). Let me tell you, she can talk and it is wonderfully amazing.

I, on the other hand, can talk using one to three word exclamations such as "cool" and "that's so awesome." If I try to speak in longer sentences, which I do attempt, to carry my weight of the conversation, they come out a little more choppy and disjointed. Thankfully, Kim still understands.

All I know is that carrying on a convo while running makes time speed up along with some good girl bonding. Even it is one-sided. Poor Kim.

down one

Just a little note to say that our group of four is now, sadly, three.

Kristen shared with us a few nights ago that she is not going to be able to do the half with us because of her currently way too crazy life. Just starting graduate school and a new job over at ASU has been a huge strain on her commitments and she needed to let something go. We completely understood, just going to miss her!

At least for this race.

Don't forget the pf chang's is just around the corner...

treadmill season

Because of the high summer high heat in our city and the fact that we have small children, getting the perfect early morning outdoor run in can be challenging. This summer Kim and I have taken to using the treadmill at our gym. Convenience always trumps in motherhood.

As a beginning runner, it has also been a bonus to be able to monitor my pace, heart rate and time with only a glance.

Now that the weather is beginning to cool we will soon be able to venture back out on the streets. That should happen by the end of the month. This coincides perfectly with the start of our official half-marathon training schedule.

Note the lovely picture of Kim on a 5-miler we ran at the gym the other day....on the treadmill.

comfort zone

Yesterday I traveled outside of the comfort zone. Actually, not only did I travel outside of my comfort zone, I traveled to my "not-having-any-comfort" zone. For the first time in about 4 years I ran 6 miles. I psyched myself up for it all weekend, preparing for Monday's long, slow, run. It was a good run and more important than the physical accomplishment, it was the psychological accomplishment that was most important to me. Not to get all "touchy feely" here, but knowing that it is possible to gut it out even when your body is not feeling comfortable is valuable to any runner. In my current Bible study one of the topics was how God sometimes puts us in situations which are out of our comfort zone to help us grow. I was reminded of that during my run and upon reflection grateful that he does that for me personally! I'm grateful for this opportunity, as part of this running club/blog, to also be brought out of my comfort zone and grow more into the woman God wants me to be. Happy running!

wow

So I'm finally feeling like I may be able to pull this 1/2 marathon thingy off! My cold lingered a little, but I did push through it and continue my training, which was a first for me. Yesterday I completed 5 miles and felt surprisingly refreshed afterwards. (Tired, but refreshed - does that make any sense?) I'm still running at a slow pace for the long runs which is hard because I do get bored, however, if I speed up I get tired and then struggle to finish. For now, I'm happy that my legs feel stronger and are getting used to the pounding for longer periods of time. According to our training schedule, we have about 2 more weeks to get comfortable with 5 miles and then we start to add mileage. I'm going to also look for some speed workouts (to relieve the boredom), as well. Happy running girls!

online running tool

Breakingthetape.com is a fun website where you can register for free and record your running workouts on a personal graph. Calculates your pace automatically and creates bar and line graphs of your workouts to help you evaluate your progress. If you are like me, you keep track of your daily mileage, for the most part, but this program will put it all together.

Really simple to do and I am looking forward to seeing where I am by the end of the year. Sure beats my lazy calendar jotting.

I didn't start keeping track until 3 months into my running, then I didn't run for 2 months because of all my hiking/trail running, finally subract 2 months out due to a stress fracture in June & July, and it all chalks up to only 71 miles. So not quite accurate on my part, but I am going to keep detailed record now.

inspiration?

I love quotes that move me. I guess this quote by Winston Churchill parallels so perfectly with long-distance running that runners use it a lot:

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

I haven't reached that hellish point in my running yet and am honestly a little nervous just imagining it.

I guess my only personal experience would maybe be like having a baby with no epidural. Oh wait. I had an epidural. Twice.

be the tortoise

Every once in awhile I play around on the computer searching for other running blogs that might peak my interest and provide some useful knowledge. I love this girl's blog. Specifically, I love this post about coming in last.

To all the tortoises out there!

Am I going to be able to do this?

This weekend I had the opportunity to see how far I have come in my half-marathon training. I was enjoying the beautiful high country with my family and was encouraged to take a morning run with the brother-in-law. Mind you the brother-in-law has completed numerous marathons and is getting ready to run another marathon in a month. So I agreed to run the two miles, uphill a good portion of the way mind you, with him. That morning before we left my brother-in-law was explaining his course for a fourteen mile run. He explained to me the two mile run in the neighborhood followed by a 5 mile run on the highway, and then he turns around and completes the last seven miles. So I asked my father-in-law, who is the Gatorade provider for my brother-in-law at the seven mile mark, if he would be willing to drive me back to the cabin "if by some odd reason I am able to finish the seven miles." Of course he said yes.

The running began in the neighborhood, and the hills "weren't so bad" I remember saying to the brother-in-law. So I said to myself "let's just see how far this old lady can run." Once we hit the highway I told my brother-in-law to run ahead (there was no way I would be able to finish the last five miles at his pace). I wasn't prepared to run such a long distance so I did not have my I-pod. I kept thinking to myself, as I am running at the altitude of approximately 8,000 feet, "I need to focus my mind on something other than my breathing." Fortunately God put verses in my mind. As I ran the last five miles, which had a few "hills" according to my brother-in-law (some felt more like mountains!), I was able to focus my mind on verses. For those of you that have ever memorized scripture it is so amazing how God can use those verses you have memorized to be an encouragement to you. Needless to say I finished the seven miles and had a nice ride back to the cabin. Hopefully I can continue to train and conquer this half marathon. I know I can because I have wonderful friends who will be there supporting me.
Teri

Good Week?

This past week was a consistent one working out and running. I did a couple of faster shorter runs (2 miler and a 3 miler) and then a long slow 4 mile run. Felt really good, but now it seems I have a sore throat. Who knows - with school starting and germs flying freely I'm trying my best to stay healthy, but sometimes it feels like a losing battle. So, because of this I'm really focusing on my diet to get me lots of antioxidants to help ward off any illnesses that come knocking. I'm eating lots of berries. A morning protein/berry shake is my new thing. I'm still weight training, although not as much, just trying to maintain where I am at strength wise while I add the running. All in all, it was a good week and here's to the start of another one... I'm just thankful I can run no matter how far or fast, it's a great thing to be able to run!