Thursday, December 31, 2015

The End of an Era...

There is something soothing about the early morning. You know...that brief period between "This is a ridiculous hour to be awake" and "Ugh! Why are there so many people on the road?!" Early in the morning has always been my favorite time to run, and my absolute favorite time to swim. When I woke up at the "ridiculous" hour this morning I wasn't 100% sure I wanted to get out of bed; but...
(Speedo was right)

Today I swam approximately 1.25 miles...

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

It's Only Tuesday...

~ Adam Goucher
.
Christmas was great and my vacation (which is still ongoing) has been uneventful, but training has been hard. On Boxing Day (Dec 26th) I did a 3.5 mile run on the sand...

...followed by an hour of plyometrics. Running on the sand is not easy at all! I managed to maintain a pretty decent pace for the first two miles, but by mile three I was exhausted...

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

The Struggle Is Real...but so is the Triumph ;)

Through a combination of a "congrats on finishing your marathon" gift card, a "take an extra $10 off" coupon, and an in-store discount at Dick's Sporting Goods, I was able to treat myself to an early Christmas gift...

There are a lot of great features the Vivoactive has that my Garmin Forerunner 220 doesn't (like the ability to track swimming and daily steps etc). The swimming feature was the biggest selling point for me because it's one of the forms of cross training that I tend to gravitate towards (albeit rarely) and I've never really been able to track my swimming sessions apart from mentally counting laps. On Sunday I did a very short swim to test out the watch (about 1/4 of a mile) and this morning I swam for 1/2 of a mile. I ended up stopping the swim session half way through in error but I completed the overall distance...

Monday, December 21, 2015

We're Different...

We've all seen "You know you're a runner when..." memes or other such social media posts that highlight (and sometimes make fun of) the things that make us runners different. And if you have any non-runner friends (NRFs), I'm pretty sure there have been conversations where they try to understand why you pay to run 13.1/26.2 miles... for fun. You know those conversations right? For me it normally starts with a NRF seeing me icing my knee or massaging an achy muscle and they ask "What did you hurt this time?!" immediately followed by "Please tell me why you do this again?"

If I had a great answer to that question I would tell you (and them), but the reality is, as much as I love running, sometimes I wonder the same thing: "Why am I doing this?" To be fair, I only ask myself that question when I can't run (usually because of an injury) and sadly I'm in that situation far too often. The "why?" question immediately precedes the "It's so unfair that running is so hard for me" whining statement; and if I allow it, I'll fall into a very sulky mood. 

So that's kind of how my day went today. At least five people asked me if I was limping (I was) and provided sage "advice on caring for my body" and "making my joints last". But my sulky mood wasn't just because my knee is still bothering me (it's been a week so that should have been reason enough), but also because I'm disappointed that the goals/plans/desires I have are not going to happen the way I hoped.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Updates, Reminders & Favorite Things...

Ok guys, if you signed up for the ZOOMA Run Love Virtual Challenge here are the training plans:

5K plan starting on Jan 4th 2016...
10K plan starting on Jan 4th 2016...
If you haven't signed up (but want to) you can register HERE.

**~**~**~**~**

Sunday, December 13, 2015

What Scares You Makes You Stronger...

I've been hesitant to talk about my training recently because I've gotten a lot of "words of caution" from family and friends. And I get it (no one wants to see me injured again). And I appreciate it (even when I roll my eyes and sigh loudly). But I guess I'm already overwhelmed with my own insecurities about whether or not I can accomplish my running goals, so I don't really want to hear anyone voice these same concerns out loud. That being said, I really do get it and I really do appreciate it, but...

This morning I did my 18 miler. I signed up for the Weston half marathon earlier this week to take advantage of the closed route and water stops. So essentially I did the half as part of the 18 mile training run. I got to the start really early and parked in the volunteers parking spot (mainly because there were more people in that area but also because I couldn't figure out where the runners were supposed to park). My plan was to do 5 miles before the race and then complete the 13.1+ miles for the half.

First 5 miles...


Weston 1/2 marathon miles...

Saturday, December 12, 2015

The Capital of Casual: Reggae Half Marathon {Race Recap}...

Friday (Reggae Eve):
Drive to Ft. Lauderdale >> Fly to Montego Bay >> Drive to Negril

My brother-in-law, Gavin, picked me up from the airport in Montego Bay and we took the 1.5 hour drive to Negril (there was a lot of traffic, it doesn't usually take that long). Once we got to Negril the first stop was the race expo for our packet pick-up...

Thursday, December 10, 2015

This Is How I Zooma...

So I officially became a ZOOMA Ambassador for the 2016 ZOOMA Women's Race Series!!! 


#ZOOMANation

The ZOOMA Chicago Half Marathon in 2014 was my very first half and it was a really great race (despite the fact that I thought I was going to die all the way from mile 11 to mile 12). I'm excited to be an Ambassador this year because they are doing some fun and exciting things, including a virtual 5K/10K Love Run...
It will be held around Valentine's Day weekend ;)

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

In The Meantime...

I promise promise promise to have the Reggae Half Marathon Race recap posted soon :)  I have a lot of thoughts about the event (and the entire weekend) so I didn't want to rush through a post just to "get it done". Plus it's been kinda hectic (work stuff) and I've been kinda distracted (life stuff) so I haven't been able to dedicate the amount of time I need to write a proper recap. But I will by this weekend, I promise.

In the meantime I have a bunch of other stuff to talk about...

I'm supposed to do an 18 mile run this weekend if I'm going to stay on track with training. So I decided to sign up for a half marathon in order to take advantage of: (1) the closed course; (2) scheduled water stops; & (3) on-site medical help (you know, just in case). The half marathon of choice is the Run For Tomorrow Weston half...

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

The Year of the Full: Chapter 12: The Final Countdown...

Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is over I'm trying to get everything back on schedule because there are a bunch of things I need to do before I leave for the Reggae Half Marathon (link)...
I can't believe it's Race Week! 
This was supposed to be my final official race for 2015, but I set a goal to complete 15 events this year (Reggae will make 14) so I have to find another race/event before Dec 31st.

I'm still trying to improve on endurance and speed during my training runs and trying to push the running interval limits as much as I can. I did a 5 mile run on Saturday using 4:1 intervals...

Sunday was a cross training day so I went to the gym and did 1 hour on the stair master and light weights. Then I ran again on Monday (running a 1/2 mile: walking 1 minute)...

Thursday, November 26, 2015

However You Choose to Celebrate Today...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!! (for all those who celebrate it) and Happy Thursday!!!!!! (for all those who don't). I'm off from work today so I'm having the best Thanksgiving/Thursday :)

A lot of my friends ran Turkey Trots this morning but I wanted to stay close to home so I started off the morning with a 10 mile run instead...

I didn't do anything profound during my run like spend it thinking about all the things I'm thankful for. It would have been fitting for the holiday I guess, but I was too busy trying to figure out what was happening with my ear buds and why I couldn't hear the podcast I was trying to listen to. 

Once I finished my run I video tapped my stride for a bit. I like to do that after I run because that's when I'm most likely to have poor horrible running form...
(need to work on my arm movement as well as my gait... but my gait is getting better)

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

The Trifecta and The Old Days...

I've been nursing blisters ever since my 15 mile run on Saturday...

I joined up with a local Friends-In-Training running group and ran with the 3:1 interval runners for the first half of the run and then ran the rest (along their mapped out route) by myself. It was great to join up with them because they have designated water stations which means I don't have to run with a lot of water. The pace wasn't as fast as I would like though so I know I need to pick it up on my upcoming long runs.

During the 15 miles I ended up with blisters on my feet, including the bottom of my toes (which is as painful as it sounds)...

Thursday, November 19, 2015

That Moment When...

...you realize today isn't Friday:
All day long I thought today was Friday. That happened to me yesterday as well. It was quite a shock when I realized that the weekend wasn't coming as fast as I wanted it to...
I also thought Thanksgiving was this weekend so clearly I need to pay more attention to what's happening on my calendar :(

...you want to start your "Race Week Countdown" one week early:
I got an email about the Reggae Half marathon and it reminded me that it's two weeks away!!! I'm excited! Less about the medal (sigh) and more about the pre-race pasta party and running the race with family. I messaged my BIL yesterday to see if he was as ready as I am...

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

On Fire....

2015 will be over in a few weeks. Ok, maybe more than "a few" but it's less than 50 days so not much more. I've been blown away by all the things that happened this year. Some amazing, others devastating. Both the bitter and the sweet have permeated all aspects of my life (home, work, running), and have made me feel a bit cautious of what 2016 will bring. Cautious, but not afraid...

Being fearless...

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Volunteer Extraordinaire...

Before the sun even thinks about rising, runners head to the Start line on race day. But you know who's already there? the race volunteers :)

That was my role today, and I had to remind myself how important it was to do this when my alarm went off at 3:30am! The drive to my check-in location was about 40 mins but I got a little a lot lost on the way there (of course). I mainly got lost trying to find the best place to park. By the time I got to the water station there were only a few of us there...

Just us and lots of boxes...

Saturday, November 14, 2015

A Colorful Saturday...

I got up this morning and completed 10 miles...
[current run:walk intervals - 2min: 30sec]

The weather was pretty nice this morning...

There was still a little humidity in the air, but it wasn't nearly as humid as it has been in the past few weeks...

After the 10 mile run I took a quick shower and got ready for the Color Run 5K. Kai was already dressed (shocking) so I got ready quickly and we headed to the race. Once we got there people were already lining up at the Start...

There were no colors at the start but I SAW BUBBLES!!!!!

Friday, November 13, 2015

Life Happens, So Make Everyday Epic...

It's been a crazy week but I was able to get a few short runs in. Not much cross training happened though so I'm really going to try and fix that next week. Last night's 5K was a tough one...
I'm trying to stay at a sub-12 min/mile pace and work my way to a sub-11 pace. My goal to have a 10 min/mile pace by the end of the year isn't going to be possible, so I'm working from now to achieve that by the end of next year. That requires a more rounded training plan though so I know I have to get back to the gym and continue my physical therapy exercises etc.

Post-run selfie from last night...

My pace on Wednesday was much better...
(a whole minute better!!!)

Monday, November 9, 2015

The Disney Wine & Dine Quarter Marathon {RACE RECAP}

I know a lot of people were upset about what happened at the Disney Wine and Dine event but let me just start off by saying that I was not one of them. And I'm not just saying that because I want Disney to guarantee my entry into next year's race ;)

I headed up to Orlando on Saturday morning and went straight to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex...

Thursday, November 5, 2015

One Step Closer...

I wasn't chosen to serve on the Jury today. It was a pretty traumatic moment when the clerk advised the entire jury assembly hall that we were dismissed. But I tried to be strong as I saw my dreams of being a jury foreperson disappear...

My mom helped me to stay focused on the bright side of things...

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

It's About Progress, Not Perfection

Tomorrow I have to report for Jury Duty!!!!! I think I might be the only person that gets this excited about Jury Duty. I could give an explanation about feeling honored to do my civic duty for this great nation yadda yadda yadda. But really I'm hoping it's like a real life version of a great John Grisham novel... except I'm in the jury and not a part of the legal team.... and it's probably not a major court case... and it's even less likely that there will be any jury sequestering or tampering... so in reality maybe nothing like a John Grisham book :( Oh well! I'm still excited about it ;)

Just in case I get picked and the Jury gets sequestered I figured it would be wise to run tonight. 
So I did a short 4 mile run with my Disney Wine and Dine training partner...

Sunday, November 1, 2015

The Year of the Full: Chapter 11: Running for Wine (and Food)...

I started the morning (and the month) with a steady 8 mile run with one of my running friends. As much as I enjoy my solo runs I've been lacking the motivation to get out and do them, so running with friends has been a blessing for me...

The Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon is next weekend so it was also beneficial to train with someone else who is running that race...

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Something New...

I'm testing out a new blog template design for a little while to see if I like it more than the one I was using before. It has more purple in it so there is a good great chance that I'm going to LOVE it more than the previous template. But... I'm open to feedback so let me know what you guys think ok?

In addition to sprucing up my blog template I've been thinking about checking out a local blogging community group that I heard about a few months ago...

I haven't been doing much running this week. I only did 1.5 miles on Monday...

Sunday, October 25, 2015

New Decor and *Random* Updates...

I decided to change my medal display and showcase my race bling a little better...
There are 5 medals that didn't "make the wall" because I didn't buy enough Keys. I need to get at least two more (and eventually run more races) so that all the medals can be displayed evenly on each side of the marathon plaque. The Chicago Marathon photo plaque came in the mail yesterday and that's kind of what sparked the whole medal redisplay project...

*I'm going to run another race in Chicago next year and keep that as an annual tradition. I already have 2 years of Chicago running in the books (2014 was the Zooma Chicago 1/2; 2015 was the Chicago full) so it just makes sense to continue. I was initially looking at doing a Spring or Fall half marathon, but then I came across this...

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Random Wednesday Thoughts...

My post-marathon rest week has officially turned into a 10 day rest session. I'm being lazy. There is nothing wrong with my legs except for the fact that my sleepy brain won't allow them to get out of bed to run or go to the gym in the morning (or in the evening for that matter)...

At the follow-up appointment with my orthopedic surgeon it was recommended that I take "4-6 weeks off running". Weeeell that kind of conflicts with the fact that I have two half marathons within that general timeframe. For the record, that has nothing to do with the fact that I have not worked out at all this week (apart from crunches and wall sits) I have really been feeling lazy. I'm not making a lot of promises about what the rest of the week will look like, but I will definitely workout or run this weekend. I'm 95% 87% sure that I will workout. Probably.