Treadmills, Logging the Miles but Getting Nowhere

Tuesday night was my weekly Run Club. Me and Patrick are just within reach of a PR but we never quite get there. Honestly I feel if we participated in an acutal race as opposed to running on Bayshore, chatting and having to cross into traffic we would shave serious time. But when we finally reach that goal I know we are going to be super proud. Maybe to be in true running shape we should start skipping the beers and upping the mileage, haha! No thanks.

Wednesday we had a down pour of rain. I had packed my running clothes so I could run right after work, but instead of hitting the pavement, I was a treadmill rat. Personally I hate running on treadmills. I get so bored and 3 miles can literally turn into the most painful run of my life. Call me crazy but when I am running I like to actually get somewhere, not watch the calories I am burning slowly rise. I tried to keep a good attitude, knowing that I need my upmost mental toughness if I am going to get this done. I plugged in my iPod and was ready to go. This is going to sound very narcissistic, but I loved watching myself in the mirror when I ran. I literally could not take my eyes off of myself. I most certainly was not checking myself out and thinking how good I looked, but it was so interesting to actually see what I look like while I am running. I found myself lifting my knees and dropping my shoulders. For 4 miles I literally watched myself run, and although I felt like a freak I really enjoyed watching my pony tail bounce back and forth as I ran. But don't think this little bout of self adoration is going to sway my opionion, I am an outdoor runner for life.

So Much to be Thankful For

With the Holiday long weekend I didn't get too off track. I did miss one short run but did manage to get my long run in for the week, which is a small victory when there were tons of distractions (food and football) to get in the way. I can't take too much credit though, my long run for the week was only 6 miles.

I may not have achieved my max mileage over the holiday weekend but I did realize how lucky I am and that I have many reasons to be thankful. I have my health and the ability to train and be a part of something great. Only a small percentage of people ever run a marathon in their lifetime and in a few short months I am going to be one of them. My Mom has started her radiation and in 5 weeks this whole cancer nightmare will be a thing of the past and my family can begin to move forward. I have great family and friends, who are the best support system ever. I am lucky enough to have a job, when so many people are unemployed. I have realized how truly blessed I am, even if it took dragging my turkey filled tummy for 6 miles to figure it out.

10th Time is a Charm!

So this is about a week late, but no less important. Last Tuesday me and Patrick celebrated our 10th run with the Four Green Fields Running Group! The official dry fit t-shirts we have been eying all these weeks were finally ours. Family and Friends came to celebrate with us, but I think they were just all looking for an excuse to drink. We even stayed for dinner, seriously the best burger I have ever had. It was a super fun, impromtu way for everyone to get together. My sisters home from college even made a cameo! I am not going to lie, the Blue Moons tasted much better when I wasn't the one footing the bill! Next goal is our 25th run, we get a shamrock patch to put on our shirt. And yes I am definitely going to be one of those losers that takes a pic in my FGF running jersey and tags it on the facebook page after I finish the marathon!

Women's 1/2 Marathon!

I had a crazy busy weekend and I can't believe that it is Monday already! Saturday I worked the expo for the event and it was awesome. Everything there was so nice and the race packet was seriously the cutest once I have ever received. There were 5,000 runners, 70 of which were men. So you can imagine how girly, pink, and fun the expo and race both were! I loved getting a chance to see all my coworkers again, it has been forever since I have worked an event. Getting to meet all different women who are running the same race you are, and sharing their stories is such a rare experiene that I am so grateful to have!

Sunday was race day and I was up bright and early! My parents were my cheerleaders and drove me to the race. The 3 half marathons I had done in the past I was always out of town, so it was a new experience for me knowing I had fans cheering for me on the coarse. Race day was alot hotter than I had anticipated so I made sure to take advantage of all the water stations. The coarse was so beautiful, all along the water front of downtown St. Petersburg. We even were able to run a lap around Tropicana Field where the Tampa Bay Rays play! I ran 1:57. Not exactly my PR but I was happy to break 2 hours. Also the medals were so cool. The center was a detachable charm that you can put on a nacklace or bracelet, or you could leave it as it. I haven't decided what I am going to do with mine yet!

I am not going to lie, my favorite part of race day was going to see New Moon later that afternoon with two of my girlfriends. Something about those adolescent werewolves and vampires can even get this runner girl's heart racing!

Working in my Running Shoes

I am running a half marathon this Sunday so I took Thursday off to rest my legs. Today I ran 4.5 and had a great run. It may have been in the pitch black, but I am pleased to report that I was almost hit by a car only once! May seem like a small victory but I live to run another day. I am hoping I can feel as good as I have this week at my race on Sunday, so fingers crossed. The coarse and weather are supposed to be fantastic, so now it's just up to me to take advantage and run the race I know I can.

Saturday I am working at the subscription booth at the Women's Running Magazine 1/2 Marathon Expo. I worked for the magazine part-time as an expo rep before getting my full-time big girl job. I traveled to races across the country and even ran in a few. It was the best opportunity I could have asked for and I am thrilled to be able to help out at the expo and run the race this weekend. I love the vibe of expos before racing, everyone there is so excited for the upcoming race. You can feel the energy surrounding you and it's hard not to be motivated to do your best. It is going to be a long day and I am going to be on my feet for most of it, but the past 3 half marathons I have run I have worked prior so you could say I am used to it. I get to see my co-workers and even pick a few of their brains for any advice on marathon training. This is going to be a great weekend!

Run, Eat, Sleep, Run.

Running Club was Tuesday! Me and Patrick are only one week away from getting out official Four Green Fields Run Club t-shirts. Once you have been to 10 runs you get a dry fit t-shirt with the club logo on it! We are so excited and our parents are even going to come next week for the presentation, very kindergarten I know, but hey just another excuse to have Blue Moons! My legs were a little tired from my long run the night before, so I let Patrick run ahead of me. He is really improving, I can't believe that just a couple of months ago he had never run a 5K!

After a quick dinner and a few hours sleep I was up again this morning for yet another run. I am giving this whole running before work thing a try. I ran 5 miles and took it easy. I noticed the early morning has a whole different breed of runners. They all looked like they were on a mission and very serious about their training, much different than the social vibe I get from my after work evening runs. I also think getting on this schedule will help me to stay on task and avoid those distractions that have a tendency of popping up after a long work day.

Lesson Learned....Well Sort Of.

As part of my penance for missing a whole week of training I had an 8 miler on the schedule. Some might be daunted by such high milage after a week long hiatus, but I was actually excited for the challenge. I wanted to prove that I could come back and gain a good momentum. I strapped on my Spi Belt made sure I had my GU Chomps and set out. I of coarse had my blinking light on, getting run over while training for a marathon would not be conducive to a successful race day performance. It was a great night and I felt a freshness in my legs that made for a fantastic run. I finished inspired by my performance over the 8 miler, hoping that I will feel and run this well over the weekend during my race.

I was anticipating that this long run would punish me and teach me a very valuable lesson. I just didn't learn the lesson I expected. The days when I am looking forward to running and wanting to get out there are the days when I am going to have my best runs. Last week I lost myself and for whatever reasons didn't get my butt out there. But now I am rested and ready for this week, a week when I am looking forward to my runs, a week where I am participating in a Half Marathon, and week where my legs are rested and ready for the miles ahead. It seems my unintentional step back not only strengthened my desire to get out there, but gave me a fresh set of legs and an enthusiastic outlook on the road ahead. No more speedbumps though, this race will be here sooner than I think and I need to be ready!