RUNDISNEY RELEASED THE DUMBO DOUBLE DARE MEDALS!

I admit, I screamed a little in my head at the cuteness. RunDisney has outdone themselves again!

Obviously my sister was not as impressed as I was… since she withheld this vital information from me the whole week. Lot of good she is

105 days to get my running ass in gear so I can do this! Um……

Wish me luck!?

Are you a medal lover or a medal tosser? I can’t imagine not being excited for the finish medal, regardless of the cuteness level!

I still have this nagging feeling that I really want to run another marathon…someday. Heck, I’d even be happy with a good training cycle leading into a half marathon. But I think my body might hate running. Or at least the distances I ran training for my marathon(s) last year. Or maybe the fact that I am an idiot and ran three marathons in a year when I was not really trained well for any of them? Your guess is as good as mine…

I run for DQ Blizzards.

But I do know I swore after Disney that I would NEVER run a marathon again. Ever. And here I am just five-ish months later already craving another one. It probably does not help I am coming up on the one year anniversary of when I was supposed to run my first marathon. All I know for sure is running must be an addiction. Or something.

Never. Running. Again.

I guess time will only tell if I ever run a marathon again. Or a mile for that matter. But one thing has not changed, my brain still thinks I am a runner!

Anyone else ever been in a months long running funk that just won’t go away?! 

Dear Father,

Please be with those who are still in critical condition in Boston today. Please bring them healing.

Please be with the doctors and the nurses in Boston. Please give them what they need to help those who are injured.

Please be with those who have lost family members, especially the parents of the little boy who was killed yesterday. Please don’t let his parents ever play the “what if?” game in their heads. Please be with his sister who will never be the same again.

Thank you for the fast acting medics at the race yesterday. I have no doubt those fast responses helped save lives.

Thank you for the police, the FBI and other emergency response personnel. Please keep them safe and provide them with the information they need to bring this terrorist to justice.

Please be with the entire running community. Even though many of us were not there yesterday, we are all feeling an inexplicable connection to what happened yesterday, I just know it. There is something strange about runners that makes us all feel like friends when we are on or off a race course.

Please help us all be nice to everyone today. Please help me be nice to everyone today. There is no doubt in my mind this world needs a whole lot more “nice” in it.

Please also be with those that still have hate in their hearts today. Please let this hate die and be replaced with compassion for others for we are all in this world together, for better or worse.

Thank you for the safety of those I knew of that were in Boston yesterday and the safety of all those that were far from the incident yesterday.

Please be with anyone and everyone affected by the tragedy yesterday.

Please help us to find healing in Your love.

In Your Name we pray,

Amen.

I woke up to actually find snow on the ground on Saturday, not really something I was expecting. I don’t recall ever doing a race when there was snow on the ground! When I signed up for this race, I was not at all thinking Spring would still be a distant event, especially considering last year’s race was 80 degrees and I was frantically trying to rip the sleeves off my shirt because I was way too hot. I guess a year makes a big difference! (and PS, the groundhog needs to be shot and a new one hired, this one is as accurate as the weather forecasters…)

The race started at 9am down in Tosa and my parents decided to come along and cheer me on! Little did they know they were going to freeze as well. The start area was SO crowded (3,500+ runners!) and considering this was the inaugural year, I really hope they realize the course cannot support that number, let alone any additional that will join next year. Parking was chaos, running was terribly cramped and the finish area was horrible. I actually think I had more room at the Disney races I’ve done and that’s saying something. I feel bad for the people finishing behind me because the finish line got so much worse within five minutes after I crossed! I was also really glad my parents were along to help with the parking situation because I would have totally freaked out when I got there if I was alone!

I got to Hart Park with plenty of time to get my packet, use the port-o-potties (which were plentiful at least!) and stand around for a few pictures before the race began. It was crazy cold and I was really glad my mom + dad brought along some blankets so I could try to stay warm. I was so cold I even kept my puffy vest on at first which was dumb but whatever.

The first two miles were super crowded and I had to really weave and pop through people to try to get to a point I felt like I was running. I surprisingly felt really good and like I was keeping a great pace, except for all the crowds holding be back so I tried my best to get to some clearings so I could really run. At about the two mile point, we got to a neighborhood and that really helped ease the route crowding and I could finally run freely for another 1.5 miles.

I hit the three mile marker and thought, “Hey, just one more mile!” but within a half mile, I passed the four mile sign so then I was really confused. Also, by this time, I was carrying my vest, headband, gloves and phone… oops. I was sure a 7k was only four miles, even, and I guess I never looked that up to confirm it?! Also at this point we started running on a SUPER narrow path through the park so it got even worse before I could finish as far as crowding was concerned but I knew I had to be getting close so I just kept running.

Once I finally could see the finish line, I took off to try to get in close to 40 minutes which was my original goal, thinking that would equal 10min/mile pace and I thought I was already over that.  (Gun time 41 minutes or so) I missed a chance to grab my pup and bring him with me because I was way too much on a mission to finish

Once I finished I was super confused for awhile because I really felt like I ran faster than 10min/mile pace which is what it would have been had the course been the four miles I stupidly thought it was After a few minutes though, I realized it was really 4.3 miles, hence my confusion all race!

I was even more surprised to find I had finished in 38:57 or an 8:58 pace!?! No wonder it felt kind of challenging!! Either way I would have been happy with my finish time because I didn’t walk once which was my secondary goal, but considering I came in under 9 minute miles, I was really shocked by that finish time!

Pros/Cons of this race:

Pros
1. Start/Finish in the same spot
2. Free t-shirt, bandanna, beer + green “finisher” necklace
3. Short porto-potty lines!
4. Awesome volunteers directing traffic + lots of police helping with that
5. Fun distance!

Cons
1. WAY too crowded…
2. Poorly marked miles
3. Chaos at the finish line through the beer pickup, spread this OUT!
4. Cold But I don’t think that was under any race official’s control!

I do think the snow amounts negatively impacted the amount of space at the finish line and maybe even all along the course, also, it was likely way more people than they thought would join an inaugural race?! I guess before I sign up next year, I will make sure they either choose a different course or stagger walkers/runners/strollers. (I was passing walkers within 2 minutes) But all and all, it was a fun race that I would like to do again, provided more room on the course in future years.

To continue the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, I also made the best dinner EVER! Cottage Pie, Irish Soda Bread and Irish Salad. OMG so good!

I am excited for racing this year and really hope my slow + steady weekly running with an actual plan will help me a lot for my upcoming half marathons! Now if only Spring would appear so I can run in shorts and tanks…

Next race is a 10k at the end of April, unless I find another 5k to run before then

Here is how I worked it out last week to prepare to run a good 13.1 miles this summer:

Monday: 2 mile run + Yoga class led by Sister
Tuesday: Walk + Weight lifting!
Wednesday: 2 mile run + Yoga class by Sister
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest/Shovel
Saturday: 2 mile run + Body Pump DVD
Sunday: 3 mile run + Body Pump DVD

Total weekly mileage: 8.5!
Lifted: 3!
Yoga: 2!

It seemed like a pretty good week in training (which is good considering it’s just week two…). I was planning to not run + lift back-to-back days over the weekend but Friday’s plans got messed up because of more snow. Shocker.

It actually ended up being really nice weather over the weekend though so I was glad I waited out the blizzard Now if only the forecast for the snow tomorrow would be false, I could actually start believing Spring exists. And yet, 4-7″ more tomorrow. Gross. Why now, Wisconsin? Why? What was wrong with snow at Christmas and nothing now…

I miss the Florida sunshine…

Especially topical since my work is on weight watchers right now… If I had a $ for every time someone complained about what they “can’t eat”…

Anyways, here’s a random post to get me through to the WEEKEND!

1) I have done yoga twice this week. That’s right, TWICE! Sister started teaching somewhere new and brought me along to try it out. I’d like to say I’m re-addicted but all I can think about are my aching hamstrings and aching triceps. Yikes!

2) I have my February craft project on the horizon this weekend. I’m being a total tree-hugger/pinterest-reader and making reusable paper towels We shall see how this goes, I have not used a sewing machine in about 3 years so it could get interesting and I may do lots of yelling/cursing at said sewing machine.

Don’t they look so cute?

3) Tickets go on sale tomorrow for Boys II Men, 98 degrees and NKOTB. I really want to go to this concert but I don’t know if I am a fan enough to put up with it. Maybe the tickets will sell out super quickly and I won’t have a chance, or be $1,000.

How can you NOT want to see them in concert?

4) Winter Storm “Q” kind of messed up my run this morning. Not amused. Not amused.

5) I finally think I got my sister addicted to weight lifting! I’ve been trying for years and finally Body Pump was enough to get her hooked We both really, really like the at home workout DVD set. Best use of a gift card so far! I actually look forward to doing these DVDs which is a nice change of pace for workouts!

6) I used to love Downton Abbey so, so much. (*cryptic language ahead to avoid spoiling anything) But after this “season” my fondness is quickly running out. How many more people have to leave the show before it’s just over? It’s been a little too dramatic these past few episode… I’m just glad I read the spoilers online beforehand so I wasn’t surprised by any of it. Still so pissed over it though!

7) I am looking forward to an incredibly lazy weekend this weekend. I can’t wait!

Anything big on your agenda for the weekend?

I’m so looking forward to Spring for these reason:

1) Time saving! I will be able to shave 20 minutes off my “time prep for a run – actually running”. No hat/gloves/coat/snowshoes/earmuffs to search for. No 15 layers of clothes to wiggle into.

So many layers…

2) Suntan lines! I can’t wait for that first spring run when I come back and can still see my tank top tan line. Those are the best!

Running in shorts sounds so foreign right now.

3) Daylight. I am starting to see little tiny peaks of sun in the mornings but I can’t wait for full blown sunshine to run in in the morning! Can’t wait!

4) My bike. I still have a love/hate relationship with The Bicycle but I really want to take it out on a ride… which I hear is hard to do if the trail is covered in snow. Bets are on if I can still ride it…

Still so shiny and new.

5) Racing again! It hasn’t been that long since my last race but I don’t feel like I’ve actually race, raced a race in a while (say that 3x fast). I have a few 5ks-10ks to look forward to this Spring and I can’t wait! I love finish lines

What are you most looking forward to about Spring?

Here’s a typical day in his life…

4:30am. Someone’s phone is making so much noise. Could she be any ruder. Do I wake her up in the middle of a nap, no. I’ll just lay here in bed until she is busy doing something else and THEN I will decide I need to wake up and go outside. Serves her right for that obnoxious wake up call.

I woke up once… it was AWFUL!

4:45am: Finally I can go back to sleep but I just can’t seem to get comfortable. Still with the too much noise and too much light in my bedroom. I’ll go sleep in the hall. It’s quiet and dark there. Ahhhh, finally some more zzzzz…..

5:00am: WHAT?! someone else is trying to wake the dead and just took another year off my life. Why do these people in this house make SOMUCHNOISE! I make no noise, never. See how they treat me?

5:15am: Finally peacefully asleeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz……..

6:00am: More noise. Great. What now? Wait! Is that breakfast I smell cooking? Ok, I guess I will permit that noise… wait a minute. You forgot to make two plates. What’s going on. Why does no one ever remember to make me breakfast. Grr. That’s OK, I’ll just cook some bacon while they are at work. hehehe

7:30-4:30pm: Sweet glorious sleep. Nap, nap, nap. Maybe I won’t even move a muscle today since I am so exhausted from the morning rukis.

4:45pm: Thing 2 waltzes in the door like she owns the place. Thanks for waking me up, AGAIN! Where is Thing 1? She’s my favorite, I need her! I’ll just watch for her out the window…

5:30pm: I’m not sure why but I get really excited to see my girls when they get home?!  Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Plus I know the cuter I am, the more likely they are to give me chicken. Live and learn, folks.

6:15pm: Finally feeling awake and ready to face the day now. TIMEFORMYWALK. I don’t understand why those two lazy lumps just sit there watching TV while I stand here by the door, totally ready to go on a walk. Maybe they need me to remind them what time it is. Ruuf! Walk! Moveitfatties!

Later!

6:30pm: OH FINALLY they decide to move and take me for my wander. Gosh I love spring. I hate those stupid coats they make me wear in the Winter. #claustrophobic  So.many.good.smells! Jeez these two weirdo-s are slow. I could totally lap them both. Move it!

6:45pm: So thirsty! and HUNGRY! Where’s my meal! Feed me! Starving… Wasting awaY! paw paw paw, grasping for sustenance…

Wasting… away…

7:00pm: Food! This food is kind of gross, especially the blue chunks. Seriously, food coloring in food? #notok Don’t they know I prefer clean eating?

Dirty!

7:15pm: Isn’t it time for bed now? I’m exhausted. This day was sobusy! I’ll take a nap on the couch/floor/mybed/diningroom/couch/chair/hallway/person. Just can’t get comfortable and again with the noise and the light! No consideration.

9:30pm: Finally it’s time for some real peace and quite! Can’t… keep… my… eyes…open……

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…….

My first week of mileage was kind of low but I’m trying to be smart(er) this time around. Crossing my fingers it pays off but with my luck, nothing is out of the realm of possibility! Snow/100 degrees/hurricane in June, yeah…

Monday: Snowy walk + Physique 57
Tuesday: 1 mile run + 1 mile walk + Body Pump DVDs
Wednesday: 2 mile run + 15 min BP core DVD
Thursday: Rest
Friday: 2 mile run + 30 min BP DVD
Saturday: 3 mile run
Sunday: 55 min BP DVD

Running mileage for the week = 8
Weight Lifting Sessions: 3+

I really liked the mix of weight lifting + running this week. I know in the past, being more consistent about weight lifting while training has helped my legs and core stay stronger so hopefully building both from the get-go this time around will = success.

I also found out I can earn Humana fit points through my insurance to work towards getting a free FitBit or something similar! That has motivated me to start tracking my workouts on my phone app also. The app is not perfect but at least it gives me credit for walking/running. I just wish the weight lifting part would count too…Maybe I’ll have enough points sometime this year yet

Have a good week!

My first attempt at Summerfest and also probably the last time I semi-trained for a half marathon. – June 2011

So maybe I should actually try to be a good runner and train for races, no? Well, at least this one. I am revisiting a training plan that I loosely followed two summers ago when I ran this race but with less focus on speed-work this time around. I’m also going to follow the 6 week lead-in option since I haven’t done much running since the marathon in JuneJanuary. So the 12 week program + a 6 week lead-in = 18 weeks of training which = THIS WEEK!

The first 6 weeks are pretty low mileage and even the peak week is not that crazy high so (knock on wood) hopefully, I can avoid injury and ease my body back into training and running consistently again. I’ve been such a bad runner this past year it’s really sad…

My week has not really started out on track already… Monday was supposed to be 2 miles but… it was black-ice galore and 40mph winds. Let the excuses begin!

Here’s to making 2013 different than 2012, or at the very least trying