Catching Up

It's been quite a while since I posted. Life has been busy. Mostly fun stuff. Dairy Days and the end of the school year. I haven't had a lot of time to write, but I have been getting regular exercise. I'm trying to make it a priority and started planning my workouts a week in advance. This is how I work best. I like having a plan and knowing what is coming, but I also keep it flexible in case something comes up.

My legs took a long time to recover from the half. I didn't rest after it was over. I took one day off and then hiked 5 miles. I followed that with weights and a ton of walking. I ran 5 miles on Sunday.

The run felt good. It was much cooler than it had been during the half, and I actually ran most of it. My goal was to take less walking breaks, and I was surprised at how much further I could go. I definitely want to continue running and try to work on consistency, so this run was important. I did not want to take a lot of time off from running after the race. That's my usual m.o., and it leads to a very long break from running. I didn't want that to happen this time, and I told myself that I could only take a week off from running - not a day longer. I'm really working on setting small, attainable goals.

On Monday I went on a school trip with my kids to the Shelburne Museum. We did a crazy amount of walking. Tuesday was the first day of summer TKD. I have to admit that I struggled during class. My day had been really hectic, and my legs were really tired and sore. We were working on rolls, which is something that makes me really uncomfortable. It was a difficult class.

Wednesday was scheduled from the moment I got up until the time I went to bed. It was an exhausting day, and I had no time to exercise. I felt fine about taking a day off. I ate healthfully, and my legs definitely appreciated it.

Yesterday was the best. The Artist wanted me to train him. I gave him a few exercises and let him choose the rest. We worked on good form, and he lifted some 3 pound weights. He also threw in some TKD practice. It was a lot of fun, and it motivated me to lift. I went a little heavier and did pairs of exercises. I hit all of the major muscle groups. It was a great full-body workout, and I am feeling it today.

This morning started with a walk with the Moon Dog and the Artist. It was a nice, cool morning, and the Artist picked some wildflowers. It was a perfect start to the day. He wants to work out with me again, so I am hoping to get in a TKD HIIT workout today.

Next S.M.A.R.T. goal - blog more

The Worst/Best Race So Far

Yesterday was the Burlington City Marathon.

And, possibly the worst/best/most adventurous race I've had.

The day was a comedy of errors. It started at 6:15 with missing sneakers and ended with a broken window.

It was an incredible day.

It was super hot and humid when the race started. I was having trouble breathing, and my shins/feet were cramping. I kind of expected this and hoped it would get better after a couple of miles. To prepare for the heat I upped my salt intake. Not a good idea. My hands swelled. I've had my hands swell before it was never as bad as yesterday. My fingers looked like sausages. My hands and wrists were puffy.

I completely fell apart on the belt line. In my opinion, it is the worst part of the course. It was only pavement and sunshine and the oppressive heat. I attempted to jog, but it made my hamstrings cramp. It also intensified the heat. I did not feel good. We were at the back of the pack, and some of the aid stations were out of ice or water. It was brutal. I am so grateful to Alisa for staying with me even though it meant walking most of the race. I think I would have quit if she had not been there. I considered it several times. It was the hardest race I have ever done. Thanks for staying with me and motivating me, Alisa!

Other people were struggling with the heat. One runner wanted to drop out, and Alisa talked her into continuing. We finished the race together. It took a long time, and the timer was already packed up. They let our teammates leave before we got there, and everything (food/water/etc.) was picked up. It was pretty demoralizing, but I was so happy to be able to stop moving.

The medals were already packed up, but we were told we could pick them up at the finish line. The waterfront was two miles away, and the idea of walking another two miles made me want to cry. Luckily, one of the volunteers knew the lady we were walking with, and we all got a ride back to the waterfront.

While Alisa was finding medals, and I was sitting in the shade, Michelle and Emma were having their own adventure. The race directors canceled the race because of the heat. They were pulling racers off the course and trying to get them onto buses. Some runners chose to continue the race. Michelle and Emma kept going and had a good, fast run. Except when they reached a blocked section of the route. With only two miles left, they demanded to be allowed to keep going. They continued and no one got arrested. ;)

The whole day was kind of crazy. None of us had a race time, but we all earned our medals. I got my butt kicked, and it was a big wake up call to really get back to taking care of myself. I'm kind of amazed that I finished that race. I'm even more amazed that I ended up really enjoying it. It's all about the people you race with. Everyone was finding the humor in our crazy situations, and it made everything fun.

We met up at the waterfront and got some food. The sky was starting to get dark, so we started the walk back to the car. Everything is uphill from the waterfront. It's brutal after a race. We climbed two hills, got to the car, and changed our shoes/shirts. The plan was to celebrate with margaritas, so we started up hill to Church Street. As we were crossing a street there was a loud crash, and a guy started screaming obscenities at someone across the street. I'm still not sure who he was screaming at. There were several people sitting in the park across the street, but he went sprinting off through the park without confronting anyone. Someone told us that he had thrown a rock through the window of the bank. When we walked by there was a huge hole in the glass.

We did, eventually, get our margaritas and got to sit and relax for a while. It was a strange day. It was one of the worst and one of the most fun. I'm glad I did it. It's the first time I haven't wanted to take a break from running after an event was over. I didn't feel good during it, but I got through it. I feel like I survived something.

Today I am sore. I'm exhausted, and I'm sunburnt. I've done nothing but rest all day. I feel like I've earned it.

Bloated In A Good Way

My last goal for the month of May is a half marathon on Sunday, and it's going to be super hot and humid. Not a good combo - especially for 13.1 miles. The race organizers are taking extra precautions, and I am trying to do the same. On my last run (Tuesday) I lost a lot of salt while I was sweating and felt a little off all day. I also had my first ever quad cramp. Normally, I have issues with foot or calf cramps. This was incredibly painful. I stopped and stretched, and it ended up being a pretty good run regardless. I'm glad I've had a couple of runs in the heat and humidity. It definitely takes some adjustment.

I don't want any cramps on Sunday, so I've upped my salt and water intake. I feel kind of gross and bloated, but for once that's actually a good thing. I've also decided to bring my water pack with me. I'm throwing a pack of UCan in it. I don't love the taste, but at least I will have liquid nutrition whenever I need it.

Overall, I'm looking forward to it. I've trained pretty well for this race. It's a fun day with my running ladies and my family. I'm going into it only wanting to enjoy the whole day. No negativity. I'm going to focus on going slow to start. I'm a slow runner anyway, but I tend to go out too fast at the start of races. Everything falls apart later on because of it. Consistent pace. Consistent nutrition. Positive thinking. That's the plan.

After Sunday, I need to set some new goals. I've got a few bouncing around in my head, but that's a subject for another post. I'm focused on Sunday for now.

Last Tournament Of The Season

Yesterday was the last tournament of the season. I didn't go into it feeling prepared. I didn't get to practice very much. The last couple weeks have been busy and stressful, and I just didn't fit it in. It's not a great excuse, but it is what it is. I was feeling really tired and not focused, but I decided to just do it and see what happens.

I almost didn't go. The Bean was not feeling great on Friday, but she said she felt better on Saturday and wanted to go. She seemed better, so we went. She got her first gold in weapons and got to try for a grand championship. She didn't get it, but she got a lot of great support from the judges and the older boy she competed with. They were very encouraging, and she felt proud for getting that far.

The rest of it didn't go well. By the time they called her group she was sleepy and not focused. She did the best she could, but it was obvious that she wasn't all there. I was proud of her for trying and for having a good attitude about it. It's the first tournament that hasn't gone well for her, and I know how hard that can be. But, it's part of it. Everyone has a bad tournament from time to time. No one gets gold every time. We all have to deal with it, and she handled it gracefully.

It wasn't my best day, either. It started well. Michelle and I got gold for synchronized patterns. It went downhill from there. My nerves were bad, and I didn't eat very much throughout the day. By the time they called my group, I was tired and a little spacey from not eating enough. My head wasn't in it. My nerves took over, and my pattern was awful. It's frustrating because I know I can do a lot better. When I practice at home, I do well with the wave motion, but once I am in front of judges I forget everything.

Breaking was the highlight of the tournament for me. I was trying a spin hook kick, which I only got to practice twice at class. I had no time to try it that day, so I wasn't confident that I would get it. I really like spin hook kicks, so I wasn't very worried. I also decided that if I didn't get it first try I would do something easier and double up my boards. That wasn't necessary. I broke it first try. It wasn't perfect, and I felt a twinge in my ankle and knee as I did it, but it broke. I got silver, but I can't be upset by that. The woman who got gold was incredible and did her break with multiple boards and blindfolded. So awesome.

Sparring was not great. It's not my favorite thing, and while I do feel like I'm improving, I again let my nerves take over. My brain shuts down. It was nice to have Michelle there to yell things to me. We train together and know how we spar. It was helpful, and she definitely got me one of my few points. Because I always end up in third, I end up being the person who has to do two sessions back to back. It happens almost every time. We don't spar for very long, but it feels like eternity when you're up there. Our group has some good competitors, but I managed to get bronze. I'll take it. It was hard-earned. I got punched in the nose and punched in the chest really hard. I almost fell. One of my sparring partners did fall. Plus, it was incredibly hot in the gym. We all worked for it.

So, tournaments are done for the season. I'm determined to go back next year in a much better place. I'm going to keep this one in mind when I'm training. It will keep me focused. I really want to improve. I'm hard on myself, but I think it's okay. I'm not being negative. I just use my mistakes to know what I need to work on. It's a process. A slow, slow process, but I've seen some improvements. Not planning on giving up any time soon.

The best part of tournaments is the people. Michelle and I always have a good time together, and it's nice to have someone there who supports me and my kids and vice versa. Our families have fun together. I've also met a lot of great people in the TKD world. Our group of women is full of awesome, fun, supportive women. It's fun to compete with them and then hug it out at the end. The higher belts are great. They're supportive and positive and totally badass. I don't know how I'll ever get there, but I want to be that good. Tournaments are so friendly and fun, which is why I'll keep going back.

So, this morning I woke up early to go for a 13 mile run. My last long run. It didn't happen. The twinge I felt during my break developed into a pain that ran from my hip to my calf. It hurt a lot when I got up. I tried foam rolling and stretching, but it wasn't better. Before, I would have pushed through and done the run anyway. I would have run in pain and suffered until I got through the race. Maybe I'm not a badass anymore, but I just can't do that. Signing up for this race was just for fun and to get myself running and out of a terrible slump. It's worked, and I am finally exercising again. I'm not winning this race. I'm not going to PR. I'm fairly certain I will be at the back of the pack the whole time. And, I'm okay with that.

I'm hoping that I can get in a long run on Tuesday, but I'm not worried about it. I know I can do 13.1 miles. If I only do short runs until the race I'll be okay. This is also kind of a good thing. If I can stretch and do my PT exercises and make my leg feel better then I will be in a good place for tomorrow. I have promotions for my next belt in TKD, and it will be nice to not have exhausted legs.

Two more goals this month! Then I will set some new goals and mix up my training. I'm looking forward to it.

Setting Goals For Motivation

March has begun and so has official half marathon training. I'm ready. The roads were icy today, so I did a run on the treadmill. I did minute intervals of walking and running. Nothing difficult, but miles are miles. I also did a back/leg workout with some pushups thrown in for fun. It was great.
I'm excited for a long run this weekend. Long, slow runs are my favorite.

I'm looking forward to several races this year. Nothing longer than a half, and I am doing them with family and friends. The goals are to keep running all year and have fun. I know eventually it will become a habit again, but getting started is tough. These races should keep me motivated.

I'm also making other plans for spring.

Thanks, mom and dad for the awesome gift!!!

I'm really looking forward to an active spring/summer. I'd like to do the Leaf Peeper again with the Artist, so that will be my fall goal - along with more hiking. I need to keep setting goals and keep myself motivated!!

It's Good To Have Goals

This week has been brutal. First, the kids were sick. They passed it to me. Of course, they're better in a day. It took me three days to feel normal again. Yesterday was the first day I could exercise without feeling nauseous. I took Moon Dog for a 2.5 mile walk and did a leg workout.

This morning I felt much better. After a mile walk with Moon Dog, I went for a 5.5 mile run. It was great. I didn't want to go. I've been seriously lacking in motivation lately. I knew I would feel better if I went. I also really liked the idea that for an hour and a half I had nothing to do but run. I've been feeling pulled in a lot of directions, lately. Nothing but running and thinking was what got me on board for my run.

It was a good run. It's weird that February feels like April, but I enjoyed the clear sidewalks. I also tried wearing my compression socks while I ran, and it made a huge difference. My calves felt great, and no shin splints!

I am officially in training for a half. Michelle and I got into the two-person relay for the Burlington Marathon. 13.1 for each of us! It's such a fun day, and I'm excited to take part in it again. I've made a training plan, and I am ready to get myself back on track. It's good to have goals.

Starting Over Is Never Easy

Training has officially begun.

This week has been a tough one. I did what I could. Lots of walking with friends, which is the best. Yesterday I did run/walk intervals with friends. I struggled with it, but it got done. I felt great about it for the rest of the day, and my legs were pleasantly sore.

Today, I was determined to do a longer run. I have time before the half, but the sooner I start upping my mileage the better. The first three miles were rough. My feet cramped, and my shins burned. It got better after that. I got into a groove and only walked when is was necessary to avoid ice or cars. I decided I would run for 1.5 hours instead of a specific distance. I covered 6.8 miles in that time. Slower than I used to be, but I'm just happy I did anything. Starting over is never easy, but I'm staying positive. It's the longest run I've done in a while.

Goals for this week:

• at least 2 shorter runs (or speed work on the treadmill)
• 8 - 10 miles this weekend
• exercise 6 days
• drink enough water!!

Survival Mode and the Aftermath

For three weeks, I took a break from all the extra stuff in my life. If it didn't have a looming deadline or a scheduled time, I let it fall.

It had to happen. December is the busiest month for our family, and I didn't have time for anything extra. Just my day-to-day was too much. I went into my survival mode. I just had to get through the days and not drop the ball on anything. If I got in a walk with the dog, great. If I didn't have time for even that amount of exercise, that's okay, too. No judgements.

It applied to my eating, too. I ate things that I haven't eaten since college (with good reason). I did what was easy and pleasing, and I didn't worry about it. It was nice at first. Then it wasn't anymore. There is a reason I eat well and try to take care of myself. After days of poor eating and little exercise, I felt awful. Problems that I haven't had in six years came back.

I'm done with it. I do not want to eat like this anymore. I'm looking forward to a day of salads. I'm itching to get in a run -  even if I have to run on my treadmill. I'm ready to go back to what works and what I enjoy.

I'm ready to start training again. It freaks me out to admit it, but I am starting to work toward a running goal. A half marathon. I used to run 13.1 miles without a problem, but I am pretty far away from that now. I'm starting over. Not quite back at square one but close.

I'm setting mini-goals and trying to remember how I started the last time. I'm definitely ready for the change. My friend asked me about my resolutions for 2016, and I started thinking about what I really want out of life. What's working and what isn't. Mostly, I am pretty pleased with my life.

I don't usually make resolutions since I tend to always have mini-goals going year-round. In the past, I would make resolutions about my health and weight, but I'd fail or change course during the year. I like mini-goals better. They're easier to achieve and create lasting habits. It works better than trying to change everything all at once. Baby steps.

I am going to make fun resolutions this year. I want to read a new book every month. I want to climb 10 mountains this year. I want to go somewhere new.

I have other goals - health, writing, peacefulness - , but they are not resolutions. They're big goals that may take longer than a year to complete. They may change as I go along. They're the constant goals that I am always working toward in one way or another.

I want my resolutions to be something I look forward to. Something I enjoy and can share with others. I won't want to blow them off, and they'll add so much more to my life than a resolution to lose 20 pounds.

Now that I'm getting myself back on track, I'm going to try to keep up with the blog. It will help keep me accountable for my training, too. I'm really going to focus on sticking to a training plan and training with a positive attitude. I've been feeling very negative about running, and that's not going to help me achieve my goals.

I'll write another time about my goals and what I'm doing to reach them, but for now, I am back to the blog, back to taking care of myself, and looking forward to a fun 2016.

I Quit

Confession: I'm a quitter. Surprisingly, I'm okay with this. I almost never quit. I've spent my whole life meeting goals. I hate giving up.

I'm trying to do things differently. I've been feeling stressed and buried under commitments. I decided to cut back on responsibilities. I want to enjoy my life and focus on just a few projects. I need less stress.

For the last week or so, I have been feeling pretty stressed about the half. I've lost my mojo. My long runs haven't gone well. I keep trying to not care about how slow I am, but it's nagging at me. I've been dreading the run. I just don't feel ready for it, and I'm not having fun.

The whole point of signing up was to start running again. I wanted to find a way to enjoy it again. I was there for a while. I wanted to run. I looked forward to it. I loved it again. Then I got closer to race time, and I started to worry. I ran less. I wasn't as excited to run.

I want to enjoy it. Running is so great. It makes me feel good and helps me stay positive. I don't want to lose the enjoyment of it. I want it to be fun.

You know what sounds fun? Dropping down to the 5k and running it with the Artist. It will be his first race, and he is so excited. This is why I am okay with being a quitter. This is the right choice. I'm not in a competitive head space. I'm not looking for anything serious. Some fun mother/son time is absolutely perfect.

I'm still planning on some races in 2016. I'm sure I'll get back to a place where I feel ready to run distance again, but right now I just need to enjoy it. I love that the Artist has become my new running buddy. He's a great motivator. I'm so excited for Sunday now.

For now my fitness goals are going to be based in consistency. I want to lift 3x/week and run 2-3x/week (whatever distance I choose). I also want to work more on Taekwondo. Tournament season is coming, and I want to do my best.

I have to accept that I am not where I used to be, and it is going to take time to get back there. I can't expect it to all change at once. Slow and steady all fall and winter is my goal. Build a base. It will make training easier in the spring/summer. It's time for hiking and (soon) snowshoeing. Two of my favorite workouts that pair perfectly with my slow and steady goal.

Of course now that I am motivated again, I am sick. I've been a mess for a couple days. I'm hoping to feel good enough to do a strength workout tomorrow. It will be fairly light/easy. I'm not rushing into anything. One day at a time. Slow and steady.

Annual Birthday Hike

Confession time. I missed my last long run. My half is in a week and a half, and I'm feeling pretty confident. Not that I will be fast. It's going to be a long run. I'm hoping there isn't a cutoff time, but I'm okay, no matter how long it takes. I took a long time off from running. I am not in the same shape I was, and if I can complete the half I will be happy.

I missed my run on Sunday. I slept through all of my alarms. I don't remember them going off, but I must have turned them off. I tried running later in the day, but it just didn't happen. I walked 4 miles. I ran a little, but it was a struggle.

Monday I had TKD. It was a great class. We learned a fun, new punch. It took me a long time to figure it out. My pattern is getting better. I'm definitely struggling with parts of it, but it's slowly getting better. I don't think I've ever worked so hard to perfect something. I've had to really focus on the tiny details. It was a great class, and my muscles were sore this morning.

Yesterday was my mom's birthday, and that means hiking. Every year she goes for hike. Last year we hiked Laraway. This year she wanted to do Jay Peak. I love Jay. It was a great day for a hike. We had a lot of fun and lots of good girl talk.

I followed our hike with yoga and a run with the kids. I'm definitely sore this morning.

Still, I got up early this morning and went for a run with Tracy. It ended up being a lot of walking. I stepped on some loose rocks and twisted my knee. It was not feeling good this morning, so I took it easy. Something is better than nothing.

I'm feeling completely wiped out. Just exhausted. The Artist is home today, too. Not feeling well, tired. Looks like we're staying home and napping today. He's already asleep.

I'm trying to stay positive about the race. The usual doubts are creeping in. Trying to focus on finishing and having fun. Time doesn't matter. Finish. Have fun. That's my mantra for this one. It's so nice to be back to running and actually enjoying it. That's the most important thing.

New Things

Today was all about new things.

I had a 12 mile run to do, which is a distance I have not done in two years. It felt new. I also was trying several new products. Probably not the greatest idea to do them all at once and add it to a long run, but I've only got a few weeks left. Luckily, it went well.

New Mizunos!

The Asics have been fine, but they feel heavy and clumpy. I like to run races in Mizunos. I found a pair for super cheap, and they are beautiful. Most shoes need to be broken-in, but I've never needed to do that with Mizunos. They are ready to go. I did a 2 miler on Saturday morning, and they felt great. I knew I'd be okay for 12. They were comfortable the whole time. Love these shoes!!!

New Hydration Backpack!

I've been wanting one of these for a while. I'm excited to use it for hiking and bike rides, too. I wasn't sure how I would feel about running with a pack, but it was hardly noticeable, and being hydrated for the whole run was incredible. I struggle with swollen hands and dry mouth during most long runs, and this time it wasn't an issue. Loved it.

Ucan?

I was not sure how I would like this new kind of liquid nutrition. I used to use Gu, but it made me ill after a while. I can't eat them now. Michelle let me try some of the stuff she uses for triathalon training. It's made of all good stuff and offered consistent energy throughout my run. This was very impressive to me. The tough stuff didn't hit me until the last mile. I felt really good for most of the run, and when I started to struggle I still managed to finish with run/walk intervals. I've never felt that strong on a long run. The taste was mild and not disgusting. Not my favorite. It had a strange texture, but again, not unpleasant. It worked really well, and I'll definitely be using it for the half.

It was a good run. Did I walk? Sometimes, but they were shorter stretches. I really tried to focus on keeping my walks short this time. Was I fast? No. Definitely not. But, I felt good. I didn't push the pace. I did what I felt like doing but tried to push myself. I was hurting by the end, but I feel great about it. It went well, and I have a 12-miler under my belt. It's been a while since I've done that.

I'm still doing well with my eating. I've stayed on-track all weekend. This is huge for me. I tend to eat/drink whatever I want when I travel or at special occasions. This time I was determined to stick to the plan and made sure I brought plenty of healthy snacks. It worked.

Lots O' Running

This week is off to a good start. Yesterday I got up early to run. It's staying dark longer in the mornings. Summer is coming to an end. In another week the kids start school, and life goes back to the usual routine. I'm a little torn about it. I'm looking forward to being back on my schedule and having time to work, write, and run. At the same time, I worked a lot this summer. We didn't get to do as many family trips as we had hoped because of car problems. I just want a little more time to spend with the whole family. The school year is always so busy.

Anyway, back to my runs. Yesterday's run was great. I felt good. I ran almost all of it. I was glad to get it in early. It was almost 90 degrees yesterday, but the morning was in the mid-60s. Nice running weather. This morning I wanted to run again. I just had to do it. It was harder this morning. My shins and hips ached. I walked more than yesterday but didn't go that much slower. I'm glad I got it done. It's supposed to be even hotter today.

I'm meeting some friends tomorrow, too. Three days of running in a row. I'm pretty proud of myself. It's nice to want to run and not feel like I have to do it.

I do need to do some yoga today, though. My legs are really tight. I'm going to take Thursday off from running because I have TKD. Friday, I'll run, and Sunday is my long run day. Lots of running this week. I'm enjoying it.

I've always felt like I had to run. Finally starting to enjoy it.

So Close

I had a long run on my training plan for today. 9 miles. It's been a long time since I ran that far, but I was ready and excited to do it. Yesterday was an active rest day, so I took the Moon Dog for a walk and practiced my TKD pattern. My legs were feeling refreshed and up to the task.

I chose a really hilly route. I don't have many flat options. There are hills in every direction. I need to run hills anyway because the Leaf Peeper is a hilly course. Plus, I like a challenge. I also decided to try for 10 miles instead of 9. Like I said, I like a challenge. Might as well get uncomfortable. It's been a very long time since I did a double-digit run, and while they're tough, I also secretly love them.

My mind is always the biggest challenge when I run. It's hard to not compare my run to a time when it was easier. I remember running every hill without too much trouble (back when I was training for the marathon). Today I walked some of the hills. I'm just not in that place anymore. I'm learning to accept that, and I know that with consistency I will get back to that place again. Still, it can be hard to stay positive. That was my goal today. Stay positive, walk when needed, and enjoy the run.

I did pretty well. I went slow, but I got it done.

My wonderful husband brought me water and food after I'd done about 7 miles. I'm very lucky that he is so supportive of my crazy endurance habit and willing to bring me supplies and pick me up when needed. I was really happy to see him today. It was hot, and my hands were swollen from lack of water. I took a break, refueled, and we hit a few balls at the driving range before I continued my run.

The break was nice at first (and definitely fun), but I regretted it once I started going again. My legs were tight and not interested in loosening up again. The heat was worse, and I was running in an area with no shade. It was rough. I pushed through for a while, but I was getting close to crashing and quickly texted Andy to pick me up and bring more water.

My total distance was 9.75 miles. So close! Still, it felt good to get a good long run in, and I'm enjoying the post-run soreness. I did it! And, I'll do it again. Next week I will get into the double digits. That's my next goal. I'm happy with what I did today, though. It's reminding me that I can do this again and get back to the place I was before.

I just finished today's run, which is weird because I am almost exclusively a morning runner. Last night I slept terribly, and when my alarm went off I decided to stay in bed instead of getting up for my run. I knew we had a night off (weird) and that I could get more sleep and still get in a run, so I went for it.

It was a great run. I did one of my favorite routes, but it was busier than usual because I'm used to going in the early morning. I had to do high-knees through knee-deep grass whenever cars passed, and I was passed a lot. I was also fighting through sore legs because I did a leg workout yesterday, and the DOMS had just started to set in when I started running. My shins were really sore for the first couple miles.

The funny thing was that it was one of the best runs I've had in awhile. I ran a lot more of it than I have been lately. I'd gone two miles before I even considered a walk break. My legs felt good and strong (even though sore), and I really enjoyed the run. I was looking forward to it, and I enjoyed an audiobook while I ran. The temperature was absolutely perfect, and it was mostly cloudy. It only got hot when the sun came out. I love it when it goes well.

I did five miles, which is a little more than what was on my training plan, but I also missed Tuesday's run. I figure it balances out. Tomorrow I am getting up super early to hike, and I have a exercise-packed weekend planned as well. Finally starting to get back into a groove. It feels great.

Consistency and Junk Food

This morning I got up early and met Michelle for a run. We did one of my favorite routes. Lots of rolling hills and beautiful scenery. It ended up being 6.2 miles - a 10k. I walked quite a bit. My legs were super sore after the 20-mile bike ride yesterday. I'm happy with what I did today.

It's all about consistency.

You know what hasn't been consistent lately (always)? My eating. I'd been doing okay, but last night was not good. Today has been half and half. I find healthy eating to be difficult. I'm thinking about following a stricter plan for a little while. I need the motivation and it will make me feel better when I'm working out (and all the time).

Overall, I'm feeling good. Life is good. I'm motivated to train for my half. I'm excited about it. I just need to fix the eating. It will make everything easier.

Epic

This morning was a pretty successful morning. I got up early. I got myself out the door, and I went for a 3.15 mile run. It was a gorgeous morning. It was foggy, but the sun was starting to break through. It was a little humid, but not terrible. My legs felt good, and I was ready for a good workout.

I took minimal walking breaks and really pushed myself to keep going. I focused on enjoying the run, and it made it a lot easier. I tried to keep my body loose. I didn't let my thoughts go negative. It was a definite accomplishment. I've been relying heavily on others to keep me running, but that doesn't work very well. If I'm going to be able to run a half marathon in October, I need to start relying on myself. I love running with other people, but I also need to stick to my training plan. Plus, I'd almost forgotten how wonderful a solo run can be. I almost never have quiet time by myself. It was refreshing to be alone with my thoughts.

I felt great after my run. I had plenty of time left to walk Moon Dog before anyone else was awake. He was super excited, and it was a gorgeous morning for a walk.

My legs are definitely tired now. Luckily, the Artist and I are going to the lake. A day of swimming is just what I need. I'm relaxing today. Its going to be great, or a my favorite little guy likes to say, "this day is going to be epic."

Resisting the Urge to Compare

It's hard to be an artist. Putting your vision out to the world opens you up to a lot of criticism. I'm fine with criticism. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I don't like comparison. In theatre, no show is ever going to be just like another. A different director, a different style, a different cast, space, budget, etc. It all changes the outcome. Yet, many people feel the need to compare. Even two shows with entirely different scripts and scores will be compared. It drives me nuts. They are both theatrical productions. That's it. Just like the cliche apples and oranges are both fruit.

Occasionally, I find myself falling into the comparison trap. I catch myself worrying if I am as good as X or if my ideas are duller than Y's. It's not productive thinking. What I love about theatre (and any creative outlet) is the celebration of what makes something unique. Why would I want to produce something that's exactly like something else? That's not creativity.

I am still struggling to resist comparison. It's not beneficial, and I can't go into something as big as a show doubting myself. I like my shows. I like my style. I'm confident in my actors. Why would I let others bring me down? Still, I'm human. It happens.

It's the same with running. I tend to compare myself to other runners. It's disheartening, and I set myself up for failure. I'm trying to avoid comparison and negative thinking and just learn to love it again. Like I used to.

I had a couple of good talks with other runners yesterday. Both are much faster than me. They're more consistent. But, the thing that struck me was that they both love it. Even on the bad days. It's a moment of balance and peace in their lives. They don't spend the whole time wishing they were faster or not breathing so hard or could run the whole thing. They just enjoy it.

I envy that. I want that. I'm working on it.

More and more I think about how short life is. We have so little time that it seems stupid to waste it on comparison and negativity. I want to do what I love. I want to enjoy my life.

With that in mind, I dragged myself out of bed after only 4 hours of sleep and went running with some friends. Today was a scheduled rest day, but I wanted to run with them. So I did. I'll rest tomorrow. There were many times I could have compared myself to them and found fault, but I fought the urge. I focused on the good stuff. My friends, being awake before most people, the cool breeze and light rain, the feeling of getting up a hill. When I struggled I thought about the fact that I am alive and capable of running. I've got more than a lot of people.

Instead of comparing, I celebrated. Instead of feeling like a failure, I felt grateful. I'm improving. One day at a time.

Speedy and Healthy - Half Marathon Training Week 2

Yesterday was a bust. It was one of those days when nothing goes right. I managed a 40 minute upper body workout. Mostly dead lifts and push-ups. When I'm having a bad day, that's my go-to workout. Two of my favorite exercises and the most reward for a short workout. I felt a little better after working out, but I didn't push it. Just wasn't feeling it.

The day ended on a good note. We had a great rehearsal for the musical. We added the pit band, which is one of my favorites. It adds so much to the show. I'm getting really excited. It's going to be great.

I was determined that today would be better. I had a 3 mile easy run with 2 strides on my training schedule, but things didn't go according to plan. I slept through my first alarm. I heard the second one, but by that time I didn't have time to run. Too bad because the weather was cool and perfect. I had to get creative.

I took the kids to their school's soccer field and did speed work while they played. It was rough. The sun came out, and it was hot. I haven't done outdoor speed work in a long time. It was hard, but it also reminded me of how I used to feel. Sprinting on a field used to be one of my favorite things, and even though I was gasping for breath and my heart was hammering in my chest, it felt great to be out there again. I'd like to start going there once a week. The kids had fun playing, and I got in a great workout.

I didn't get in the mileage on my plan. It was about 1.10 miles altogether. Thursday was supposed to be speed work, so I'm just going to swap them. I'm not stressing about it. I already feel so much better after two runs and consistent exercise. Plus, I've been eating healthy foods and making sure I am drinking enough water. It makes such a difference.

I'm happy with how I'm doing, and I'm going to stay focused throughout the next two weeks. It's going to be stressful, but running and eating right will help me manage.

First Run of Half Training

Today I officially started my half marathon training program. I actually should have started on Tuesday, but I didn't figure out the weeks until the Leaf Peeper until yesterday. So, I missed the first two easy runs. No biggie. I've been doing a little running with my kids. I didn't have the mileage, but it's better than nothing.

Today called for 6 easy miles. Since I've taken so much time off I knew I should cut back and ease myself into it. I could have done 6, but I am also still working to fix an injury. I decided not to push it. I did walk/run intervals and went for 4.5 miles. It was a good choice. It was hot and humid, and my legs felt like lead by the time I had done 3 miles. 6 would have been too much of a jump.

Pre-run: Tired but motivated!

Next week I will stick to the plan. I've never actually used a set training plan before, so I am interested to see what happens over the next twelve weeks.

I also used today's run to break in my new sneakers. I am usually a Mizunos girl, but I decided to try a different brand this time. My physical therapist suggested a shoe with more cushion. While I love the super-light Mizunos, they do not have a lot of cushion.

I got a pair of Asics, and they seem pretty good. A little heavier, but a lot of cushion and a good fit. They also did not need breaking in. They felt great from the moment I stepped out the door.

When I get closer to the race, I will probably get another pair of Mizunos and alternate. I like light shoes for races, but for everyday mileage I think these Asics will be a good fit.

I'm excited to have a big goal again. I needed something. I've definitely been floundering for a while. Running definitely makes me feel good, and a big goal will keep me motivated.

Speaking of motivating, my friend Michelle is racing her first 70.3 today. She has been such an inspiration, and I cannot wait to hear all about her race. She's worked incredibly hard for a very long time. I know she's going to crush it!!

Kind of makes me want to try a tri....but the swimming part makes me nervous. I can swim forever, but my form is crappy. I also don't know how to breathe and tend to feel like I'm drowning when I try. We'll see. Maybe next year I'll feel differently. For now running is enough. Leaf Peeper in October, and Michelle and I are splitting the Burlington Marathon next May (assuming we get in). That's enough to keep me motivated and excited for now.

Kid Inspiration and A Definite Goal

Today I came downstairs to find the Artist working out. He was using my interval timer and doing different exercises. It made my heart happy. I don't force my kids to exercise, but I do encourage it. I've been talking with them about wanting to start exercising and eating better. I guess they listened.

At this point, I want my kids to enjoy exercise. I let them workout for as long as they want without pushing for them to do more. They usually start out small and then start coming up with more things to do. Today the Artist grabbed the TKD pad and asked me to hold it while he practiced. He did a lot, and the Bean was inspired to join in.

He inspired me too. I did an interval workout using TKD moves and isometrics. It was a good workout. When I was finished, the kids asked to run, so we ran to the end of our road and back. The kids did pretty well with pacing and ran the whole time. Bean had been planning on walking some of it, and she was proud that she made it the whole way.

Today I put my running goal into motion. I looked up the half I was considering for the fall, and registration was open. I signed up for the Leaf Peeper again. It's a great race, a pretty course, and I love the long-sleeved shirts! (Yes, it is all about the shirt.)

The half is my favorite distance. It's not a crazy long distance, but it requires training. I need this kind of motivation right now, and fall runs are the best! Runner's World put out a new half training plan, and it doesn't look too taxing. I want something I can follow that will ease me back into it. I like that I don't have to think about it and can just do what's on the paper. I've never followed a strict training plan before. I'm interested to see how it works.