Tired

I finally mustered the energy to go for a run yesterday. After taking six days off (due to weather, hubby's work schedule/lack of childcare etc) it was hard. I was tired. I am incredibly frustrated that I get so tired from a short 5k. I just ran 13.1 miles a month ago! I am going to roll with the punches and get back on a training schedule once the boys are back to school on January 10th.

I did find a virtual 5k that I am going to run on New Year's Eve. J is working from 1-10 pm that day so I can squeeze in a quick 5k before he heads out to the restaurant. He's then opening the kitchen on New Year's Day so that means no running for me.

If you're looking for a virtual race, this one's for you! Join me!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Gingerbread houses by L & N.

Strength

No running for me today. That's two in a row! J left for work at o'dark thirty this morning and won't be home until late tonight. The boys are on winter break until January 10th. Yes, I said January 10th! I'm going to go mental. Since they are not old enough to be left at home and all family is over 3,000 miles away, I'm going to focus on my strength training. I have been pretty lax in that area lately and I need to step it up. I know that my core is my tree trunk and I will be focusing on core exercises: sit-ups, crunches, leg raises and planks. I have a love-hate relationship with planks. I hate them with every fiber of my being, but they really get the job done! I will also work on my hips and butt because I struggle with my sciatica. Strengthening those areas are the way to go. Last but not least is my arms because if I don't use my two pound weights, my triceps (a.k.a. Granny arms) will flap in the wind like a flag.

Here's to hoping that I can sneak a run in tomorrow on J's day off AND that the weather cooperates! Maybe I should have asked Santa for a treadmill?

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas from me and mine to you and yours! Too bad it's raining porcupines and penguins and I do not own rainy weather running clothes. Unplanned day of rest due to weather. I guess I should have asked for some from Santa!

Busy Week, No Posts

Hello! I'm here and I'm running. I just haven't had time to blog. It's been a busy week down here. The boys had their "Holiday" parties this week and being double room mom means that I was super busy prepping for said parties.

I did run last Saturday as I mentioned in my last post. The sun was out and it was perfect running weather. The only problem was, my skirt kept riding up. I had to stop every five minutes to pull down my skirt and my under shorts. That put a damper on my desired "perfect run". What a let down. 3.1 miles, stop and go to pull out clothes. Boo!

I ran Monday. 3.1 more miles. I had a hard time with my lungs, even using my inhaler. The past few runs, I've had heavy legs, heavy lungs. Depressing runs. I did manage to find that elusive runner's high on Monday, the only redeeming factor on this run.

Tuesday, 3.1 more miles run. It was warm so I rocked my compression socks with shorts and a tank top. Another "depressing" run. I have found myself wondering what's going on? I managed to run 13.1 miles a month ago and now I'm struggling with 5k. Where's my speed? Where's my endurance???

Ran again yesterday. I decided to throw on the skirt I trained in, super cute pink compression socks and a pink tank top. I ran 5k and I found "IT"! It felt so good to run. First half was hard with my lungs, but I warmed up and found my speed. A redeeming run and it felt fabulous!

I wasn't even planning on running yesterday. My hip was hurting and I had a lot to get done before the boys got off the bust and started their Christmas vacation. But it was a gray, rainy, muggy day and I was fighting my Seattleite SAD self. I decided to shake off the depression with a mind-clearing run. Zero expectations but to get out there and shake off the darkness. What an epic run! It all clicked and felt so good! I found my "speed". I use quotes because I'm not THAT fast, but I managed to find my race pace yesterday and it felt so good. I am actually sore from yesterday's run and it feels so good!!!

As I type, I have L sitting over my left shoulder reading every.single.word. He's laughing. N is constructing some sort of fort with my laundry baskets in the spare bed. The house is already destroyed, I'm trying to keep my sanity. January 10th is a LONG way off. Just remembering yesterday's run and dreaming of my next run on Christmas day.

Happy running y'all!!!

Wordless Wednesday

N & L at the cub scout "tool" den meeting at Home Depot.

Day of Rest

If you call getting up early to take the boys to school and help the PTA man the book exchange a day of rest, then that's what I did today! No running on the schedule for me today. I'll hit the pavement tomorrow while the boys are visiting their ATL grandma, Momma K. They are looking forward to a day of dollar store shopping for gifts, wrapping and baking Christmas cookies. I'm looking forward to a Saturday run that can be at my leisure!

The Gourmet Runner is giving away a pair of Aspaeris Pivot Shorts here. I encourage you all to enter!

Happy Friday!

Is 2.5 harder than 14.5?

Miles that is. It sounds crazy to ask, but if you run regularly, then you understand that each day is a new day with it's own elements. Take today as an example. I had 2.5 miles on the schedule (Jeff Galloway and his crazy mileage increments!!). I dropped L and N off at school, ran to SBUX to get a cappuccino and then return to the school at 8 am to help wrap the teacher's gifts. The PTA does this every year, and this was my first chance. I really enjoyed it! I am glad that I could do something to help them out. They spend all.day.long with my boys, the least I could do is return a favor!

After wrapping, I headed home and scarfed down a luna bar. I then changed into shorts and a tank top (nice huh? We're going to hit 70 today in the ATL and I'm loving it!!!), laced up my asics and headed out the door. I wasn't even .25 miles in before I realized that I forgot to use my inhaler. Oops! "It's only 2.5 miles, I can do it!" famous last words...

I can't believe how hard it was to run a mere 2.5 without my inhaler. I stopped frequently to catch my breath. pathetic. What's done, is done! A possibly epic run was replaced with, "I'll stop at the top of the hill to catch my breath".

Thankfully, tomorrow is another day and I'll chase that illusive high on Saturday. Lesson learned: always keep my inhaler in my running shoes!

Happy running y'all!!!

Wordless Wednesday

N and L reading their lists to Santa.

Runner Envy

It's a gorgeous 65 degrees in the ATL this afternoon. I had one EPIC run this morning and I am turning green with envy when I see a runner go past my house. Is is bad that I want to abandon my mom duties and hit the pavement for the 2nd time today? Maybe it's the post race blues, but I wanna run!!!!

Scavenger Run

It's a known fact that I pick up "found" items on my run for my boys. I have found tons of things, including a rusty (REAL) pirate looking sword! I run past a swim and tennis club, I find TONS of tennis balls. During peak season, I'll walk the boys down there with a backpack and we'll come home with a fully booty bag! Today I found two balls, light legs and that elusive runner's high! I wasn't expecting much since it was my first run post ruptured cysts, but it was fabulous! The type of run that I pursue every.single.day.

Happy running y'all!

Monday Funday, Or Something Like That

I was hoping to write a post about my epic run this morning. Friday and even Saturday morning, I was dripping with envy at every runner that passed by my house. Then the ovarian cyst ruptured and my running plans went down the toilet. My weekend was spent on the couch with a heating pad, tons of meds and possibly some Maker's Mark. I have eaten a vegetarian burger topped with avocado for breakfast two days in a row, just to keep things moving. I hope you all had a fabulously moving weekend!

Since I have no running update this morning, I am posting a link to G's inspiring race report here. I love how she kicked those 26.2 miles to the curb because the last race kicked her to the curb--only because she ran with the flu. She is one Galactically Bad Ass Girl Friend! (GBA GF) Congrats G!!!!

Busy Day, Busy Momma

Today is a rest day after my 10k yesterday. Unfortunately, it won't be a truly restful day. As all Mommas know, there is no such thing as rest. Even though I won't be lacing up my asics to add to my monthly mileage, I will be running about the elementary school today. Teacher meetings, PTA Board meetings, etc. I plan to run 30 minutes tomorrow and continue my strengthening exercises throughout the weekend.

Since today's post is light on my running, I want to leave you all with Tall Mom's post from yesterday. I am so excited that she found "IT" again. If you've lost "IT" then you can understand the excitement of finding "IT" again! HOORAY for Tall Mom!

Have a great weekend!

10k Never Felt So Good

Last night I left the house at 8:30 (PM!!!) to meet an old friend for a drink downtown. I never leave the house that late. N.E.V.E.R. I am usually crawling into bed at 8:30. I haven't seen this friend since my wedding day almost ten years ago. It was great to see her, have a drink and catch up on the last decade! Unfortunately, last night was not the makings for a great "long" run today. Or so I thought.

G was SOOO right! Last Friday I tried to run 5 miles and threw the towel in at 5k. My body wasn't feeling it. I waited a week and set out today. I had zero expectations; especially after falling asleep after midnight! Ideally I wanted to run the 5 miles I missed last week, but would have been happy with 5k again.

I had a swig of OJ and set out the door. My run was amazing. Epic! I felt as strong as I did during my half! My legs were light and my lungs were working. I hit 5k just at 30 minutes and decided to go for 10k. I finished in 1:01. Other than not fueling and having to wait for cars to cross the streets, it was perfect! The kind of run I dream of. Just me, the road and some Led.

Happy running y'all!

Wordless Wednesday

So true! Thanks Run Like A Mother on FB for this!

In Memoriam

Today I ran a virtual 5k race in memory of baby Ashlyn and my niece Kristin. It wasn't my easiest 5k, I didn't PR, I didn't find that elusive "runner's high". It was hard. I ran without music (by choice), it was raining and muggy, my legs were heavy and my asthma made it hard to breathe. I am glad it was hard. For those 29 minutes I thought of Ashlyn and Kristin. I thought of their Mommas. I cried for their loss.

I am a food allergy Momma, my older son, L, has a life threatening peanut allergy. Not a day goes by that I fear for his safety. If the phone rings during the school day, my heart skips a beat; wondering if it is the nurse calling with bad news. My biggest fear is losing my boys. My second biggest fear is not being able to watch them grow up. Courtney and Linda are my heroes! They have faced my fear and they are making this world a better place because of their loss.

As my legs felt like lead and were struggling to move, I wept for Courtney and her baby Ashlyn. How she would never watch Ashlyn crawl, walk, or run. As my lungs struggled to breathe up those hills today, I wept for Linda and her baby Kristin. My niece who I watched struggle for each breath in her bassinet. Ashlyn and Kristin may not be here on this earth running, but I can run for them! I can breathe for them and that's what I did on my run today!

~Phil 3:14

Unplanned Rest Day

I was hoping to get a quick 5k in this morning before heading up to the elementary school for kindergarten learning centers and lunch with N. Until N started complaining of a sore throat last night; even more this morning. Normally, I'd tell him to suck it up and go to school, but I had strep throat the week before my race and I've been waiting for the rest of the house to get it. So, today is an unplanned day of rest. Extra one-on-one time with my lovable, energetic and contrary five year old. Here's to hoping I can get my run on tomorrow!

Virtual 5K in Memory of Baby Ashlyn

In July 2003 my older brother and his wife had their second daughter, Kristin. Nineteen days later, baby Kristin went to be with the Lord. She was a shining angel for her 19 days in this world and continues to shine in Heaven. Kristin's passing really affected me and my hubby (J). Driving home from Kristin's funeral, we decided that there would never be a "perfect" time to have a baby so what were we waiting for? One year later, our first son L was born. Regularly, I look at L and think about his older cousin, what would she have looked like? If she were alive today, she would love playing with L and N and her big sister K.

Today I came across a virtual 5K in memory of baby Ashlyn here. On Tuesday, December 6th I will run the Hope Endures Virtual 5k for Ashlyn and my niece Kristin. Never forgotten, forever changed.

Failure?

Today I ran 3.1 miles. I should have ran 5. Does that make me a failure? I blame the five ounces of booze that I had last night. I was only going to have 2 oz of Jim Beam, but when I saw there was only one ounce left, I helped myself to it. Why leave one ounce in the bottle?

After the much needed Jim (my five year old was melting down over his sight words and book in a bag), I decided to go to bed with a hot cocoa and 2 oz of creme de menthe. A peppermint patty in a cup! An adult peppermint cocoa! It was fabulous! Until this morning. It was hard to get out of bed. Hard to get the boys to school. Hard to run my scheduled 5 miles (thanks Jeff Galloway!).

Then I remember it was a mere 8 days ago I ran my first half marathon! 13.1 miles!!! I think it's OK to half-ass it today, I busted my butt for four plus months to achieve my goal. I don't think today was a total fail, I think today's mileage was more than most of my peers. Can I talk myself into believing that? I hope so!

Wordless Wednesday

Hubby left on Tuesday for business travel. He gets to enjoy the life (and the sights) in East Hampton and I'm home with the whiny (ahem, joyous) boys by myself; post 10-day Grandma spoil!

I Heart Cold Weather Running!

Dropped the boys off at school this morning and drove as quick as traffic could allow to get home so I could throw on my asics and hit the road. It was trying to snow here in the ATL, but the little flakes were melting before they touched the ground. There is something surreal about running in the snow (or wanna be snow), cranking the tunes (I love me some Led!) and just running. My lungs and legs have recovered from the race and I pounded out 3.1 in 29:36:56. I am thankful for the ability to run, today's run was great for clearing my head!

Pictures for G

Savoring my run...

Race Day Photos

Here are my race day photos. Please don't laugh, I'm not very photogenic but I do win a prize for pure liquid awesome!

First Half Recap

I ran the Atlanta Half Marathon on Thanksgiving morning (11.24.11) with Jessica. We did the Galloway Plan with 4:1 splits. I totally CRUSHED the first 10K. I pretty much felt like I could run the rest of the day; it was EPIC. Once we left Piedmont Park (7 miles exactly), that’s when the wheels fell off. It was ALL.UP.HILL. Very hard and very frustrating. I started walking sooner than 4, not able to run up all of the hills, but walking up half and then all of them. How did this happen? How was I on the top of the world at 10K and just a mile later feel so empty?

Fuel fail. Hill training fail. When I got home, I found two cliff shot blocks still in my spibelt. I was planning to eat 2 blocks at miles 4, 8 and 12. I did miles 4 and 6, but forgot at the 8-10 mark. I did grab two jellybean packets. I should have grabbed more. Next time I will learn how to read the course elevation map (Atlanta Half Marathon Elevation), I will train with appropriate hills, I will change my fuel plan based on that elevation. I should have eaten my shot blocks at 3, 6, 9 & 12 while eating their jellybeans in between as needed. MORE FUEL. I will also start training on the hills. I was never able to run up a hill during training. I will make the hill on Old Canton my bitch. I will run ALL.THE.WAY.UP.IT!

I will also repeat the Galloway Half Training Plan regularly. I think that as my body gets used to running these longer distances, I will CRUSH my next half just like I crushed the first 10K of this race.

My unofficial time for my first half is 2:33:21. I was thinking it would take around 2:24:08. I placed 7072 overall, 3296 among females and 505 in the women’s age 30-34.

My goal was to finish this race and I did. Next time I will finish in less than 2:30, I’d like to finish around 2:17. Next time, I will conquer those hills. Next time I will have better race day photos. Next time I will remember that I am GBA!!!

I will finish this race recap with an email from my running hero and friend G:

First off - Congratulations again Carrie.

Yup. I have So been where you are.

Last year I remember writing my marathon race recap and thinking IT WAS THE PERFECT DAY. 2 days later I emailed my coach and was all about, "how can I do this better?"

Then I went out and did a PERFECT 10 miler using my new and improved marathon strategy as suggested by coach. I mean, perfect. Like, EPIC. At the finish line I thought to myself, THAT WAS PERFECT. Negative splits and everything... and then, a few hours into my drive home from the race I started thinking, "I went out too slow... I could have run that race 15-20 seconds faster".

It's so funny, isn't it. We train, we crush it, and then... then... we look for ways to make it better. THAT is what makes you GBA. THAT is the difference between being an athlete versus a woman who runs sometimes and does a race every now and then.

The first big race is a learning experience. Write it all down. Not only are you going to improve, the more you can get out of this year's experience means you're likely to improve exponentially.

As you write it, put special emphasis on where you nailed it, how you feel you succeeded. This is just as important as the other stuff.

And pay attention to those parts of the race where you think you could have improved. How could you have improved? What specifically makes you feel that way?

And here's the last thing I want to remind you. A half marathon is 13.1 miles. That's not HALF OF ANYTHING. That is a WHOLE RACE. A race worth celebrating and savoring. So when you start to question your awesomeness, stop the madness by reminding yourself, YOU DID THAT. And when you start to doubt the greatness of your race, smile a little to yourself and think, "yeah, I'm pretty much a 'love sick crack head'...."

Also, it will be about 2 weeks post race until your muscles will be healed and fully recovered, as long as you keep light mileage and low intensity. So while I'm not suggesting a tempo run, maybe some light running with no training plan, just running for the sake of running will remind you of how much you rocked on race day.

take care,

THAT (other) girl,

g.

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Hey G!

I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving! Mine was great! Two post 13.1 St. Germaine cocktails and a slice of tiramisu and I passed out on the couch!

I remember your post about THAT girl, the one who badmouths you... you! That post describes me! I haven't slipped into a post half depression, but I find myself constantly replaying the race in my head. I am finding where I "messed up". Where I "didn't go strong enough". Where I "let the hills kick my ass". I can honestly say that during the race, I gave it all I had, but I am now questioning that and wishing I had pushed harder. Do you ever struggle with this? Why can't I be proud of myself for what I accomplished? I am already planning my training method for next year so I can make those hills my bitch! Is this the antithesis to the taper?

Trying to savor the 13.1 accomplishment but letting the personal criticism get the better of me,

-c-