6th pic

I stole this TAG from Jessica, find the 6th pic in the 6th picture folder and post it! and thought, "What a great idea". This pic was taken out at the Grant where the Hubby, his cousins, Dad, uncles, Brother used to go fishing with Gpa Derril. There were very few people allowed to fish on the Grant but Gpa Derril had a lifetime pass and was eager to share with his family. These pics were taken when the hubby, his brother and the boys went to go get the boat about a month after Gpa Derril passed away from Cancer. I personally have never been out to the grant and I'm sad about that. What a beautiful piece of land with wonderful lifelong memories for my husband, his family and my boys to have.

RAIN TODAY and not feeling well. Its halloween though so I will brave the weather to take the kiddos trick or treating this afternoon downtown then through the neighborhood tonight. Tomorrow I should get 4 miles in if I get a break in the rain and 18 miles scheduled for Sunday. Vicki and I are going to try for 10 early break for PB&J's then 6 for the Almond bowl 10K then 2 cool down.

Loop De Loop

Yesterday we ran our BIDWELL CLASSIC route in the park. This was the same as my first half marathon in March. I can't believe it. Most of our group was running in Healdsburg this weekend with the half marathon group. I haven't heard how they've done yet. So since they were all doing a half marathon "time trial" Paul set us up to do one too. So familiar was the key. We've all run a thousand (or so) times around this same park and know it inside and out. The hard part was running past our cars the first loop!

We started out taking the street along the outside as a warm up and to show those who hadn't run the BC the little extra jog we needed to make it 13.1 miles. We then did 4 sets of strides to get our body ready then headed out. My original pace was supposed to be around 9:58/mile but that was like 7 weeks or so ago and we've come along way since then. My first few miles were too fast. I could tell. Mile 1 was like 9:02 or so. OUCH! I wouldn't get too far in a marathon going that pace. I might not get too far in a half going that fast. Usually takes me like 5 (or ten) miles to get warmed up. So we slowed down. About mile 3 I noticed that one of the girls wasn't feeling to hot. I asked her what was up and she said her ankle was bothering her after twisting it yesterday. I told her that if it hurt worse or continued the same but didn't get better she had better take a breather at the car and make up her mileage later but to rest, ice and elevate it (see my first aid teaching days are coming in handy) so she could actually DO the marathon in 6 weeks. She decided at mile 6 that was a good idea. We stopped, signed her out, took a potty break, drank some electrolyte stuff Paul set out for us, at a few moons and headed out for the second loop. Pretty good for a 2.5 minute stop hu?

The second loop we hit our times more strategically. between 9:35 and 9:50 which is where we wanted to be. We ended up averaging about 9:36/mile for the half marathon coming in at just over 2h5m. We did a cool down and stretched. I was in a hurry to get home so I didn't jump in the creek, my usual routine. Bad idea. I hurt today. totally sore and tight. BUMMER. I even wanted to go for a two mile run but the hubby went fishing with my dad so that's not going to happen. Tomorrow is speed work. Speed work. Speed work.

Less than 6 weeks to the marathon. I can't believe it!

Tagging is lame... just kidding

Steve over at Running Away with my Thoughts tagged me a million or so years ago... (like 9 days but who's counting) and since the hubby is going to be home TOMORROW I had better do it now. I don't think I'll be seeing the computer for the next week anyhow. Okie dokie... so I need to tell you something about myself.

I'm 30 this year, I have two beautiful children who drive me bonkers, a very handsome firefighter/paramedic husband who drives me bonkers, two dogs who drive me bonkers so I run. Actually that was just a great side effect of the running... the whole break from the testosterone filled home and all.

I have anxiety and panic attacks. I don't have them as bad as I used to. I haven't had to be sedated for one in years. But now I live with a low level of anxiety all the time instead of them just hitting me out of no where. I'm not sure what is worse, them coming on... then going away or me living with this tight squeezing feeling in your chest all the time. The running seems to be helping me with that.

I'm a flake, or a procrastinator. Right now I need to be doing laundry. REALLY NEED to be doing laundry. I should also be vacuuming and mopping the floors. BUT the bathrooms are clean, the living room and the kitchen is clean and the freezer is cleaned out. I really need to go through our linen closet today though.

I avoid things that have big potential to disappoint me or may lead to me failing at them. HMmm.... like how I should be going to school but I can't seem to make an appointment to see the councilor because I don't want him to say I have to take a million classes since I've been out of school forever, or that I have to take remedial classes since its been so freaking long. I'm especially afraid of not having the time to study and finish my assignments or getting a bad grade on a test that I poured my heart and soul into. So I just don't do it. Stupid I know. Gotta get over that one.

I love photography. I take pix part time for some side $. This is truly my passion and hopefully some day I can get my arse in gear and make it more of a career.

That's that. I'm not tagging anyone in particular. But lets get to know one another better K? if you do write a little diddy about yourself please link me in so I can see what you wrote. Thanks for putting up with me.

P.S. I love you

You on a diet? Here's some fat free calorie free EYE Candy for ya!

Nothin' like sitting around with a girl friend watching a sappy movie, drinking Mike's hard lemonade, swooning over really HOT Irish guys (actually Gerard Butler is Scottish and Jeffrey Dean Morgan was born in Seattle Washington but whatever) to make you wanna "appreciate" your husband...









And where that said husband...?









In another effing state!









and by Friday when he gets home? Yea I'll be over the "appreciation" by then. I'll be wondering if that husband is ever gonna shave again.









Oh I ran over 5 miles with my movie buddy this morning. She's getting quicker and taking less stops to walk and stretch. I'm so proud of her.









Tomorrow. I'm watching Run, Fat boy, Run









I'm off do download some irish pub music then head to bed... by my lonesome... AGAIN! I'll just have to channel that frustration into my speed work out that I SHOULD do tomorrow morning. LOL we'll just see about that.

A bummer, sad, very bad day

I haven't slept much, about 3-5 hours a night for the last 5 nights in a row. Hubby's gone and I've had anxiety about it I've never had before. I don't like it. I'm not especially good at being a single mommy. My kids see the frustration on my face even though I'm trying my best and keeping my tone and demands under control. It doesn't help that my youngest son is sick with the cold my oldest gave him when he was sick last week. It doesn't help that I'm not eating enough or drinking enough water.

I didn't run tonight. Speedwork was supposed to be a mile warm up 4 miles progressive run (increase speed with each mile with no breaks between) and a mile cool down. I couldn't, I'm not sure if I'm getting sick or if the stress is just wearing on me. I laid in bed trying to sleep all day because I just felt like I was a carrying around a thousand pound boulder on my back. My head was in a fog and the thought of eating ANYTHING just made my stomach turn. I watched the clock til I finally fell asleep at 2am and the youngest little man woke up coughing at 2:30. I layed in the most uncomfortable bed with him til 6:30am when the alarm went off. I slept... but not sure how much of it was quality.

but tomorrow is another day. A day to get up and eat a good breakfast, go for a 5 mile run with my friend, eat a good snack a good lunch, clean the house and spend a nice afternoon with my boys. Tomorrow will be better today. I'm putting it out there into the universe. TOMORROW WILL BE A GOOD DAY! Did you hear me? ...

I can't wait for the hubby to get home.....

UGH

The clock says 1:16. I'm going to go try AGAIN to go to sleep. I get to wake up in 5 1/2 hours and get the kiddos ready for school. I hope to not have those crazy dreams tonight. I hope to get my schedule back when the hubby returns. That may be as long as a week away still. The insomia, the dreams that leave me feeling exhaused. I'm so over them... wish my body and my head would agree. hmmmmmm......

stretch..... ok off to hit the hay.

20 miles today

It was crazy, that really it felt good. That is the crazy part.
It
felt
good.

I was tired and I'm hungry, but really? I could keep going. Its 7 weeks to the marathon. That means I've been training for with this group for 9 weeks. I've been training for THIS for over 9 MONTHS.

So I'm on the downhill swing. I have 6 more long runs before the CIM. ONLY 6! Can you believe it? I can't. It has not been easy. The miles themselves have been the easy part. It's the rest of the package that makes this a tough journey. Its been hard on the kids, on the hubby, on our babysitters and parents who have watched the kids so I can get my miles, speedwork and long runs in. I've been sore tired hungry and a bit cranky at times.

I am amazed how far this year has brought me. How FAR! I've run more than 500 miles! I walked in TWO Avon Walks for Breast Cancer and raised almost $3,600 for Breast Cancer. I've become a stronger person on this journey and I've made lots of unline friends who have been such a great support. You all amaze me every day. Thank you.

Into the Wild Wild West

Tomorrow I run 20 miles.


I've never run 20 miles in one day before. I thought I would be nervous but really? I'm just excited to see what my body can do. How it holds up. how much GU and Luna Moons I'll need to consume to make it. How I feel tomorrow and the next day. How I feel when I look at my Garmin and it says 20 miles, am I beat? Can I go on?


Next week is a 13.1 time trial and since I already did mine (Cowtown Half Mary) I'm going to shoot for what I think I want my marathon pace to be. I'm hoping for around 9:30-9:45 minute miles for the marathon. That Marathon is just 7 weeks from today.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The hubby and his Big Brother B killed an Elk today. I'm happy they killed something opening day but not quite sure where they are going to put it all when they drive back. Guess what? That's not MY problem.... LOL.


I guess I need to clean out the freezer before they get home too. That, my friends, IS my problem.

Back on Track

That feeling I had at my old school? The one where I felt like I was actually a part of the big picture... where I actually felt a part of something at all? That how I feel running with this group. It's all very natural, the Tuesday night speed runs and the Sunday morning long runs. The "NORM" factor when I walk into the store... an acceptance I have unlike anywhere else. I love running, how it makes me feel, how I've found a community of like minded people, how I'm really sad when a training program is over and look forward to a new one. What am I going to do when this marathon is over? I've found my comfort zone and I'm afraid to lose it again. I guess when its time to move on... or I just sign up for more. LOL.

I wonder if I can drop my half mary time below 1:57?.... I guess I need to think about if this training keeps going or if it slows down or if one marathon and two half marathons is enough for me. Its like a compulsion now though. This need to beat my last time, better myself, push that envelope. That competitive edge I had lost for the last 15 years is back and sort of intimidating. I'm not sure if I'll know when too much is too much.

On track

When I ran in High School (not quite a gazillion years ago but about 15 or so) I was blessed to be a part of a progressive school that had a GREAT Sports program. We not only had a great all weather track but our school was one of the only in the area that had Water Polo and a swim team. Let me tell you it was always nice to leave the track a little early and walk s-l-o-w-l-y past the hot and wet water polo team. Ahhh the days. That was my freshman year when I was one of the fasted girls in my class. 3 of us girls made the Varsity Track team. Of course it helped that the track looped around the soccer field where the BOYS PRACTICED during our practice. Yea, I had a great school my freshman year.

Then my parents decided to MOVE!

I had been with the same kids for 10 or more years if you include pre-school. I knew almost everyone. I had palls in all different groups, Preppies, Jocks, drama, skaters, stoners, dorks, etc. I didn't' really fit in to any of these and the group I did hang out with most of the time were older than I was by about two years and consisted of Really HOT (who I enjoyed kissing) to really dorky (No I didnt' kiss the really dorky ones here). I was in Drama, I was VP of the schools Business Club, I ran track and field. I was somewhere in the middle of it all and LOVING IT! I couldn't have asked for a better freshman year.

Then My PARENTS decided to MOVE!

I had lived in the same house for 10 years. I knew how long it would take to get from one side of town to the other by bike. I knew where all the boys I had my eye on lived and had NO problem stopping by to say a very inocent "hello". I had 30 kids on my block that we would play hide and go seek til midnight up and down the street. Although I never did, I knew where to get pot or coke if I wanted it. This was my town.

Then MY PARENTS DECIDED TO MOVE!

That Spring (actually it was March 10th) I had a mole removed from my back. It turns out that at (a week short of) 15 years old.. I had Stage II Malignant Melanoma. I had a huge scar and I was told to stop running.

OK, not so much not running but don't go outside in the sun and don't stretch which is exactly like saying... Stop running. My parents decided it was time to move to a place where she could see us settling down when we met someone, somewhere more quaint and tight knit. So we moved.

Actually I moved to a SHITTY school with a even worse track and field program. I stayed with Drama and became the sports editor for the school paper which was really cool but not quite cool enough for this po-dunk school where everyone has literally known each other their whole lives. They were me when I was at MY school. Now I'm at their school.

I did make some friends. Actually I made more friends with those I went to High School in the last year or so then I did when I was actually in school with them. One of them is running in the CIM with me in December.

I can't fault my parents. They did do what was best. I met the man of my dreams. I have two beautiful children. I met my best friend at that awful school. I still have a great love and affection for my drama and my biology teachers. I learned a lot at that school, it just NEVER felt like it was my school. I never ran there, I never lettered there, I never raced my friends down that track... the one made of dirt with rocks embedded into the path that would cause us all to trip and fall.



So that's pretty much how I stopped running... then decided enough was enough and I started running again and I haven't stopped. Not sure if I ever will. I've got 20 miles on the books for Sunday.

Not Knocked Up

No I'm not preggo but the symptoms I think are worse than they were when I was. This marathon training is doing a number on my body. Let me tell you I weighed exactly 106.4lbs when I started running January 5th of this year. Lately I've been hovering around 110lbs consistently. I know I went up to 107.5 in just a few weeks and haven't fallen under that line yet. I attribute this to muscle gain at that first half marathon kick my butt into gear program.

These last 8 weeks though. PHEWWW... I swear its kinda scary. If I don't eat about every 2-3 hours I'm GRUMPY like stay outta my way cranky. Not good. I'm actually hungry which I have only ever felt as an adult when I was pregnant with the boys. I crave beer. I know weird cause I don't even LIKE BEER! But let me tell you I loved the smell of it when I was preggo with Blondy and if I had one handed to me after a run I would SO DRINK IT! I'm eating like a maniac. Seriously, I eat all the time. I am eating healthy for the most part. I ate salad two nights in a row for dinner but of course I finished Hollywood's half of a Chicken Parmesan sandwich after I ate my family size Greek Salad... and could have still eaten more if I hadn't stopped myself. I am hungry all the freakin time... you know like you are when you have "the dreaded PENIS POISONING!(que girls horror scream)".

OK so it also makes me tired (or that was the yummy huge glass of Cab I had after dinner tonight). Whatever I'm hitting the hay so I can have the energy to get my ass up and go running in the morning. Later gaters... Hey good luck to all you who are running the Amazing Nike Women's Marathon in SF this weekend (I wonder if Paul on of the coaches from our group will be wearing a skirt? I'll post embarrassing pix of my coach and you know that will score big points). You will be in my thoughts and prayers! I know you will all do great things out there.

Speaking of the Nike! Liz and Linda will be down there this weekend while Vicki and I are up here peddling our way through 20 miles on Sunday. I did start a blog for the thought we had to start a Runners Book club. Its called 10 minute miles (that's about all of our pace). We would spend one Saturday or Sunday a month doing our long run and talking about the book of our choice. Haven't yet got feedback from the other three but we will see!

A change of clothes

for my blog anyhow. Let me know if you like it or not. Honestly please. If its too hard to read let me know and I'll find a new (or go back to the old one) background. I guess changing my background on my blog is better then me going out and spending money on new real clothes... this economy thing is kicking my pocketbook in the keaster.

Ran almost 6 miles simulated hill run at the track yesterday and 5 mile easy run today. 4 miles at race pace (9:45/mile) I hope tomorrow with one mile warm up and one mile cool down. We will see.


P.S.
I promise to find (accidentally closed the link) and post the wonderful background artist ASAP and post it with HIGH REGARDS and many THANK YOU'S

Found it! This Football loving Arkie sweetie pie led me to Simply Chic Blog Backgrounds and Now I'm so in love with her designs. This new make over is just what I needed. Do you think she'll come re-do my wardrobe too? ahhhhh wishful thinking.

No Way Jose

I got no run in today. The biggest little man is sick, fever, chills, cough, stomach ache... etc. That equals at least two days of NO SCHOOL. Bummer for him to be sick. Bummer for me to not get anything I needed to get done done. I could have used a 4 mile run today too. I felt a bit out of sorts myself. I'm a little worried about being a single mommy for 13 days. I hate it when he's gone that long. I don't think I could stand to be away for almost two weeks. Away from him, away from my boys. He is totally digging into my running schedule too. Doesn't he know this Marathon is upon us. It is less than 2 months away and I am going a bit crazy just thinking about it. Of course he doesn't get it. This big prep for me is like waiting on an elk for him. But I have a hell of a lot more work to do first. He realized last weekend that he was a bit out of shape. WHAT? You are going to go traipsing around rugged mountainous terrain and not even be IN SHAPE? Are you trying to kill yourself? Apparently yes. One more reason for me to be all freaked out. I know, I have issues. Issues that I can't seem to get over. Issues that loom in my subconscious waiting to erupt in anxiety and panic over something I have no control over. See didn't I tell you I needed a run?

Tomorrow night is speed work. That should make me hurt... and feel better

MILESTONES

OMG! Today was exactly half way through Marathon Training program #1 for me! Thats 8 weeks BABY! Here are some of my STATS since I started running at the beginning of the year. My New Years Resolution has been a productive one this year!

• Since August 18th (Day 1 of Marathon Training) I have run 223.8 miles.


• I have run 39 times since that day


• I have run 1 Half Marathon UNDER 2 hours (1:57:47) since Marathon training


• I have made 3 LONGEST RUN EVER milestones since that day, 14+, 16 and 18+


• I went from 11:30/miles to 8:20/miles (or faster) since January 1st


• My first LONG run was 6 miles on January 5th and I thought I was going to die


• Today that is a regular run for me


• 529.3 miles is my milage to date since January 1st
• My Goal for 2008 was 500


• 88 1/2 hours on my feet running since the beginning of the year


• Three 5K's,Two 10K's and Two half marathons all progressively faster than the last


• I have spent an ENORMOUS amount of $$$ at Fleet Feet including a $350 GPS watch and 3 pairs of shoes, 5 pairs of socks and endless amounts of other things (i.e. stuff the hubby doesn't know about) oh and he bought 2 pairs of socks and one pair of shoes, because you know that matters in the grand scheam of things, like when the $25 credit comes for every $250 you spend... yea thats ALL mine BABY!


• Running has made me a bit crazy, but my body is looking better! Its all a trade off I know.

New Frontiers

This was a big week for me. I ran my half marathon on Sunday, 5+ miles on Wednesday (after nursing battle wounds... er that would be fun fun fun chaffing in my inner thighs), 3 miles on Thursday, 6 miles on Friday and 18.15 miles today. That Ends up equating to over 45 miles in 7 days and my biggest week yet.

Last night I got a My Space comment to come run with a few of the Marathon Training group Saturday instead of Sunday and I took them up on it. I went 15 miles with NO music and have to say those 3 miles I did, I hardly listened. Its amazing how I can talk to other girls who I'm not particularly close to for 3 1/2 hours straight. Today was my longest run ever and let me tell you, IT WAS GREAT! I felt so good those last few miles I could have easily kept going. I swear it took 15 miles for me to warm up. I wore my green nike capri tights and they were awsome, I wore a campi with a built in bra that fits PERFECT and my pull over green jacket with the long sleeves and the thumb hole. I love it. Not only is it SOO STINKIN' CUTE, it does do its job and keeps me warm against the biting cold wind and wicks the sweat away. They felt so good but I have some issues with the pockets. Obviously since I did my long run today I won't be running tomorrow and giving my body a break. I will be running Monday, Tuesday night for speed work, Wednesday with Good Neighbor, Thursday for hills or more speed and Friday easy 6+ run. I won't be running Saturday because the hubby will be in CO hunting and there won't be child care but after 5 days straight of running and probably 25+ miles without a long run I can afford a day off so I will be in tip top shape for Sundays 20 mile run.

When we got back to the park and did our little loop to make sure we did a full 18 (Thank you Garmin, I bow to you), we stretched then jumped, er... slowly eased is more like it, into the FREEZING COLD CREEK! I was just in there after a long run a few weeks ago and it was not close to that cold. Let me tell you it worked though. I am sore in my hips but not so sore I feel immobile or incompasitated in any way. A little Advil and some more water and I should be fine. It is amazing how good I feel. I have a feeling I am better at the long distances since it really does take my body several miles to warm up.

NO Time Like the Present

Its Wednesday, you know, run with Good Neighbor Day. She and I met at one mile (the spot everyone starts at) and did the dreaded loop. I swear, I could run those 5.2 miles in my sleep forward and backwards. But its so nice to not have to think about if you turned left or right here, if the bridge you took actually looped back where you wanted, that you won't get lost, that I can talk to GN to my hearts content. We talk a lot about parenting and the difference between her girls and my boys who are the same age. We talk about our other friends and our goals; hers is to run the Almond Bowl 5K in a few weeks! YEAH!. We talk about getting together to do girly things like watch chick flicks and drink margaritas or Mikes Hard Lemonade (yumm-o). 5 miles sure does go by quick. Before you know it we're at the kiddie park and its time to part ways. But there is always next Wednesday, Bidwell Park and a running partner waiting.

Yea, I didn't run yesterdays speed work out. The hubby was gone for 3 days and I was gone ALL day at a field trip and didn't think it was right for me to be home for 3 hours then leave again. He had to go to bed early anyway so he could leave the house by 5am to get to work early. So the tentative plan is to do that work out tomorrow morning after I drop the kids. Now I just have to let Laura in on that little jem because I know she's gonna love the plans... not.

5K PR

Ok so I did the math and figured out my last 3.1 miles of my half marathon is 1 minute FASTER than my last 5K time. Isn't that amazing? Ok now I'm proud of myself.

4th of July 5K 27:06
Last 3.1 Cowtown: 26:07

THATS THE END OF MY HALF MARATHON!

I can't believe that two months ago I was dying during my 5K and yesterday... well yesterday was 9 months of hard work payed off... 2 more months to go til the CIM

I guess the speed work is working

sweet as pie

I didn't run today after that crazy half mary I did yesterday... phew! Rest days are GOOD. I am still so surprised at myself. Not sure if I'm proud yet but surprised is enough for now. I did get a good belly laugh in today. That's exercise right? Of course I did it in my room with the door closed on the phone with my friend Tiff over a conversation OUR ELDEST children had at school in line today...

Apparently this is what happened (T-Rex is her 8yr old, Hollywood is mine)

T-Rex- You are a big trash can full of CR-@-P

Hollywood- Well you're a big swimming pool full of SH*T

Nice hu? Then do they keep it to themselves? NO! They tell K, then swear her to secrecy. YEA RIGHT! K tells Mrs. N and then they get a nice long conversation about what happened, about not telling the truth, about using that kind of language and how they get to tell their parents what really happened. If the truth does not come out... pink slip home.

I'm not proud of him. I'm really irritated at him at the moment. But, there is my son having to bring out the bigger badder words to not be outdone. How much is he like his father? WAY TOO MUCH! its kinda scary. What scares Hollywood the most? His Daddy knowing and even worse, Hollywood gets to tell him.

Sacramento Cowtown Half Marathon Report

Today was a special day. Not just another half marathon for me, not this one is special. What a perfect day! The High temp was supposed to be 77*F and the temp at the start of the race was a blistfully perfect 48*F. I got to the park with 45minutes to spare before the race and high tailed it to checkin to get my bib and chip. I checked my sweat bag and found my way among the other runners to the 2h5m pace group. I figured this was perfect since I ran a 2:11:40 or so last half marathon. We were supposed to be running about 9:35 but the first mile was about 10 minutes due to runner traffic congestion. As it thinned out we sped up. We ran through some great neighborhoods and dreamed of living in such sweet houses then remembered where we were. Nope no living in Sac for me thank you very much. There were water and Cytomax stations every two miles. First stop I took one cup of each to see how it tasted. Not bad... not really good either. At mile 4 I took two Cytomax and almost to 5 I thought I should have taken a GU and water there. Too late. We ran along the levy and through parks. I actually gradually got a little faster except for the couple of little hills that slowed me down a bit. At about mile 3 I got in front of the 2:05 pace group but already couldn't see the 2hour pace group. It took me all the way til mile 11 to catch up with them. By then I had been playing leap frog with a really hot guy from mile 7 or so on. He would follow me for a while then I would follow him for a while. By the time we got back to the park I was about spent. I had run the last three miles at nearly my threshold pace and the last half mile it showed. I was dragging. No matter how much I willed my legs and body to go they just kept slowing down. I did get to the point where I saw the finish line and just kept going... no more slowing down. Lets finish this right! I did cross the line with the clock running under 2 hours above me. My Garmin said 1:58:16 and I was both surprised and excited to see the results showed my chip time even better than that, 1:57:46. I was so excited! In looking for the bag check I got cold! So cold. I stretched really good, ate an orange, ate a piece of bread, ate some rice chips, stretched somemore, still cold. So I bought a really cute green sweatshirt that says COWTOWN marathon on it. yep, even though I didnt run THE marathon I still bought me some warmth.

this was the first time I've run in a race with a finishing medal. It was so cool, but not really a medal. It was a cowbell. I loved it though. It really sounds like a cowbell to! The kids are already tired of hearing it. I stretched again when I got home then took an ice bath to sooth the muscles and the CRAZY chaffing I got on my inner thieghs (got any ideas how to fix that? you know ... now that its done and all?) They are so sore, they look more like scratches then chaffing. All I have to say is OUCH and I won't be running anything longer than a 5k in those anymore. I wore my brookds today and my feet felt GREAT! The more I wear them the more I like them, go figure. So BodyGlide is the Shit, although not the shit on the places you don't use it. GU lemon/lime was better than the chocolate I'm been using. The strawberry luna moons are ok but not great. Sacramento Cowtown, overall ROCKED!

Here are the stats

690/2330
Tina Mickelson Chico CA
Bib #1377
Age 30 39/228 F 30-34 group
Chip time 1:57:47.0
Gun time 1:58:41.4
difference 0:54.3
Pace 8:59/Mile

From the mouth of Babes

I dropped the boys at my parents so I can leave at 5am to make it to my Cowtown Half Marathon in Sacramento on time. I'm about to leave tonight so I do the Mommy thing and I give them kisses and tell them to be good for their Grandparents. My mom reminds them to tell me "Good Luck" on my race tomorrow.

Blondy, the younger one, yells from the floor where he is consumed with the TV already,
"Good luck Mommy!"

My older son, well he is his fathers son.
He said, "Good luck Mom, Break a Leg!"
then he falls over laughing.
Ha Ha Ha.

Sunday Runs

I love my long runs, being outside watching the world change week to week, feeling my body change, pushed to limit its never been, listening to the sounds of people talking, cars going by, the sounds of the park and the neighborhoods and getting to know my running group better. I love my long runs... but I miss my Sundays at church. I've been listening to the sermons online (you know when my computer has been working) but my new adventure is to see if I can download them onto my ipod so I can listen to them while I run. I do a lot of soul searching and praying on my runs. I spend a lot of time counting my blessings and working things through in my head especially on the runs where I'm by myself. I just miss that congregation of God's Love I get from going to Church. This week I run a Half Mary in Sac. There will be no time to go to Church even if I fly home. I hope that I can sneak my ipod (I know bad bad bad) and listen to the last few weeks sermons if I can figure it out.

OMG, I ran 16 miles, my longest ever so far last Sunday. I can't believe I forgot my Superfeet Insoles, no wonder my feet have hurt ALL week. We went to Upper Park along the fire road but there are so many rocks that my ankle kept turning. I'm glad I ran with Vicki so we could take the levy together and cut 2 miles off the bumpy part of the route. Of course we missed out on 1 mile of up hill and one mile of down hills that we got flack for from one of the coaches. I felt pretty good, you know tired but that's OK. I consumed about 50oz of water, one lemon lime GU packet and 1 bag of Luna moons on that run. I don't think I consumed enough food throughout the day though. By Tuesday I still didn't feel like me. During that run I did great the first two sets of 10 minute runs at threshold then lost it during the third. I got dizzy and nauseated to the point I was afraid I was going to throw up on the football players in the middle of the field. Not that they aren't used to it I mean they do go to Chico State! Puking is a requirement practically but that's usually at the parties not the middle of the football field you know. I noticed even when I stopped my heart rate stayed high... too high for too long. Although I thought I was staying hydrated I'm afraid I might have just had some residual dehydration for that long run. I need to be more aware of what I'm drinking too because I think my electrolytes were off too. Usually I'm caked in salt after a hard run, but not Tuesday night. So I drank a G2 I got from Safeway and had another 16oz of Gatorade in the morning and I've felt so much better since then. Still tired but better.

Sunday I'm running a half mary in Sac by myself. I don't know anyone who's going to run it so this will be a fun solo run for me. Problem is I don't know how I want to run it. Do I do marathon pace through out so I know how it feels or do I push it and try for 9:30's or better for my miles? Should I start at marathon pace and ease into a faster pace working on negative splits? I don't know! I guess it depends on how I feel when I get there hu?

Got a 3 mile run lined up for today and 3 miles for tomorrow that should put me in at 32 miles or so this week. I hope that's enough. Am I running enough? I don't want to be too tired on Sunday. I wish I had someone to just tell me what I should be and shouldn't be doing. That and I need somebody to make my food and feed it to me too. Ahhh the dreams you have of hitting the lottery. Shouldn't I be dreaming of mansions and fast cars? No I dream of someone telling me how to run and eat... oh and someone washing my hair and making it cute everyday. That sounds like heaven to me. I'm going to try to download those sermons now that we're back to Heaven again. lol