Stupid Alarm

I woke up this morning irritated that the stupid alarm was going off. I mean, really. Why in the world was it going off so stinkin' early?? Oh. Yeah. That's right. I wanted it to...

5:45.

On a summer morning.

And I was tired.

Hop out. Shorts on. Shirt on. Bar in mouth. Shoes on. Garmin on. I-pod ready. Walk out the door...

Brrrrrrrrrrr!

Stinkin' cold.

And it's almost July.

Out of pure stubborness I ignored the fact the I probably should have had a sweatshirt on.

It's almost July for pete's sake.

Off I go.

Only 4.

Did I mention it was cold??

Pushing through. Legs heavy. Arms numb. Mind foggy.

4 miles ran.

And really, my times were where they should be.

4 easy miles...

9:40
9:24
9:42
9:50

But, holy cow!

Maybe I should have listened when the alarm went off.

Maybe I should have rolled back over.

Because right now, I have coffee at the ready. I'm working hard to keep my eyes open. My arms are still freezing. And truth be told, I'm really thinking about crawling right back into bed once all the kids are fed. Stinky clothes and all...

A Million Thoughts...

Okay. Maybe not a million. But, a lot. Shoot. I was on vacation and my brain is just a little mish mashed and I now have 4 kids pulling me from every angle (#5 is off at camp this week)...

I read 3 books and 1 entire magazine while away for 8 days. Yes. That was 3 books and 1 ENTIRE magazine.

It started with the magazine. The latest issue of Runner's World, purchased just before boarding the plane to head to paradise. What a treat and a treasure. I enjoyed every minute of peace and loved every single word I read. Inspired. Getting educated. Laughing. Crying. I have only read a magazine cover to cover one other time... an issue of Women's Running that I got for my birthday this year.

Then I moved on to a couple of fluffy fiction books. One by Nicholas Sparks the other by Jodi Piccoult. Great authors. Good reads. Great vacation books read on the sandy beaches of Cabo.

I laughed, cried, and got inspired all through book 3. Having to share bits and pieces of what I was reading... I'm sure it got old, but I just could not stop myself. Can you imagine what this book might have been about? Yes. Running. A great book called Personal Record. It was written by Rachel Toor. Oh. My Word. It was an amazing read and was over all too quickly. It's a book written about her life and love of running. How she got started. Her training. Her races. She's a marathoner and ultra marathoner and I loved every word she wrote. Yes. I'm the goofball with tears streaming down my face while reading about running. Yes. I. Am.

Speaking of tears. They continue to come to my eyes every time I think of my dear friends who ran the Seattle Rock n' Roll Marathon this last weekend. They literally rocked it and as I got the text telling me Julie had realized her dream of finishing under 4, I could not hold the tears back. And when I found out that night that her best friend Ashley made it all the way to mile 25 before her body quit doing what it had been trained to do, I cried some more. And when I talked to Wendy who told me of her sprint to the finish as she saw her husband and was so happy to be home, I cried more. Then, when I heard Michelle BQ'd for a 2nd time... yes. More tears. I am just so proud of each and every one of them...

And as I've talked with Julie and seen that her love of running has only increased since her finish on Saturday, she, of course, has asked when I'm doing one. The answer? I just don't know.

There's that perfectionist side of me that wants to know my body can handle at least 20 miles before I actually commit. What if my knees and hips won't go that long regardless of what my mind wants to do? I have no desire to stop at 13.1. I want more. More challenge. More miles. More. Training for a half was not nearly the challenge I expected. And I want more.

But.

What if I only ever do one? What if?

I want that one to be a good one. So where? Which one??

I thought of L.A. since my mom will be there. Starting at Dodger stadium. Ending at the beach. Beautiful course. Sounds good. But, what about the weather? What if it's too warm. It would require a bit of traveling and I'd have to train in the winter. Cold, wet, dark, winter. Wake up when it's dark and wet. Already dark and wet again by the time the kids get home from school... okay. Not really, but it does get dark early. Regardless, most runs would be done in the dark. The wet. And the cold...

Then, there's the inaugural Vancouver USA Marathon next June. Right in my own backyard. Would be pretty amazing. Watched the course yesterday and feel I need to drive it now. Didn't look so enticing...

Or maybe Eugene next spring. Julie might be there. Looks like a beautiful course. Right before summer so I don't have to leave my family for long runs on beautiful summer weekends. Would be able to train in better weather. Timing seems perfect, unless Cory is gone at an alpaca show...

Is it just me? Does it really require this much thought? Shouldn't I just be able to pick a race and go with it??

Ahh, Mexico. Take me away...


Deep breath.


Better.


Mexico was amazing. Amazing friends. Amazing paradise. Amazing time with my sweet husband. And for the 1st time in my life, I ran on vacation. Some people thought I was crazy. Isn't vacation for doing nothing? Nope. Not for me. I looked at it this way... I GOT to run without having to make sure the kids were okay. I GOT to run on vacation. Because, shoot, isn't vacation about doing what you want to do??

I was scheduled to do a 9 mile the first weekend, then a 3 on Tuesday and a 6 on Thursday and another 9 the weekend we got home. Didn't totally work out that way...

There was a 30 minute time limit on the treadmill in the workout room. So, the 1st day, I figured 3 miles on. 3 miles running outside in the little gated community. 3 more miles back on the treadmill. Great in theory. Just 1 little thing. The workout room was a room with wide open windows. No air and the fans on my treadmill did not work. So, picture this, a girl who is used to running in 48 degrees, now running in a room that is in the 80's. Yeah. Little warm. I was sweating like a crazy lady and was pushing through. Got through the 1st 3 and headed outside. Um. Yeah. Lasted maybe 8 minutes and was back inside again. Outside was even hotter and there was NO flat ground. Just lots and lots of hills. Got back on the treadmill and after almost 3 more miles, I noticed I was no longer sweating. At all. Then, I started getting the chills. My oh so smart self thought this MUST not be good. I slowed it down and started walking. Needless to say, 9 did NOT get run...

I realized I was going to have to change my plan and decided to just run 3 the next day and felt much better. Took Monday off. Ran 4.25 on Tuesday. 4. 25 Wednesday. 6 Thursday. 3 Friday. By the end of the week, I was feeling great. I worked on my speed by doing intervals and also did some runs trying to go a little faster for a little longer. Because it was so stinkin' warm, I decided to do this all at no incline...

Then, came my 9 yesterday. Having taken the week off hills, my body was sure talking to me. My buns and legs said, "how do you do?" And we had fun getting reacquainted. It was wonderful running in cooler weather. Wonderful feeling my muscles talk to me. Wonderful running 9. To be honest, I was worried my body wouldn't make it. It had been 2 weeks since I had a long run. Thankfully, it was like riding a bike. My body knew just what to do. Ahh. Wonderful 9.

I was at church on Sunday and my friend walked up and whispered in my ear, "you have the sexiest calves..." I didn't really hear the rest. Yes. She did say sexy at church :) I was flattered beyond words. Flattered because I really don't like my legs. My legs look more like my brother's than my sister's. My thighs are tree trunks. My ankles? Non existent. My calves? Well, let's just say they're probably as big around as some people's thighs. I do not have little legs. My thighs will always touch. They are more athletic than feminine. So, to have someone compliment them felt wonderful.

My body has changed since the 1st of the year. Less weight. More muscle. Stronger. Healthier than ever. Combining Jazzercise and running was the best thing for my body. And my mind. I'm trying to be content with how God has made me. To enjoy the muscle. To be okay with the fact that I will never look like most of my friends. To embrace my tree trunk legs and just accept and enjoy the compliment, "you have the sexiest calves..."

Where I've Been...

I'll post an update soon...

4-6

Nope. Not miles.

Not at all.

You wouldn't believe what I did...

Just 1 week and 2 days before leaving for Mexico...

A trip that just happens to come at a time when I'm healthier than I've ever been...

You just wouldn't believe it...

Or, if you really know me, maybe you would.

4-6.

That's the number of cookies I ate yesterday.

4 to 6.

Why? Why the 4 TO 6??

Well, I can't really remember how many I managed to shove in my mouth.

My wonderfully sweet and kind friend who also eats gluten free made some delicious gluten free chocolate chip cookies. She delivered them to my door when they were still a little warm. She delivered them to my door when I was hungry and crabby. Some might call this perfect timing. I, however, don't.

I then proceeded to barely shut my door before popping a sweet little morsel in my mouth. And while I made the kids lunches, I popped another one in. My mind goes blank at this point (probably to protect myself) and after I was tempted for more, I just threw them in the freezer.

However, last night, while Cory went to pick Cole up from church, they beckoned. Again. I grabbed 2, put them in the microwave, and enjoyed some more tasty goodness.

What have I done to correct this problem? They are now hiding. Yes, hiding in my freezer. Far out of sight. Right next to the pumpkin bread she made me...

I also ran my 3 this morning with Mandi. In great times I might add... her fastest mile ever was included! 8:29!

Then.

Then.

I went to Jazzercise.

Yes. I doubled up. I have never actually done this though I have threatened many times. It felt great and I was, admittedly, quite thankful for the break in whining and fighting.

Mexico is so close I can just about taste the wonderful chips and salsa. I am NOT going to waste all this hard work just because I'm crabby and my days have been a little less that perfect.

Staying focused. Counting down. Oh, Mexico...

Surprise!!

Last night, around 9:45, I realized that my sweet hubby had to leave for work at 6:15 on Thursday morning.

Last night, around 9:45, I realized that Mandi and I were supposed to run 6 miles on Thursday morning.

Last night, around 9:45, I realized that there was just no way that would work. And, it was too late to call...

So, this morning, when Mandi showed up at my house with her new Nike shirt on that says...

"Everything you need is already inside... Just Do It"

I told her she was wearing the perfect shirt for the day.

Then. Surprise! I threw my idea at her.

6 today. 3 Thursday. Just switching them around.

The farthest Mandi has ever ran is 5 miles. 5. We knew she would do the 6 on Thursday. But, it would be a fairly flat 6. Running from my house is NOT fairly flat. Not in the least.

Because she is amazing. Because she is a great friend. And maybe because I surprised her with it, she said sure. Why not. Oh, and did I mention, she hadn't ran since last Tuesday and she spent the weekend in Vegas. No, I didn't. But, yes, she did.

It was a beautiful morning for a run. Sun shining. Meadows glistening. Cows staring. Gorgeous.

And, she did great! Just over 10's and we felt great afterward. She did great on the hills. She did great on the run. I love that we got our 6 in and all done by 7:10. What a great morning!

Now, if the rest of my day can be just as productive...

Wow!

I was supposed to run with Mandi this morning. Four miles at my house. Just four. A little after 6 I checked my phone because she wasn't here yet... bad night sleep, still packing for her trip to Vegas (she leaves tonight), she wasn't going to make it.

I strapped on my ipod and my watch, put my soaking wet shoes on (I got drenched yesterday!) and off I went.

mile 1: 9:30
mile 2: 8:36
mile 3: 8:14 (my fastest mile yet!!)
mile 4: 7:59!!!!!

Wow!!

I was so stinkin' excited and was telling Cory about my run as he prepared the kids lunches. Cole, my oldest (he's 14) says, "there's a kid at my school who can run a 5 something mile." Yes, I know. I'm not the fastest. But, for me, THAT is the fastest mile I have EVER ran. Ever.

Maybe it was the fact that I haven't run in the sun in so long. Maybe it was the fact that I had my ipod (I haven't been running with it getting used to no music for Hood to Coast). Maybe it was the fact that although I only got about 7 hours of sleep last night (9 is great for me!), it was the best nights sleep I've had in weeks. Maybe, I'm just getting faster. Don't know. Don't truly care why. Just know that it felt fantastic and I'm so excited!

7:59!!

Great Eight

We were visiting my brother and his beautiful family in Coeur d'Alene this last weekend and I was scheduled to run an 8 miler. Before my brother was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago, he was running often and even had hopes of being an Ironman. I asked if he had any good suggestions for my run...

He took me out on his 4 wheeler and drove the course for me. Through his neighborhood, down a road, up a crazy steep hill, down the hill, up another, down a gravel road, and back, through another neighborhood, and back home again. This was almost 4. I could just double it, or meander my way through the neighborhoods, looping here and there.

To be honest, I was a little nervous. I kept asking for reassurance... "you're SURE this is safe??" To me, there was little traffic and I'd be running down a gravel road for pete's sake. NOT what I would pick if I were home, but, he continued to tell me it was safe...

Their sweet little pugle wanted to come along too and feeling like maybe, just maybe, he might scare someone off when I was out in the middle of no where, I brought him with. We headed out and I was just about done with the gravel road when poor little Boots was not looking so hot. Tongue hanging out and lagging behind, I decided to not push him anymore and took him home. I decided to run the hill again since it was so much fun the first time and just enjoyed the beauty of it all. It seriously was gorgeous and I was, I admit, a little proud of myself for getting out and running 8, in the clouds and rain, on our mini-vacation.

Miles 6,7 and 8 were fairly wet and I welcomed every drop. It felt so good and after my 7 in the pouring down rain, I have actually started to love a run in the rain.

Have I mentioned that I love running? Have I mentioned how amazing it is to feel each step? To look around at all the beauty we are so blessed with? Thank you Lord for it all!