December, Numbers and the New Year

December has been an amazing month filled with family and baking, games and cleaning, running and little resting.  And even with as busy as it's been, I cannot remember a time, at Christmas, where I have felt so at peace, so calm and so blessed. 

Hearing my kids voices, their giggles, their excitement, is music to my ears.  Even with all the whining, the sweetness still wins and is ever present in my mind. 

I think of this December and I smile.  I think of this Christmas and I smile.  I think of the fact that the break is almost over and I wish we had another week...

As for running?  I am left in awe after each run.  I am left praising the Lord for my health, for the fact that I am still injury free, for how far I have come.  It is unfathomable to me. 

I ran a 7 miler that had me feeling closer to God than ever before.  That had me running the last mile in 7:23.  A run in which the chains of my lifelong insecurities were broken.  A run in which I had a bald eagle fly above me, the sun shine on my face and for the first time in my life, I felt like an athlete.  A strong, lean, athlete.  7 miles that had me smiling the biggest smile, feeling like I could do anything, amazing...

I ran 16 easy miles in 2:25:37 - a 9:06 average pace.

I ran a 6 mile tempo run at an average pace of 8:08, including warm up and cool down...  9:07, 7:59, 7:42, 7:41, 7:28, 8:52

I ran 6.5 miles with repeat times at 6:46, 6:52 and 7:00.

I ran 18 easy to me miles in 2:37:51!  An average pace of 8:46!  And it was easy!  God is amazing!!

I ran a 7 mile tempo run with miles at 7:57, 7:53, 7:59, 7:52 and 7:35.

I've ran in awe.

And yesterday, I ran 20 easy miles in 2:59:12.  An average pace of 8:58.  Finishing with the final mile at 8:11!

I am in awe.

God has been very gracious with me.  I have been blessed not only because I continue to run, not only because I remain free of injuries, but because my time with Him, while running, is cherished.  I have had conversations with Him that have caused me to grow by leaps and bounds.  I have a peace that can only come from Him.  Nothing else. 

He is good.

As I look toward the New Year, I smile.  I think of New Year's last year.  I finished 2010 with 2 miles and  started 2011 with 3 miles.  Knowing 2011 was going to bring more.  And it was.  Lots of growth, lots of miles.

1224 miles.

My goals for running in 2012 are not really a secret.  I'm fairly certain I've put them out there.  But, just in case...

A sub 4 marathon...

And more so, a sub 3:40 marathon.

A smile on my face. 

Amazing time with the Lord.

And many many more miles.

Praying for abundant blessings for you all, thanking the Lord for the friendships formed with some amazing bloggers, hoping that maybe, just maybe I'll get to meet some of you this year :) 

Happy Happy New Year!!

Today's Run Is Brought To You By The Letter P

Perfect Advise

Powerbar

Pretty much always late

Preschool

Precious little time

Petrified at mile 9

Pleasantly surprised

Potential peaking through

P

Last night, I realized that I had zero Shot Bloks in the house.  Nor was there a drop of GU.  I had 14 to do today and my imagination was running wild trying to figure out just house I would fuel myself on my run.

Craisins?

Powerbar?

Marshmallows??

Okay, kidding on the marshmallows.

But, seriously a bit concerned.  Do I drive into town with 4 kids??  Do I make do??  What to do???

I got on Facebook to see if my sweet friend, G, was available.  We came up with a plan and I knew that my run could be a total fail.  But, at least it would be a learning experience.

And then, worry set in and I had 20 minutes until I needed to pick the oldest up from wrestling practice.  "Kids, let's go!!"  The closest store options were Walgreens and Albertsons and wouldn't you know it, neither carried GU or Shot Bloks.  Crap.

This morning I got dressed as soon as I woke up.  Running gear on and ready to go.  Now, all I needed to do was get all the kids out the door on time and get B and I out the door about 20 minutes earlier than normal.  We could not be late.

I had an EASY 14 miles to run.  Easy meaning it was to be run at an easy pace.

Unfortunately, I'm pretty much always late.  Unfortunately, it was 9:06 when my watch turned on.  Unfortunately, I needed to pick B up at 11:15.  Crap.

GO!

8:29
8:30
8:22  Either I'm going to make it or I'm going to completely bonk and fail...
8:22
8:20  Wow, still feeling pretty good.  Maybe...
8:30  Almost half-way.  Either I can keep this up or...
8:22
8:17  Gorgeous.  Simply gorgeous.
8:03  Last hill, last hard part, easy from here.  Ride the hill and then push.  Holy crap!  Is that a man coming out of the trees?  Is that a camera in his hands?  No...  Binoculars??  No...  A BEER!!!  It's barely even 10 in the morning!!  Completely freaked out I took off and ran up the hill at a 7:55 pace.  Scary!!!
8:20
8:17  I cannot believe this!  Thank you for this blessing, Lord!!  You are amazing!!
8:25
8:19  13.1.  Stop.  1:49!!  My fastest 13.1 ever!! 
8:52  Huge smile on my face.  PLENTY of time to get back to preschool.  Making myself slow down and at least take 1 of my 14 miles easy.  Smile did not leave my face!  I kid you not, I could NOT stop smiling as I bounded along the road!

I didn't have any expectations of this run.  After all, it was just a 14 mile training run.  Nothing spectacular should have happened.  I should not have been able to run my fastest longest run ever.  I mean, seriously, 1:49?!? 

I think I need a new mantra...  run like you're going to be late for preschool pick-up.  I could be in a new running ad.  Any takers??  Nike?  Saucony?  Another Mother Runner??  Brooks?  Oh, and I'm sure Lululemon needs some new ideas :)  And I'm completely sure that they all want an ad with a mid-30's, middle of the pack, Mom of 5...
 
This was the end of marathon training week 3 and I haven't even begun my track workouts yet.  I'm beyond excited to see where this body and mind will be in 15 more weeks!  

**I started writing this yesterday and ran out of time.  Therefore, pretend you're reading this on Friday not Saturday :)