Wednesday, July 8

2 miles outside with my dear sweet husband!

Yes, he is a runner too. At times, HE has been the runner of the family. At times, *I* have been the runner of the family. We have never been runners at the same time. Usually one of us holds down the couch while the other is out running. But, we are BOTH supposed to run at Disney (he's doing the half). So, we both must get off the couch.

We have not run together since we first met in Army ROTC in college almost 17 years ago. We are slower now, and heavier. Busier. Grayer. More responsible. I remember at the time being crazy in love with him and thinking I could never possibly love him more. I was silly and foolish. Like love was just hanging on his every word and thinking he was so stinking hot. Life is complicated, messy. So much of the time, we're just doing the best we can. I'm happy that I get to muddle through it with my best friend.

My left shin has been aching after I run outside. I have always been crazy careful about avoiding injuries (except that I never stretch. Which is like saying that I am the most careful driver ever, except that I don't wear a seat belt.) So I've been icing it frequently. But then in the latest copy of Runner's World, I read that wearing sandals can give you shin splints (because there is no arch support). My choice of footwear during all non-snow months?



Not only sandals, but the most beat up sandals of all time. I'm so sad. Whatever am I going to do?

Tuesday July 7

3 miles on the indoor track

I registered for the Philadelphia Distance Run, a half marathon in Philly on 9/20 that I will run with my friend Bourne and his lovely wife (who kicks my butt). The most exciting part of the race is that my husband has granted me a THREE DAY FURLOUGH to go away from the demands of motherhood and JUST HAVE FUN! That is sooooooo awesome. (Especially when I will be with such awesome friends!) Only slightly less exciting is looking at the course elevation map.. FLAT! FLAT! FLAT AS A PANCAKE! God Bless Philadelphia.

Of course, slightly panic-inducing is the fact that we are already INTO the training schedule for the half. Which is fine, really, I just felt like I had more time to kind of e-a-s-e back into it. Not so much.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

3 miles outside this morning

I have only run outside once since I've been here, and that's because I was forced by over-enthusiastic friends who are not intimidated by hills. Me? Intimidated by hills. But I also know that hills are good for me. If I can get into the habit of running outside around here, I will be a much stronger runner. So last night, I made myself go to bed early (kind of) so that I could get up before the kids and get out the door.

And wouldn't you know it? It was raining when I rolled out! It has not rained here in at least 10 days. I had to laugh. I went anyway. It was hard. But I walked less than I did the last time, and my little Yorkie kept me company, and I got 'er done!

The reason I joined the gym with the indoor track was primarily because it's summer and the kids are out of school. And I want them to be involved in some sort of fitness routine. One summer we did a "walk club" where we went walking together every day and we kept track of mileage and they got prizes for hitting certain mileage, etc etc. But it's hot here. And I want to run, not walk. A track is perfect because I can see them the whole time. Indoors is even better, because it's air conditioned. The small track, even though it is monotonous, lets me be near each of them, frequently (remember, I'm running with a 5, 6.5, 10, 10, and 13 year old). They each have a string of 15 beads, and as they go around, they push a bead down the string to keep track of their laps. I bought a lap counter at Dick's Sporting Goods so I can just push the clicker every time I go around.

July Goals

-run 4-5 days per week
-increase mileage from 11 miles/week to 15 miles/week
-get to a 5 mile long run
-run hills (meaning outside, v. on indoor track) 1-2 times per week
-run on vacation
-drink more water
-no eating after 7
-goodbye, Ben & Jerry

Dusting off the Cobwebs

I'll bet you thought I sat back down on the couch.

I did.

Kind of.

Things got a little crazy, with the home renovations, and the moving, and the everything. And I didn't run for a couple of months. At all. And I put some weight back on. Like a lot of it. (Yes, I do eat my stress, thank you very much.) And I knew that getting back to running was going to be like starting all over again.

So I moved to Virginia. And I started all over again.

I joined a gym that has an indoor track (15 laps=1 mile. Yes, I do get a little dizzy.) And I take the kids there 4-5 days a week and I make them run too. And then I take them to the pool afterwards, where there is a big waterslide and the water is warm and they just love it. This way, they BEG me to go to the gym, and I have no excuse not to. And days when they don't want to run, there is actually free childcare at the gym, so I still have no excuse.

The first week, I ran 10 miles.
The second week, I ran 11 miles.
This week, I ran 11.5 miles.

Is there anyone still here?

I guess I'd better come up with some July goals...

My kids are speed racers

Soooo... I signed up for a half marathon that I opted not to run. But I also signed all of my kids up to run the free kids' runs as part of the big exciting event. Yesterday was the big day, and they were excited! Notice that WildGirl is 2 weeks post hip surgery and is not allowed to put any weight on her left leg. WildGirl and BabyBoy get ready to run 1/8 of a mile with the 3 & 4 year olds. (WildGirl is 6, but geez, how far do you want to make her hop with a walker, eh?) Petite and Gwo get ready to run a whole mile with the 9 & 10 year olds. Here is a very exciting race video that will be up only Sunday and Monday (since I cheer my kids' names aloud the entire time).


All of the kids were excited to finish their first race (BabyBoy said, "I winned the race! I got a medal!") They were all excited to hear that there is another chance for them to run on 5/16, IF they want to.

Jess and I were going to run the 5K this morning (Sunday) but then we wimped out of that too. I did run 3 miles this morning, but not at 8 a.m. More like a leisurely 9:30. Which was a-ok by me.

Saturday, May 2

3 miles outside. It was the first run in 3 weeks. It felt.. well, it was alternately awesome and a little tough, but I was happy to be there. The cherry blossoms were in bloom, and the lilacs, and when the wind blew, the trees "snowed" little pink and white flowers. I loved it. I got a chance to be reminded that I enjoy running.

I also used the run as a chance to decide whether or not to run the half marathon that I was signed up for for Sunday. On the one hand, I could probably finish the half. But it would be difficult. Let's be honest. It would suck. And I decided that I want to get away from racing for now, that I want to get back to enjoying running for running's sake. I definitely still plan to run Disney. But for now, that's my only plan.