Tempo Day

I can't believe that today is December 21 and it is 80 degrees. Today, I ran in the same attire I normally wear in July. We have had 28 degree nights then up to mid 60's lower 70's during the day. I took my boys to the park earlier today and seriously thought about working on my tan. 

I did a quick little 3 mile tempo with about an average 8:45 pace earlier today. It was a really good run. I felt great and enjoyed myself. 

One of my Christmas presents to myself arrived just a few minutes ago.  I ordered a pair of Sketchers GoRun 2's. OMG, they feel great on my feet. I may have found my new favorite shoe. I put them on and did a brief 1/4 mile lap around our property and loved the way they felt. I am itching to give them a try for real run now. 

Takes on Sketchers GoRun's????

I Need Words of Wisdom

20.01 flipping miles I ran today. This is the longest mileage I am to run withmy marathon training plan. During my last mile, I was pretty sure that I was going to die. My calf muscles were tight, quads hurt, and cramps in my hip flexors. I am looking for suggestions in what do do in the next 4 weeks to make sure I cross the finish line in my inaugural 26.2.  

Change of Routine

I hate and can not believe that I have not blogged in over a week. I was really hoping to stick to my goal of 3-4 times a week. Anyway, I hope after I finish adjusting to my new job I will get a better handle on my blogging again. 

So a brief cap of last weeks runs ( all two of them). I did a speed run one day and a 5 mile easy run with a friend Sunday. I have been working 12 hours shifts so there will be no running on my work days during winter months unless I find a really safe neighborhood. I  hoping to join a gym here at my new place of employment and maybe learn how to "really swim". I am excited about that. 

How do others working 12 hours shifts fit in outdoor runs on workdays?  

How Many Miles?!?!?!?!

Yesterday marked another milestone mileage for me. They were slow miles but, they were running miles. In the end I logged 18.34 miles in 3:24 only walking to hydrate, refuel, and during one water bottle malfunction. For fueling I used jelly beans every thirty minutes and a GU at 1:30 in. My method seemed to work well. I felt great until around mile 16 when I started to feel like in between my big toes on both feet were splitting open. Around this same time I also began having a little tightness in my left hip flexor. It seems my hip flexors are always the first thing to know when they have hit mileage they have never seen before.

When I arrived back home, I was a little afraid to take my shoes off to see what was going on with my feet. To my surprise (and relief) I couldn't see any visible problems. Today, I did have blisters show up in these areas.

I began my new job today so, I knew an ice bath would be a must post run yesterday. I tolerated it some better this time. 

I  not sure if it was the coffee or the space Hester that made it more tolerable.

Completing the 18+ miles yesterday really gave me a confidence boost in believing that I can finish a marathon. 

This leaves me with a few questions that I would love to hear from you all about. 

How many miles do you get up to in a long run during preparation training?

Is there anything I can do to prorect my feet from this blistering?

What are you refueling methods? Any of you use jelly beans?  What's the big deal with Swedish fish?  

How Many Miles?!?!?!?!

Yesterday marked another milestone mileage for me. They were slow miles but, they were running miles. In the end I logged 18.34 miles in 3:24 only walking to hydrate, refuel, and during one water bottle malfunction. For fueling I used jelly beans every thirty minutes and a GU at 1:30 in. My method seemed to work well. I felt great until around mile 16 when I started to feel like in between my big toes on both feet were splitting open. Around this same time I also began having a little tightness in my left hip flexor. It seems my hip flexors are always the first thing to know when they have hit mileage they have never seen before.

When I arrived back home, I was a little afraid to take my shoes off to see what was going on with my feet. To my surprise (and relief) I couldn't see any visible problems. Today, I did have blisters show up in these areas.

I began my new job today so, I knew an ice bath would be a must post run yesterday. I tolerated it some better this time. 

I  not sure if it was the coffee or the space Hester that made it more tolerable.

Completing the 18+ miles yesterday really gave me a confidence boost in believing that I can finish a marathon. 

This leaves me with a few questions that I would love to hear from you all about. 

How many miles do you get up to in a long run during preparation training?

Is there anything I can do to prorect my feet from this blistering?

What are you refueling methods? Any of you use jelly beans?  What's the big deal with Swedish fish?  

Jingle Jam 10k Recap

Yesterday, a friend of mine and myself ran the Jingle Jam 10k in Evans, GA. My friend has caught the running bug and I  am so excited for her. She ran her first 5k not even a month ago and contacted me minutes after she was done saying she wanted to go farther. She had already done several training runs that were 4-5 miles so, I told her I would find a 10k that we could do together.  Her first race was not officially timed and she wanted to to something more "official".  After a little searching of upcoming 10k's nearby I came across the Jingle Jam 10k and we signed up. 

Based on her fasted 5k I figured she could do a 10k in about 58-59 minutes. She finished in just a little over 58 minutes. Pretty awesome for a first timer! 

I ran beside her until the last .2 so we could encourage each other.  My finish time was 57:16.  No negative splits for us but, that's ok (this time). 

This race was the most well put together run I have done to date. They really did it up big time including a race expo the day before. The only draw back I had was the fact of no race day packet pick up. This made it a little inconvenient and added extra expense to us out of towners who didn't have any local connections to pick up packets for us.  The course was USTAF certified and was definitely challenging with lots of hills. The highlight for me were the FREE post race massages offered. I would run this race again just for the massage.  I also enjoyed seeing the runners in their Christmas race costumes.  This is most definitely a race I will do again in years to come.

Pre-Race

Post-Race

Massages

This review is my opinion only. 

Have any of you ran or are running any Christmas themed races? 

Is South Carolina the new Florida?!?!?!?

Now don't get me wrong, I love the summer and warm weather but, it is December and it feels like June. This is me and my running attire after my run today. 

Way too little clothing and way too much sweat for a December run.  By the way, is it socially acceptable to post a selfie on a blog?  

On another note, I should be getting some new shoes delivered tomorrow. I have given the Newtons a good try and I just do not think they are for me. I am going back to my roots and getting the saucony ride 6's. I had the 5's and loved them. I owned another pair of saucony's before the rides and have loved every pair.  I also have a pair of Nike zoom volero's coming in a few weeks. I am excited about giving those a try too. I have read where they were the most popular shoe worn by the top100 finishers in the NYC Marathon. Now, if I could only find a retailer that would ship me shoes to "try out" and write reviews, I would be in heaven.....hint hint if anybody can hook me up 😉. 

I am doing a 10k jingle jam Saturday. I haven't put too much thought into this run because I am running with a friend who is fairly new to running. I will proably try to stick with her during the run and not worry so about my time.  I will be wearing jingle bells with red and green running attire. I will let you know how it goes. 

What's your favorite shoe?

How's the weather where you are?

It's Officially Christmas Season

Drumroll please........it is officially Christmas season. I am watching Mational Lampoon's Christmas Vacation for the first time of the holiday season. I love Eddie and Clark. 

I could go on and on quoting this movie but, I will spare you. 

I did a 5 mile run today and it felt like summer. The humidity must have been 100%. 

I ran past an old friend of my moms house and she was out working in her yard so I stopped for a quick chat and ended up going inside and drinking a diet coke with her. I have known this lady my whole life and it was nice to catch up. She was very near and dear to my mom. I love the fact that I haveaintaines relationships with most of my moms old friends. It helps me keep her legacy alive. 

What are your favorite Christmas movies?

What are your favorite quotes from Christman Vacation?

Missing In Action

Yes, I have been MIA for a week from the blogging world and basically from the running world as well. Last week was a short work week for me and I was looking forward to kicking it off but, unfortunately the stomach bug that has slowly been visiting us one by one and week by week knocked on my door Wednesday morning. It kicked my butt worse than any run could ever do. I stayed on my couch long enough to watch Gone With the Wind two and a half times.

Sickness couldn't hold me down for long though, I had people to feed, a house to clean, and Black Friday shopping to do. Slowly but surely I managed to do all of the above after thoroughly disinfecting my house for the third time now. I seriously thought about serving Thanksgiving lunch from my floor due to its cleanliness.

I braved the Black Friday crowds with my sister in laws as it is a tradition for us and we enjoy the time with each other.  I didn't really buy a whole lot this year but, l enjoyed my company. 

Saturday was rivalry Saturday in South Carolina so off I went to see my Gamecocks beat those stinky Tigers for the FIFTH straight year!!!!  

I love Gamecock football. I was brought up on it and for as long as I can remember I have been going to the games. My oldest dearest friends (the twins) have been there through most seasons with me.  Our friendship dates back to my birth. 

These guys were even cool enough to have both had jobs working on the Gamecock sidelines. 

I let a few stinky tigers hitch a ride to the game with me but, they didn't have much to say on the way home. One of these gals is my dear sister in law and the other is another friend that dates back to kindergarten. 

Sunday I was to do a long run and had perfect conditions for it. I set out for an 18 miler and accomplished 5 miles. I have never had a run that bad. My legs were heavy, I had a spot hurting on my foot, and I just couldn't make myself run another step. I have heard people talk about bad runs and now I know what they mean. I have had times where I didn't want to go but, I was glad I did it afterward but, I have never had a day like this. I am blaming it on my stomach bug and poor appetite/diet that I had in the days following that.  I guess my body just wasn't ready. Anyway, I can't dwell on the bad so, I am looking forward to having an awesome week to make up for it. 

Tonight we decorated our tree. The boys were interested in helping for about 10 seconds and then they were off doing something else. I am not sure how the tree has a needle left on it. I have swept up enough to restraw my flower beds. 

So how do you make up for bad runs?

Colored lights or white lights in your tree?

Real tree or artificial?

Great Deal On Runners World Magazine!!!!

If anyone is reading, there is an awesome deal on Runners World Magazine right now.  It is from Southern Savers  Click here Runners World Magazine and you enter coupon code SOUTHERNSAVE to get a full year for $5.99.  The offer expires at midnight tonight.

I Need A New Watch

Where do the weekends go?  It was an unexpected busy weekend.  The brother-in-law and sister-in-law along with their kids came and spent Saturday and Sunday with us. I always love when they come but, great goodness the messes that occur when there are 4 kids ages 5 and under in one house for the weekend. I kid you not, every toy in Clayton's room was in the middle of his floor.

Before they came Saturday, I did a 4 mile run at about a 9:15 min/mile pace with six sets of a strides at the end. When I got done I was picking around with Jody in the yard and was proving to him that I could hold a plank longer than he could. I took my gps watch off so I could see the timer and I have no idea where my watch is now. So, I guess I am now in the market for a new watch. 

Yesterday was my long run and was supposed to be 16 miles. I started around 3:15 and went up and down every (safe) street in town two or three times. Somewhere around mile nine the gps signal on my phone went out so, I lost track of my mileage and pace. Isn't it odd how that just so happened on a day when I didn't have my watch?  To the best of my figuring I think my run was 14.7 miles at an average of 10:23 min/mile pace. Not the sixteen I was shooting for but, dang technology issues got the best of me. 

Any suggestions on watches?

How do you make adjustment when technology fails?

A Little PR today

I took it to the track today and had very surprising and unexpected results. With my warm up and cool down I did 4 miles in around 32 minutes. In that I did my fastest 5k to date. 

Pretty proud but it still doesn't make me look forward to track work and running without music.  I absolutely despise running with no music which I find odd. There are probably days if not full weeks that go by sometimes that I don't have the radio on iny car. So why can I drive

with no music and totally enjoy it but, can't stand to run without music. Also, I am trying this 30 day plank challenge I have been seeing posted everywhere. I am starting on day 9. I really need to work on core strength so figure this is one way to do it. 

On another note I DVR'd the NYC marathon in hopes that one day I could watch it. Well, that day is today. My husband only has to work a night shift about twice a year and tonight is one of those nights. That means the tv is ALL MINE. I never dreamed that one day I would have control of the remote and would choose to watch people run!!  My how things can change. 

How do you cope running without music?

Do you plank for core strength?

How has running changed your life or daily routine?

Constant State of Paranoia

I have been living in a constant state of paranoia since this past Thursday night. Colton had a stomach bug that night. He was pitiful and I felt helpless.  Thank goodness he quickly bounced back to himself. I spent all day Friday disinfecting our home. If I could reach it, it got wiped with pin-sol or Sani-wipes. I even took the cushion covers off my couch and washed them.  I mopped and even wiped down baseboards. Seriously, you could have licked my floors they were so clean. I also spent lots of time washing my hands to try to prevent th spread of this bug. 

Saturday came along and I just didn't feel right all morning. I am thinking Iust be getting what Colton had. I was supposed to go watch my beloved #Gamecocks play but, just could not get it in gear to get ready and go.  After a while of thinking about it, I decided that I was subconsciously depressed. Saturday would have been my moms 65 birthday and it was also the 7th anniversary of my grandmother's funeral. So, after deciding that this was my problem, I began to feel better.

Sunday, I had a long run planned with a local that I found out is training for the same marathon as me. I am beyond excited to have found a potential running partner!  I was so excited to have someone to run with that I feared all day long that I was going to get hit by the stomach bug before we could go run. Well, I didn't get sick so I started to think and hope that the rest of us had dodged the bug. 

Monday was fine. We all did our Monday things. However, after we got settled for the evening, Clayton started vomiting. Boo!!  Thank goodness again, he didn't have it as bad as Colton and he also bounced back to himself within just a few hours.  

So , as I sit her tonight I keep thinking my stomach doesn't feel exactly right. Am I getting sick now?  Is it just in my head? 

I did manage to get quick tempo in tonight.  It was on the dreadmill but, it was a run. I did 2 sets of 6 minutes marathon pace, 4 minutes half marathon pace, and 2 minutes long run pace.  

Hopefully, I can out run the illness.

On the bright side, my house is pretty near spotless. If Jody and I can manage to stay well, I shouldn't have much cleaning left to do before our family Thanksgiving. 

Quick Funny Story

Saturday night, I fell asleep on my couch while watching football. I stayed there all night. Sunday morning I was woke up by the sound of metal rubbing together. It was my very silly 5 year old taking two of my race metals and rubbing them together. Next thing I know he puts them on my chest and screams "CLEAR".  Apparently, I was sleeping so good that he must have thought I was dead and my heart needed defribilating. I have no idea where he has seen this done before (I am sure it is from something on TV that I didn't see him watching).  Usually, I am a total grump in the morning but, this had me waking up hysterically laughing. 

Can't you see silly written all over his face?

Running Route......

I love the route I normally take for my longer runs. Yes, I do sometimes get bored seeing the same things over and over but, I still love this route. I am on nothing but back country roads and the few cars that do come by are most of the time family or friends. I am pretty sure that I have never ran this route without someone I know stopping to offer me a ride home. I think they see me and think "she must have lost track of where she was". 

Today was a mid-week long run. I was supposed to do 10 but, I cut back to 8 so I could get my boys from my dad in time. I finished in 1:17 minutes +/-.  My battery went dead in my gps watch and I didn't know it until I was getting ready to head back. I turned in the tracker ony phone at this point and tracked my time and miles back in.

On a bad note, when I got back in and settled my youngest munchkin decided to start vomiting. Bless his little heart. He has been pitiful. Praying now that the rest of us do not get it. 

Where is you favorite place to run?

I Stay So Hungry....

I can't believe I am up this late on a week night. I better get use to it though. I have accepted a new position where I will be working some nights. I have worked nights in the past so, I know I will manage. I  really excited about my job opportunity but, a little nervous about starting somewhere new and learning the ins and outs of the position.  It will be fine and I will manage.

On a running note, I had to get my run in on the #dreadmill. I just wasn't in the mood to do anything except get my boys and come home when I got off work. Supper ended up taking way longer to prepare than I expected and next thing I knew it was 8:00 and the boys still needed to have a bath.  Got that done and pulled out the treadmill and got my tempo running on. I did 2 sets of 6 minutes at marathon pace 6 minutes at half pace and 2 minutes long run pace. At least I got to watch some duck dynasty. 

My burning question for this post is about #runner nutrition. Do you follow some sort of written plan?  Have a nutritionist? Don't care cause you can eat what you want and not gain weight?  I have been so hungry lately and I almost consider myself bing eating. I cant even but Nutella anymore for my kids because I end up eating it befor they get any. So, what do you suggest to get my appetite under control?

Unchartered Territory

Yesterday marked the beginning of unchartered running miles on my long runs. Until yesterday, I had never ran more than the half marathon distance. I did a total of 14.13 miles in 2:30. Yes, it was sllllllllllow paced but, I did it!  The first eight miles were all my long run pace (10:50-11:00 min/miles) and the last 6 were alternating between half marathon pace (8:57-9:03 min/miles) and long run pace.  I felt great during the run except my hip flexors knew exactly when they had hit mileage they had never seen before.  

When I got back home I was greeted by this little monkey....

Every time he see's me in my running clothes he says in the cutest little tone "Been runnin mama?  Your shirt wet?" and inspects my shirt for sweat.  I guess he is staying on top of making sure that I am giving it my all during every run. 

Besides having a first run greater than 13.1 miles, I also experimented with my first ice bath. I should have probably researched that a little more before trying it ⛄️.  I figured I would be pretty sore today so I decided to do the ice bath to keep that to a minimum and to hopefully keep the ole IT band from giving me too much of a problem. Today I am not sore and no IT band pain.  Coincidence? Luck? Who knows, I am just glad I feel as good as I do. 

After settling down from all if that, I settled down with these.....

Next thing I knew, the bag was empty...oops. 

So, what are your tips on not overeating after a long run? 

Ice bath or not?

How do you feel after finishing miles never done before?

Ran out of time.....

After talking about accountability yesterday I ended up not holding myself accountable.  A trip to the grocery store, unloading and putting up groceries, getting supper cooked, and getting lunch boxes packed left no time to squeeze in a run before I needed to get ready to head out for a ladies bible study. I thought that may I could do it when I got back home but, as usual when a group of women/mothers get together the socializing ends up lasting way longer than expected.  So, I ended up just swapping my schedule days around to still get my speed work in.  I  pretty sure it worked to my advantage. Yesterday was another one of those summer November days and today was more like fall. This ade getting some speed work done on the track more bearable. I was really surprise with my one mile repeat times.

This was the fasted pace I have had in months!  I am not trying to qualify for anything or be really super fast by any means but, I do like to see improvement.

On another note my diploma from getting my BSN finally arrive today! So here's to hoping for a little back pay from my part-time job for furthering my education!  I am sure Santa could find some goodies for my boys with that $.  

How do you manage your time wisely?  

How often do you have to switch your running scheduled around?

Accountability

Well, the weather pattern is doing its typical thing here in the south. Perfect day 2 days ago and then yesterday and today have been hot. 

Here are my stats from yesterday's mid week long run. I couldn't fit my splits on the screen. They weren't exactly where they should have been anyway (I am putting blame on the heat). 

Today should be a fairly easy interval of 2 x's 1 mile at threshold pace. I read in someone else's blog (now I can't remember who it was to give them credit) where they post there training schedule on there blog and it helps hold them accountable. I thought that was a great idea. I wouldn't want to disappoint somebody who may accidentally trip over my blog by not running the distance I was supposed to run for that particular day/week. 😃. 

So what holds you accountable to your workouts?

Shoe Transition

I had a great 4 mile tempo run yesterday afternoon.  Conditions were perfect!  Today is my midweek long run.  I will be doing 8 miles with a mix of long run pace and tempo pace.
Today will also be my longest run to date wearing my Newton Energy's.  I feel like I have been transitioning into them rather well.  I do seem to notice the lugs more on the left foot than the right and I am not sure if that means anything or not.  I would like to hear opinions on this shoe if anyone has anything to offer up.  I am coming into these from the Mizuno Wave Precision 13.  I have loved the Precision 13!!!!
 I seem to not get more than 300 miles out of any running shoe. For the woman in me this is a good thing because I get to get new shoes more often.  For my bank account this is not such a good thing!!  My clue to needing new shoes is when I start noticing IT Band issues.  I am really hoping the Newton's will help train me to be a midfoot striker and hopefully this will decrease the ITBS flare ups.  In the mean time it is me and the foam roller.  

Takes on Newton Energy?

Takes on Mizuno Precision 13?

ITBS remedies?

The Weather is Here...

Finally, it is my favorite time of year to run.  The southern humidity is finally tolerable.  To me there is nothing worse than running when it is humid.  I have heard some people say that it is harder for them to run in the cold but, for me it is humidity.  I am hoping that I will start seeing an improvement on my vDOT with the weather cool down.
This week is week 14 of my 24 week marathon training plan.  When I was trying to decide on a training plan, I went with one from Marathon Nation.  The plan determines your paces by periodically testing your vDOT.  Most of the training runs consist of you running at different paces (long run pace, marathon pace, 1/2 pace, threshold) and builds up your endurance of running on tired muscles.  According to my current vDOT I am looking at about a 4:25-4:30 marathon finish.
Now, the hard part is learning to better manage my time.  I will always welcome any tips from you veteran mother runner's.

How do you manage your time between your career, being a wife, mother, and runner?

Has anyone done the Marathon Nation training?  If so, what did you think?

Weekend Review

So, life happens and I am not complaining. Last week was abnormally busy and I didn't come close to getting my weekly mileage in. I picked up extra hours at my part time job, had a late afternoon meeting one day, trick or treating with the kiddo's one day, and stormy weather one day. How often does this happen to others?  What do you do you do to make up for this?

Yesterday, I went for a run in another town. I love running in different places. It makes the time spent running go extremely fast and I don't notice litte aches and pains as much.  My sister in law watched the kids while I ran and met me at a park across town. I must admit I was a little disappointed when she sent me a text saying she was leaving her house to head for the park. I was having one of those days that I felt like I could run forever.  

Saturday was a fun day. Colton got to experience his first #gamecocks football game. He had a blast and I am pretty sure I have another little gamecock for life. Here are a few pictures of him from gameday......

I am thinking he must be doing his impression of Miley in the top pictures. He kept sticking his tongue out everytime I attempted to snap a picture. 

Giving it the "ole college try"

So here it goes.  I want to blog, I want to share my life, I want to talk about things that may not interest my family and friends but, may interest others.  I want to connect with others who do share my interest.
I am the wife to a great man who I don't always give the credit he deserves.  He puts up with me and that in itself makes him great.  We have a great history and have made it through a lot of up's and down's that life has thrown our way.  We have two pretty cool boys.  They are typical little boys who are full of energy, fearless, and who make us appreciate every breath we take.
Next, I run, so therefore I am a runner.  I may not be "good at it" but, I love it.  Currently I am attempting to train for my first marathon.  I am battling some mental road block and have read other blogs of people who have gone through these same emotions.  In actuality that is what ultimately leads me to blog.  I want to do this, and I want to hear from others who are going through this or have gone through this.  I feel good physically but, often find myself mid long run talking myself out of it.
Now, hopefully some other runner friends will stumble across my page and we can help each other out.