Monday, March 23, 2009

Emotional Day

Today was a very tough day.

That's all. God isn't a God of confusion and will make it all clear with time. When the time is right, we'll know.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Day 1 - 1/2 marathon

Day 1 of 1/2 marathon training.
Monday - Strength and stretch

On these days, I'll be doing some Bowflex arm reps at home and then hitting a 1 hour yoga class at the gym for stretching. I'll also be doing a low impact run with Ricky on this day for his miles.

Today I didn't make the yoga class because that leaves hubby at home to make dinner and get ready for work all by himself. I didn't prep dinner, that's my fault, and so I felt bad leaving tonight. I did reps on the bowflex and I really like it! I'll do some yoga with a DVD I have at home tonight. Man I love yoga, it's as addictive as running.

Tomorrow - 3 miles.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

6 Tunnels to Hoover Dam

The Hoover Dam 5k was good. It was absolutely beautiful. The incredible views and scenery here make me want to NEVER leave! Especially now that I run.

The race itself was ok. I was really dissapointed because the site made it sound as if the site was newly paved... yeah well half of it was and that was only for the 1/2 marathoners. Our 5k and the second leg of the 1/2 marathon was ALL TRAIL. Rocks, dirt, uneven ground. I was a little bit peeved as I wore my new sneakers out there and they weren't honest about the course. It was gorgeous though with an elevated course along lake mead and through tunnels. Words and pictures can't describe it.

Best of all... I beat my PR by 1:47!! On a trail nonetheless! I can't wait to see how I do in 3 weeks at Lake Havasu.

Ricky is already showing his true running colors! He ran 2 miles with me yesterday. He was complaining a bit towards the end but never gave up, just slowed down a bit.

I also committed to training for a 1/2 marathon. I'm following one of Hal Higdon's traiing schedules. His couch to 5k is what got me where I am now and his plans really work well with my fitness level and family life.
http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

I might still do the NJ state triathlon, but we'll see. I want to, I just don't love it like I do running. For now, 1/2 marathon in June here I come!

PS. I'm also really stupid...I didn't ice my legs or keep my shin sleeves on after the race today! WHY?! There was just so much to do when we got home and I had only gotten an hour of sleep last night. Now I'm hoping it still helps.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Upcoming races

I have a 5k this Saturday March 14th - the Six Tunnels to Hoover Dam, an dannual St. Patty's Day race. I'm a little apprehensive about this one because of the high nuber of people. There's going to be 1000+ runners and I haven't ever run with that many people. I don't know what to expect. Will I be able to keep my pace? Will it be a pain to have to keep running around people? I'm just doing it really to get another 5k done and to experience running up there, it's supposedly a really beautiful race!

Then On April 4th, the whole fam is heading to Lake Havasu in Arizona for the Havasu Half marathon and 5k. It'll be a fun trip, a new experience and since I will have done two 5k races already, I shouldn't be nervous at all. It'll be our first travel race!


On another note, Ricky started running yesterday. He did better than I expected him to. He kept up a good pace and didn't give up when he felt a bit tired. We did about 1/10 short of a mile. Afterwards he still had wind to play at the park and run some sprint races with his brother! His first race will be March 28th! 2 miles.

I just don't have it in me

I have been trying off and on now for 4 months to train for a triathlon. I get really excited and do well the first few weeks, but then I lose it. I just can't get into the swimming and cycling. I love being active so it's really fun for me to do those sports, but I don't enjoy them both enough to train and do them alllllll the time. I just don't have the desire for them like I do for running. When it comes to running, I feel sad when I have to give up running to go biking or swimming. I look more forward to running races throughout my triathlon training than swim and cycle training. I'm just not having fun with it and find myself longing to run instead. I also LOVE the fact that with running, I can travel all over the place. It's so simple to pack the family of 5 and my running shoes and just go. The first week in April, we're heading to Lake Havasu in Arizona for a run race. Just GO. I'm finding myself harboring a desire to go from my 5k to a 1/2 marathon by summer. I think I;d rather do a triathlon to say I;ve done one. To have it on my resume of life, but running...running just seems to be in my blood. I think about it all the time. It's my true desire.